Day 362 of #Russia's illegal war in #Ukraine, so almost a year.
But many of the problems the free world face now is because of inaction almost a decade ago.
A bigger anniversary is today it's exactly 9 years since #Russia invaded #Crimea. Putin even gave medals showing the date
And, before we go any further, here's the link to Sunday's thread, in case you need to catch up:
More of the same on the battlefield.
Relatively minor equipment losses for #Russia, but its people are expendable. Moscow and its leaders simply do not care about soldiers, they are just cattle to work in the fields until death. 820 martyrs to Putin yesterday.
Adding to the previous tweet, speculation @POTUS could make the long journey to #Kyiv.
#Ukraine's Dep FM Melnyk saying
"A surprise is being prepared. It's important that on the anniversary we see not only support in words, but also the presence of important partners in Kyiv."
An important, landmark week then.
Here are some dates
Tuesday: Putin national speech
Tue/Wed? Zelenskyy in Poland, likely to meet Biden
Thur 18.30 GMT: @Independent live panel discussion, featuring me!
also "Defender of Fatherland" (men's) day in #Russia
Fri: Anniversary of war
1/2 Also in #Ukraine today they mark the Revolution of Dignity (#Maidan). Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. People of different ages and professions but with the same values and hopes.
Here, and next tweet, are more of my photos from the bloodiest day of the Revolution, 20/02/14,
2/2 The previous photos showed the awful situation as volunteers had to turn a kiosk into a makeshift hospital.
Here, an old couple who'd driven from outside of #Kyiv with carrier bags of donations, aid arriving at St Michael's, protesters taking a break and the #Maidan stage
So Joe Biden HAS arrived in #Kyiv after all. I take my hat off to him and security personnel.
This morning many streets in #Ukraine's capital were sealed off around the US embassy in particular. @POTUS' schedule is not known.
More grainy footage of Joe Biden in central #Kyiv, visiting the memorial wall which honours #Ukraine's fallen soldiers in the country's defence against #Russia's attempt to end the country's freedom.
"I felt it was important the President of the US to be here the day the attack began. I was warning the world that (Putin) would attack... This is my 8th trip, much has changed"
On #Ukraine's "Revolution of Dignity" day, #USA's @POTUS laid a wreath at the memorial war.
Here are remembered all the victims of #Russia's aggression and imperialism since fomenting trouble in #Ukraine and invading #Crimea 9 years ago today.
Here's the full White House statement released after Joe Biden made it safely to #Kyiv this morning.
According to @AFP, #Japan will offer #Ukraine $5.5 billion financial aid.
🇯🇵Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made the pledge days before the first anniversary of #Russia's invasion. He's now the only G7 leader not to visit #Kyiv.
Joe Biden spoke at #Ukraine's parliament, the Rada, and then immediately left #Kyiv - reported by various US media.
It's assumed the President is heading back to #Poland but obviously everything is shrouded in secrecy.
Just to be clear on this. #Putin admitted invading #Ukraine on 20 Feb 2014. This was while Yanukovich was still President on Ukraine.
Putin didn't plan this op in a few hours.
His 2014 invasion was planned long before 20/2/14
It will be reported that there were no casualties. The cause of the incident is being investigated.
No mention of Joe Biden and which route he is on.
President Biden left a message in the Mariinsky Palace guest book after his visit.
“It is a great honor for me to be welcomed again in #Kyiv, to stand in solidarity and friendship with the freedom-loving people of #Ukraine...
Slava Ukraini"
Investigators have searched #Kyiv's local government building amid allegations of bribery.
Some workers have been removed from their posts after being informed of suspicion. But some suspect it could be an effort to undermine Mayor Klitschko's office after growing criticism.
After the war crimes, the torture, the murders and nightmares. The devastated town on the outskirts of #Kyiv finally had light this evening as the street lights were switched on for the first time since the first days of the war.
📷TG kyiv_polit
#Wagner mercenary group claims to have taken control of the village of #Yahidne.
It's a settlement on the north-west fringe of #Bakhmut. It's another pyrrhic victory even if confirmed, with #Ukraine likely to have fallen back.
Day 1194 of Putin's war, though let's remember the initial invasion came 11 years ago.
Since February 2014, not once have western sanctions or military support come close to being enough to restore justice and defeat evil.
Welcome to THE daily 🇺🇦 thread for Sunday 1 June
A new day, a new season. Summer officially started, but nothing is likely to change just yet.
Y'day's thread had some great stories, but everything paled into insignificance when justy before midnight came news of a disaster in Russia's Bryansk region:
Another night of no sleep yet - dramatic action in Moscow.
Time to start another daily thread covering everything to do with Putin's disastrous 'operation' in Ukraine.
It's 5am in Russia and Ukraine, on Day 1190 of the war.
Let's begin...
I've still NEVER missed even one day since the start of Russia's full invasion.
But yesterday's thread ended up being one of the most lively. Another near 50-post story of the day, and if you like seeing "bavovna" in Russia, go right through to the end!
Good morning on Day 1176 of the war in Europe.
In my opinion, Ukraine should have won this war in 2022/23.
Effective leadership is based on good, decisive decisions. Sadly, the allies have never been decisive, preferring dithering and half measures.
Welcome to my daily thread:
What I mean by dithering is endless internal political battles in most countries to give adequate weapons. Scholz (Taurus), Biden (everything) the most obvious examples, though Joe was hampered by Congress and is way better than now
But it's always enough to survive, not to win
If you missed anything from yesterday, catch up with this link to the start of yesterday's thread. Scroll down to where you got to and complete your knowledge!
The start of a new week and simultaneously almost the end of 167 weeks of Russia's attempt to liberate Ukraine from its leader and remove the country from maps.
It's Day 1167 of Putin's full invasion. Welcome to Monday's daily thread.
First the link back to Sunday's thread for those who were busy y'day
It started with Ukraine counting the cost of yet more strikes on civilians and infrastructure but there were more strategic hits on Russia during the day, incl a night attack on Moscow.