Funny how all of them are 6’4” tall.

Well it's been a long day. I'm turning in a little earlier than normal - though it's not early is it? Thanks for keeping me company, sorry I'm behind with some replies. It's just been too busy. Here's the current air-warning map for Ukraine. Rest well everyone. Back tomorrow.

Explosions in Izmail, in Odesa region. Air defence has taken down quite a lot of drones in this swarm, but at least one looks to have got through.

Thanks to you lovely Blue-Skyers for supporting me this afternoon. Peter G, @steso.bsky.social, one anonymous donor and special thanks to @daangermouseau.bsky.social for starting a new monthly subscription, on the day I lost another one. 💙 💛 💙 💛💙 💛

Odesa region is under attack again. Another drone-swarm attack is about to hit Izmail on the Danube. One Russian drone looks to have crossed the border into Romania, according to monitors (unconfirmed).

I see Trump has carried out instruction number 83 from his handler Putin: cut the number of US armed personnel in Europe. TrumptyDumpty has just confirmed he's ordered the Pentagon to withdraw 5,000 from Germany.

2/2 Regular readers will know there has been a big increase in attack on Mykolaiv. Many without power, while others have been without running water for over a week. Worse still - Russia even targeted the water bus, so no deliveries at all today.

1/2 More energy infrastructure has been hit in Mykolaiv tonight. This was the moment of one drone strike.

The run on airport closures in Russia has started earlier than usual. The three serving the 'Krasnodar Riviera' have all been shut (Gelendzhik, Sochi and Krasnodar itself) Meanwhile Kaluga airport was shut this morning and has remained closed all day.

The Ukraine President has also accepted an invitation to the EU-Armenia summit. It will be Zelenskyy's first official visit to Armenia since his election. He will arrive in Yerevan on Monday, eager to attach himself to any EU delegations to enhance accession claims.

President Zelenskyy has demanded, and promised, better air defence for both Dnipro and Odesa. He says changes have been made.

The Gen Staff released this new satellite scan of the Shagol military airfield in Chelyabinsk. They confirm at least 3 planes were hit. ⚡️2 x Su-57 fighter ⚡️1 Su-34 fighter-bomber ⚡️1 modified Su-34 ⚡️A maintenance vehicle, between the Su-57 aircraft.

I have an update, and video, from the scene of the helicopter crash in the previous post. 24 people were on board the transporter helicopter which crashes in Russia's Komi Republic. Ten of whom report injuries.

Non military, but an Mi-8 helicopter has managed to land sideways in a bizarre crash landing in Russia's Komi Republic (region). The Eltsovka copter is said to be on the helipad in the industrial zone of the city of Usinsk.

At least Ukraine helped Firefighters celebrate their special day, and the holiday, with an unexpected foam party!

The 3 day special military operation to capture Kyiv, is going so well for Putin. 1,525 days behind schedule and the May holiday season looks like this in Tuapse on the "Krasnodar Riviera" - and when it rains, it's oil rain! #SlavaUkraïni

The scale of Russia's obscene daytime attack is revealed. 409 killer drones fired at Ukraine from the morning update until 3.30pm, but almost 90% in the afternoon. Only 16 hit, with 5 still flying. 388 were intercepted = 96% success 💪🇺🇦

"It's a miracle!" A Bengal tiger cub was born in the Ecopark in Kharkiv. Although I haven't got the time to add subtitles, I thought you'd like to see the whole video with the new star. It's also a miracle this wonderful place survives.

Satellite photos of the Shagol airfield in Chelyabinsk, supposedly showing the damage to aircraft. The attack took place six days ago. bsky.app/profile/twmc...

Explosions have been reported in Melitopol, in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia.

Ten residents are wounded in Ternopil which bore the brunt of today's daytime attack. The Mayor says, in rough figures, 50 Shaheds attacked and 20 hit the city. Industrial and infrastructure objects have been hit and many are without power.

In a lengthy statement Ukraine’s General Staff also confirmed the strike of Tuapse, with indications it could shut down Russian operations there. There were still many more important hits, summarised here:

Another big claim by Ukraine's General Staff, that they managed to hit "several" enemy aircraft deep, deep into Russia. Among those hit at the military airbase in Chelyabinsk region were a Su-34 fighter-bomber + multiple Su-57 fighter jets. It's not known how bad the damage is

One of those regions still under an air alert is Rivne. Spectacular air defence take down was seen here, and a reminder that even after being hit, these big Shaheds still cause a huge danger to life.

Officials in Vinnytsia say 74 drones went over the region during this afternoon's Russian attack. The air alert has ended there but not in 5 neighbouring regions north and west. In Vinnytsia one woman was hospitalised after a house was almost destroyed.

