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War for Ukraine Day 1,184: Stage 1 of the Thousand for a Thousand Exchange

by Adam L Silverman|  May 23, 202510:00 pm| 3 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

A painting by Ukrainian artis NEIVANMADE. The background is white. In the center, which is black with blood red bordering, is an hourglass. Inside the hourglass is a Ukrainian Azovstal POW painted in blood red. He is shirtless. His arms are upward along the outer edges of the upper half of the hourglass forming a saltire cross. He is chained with steel gray chains shackled to his wrists. Above his head, in grey, is written "Ruzzian Captivity." below his torso in the lower half of the hourglass, written in gray, is "Kills." To the left of the hourglass "He Saved Others" is painted in gray. To the right of the hourglass "But He Can't Save Himself" is painted in gray.

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

The first 390 Ukrainian POWs of the thousand for a thousand prisoners to be exchanged between Ukraine and Russia.

At last — the news we’ve all waited for!
First stage of the 1000-for-1000 exchange: 390 Ukrainians are home — 270 defenders and 120 civilians, many simply abducted by Russia.

They tried to erase them.
Ukraine brings them back.

May every waiting family get their moment too.

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— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 10:33 AM

390 of our people are home! They are back! 390 families are having the best day ❤️‍🩹

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 10:17 AM

Zelensky has confirmed today’s big POW swap with Russia, and that it’ll continue Saturday and Sunday. As reported, 390 Ukrainians returned home, in exchange for 390 Russians. Photos via Zelensky’s Telegram channel. www.ft.com/content/efd4…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) May 23, 2025 at 10:09 AM

I honestly still cannot believe that the leaders of the Azovstal defense are all alive and free.

I suppose it’s one of the miracles of Ukrainian diplomacy.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

show full post on front page

What Matters Most Is That Ukraine Is Bringing Its People Home; I Thank Everyone Around the World Who Is Helping Us – Address by the President

23 May 2025 – 18:12

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today’s events. The main thing: an exchange took place. And this is the first stage of the largest exchange agreed upon in Türkiye. In fact, it is the only significant outcome of the meeting in Türkiye – everything else is being blocked by the Russians. Blocked for now. But bringing our people back is exactly what we always work for. We will definitely bring everyone back. Every one of our citizens, every Ukrainian servicemember and civilian, all Ukrainian hostages held in Russia – we must free all of them. Today, almost four hundred, 390 people are back home – both military and civilians. Tomorrow and the day after, the next stages will follow. The formula is a thousand for a thousand. I am grateful to everyone and to our entire team involved in carrying out the exchange. And certainly, I thank all our warriors at the front who specifically ensure the replenishment of Ukraine’s exchange fund. And also, I want to thank our law enforcement officers for adding Russian saboteurs and collaborationists to the exchange fund. What matters most is that Ukraine is bringing its people home. I thank everyone around the world who is helping us.

And just as we succeed in this, we must succeed in everything else. A ceasefire is needed. Diplomatic steps toward real peace are needed. A new and effective security architecture is needed. We are bringing our partners together to make this happen. And it is clearly time to increase pressure on Russia to achieve not just one result, but everything that is necessary. And when Russia takes a whole week just to come up with a so-called “memorandum” as their response to calls for a ceasefire – this is nothing but a mockery of the entire world. So much time wasted! Every day of this war costs lives. Of course, in Russia, lives don’t count. But the world must count them. New sanctions against Russia are needed. I thank everyone who is advocating for and supporting this.

And a few more things.

Today, I recognized our marines with state awards on their professional day. Every marine brigade is a source of pride. And that is truly deserved.

There was also a report by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha today. Regarding the tasks assigned to him.

The first is to ensure additional funding for artillery production – for shells. There is a result: two-thirds of the funds have already been secured. The second is additional funding for drone production in Ukraine. The funds will be provided. The third: we are preparing for Ukraine’s participation in the G7 format. I thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their work.

I also spoke today with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Plenković. He is a true friend of Ukraine and of all who want a strong and secure Europe. We discussed the situation in general, both at the front and in diplomacy. We also discussed preparations for the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit. I am grateful that the Prime Minister of Croatia is ready to attend the Summit.

There was one more report today – we are preparing new sanctions packages. Strong sanctions packages.

I thank everyone who stands with us, with Ukraine, with Ukrainians!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

Day 177. The daily march has incorporated social messages and they recite numbers about poverty, emigration, etc. in streets for several kilometers from the Public Broadcaster to Rustaveli. #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM

Day 177. As usual, people recite names of all regime prisoners and cry out “Freedom!” after each name.

