UKRAINE DIARY: From 142nd  Day to 201st days of WAR (Series)

UKRAINE DIARY

EVGEN KULIKOV

We are the nation. We are Ukrainians.

Everyone knows that on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a massive war on us.

[ EVGEN KULIKOV, citizen of Ukraine narrates the situation of the unimaginable and unprecedented bloody situation of Ukraine from a unique angle from the 3^rd day of the war started by Russia. Evgen Kulikov beautifully crafts the days of pain, horror, uncertainty, death, bombings, exodus, resistance, fighting, and many more in the UKRAINE DIARY. Evgen requests readers of www.mahabahu.com to read his pages – so that readers can feel the situation from this part of the world too. Editor, Mahabahu]

Today is the 142^nd day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Tragedy in Vinnytsia.
Trying to be politically correct in order not is banned by Linkedin again.
 
Baby stroller on the photo belonged to a 4 years-old girl Liza.
Liza is covered by the blanket, she died immediately.
The foot lying close to her is the foot of Irina, her 33-yers old mother, she is still in reanimation.
Liza had Down syndrome and her mother was raising her alone. The girl had her page where her mother was showing the life of such specific children and sharing her advices for other moms. The photos of Irina and Liza were full of love.
 
When the war started Irina with Liza moved from Kyiv to Vinnytsia, which seemed to be a safer place. Almost 300km southwest from Kyiv, very far from frontline.
But somebody in russia decided that making close to 11am a strike with cruise missiles Kalibr in the center of the 370 thousands inhabitants city is a good idea.
One missile hit the office building and two more hit the Officer Club (Будинок Офіцерів), both on the same square where Liza and her mom walked.
 
The thing is that Officer Club is the name of concert hall.
We have such in every big city of Ukraine.
You can find them in every big city of Belarus, Kazakhstan or russia. Legacy of USSR…
Stage, auditorium, ticket office, concerts and solemn events, developing activities for kids like dancing, singing, gymnastics, etc.  
Liza with her mother were going exactly to Officer Club for classes.
A number of events took place in that particular concert hall even during the war.
Another concert was scheduled for last night. The city and the people were trying to live normal life despite the war…

On the ground floor of the office building hit by missile there were small shops and NEIROMED, a modern diagnostic clinic equipped with MRI, focusing on neuralgia.
All the visitors and personnel died.
People that were in the cars parked close to it also died.
As of this morning 23 people are reported as dead, out of them 3 children including Liza, 71 persons are hospitalized and 18 people are missing.
 
Russian propaganda happily reported that they destroyed the base of n.a.t.s.i.
 
Well, there are much more appropriate words to describe what happened – war crime, genocide, terrorism, inhuman cruelty.
 
Today we mourn the victims of the tragedy in Vinnytsia. We will keep on fighting for our freedom.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 144th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
On this day back in 2014 russia shot down MH17 flying from the Netherlands to Malaysia and killed 283 passengers and 12 crew members.
 
During all these years russian propaganda and lobby have done a lot to distance from that tragedy. They generated a number of alternative versions contradicting each other, manipulated and distorted facts, performed a lot of informational attacks, rejected own involvement and pushed their favorite narrative “ooh, it is so hard to find the truth what really happened, too many versions, everything is possible, but that was not russia, for sure”. Well, the truth is very simple. Those people were killed by russia.
 
Back in 2014 russia tried very hard to pretend it is not the part of the military conflict and that its troops and machinery are not in Ukraine. At every possible levels russian propaganda declared it was a civil war in the east of Ukraine and russia had nothing to do with that. Sadly, there were a lot of people around the globe ready to keep their eyes closed despite all the evidences that the war was launched and fueled by russia.
Now in 2022 finally everything has become obvious or still not convincing enough?
 
Back in 2014 russia annexed Crimea and then brought the war to Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. Separatists, backed by russian money, weapons and officers, guided from Moscow declared two pseudo-republics in the east of Ukraine. While Ukrainian forces tried to gain back control, russians progressively increased their military presence including deployment of air defense system in the east of Ukraine in order to limit possibilities of Ukrainian Air Forces.
 
On June 14, 2014 Ukrainian military aircraft IL-76 with 49 Ukrainian servicemen onboard was shot down near Luhansk.
On July 14, 2014 Ukrainian military aircraft An-26 with 8 Ukrainian servicemen onboard was shot down by missile from russian BUK air defense system launched from russia.
On July 17, 2014 the flight MH17 was shot down by missile launched from russian BUK air defense system from Ukrainian territory under control of russians.
Later the investigators managed to track all the way of this particular BUK from russia to the east of Ukraine and back to russia on the next day but already without one missile.
 
Putin’s russia was not punished for that. The world decided to keep on doing business with russia. Why don’t make some money, people have already died, they can’t be returned, yeah? Maybe it is really just a civil war in Ukraine like russia says?
As a result now we have massacre in Bucha, Drama Theater in Mariupol, railroad station in Kramatorsk, shopping mall in Kremenchuk, city center in Vinnytsia and hundreds of other proved episodes of russian war crimes. Sadly, there will be more ahead.
 
We have been resisting to Putin’s russia for 8 years and will do it until Ukraine’s victory.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 147th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
War goes on, it has not disappeared, it has not become less bloody and no signs it will end up soon.
 
During last weeks russian invaders haven’t made any new territorial gains. They announced operational pause after capturing Lysychansk in the east if Ukraine, which means they didn’t arrange new large offensive campaigns since then but kept on shelling frontline cities and made regular small attempts to check Ukrainian defensive lines.
 
Thanks to effective work of HIMARS, focused on destroying of russian air defence units, ammo and fuel depots together with command and communications centers at the distance up to 80km from the frontline, there is a big question if russians will be able to arrange any new large offensive campaign at all.
 
It rather seems that strategically russians are preparing to keep what they captured, fortifying the positions, intensifying filtration measures on occupied territories and rearranging logistics.
Someone may say russian army has already exhausted its offensive potential.
Not yet in my view, but already close to that.
 
