UKRAINE DIARY: From 67th  Day to 102nd  day of WAR  

UKRAINE DIARY

EVGEN KULIKOV

UKRAINE DIARY: From 67^th  Day to 102^nd  day of WAR  

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 67th day of WAR in Ukraine.

 
The war continues. It has changed our lives completely. It has changed the face of Ukraine.
 
Before the war we were making plans for the whole year but no one could plan his life only for few days forward. For thousands of Ukrainian soldiers at the frontline it is only current day which matters.
 
Before the war one could plan vacation, buy air tickets in advance or make career planning. Now we buy drones, night vision optics, helmets and body armor for Ukrainian defenders.
 
Before the war the number of electric cars and hybrids in Ukraine was growing each month and we discussed that respective infrastructure was not developing fast enough. Now first priority is supplies of pick-ups, SUVs, armored ambulances for the needs of army. Diesel fuel is an absolute priority.
 

Before the war pro-Russian parties and politicians were present in our political environment trying to influence the agenda. Now and during many decades ahead any pro-Russian rhetoric is unacceptable.
 
Before the war our army evolved, but the pace of evolution and respective budgets were not sufficient. Now the army is progressing very fast and the funding is at necessary level, thanks to help of our allies.
 
Before the war key producers of weapons didn’t want to supply their products to Ukraine, because of many reasons, first among them was the lack of confidence in Ukraine. Now Ukrainian soldiers every day prove how effective those weapons are in the hands of people protecting their own land, now the flow of supplies is getting stronger each day, now the confidence in Ukraine is strong.
 
Before the war having coffee with friends was an ordinary thing. Now it is a luxury which most of Ukrainians can hardly allow themselves.
 
Before the war a family dinner was a usual thing, just on ordinary event. Now it is a dream for millions of Ukrainian families divided by war.
 
Before the war it was another life.
 
Now we live at war.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 68th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Thousands of new graves all over Ukraine as a result of Russian invasion.
 
Each new day brings us deaths of soldiers and civilians, adults and children.
Ukrainians die from bullets and bombs, cruise missiles and shelling.
Ukrainians die from hunger, lack of water and wounds.
Ukrainians die on the battlefields, in the shelters, in hospitals, in occupied towns and during evacuation.
Those who died in Mariupol are not even buried in graves, since invaders keep on cleaning evidences of their war crimes…
 
We get used to the war. Yes, it is true. But we must not stay indifferent.
We must not treat the death as normal.
 
When you read about thousands of killed civilians, your brain can’t understand such number, it turns into just a figure. It is too big to feel it, it is like something distant.
But when you see the death with your own eyes it changes you world.
When you know the story of a person, brutally killed by Russian soldiers or by Russian missile, you can’t distance yourself from it.
When somebody whom you knew personally dies he or she stays in your thoughts.
Personal tragedies make us empathize…
 
Stop for a minute.
Look on the picture.
Try to imagine the life of this boy and his father before the war.
Try to imagine how they were smiling to each other, maybe playing football or watching cartoons together or riding bicycles or fishing.
Now all that gone…

The lives of thousands boys in Ukraine changed forever because Putin decided to arrange fast and victorious war, to gain territories and to write himself into the history.
Each new day of this war ruins lives of such boys.
 
Do not stay distant. Do not stay indifferent.
Ukraine pays with the lives of its citizens for bringing the end of this war closer.
See the personal stories behind the figure of few thousands victims.

We will pay tribute to all of them.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 76th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Ukraine has passed the date which was considered by many as critical point, because for Putin and his propaganda the Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, is the main day of the year, the sacred holiday.
 
No need to analyze the words of Putin during his speech on Red Square.
First, because he said nothing new.
Second, because every time he speaks, he lies.
Facts matter.
 
So, few facts below:
Putin’s Russia stuck in Ukraine with long term and full-scale war, which they can’t win on a battlefield.
Economy of Russia will not collapse because of sanctions, which are to large extent only a half-measure so far with many loopholes.
The ability of Russia to finance full scale military campaign will be sufficient for many months ahead.
They have enough manpower and machinery to go on for months.
Their propaganda is extremely effective and enables necessary level of support of this war among population of Russia.

