What happened in Bryansk Region today is both unusual and strange. It is unusual because nothing like this happened before, but it is strange for SEVERAL reasons:
1/ It all started with a torrent of reports depicting a shocking atrocity: up to 50 Ukrainian saboteurs were allegedly rampaging through two Russian villages, taking hostages, attacking innocent civilians, shooting at cars and even at a school bus, setting fire to houses.
2/

Russian sources say dozens of "Ukrainian saboteurs" have entered two villages in Bryansk Region and taken hostages there. Some say fighting ongoing, at least two locals including a child dead. Unlikely to be true, but can it be used as a pretext for an escalation? Details of what is happening in Bryansk Region are still sketchy and contradictory, but the FSB has issued a statement saying it and Russian military are conducting a joint operation to "eliminate armed Ukrainian nationalists who have violated the state border".

The eastern town of Bakhmut is now known across the world as the focus of Russia's months-long assault and probably the most dangerous place in Ukraine. But here are some facts you may not know: for example, before the war it was famous for champagne! The local winery, set up in a huge abandoned gypsum mine, was among the biggest and best producers of champagne in the USSR and then in independent Ukraine. Its location about 70 metres below ground made it easier to achieve the right temperature for the champagne to ferment.