#a Donbas town

[redjaybathood]

Evacuation from Hirnyk, Donetsk region, 09.09.24

Source

[suratan-zir]

Why do some people believe this false info that people in Donetsk and Luhansk oblast support Russia? Yeah some of them may support Russia, but i don't think the majority of people do.

That's a very complicated question - one I'm not quite prepared to answer today, because today has been a lot. But I'll try anyway.

The statement "people in Donetsk and Luhansk oblast support russia" is both correct and incorrect. It's all about the context.

Let's start from the beginning. Russian propaganda was rampant in these regions for years before 2014. The Kremlin poured a lot of resources into conditioning people in the Donbas to believe russian false narratives, creating an artificial divide between the eastern and western parts of Ukraine - an "us vs. them" dynamic. Once they achieved that, they simply claimed, "It was always like that. These are different nations, different people, and they were always against each other" - which, of course, is a lie.

Disinformation coming from russia was often so obscenely ridiculous that one has to wonder how people believed it. How they still believe it. Takes like "Western Ukrainians ("Banderovites," Nazis, "raguli," etc.) will create concentration camps for the Russian-speaking people of the Donbas" or "They will extract shale gas here, which will make the entire region completely uninhabitable."

Along with the fearmongering and dividing one nation into "us" and "them," russia also pushed the false narrative that the Donbas was "feeding" Ukraine ("Донбасс кормит Украину"), suggesting that other parts of Ukraine were nothing but parasites, feeding off the hard-working people of the Donbas. You see where this is going? The road to separatist sentiments was paved completely artificially by russia, and the so-called DPR (Donetsk People's Republic) was first created in 2005-2006 - many years before it actually came to fruition. There are speculations suggesting that Yanukovych and Putin wanted to divide Ukraine into two separate entities, separating western Ukraine.

In any case, all of this was possible only due to russia's corrosive influence paired with Ukrainian authorities not doing shit to stop it (likely due to russian infiltration). Heck, I remember absurd disinformation like "Ukraine got rid of all the residents of Sloviansk, secretly replacing them with Ukrainian-speaking khokhols from western Ukraine" (this was right after Ukraine liberated Sloviansk in 2014). Who could believe this nonsense? A lot of not-very-smart people.

Then there's the issue of gradual filtration and, as a result, the general degradation of the population. Since 2014, being openly pro-Ukrainian in russian-occupied parts of the Donbas has been dangerous. The last pro-Ukraine protesters were brutally beaten by russian thugs. Later, such protests became impossible altogether. So, those who could afford to leave - or who had nothing to lose - moved away. The pro-Ukrainian people who stayed can't express their real opinions without risking being thrown into a torture dungeon. Even before 2022, something as small as singing a song in Ukrainian in public could get you in trouble - or even cost you your life, depending on how lucky you were.

After 2014, when russia occupied parts of the Donbas, they continued their false narrative, claiming that western Ukrainians wanted to genocide/enslave/set on fire/etc. all Russian-speaking people from the east - despite the fact that Russian-speaking people in towns just a couple of kilometers from occupied Donetsk were living completely normal lives (when not shelled by russian terrorists). Their lives were much better than those in the occupied territories. It's hard to explain. All I can say is: corruption, propaganda, stupidity.

The irony is that now russia is doing exactly what it claimed Ukraine would do to Ukrainians living in the Donbas - concentration camps, genocide, persecution based on language, robbing the region of all its wealth and redistributing it to Putin's oligarchs, making the region uninhabitable for generations to come... the list goes on. Every accusation was a confession.

They have also switched the cause and effect - a standard gaslighting tactic used by dictators and domestic abusers alike. They created a parallel reality in which it's not russia who attacked Ukraine first in 2014, seized parts of Ukrainian land, and started a war. No, in their version, Ukraine is the aggressor, who had been "torturing" the people of the Donbas for eight years before russia invaded again and killed thousands of them.

People believe this for the same reason they believe any other bullshit - propaganda, low intellectual potential, more propaganda. People outside of the Donbas believe the "pro-russian Donetsk and Luhansk" because it's easy to create a false picture nowadays, especially if you don't really want to research the topic, but rather seek the confirmation of your own bias.

[thegirlwhohid]

russia is not an agressor. russia only wants to protect russian-speaking from Ukrainian aggression. Ukraine bombed 'the Donbas' for eight years, after all.

You hear it a thousand times.

Well, take a look at this photo. Once upon a time, there was a district of the town of Chasiv Yar called 'Canal'. Now, it's completely erased.

Chasiv Yar, by the way, is a part of Donbas.

russia doesn't give a f... care for 'russian-speaking', neither in Ukraine, nor in russia on any other country. It uses them as an excuse to invade, exploit, eradicate, fill its inner war machine, and move forward.

These 'peace talks' end with nothing. russia just swallows part of Ukraine, grows bigger, and come back for more blood and soil. And, of course, it won't be satisfied with demolishing only Ukraine.

Because, as, the bloody butcher putin said, 'the borders of кussia don't end anywhere'

[girl-mercury]

ukraine aid post

I'm not able to fully express how furious and how saddened I am by all that has happened with regard to Ukraine this week. I will choose only to say that I wish an enormous transformative change of heart in everyone who this week chose cruelty and bullying to people barely surviving instead of offering security and allyship.

This war began in 2014 as Russia began occupying Crimea and the Donbas and disregarded Ukrainians' right to make decisions for themselves, just as Russia has disregarded the sovereignty of other nations in Putin's expansionist, maximalist goals to make something of a new Russian empire; the full-scale invasion began in 2022, and immediately started doing an encyclopedia's worth of war crimes. Russia-favoring corruption drained Ukraine of the funds it needed to defend itself and so this war has been fought largely on crowdfunding and aid. Just imagine, having to protect your home and right to make decisions for your country based on on a GoFundMe.