Personal judgment:
Lend-lease signed yesterday by Joe Biden is extremely positive signal for Ukraine, but it will not lead to immediate change of the character of war in Ukraine.
It will streamline and facilitate the supplies, it will give access to most of the weapons and equipment needed.
It is a huge psychological pro-Ukrainian factor.
It will secure supplies in the long run to enable Ukraine to keep on fighting as long as it is required.
 
Few facts of last several days:
Angelina Jolie visited Ukraine. Jill Biden visited Ukraine. U2’s Bono and Edge performed concert in Kyiv metro. Justin Trudo visited Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in G7 meeting. Several top level EU officials visited Ukraine. La Tour Eiffel shone in the night with the colors of Ukrainian flag.
 
Personal judgment:
Each one of these events separately and all of them together confirm the support of Ukraine. We need all such signs of moral support, because end of the day they all matter, they all transform into military, financial, humanitarian and diplomatic support.
 
Despite the darkest page in history of Ukraine, we look into the future with confidence.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 77th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
The recent history of Ukraine is full of dramatic events.
 
Orange revolution 2004 shown that people of Ukraine would not tolerate massive falsifications on elections and were ready for street protests to protect own democratic choice.
 
Revolution of Dignity 2013-2014 confirmed that this fire in the hearts of Ukrainians has not gone and they were still ready to protect own pro-European choice and to protest against turning Ukraine into pro-Russian dictatorship. Ukraine paid with the lives of its patriots for the overthrow of pro-Russian president and regained the right to decide the destiny of the country of our own.
 
Putin used that opportunity perfectly and annexed Crimea without a single shot in early 2014.
He wanted more and tried to arrange fake pseudo-republics in Russian speaking parts of Ukraine. He failed in Odesa and Kharkiv but succeded in Donetsk and Luhansk.
During all these years Donetsk and Luhansk were the bleeding wound, non-recognized territories under military control of Russia, which Putin used as an instrument of pressure on Ukraine.

The fire in our hearts has become stronger during these years.
When starting massive invasion in February 2022, Putin expected to repeat Crimea 2014 scenario but with the larger scale, turning most of Ukraine into vassal territory without sovereignty. Instead he faced the fire.
Ukraine is the fire that is burning the invading Russian army.
 
Odesa, which didn’t turn into pro-Russian pseudo republics back in 2014, currently suffers daily from cruise missiles strikes, in many cases hitting the city without any precision.
But Putin will not dare to start landing to Odesa from the sea, like it was initially planned.
Odesa is Ukraine.
 
Kharkiv, which didn’t turn into pro-Russian pseudo republics back in 2014, from the day one of this war suffers from Russian shelling. But these days Ukrainian forces make successful offensive actions, releasing one by one small towns and villages to the north and east from Kharkiv. Kharkiv starts breathing freely.
Kharkiv is Ukraine.
 
Releasing the territories which are still under occupation will take time. It will not happen in one day but will require daily constant pressure on invaders to return our land piece by piece.
 
We will do that. We have the fire in our hearts.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 78th day of WAR in Ukraine.

New patriotic mural in Kyiv.
 
Reportedly almost 2/3 of Kyiv inhabitants are already back to capital, even though the threat of missile strikes remains high. The massive “homecoming” move started immediately after Russian forces were pushed away from Kyiv region. We see embassies reopening and high level officials visiting the capital almost each day.
The life here is almost normal, even though the numerous evidences of ongoing war are all around.
 
Main focus of military actions now is in the east of Ukraine.
 
On Kharkiv direction Ukrainian troops keep on pushing away Russian invaders aiming to reach the border and to cut their supply lines. That has already resulted in reduction of artillery pressure on Kharkiv, 2nd largest Ukrainian city that has been a Ukrainian stronghold on the way of Russian invasion since the day one.
 