“Freedom!”

“Freedom, Solidarity, Victory!”

“Down with the regime!”

“Until the end!”

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM

⭕️#Tbilisi City Court Fines @publikage.bsky.social Journalist Mariam Kavshabia 5,000 GEL

🔻 The MIA accused the journalist of blocking the road during a protest on February 3, while she was carrying out her professional duties.

#RepressionInGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests
#MediaUnderAttack

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM

⭕ Judge Zviad Tsekvava fined Publika journalist Mariam Kavshbaia 5,000 GEL.

Despite submitting evidence — photos under her byline and even video from the Ministry showing her reporting at the rally — the court still penalized Kavshbaia, who is also a student.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 10:56 AM

🟥 Journalist Reports Being Assaulted and Ejected from Khelvachauri Council Session

Sulkhan Meskhiadze, founder of the regional outlet Ajara Times, says he was assaulted and forcibly removed from a Municipal Council session by City Hall and Council staff while covering the meeting.
#Georgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 23, 2025 at 7:24 AM

Regime prisoner student activist Zviad Tsetskhladze turned 20 in prison, and his friends gathered to sing Happy Birthday to him through the walls. #GeorgiaProtests
📷 @publikage.bsky.social

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 4:43 PM

Insaf Aliyev greets his son — photo from the courtroom. He is being held on charges of gang violence for his participation in group protests.

#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 6:56 AM

The EXTREMELY DANGEROUS criminals whose imprisonment keeps Georgia safe!

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM

Georgian writer Nene Kvinikadze wore this shirt at the Cannes Film Festival — a show of solidarity as actor Andro Chichinadze has been arrested for participating in protests.

#GeorgiaProtests
#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 11:09 AM

The US:

👀

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 6:20 AM

It did lead to something big, a massive attack on Kyiv.

Back to Ukraine.

MIM-23 Hawk intercepts a Russian cruise missile.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 4:21 AM

The Ukrainian “Batyar” drone has a range exceeding 800 km and carries an 18 kg warhead. It can serve as a kamikaze drone, bomber, or decoy. Even when damaged, it maintains its course in a steep dive, ensuring precise targeting. Source: Militrarnyi.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Kyiv:

Russia has launched a massive air attack on Kyiv, which is ongoing right now. So much for peace talks.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 6:25 PM

Kyiv right now ‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 8:17 PM

Apartment building is on fire in Kyiv following the russian drone attack on the city

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 8:47 PM

Noisy night in Kyiv: Multiple Russian/Iranian Shahed flying bomb drones buzzing about following earlier Russian ballistic missile attack on the Ukrainian capital.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 6:26 PM

Kharkiv Oblast:

Russia is intensifying its attacks on Kharkiv Oblast, targeting populated areas with a range of weapons. Today, missile and air strikes killed three civilians in Kupiansk and Chuhuiv, and injured at least two more. The tactic is clear: to make the region uninhabitable.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 1:16 PM

Chuhuiv, Kharkiv Oblast:

The cost.

This is Nadia, her name means “hope.” She was 30 years old and worked as a nurse at the regional hospital. Russian strike on Chuhuiv, Kharkiv Oblast, ended her life. She leaves behind a little girl who will now grow up without her mother.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 1:23 PM

Kharkiv:

Russian drones in Kharkiv skies right now ‼️

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM

Odesa:

Russia just struck Odesa with two ballistic missiles during early Friday afternoon, when people are out and about!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 7:49 AM

Russia struck the port of Odesa with two ballistic missiles, killing at least one person and injuring eight others.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM

Russia attacked Odesa this morning with a new, little-known strike drone. Unlike any UAV previously detected by Ukraine’s air defenses, it resembles a larger, more powerful Lancet. It penetrated deep into Odesa at a 200m altitude.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 4:22 AM

Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

Russians attack Kupyansk utility workers, killing one and critically injuring another

The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration announced that Kupyansk was shelled by Russian forces around 9:20 AM.