Because of HIMARS threat russians now need to keep ammo and fuel in smaller depots at a larger distance from the frontline, spending twice more time for logistics.
Ukraine successfully tried to make strikes on 2 bridges across Dnipro River in Kherson and Nova Kahovka. Those two bridges are the only ground lines of supplies for large garrison of russian troops on the right bank of the Dnipro.
Cutting those lines will enable Ukraine to start large counteroffensive operation to regain control over Kherson, the key city in the south of Ukraine captured by russians.
 
I assume we will soon witness the desire of Putin’s russia to negotiate ceasefire. The more difficulties russian invasion starts facing in Ukraine the more they will try to launch negotiations with quite simple idea behind – to legalize what they have captured, establish ceasefire, win time, gain a stronger foothold on occupied territories, negotiate withdrawal of some sanction, mobilize resources to prepare for further large offensive campaign.
 
No matter how hard and how painful it is now for Ukraine, no matter how tired the world is of this war, we need to keep on fighting until the moment russian troops will have no other choice but to make another “goodwill gesture” and retreat.
Just like they retreated from Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy in the end of March.
Just like they retreated from the Snake Island.
 
Ukraine will not give up, we are people fighting for own freedom, homes and families.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 150th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Yesterday Ukraine, UN, Turkey and russia signed a deal allowing exports of Ukrainian grains, food products and fertilizers through the Black Sea.
 
From technical point of view those were 2 separate deals.
First between UN, Turkey and Ukraine and second between UN, Turkey and russia.
No direct agreement between Ukraine and russia.
 
Safe corridor from 3 Ukrainian ports – Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi – will be arranged in the Black Sea to Bosphorus.
The vessels will be jointly inspected near Turkey to ensure no military supplies by sea to Ukraine.
No military convoys of the vessels by any party.
No russians in Ukrainian ports.
Minesweepers of another country (I vote for UK) can be involved to demine the ports.
 
This is a huge win.
It will allow the whole chain of companies in Ukraine involved in agricultural sector to breathe more freely: (i) importers of seeds, machinery, crop protection and fertilizers, (ii) distributors, (iii) farmers, (iv) grain traders, (v) food producing companies… and hundreds of related businesses and entrepreneurs.
It will ensure inflow of foreign currency to Ukraine and thus will reduce devaluation pressure as well as pressure on FX reserves of the Central Bank and budget deficit.
 
Huge win of diplomacy, but need to remind which events helped to make it happen:
– russian flagship “Moscow” drowned by Ukrainian missiles Neptune
– supplies of Harpoons that pushed russian vessels far from Ukrainian coast
– retreat of russians from the Snake Island after massive losses suffered there
Diplomacy coupled with weapons allows you to achieve more than sole diplomacy…
 
Before the start of russian full scale invasion in February Ukraine exported by sea not only grains and food but also iron ore and metal products.
So let’s hope relaunch of sea trade for grains is just a beginning and Ukraine will be able step by step to regain what has been lost because of the war.
 
Another reminder is that Ukraine has other Black Sea ports that need to be unblocked and also two ports in Azov Sea that are currently under russian occupation.
So we need more diplomatic efforts of Ukraine supported by new military successes to force russia to agree for another “gesture of goodwill”.
Next one is expected in Kherson.
 
We shall see russia step by step retreating from occupied territories.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 152nd day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Let’s talk about upcoming future of Ukrainian Air Force, namely about new main multirole combat aircraft.
 
Ukraine needs to change its MIG-29. Despite being an excellent fighters, they are obsolete and have low chances in air battles against more modern russian aircrafts. During high intensity war these jet fighters, just like any other machinery, are lost in action or damaged. Finding spare parts is an issue, upgrade possibilities are very limited, new aircrafts of this type are not produced.
MIG-29s together with other aircrafts and air defense system helped Ukraine to resist russia in the air, but they are not sufficient for current tasks.
 
Key tasks for the new combat aircraft will include operations over Ukraine’s territory – control of air space, shooting down russian aircrafts and cruise missiles, making strikes on land targets along frontline. Given the reality of this war, it is first of all a defense weapon.
 
We need one type of jet. Ukraine has no luxury of managing several types of different aircrafts, instead we need one which will be a universal soldier, able to fight in the air and to strike the targets on the surface. One type of aircraft means unification in spare parts, ammunition, repairs, training of pilots and ground crew.
 
It must be something relatively cheap, upgradable, able to use precise weapons, produced in thousands units, currently in service in many countries, available for deliveries to Ukraine in the short run by the dozens, not by units. That means these will be “second-hand” jets.
This is the strategic choice not only for current war but for decades after it.
Perfect candidate is one of F-16 family, like Fighting Falcon on the photo.
 
Teaching pilots will take 6 months at least, depending on the variety of studied tasks and ammunition. Ukraine have more pilots than aircrafts now, so sending part of them for training will not reduce defensive capacity.
Ground crew and command centers must be accordingly trained as well in order to ensure proper service and tactics of usage.
Airfields, repair bases, storage of ammunition, logistics, ground handling… all that must be adapted to correspond to the new jets and new standards of their usage and service.
Long list of tasks in to-do list and long way ahead.
Ukraine has no other choice but to evolve.

Full process of migration will take few years, but first steps have been already done. We will see first new jets in action already in 2023.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 154th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
“This is your school” – Це твоя школа.
Photo from Bakhmut, frontline city in the east of Ukraine.
 
Unfortunately, ruined school is the typical picture in the frontline cities and villages of Ukraine. Few reasons for that.
 
First, during military conflicts such types of buildings can be used to accommodate troops. School building is normally located a bit distant from apartment buildings; it has some yard where the vehicles can be parked, while classes can be used to place servicemen. It is a low floor building, so in case of air raid alert it is easy to exit. So, if no other alternative available, the school building can substitute barracks. Both russian invaders and Ukrainian servicemen may use school buildings for military purposes. It sounds cynical, but it is a fact.
 
Second, since it is a well-known practice, the schools are one of the key targets for russian air strikes. When russians attack certain city, town or village they shell everything which can be used by Ukrainian defenders and specifically make strikes on schools, regardless if there is somebody inside, regardless if those are civilians hiding from bombs.
Russians do not spend too much time for reconnaissance. There is a school on the map? Send there some missiles!
 