Meanwhile southeast of it Russians continue their efforts to encircle Ukrainian positions in Severodonetsk-Rubizhne-Lysychansk area.
The most severe fighting is there and Russians have some advances that require respective defensive measures from Ukrainian side.
The number of artillery shots is measured by many thousands each day.
A lot of work for Ukrainian “Gods of War”, a lot of work for newly supplied M777 howitzers and not only…
 
In the south regions, Kherson oblast and Zaporizhzha oblast, there have been no major changes of the frontline over the last days but intensity of fire is also very high.
Ukraine doesn’t have so far the sufficient resources to push in that direction as well.
So far…
 
Azovstal plant in occupied Mariupol remains the last fortress for Ukrainian defenders of the city. Invaders do not allow green corridor, Ukrainian warriors do not surrender. Heavy bombs are destroying the rest of the plant piece by piece, day by day.
Hundreds of injured Ukrainian warriors there can only fight and wait for help.
Surrender for them means tortures and death.
 
If you believe Russian soldiers have heard anything about humanity, watch this CNN 3 min video with Russian soldiers shooting in the back unarmed civilians nearby Kyiv in mid March.
Mariupol defenders have no choice but to fight for their lives.
https://lnkd.in/daWXFkJc
 
We are fighting against barbarians who came here to destroy and murder.
We need every possible help the democratic world can deliver.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 80th day of WAR in Ukraine.

So many different meanings in one photo above…
 
Someone will see here a baby who sleeps quietly in a safe place being well protected.
Someone will say it is the story of father who returned home from war to see his family.
Someone will say it is the story of father who goes to war, maybe seeing his baby for the last time.
Someone will say it is the tragedy of millions Ukrainian families forced to raise children during the war.
Someone will stress this photo perfectly explains whom Ukrainian soldiers are fighting for.
Someone may say this shows whom our children will become when they grow.
 
Share what you think if it touches anything in your soul.
 
You may not agree with me, but in my view the key message of this photo is that nobody will protect our children but the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
 
International agreements are just pieces of paper.
Institutions created to prevent and stop such wars do not work.
Sanctions are hard to vote but easy to leave space for dialog (read: loopholes to earn money) and can’t stop aggressor.
Declared values do not always appear to be strong when facing business interests – speaking explicitly about international companies that still keep on working in/with Russia, helping it to finance this invasion.
 
These 80 days have perfectly shown who is who.
Who are true friends and allies and who prefers staying distant.
Who is ready to help just because the help is urgently needed and who is hiding behind bureaucracy, procedures and protocols.
Who wants to help stopping aggressor and who takes care of own business interests first.

Indeed, to large extent Ukraine effectively resists to this invasion thanks to huge help of friends and allies, but it is Ukrainian warriors who sacrifice their lives on the battlefields.
Thanks to Ukrainian warriors the invasion has been stopped.
Thanks to Ukrainian warriors the invaders retreat now from outskirts of Kharkiv, like they did previously from Kyiv, Sumy and Chernihiv.
Thanks to Ukrainian warriors Ukraine remains a sovereign country.
Thanks to Ukrainian warriors our children have future in a free country.
 
We will keep alive the memory of the heroism of our soldiers.
We will never forget the courage of Ukrainian defenders.
The memory will always live in our children.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 82nd day of WAR in Ukraine.

This post is devoted to Ukrainian women.
 
The war is traditionally considered as the men’s business, but Ukrainian women prove such statement is not more than just a cliché.
 
Women constitute more than 15% of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, they directly participate in the battles, and they are the soldiers and the officers who protect the country with the weapons in their hands.
 
If you look wider on the whole military sphere, you will find that the share of women involved is around 25%.
 
It is hard to estimate how many thousands of Ukrainian women are in different volunteer organizations, involved in helping refugees, delivering of medicals and food, fundraising for the needs of defenders and so on.
Volunteer movement is a nation-scale now and so is the participation of women in it.
 
Millions of Ukrainian women left the country saving children from the horrors of war and each of them has her own story of living abroad, sometimes not very happy at all.
 
Many of Ukrainian women sent their children out of Ukraine and stayed here to contribute to Ukraine’s defense the way they can.
Do not judge them, respect their choice.
 
Hundreds of Ukrainian women were raped by Russian soldiers on occupied territories. Unfortunately the real number is measured by thousands.
Many of victims are pregnant now and need to make the very hard choice or have already done it.
Don’t judge them and don’t tell them what is right or wrong.
Whatever they chose it is their own hard decision.
 
Thousands of Ukrainian women from occupied territories were forced by invaders to pass through filtration camps and now are kept on Russian territory, having no rights, no voice and very little hope.
 
