Putin's army - along with the mercenaries - seem on the verge of a first military success for months since losing two whole swathes of land over the summer.
All the news right here in my daily thread, updated in real time.
Some graphic and horrendous scenes yesterday in an increasingly bloody battle in all senses.
#Ukraine claiming it has not lost #Soledar yet.
Plenty of other news too - you can bring yourself up to date by scrolling through Wednesday's thread here:
430* more troops in #Russia's military killed in the last 24 hours. A big figure, but well down on recent peaks.
Also down are the general equipment numbers destroyed.
This is in line with the end of one big battle as we seem to be at #Soldar.
*Ukraine estimates
Propaganda wars continue: scarcely a mention of the likely loss of #Soledar in #Ukraine media while Russian sites are full of the supposed glory of taking a small town that pre-war had scarcely 10,000 residents
Ukraine released this GRAPHIC video claiming over 100 Russians died:
Journalists, Cabinet Ministers and "representatives of law enforcement agencies" are on Moscow's "Stop List" says the Kremlin's Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
#Russia looks on the verge of increasing the age range for conscripts. Currently it's set at 18-27 year olds. Defence Minister Shoigu said he favoured moving it to ages 21-30.
But now a proposal gaining favour in the Kremlin is to expand the draft to those aged 18 to 30 years.
Here's the British update - reporting on #Russia's Rapid Reaction force, pressed in to action to stop #Kreminna falling. #Ukraine has continued to make small incursions in #Luhansk despite the setbacks in #Donetsk this week.
#Cyprus is another country in the #EU which has tacitly supported #Russia over the years, turning a blind eye to some stinky money in many accounts there.
Outrage in #Mariupol at the destruction by the Occupiers of an historical monument.
The "House with a Clock" is no more. It was the workshop of the leading monumental artist Arnautov whose mosaics are recognised as cultural heritage by USA. #Russia had said it was being repaired
Reports of multiple explosions in occupied #Melitopol' this afternoon.
Some of the explosions may have been #Russia's training exercises for new recruits.
But one channel says locals suspect an ammunition depot detonating and blasts were heard in three other areas of the town.
Serhiy Haidai says "The Armed Forces of #Ukraine are holding their positions there. And on the Kreminna and Svatove directions (we) are moving forward."
Who'd have guessed?
Labour's ridiculously short sighted "Golden Visa" scheme, which was finally shut earlier this year, allowed criminals and (now sanctioned) oligarchs from #Russia to gain citizenship - and launder money in London.
1/4 #Russia is just obsessed with trying to make links with #Ukraine and Nazis.
Been discussing this story with @motytchak for whom I give many thanks.
Earlier a video appeared on RU channels (see next tweet) which claims to be a UA soldier with chemical weapons
2/4 But not just any chemical weapons of course, propagandists claim it's Hydrocyanic capsules, better known as Zyklon B used by Nazi Germany on Jews in WWII and which needs to be stored in the cold.
Conveniently, the video appears just as Wagner make claims of chemical attacks
3/4 It's almost certainly staged - a disgusting fake.
The man in the video says "we'll be dropping this on your head - you'll appreciate it."
But as native speakers tell me it's not normal Ukrainian. Sounds like a Russian student trying to speak very correct Ukrainian
4/4 And does anyone really think any army would store this stuff in an open fridge? Let alone film it if they were using it?
A reminder that #Russia was found to have used chemical weapons in #Syria.
With regard to the Chemical Weapons story above, one more good point @motytchak makes is:
"who can guarantee uninterrupted electricity for the fridge near the frontline in Ukraine in the conditions that we are living in now."
Nothing about this story adds up. Verdict: 100% Fake
It seems #Belarus is equipping an airfield near #Ukraine for combat missions.
Telegram Channel UaOnlii publishes satellite photos showing the old air base near #Homel (RU: #Gomel) now has air defence and radar systems plus two artificial hills.
More shelling is reported across the Russian border in #Belgorod this evening.
This man in Novy Oskol says the windscreen of his car was shattered by shrapnel.
I don't often show clips of #Russia's daily update, but this is worth it.
You may recall how they've so far destroyed twice as many #HIMARS as #Ukraine ever had. 150% of Ukraine's air force, but now one better. They've destroyed US Bradley vehicles before they arrive😄🤡
Hope it's published online soon, but if you're in the UK, worth a watch on Sky News.
There are reports of a #Ukraine fightback in #Soledar, possibly retaking the train station (not in centre of the town)
It could be fake, but watching Alex Rossi's report I was amazed to see drones still able to operate with so many Russian forces and jammers, so it is possible.
Thanks @miltownroad who found the excellent Sky News report from #Soledar on YouTube
#USA says it "supports the decision of allies to provide tanks to #Ukraine" but that may not mean #Germany will release the Leopards.
US Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder made the statement during a Pentagon briefing.
Germany had said it won't send tanks until USA does.
Oh, just seen that another building was hit with something quite big in #Makiivka today.
Day 1247
It's never ending. At least it feels like it after another sleepless night and "peace talks" that lasted 40 minutes and Russia still refusing Trump's demand for a ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to 135 days ago.
All the news, all the time, it's the daily Ukraine🧵
A quick reminder if you appreciate my work (and lack of sleep) you can donate coffee via the link in my bio🙏
But this is the link you probably really want! To check back on all yesterday's news, especially when Russia was attacked late at night.
You've found the start of another daily thread. I've not missed one day since Russia's full invasion, bringing all the Ukraine news in one handy thread every single day.
It's Day 1246, let's begin.
A late finish last night for me (yeah, not unusual), so a later start.
But not due to a massive Russian attack, but because of the political situation & public backlash
Another bumper thread, big Ukraine street protests for the 1st time in years in here
The biggest thing today will hopefully be the resumption of talks between Ukraine and Russia.
The meeting will again take place in Istanbul, starting at 7pm UKR time, 5PM BST, noon EST.
Venue is the Çırağan Palace - can't wait to hear reporters butcher that name😂 [Cheer-raan]
Day 1245
One thousand, two hundred + forty-five days of battling to survive against what was said to be the world's 2nd greatest army.
Ukraine's resistance has been heroic but still a lot of work to do.
I'm starting Tuesday's thread before sleep as the air attack just ended.
Monday's thread was another 50-post marathon
A lot of problems for Russia, with drones, planes, trains and the elements. But another major Ukraine city was hit in the early hours of this morning.
All yesterday's news is here, click and scroll to catch-up
Day 1243 of Russia's gross violation of the peaceful world order. Breaking UN Rules and the Geneva Conventions. Doing anything to anyone in a bid to eliminate Ukraine and all its people who won't bow down to the Führer of the 21st century.
Here's yet another daily thread.
Well, for a country at war, it's been a quiet night and day so far in Ukraine.
Mind you, not so in Russia, and the previous 24 hours turned out a little crazy, with a 50-page thread to get your teeth into if you were busy on Saturday:
I finally made it, to start Saturday's daily thread covering all things about Russia's aggression, not only in Ukraine, but increasingly on all of its enemies.
It's Day 1242, which began after midnight with a mass of objects flying both both sides of the border.
Friday's was another huge thread, not surprising as it encompassed 24 hours from start to end.
Catching up? Click, scroll down to where you left off.
Can't remember where you got up to? Try liking every post then when you scroll back you see where♥️end