Why should russians worry about potential casualties among civilians? Whatever they actually strike, propaganda will declare “russian precise weapon destroyed command center (bio-laboratory, NATO training center, ammo depot, warship, 20 generals, 500 nationalists… chose the one you like most) and no civilians suffered”.
 
Ukrainian schools are being destroyed by russian strikes intentionally, just like theaters, administrative buildings, warehouses, universities, factories and other locations that may potentially be used by Ukrainian defenders for their purposes or may be used by civilians as shelters. The number of destroyed schools is growing each day and will keep on growing while this war continues.
 
For millions of children and many thousands of teachers in Ukraine this is another part of the tragedy that we all have been living for more than 5 months, while russian aggression against Ukraine continues.
 
Where children will study? Who will teach them? How to launch education process in Ukraine if any school or university can become a target for russian missile at any moment?
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 155th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Response to russian natural gas blackmail on the photo.
 
Ukrainian forces made again successful strikes with HIMARS on Antonovsky Bridge over Dnipro River, which is the main arteria for russian supplies to occupied Kherson. It is also reported that railroad bridge located few kilometers upstream along Dnipro River was also hit, still no visual confirmation as of now.
Ukraine step by step proceeds to cut large russian garrison on the right bank of Dnipro from their main forces on the left bank thus preparing counteroffensive campaign.
 
Also artilery strikes helped to destroy the bridge over Ingulets river on the right bank of Dnipro thus threating to split mentioned garrison into 2 halves. Invaders already build pontoon bridge nearby but it will be an easy target for artillery. Gauleiter assigned by russians in Kherson tries to convince everybody (himself first) that pontoon bridges and ferries will compensate non-working bridges. Well the truth is that the trap gradually shuts.
 
What is the response of russians? Massive shelling!
Southern Ukranian regions and especially Mykolaiv are being shelled every night.
Kharkiv in the east of Ukraine is shelled every night.
This morning russians also made massive strike on northern part of Ukraine (Kyiv and Chernihiv regions) by launching more than 20 missiles from the territory of Belarus.
 
What also russians do? They increase the pressure on EU through natural gas blackmail. If they can’t defeat Ukraine on the battlefield, they can try to split the allies and change the focus of their attention. What a surprise…
russians never used their gas pipeline as a weapon and instrument of political pressure before but suddenly do it now, but wait a bit… they did it many times in the past, but their lobby and money were stronger than voice of common sense in EU.
Natural gas blackmail is another proof Putin’s russia is not a business partner but the aggressor which uses all available means to reach own goal – gain more territories.
 
Der Spiegel says that Berlin approved the supplies of 100 units of PzH 2000 to Ukraine. If that is the response to russian blackmail, than I say that is the move in the right direction, because Putin understands only brute force. Show him you are weak and it is a game over for you. The sad thing is that even if supplies of PzH 2000 are true it will take months for first units to be produced and delivered… and years for the whole deal to materialize. But anyway, strategic wise, this can be the right response to blackmail.
 
Ukraine’s economy will drop more than 30% this year, local currency have already devaluated by 25%, we expect more than 30% inflation, so what?
Ukraine shows the world how to fight the aggressor despite all the obstacles and asks democratic world to stay strong, united and keep on supporting us until our victory.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 157th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Yesterday another tragedy happened, which is hard to explain and hard to believe.
Each time I think russians reached the maximum possible level of cruelty they do something even more terrifying, which makes me question myself if they are human beings at all.
 
Video with invader who tortures, castrates and kills Ukrainian serviceman is shocking itself. But even more shocking the reaction of russians in social media creating memes, silly jokes about this act of sadism and having fun from it. You still believe only Putin is guilty in what is happening in Ukraine while average russians are not implicated?
 
But what happened yesterday in Olenivka is even worth than that.
First facts only, even though it is hard to put emotions aside:
– The colony in Olenivka on occupied territory is used to keep Ukrainian prisoners of war, namely defenders of Azovstal
– The agreement for their surrender was arranged under supervision and guarantees of International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations
– Defenders of Mariupol are heroes in Ukraine, they are example of bravery, heroism and stamina
– Huge efforts were done to return them home, one month ago 95 defenders of Azovstal were exchanged on russian prisoners of war
– Ukraine perfectly knew that large part of Ukrainian POWs were kept in Olenivka 
– Explosion and fire in the colony resulted in more than 50 prisoners being killed and more than 70 wounded
– No one from jailers suffered in the result of the explosion. NO ONE.
 
Now listen what russian propaganda says.
They declare that Ukrainian forces intentionally made a strike with HIMARS on a colony full of Ukrainian servicemen with purpose to scare other Ukrainian servicemen who are ready to surrender.
Seriously? Anybody besides internal zombie-audience will take such shit for granted?
 
Next step of russian propaganda will be to generate few more versions, each one more ridiculous than another and ideally contradicting each other.
Just like all the time they are voicing different versions of why they invaded Ukraine.
Ukraine demands ICRC and UN investigation but for sure russians will not allow any true international investigation at the place of the tragedy.
 
The truth is very simple.
Putin’s russia is the terrorist state responsible for mass-killing and numerous war crimes.
Putin’s russia doesn’t give a shit to any agreements, especially with useless UN.
Putin’s russia didn’t want to release defenders of Mariupol.
Putin’s russia killed them.
 
We will never forget and will never forgive.

###

Today is the 159th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
You do not need to be a superhero to help people; it is enough to be just a human being.
 
Last week I met in Kyiv with Sergei and Alina Lubensky who were born and spent their childhood in Kharkiv, Ukraine and since 2010 have been living together in Northern California raising their three kids.
 
When russian invasion to Ukraine started this February they were shocked and depressed but few days later they understood they could do a lot to help Ukrainians in need. Staying distant and indifferent was not an option for them.
 
They focused on evacuating people with special needs – elderly, disabled, with many kids or with many pets, those who couldn’t do it on their own, having no cash or no means or no idea how to make it. This started with one particular case and then scaled up.
 
Evacuating people from the frontline cities and sometimes even from occupied territories is not an easy task. Each new case is the new challenge. Sergei and Alina arrange not only drivers but also accommodation in Ukraine or abroad, helping to find family or community which will host refugees. They keep the contact and follow-up with all the people they helped.
 