Ukrainian women, wives of the defenders of Mariupol, in all possible ways try to mobilize international community to help their husbands who keep on their heroic resistance in Azovstal.

Victims, soldiers, volunteers, mothers, wives, daughters…
Glory to Ukrainian women!
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 84th day of WAR in Ukraine.

Photo from Azovstal, Mariupol.
 
Late night on Monday, May 16, the evacuation of Ukrainian garrison from Azovstal started.
36 hours after that still a lot of details remain unclear while the web is full of opinions and judgments around this event.
 
It was reported that 53 heavily wounded Ukrainian defenders were delivered from Azovstal to hospital in Novoazovsk, that is on occupied territory.
Also it was confirmed that another 211 Ukrainian defenders were delivered to Olenivka, a town near Donetsk, on occupied territory as well.
All of them are now in hands of Russians and it is expected that they will be exchanged for captured Russian soldiers and officers.
 
It is unclear when and where such exchange will take place and what are the conditions of exchange and agreements behind it.
This operation is for sure done with international mediation, but who are the participants and what are the guarantees is not known to wide audience at this stage.
It is also unclear how many more Ukrainian defenders remain on their positions in Azovstal and when will be the next round.
The parties prefer to give very limited information, keeping in mind that it is very sensitive and delicate topic.
 
As of now Ukraine doesn’t have sufficient military means to unblock Mariupol. Defenders of Mariupol are already in history with their heroic defense that lasted 82 days against overwhelming Russian forces, despite the fact that military experts all over the world expected Mariupol to become fully under control of Russians in few days or weeks.
 
Key objective now is to save lives and return back home to Ukraine all the defenders of Mariupol.
Can’t be considered as done until we see all our heroes, man and women, back in Ukraine.
 
Putin’s empire is built on propaganda and lies, so unfortunately bad surprises and sabotage of the surrender-and-exchange agreement are quite possible, especially taking into account all efforts of Russian propaganda in demonizing defenders of Mariupol.
 
We are waiting for Ukrainian heroes to be returned to Ukraine. Alive.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 85th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Especially during the war it is important to honor own traditions and own national symbols. Vyshyvanka Day is one of them.
 
It started in 2006 when Lesya Voronyuk, the student of Chernivtsi National University, and her friends agreed to come on a specific day to the university wearing traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts. Having started with few dozens of students and a couple of professors this move has gained momentum over the next years and now has grown to the nation-scale holiday.
It is not an official holiday, but it doesn’t need to be so to unite people.
 
This day many Ukrainians wear vyshyvanka to demonstrate their national identity and unity, to show their patriotism and to popularize Ukrainian culture and traditions.
It doesn’t matter where you were born, where you currently live, which language you speak.
Wearing Vysyvanka means you have Ukraine in your heart.
 

These days we need it more than ever.
 
Today is the 85th day of brutal invasion done by aggressor who denies Ukraine as such, who declares that Ukraine as the nation, as the country and as the state is just a mistake.
Today Russian invaders try to destroy everything Ukrainian they can reach.
Today Russian missiles attack our land and kill our people every day.
Today Russian propaganda tries to rewrite our history.
 
But in fact the harder they push the stronger Ukraine becomes.
The harder they push the more we are Ukrainians.
 
Today Ukrainian men and women die on the battlefields protecting the right of Ukrainians to leave freely on own land, to honor own culture, to decide our destiny on our own.
 
Today millions of Ukrainians wherever they are will wear their vyshyvanka to show they have Ukraine in their hearts.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 87th day of WAR in Ukraine.

The story of this brave Ukrainian woman deserves being shared.
Yana Zinkevich.
 
In 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and launched war in Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine she decided for herself that she couldn’t stay distant and joined one of volunteer battalions.
 
She went to the front line as medical volunteer to help saving lives of Ukrainian soldiers.
When she first came to the frontline she was just 18.
During next months she personally helped to more than 200 soldiers.
 
In July 2014 Yana founded Hospitallers, a volunteer organization of paramedics.
 
In December 2015 while being in a car of Hospitallers she got into a terrible car accident. As a result she was severely injured and since then she moves only in a wheelchair.
But that didn’t stop her and she continued to devote her life to saving lives of others.
 