I know people working in the Ukraine security space and so a lot of requests for help come through my inbox, and I'm going to share some of what I've received. For the more direct requests for aid, they have been verified by someone I know who is not just an online activist but working with Ukrainians, and I can probably get you connected with them if you need that and want to reach out to me.

Razom - Obviously, this is probably the most well-known org and I regularly donate to them. Razom initiates short and long-term projects, or collaborates on existing projects with partner organizations, which help Ukraine stay on the path of fostering democracy and prosperity. I personally believe that strong institutions are overwhelmingly critical in ensuring that people don't fall through the cracks and that predatory organizations don't take advantage of power vacuums, and Ukraine will need to rebuilt its capacity to have a society once the war ends, along with delivering immediate medical and tactical items now.

Global Response Medicine - GRM travels anywhere in the world providing emergency medical care for people displaced by conflict or disaster. GRM is currently raising funds to kick off the Invisible Wounds program in Ukraine to support those with PTSD and TBIs. (If you have larger-scale resources to get involved with this initiative, I can probably put you in touch with the executive director.)

Insulate Ukraine - Since the full-scale invasion, millions of windows have been shattered by bomb blasts. During winter, temperatures can plummet to -20C or below, putting people's lives at risk. Thousands of Ukrainians remain in frontline towns with nowhere else to go. Insulate Ukraine has developed an innovative and affordable solution to the urgent need for warmth: a $20 triple-layer shatterproof window made from polyethylene. The organization helps those most in need: low-income families, the elderly, and disabled.

Dzyga's Paw - A well-known charity that buys Starlinks, drones, and de-mining equipment for front-line defenders. I think my friend can get individual messages of support to some of the defenders if you feel motivated to do so.

Ukraine's Women's Battalion - Not a battalion but a group that works to support and fundraise for the military as well as provide things like care packages.

PDMSh - For a decade, The Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital (PDMSh) volunteers have been rescuing and treating wounded on the front lines. Hundreds of PDMSh volunteer medics have cared for and saved thousands of military and civilian lives.

Dignitas - Dignitas has several initiatives supporting Ukrainian fighting and post-war development. They currently are focused a lot on raising money to build drones, which are highly needed for surveillance to find out where civilians and injured combatants may be.

Protez Foundation - Provides prosthetics for those who lose limbs.

Weatherman Foundation - Provide medical transportation and supplies to Ukrainians, repatriation of those KIA, support for orphans and elderly.

Superhumans Center - Rehabilitation for Ukrainians suffering major injury.

Prevail Together - They do the very importnat work of bomb disposal. They also do trauma care and humanitarian aid.

Osprey Relief Foundation - A US veteran-led, global disaster relief, and medical & humanitarian aid non-profit organization. Their mobile "Train the Trainer" course is focused on Search and Rescue operations and lifesaving capabilities in support of civilians on the battlefield.

Liberty Ukraine - Direct donation to Ukraine projects; currently quadcopters, evacuation vehicles, generators, children's hospital renovations, thermal clothing production, therapy camp for children of killed soldiers. *This org has no salaried employees and 100% of funds go to projects

Ukraine Front Line - Currently raising money for lifesaving medical aid in the form of Hyfin vent chest seals that are immediate needs for people with penetrative chest wounds.

Invictus Global Response - Working in conflict zones around the world, their mission is focused on the clearance of landmines and explosives, teaching civilians to identify explosive risks, and providing capacity-building support in the areas of mine action, stockpile reduction, and humanitarian assistance. Our vision is to empower local organizations, partner forces, and affected communities through impactful, cost-effective, and sustainable support.

Ukraine Front Line - President of this org, Robin, highlights needs that have no social media presence. Looks like they're taking individual donations right now for tourniquets, hospital care packages, first aid supplies, and more.

Protect a Volunteer - Get signed up to directly connect with a volunteer fighter through a donor matching platform. I personally know someone who is connected and donates though this partnership.

Safe Passage 4 Ukraine - Assists people in gaining safe passage in, around, and out of Ukraine. This war has turned millions of people into refugees both inside of and outside of their country. Many of them have complex medical needs. Safe Passage ensures transportation, lodging, and other needs as they leave for safety.

Other things:

Friend of a friend of a friend - Eddy, a volunteer fighter, got hit by drones while doing a civilian evacuation January 2025 and lost an arm and a leg, donation page and his instagram via reddit

Ukrainian artists to support: RainbowOnThePipe Lebid Ceramics

A note for those, like me, who hate war and will work as much as possible to use every other pathway to avoid it:

Look, I know some of you are not comfortable directly supporting front-line warfighters, and there are a lot of orgs up there where you don't have to do that. But I would beg you to consider that sometimes you don't have a choice when war comes to you, and more than that, when it comes to you from a country that does not believe your society should exist, that everyone with your culture should be destroyed and forgotten. Every success Putin wins, in 2008 in Georgia, in 2015 in Syria, in 2014 in Ukraine, even in the 90s in Chechnya, persuades his ruling gang that they can opportunistically keep conquering. If they are not stopped in Ukraine, they will look at more of Europe, more of the Caucasus, more of central Asia. Hell, even Alaska was part of the Russian Empire at one time. They will keep sending their mercenary groups to disrupt peace and self-determination in African nations. They will keep trying to disrupt democracy in every country that doesn't give them what they want. They are bullies, and the people of Russia deserve better leaders than ones that will send 800,000 of them to be killed or injured and then consider that not to be not that much of a loss.

Sometimes the price of ensuring human security is working with military organizations. I wish that it were not. But I don't value abstaining from that reality and keeping my hands perfectly spotless if it comes at the cost of denying rescue to civilians in a highly populated war zone they could never have consented to live in.

