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.
Good evening/morning - it's Day 451 of #Russia's illegal and inhumane war.
#Ukraine is under attack again tonight with attack drones currently threatening large parts of the country.
All the details, throughout the day (and night) each and every day, in one handy thread.
If you missed yesterday's news, including F-16s for #Ukraine, plenty of sabotage attacks in #Russia, plus related news from #Cyprus#Georgia and #SouthAfrica... then catch up here with a click and a scroll:
The night attack by #Russia started with drones and ended with more cruise missiles.
Only 3 of the 6 missiles fired from the Black Sea were intercepted according to #Ukraine and there were hits in #KryvyiRih
16 more drones were shot down.
In #KryvyiRih a 64-year-old woman was seriously injured.
A private business was hit. An administration building and workshops were severely damaged by the blast and subsequent fires.
Another man received slight injuries but did not go to hospital.
Welcome to Thursday. It's Day 449 of Europe's war.
All the news and analysis from #Ukraine and #Russia in one place. Click and scroll throughout the day, and if you want to check back on what you missed yesterday, here's the link:
Welcome to Wednesday. Day 448 of #Russia's 10 day war and still #Ukraine holds out and the full counter-offensive yet to come.
For all the news, all day, keep coming back here as the thread is updated constantly.
If you can afford to buy me a coffee please see the link in my bio
Day 447 of #Russia's illegal war starts with a huge bombing attack on #Ukraine's capital #Kyiv.
Welcome to Tuesday's thread with all the news of Europe's war, updated live throughout the day.
For new followers or visitors, yes there's been a thread every single day!
First a link to the start of yesterday's thread. Catch up on what you missed Monday with a click and a scroll.
You only learn how popular something is when you miss it out, as I did recently, so this is staying!
Hello everybody - let's get the show on the road for another week!
It's the original, the one & only daily🧵with all you need to know about what's happening in #Ukraine's defence against #Russia, which has reached day 446.
#Ukraine's figures show almost 7% of all destroyed artillery systems happened in the last 24 hours.
Vehicles, fuel tanks and special equipment also above the mean as well as killed soldiers. #RussiansGoHome
The British update today questions #Russia's air defence.
It's always been a problem for Moscow after sending most of its domestic protection to #Ukraine, only to have to bring some back as #Kyiv shows more ability to hit long range targets.