In 2019 she was elected to Verkhovna Rada (the Parliament of Ukraine) and without any surprise she has focused her activity there on health and medicine.
 
All these years, since 2014 her Hospitallers have been saving lives and have kept on doing that during all 87 days after start of brutal Russian invasion.
 
Members of the organization are volunteers who, at the risk of themselves, provide first aid on the contact line.
They pull the wounded from the front line and transport them to hospitals.
They help to volunteers, soldiers and civilians directly in the hottest areas.
They help to those who needs first aid, emergency medical intervention or therapeutic treatment.
Besides that Hospitallers have taught tactical medicine to thousands of Ukrainian defenders.
 
Today Yana is only 26, but in her age she is already war veteran, deputy, disabled person and founder of the organization that saves lives of Ukrainians every day.
 
Today Yana’s Hospitallers live in hell seeing blood and horror every day but keep on doing their job, trying to save each life they can.
 
You can help them.
https://lnkd.in/ebqCegmj
 
We see the true heroes among us every day. Glory to Yana!
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 89th day of WAR in Ukraine.

The capital of Ukraine looks quite safe but the east and south of Ukraine are on fire.
 
EAST (Kharkiv)
Ukrainian counteroffensive opperations to the northeast of Kharkiv stalled. Invaders concentrated there additional troops preventing Ukrainian forces from reaching international borders to cut Russian ground lines of supplies.
 
EAST (Donetsk and Luhansk)
During last several days Russian forces have made some territorial gains at the junction of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. They keep on pushing to arrange encirclement of Ukrainian positions in Severodonotesk-Lysychansk. Big threat for Ukrainian forces.
Key reasons for local successes of invaders:
– shorter logistic chains, incl. railroad connection
– concentration of huge efforts on rather small section of frontline
– massive artilleries and air strikes, literally destroying villages and towns on their way
– thousands of mobilized from occupied back in 2014 territories are thrown ahead as cannon fodder
 
SOUTH
Neither Ukraine nor Russia has sufficient advantage to secure any advances.
Invaders use this temporarily balance to forficate their positions alongside all the frontline. Tons of concrete, mining, several layers of defense on key sections… upcoming offensive operation of Ukrainian forces will have to deal with all that and it is not going to be an easy walk.
 
BLACK SEA
Invaders strengthen their positions on Snake Island and continue the blockade of Ukrainian ports. Besides direct military impact and threat, it kills Ukrainian economy, whose main export item was agriculture products. Railroad supplies can hardly secure 10% of what was exported by sea before 24th of February. It is the problem that must be quickly solved.
 
Diplomacy and negotiations will not work, as well as phone calls.
Sanctions, especially without effective oil and gas package, will not stop the war.
Putin’s army will not stop on current positions, they want more and more.
Invaders will retreat only when they will be defeated on the battlefield.

We stopped Putin’s army but now we need to throw it away. 
We need air defense means to protect our people, cities and infrastructure from daily missile strikes.
We need multi launch rocket systems and long range artillery to defeat Russian invaders.
We need anti-ship missiles to unblock Black Sea and relaunch export of grains.
We need the consolidated support of democratic world.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 91st day of WAR in Ukraine.

Full three months of WAR are behind.
How many more months needed for the peace to be born?
 
Ukraine keeps on fighting against Putin’s invasion.
 
Despite regular missile strikes on our cities and infrastructure.
Despite all the atrocities of Russians on occupied territories.
Despite huge Russian armada concentrated in the east of Ukraine that destroys our country town by town.
Despite sea blockade that kills our economy and threats the world with hunger.
Despite lack of weapons and their slow supplies.
Despite desire of some western politicians to play favorite wait’n’see game.
Despite proposals to exchange part of territory for ceasefire.
Despite thousands killed and millions who turned into refuges.
Despite all the pain, blood, tears and loses.
 
Ukraine keeps on fighting against Putin’s invasion.
 
We do it thanks to brave Ukrainian soldiers, men and women.
We do it thanks to support of true allies, who do their best and stand up with us.
We do it thanks to our will to live in a free country.
 