Please help.

[justacynicalromantic]

MARIINKA 2015 vs 2024.

And this is just 1 out of hundreds mostly Russian-speaking Ukrainian Donbas towns that Russians simply... obliterated from the map of the Earth.

[mariacallous]

It’s been almost two weeks since the Ukrainian Armed Forces smashed through Russia’s border defenses in the Kursk region and began a surprise offensive that has advanced about 17 miles at its deepest point, according to Meduza’s estimates. Regional officials in Kursk have evacuated towns along the Ukrainian border, and more than 120,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. Vladimir Putin has met several times with top national security officials, but Russia’s president hasn’t yet bothered to make a national address, even though part of the country — a real part of the country, not just Ukrainian lands that Moscow claims — is now under foreign occupation.

At the same time, Russian troops are still attacking Ukrainian defenses in the Donbas, where Kyiv remains vulnerable after months of slow Russian advances. The world is watching to see if the Kursk incursion can force the Kremlin to pull soldiers from eastern Ukraine.

One of the most sensitive issues inside Russia related to Ukraine’s Kursk offensive is the use of conscript soldiers. To discuss the course of the Kursk incursion and to understand why sending conscripts into Russia’s new conflict zone is so tricky, The Naked Pravda spoke to RFE/RL journalists Mark Krutov and Sergey Dobrynin, who have tracked the war closely and recently wrote an article addressing how the Russian military plans to use conscripts amid Kyiv’s offensive in Kursk.

Timestamps for this episode:

(3:04) How Ukraine penetrated Russia’s border so easily

(9:10) Comparisons to previous incursions and Ukraine’s Kharkiv counteroffensive

(16:10) The role and impact of conscripts

(29:00) Political sensitivity and Russian public reactions

[zogdon]

Despite Zelensky and Nato claims about their ability to still resist the Russian forces advances, in the East and in Kursk, the local reports from ordinary Ukrainians paint a different picture... The locals claim, almost in unison, that Zelensky's Nato forces are running away from key battle zones, and the Russian advances continue, of course at different paces, as the different battle situations demand.

In Kursk, the whole western flank of the earlies Zelensky incursion is now under Russian control, even as Nato is trying to spread the fight even further on, in western border regions.

It's important for people to know, that the Zelensky incursion was far closer to the border, than claimed by western media. For example, Sudja, the only town...but still only with original population of just 5,127...is only 9.6 km from the border. And at best, anywhere, in that incursion, Zelensky Nato troops didn't even make it further than 40 km, into Kursk. Even these measurements are rather fanciful, and only happened in 3 locations.

However, as the major Russian counter started only one week ago, already we see, and get local reports that the Nato forces in Kursk are collapsing...with many troops disobeying orders to stay and fight.. rather, run back into Sumi oblast, Ukraine.

Putin ordered the Russian military to clean up Kursk by October... didn't specify dates, though. So, the most generous interpretation would be: By last day in October 2024. Which, it already appears to be spot on... happening.

In the whole of the East, the Donbas area, the Russian forces are continuing the advance, without any visual impact by the Kursk battle. Zelensky Nato troops are in deep trouble... without any hope to stop the Russian aims, on all battlefronts. And that includes strikes deep in western Ukraine.

In conclusion, the Russians are delivering what they promised originally... even at slower rate, than some people would like.

But it's important to understand, that before the battle, war, not much is clear...in way of timing. As we don't know how deep, and well the waring parties have dug in, and prepared themselves, out of public sights.

For Russia, it was always clear though: No matter what; Russian Federation Forces will be again Victorious, but in this conflict, the mighty Russian Firepower, is very serious in spearing the lives of all civilians and minimising soldiers casualties... even of the enemy. And this is why, the Russian military has been going very systematically and very carefully...of course, that is why it's a slow war in progress...Of course, Russian Federation Progress. No carpet bombing, no clusters used...by the Russian side. However, Zelensky, Nato forces have no such restraints...they want to murder any Russian, anywhere in the world. We see the evidence of that attitude, everyday on our western news and media discussion services.

For World Peace to occur... Truly occur... Russia Hate Has to Go.

And Russian allies, like China and India.. plus other BRICS members...Myst come out Publicly and support the Russian Federation position. Stop thinking about their own pockets, so much....as these countries will lise it all, as the west has them as 'Next Targets', of Western aggression and re-occupation.

Only the Russian Federation is defending BRICS and all other countries under western attack.

And only the Russian Federation Nuclear Specialised Army, can protect any country asking for help against western aggression. China and India, both don't have the Nuclear military requirements, necessary to defend themselves. And that is why both keep Russia close, within pleading reach...if a major war was launched against them by the west.

The Chinese know it...the Indians pretend it isn't happening...ie. western aggression towards India....But both are blind to the truth...no matter how many western led organisations they join, the western main aim is:

Re-Colonisation of China and India.

But hey...the west is getting belted by the Russian Federation, every day now. So, China and India, are safe now, under Russian Federation Protection. As Russia wins, so do China and India.

And these 2 countries, better not forget it.

[myhauntedsalem]

50 Paranormal Creatures From Around The World

Baba Yaga – “In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is a supernatural being who flies around in a mortar, wields a pestle, and dwells deep in the forest in a hut usually described as standing on chicken legs.”

Santa Compaña – “The Santa Compaña is a procession of the dead or souls in torment that wanders the path of a parish at midnight involved in white hooded cloaks.”

Deogen – “The Deogen, or The Eyes, is a ghost that is said to haunt the Sonian Forest in Belgium, often seen in fog form and followed by smaller shadow figures.”

