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.
Only a 65% success rate for Ukraine's air defence last night.
75 drones were launched by Russia, initially at eastern areas, then attacking Kyiv later in the night.
One UAV is still flying, of the others, Ukraine brought down 48.
Wednesday. Day 1302 of the illegal war started by Russia.
For all the fact-checked news about Ukraine, analysis not sugar-coated, and honest appraisals of the situation, trust an expert who isn't here for clicks (if I was I'd post lies & gory videos).
Thanks for being #TeamTim
Yesterday an astonishing report from Yale showing Russia forcing kidnapped kids to work in drone factories, how Croatia may have embarrassed the Putin/ Hungary/Slovakia axis.
Those and many more stories in Tuesday's thread, click here to review:
Day 1301 of Ukraine fighting for its survival. The right to be free, speak their own language, worship in their own churches, to learn their own history.
A history of long suppression by Russia.
As war crimes grow daily, the words "never again" don't seem to apply.
Here's the🧵
Yesterday began, and ended, with Russia attacking Zaporizhzhia, injuring civilians.
Also, the head of the IAEA disgraced himself in Russia's arms, changes of 🇺🇦army leadership, and how a Russian guy was a Putin opponent, until 3 mins after being elected.
Day 1300 of Putin's war.
Another 100 days of fighting completed.
We are no nearer peace than we were 100 days ago.
Almost 200 days ago Trump demanded a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.
Not surprising as he started it, it's always Putin stopping peace.
Here's Monday's daily🧵
If you were busy over the weekend, click the link to see all Sunday's stories.
It was a day when Ukraine had to quickly repair a main railway line after a massive explosion, but they also managed to make multiple hits on Russia's rail and oil industries
Hello on Day 1298 of Russia's full invasion of its sovereign neighbour. So, only 1295 days late in fulfilling the boast of taking Kyiv in 3 days. #EATP for Putin.
I've compiled a🧵every single day without fail.
You can help my work with a boost, comment, re-post or a coffee🙏
Friday saw more important visitors arrive in Kyiv (and another familiar place is in Ukraine today).
There was more solidarity and practical support, while Russia suffered more oil woes.
I'll start in Odesa, because that's where the familiar face has turned up.
He was planning to return to Ukraine a couple of weeks ago, but couldn't make it, but now Boris is back.
Loved by nearly all Ukrainians, his early arrival (with Lord Ashcroft) meant he avoids the crowds.