Over 40 Russian long range attack drones are attacking Ternopil. There's now thick smoke over parts of the city and residents are urged to stay indoors even after the air raid warning is lifted.

Not the same care taken in Ternopil apparently. I haven't verified this video but it's said to be from this lunchtime in Ternopil. The Church continuing with a service despite explosions clearly audible outside.

In Odesa region the roof of a shopping centre was hit by a drone. Air sirens were sounding and no-one was injured.

Signs of air defence during the attack on Ternopil. It's one of a number of regions under attack right now.

Another kindergarten has been damaged in Cherkasy region. Local councillors say debris fell in the Zolotonish district. Children and the institution's staff were in shelter and avoided injury. 3 private houses were also damaged in the drone attack.

The mid western city of Ternopil' in Ukraine is under a drone-swarm attack right now. There have been 3 explosions so far, not all due to air defence.

Thank you to the first person to sponsor today's thread, @ihtme.bsky.social I rely on your coffee to keep me going! ko-fi.com/twmcltd

Also in Kharakiv region, there was also a nasty attack on the village of Lyutivka, near Zolochiv. Four small houses were damaged, one completely destroyed, but thankfully no-one was hurt.

This morning alone in Kharkiv, 4 gas stations have been hit, with one man injured and many cars damaged. One was in the town of Chuhuiv, while other small drone attacks hit the Kyivskyi, Saltivskyi and Slobidskyi districts.

2/2 There was also a separate attack on the Danube ports - infrastructure was damaged there, though authorities have not been specific about which port and there are no photos. Plenty of photos though of damage to people's homes in the city of Odesa. #RussiaIsATerroristState

1/2 More now on the attack on Odesa - last night I showed apartment blocks on fire. Five people have been injured and another 25 needed psychological help for shock.

The business which has become Ukraine's leading arms company, has claimed the "Mindich" scandal is an "unreliable and targeted information attack" and an attempt to deprive it of funding. Various govt officials and others are accused of embezzlement.

While Ukraine hits oil refineries/terminals, primarily affecting Russian fuel exports & therefore the Kremlin's war-funds, Russia's suddenly massively increased attacks on gas/petrol stations. It's clearly a policy change, with many regions affected, especially in Kharkiv today.

Ukraine's air defence took its success rate back over 90% this morning, taking down 190 of 210 long-range attack drones launched by Russia. No missiles were fired, but the 20 UAVs which got through, struck in 14 locations.

2/2 The daily figures released by Ukraine, show another bad day for Russia with 100 artillery systems destroyed and 1,420 more invaders dead/disabled. April say a mean of a fraction under 1,100/day - second highest since May 2025, but still 10% down on last April.

1/2 Not confirmed yet, but it looks like Ukraine strikes on oil targets may have reached a record high in April. Russian air defence systems are also getting "sanctioned" by drones at record numbers, and now another record to report with over 400 vehicles hit for the first time

2/2 Officials in Tuapse only admit a fire at the marine terminal. However the fires show the oil refinery + storage tanks are ablaze. The fire is getting stronger as it spreads. I would say we'll have to wait for the smoke to clear to see the damage - but that could be a while!

1/2 Let's start in Russia and the seaside town of "Four-oopsie" - sorry, Tuapse. A fourth attack on the oil facilities marked the start of the May holiday period. Russians have started added emojis to their videos from the scene of Ukraine's latest drone success.

Another busy day yesterday, with a lot to catch up on if you were away for part, or all, of Thursday. The day ended with another drone raid on Tuapse in Russia, but more attacks on civilians in Odesa. bsky.app/profile/twmc...

Day 1528 of the war in Europe is the first day of another month. How many more will there be? The less we do the longer it will last. There are signs the Russian 'bear' is old and tired, but kept alive by Trump's policies and rising oil prices. Here's another daily thread:

A plot twist I did NOT see coming. President Donald Trump has asked Nate Morris, a Lexington businessman running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, to bow out of the Republican primary and become an ambassador. From @austin-horn.bsky.social: www.kentucky.com/news/politic...

Among other things, pretty sure offering someone an appointment in exchange for dropping out of an election is extremely illegal! Laws no longer apply to king Trump though.

Guido Reichstadter climbed up the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge to protest Al and the war in Iran around 1 pm today. The bridge has just reopened to traffic.

Welcome to the insecurity-industrial complex

And of course it’s the fifth circuit that decides for women everywhere in the country, Mifepristone no longer available unless you can pick it up in person. Reminder: in Dobbs, the court said this should be up to each state. That’s not what this does. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...