For 42 days, “Batya” held a position in a damp underground cellar and, together with his comrades, killed more than 30 Russian soldiers.
For this, he was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine — Hromadske. 1/
Batya: “I prayed for all 42 days. I knew my wife, children, parents, friends were praying for us. I felt calm inside. And I promised my family I would return. I had to keep that promise.” 2/
The mission was planned for 5–7 days. Food and water for one week.
On May 30, 2025, four Ukrainian soldiers entered a position in the village of Oleksiivka, Sumy region.
In reality, they spent 42 days surrounded. There was no exit. 3/
For more than ten years, he has not left this reality — fighting as a sniper, an FPV drone pilot, and even as a “pirate” during raids in Russia’s Kursk region. His story is told by Ukrainska Pravda. 1/
“Santa” is the callsign of Vladyslav, a 31-year-old from Odesa. In 2014, he volunteered to fight in Pisky and near Donetsk airport.
He had no military background and was exempt from conscription due to spinal problems. He went anyway. He wanted to be at the center of the fighting. 2/
At the front, he learned to fight with an assault rifle, a machine gun, and an automatic grenade launcher.
That is where he first picked up a sniper rifle and began learning precision shooting in combat conditions. 3/
Bolton: Removing Maduro is the right move for U.S. national security, but it’s only the first step.
Maduro is not the regime. The regime still functions, backed by Russia, Cuba, China, and Iran. That is the real threat.
I wish we did it in 2019, but better late than never.
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Bolton: Venezuela threatened U.S. national security due to deep foreign presence.
Russia treats it as a forward base. Cuba depends on Maduro’s survival. China wants oil access. Iran runs Hezbollah operations and money laundering from Caracas.
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Bolton: It’s fully justified. Maduro cheated in the 2018 election, was declared illegitimate by Venezuela’s National Assembly, and we backed Guaidó.
Overthrowing a usurper didn’t violate international law. Maduro then stole the 2024 election too.
Mike Pompeo: Russia and China complain about international law, but they violate it constantly. They backed Maduro and the U.S. removed him.
Dictators now see that relying on Moscow or Beijing won’t save them. America still has unmatched military power and will use it.
1/
Pompeo: Iran and other adversaries watched Venezuela operation closely. When Trump says he will protect U.S. interests, he means it.
The U.S. removed a narco-terrorist from Venezuela. The key now is ensuring new leaders don’t keep Chavista figures with weapons and power.
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Pompeo: Trump has shown he will use American power when it matters—helping Israel against Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran; protecting U.S. interests in Venezuela; and backing Europe so Ukraine can defend itself from Russian aggression.
Russia’s MFA: The US has committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This causes deep concern and condemnation. 1/
Russia: Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own future independently, without any external military interference. 2/
Russia: Such actions constitute an unacceptable encroachment on the sovereignty of an independent state, respect for which is a key principle of international law. 3/