This is the daily thread, bringing you the news, analysis and some interesting insights into what's happening on the ground. Today news of drone attacks + more..
Overnight #Russia released mulitple drones over #Ukraine, thought to be Iranian "Shaheed" attack UAVS.
Reports of explosions in #Dnipro turned out to be air defence according to local officials who say they shot down 4 drones.
In total Ukraine says 13 of 15 were taken down.
Today is a day of mourning for the victims of the Terrorist Attack on #Zaporizhzhia 4 days ago.
Emergency workers have finished clearing the rubble after the missile atttack on a block of flats.
13 people were killed including a baby and another child.
The next part of #Putin's genius plan sees 60 year old tanks and nearly 70 year old APCs sent in to action in #Ukraine, says British Intel.
The 'Antique War' by an ancient dictator, both patched up to almost look realistic.
#Russia'a celebrates being exactly one year late in its schedule to conquer #Ukraine.
Defence Min Shoigu's celebrations seem him emerge in occupied #Mariupol'
I pointed out a couple of days ago that he was nowhere near the frontline when he visited troops, suggesting Mariupol
Maybe the "Sunday effect" as #Russia's reported losses fall back a little.
But 650 dead troops is still a massive number and above the daily mean since the start of the war.
Also higher than average again, the number of artillery systems destroyed.
Yesterday evening there were some reports in #Melitopol' of explosions, although the area is often used by #Russia for training of newly mobilised troops.
However exiled Mayor, Ivan Fedorov told 🇺🇦 TV news they actually hit two Russian war-warehouses. #RussiansGoHome
This is from the elevated position near #Klishchivka which I wrote about only yesterday. #Wagner mercenaries posted a video saying they defeated the 93rd separate mechanised brigade. But it looks like an organised retreat.
#Russia says it's foiled an assassination attempt on Konstantin Malofeev by the Russian Volunteer Corp.
Sanctioned by most NATO countries, he's thought to have helped finance the starting of the war in Donetsk, including employing Girkin and Borodai, an early "Head" of the "DPR"
#BakhmutHolds, but for how much longer? #Ukraine's troops have already defied expectation.
I don't often post "battle" videos - there are so many on Twitter/elsewhere that do, but this (forgive the music) shows the 93rd OMBr in the centre trying to conduct aerial reconnaisance.
About 40km south of #Moscow, a man in military uniform threatened staff at an enlistment office with a grenade.
It happened in #Domodedovo, with the man threatening to blow-up the registration centre. This photo shows his arrest a short time later.
A nice story here.
Incidentally at 1'45" you can hear one of the crudest of all swear words. I think an editor had a good laugh leaving that in thinking no-one at AFP would realise? @AFPFactCheck
#RussiaOnFire
I found this interesting. In #Novosibirsk someone torched a building which collects humantarian aid + camouflage nets for mobilised troops.
It's reported there was a similar attempt there last week. This time a window was broken and a burning rag was thrown through
1/2 As rumours rage in the media about differences of opinion between Zelenskyy + Zaluzhny (Head of #Ukraine's Forces) over how/when to retreat from #Bakhmut, the Wagner group releases a video they say shows "artillery pouring" on retreating 🇺🇦 forces on a well-targeted road
2/2 Important to say this video is unverified, no time stamp.
But it does indicate the problem #Ukraine has retreating across a plain if #Russia has the higher ground.
Exactly a year ago today. One of the most striking photographs of the war. #Irpin, #Kyiv oblast.
This is a Ukrainian soldier. He's just been captured by #Russia. He has a last puff on his cigarette, expecting to be taken as a PoW. Instead he was repeatedly shot in the head. This is a still from an horrific video. #Ukraine promises to get justice for this war crime.
Significant political movements in #Ukraine today where the former head of Intelligence, Ivan Bakanov is the subject of criminal action over how many Russian assets there were in now occupied lands.
Meanwhile SBU Deputy Oleksandr Yakushev has been fired along with regional heads
Also news this evening that the Deputy Head of #Odesa region has been arrested.
Igor Tkachuk has only been in the role four months.