Strigoi – “In Romanian mythology, strigoi are the troubled souls of the dead rising from the grave. Some of the properties of the strigoi include: the ability to transform into an animal, invisibility, and the propensity to drain the vitality of victims via blood loss.”

Shubin – “Shubin is the mythological spirit of the mines. The legend of Shubin is distributed mainly in the mining towns of Donbas, Ukraine. The spirit is usually good, but can be wicked.”

Bhoot – “The common word for ghosts in Bengali is bhoot. In Bengal, ghosts are believed to be the spirit after death of an unsatisfied human being or a soul of a person who dies in unnatural or abnormal circumstance.”

Will-o’the-wisp – “A will-o’-the-wisp is an atmospheric ghost light seen by travelers at night, especially over bogs, swamps, or marshes. It resembles a flickering lamp and is said to recede if approached, drawing travelers from the safe paths.”

La Llorona – “La Llorona, or The Weeping Woman, is a widespread legend throughout the region of Hispanic America.”

Teke Teke – “The ghost of a young woman, or school girl, who fell on a railway line and was cut in half by the oncoming train. Now a vengeful spirit, she travels on either her hands or elbows, making a scratching or ‘teke teke‘ sound.”

Nyai Roro Kidul – “A legendary Indonesian female spirit, Nyai Roro Kidul is said to drag swimmers to their death.”

Herne the Hunter – “In English folklore, Herne the Hunter is a ghost associated with Windsor Forest and Great Park in the English county of Berkshire. He has antlers upon his head.”

La Planchada – “La planchada is Spanish for ‘the ironed lady.’ Her ghost appears in many hospitals, though mainly in the metropolitan areas, especially in Mexico City.”

Sihuanaba – “The Sihuanaba is a supernatural character from Central American folklore. She lures men away into danger before revealing her face to be that of a horse or, alternatively, a skull.”

Mae Nak Phra Khanong – “Mae Nak is a well-known and popular Thai female ghost. According to local folklore, the story is based on actual events that took place during the early 19th century.”

Naiad – “In Greek mythology, the Naiads were a type of water nymph (female spirit) who presided over fountains, wells, springs, streams, brooks, and other bodies of fresh water.”

Vodyanoy – “A male water spirit, vodyanoy is said to appear as a naked old man with a frog-like face, greenish beard, and long hair, with his body covered in algae and muck, usually covered in black fish scales.”

Chindi – “In Navajo religious belief, a chindi is the ghost left behind after a person dies, believed to leave the body with the decedent’s last breath. It is everything that was bad about the person.”

Ubume – “In Japanese folklore, an ubume is an old woman or crone, with a child in her arms, imploring the passerby to hold her infant, only to then disappear.”

Krasue – “The krasue manifests itself as a woman, usually young and beautiful, with her internal organs hanging down from the neck, trailing below the head.”

Lemures – “Lemures in Roman mythology are the wandering and vengeful spirits of those not afforded proper burial, funeral rites, or affectionate cult by the living.”

Patasola – “A female spirit from South America, patasola attracts men and lures them to the depths of the rain forest where she turns into a beast and devours the man.”

Jersey Devil – “The Jersey Devil is a legendary creature or cryptid said to inhabit the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey, United States.”

Wendigo – “A wendigo is a half-beast creature appearing in the legends of the Algonquian peoples along the Atlantic Coast and Great Lakes Regiaon of both the United States and Canada. It is particularly associated with cannibalism.”

Kallikantzaros – “A malevolent goblin in Southeastern European and Anatolian folklore, the kallikantzaros or its equivalents are believed to dwell underground but come to the surface during the twelve days of Christmas.”

Banshee – “In legend, a banshee is a fairy woman who begins to wail if someone is about to die.”

Estries – “Estries are female vampires of Jewish folklore that were believed to prey on Hebrew citizens, particularly men.”

Hell hound – “A supernatural dog in folklore, the hell hound has mangled black fur, glowing red eyes, super strength or speed, and phantom characteristics.”

Kelpie – “Kelpie, or water kelpie, is the Scots name given to a shape-shifting water spirit inhabiting the lochs and pools of Scotland.”

Bloody Mary – “Bloody Mary is a ghost said to appear in mirrors when a person repeats her name in front of the mirror and turn three times.”

Jinn – “Mentioned frequently in the Quran and other Islamic texts, the jinn are made of a smokeless and scorching fire and inhabit an unseen world, another universe beyond the known universe.”

Dybbuk – “In Jewish mythology, a dybbuk is a malicious possessing spirit believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person.”

Bélmez Faces – “The faces of Bélmez is an alleged paranormal phenomenon in a private house in Spain which started in 1971 when residents claimed images of faces appeared in the concrete floor of the house.”

Incubus – “An incubus is a demon in male form who, according to mythological and legendary traditions, lies upon sleepers, especially women, in order to engage in sexual activity with them. Its female counterpart is the succubus.”

Hungry ghost – “Hungry ghost is a concept in Chinese Buddhism and Chinese traditional religion representing beings who are driven by intense emotional needs in an animalistic way.”

Buckriders – “According to Dutch folklore, the buckriders were ghosts or ‘devils,’ who rode through the sky on the back of flying goats provided to them by Satan.”

Resurrection Mary – “Resurrection Mary is a well-known Chicago-area ghost story. Of the ‘vanishing hitchhiker’ type, the story takes place outside Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.”

Pig-Faced Women – “Stories of pig-faced women originated roughly simultaneously in Holland, England, and France in the late 1630s. The stories told of a wealthy woman whose body was of normal human appearance, but whose face was that of a pig.”

Domovoi – “A domovoi or domovoy is a protective house spirit in Slavic folklore.”

Bell Witch – “The Bell Witch is a poltergeist legend from Southern folklore, centered on the 19th-century Bell family of Adams, Tennessee.”

