This morning @ZelenskyyUa seemed to confirm that #Russia is in full control of #Bakhmut, saying "it's a pity, it's a tragedy, but for today Bakhmut is only in our hearts."
But later the #Ukraine President's Office later "clarified" they were still holding a position in the town.
#Putin's reponse came in a statement on the #Kremlin's website for "liberating" #Artemovsk (Soviet name for #Bakhmut)
Interestingly he congratulated #Wagner troops before the regular army.
It took almost a year for the "2nd army" to take the town of 75,000 people.
#Zelenskyy's comments came during a press conference after meeting with @POTUS
Joe Biden confirmed the news I wrote yesterday of a huge new tranche of military help from #USA for #Ukraine
F-16s will take a while, but this will help defend against the invaders #StandWithUkraine
Many thousands have died on both sides in and around #Bakhmut since those first bombs exactly a year ago.
One of the latest fallen #Ukraine heroes was Dmytro Kravets, a Ukrainian writer and director of the Kharkiv children's theater "Kazka"
#Russia's losses* in the last 24 hours though are huge.
730 invaders killed - so likely another 1500-2000 permanently injured. And look at the number of artillery systems taken out - FOUR times above average.
Controversy in Las Vegas early this morning where legendary #Ukraine boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko lost a unanimous points decision to undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Even the US crowd booed relentlessly at the decision going against Loma who fought in the war last year.
British #StormShadow missiles may have been used again on #Russia's occupiers.
Those fires in #Sverdlovsk region of #Russia are still causing problems.
Here a big pile-up as visibility was reduced to near zero in places.
#Georgia's national airline says it will not allow the country's President to step on board any flights.
It comes after pro-western Salome Zurabishvili criticised the airline, and the government, for allowing flights to/from #Russia, which still occupies two parts of Georgia.
I don't know what #Russia's Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education had done wrong, but the seeminly fit and healthy 46 year old has keeled over on a flight.
Pyotr Kucherenko, returning from a business trip to Cuba, died despite an emergency landing for treatment.
#Ukraine's confirmed the news that their forces have "partly encircled" #Bakhmut.
This is not breaking news as some media are reporting. It's more of a status quo from yesterday, pointing out the advantageous positions they now have on the flanks.
It's one of the most moving sights when you witness it in real life.
The way #Ukraine reacts to the return of its fallen heroes is always the same. It's another startling difference in the culture between Russians and Ukrainians.
The exiled Mayor of #Melitopol has raised good points on #Ukraine TV to show how rampant corruption is among #Russia and its occupiers.
Ivan Fedorov points out the candidates list for 'elections' includes pseudo governor Balytsky and also his son and niece and her husband too💩
Time to say "vielen dank" to my supporters for supplying me with virtual coffee this morning.
The President of the USA outlines the huge cost for #Russia is its year long attempt to capture a small town in #Donetsk (they first entered the place they call #Artemovsk almost 11 months ago)
(Casualties = dead and injured)
#Ukraine still giving positive signs in #Bakhmut despite the Russian celebrations over the capture of the ruins.
🇺🇦's 3rd separate assault brigade claims another 700m of territory is reclaimed along an almost 2km width.
Claims cannot be verified.
Anger among Ukrainians and many Spaniards too after a couple of #Barcelona players recorded a special message thanking fans in #Russia for their support.
Defender Alex Balde + midfielder Sergi Roberto made the recording - not known whether it was sanctioned by the club or not.
Tolstoy is on the move again.
This time #Odesa council has voted to remove this statue of the Russian writer from the Ploshcha L'va Tolstoho (Leo Tolstoy Sq)
It will be kept in the city museum.
Journalists in #Germany make new allegations linking #Ukraine to the Nord Stream pipeline explosions.
But they admit it may just be another false flag operation.
Yet more reports coming in of #Ukraine advancing on the flanks of #Bakhmut.
Again this is unverified and it's possible an info war to raise morale, but Ukraine's army is saying after heavy fighting they've managed to move forward an additional 200-500 metres.
The war in Europe continues. This is Day 1445 of Russia's attempt to erase Ukraine from the map & destroy its language and culture.
The genocide continues as I type, with a massive missile attack underway.
For all the news as it happens, keep checking back. This is THE daily🧵
Yesterday started with a supposed assassination attempt on another very senior Russian soldier.
A load of other great stories too, including the start of the overnight attack on Ukraine's remaining energy facilities. Catch up on what you missed here:
Saturday 27 December 2025 is Day 1403 of Russia's war of choice.
The day began with missile attacks on Ukraine shortly after midnight and the terrorism continued with drone strikes, may into residential areas, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the damage.
Here's THE daily thread
Here's the link to yesterday's thread, which started with Russian murders, missiles on streets in Kharkiv and ended with the missile attack on Kyiv.
But there were also 'direct sanctions' taken by Ukraine on war criminals and military targets:
News is still coming in from Kyiv especially after the awful bombardment. Mayor of the city, @Vitaliy_Klychko has just issued an update saying 28 people have been injured, with 13 hospitalised
Although the city's had the air raid warning lifted, it's still affecting Kyiv region
Christmas Eve is another milestone as we mark the latest 100 days of war
Yes, it's Day 1400 of Ukraine's fight for its existence.
Coming up:
Zelenskyy accepts peace plan but are we really nearer peace?
A twist in Moscow's 2nd car bomb in 24 hours.
And all the news yet to happen
A very late start today - I apologise but it's Christmas time with things to do, places to go and also my body demanding enough sleep to survive!
So we start as usual with the throwback to yesterday for you to catch up, which included car bomb #2..
The seemingly random attack on police officers in Moscow last night, may have been a Ukraine targeted attack.
Two "traffic officers" died overnight on the same street where a Lt Gen was eliminated the day before.
Now it's reported the dead were in Ukraine and tortured civilians
This is the start of Tuesday's daily thread, with all the important news from, and relevant to, Ukraine in one handy place.
It's Day 1385 and I've still never missed a day of fact checking, analysing and reporting every aspect of the defence against Russia's illegal war.
Yesterday a lot of talking behind the scenes, but politicians were broadly tight-lipped on progress.
Russia did make more small gains on the frontline, but we also found a cat with burned whiskers + how Russian pilots' head-tennis went disastrously wrong
Pres Zelenskyy's whirlwind tour continues, arriving in Rome this morning to meet the Pope at Castle Gandolfo.
At Villa Barberini, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was welcomed by the vice-regent of the papal household, Augustinian Father Edward Daniang Daleng.