We do it because we know our existence is at stake.
We do it because it is our land, our homes, our people and our future.
We do it because we believe in our victory.
 
We keep on fighting because it is the only way to bring peace to Ukraine.
We keep on fighting perfectly knowing it will take many more months.
We keep on fighting for Ukraine.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 93rd day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Russian forces continue their attempts to capture as much Ukrainian territory as possible, turning cities in the war zone into ruins and occupied territories into one big filtration camp.
 
In the east invaders have made steady, incremental gains despite heavy fighting and strong resistance of Ukrainian troops. The threat of encirclement of Severodonetks-Lysychansk is very high, so the Ukrainian forces have strengthened their presence in that area to prevent cauldron.

Main supplies are done by the road from Bakhmut to Lysychansk, it has already been called “the road of life”, since Russians are already close to it and shell it constantly.
Putin’s army tries to cut supplies and arrange encirclement, so coming several days will be critical.
 
Meanwhile on occupied territories in the south of Ukraine invaders start forced issuance of Russian passports to Ukrainians, creating thus background for further actions like pseudo-referendums or announcement of “necessity to protect Russian citizens”.
They did it in Georgia before 2008, they did it on occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhanks.
They are doing it now in newly captured areas.
 
Meanwhile in occupied Mariupol people see on the streets a dozen of trucks with big TV screens and loud speakers that translate Russian propaganda to survivors.
George Orwell would be impressed…
 
Meanwhile we see more and more hesitation about supplies of so needed heavy weapons to Ukraine, which are crucial to stop this invasion.
Somebody is still afraid of Putin and his blackmail?
How to supply the weapons and not to cause the escalation, mmm?
Ooh, let’s debate few more weeks, Ukrainians are dying somewhere far east, we have time to bargain, yeah?
Or maybe staying deeply concerned is already enough, few more thousands of people will die, so what?
Or maybe Ukraine will give to Putin part of its territory, let’s listen to old idiot Kissinger?
 
For us, Ukrainians, it is hard to understand such fear and hesitation, simply because Russians brought the war to our land back in 2014 and on top of that we have more than 90 days of hell behind.
 
While all this debates and delays take place it is the Ukrainian Armed Forces who fight the Putin’s army sacrificing lives of our men and women to win so needed time.         
 
We have nothing but bloody and bitter months ahead of us.
We have no choice but to stay strong and keep on fighting.
Otherwise big mobile TVs with Russian propaganda will be in each Ukrainian city and the whole country will turn into filtration camp.

We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 95th day of WAR in Ukraine.
 
Today Kyiv celebrates 1540 years of its foundation.

There will be no large celebrations and parades, these days all focus is on another Ukrainian city in the very east of the country – Severodonetsk.

Since the first hours of invasion, since early morning of the 24th of February 2022 Kyiv was the main target of Putin’s army.
The sudden and ambitious strike was supposed to allow to capture the capital, paralyze the will of Ukrainians to fight and allow Putin to establish here the puppet government.
First 72 hours were crucial and Kyiv managed to hold out.
 
Then it was followed by 1 month long attempts of Russian invaders to encircle the capital. But Ukraine defeated Russia in the Battle of Kyiv and forced the invaders to retreat. The victory was overshadowed by revealed atrocities of Russian invaders in Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka and other small towns.
Massacre in Bucha showed to the world the ugly face of Russian invasion.
 
Together with Kyiv outskirts Russians left also Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts, thus retreating from all northern regions of Ukraine in an attempt to regroup and focus own efforts in the east of Ukraine.
Since then the Battle of Donbass has been the scene for major fights.
Putin’s army targeted to encircle all Ukrainian troops in Donetsk and Luhansk oblast to inflict the major defeat on the Ukrainian army.
But Russian army hasn’t achieved what it ambitiously announced and currently focuses on much smaller piece of land, aiming to encircle and capture Severodonetsk-Lysychansk conglomerate, key stronghold of Ukrainian forces in controlled by Ukraine part of Luhansk oblast.
 
That slow pace of advances of Russians in the east of Ukraine is to large extent explained by heroic resistance of defenders of Mariupol who kept their positions for more than 80 days and didn’t allow Russians to act in line with their initial plan.
 