What was launched as a family start-up turned into a team of people which includes several drivers, volunteers, psychologists and just indifferent people in several countries providing their help. Besides evacuating people they arrange procurement, delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid, food and medicals.
During 18 weeks of their activity they evacuated 176 people and 101 animals, and arranged delivery of almost 20 thousands humanitarian packages.
 
In their native Kharkiv together with one of those whom they helped with evacuation of family, they’ve set up a field kitchen to produce and deliver portable meals to people in Saltivka who have no means to cook. Saltivka is the district of the city which is regularly shelled by russians (like this morning again).
This small project feeds several hundred people for a week.
 
I will leave the link for their foundation in comments.
Alina and Sergei exchanged a successful and quiet life for caring for other people. Their months ahead will be full of other people’s pain, tears, losses and tragedies.
But they will wake up every morning knowing that they do good and necessary things.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 162nd day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Gerhard Schröder, new press-secretary of Putin on the photo.
 
Chancellor of Germany till 2005, strong advocate of Nord Stream, ensured own comfortable old age thanks to Gazprom and Rosneft, and finally just a very close friend of Putin. Friendship based on money is the strongest, yeah.
 
Now he has finally turned into “speaking mouth” to voice russian narratives in EU. No surprise after recent visit to Moscow in his interviews he tries to justify gas blackmail of EU and promotes idea that Putin is ready for negotiations but Ukraine must lay down arms and give up sovereignty. Good job, comrade Schröder!
 
Meanwhile the war in Ukraine continues.
Mykolaiv, Ukrainian city in the south close to occupied by russians Kherson, is not just shelled, it is progressively destroyed on a daily basis by everything russians can launch on it.
 
Why should russians worry about precision or casualties among civilians? They have huge stock of soviet-era missiles and they launch them. Whatever missiles actually hit it will be declared afterwards as military infrastructure, regardless if it was a port silo with sunflower oil or a private house of a businessman who created from the scratch one of the strongest vertically integrated agri-holdings in Ukraine.
 
Putin’s russia tries to strengthen its occupation contingent in the south of Ukraine, despite issues with logistics created by HIMARS. Invaders repair damaged bridges over Dnipro River and have arranged ferry crossing in parallel. Ferries transport at the same time both military machinery of russians and civilian cars to protect themselves from Ukrainian strikes.
 
In the east of Ukraine frontline towns and villages turned into hell. After operational pause russians renewed their attempts to break through. They move forward using well proven tactics – everything on the way of russians is literally turned into dust by their heavy artillery and air strikes until the moment it becomes impossible for Ukrainian defenders to keep the position.
 
In parallel to that russians actively prepare pseudo-referendums on all occupied Ukrainian territories to announce them joining russian federation. russian ruble is pushed as the sole currency. Every symbol of Ukraine is being destroyed by russians there.
 
Ukraine keeps on resisting to russian invasion despite all the difficulties, thanks to courage of Ukrainian defenders and support of democratic world.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 168th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Crimea is Ukraine!
 
In 2014 Putin’s russia annexed Crimea, brought the war to Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine and actively sponsored it as a frozen conflict up until launching current full scale invasion in February 2022.
But it is time for russian invaders to realize – sooner or later they will have to make another “gestures of goodwill” and leave the territory of Ukraine.
And to make it clear – Crimea is Ukraine.
 
Yesterday russian military airbase located near Novofedorivka in Crimea suffered from several explosions and following detonation of ammunition… despite being more than 220km from the frontline. It was actively used by russians to attack Ukrainian positions in the south and to control the air space over the Black Sea. It is still hard to estimate how many exactly russian aircrafts were destroyed, but the damage was very huge.
 
No clarity what exactly happened. Few versions, you are free to choose:
– missiles with range up to 300km which have never been supplied to Ukraine
– drones which would have never passed through russian air defense system
– saboteurs who would have never managed to sneak into military airbase to blow it up
– military geese (reptiles? mosquitos?), grown in secret NATO laboratories in Ukraine
 
Well, russian propaganda has chosen the most pathetic version, saying that it is just some munitions detonated (apparently themselves), nobody suffered, no aircrafts damaged, everybody can relax and return to beaches of Crimea.
Tourists from russia responded “sure, fully agree” and arranged massive exodus from Crimea resulting in huge traffic jams on the way to Crimea bridge connecting the peninsula with russia itself.
 
Few facts completely non-related to the above.
During several last days almost 20 russian anti-air systems were destroyed mainly alongside southern part of the frontline.
Fragments of US-made AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile), a weapon specifically designed to target anti-air systems, were found by russians.
Pentagon confirmed supplies of HARMs.
 
Well, while Putin’s russia is seeking for help from Iran and North Korea it seems that Ukraine progressively deserves more trust and step-by-step starts receiving smart weapons which can really make the difference.
What is more important, many of such supplies become public much later (if at all) than they actually happen. Invaders do not need to know why their military objects on occupied territories of Ukraine are blowing up.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 169th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Fresh satellite images of destroyed russian air base in occupied Crimea.
 
At least 9 aircrafts were destroyed, but there is also another calculation of the “harvest”:
– 4 SU-30SM
– 8 SU-27SM
– 5 SU-24M
– 6 Mi-8
– 1 Il-20RT
 
This list most probably includes not only fully destroyed but also damaged aircrafts, which means anyway they are out of action now.
Besides the aircrafts themselves several ammo depots, fuel depots and buildings on the air base were destroyed.
This russian air base as such is out of the game, at least for a long time.
 
While russians still guess what kind of weapon (or a combination of weapons) allowed Ukraine to make this attack, their propaganda keeps on translating to internal audience the narrative about negligence and non-compliance with safety regulations which caused the explosion. If so, these images can be used for a massive anti-tobacco campaign. Smoking kills, yeah.
 
This doesn’t mean that the war enters some new phase just right now or that russians will run away in panic. Of course no.
But this means that Ukrainian forces in the south will breathe a bit more freely.
It also means that russian control over the Black Sea is getting weaker.
 
More important, this is another evidence that the narrative about almighty russian army, 2nd or 3rd in the world, is just a myth.
Having huge stocks of machinery and ammo? Yes. Numerous? Yes.
But not well organized. Not unbeatable. Not almighty.
 
