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.
Sunday 27 October 2024 - it's Day 977 of #Russia's full invasion. This is the original, the best thread covering the illegal war being waged on #Ukraine.
I've never missed a day, and it's all free, but if you can spare a coffee to support me, please click the link in my bio💙💛
Saturday was another one of those days when sadly, we saw many of the usual #Russia tactics...
Attack civilians, bomb anything they can reach, oh, and hire thugs to help intimidate and fix elections.
Read all about it - click the link to catch up:
The ruling Georgian Dream party has given itself over 54% after almost all votes have been counted.
The united anti-Russia opposition supposedly only managed 37%
However protests are likely after numerous violations on election day.
You've found the start of Sunday's thread dedicated to #Ukraine's fight for democracy, survival and some would say, protecting the west and its neighbours like #Moldova and #Georgia, as #Russia's imperialist ambitions move into overdrive.
Day 970, less than a month 'til 1,000😳
Here's the link to the start of yesterday's thread. I'm heartened to get a lot of messages saying how much they use this, so they can see all the stories of the day quickly and easily.
It was an explosive end to Saturday - explore here:
A lot to get through with the overnight attacks on both countries, but first #Russia losses.
1,340 more invaders killed/maimed.
So, October's now on course to be the bloodiest month ever for Putin's horde. The daily mean is 1,268 just below Sept's 1,272 but with an extra day.
Hello again, welcome to another daily thread covering all things #Ukraine and #Russia as the latter continues its attempt to destroy freedom, democracy and the U.N. charter.
All the news, all the time, fact checked and in one place.
Here's Tuesday thread:
Missed something on Monday?
As always, here's the easy chance to catch up. Click the link for the start of yesterday's thread and work your way down from there.
Another #Ukraine port city has been hit tonight.
Ballistic missiles struck #Mykolaiv in the south of the country.
One person was killed + 11 injuries from #Russia's attack.
Two videos from the same apartment, one captured the moment of the hit, the other shows the damage.
Welcome to the weekend, and Day 934 of #Russia's illegal war.
I'm trying to overcome technical problems all this morning, hence the later start.
But I will not be stopped in bringing you the news from, and about, #Ukraine every single day, in one handy thread.
Here's the link to the start of yesterday's thread, for those catching up.
We fight a constant battle against X censorship, so please share, spread, recommend valued accounts and check if you or friends have been unfollowed from favourite people/accs.
Overnight there were strong explosions near occupied #Mariupol.
It would seem #Ukraine has hit one of #Russia's ammo dumps.
🇺🇦advisor Petro Andryushchenko says it happened between the villages of Portovskoe, Rybatskoe and Melekino.
#RussiansGOHOME
#Russia expels 6 UK diplomats, accused of spying. The FSB says the group attended NGO meetings!
State TV Rossiya-24 published photos of the six, naming them as Jessica Davenport, Callum Andrew Duff, Grace Elvin, Catherine McDonnell, Blake Patel, Thomas John Hickson Stevinet.