Bluecap– “A bluecap is a mythical fairy or ghost in English folklore that inhabits mines and appears as a small blue flame. If miners treat them with respect, the bluecaps lead them to rich deposits of minerals.”

Saci – “Best known in Brazilian folklore, saci is a one-legged black or mulatto youngster with holes in the palms of his hands who smokes a pipe and wears a magical red cap that enables him to disappear and reappear wherever he wishes.”

Krampus – “In German-speaking Alpine folklore, krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure that punishes children during the Christmas season who had misbehaved.”

Ghoul – “A ghoul is a monster or evil spirit in Arabian mythology, associated with graveyards and consuming human flesh.”

Kappa – “Japan’s kappa are usually seen as mischievous troublemakers or trickster figures. Their pranks range from looking up women’s kimonos, to drowning people and animals, kidnapping children, and raping women.”

Poltergeist – “In folklore and parapsychology, a poltergeist (German for “noisy ghost”) is a type of ghost or other supernatural being supposedly responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed.”

Tikoloshe – “In Zulu mythology, tikoloshe is a dwarf-like water sprite. It is considered a mischievous and evil spirit that can become invisible by drinking water.”

Egg ghost – “A kind of Korean ghost, an egg ghost doesn’t have arms, legs, or a head, or even eyes, a nose, or a mouth. Legend says that when a person sees an egg ghost, he or she will die.”

Nang Tani – “A female spirit of Thai folklore, nang tani appears as a young woman that haunts wild banana trees.”

Matagot – “A matagot is, according to some oral traditions of southern France, a spirit under the form of an animal, mostly undetermined, frequently a black cat, generally evil, but sometimes helpful.”

Hairy Hands – “The hairy hands is a ghost story that built up around a stretch of road in Dartmoor, United Kingdom, which was purported to have seen an unusually high number of motor vehicle accidents during the early 20th century.”

[head-post]

Peace talks with Kyiv impossible after incursion into Kursk region, Putin says

By attempting to enter the Kursk region, Ukraine made negotiations with Russia impossible, President Vladimir Putin stated. Ukrainian troops have not demonstrated new breakthroughs, are losing scarce vehicles and manpower amid stalled defences in Donbas and the Kharkiv region, while there is still no understanding of Kyiv’s intentions.

Lost hope for talks

Putin held an operational meeting on the Kursk Region situation.

But what kind of negotiations can we even talk about with people who indiscriminately strike civilians, civilian infrastructure, or try to threaten nuclear power facilities? What can we talk about with them at all?

Commenting on the situation in the border regions, the Russian leader said that Moscow’s priority task would be to “push” Ukrainian troops out of the border regions.

By its actions in the Kursk region, Kyiv is trying to improve its negotiating position. The situation in the region shows why [Ukraine] has refused peace offers from Moscow and mediators.

Russia further mobilised

Military officials noted that 28 settlements in the Kursk Region are currently under Ukrainian control. About two thousand people live in the area.

The breakthrough of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region is 12 kilometres, with the front line stretching up to 40 kilometres. Of the 180,000 people to be evacuated, 121,000 have left the dangerous area, according to the report.

Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov also spoke at the meeting, where he named four conditions for success in an armed confrontation. Among those are: modern high-accuracy weaponry, new tactics using unmanned systems and robotic systems, an effective command and control system, including artificial intelligence, and improved training of military personnel, mainly commanders.

Current situation in Kursk region

According to Ukrainian media, the command is making tactical mistakes, such as persistently fighting for Martynovka, in which Ukrainian troops lost several armoured groups during the day. Meanwhile, the offensive in the town of Sudzha stalled.

Russian soldiers gained full control of the urban-type settlement of Korenevo, Ukrainian sources reported. However, reports vary from increased activity of Ukrainian troops to their complete standstill.

Some sources report fighting for the village of Snagost and in the north-east of the village of Kremyanoe. Meanwhile, the fuss about the capture of Beloe village by Ukrainian troops is believed to have been a provocation, according to Ukrainian media. Footage of a Russian drone strike on a cluster of Ukrainian equipment is circulating on the Internet.

Despite the tactical doubtfulness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ (AFU) attacks on Martynovka, military experts note that Ukrainian soldiers are in serious mood, with fighting likely to be fierce in the coming days.

Against the backdrop of strengthening offensive efforts, Kyiv continues to pull down scarce equipment to the Kursk region. However, the move deprives Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk regions) and the Kharkiv region of equipment needed for defence.

Near the village of Giryi, locals spotted Ukrainian BTR-4E APCs (armoured personnel carriers). Ukrainian media reported that fighters of the Russian Akhmat Special Forces seized the APC and were transporting it to the rear.

AFU defence on other frontline areas stalled

According to Ukrainian media, Russian forces have taken control of the mouth of the Zherebets River, Donbas area.

In the Toretsk area, the Russians have also advanced between Zalizne, formerly Artemove, and the town of Niu-York, formerly known as Novhorodske. Ukrainian commanders also note a major Russian advance near the Panteleimonivka-Oleksandropil line.

In the Vuhledar area, Russian troops advanced near the Solodke-Vodiane road, at the intersection of the Kostiantynivka-Vuhledar road.

Global media not understanding Ukraine’s intentions

The Economist reports that the Ukrainian forces have thrown their most capable units into the Kursk region. Despite the rapid progress of the military operation, the results remain “inconclusive.”

On early evidence, the results are inconclusive. Russia has shifted troops from the Kharkiv front, but so far it has moved far fewer from the vital Donbas front.

A source in the Ukrainian General Staff also points out the tactical skill of Russian commanders:

Their commanders aren’t idiots. They are moving forces, but not as quickly as we would like. They know we can’t extend logistics 80 or 100 km.

