Historic scenes of jubilation in Kherson following the city’s liberation from Russian occupation. Amazing to think that just weeks ago, the Kremlin tried to convince the world that that these people wanted to join Russia
Leaders of the new Europe: Finnish PM Sanna Marin and Estonian PM Kaja Kallas have been crystal clear since day one of Putin's invasion that Europe must unite to stand with Ukraine and defeat Russia. Their moral leadership has resonated across the continent
Olha is 19 years old. Before the war, she was studying medicine at university. She is currently serving as a combat medic with a counter-sabotage unit of the Ternopil 105th Brigade of the TDF. Olha is one of tens of thousands of women in the Ukrainian Armed Forces
This is Ukrainian soldier Zhenya Staffovych. He lost part of his right leg and was given little chance of surviving. He defied all expectations and is now back defending Ukraine with a prosthetic leg
Russia has destroyed a major Ukrainian grain export terminal in Mykolaiv that plays a crucial role in international food security. This targeted attack is further evidence that Putin is weaponising global famine in a bid to blackmail the international community
“Every citizen is responsible for the actions of their state, and citizens of Russia are no exception. Therefore, we do not give asylum to Russian men who flee their country. They should oppose the war.”
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas
Mariupol Mayor: Putin has killed twice as many Mariupol residents in two months as Hitler murdered during the two-year Nazi occupation of the city. The current death toll in Mariupol is estimated at 20,000 civilians compared to 10,000 deaths during WWII
Reports are mounting of a Russian collapse on the Kherson front, where approximately 25,000 Russian troops are trapped on the right bank of the Dnipro River with bridges across the river partially destroyed and unable to support military vehicles
Yesterday Putin declared that Lyman has joined Russia “forever.” Today the Russian flag is being torn down and trampled underfoot by the Ukrainian army of liberation
British Royal Marines have begun arriving on in Ukraine as volunteers to join the fight against Putin’s criminal war. Thousands of military veterans from across the world are currently en route to Ukraine
The mood in liberated Kherson:
“We have heating, no electricity, no water, no mobile or internet connection, but NO RUSSIANS! I am extremely happy because now we are free.”
"I notice that Russian diplomats flee almost as quickly as Russian soldiers."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba delivers a memorable one-liner in response to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's hasty exit during a UN discussion on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
“Mr. President, what is the first thing you will do after victory.”
“After victory? I will go to Crimea. I want to see the sea.”
Has there ever been a more based war leader than Volodymyr Zelenskyy?
Ukraine's highway authorities are busy removing road signs to disorientate Russian invaders. They are being charactistically creative with replacement signs, of course
Ukraine United: Ukrainian boxer Vasyl Lomachenko, who is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, has joined his local territorial defense unit in Odesa region
Nine days in, Putin's Ukraine War has already debunked a lot of longstanding myths about the region:
- Russia is not a military superpower
- Russia and Ukraine are not brotherly nations
- Ukraine is not a divided nation
Magic moment: a Ukrainian child who had been abducted by the invading Russian army is reunited with his parents after being rescued and returned to Ukraine
Literally hours after Putin declared “No more massive airstrikes,” he launches a new wave of airstrikes. It is impossible to negotiate with somebody who lies so routinely and deliberately
This is a freeze frame of the massive missile that Russia deliberately launched at a shopping mall full of Ukrainian civilians in a targeted airstrike timed to coincide with the busiest part of the day for maximum carnage. If this is not state sponsored terrorism, what is?
In memory of the unknown Russian looter: activists in the Czech Republic have modified a Soviet-era monument to make the plinth look like a washing machine
Today's "Rage Against the War Machine" rally in America was possibly the first ever anti-war rally to be dominated by symbols of the country which started the war
“Proud to be back in Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!”
Canadian actress Katheryn Winnick of “Vikings” fame is in wartime Kyiv and loving it. Winnick has Ukrainian roots and is a vocal supporter is the country’s fight against Russian aggression
Update on Putin's glorious three-day war:
Battle of Kyiv: lost
Battle of Kharkiv: lost
Battle of Kherson: lost
Russian flagship: sunk
Crimean bridge: close until further notice
Russia's international reputation: in tatters
Innovative Ukrainian troops are combining Ukraine-made Delfast electric bikes with British NLAW anti-tank weapons to strike silently and suddenly against Russian columns
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin is in Ukraine today and has visited the site of Russian war crimes in Irpin outside Kyiv. The look of horror on her face tells its own story