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 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