First a strange tale from the far east of #Russia where a private helicopter cut through power lines during a "hard landing"
The Mi-2's landing cut off power to the Transneft station in Primorsky Krai.
It's so remote it took 2 days to find the chopper & the pilot's disappeared!
A big increase in #Russia's manpower losses in the last 24 hours. Still a lot of equipment being hit by #Ukraine too.
Dilemma over missile use for #Russia because the war "has gone on much longer than they originally planned for"
LOL only about 150 times longer than they planned for the capture of #Kyiv!
It's frustrating Reuters doesn't even mention that the refugees have gone through "filtration" and are likely afraid to say anything negative
2/ Reuters says 2 of 3 refugees in #Berdiansk /#Berdyansk it spoke to expressed "satisfaction with the new conditions" yet there's not a word about what's not satisfying from the other
The byline says "reporting by a Reuters reporter", so likely a Russian archive.is/JGhnJ
🔞
Incredibly graphic footage posted in #Russia showing corpses of 2 soldiers with their heads blown off.
RU media say 24yo Gleb Solomonov attacked his colleagues in occupied #Zaporizhzhia.
Here's the TG link if you insist on watching, but it's horrible t.me/mobilizationne…
#Belarus would like you to believe there was an attack on its border guards near #Ukraine last night.
It's more likely for the domestic audience, softening them up for when #Putin orders his lapdog Lukashenka to mobilise Belarusian troops.
Here's a translation of the statement:
Resort town of #Kizomys has been badly hit again early this morning.
#Russia fired two aerial bombs on the town on the Dniprovska gulf in #Kherson region.
I saw a lot of media inc @visegrad24 and @pravda_eng reporting this photo as proof that the Chernyshev factory in Moscow being on fire. The place produces engines for military jets.
Thanks to @grohlicm for spotting the last story and to @NeneOriginal for again suggesting a few more.
DMs open for contributions.
And if you like what I do and can afford to tip me a coffee, see the link in my bio. Thanks.
1/2 Mixed news on the sporting front...
The Appeal Tribunal of the International Paralympic Committee lifted the suspension of the Russian Paralympic Committee.
The matter will be reconsidered in September, after the @Paralympics
2/2
But Gymnastics' governing body has postponed a decision on whether to lift its ban on athletes from #Russia and #Belarus.
That means they cannot qualify for the World Championships in Belgium in September.
But if the ban is lifted in July they could still make the Olympics
Early in today's thread I wrote about the explosion in #Melitopol with #Russia saying no-one was injured.
Turns out another collaborator, "Deputy Minister of construction and housing" in the occupied part of #Zaporizhzhia, was hit by an IED. He's in hospital.
Reports suggest an oil depot has been hit in the occupied city.
Smoke also seen at the Polypak plant, which has been used throughout occupation by #Russia's army.
One occupant gave a TV interview with a pretty background!
In #Russia more people are fleeing the army than ever before.
Even official data show in the first 4 months of this year there have already been more desertions than in any other year.
Courts may be getting a lot fuller soon too!
Yet another small waste of Russia's money.
#Russia's bloggers speculate British long-range missiles could have been used today to "test" them on #Luhansk.
The so-called LPR says it celebrates its "Republic Day" today.
The son of Russian Defence Minister Shoigu was in Luhansk today, but wrote that he is ok.
Telegram channel mobilizationnews reports another #Russia incident of #FriendlyFire
A sergeant has been jailed for 4.5 years + stripped of his rank. He was found guilty of shooting a soldier in the groin while drunk. The Offiicer was "teaching him a lesson" for falling asleep!
#Ukraine has liberated over 17 sq km of territory around #Bakhmut' in three days.
Serhiy Cherevaty, spokesman for the East Command of the the Ukrainian army confirmed the news this evening in what he called "counteroffensive actions"
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.
Day 1163 of Russia's war of choice, invading a peaceful neighbour.
Another bloody and murderous night in Ukraine, but the pressure is all on Russia today as Ukraine signs the minerals deal, the US (finally) continues its shift against Putin and the oil price dives
Here's THE🧵
Good morning and happy May (or MayDay).
I have to say a new month brings new optimism for Ukraine following the US/Ukraine agreement.
That was the biggest news story of a near 50-post thread.
It took me ages - least you can do is read it!😂
Day 1158 of the war in Europe.
This is the daily thread for Saturday 26 April, and as I mentioned last night, the anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster.
A later start today, sorry if I kept you waiting, but let's waste no more time...
Yesterday we saw Russia attack civilians of course, but we also probably also got a reminder of the power of Ukraine's Military Intelligence, as a Russian general and a weapons designer were both confirmed dead.
Hello at the start of another weekend, Day 1151 of the war in Europe.
Day by day the US paves the way for capitulation.
Trump may pretend there was no war in his first term, but his administration said it would never recognise Crimea.
This is THE daily thread for Saturday.
Here's the link for the start of yesterday's thread.
Visibility is still low - 15k views.
Plenty to get your teeth into.. 100 fleeing Russian refuseniks, tRUmp on the verge of failure, and of course the attacks on Ukraine.
Catch up here:
With even tRUmp slowly realising he's been played by Putin all along with no intent on peace, Russia has upped the aerial attack on its next targets for invasion.
Sumy, Kostiantynivka + Kupiansk feel the full force.
In the latter 10 glide bombs in one day with 5 people injured.
This is the start of THE daily thread covering all things Ukraine.
Reliable, accurate information for 1124 days as Russia and its willing accomplices (Iran, North Korea and MAGA-land) try to destroy Ukraine, its culture and its democracy to make it a vassal state.
Here's the🧵
Yesterday started with shocking lies and propaganda from the White House and ended with another massive attack by Russia, knowing tRUmp and co don't mind at all.
Find all the details by clicking and scrolling here⬇️
The war Russia inflicted on Ukraine enters Day 1120
Ukraine, a country which never invaded another, never killed anyone abroad; a fully democratic nation where only one President has ever won a second term in office.
Here's THE daily thread for Wednesday, with all the news.
Yesterday was all about the ritual humiliation of tRUmp, dished out by Putin, and the US president's brain being too rusty to realise.
I also indulged in a long sub-thread on my fears about what's happening in Washington DC.
Catch up here:
It's official. tRUmp's supposed skill at making a deal is absolutely RANK
Russia
Afghanistan
NK (North Korea)
#TraitorTrump promised a deal with his mate in NK, got nothing.
He handed the Taliban everything, got nothing.
Now, ending the war in 24 hours turned into humiliation