Proven by russian retreat from north of Ukraine in the end of March.
Proven by loss of 70+ units of machinery during russian attempt of pontoon crossing near Bilohorivka in May.
Proven by their retreat from Snake Island in June.
Proven by russian flagship Moscow, which lies now at the bottom of the Black Sea.
Proven by numerous smaller or less known episodes.
Proven by the fact itself that the war which russians wanted to finish in 2 weeks lasts already almost half a year.
Proven now also by destroyed military airbase in occupied Crimea.
Proven by Ukraine.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 171st day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Photo from Kramatorsk, frontline city in Donetsk region, east of Ukraine.
The boy is playing in the yard after shelling is over, he is imitating demining and search of fragments by experts. It has touched me so deeply because I see my sons in this boy.
I can feel this picture.
 
Kramatorsk has become sadly known on April 8, 2022 when russian tactical missile Tochka-U targeted railroad station crowded with people waiting for evacuation train. As a result of that russian act of terror 61 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 121 were injured.
 
Since than the city has become more and more grey. The frontline slowly crawls closer and closer. During last days Kramatorsk is regularly shelled. People are being evacuated with all possible means, but as you can see from the photo not all of them yet.
 
Invaders are close enough to shell the city, so every building is the target. Offensive military doctrine of russians is quite simple – shell everything on the way, massive strikes are better than precision, any building that can be potentially used by Ukrainian defenders must be turned into rubbles, all the communications must be destroyed.
 
Any normal life there becomes impossible, the war creeps into every house. The city turns into fortress, it is being prepared to stand on the way of invaders and not to let them pass it.
It is definitely not a place for boys playing in the yard.
 
The state now deals with massive evacuation of people from Donetsk region of Ukraine to safer places in the central and western part of the country. Because if people stay in their homes they risk to meet the winter without gas, electricity and water, but with the constant threat of another missile strike.
 
I hope this boy will be playing more normal games in a really safe place.
I hope he will see all the colors of the world around him but not only the grey one.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 174st day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
A week ago russian air base in occupied Crimea was destroyed, now another explosion on occupied by russians peninsula.
 
This time it is large ammunition depot in a village Mayske near Dzhankoi. It is once again a target located more than 200km beyond the frontline, deep on the territory that russians were sure is safe.
Apparently russians stored open air quite large number of ammunition, since the explosions continued for few hours.
 
Dzhankoi itself is quite an interesting place. First of all, it is major railroad junction on the way from Crimea peninsula to mainland Ukraine. Military logistics of russians to large extent depends on railroad, they are able to make massive offensive operations only in areas where they can rely on railroad supplies.
It is exactly the case in the east of Ukraine where the industrial area is covered by developed network of railroads.
 
So from this point of view, Dzhankoi in Crimea is the key for russian supplies of machinery, armor, fuel and ammunition to southern regions of Ukraine. But that is not all.
Besides that in Dzhankoi russians have another military air base which is used to make air strikes along all the southern part of the frontline.
 
Today’s explosions in Mayske near Dzhankoi will limit russian logistics capacities at least for a while, depending on how badly the railroad infrastructure itself was damaged.
Not for too long, since this war proves that railroad is rebuild very fast, it is the matter of 48 hours max.
But this explosion deep in rears is the clear signal for invaders they are not safe.
 
Such asymmetric answers bring much more added value than frontal attacks of russian fortifications in the south of Ukraine. Even though all the Ukrainians expect our Armed Forces to conduct massive counteroffensive operations to liberate southern part of Ukraine, but the reality is not that bright. Such operations require armor and artillery first of all, while we heavily lack both of them.
 
Western supplies helped to replenish the pieces lost in action during almost half a year of high intensity war, but they are not sufficient so far to enable Ukraine to switch from defensive operation to offensive actions.
 
Ukraine keeps on its resistance against russian invaders and tries to maximize for them caused damage, while desperately waiting for sufficient supplies of necessary weapons.
 
We need the world to remember we are fighting here for freedom.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 177th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Yesterday the meeting between Ukraine, Türkiye and UN took place in Lviv.
One should not have overestimated expectations about the outcome.
At least until we see Putin at the negotiations table.
 
Ukraine’s position is quite clear and it has been communicated unchanged for many months – russian troops must be withdrawn from the territory of Ukraine and then any peace talks, cease-fire and agreements are highly welcome since the only aim of Ukraine is the peace on own land. It is not only the position of President Zelensky but it is the position of society in Ukraine.
 
Putin wants not only to preserve occupied Ukrainian territories but also to fully integrate them into russian federation and this process is already going full speed.
Any cease-fire or converting of war into frozen conflict will simplify realization of Putin’s plan.
 
It will allow Putin’s russia to fortify the frontline, to accumulate more troops and machinery on occupied territories, to mobilize new soldiers among civilians on occupied territories, to better prepare for further invasion.
Should cease-fire happen without withdrawal of russians troops, it will last only till the moment when Putin decides that he accumulated enough forces for the next round of war.
 
Meanwhile this week was full of explosions.
Ammunition depots of russians were blown one after another, this week it was the case in occupied Crimea, in occupied Donetsk region, in occupied Kherson region… yesterday night also in Belgorod region of russia. Also yesterday night some explosions (seems like air defense work) were filmed near Crimea bridge and near russian air base Belbek close to Sevastopol, also in Crimea, far beyond the frontline.
 
Response of Putin’s russia was fully in line with their traditional methods of military actions. They arranged massive shelling of the frontline Ukrainian cities.
The city which suffered the most was Kharkiv, 2nd largest city of Ukraine.
It was heavily shelled on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, which resulted in 20 deaths and dozens of injured among civilians, including children.
Of course russian propaganda happily reported about “liquidation of foreign mercenaries by precise weapon”, and I have no doubt russian TV-audience will happily eat this sh*t.
 
Today it is the day of mourning in Kharkiv for the dead in the results of those russian missile strikes on living districts.
 
We keep on fighting against russian invasion despite all the losses and tragedies.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 182nd day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Today we celebrate the Independence Day of Ukraine. On this day back in 1991 Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s Parliament) issued the Declaration of Independence.
 
