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.
A late start to today's thread on Day 1216 of Russia's war of choice, after another late finish due to the latest murderous attack on civilians by Putin's horde.
With all the important news, every day, this is THE best place for Accurate, Reliable, Honest analysis and reporting
Kyiv was again the target overnight, details at the end of yesterday's thread.
But a lot of important and interesting stories Sunday, including how the animal kingdom took revenge on one traitor, but more pain for Ukraine as a training ground is again hit
Zelenskyy is visiting my shores today, speaking with Sir Keir Starmer to discuss joint defence protection, which will probably see an agreement on manufacturing.
Ukraine's leader points out the hypocrisy of Russia, condemning the US strikes in Iran then hours later hitting Kyiv
Russia displayed outright Nazism + Fascism on Friday.
From killing in Ukraine, more utterings from the war-criminal in chief, to locking up young women and taking legal action against small independent new sites.
Thursday 19 June is Day 1212 of the conflict in Europe.
Russia continues to make ground, expending its soldiers at will for a few more metres as Ukraine fights for its existence having been shamefully let down by the USA.
I'm here every single day, so here's today's daily 🧵
Wednesday saw the death toll in Kyiv rise throughout the day, ending at double the number it started at. Then later Putin cynically told journalists they only hit military targets
Elsewhere another traitor to Ukraine met his fate - click here to catch-up
Trump is now 150 days late in promising "peace within 24 hours" of taking office.
It's also, as @andrii_sybiha points out, 100 days since🇺🇦 agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, as tRUmp demanded.
Russia did what it always does: delay, lie, kill.
No time to waste. Kyiv is under the most immense attack.
It's Day 1210 of Russia's increasingly desperate attempt to eviscerate Ukraine and all Ukrainians.
Here's the daily thread, continuing to document the night attacks...
Just gone 04:35 in Kyiv.
A hellish night is not yet over.
Apartment blocks, student dormitories hit.
6 districts of Kyiv city damaged, plus other injuries in the wider region
Here's the link for Monday's thread with all the last half showing the chaos:
If you're just waking up, here's an idea of what's happened to Kyiv while you were sleeping.
Ukraine's capital has not slept.
Many are without homes due to Russia's ongoing war crimes and one person, an American, has lost his life during the attack.
Hello again. Day 1203 of Russia's genocidal war in Ukraine
Anyone with a brain slightly larger than that of a chihuahua knows it. Russian history and Putin's own words spelt it out, but peaceniks, Naziniks and idiotniks are still in denial
More proof coming up in🧵for Day 1203
Yesterday's thread lasted well over 24 hours, but nothing to be proud of.
I know I'm crazier than you, and thankfully you all have lives to live. So you will be needing the link to the start of yesterday's thread so you can catch up on what you missed..