According to The Economist, wounded Ukrainians complain of heavy losses from Russian air strikes.

The Guardian reports that Ukraine could try to seize the Russian nuclear power plant at Kurchatov near Kursk. However, the plant is more than 30 miles away from the current fighting. It is believed that it would be difficult for Ukrainian forces to get that far.

Ukraine’s leaders and its military have said little about the purpose of the incursion. It is generally believed to be intended to ease pressure on the eastern Donbas front where Russian forces have been grinding out advances.

With its actions in the Kursk region, Ukraine intended to strengthen its position ahead of possible negotiations. However, after Putin announced that peace talks were impossible against the backdrop of the Ukrainian incursion, many questioned the Ukrainian command’s intentions, especially amid Ukrainian officials’ statement of readiness for talks.

Read more HERE

[warningsine]

Officially, the Barbie movie isn't showing in Russia.

But unofficially…

I'm in a Moscow shopping centre. A giant pink house has been erected next to the food court. Inside: pink furniture, pink popcorn and life-size cardboard cut-outs of Barbie and Ken who are beaming from ear to ear.

No wonder they're smiling: the Barbie film is pulling in the crowds at the multiplex opposite, despite Western sanctions. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a string of Hollywood studios stopped releasing their movies in Russia. But unauthorised copies are getting through and being dubbed into Russian.

Over at the cinema it's a bit cloak and dagger. When I ask one visitor which movie he's come to watch he names an obscure 15-minute Russian film and smiles.

To avoid licensing issues, some cinemas in Russia have been selling tickets to Russian-made shorts and showing the Barbie feature film as the preview.

Russia's culture ministry is not amused. Last month it concluded that the Barbie movie was "not in line with the aims and goals laid out by our president for preserving and strengthening traditional Russian moral and spiritual values."

Mind you, the cinemagoers I speak to are tickled pink that Barbie's hit the big screen here.

"People should have the right to choose what they want to watch," Karina says. "I think it's good that Russian cinemas are able to show these films for us."

"It's about being open-minded about other people's cultures," says Alyona. "Even if you don't agree with other people's standards, it's still great if you can watch it."

But Russian MP Maria Butina believes there's nothing great about Barbie: the doll or the film.

"I have issues with Barbie as a female form," she tells me. "Some girls - especially in their teens - try to be like a Barbie girl, and they exhaust their bodies."

Ms Butina adds that the film has not been licensed to appear in Russian cinemas.

"Do not break the law. Is this a question for our movie theatres? Absolutely. I filed several requests to cinemas asking on what basis they are showing the film," she says.

"You talk about the importance of following the law," I say, "but Russia invaded Ukraine. The United Nations says that was a complete violation of international law."

"Russia is saving Ukraine," she replies, "and saving the Donbas."

You hear this often from those in power in Russia. They paint Moscow as peacemaker, not warmonger. They argue that it is America, Nato, the West, that are using Ukraine to wage war on Russia. It is an alternative reality designed to rally Russians around the flag.

Amid growing confrontation with Europe and America, the Russian authorities seem determined to turn Russians against the West.

From morning till night state TV here tells viewers that Western leaders are out to destroy Russia. The brand-new modern history textbook for Russian high-school students (obligatory for use) claims that the aim of the West is "to dismember Russia and take control of her natural resources."

It asserts that "in the 1990s, in place of our traditional cultural values such as good, justice, collectivism, charity and self-sacrifice, under the influence of Western propaganda a sense of individualism was forced on Russia, along with the idea that people bear no responsibility for society."

The text book encourages Russian 11th graders to "multiply the glory and strength of the Motherland."

In other words, Your Motherland (not Barbie Land) needs you!

At the Moscow multiplex I'd found many people still open to experiencing Western culture and ideas. But what's the situation away from the Russian capital?

I drive to the town of Shchekino, 140 miles from Moscow. There's a concert on at the local culture centre. Up on stage four Russian soldiers in military fatigues are playing electric guitars and singing their hearts out about patriotism and Russian invincibility.

One of the songs is about Russia's war in Ukraine.

"We will serve the Motherland and crush the enemy!" they croon.

The audience (it's almost a full house) is a mixture of young and old, including school children, military cadets, and senior citizens. For the up-tempo numbers they're waving Russian tricolours that have been handed to them.

As the paratrooper pop stars sing their patriotic repertoire, film is being projected onto the screen behind them. No Barbie or Ken here. There are images of Russian tanks, soldiers marching and shooting and, at one point, of President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.

Patriotic messaging is effective. Barbie mania isn't a thing on the streets of Shchekino.

"Right now it's important to make patriotic Russian films to raise morale," Andrei tells me. "And we need to cut out Western habits from our lives. How can we do that? Through film. Cinema can influence the masses."

"In Western films they talk a lot about sexual orientation. We don't support that," Ekaterina tells me. "Russian cinema is about family values, love and friendship."

But Diana is reluctant to divide cinema into Russian films and foreign movies.

"Art is for everyone. It doesn't matter where you're from," Diana tells me. "And we shouldn't restrict ourselves to art from one nation. To become a more cultured, sociable and a more interesting person, you need to watch films and read books from other countries, too."

[suratan-zir]

This is a frame from a russian TV report from Avdiivka, a town destroyed by the russian army.

The inscription reads: "The Russian world saved the Donbas"

They came and razed entire cities to the ground, killed a lot of people and left even more homeless. All for the sake of placing the USSR flag on the background of the lifeless ruins and calling it liberation. They really are proud of it.