We lived in peace during 23 years thinking that the peace is something natural, taken for granted, available by default.
Well, in 2014 Putin decided that annexation of Crimea would go smoothly and he succeeded thanks to the fact that Ukraine on that moment was weak and the democratic world didn’t react in a way the situation deserved.
 
Putin decided not to limit himself with Crimea only but to grab even more and brought the war to Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. After hot phase it turned into 8 years long frozen conflict, sponsored and managed by russia, who tried to convince the world that it was a civil war in Ukraine… up until February this year, when Putin decided not to hide anything anymore and started full scale invasion aiming to erase Ukraine as such from the world map.
 
After those 8 years and last 6 months everybody in Ukraine knows that freedom is not for free. Now we know that Independence must not be just declared but also protected. The price we are paying now for this knowledge is enormous.
 
So today we have a bitter celebration.
No parade in the capital, no crowds of happy people, no big ceremonies.
Instead russian missiles are falling from the sky on our cities, large part of the south and the east of Ukraine is occupied by russian invaders while non-stop fighting continues at more than 1000km long frontline.
 
Putin dreamed to restore the past and create a mix of USSR and russian empire. In his full of bullsh*t “history lessons” he idealized that past, regretted that USSR collapsed and repeated that Ukraine as country never existed, Ukrainians were not the nation, we were just a territory inhabited by post-soviet people that have no other desire but to become a part of russia. He decided to turn his silly fantasies into reality but he missed we are not that weak and naïve like we used to be back in 2014.
 
Today Ukraine keeps on fighting for own Independence.
 
Despite being badly prepared for full-scale russian invasion back in February.
Despite all atrocities and war crimes committed by russians on our land.
Despite all the forecasts about collapse during first 3 days.
Despite lack of weapons and money.  
 
We have resisted to russian invasion for full 6 months and will keep on doing it as long as needed up until Ukraine’s victory!
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 188th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Ukrainian forces have started long expected counteroffensive operation in the south of Ukraine.
During last few weeks the intensity of the military action was lower comparing to previous months and the frontline hasn’t changed much. But now it moves.
 
Putin’s russia was trying to solve its main global issue with lack of manpower by accelerating the covert mobilization and training of newly recruited troops. They have no issue with military equipment and ammunition, thanks to legacy of USSR and own production during last 20 years. But finding necessary number of recruits ready to die in Ukraine appears to be a problem despite aggressive advertising of military contract service. Active recruitment in prisons by russian private military companies is not because “everything goes in line with the plan”, yeah.
Anyway roughly a week ago new units (estimated as 15 BTGs) being well-equipped but hardly well trained started to be deployed closer to Ukraine.
 
Ukraine in its turn has no major issue with manpower but heavily lacks military equipment to arrange full-scale counteroffensive campaign. The need in tanks, armored vehicles and artillery pieces is measured by hundreds while the supplies are very far from that. During last several weeks Ukraine has successfully targeted with HIMARS many russian ammunition depots, command centers, strongholds and air defense on occupied Ukrainian territory. Antonivsky Bridge and Kakhovka Bridge over the Dnipro River were under constant fire control, making logistics very complicated, forcing russians to rely more on pontoon ferry.
 
Apparently since yesterday the war entered the new phase.
Massive Ukrainian strikes on russian positions alongside all the southern part of the frontline were coupled with counteroffensive attempts aiming to find weak lines. It is reported that Ukrainian forces have broken through the first line of defenses in some areas of Kherson Oblast and are seeking to take advantage of these actions. No doubt the night was very hot.
Not too much detailed information is available at this stage and this is good.
The less information is available in public space the better for these offensive actions.
 
Let’s be realistic, russian defence lines in Kherson Oblast will not collapse in one day, since during occupation the area was heavily fortified and saturated with military equipment and troops. No need to remind that offensive actions are always paid with blood of infantry. Every small village liberation, every crossing of some small river, every assault of russian fortifications will be paid with lives of our servicemen.
 
Meanwhile Ukrainians on occupied southern territories are advised to make reserves of food and water, to stay in safe places or at least far from locations of russians.
 
Just this morning the sounds of street fighting are heard in Kherson city itself…

We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 189th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Photo from Mykolaiv, Ukraine.
Thousands of heroes around us doing their job every day trying to bring the day of victory closer.
 
Mykolaiv is the city in the south of Ukraine close to the frontline. It was one of the key targets for russians during the first days of war because of its strategic location. Its capture would have allowed russians to threaten Odesa with ground assault operation, aiming to fully cut Ukraine from the Black Sea. Those days when Mykolaiv was three-quarters encircled were extremely tough. But step by step Ukrainian forces managed to liquidate all forward detachments of russians who bypassed Mykolaiv. Later the russians were thrown far enough south from Mykolaiv to secure city from the artillery strikes and the frontline formed roughly in between of Mykolaiv and Kherson.
 
During past 6 months Mykolaiv has constantly suffered from russian missile strikes. Grain terminals, administrative buildings, school, universities, living districts, apartment buildings, public transport stops… it’s even hard to count all types of objects that were targeted by russian strikes. Inhabitants of the city can hardly remember a single day without new russian missiles strikes.
 
I believe russians do not have a single type of missile which they didn’t launch on Mykolaiv. Antiship missiles Oniks and surface-to-air missiles S300 (yes, both of them can be used to strike ground targets), cruise missiles Kalibr launched from ships and submarines in the Black Sea, all the Kh-family of missiles launched from strategic bombers, also multiple rocket launchers Smerch and Uragan…
 
Now imagine yourself what it means to be a firefighter or rescuer in Mykolaiv.
You come to rescue people knowing that any moment another russian missile can kill you.
You see the death and pain every day.
Destruction, dust and tears.
Ruined homes and broken lives.
 
Bravery is not in nice words, slogans and medals. Heroism is not in comments to posts.
 
They are in deadly tired eyes of a man on the photo, doing his tough job in a daily shelled city despite everything.
 
Glory to all rescuers and firefighters who risk their lives during this war!
In Mykolaiv and Kharkiv, two large Ukrainian cities the most shelled by russians.
In every large city or small village.
Glory to heroes!
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 190th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
1st of September has been traditionally a special day in Ukraine. Knowledge Day.
 