It's not yet known what he's accused of.
Earlier, utterly predictably, #Belarus sentenced its real President to 15 years in jail. @Tsihanouskaya was being tried 'in absentia', basically she's accused of winning the rigged election.
At least Putin was genuinely elected. Lukashenko's just a🤡
A large shopping complex near #Bryansk went up in flames this evening.
Bryansk is in the news a lot recently!
The fire is in the village of Novye Darkovichi. There is an hotel, shops, a car repair service and a tyre shop in the complex.
#Russia's state media reporting tonight that they have cut off #Avdiivka.
They claim the "Korsa" unit has left some of the #Ukraine troops inside the town in Donetsk, without the ability to get new supplies.
There is no proof offered and no verification of the claims.
More loud sounds in occupied #Donetsk. The sound at least of one of the possible explosions was recorded in this video in the central Petrovskyi district of the city.
Nearly midnight, another thread soon.
There is only one way to end today.
His name will be known soon (it is not Magnit)
Glory to the Hero.
Slain in cold blood by war criminals.
His last words were "#SlavaUkraini"
R.I.P. soldier, hero.
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Putin's gone from the expected capture of Kyiv before the end of Feb 2022 & annihilation of Ukraine's leaders & the country's culture, to begging China to keep it afloat & trying to quell dissenters at home as bombs fall!
The daily🧵
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Every single day, documenting everything important about the war and about Ukraine. Still never missed a day. If you are able to support here's the link:
Wednesday 20 May is Day 1547 of Putin's catastrophic full invasion of its peaceful neighbour.
Russia has lost a large part of a generation of men - dead, dying or those who managed to emigrate. Reserves spent, economy collapsing.
Putin, not Zelenskyy, is Russia's biggest enemy
Let's start the daily thread in the traditional manner with the link for the start of Tuesday's thread.
A lot more destruction on both sides, as Putin grovels in China. Click, but remember to come back for today's news...
Welcome to THE daily thread on Day 1546 of the war.
Russia is showing small signs of desperation.
More economic woes, more Ukraine air attacks deep inside Russia, a desperation to strengthen ties with allies and having to make new nuclear threats.
All the news in one place:
Here's the link back to the start of Monday's thread for those catching up.
A day when Russia lost more equipment, including a helicopter, but also bombed the hell out of Dnipro, while the EU looks for a lead negotiator to meet Putin.
One thing I learned last night I'll repost here as very few people saw it last night, and for Ukraine watchers it's very interesting and potentially important.
Will Zelenskyi dare fire Zaluzhnyi so he has no platform in the run up to an election?
I've now had confirmation of one fatality in Russia's attack on Kyiv.
The injury count is now up to 16.
This is a video from first responders, trying to rescue those trapped in a collapsed apartment building in the Darnytskyi district.
Air alerts are beginning to be lifted in more regions of Ukraine.
Among those is Khmelnytskyi, where there was a drone swarm on the military airbase. No damage is reported.
Hello again. It's the daily Ukraine thread on Day 1540 of Russia's full invasion of its peaceful neighbour, which never threatened nor ever fired a shot at Russia, until after the original 2014 invasion.
All the big news in one place, every single day. It's what I do!
Tuesday saw a late flurry by Ukrainian drones in Russia, while earlier the Terrorist State was having problems with self-starting fires.
Loads of other interesting stories in a near 50-post thread - missed anything? Click and scroll now:
A big daytime drone attack on Ukraine is ongoing as I type.
Explosions have been heard in Kyiv - air defence shooting them down as far as I can tell so far. About 30 Russian drones are attacking the region and city.
Day 1530 of the war in Europe.
After almost going through the night, it's a late start for me today, but details are now in from another dramatic night.
More civilians murdered in Ukraine, more Russian drones in NATO territory and more Russian ships hit.
Lots to catch up on..
We fell well short of 15k views yesterday despite a very long thread.
We ended with late night drone waves by Ukraine, while earlier on Saturday Russia was hitting buses and trains in another big daytime attack as Putin gets increasingly desperate.