[cyberbenb]

'They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums,' — Witkoff parrots Russian propaganda, legitimizing Putin's claims in Ukraine

U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who recently emerged as a leading figure in negotiations regarding Russia and Ukraine, revealed insights into ongoing ceasefire talks between Moscow and Washington.

In an interview on March 21 with American far-right talk show host Tucker Carlson, Witkoff openly parroted Russian propaganda and agreed with most of the Kremlin’s talking points, further casting doubt on whether Ukraine can expect to gain a ceasefire on its terms.

“I think the largest issue in that conflict are these so-called four regions, Donbas, Crimea … and there’s two others,” Witkoff said, apparently referring to partly Russian-occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia oblasts, and Crimea, fully occupied by Russia since 2014.

“They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule,” Witkoff added in English, omitting the circumstances surrounding Russia’s sham referendums “at gunpoint” in occupied Ukraine.

Following the start of Russia’s all-out war, Moscow occupied parts of Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts in 2022 by killing thousands of people and destroying cities and towns.

The same happened in Ukraine’s east, where Russia further advanced in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, a portion of which it held since 2014.

In September 2022, Russia annexed the four Ukrainian oblasts following sham referendums at gunpoint rejected by the international community as null and void. In videos published online, the vote was secured by the Russian military and under duress.

In the occupied regions, Russian forces systemically terrorized Ukrainian civilians with abductions and killings, committing war crimes such as rape and torture. Russia continues to consistently erase people’s Ukrainian identity and prosecutes opponents of enforced Russification while also forcibly conscripting men to fight in the Russian army.

Ukraine continues to control regional capitals Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, with the later being liberated in November 2022. Following the liberation of the regional capital, thousands of people took to the streets in celebration, while thousands of others who were forced to leave were able to return home.

Dispatch from Kherson: Celebrating locals share stories, welcome Zelensky

When liberation came, many Kherson residents could barely believe the ordeal was over. Kherson was the only regional capital that Russians managed to capture, back in the first days of the full-scale invasion. A brutal occupation then ensued, with many residents being suppressed, robbed,…

The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov

On the liberated territories, a number of Russian torture chambers were found.

Equating Ukrainian Russian speakers to Russians who support the war and using language as a way to justify its war against Ukraine is a common theme of Russian propaganda.

According to Witkoff, the problem around Russian-occupied oblasts is the Ukrainian administration’s resistance to political fallout in case “the world (would) acknowledge that those are Russian territories."

“Can (President Volodymyr) Zelensky survive politically if he acknowledges this? This is the central issue in the conflict,” Witkoff said.

How Russia has attempted to erase Ukrainian language, culture throughout centuries

Editor’s Note: This is episode 3 of “Ukraine’s True History,” a video and story series by the Kyiv Independent. The series is funded by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting within the program “Ukraine Forward: Amplifying Analysis.” The program is financed by the MATRA Programme of the Embassy o…

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Witkoff also claimed that Ukraine will hold presidential elections. His statement came after Carlson echoed a Russian narrative, saying that Moscow considers Zelensky “not elected” and, therefore, “can’t sign any kind of treaty."

Witkoff alleged that Ukrainian leadership had “largely conceded that they are not going to be a member of NATO” but added the discussion is open on whether Ukraine could have a degree of NATO-member protection from the U.S. and European countries.

Witkoff added that Russia “100%” doesn’t want to wage a war in Europe or “absorb Ukraine” fully.

"(Russia’s) reclaimed these five regions. They have Crimea, and they’ve gotten what they want. So why do they need more?” Witkoff added, not mentioning that Russia had made similar claims of not invading Ukraine prior to its full-scale invasion.

Witkoff empathized that Trump is focused on reviving their relationship with Putin over the course of peace talks.

“Who doesn’t want to have a world where Russia and the United States are doing collaboratively good things together?” he said, mentioning the prospect of doing business as usual with Russia with “energy policies in the Arctic,” selling natural gas to Europe and collaborating on AI.

“That is a complicated situation, including war and all the ingredients that led up to it. It’s never just one person,” Witkoff added.

Witkoff downplayed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s role in the full-scale invasion.

With regards to a partial ceasefire that would halt strikes against infrastructure and moratorium on maritime hits in the Black Sea, Witkoff claimed that they are “going to be implemented in the next week or so."

Witkoff also said that Putin claimed to have prayed for “his friend” Trump in a local church after an attempt on Trump’s life in July 2024 and gave Witkoff a commissioned portrait of Trump as a gift for the U.S. president.

“This is the kind of connection that we’ve been able to reestablish (with Russia) through a simple word called communication, which many people would say I shouldn’t have had because Putin is a bad guy. I don’t regard Putin as a bad guy,” Witkoff added.

“This might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen,” right-wing commentator Richard Hanania posted on X (Twitter) along with this segment of the interview.

Trump’s envoy Witkoff claims Ukraine will hold presidential elections

Ukraine has not held elections during Russia’s full-scale war because they are prohibited under martial law, which was declared on Feb. 24, 2022.

The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova

[darkmaga-returns]

Yesterday evening’s News of the Week hosted by Dmitry Kiselyov largely focused on Donald Trump’s inauguration and first six days in office. But coverage of the war in Ukraine, which always takes a substantial part of the program, spent time celebrating the taking of the Donetsk oblast city of Velikaya Novosyolka. The name probably does not mean much to the outside world, so allow me to explain that this was a highly fortified town that has played an important role as logistics hub for delivery of supplies to the Ukrainian front lines all along the line of confrontation in Donbas.