All eyes are now on Severodonetsk-Lysychansk.
Gaining success there will allow Russian propaganda to sell some victory to internal (and external) audience.
The concentration of Russian troops, artillery and aviation around that area is enormous, which allows them to make some progress on a daily basis, while Ukrainian forces lack heavy weapons to be more effective.
Putin’s army is currently assaulting the city even though they have not encircled it.
Ukrainian troops keep on heroic resistance in that half-cauldron.
 
Heroic. Each time you read this word, you must understand, it means that Ukrainian warriors sacrifice their lives because necessary weapons in required amounts have not been supplied in time.

We need heroism to be supported by Harpoons, MLRS and NASAMS, not by talks and promises.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 97th day of WAR in Ukraine.

Photo from Kyiv, open air exhibition of Russian machinery and weapons.
 
These missiles on the photo will not hurt anybody, but Putin’s army keeps on launching new and new every day.
Every day long range Russian missiles damage railroad junctions, fuel depots, aerodromes, production sites, bridges, military and civil infrastructure of Ukraine.
Every day Russian artillery strikes and bombs from their aircrafts turn Ukrainian towns and villages in the war zone into ruins.
 
Severodonetsk, as of now the most eastern point of controlled by Ukraine territory, is in the epicenter of heavy fights. It has not been fully encircled by Russians, but the street fighting is already there.
The industrial city which was a home for more than 100 000 people is being turned into rubbles right now when you read this.
Ukrainian defenders keep on holding their positions in the city despite advantage of Russians both in troops and heavy weapons on that direction.
 
For how long Ukrainian troops will manage to defend Severodonetsk?
Long enough for Ukraine to receive more shipments of heavy weapons, which are on the way.
Long enough to turn into scrap and ground meat the assaulting forces.
Long enough to hear that MLRS are coming to Ukraine.
 
Meanwhile embargo for Russian oil in EU has been finally approved.
Yes, it is partial. Yes, it is not immediate.
Yes, creative and greedy guys will find the ways to bypass the limitations.
But it still a great victory of EU diplomacy.
Besides cutting cash flow for Putin it is also the very symbolic move.
 
This is the first step to zero dependence of EU from Russian oil and gas.
Not to pay to aggressor who started a terrible war near your borders is by definition a good move. To make it in a way that will not damage EU economy is a tricky thing that can’t be done in one day. But the destination point becomes closer when you make the first step, not when you talk about it.
Finally that first step has been done.
 
We need more steps like that.
We need to unblock the Black Sea to start export of more than 20 mio tons of crops that are stuck in Ukrainian ports and silos because of Russian ships in the Black Sea. This issue has military, but not diplomatic nature. So must be the solution.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 98th day of WAR in Ukraine.

One photo to tell you the story of many Ukrainian families.
 
The brutal aggression started by Putin’s Russia on Ukrainian territory 98 days ago continues.
Millions of Ukrainian families were forced to leave their homes and many of them have no place to return because of ongoing war.
Many thousands left their homes with just backpack and kids in their hands…
 
Feel it.
How it is to be a woman having nothing but a child in your hands and kissing your man going to the frontline while you do not know if he will come back alive.
 
Feel it.
How it is to kiss your woman and tell her “Everything will be fine” even though you can’t guarantee anything at all and you do not know if you will see her again.
 
Feel it.
How it is to have all your life, your dreams and future being ruined.
How it is to live with only one dream left, which is to see each other again.
 
Putin’s aggression aims to destroy Ukraine’s sovereignty as such.
He wants Ukraine’s territories to become part of his empire and that means there will never be a sufficient level for him to stop.
He will always want more.
 
Imitation of diplomacy, propaganda, lobbying, and financing of pro-Russian sentiment in democratic countries are his weapons as well as cruise missiles, tanks and aircrafts.
 
We have already stopped him on the battlefield and have made him desperately throwing into battle all those weapons.
During the weeks and months ahead we need the continuing support of democratic world to throw Putin’s army away from Ukraine.
 
So that families like the one on the photo can see each other again and build their new homes on their own free land.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 100th day of WAR in Ukraine.