Parents go with their kids to schools to participate in opening ceremonies.
Children that have not seen each other during the whole summer have plenty of news to share. First graders with backpacks bigger then themselves make everybody smile.
First bell which symbolizes start of educational year. Flowers for teachers…
 
The school is not just to give knowledge to children. Of course school is needed to develop thinking skills in children, to teach them how to collect and analyze information. But maybe even more important role is the socialization of children. Finally, the school is the place where citizens of the country are grown since children learn more about the history, traditions and culture of the country they live.
 
What we have today?
Hundreds of school will simply not open because of being damaged, or being located too close to the frontline or beyond it.
For those which will be operating they must comply with safety requirements and have equipped underground shelters for pupils and teachers to hide there during air raid alerts.
In most cases these shelters are nothing more than just hastily prepared cellars with chairs, some water reserve and electric sockets. The task of such shelters is to save lives in case of strike on school or nearby and to allow people inside to survive until arrival of rescuers.
 
First lesson in all schools will be devoted to safety protocols, so everybody knows what to do in case of air raid alert, in case of missile strike, in case of being under rubble.
 
Around 5700 schools will provide education in on-line format only, while 3000 will work in traditional mode and 4000 will mix both online and offline. Many teachers left the country saving their lives from russian bombs and have not returned. Hundred thousands of children also have not returned to Ukraine, having no place to return or because their parents try to start the new life in the new country.
Millions migrated within Ukraine fleeing from war.
 
Launching country-wide educational process in such conditions, during on-going war is not an ordinary task, as you see. So huge respect to all the people from educational sphere who make it happen.
 
Winter holidays will be almost 2 months long to reduce costs on heating the schools.
 
I just hope Ukrainian children will spend more time at the desks than in the cellars and shelters.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 194th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Ukrainian forces raising the flag of Ukraine over Vysokopillia, formerly a major russian stronghold on northern Kherson Oblast, early 4 September.
 
Ukraine launched counteroffensive operation in the south a week ago.
It seems it is well-planned, long-prepared and complex campaign… which doesn’t mean it will be easy. Ukraine needs to crack the fortified defense lines protected by approximately 20 thousand of russian troops with all related machinery accumulated on the right bank of the Dnipro River.
 
Directions.
Ukrainian forces seem not only managed to create the bridgehead approximately in the middle of the southern frontline but also widened and deepened it. Should the Ukrainian advances here proceed successfully the possibility of cutting occupational russians forces on the right bank into two parts will become very material.
At the same time Ukrainian forces push forward and gain success near Kherson itself but also in the northern part of right bank territories, i.e. near mentioned above Vysokopillia.
 
Weapons.
Ukrainian artillery seems to have at least parity with russians in the south, which allows to support the counteroffensive campaign at necessary level.
AGM-88 HARM missiles launched from Ukrainian MIG-29s keep hitting russian radar complexes and thus step-by-step decrease radar field density covering russian troops there.
UAVs Bayraktar start feeling themselves more freely in the air and strike russian machinery day after day.
HIMARS/M270 keep under fire control bridges over the Dnipro River, make strikes on ammunition and fuel depots, command and communication centers. Since last week they are also reported to attack the frontline russian positions.
 
Logistics.
The bridge near Nova Kahovka dam seem to be completely destroyed.
The Antonivsky Bridge, half-finished pontoon bridge underneath it and ferry nearby it are under constant attacks.
All that complicates logistics of russians and makes supplies for 20k russian troops on the right bank of the Dnipro River a very hard task, while they need huge volumes of fuel, ammunition, spare parts, etc.
Of course some supplies are still possible, but bringing heavy machinery and air defense complexes across the Dnipro River is at least very limited.
 
Each week the situation for russians in the south of Ukraine will worsen.
The flag of Ukraine will fly over new and new liberated towns and villages.
Praying for all our servicemen who make it happen and helping them in all ways.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 195th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
The russian invasion to Ukraine is less and less covered by world media, people by default do not want to be long focused on negative events, that is natural. Here in Ukraine as well, if you want to isolate yourself from the war news you can do it.
But the fact is that the war hasn’t disappeared anywhere and has not become less ugly or less bloody.
Every day Ukrainian cities are under attack by russian missiles, every day the defenders of Ukraine sacrifice their lives protecting our homeland from russian invaders.
 
For me staying indifferent is not an option.
Three months ago I’ve joined Front-U initiative. Since then we have raised UAH 4,5 mio (a bit more then USD 120k) and delivered more than 100 items to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and we keep on scaling-up our activity.
Each of us in Front-U is doing this on top of our usual jobs, during our personal time.
What we purchase are very basic things – short range drones, thermal imagers and radios – but they help the Ukrainian units at the frontline to have better battlefield awareness.
One may say it is not too much. Well, we do what we can.
 
One may say LinkedIn is not exactly the platform designed for this kind of posts and community is tired of news about war in Ukraine.
It is true, but when russian federation invaded Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022, attacked our cities and started mass-killing it changed for us everything. If brutal invasion to gain territories is possible in Europe of XXI century than why professional network can’t be used to help fighting against it?
 
One may say the supplies within Lend-Lease Act are on the way so it is time to sit and relax. It is true, they are on the way, but have not arrived yet. These supplies will not come in one day and will not cover the whole range of needed equipment, especially if we talk about small things. While our defenders need a lot of things right here and right now.
 
I know russian invasion will last many months more. This conclusion is driven not by fatalism, but by understanding of the balance of powers.
So if it is in my power to change this balance at least a bit in favor of Ukraine I will try my best to contribute.
However small is my personal contribution comparing to the scale of the war, when being multiplied by efforts of many thousands of people who share the same views it creates difference.
 
You can ignore, forget, stay aside. You can contribute. It is up to you. Link in comments.
I’ve done my choice.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 197th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Ukrainian forces conduct successful counteroffensive actions against russian invaders not only in Kherson Oblast in the south of Ukraine but now also in southeastern Kharkiv Oblast in the east. Big surprise for russians.
 
Counteroffensive in southern eastern Kharkiv Oblast during last two days so far appears to be highly effective. It resulted in significant advances of Ukrainian forces and several towns regained. That sudden move creates serious threat for russian ground lines of communication in the area. Disruption of russian logistics remains the key task for Ukrainian forces, should the goal be achieved it will set the conditions for further advances.
 
