Our former student writes about the retreat of his brigade from Vuhledar this week. It is a heavy but honest reading
“The 72nd Brigade left Vuhledar battered, with heavy losses. 1/
Before that, the Russians had already reached the areas through which the brigade would retreat and set up firing positions in garages behind the cemetery. 2/
The 72nd’s withdrawal was brutal. Vehicles, armored carriers were hit and burned. After days of agony in the besieged city before that, the soldiers were drained. By the dawn of retreat, not all had the strength to move to try break through 3/
Some stayed behind, committing themselves to death to cover the retreat 4/
By a cruel twist, while my brigade was clawing its way out of Vuhledar, people across the country were sipping coffee, going to cinemas, and strolling to street music 5/
Well-wishes, both genuine and routine, were offered to the soldiers – even as they were dying, abandoned to their fate 6/
I have no way to bridge these two worlds - the peaceful Ukraine and the military, each marching relentlessly on its path 7/
We were reborn there in the war in the East. Born in Kyiv, we were forged again in the fields and basements of Vuhledar. Now those empty, iron-pierced spaces are our homeland, and we are strangers on the Kyiv’s streets 8/
In these three years of the war, unfamiliar faces have filled the sidewalks and metro, with new expressions I don’t recognize or can comprehend 9/
They seem light, translucent; we are grim and dirty, stained by a darkness that no bath or barbershop [a reference to the hipster culture of Kyiv] can wash away 10/
Now, the 72nd, driven from its den, risks annihilation in the open fields under artillery and FPV drones. The Russians’ control from Vuhledar’s heights stretches 15 kilometers, nearly to Kurakhove 11/
Pray, to anyone you can, that the 72nd – my first and forever brigade (though I left long ago) – isn’t ground into dust beyond Vuhledar 12/
Pray the remnants of this once-mighty force aren’t destroyed, that it has a chance to rise again, to carry its hard-won experience and pain into future victories (Igor Lutsenko) 13X
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Ukraine PM Yuliia Svyrydenko unveiled the Government's Action Program, a roadmap to strengthen defense, boost the economy, support citizens, and rebuild the country after years of war. 1/
Ukraine will boost defense by spending 50% its weapons budget on domestic production and partnering with global firms like Rheinmetall and Thales for local manufacturing. 2/
The country is advancing toward EU membership by completing legislative screening and starting negotiations across six key clusters, bringing Ukraine closer to full integration. 3/
Sullivan: Putin had a simple goal - keep the war going without new U.S. sanctions. He got both on an open-ended basis.
Right now, Russia is trying to achieve diplomatically what they cannot achieve militarily. They aren’t able to take the rest of the Donbas for 3+ years.
1/
Sullivan: We didn’t want to set up a summit where we were literally rolling out the red carpet for Putin in America to have him come and walk away and continue the war without any clear and convincing outcome.
2/
Sullivan: Trump’s goals were immediate ceasefire or severe consequences. The summit ended with neither — no ceasefire, no consequences. 3/
Rubio: Talks will center on security guarantees Ukraine seeks. If the war ends, how to ensure Russia doesn’t return in 2–3 years.
Ukraine wants guarantees to defend itself and prevent a new war. 1/
Rubio: We sanction Russia, not Ukraine. We arm Ukraine, not Russia. The U.S. President want to end the war.
We want every chance for Russia to say yes to terms Ukraine can live with.
This is a war between two countries, not America, Ukraine and Russia.
2/
Rubio: Europe’s role is in long-term security guarantees Ukraine seeks. They should be a key part and can suggest what flexibility the Ukrainian side might have. 3/
Rubio says Europeans are not coming to the US to protect Zelenskyy from being bullied.
Rubio: We had one meeting with Putin and a dozen with Zelenskyy.
Europeans are coming because we’ve worked with them for weeks. Trump invited them — not to shield Zelenskyy. 1/
Q: Did Putin offer concessions?
Rubio: Not enough for Ukraine, or we’d have a deal. Russia lost 20,000 soldiers in July but keeps grinding on. It’s attrition, a meat grinder — they just throw in more men. 2/
Q: Does giving Russia land set dangerous precedent?
Rubio: Putin already seized land by force. For peace, both sides must concede — otherwise it’s surrender.
Ukraine has the right to security alliances. Territories will have to be discussed. Russia may have to give some up. 3/