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.
Christmas Day 2024. Day 1036 of the war inflicted on #Ukraine. The third Christmas for Ukrainian people to suffer. Empty chairs at the dinner table, that will never be filled again. Others at the frontline fighting for their lives and the life of the country.
It's the daily🧵
So Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to those celebrating.
A special shout out too, to those working this special day. Also working today, emergency workers in #Ukraine after another massive missile attack
Day 1001 of #Russia's all out war in #Ukraine.
The genocide & attempt to wipe its neighbour from the map continues, but #Putin's increasingly desperate.
Welcome to another daily🧵
Breaking news already early this Wednesday morning.
All the news, all day (and night) every day.
Tuesday 19 November was always going to be special. Day 1,000 and what a day it proved.
Record likes and retweets, thanks to everyone who revived my faith in the T witter audience🫂
1/2 First the breaking news - and a third attack of the night inside #Russia.
At the end of yesterday's thread you may have read of the drone attacks on #Voronezh and #Belgorod regions. Well now it's become clear that #Novgorod has also been attacked by #Ukraine's UAVs..
Here's the link back to all Monday's news.
More heinous attacks. On its day of mourning, #Sumy was hit again just as the day ended, and #Odesa lost another ten residents.
Let me start today's news in #Sumy, because sadly the number of killed + injured after #Russia's strike have both increased.
An 11th person died during the night while 89 people required medical treatment. Medics, rescuers, psychologists and volunteers worked through the night.
Day 998 of #Russia's all out war, and Sunday 17 Nov is the day #Moscow's war criminals chose for the big missile attack on #Ukraine
It's such a difficult time for anyone associated with Ukraine. With the election of Musk/Trump, Putin's convinced terrorism will win.
Here's the🧵
Before I forget, here's the link for yesterday's thread. I know many of you like to catch up on what you've missed in #Ukraine and stories connected to the war.
Hello and welcome to Day 996 of #Russia's barbaric war.
Putin's band of war criminals is throwing everything at #Ukraine's defenders for 2 months as the Kremlin is certain tRUmp will force negotiations and wants to be in the strongest position possible.
Here's the daily thread
#Russia is literally teetering on the edge of economic meltdown. If the west does not take this opportunity to ensure justice, protect borders and prosecute war criminals, historians will look back and shake their heads. They may also ask why do anything in the previous 3 years?
Anyway, let's get on with the stories of the day, although we start as ever with the link back to Thursday's thread.
It was a day which saw more problems for #Russia, more war crimes with a civilian shot dead on the street and a terrible attack on #Odesa