During all these days it has been a massive collision of 2 regular armies, involving hundreds of thousands of servicemen, using a variety of conventional weapons – tanks, artillery, aircrafts and air defense systems.
Plus warships, submarines, strategic bombers and long range missiles from Russian side.
Frontline is more than 1000km long now, while 3 months ago it was even longer. Millions of people have become refugees.
Combination of these facts makes this war the largest and the most ruinous since the WWII.
Bad news is that it is far from its end.
 
100 days ago Putin started this war, which he called “special military operation”, aiming to reach fast success, capturing Kyiv, all left bank of Dnipro and all southern oblasts of Ukraine.
Based on reports of his intelligence he expected to meet only limited resistance which would be easy to suppress, while most of Ukrainians were supposed to happily meet the “liberators”.
He expected after few days of shock everybody in the world would have no other choice but to accept new reality with Ukraine under control of Russia.
 
100 days ago Ukraine woke up from air raid alerts, missile strikes and explosions. We woke up with understanding that it was the war.
Whatever you plan or expect, when the war starts it changes your life in one day.
February 24, 2022 divided our lives on “before” and “after”.
But despite all the horrors of war, despite loss of part of the territory, despite many thousands of civilians killed by Russians Ukraine keeps its resistance.
Ukraine saved the command and control system, forced invaders to retreat from northern regions, obtains new weapons from allies and keeps on effectively reducing the military potential of invaders and ambitions of their leader.
Ukraine makes counteroffensive operations on selected directions (like near Kherson now) and keeps accumulating resources for larger campaign to throw away invaders from occupied territories.
 
100 days ago the democratic world woke up and realized that in XXI century there is a country who dares to start the conquest war in Europe. The masks were off.
During all these days EU have being passing the painful process of abandoning of cooperation with Russia.
Making business with aggressor who started mass killing and keeps on doing it near your borders is not ok any longer, at least if your values are not just declared but are true ones.
During these days the help of democratic world was an essential element that helped Ukraine to resist.
This help will be even more crucial for Ukraine during next 100 days and all the days beyond needed to win in this war.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

# # #

Today is the 102nd day of WAR in Ukraine.

Today on 6am Kyiv was again attacked by 5 Russian cruise missiles. The explosions were well heard in half of the city and the huge pillar of smoke was at the place of strike for more than an hour. As of now it is reported that no casualties were caused only infrastructure suffered.
 
Another proof there is no safe place in Ukraine, even if it is the capital, even if few dozen of embassies are operating in capital again.
 
But the photo is from Mykolaiv, made yesterday.
That missile strike was done on port of Mykolaiv, namely on one of grain terminals.
Another proof that Russia is intentionally destroying Ukraine’s economy.
 
For years Ukraine has been developing agriculture sector and have attracted massive investments to increase own production and export capacity.
Silos, crushing plants, berths, cranes, port facilities, railroad infrastructure, railroad cars, grain terminals – all that to be able to export more grains and sunflower oil.  
Agriculture products have been the main item of Ukrainian exports with wide geography of supplies.
Sea ports on a Black Sea plus port in Mariupol were the gates through which those tens millions of tons were routed each year.
 
Besides sea blockade since the first day of war, Russians intentionally try to destroy that infrastructure in order to cause maximum economic damage to Ukraine.
It is also to blackmail the world with lack of food and to try to negotiate some cancelation of sanctions.
Feel free to disagree with me.
 
Meanwhile military actions continue all alongside the frontline.
The heaviest fighting is still in the east of Ukraine.
 
Invaders happily reported few days ago that they captured most of Severodonetsk, but the truth is that the story there is not over .
Indeed withdrawal of Ukrainian troops was done to more equipped positions and to neighboring Lysychanks on another bank of Severskyi Donets River.
Still right now the frontline is inside Severodonetsk and Ukrainian forces have made some successful counteroffensive actions inside the city.
No doubt Russians will continue their efforts to encircle that conglomerate and will keep on their assaulting actions.
 
Waiting for HIMARS/M270 to appear and make their contribution on the battlefields in Ukraine.
Not in one day, but step by step they will help to push Russians away.
 
We are the nation. We are Ukrainians!

[ Ukraine Diary: UKRAINE DIARY: From 53rd Day to 64^th day of WAR https://wp.me/p8cDQ4-3Hi ]

12-06-2022

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