It is reported that russians have already moved their reserves to that area trying to prevent further Ukrainian advances. East of Ukraine has well developed railroad network, which is key element of russian military logistics. Coupled with proximity of that area to the border with russia it means that russian reserves can be relocated there rather fast.
Will see whose plan (and ability to execute it) is better.
 
The developments in Kharkiv Oblast of Ukraine evidence few very important things.
First, Ukrainian forces have accumulated enough capacity to perform counteroffensive actions on two different directions of the frontline.
Second, our forces are able to find weaknesses in russian defense lines, are able to plan and execute effective counteroffensive operations, are able to make such operations a big surprise for russians, are able to develop gained success.
Third, morale of russian invaders is low, so cases when they surrender or run in disorganized manner happen quite often. This is one of key reasons why russians lose some positions very fast.
 
At the same time Ukrainian forces keep making advances in the south. In Kherson Oblast we have progress on all three directions of counteroffensive actions. The most dangerous for russians is the bridgehead in the center which becomes deeper and wider each day. Should it progress the same way all russian garrison on the right bank of the Dnipro River can be cut into two parts. Invaders try their best to arrange supplies but without bridges it is a real issue. The ferry crossing arranged by russians has much smaller throughput and it is regularly hit by Ukrainian artillery strikes. Step-by-step but inevitably and more and more obviously for everyone Ukraine regains Kherson.
 
Meanwhile Moscow announced that referendum to annex occupied Ukrainian territories to russian federation which they planned to perform here on 11th of September is postponed to 4th of November.
Title sponsor of the postponement – the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Strategic initiative is not any longer in hands of russians.
Many months of this terrible war are still ahead but we know that Ukraine will celebrate the victory.

We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 199th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
What we all observe now is indeed a historic moment and may appear to be a turning point of all this war.
 
Ukrainian counteroffensive in the east that started on 5th of September keeps on rolling deep into occupied by russians Kharkiv Oblast.
 
Balaklia which used to be a russian frontline stronghold is now already deep rear of Ukrainian forces. M270 MLRS caught on video nearby it is a perfect evidence, since with its 80km reach it is indeed not a first line vehicle.
 
Kupiansk which was more than 60 km beyond the frontline is now attacked by Ukrainian forces. It was major logistics hub of russians in the region with big railroad junction and the city where russians placed their occupational administration of Kharkiv Oblast. Which means russian logistics chain in the east of Ukraine has been completely smashed. According to some non-official messages it has been already taken by Ukrainian forces.
Photo is from Kupiansk!
 
Izium which is located south from Kupiansk and was the key location where russians accumulated forces and arranged offensive operations towards Donetsk Oblast of Ukraine is thus cut from supplies and is already attacked by Ukrainian forces.
At the same time there are evidences that Ukrainian forces launched counteroffensive actions also on several other directions nearby it aiming to cut remaining russian ground lines of communication.
 
It is hard to count the number of destroyed and captured russian vehicles at this stage, since everything happens very fast. A lot of machinery starting from banal infantry fighting vehicles and finishing with super costly radar complexes or command vehicles are just thrown by retreating russians.
If you ever asked yourself how massive military defeat looks like, well here it is.
This is full scale collapse of russian forces in Kharkiv Oblast.
 
One may question if russians have real reserves and ability to deploy them in order to stop Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast or if Ukranian forces will push further. Will see.
But so far it looks like generals in Moscow are the same disoriented as their occupational forces.
 
During more than 6 months Ukraine has been resisting to brutal russian invasion showing to the whole world the examples of bravery and heroism.
Now Ukraine shows to the whole world that we can defeat russians at the battlefield and can throw them away from the territory of Ukraine.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

###

Today is the 201st day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
As a result of last week huge and successful counteroffensive campaign almost full territory of Kharkiv oblast has returned under control of Ukrainian forces.
The frontline has moved to the international border between Ukraine and russia in the north and to the Oskil River in the east.
Good news for the Kharkiv city, since now it will be out of range for russian artillery.
 
Seems that Ukrainian forces will make a short break after this huge win in order to match advances with rolling of support assets thus leaving no chances for russians to make any strike back. Establishing of full control over liberated territories is going full speed, “tractor forces” work 24/7 to transport abandoned russian machinery, ammunition in captured depots needs to be transferred to safe places or closer to the frontline, demining is always an issue, a lot of administrative work and dozens of vital questions such as civil transport, mobile connection, utility services, etc.
 
What is important is that Ukrainian forces gained priceless experience of making such massive campaigns which now can be used on other directions. To remind, there were a lot of sceptics outside Ukraine questioning if Ukraine is capable to win back territories directly at the battlefield. Now you have the answer.
 
Needless to say that governments who provided supplies now can see their machinery being very effectively used against russian invaders. Faster supplies equal faster liberation of occupied Ukrainian territories. We do not want this war to turn into long-lasting conflict for years or decades, we want to throw russians away asap.
 
Now russians try to guess where will be the next counteroffensive effort of Ukrainian forces. Further push from Kharkiv Oblast to the east in order to cut logistics of russians in Luhansk Oblast? Campaign in Zaporizhzhia Oblast to reach the Azov Sea aiming to split russians into two separate parts, east and south? Decisive offensive in Kherson to liberate the full right bank of the Dnipro River? Apparently russian invasion army has already lost any ability for significant offensive actions and completely lost the initiative.
 
What was the response of russians for the defeat of last week? Massive missiles strikes last night!
They targeted several objects of electric infrastructure in five oblasts of Ukraine, including combined heat and power plant in Kharkiv, resulting in prolonged power outages in those oblasts.
An attempt to frighten Ukraine? New military doctrine? Revenge? Food for own propagandists to save face of Putin and switch attention of internal audience?
Whatever they meant it just another act of terror committed by russians…
 
Despite all the horrors of war we look into the future with confidence. We know Ukraine will celebrate victory.
 
We are the nation! We are Ukrainians!

[Capital ‘R’ is intentionally ignored from the word ‘russia’ in the Diary of Kulikov]

For Earlier Link, Please Click Below

Ukraine Diary: From 104 Days to 140th Days of War (series)

24-09-2022

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