[isfeed]

Russia Claims to Seize Key Eastern Ukraine Town of Kurakhove

Ukraine has largely been driven out of Kurakhove, a battered but strategic town in the Donbas, Russia said. Kyiv’s forces were pressing a renewed offensive in southern Russia. Source: New York Times Russia Claims to Seize Key Eastern Ukraine Town of Kurakhove

[mariacallous]

As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine enters its third year, the West remains in need of a clearer strategy for achieving victory and stopping Russian President Vladimir Putin from overturning the rules-based international order. Western leaders’ hesitation and incrementalism in providing Ukraine with the military capabilities that it needs to defeat Russia are the main reasons for the disappointing results of last year’s Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Victory means securing Ukraine’s survival as a sovereign, democratic state that is fully integrated in the European Union and NATO, as well as bolstering its economic and military capacity to deter future Russian aggression. Given Putin’s denial of Ukraine’s right to exist, Russia must be defeated first and foremost on the battlefield.

Putin hasn’t scaled back his war aims despite the heavy Russian losses. He continues to believe that time is on his side and that his military can outlast Ukraine and its Western backers. The erosion of Republican Party support for Ukraine in the U.S. Congress has buoyed his hopes, along with the possibility that former U.S. President Donald Trump will return to power and either sever or downgrade the U.S. commitment to NATO. With Ukraine running out of ammunition, Russia has gone on the offensive and captured strategic towns in the eastern Donbas region, including Avdiivka, breaking the stalemate.

At home, the Russian elite and much of the public continue to at least passively support Putin’s so-called special military operation, which has been conducted in a way that limits the impact on their daily lives. Russian propaganda distorts history and in part blames the war on Western Russophobia, while the West struggles to counter disinformation. Putin has made clear that he does not feel any pressure to negotiate and seek a diplomatic solution unless the terms involve Ukraine’s total capitulation.

It is vital to U.S. interests to help Ukraine defeat Russia and to prevent the normalization of wars of aggression and changing borders by force. The United States must also deny impunity for war crimes against civilians, as well as the disruption of global energy and food supplies. Even partial success for Putin could embolden other actors, such as China or Iran, to achieve their own goals by force—such as attacking Taiwan or increasing support for extremist groups in the Middle East. And in the long term, a Russian victory in Ukraine would make Moscow’s return to the path of reform and peaceful coexistence less likely.

To mount an effective strategy for victory in Ukraine, the U.S. Congress must promptly pass a bill to fund Ukraine’s defense through the end of 2024 and beyond, if possible. A lack of U.S. funding—and by extension, of U.S. arms supplies—will jeopardize Ukraine’s ability to hold off new Russian offensives and undermine U.S. credibility and NATO solidarity. Washington’s allies understand that they will need to help fill the gap if the congressional impasse continues. The European Union’s $54 billion aid package will help, but there is only so much that European countries can do on the military side: Their stockpiles are dwindling, and efforts to build up their defense industries will take years to deliver results.

Assuming that Congress restores U.S. funding, there are two critical areas for ramping up support to Ukraine. The first is pulling out all the stops on military assistance—that is to say, playing to win, not just doing enough to ensure that Ukraine doesn’t lose. Last year’s decisions to provide a short-range version of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), F-16 fighter jets, and Abrams tanks were encouraging, but they could have been provided earlier and in larger quantities.

Most urgently, the United States needs to lift its self-imposed ban on the longer-range version of the ATACMS, which would enable Ukraine to strike targets deeper in Crimea and hit the systems launching missiles from inside Russia. Despite leaks suggesting an impending change in U.S. policy on this long-range missile system, the Biden administration continues to hesitate. Breaking Russia’s grip on Crimea is the key to Ukrainian victory and to the long-term viability of the Ukrainian state.

Second, the West should put Ukraine on a path to NATO membership during the alliance’s summit in Washington in July. Although it is good news that allies are extending bilateral security commitments to Ukraine, as the G-7 countries agreed last year, that cannot be the final answer. Until Ukraine joins NATO and is covered by Article 5, the alliance’s collective defense clause, there can be no certainty that Russia will not attack Ukraine again.

The communiqué from NATO’s summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, last year used the right words—that “Ukraine’s future is in NATO”—and simplified the process for Kyiv’s accession. But it was vague on when and under what conditions Ukraine can expect to receive an invitation and begin accession talks. It’s not too late to adopt a more ambitious approach at the summit in Washington, which will mark the alliance’s 75th anniversary.

The decision is not a simple one for NATO. Although the alliance admitted West Germany in 1955, when Soviet troops occupied East Germany, Ukraine’s accession would be the first time a country was invited to join NATO while engaged in active combat with a hostile neighbor. Some allies have suggested that NATO can only take a decision on Ukrainian accession once the war is over. That might be the simplest approach, but it would give Russia an incentive to drag out the war—effectively giving Moscow a veto.

Beginning accession talks at the Washington summit would be a better approach. Allies could engage Ukraine in the practical work required to meet NATO membership criteria on an expedited basis: defense capabilities, reforms, interoperability, and adherence to democratic principles, among others. This would enable Ukraine to demonstrate its ability to meet the political, legal and military obligations of membership. It would also echo the EU’s approach to Ukraine’s EU accession while deferring a full invitation to join the alliance to a later decision.

Setting Ukraine on this path would give Kyiv and its allies time to work out solutions to problems related to bringing in a member still engaged in a war with Moscow. For example, if there were stability along most of the line of contact separating Ukrainian and Russian forces, NATO might proceed with accession but initially apply Article 5 only to territory fully under Ukrainian control to ensure the credibility of the collective defense guarantee.

Even after Ukraine becomes a NATO member, allies will need to continue to arm and train Ukrainian forces for the long term, including by helping them develop their own defense industry. Providing Ukraine with all the weapons that it needs to defeat Russia on the battlefield is the best way to end the war; setting Ukraine on the path to NATO membership is the best way to secure the peace.

Taken together, these steps can form the basis for a strategy for victory that is worthy of the name.