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.
A late start to today's thread on Day 1216 of Russia's war of choice, after another late finish due to the latest murderous attack on civilians by Putin's horde.
With all the important news, every day, this is THE best place for Accurate, Reliable, Honest analysis and reporting
Kyiv was again the target overnight, details at the end of yesterday's thread.
But a lot of important and interesting stories Sunday, including how the animal kingdom took revenge on one traitor, but more pain for Ukraine as a training ground is again hit
Zelenskyy is visiting my shores today, speaking with Sir Keir Starmer to discuss joint defence protection, which will probably see an agreement on manufacturing.
Ukraine's leader points out the hypocrisy of Russia, condemning the US strikes in Iran then hours later hitting Kyiv
Russia displayed outright Nazism + Fascism on Friday.
From killing in Ukraine, more utterings from the war-criminal in chief, to locking up young women and taking legal action against small independent new sites.
Thursday 19 June is Day 1212 of the conflict in Europe.
Russia continues to make ground, expending its soldiers at will for a few more metres as Ukraine fights for its existence having been shamefully let down by the USA.
I'm here every single day, so here's today's daily 🧵
Wednesday saw the death toll in Kyiv rise throughout the day, ending at double the number it started at. Then later Putin cynically told journalists they only hit military targets
Elsewhere another traitor to Ukraine met his fate - click here to catch-up
Trump is now 150 days late in promising "peace within 24 hours" of taking office.
It's also, as @andrii_sybiha points out, 100 days since🇺🇦 agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, as tRUmp demanded.
Russia did what it always does: delay, lie, kill.
No time to waste. Kyiv is under the most immense attack.
It's Day 1210 of Russia's increasingly desperate attempt to eviscerate Ukraine and all Ukrainians.
Here's the daily thread, continuing to document the night attacks...
Just gone 04:35 in Kyiv.
A hellish night is not yet over.
Apartment blocks, student dormitories hit.
6 districts of Kyiv city damaged, plus other injuries in the wider region
Here's the link for Monday's thread with all the last half showing the chaos:
If you're just waking up, here's an idea of what's happened to Kyiv while you were sleeping.
Ukraine's capital has not slept.
Many are without homes due to Russia's ongoing war crimes and one person, an American, has lost his life during the attack.
Hello again. Day 1203 of Russia's genocidal war in Ukraine
Anyone with a brain slightly larger than that of a chihuahua knows it. Russian history and Putin's own words spelt it out, but peaceniks, Naziniks and idiotniks are still in denial
More proof coming up in🧵for Day 1203
Yesterday's thread lasted well over 24 hours, but nothing to be proud of.
I know I'm crazier than you, and thankfully you all have lives to live. So you will be needing the link to the start of yesterday's thread so you can catch up on what you missed..