“It’s preliminarily believed that the occupiers used a guided aerial bomb

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 6:37 AM

One of the wounded is in grave condition,”

Sadly, efforts to save one of the injured utility workers were unsuccessful. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man passed away. Doctors are now working to save the life of the second casualty.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 6:37 AM

The Serebryanske Forest:

Hunting down Russian drone crews in the Serebryanske Forest — Ukrainian fighters of SIGNUM Battalion, 53rd Brigade, are methodically eliminating Russian UAV operators, per DeepState.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM

Russian occupied Crimea:

Russian fighters in Crimea are repelling an attack by Ukrainian drones this morning.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 5:50 AM

Oryol Oblast, Russia:

Frst footages from the crash site of Russian military Mi-8 helicopter in the Oryol region. The crew of 3 people is reported to have died.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

Ukrainian women’s teams SeaSters and Vorskla took the field with puppies in tow—teaming up with Club Hvostiki to help rescue dogs find homes.

A heartwarming kickoff with a purpose.

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) May 19, 2025 at 6:47 AM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,184: Stage 1 of the Thousand for a Thousand ExchangePost + Comments (3)

How about some springtime respite?

by Major Major Major Major|  May 23, 20254:23 pm| 93 Comments

This post is in: Nature, Nature & Respite, Open Threads, Respite

Hello Juicers! Reporting in from fatherhood. Camille is four months this week…
…and doing great! She’s ahead on most of her benchmarks, starting teething, and still super chill, at least by baby standards. No complaints, 10/10.

Boy it sure is a disaster out there, though, isn’t it? Fortunately I’ve got a lot to keep me busy right here. Camille isn’t even the only baby in the neighborhood…

But they grow up so fast, don’t they? Ten days later…

They weren’t even there the last time I walked by. Flown the coop! I’m an empty-nester now. Oh, and the yard is coming along really well, too. Thanks to a big assist from TaMara a couple years ago, we now have these lovely and prolific irises, which gave us quite a show this year!

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Other than that, been reading, working on the video game (just about time for the demo and kickstarter!), playing video games… specifically Clair Obscur, Blue Prince, Lies of P, and The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy… Been trying to avoid Doing Politics Online, with mixed success. Not much point arguing about anything with anybody. Just gotta keep the house in order.

And of course we still have the cats.

So let’s call this a respite thread, for all your respitey needs. Playing? Reading? Watching? What’s up?

How about some springtime respite?Post + Comments (93)

Why Raw Story (and other outlets) Make Me Crazy

by WaterGirl|  May 23, 202510:50 am| 360 Comments

This post is in: Democratic Politics, Open Threads

One of our commenters sent me a link to an article on Raw Story, which I appreciated because I never go to Raw Story.  They won’t even let me see an article with my ad blocker on, and their style with all the ads and flashing, etc is an assault on my eyes, and my brain!

Still, I can see that they raise an excellent point, even as I am appalled by parts of the article.  h/t Jackie

Here’s the excellent point.

Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX), 70, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), 77, and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), 75, all died since March, the latest being Connolly, who died Wednesday and was the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Eight Democrats have died since November 2022, according to Axios.

This is also noteworthy.

Young House Democrats demanded what Axios called an “age reckoning” on Thursday after a third Democrat died while in office, with some remarking that President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” passed through the chamber this week, and the “difference is the number of members who passed away.”

Here’s where it starts to make me crazy.

  • “Young House Democrats” is capitalized.  Is that an organization?  Who are the members? Is that a Dem caucus?
  • “according to the report”.  What report, no report was referenced before that.  Just a vague mention of Axios.
  •  This feels like pure gossip and shit-stirring.  No one goes on the record.
  • Is this article a reference to David Hogg?

Young Democrats demanded their older counterparts take note — and make moves, according to the report. The party’s age was “keenly felt” on Thursday as House Republicans passed their controversial tax bill by just one vote, the report said.

Several Democrats pointed to the vacancies created by the deaths as a factor.

“You see where we are, we can’t afford to lose anymore members. … We’re down three people because they passed away,” one lawmaker told Axios as the House voted on the bill.

Another told the outlet: “The tragic reality is, when … this vote passes and the difference is the number of members who passed away this Congress, I think it’s going to really infuriate many of our supporters.”

“Some folks have given their life to this place, and we’re so grateful and commend them for it — you don’t have to die in this place,” the first House Democrat said.

Another Democrat told the outlet, “we just look so f—ing out of touch,” with yet another saying they think they can “force a conversation.”

So yes, it’s absolutely noteworthy if this bill wouldn’t have passed if the Democratic members hadn’t passed.

As a party, why can’t we have a constructive conversation about this?  Let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater!

Can we have a constructive conversation about this aging issue (in the House and the Senate) on Balloon Juice?

Why Raw Story (and other outlets) Make Me CrazyPost + Comments (360)

PA Supreme Court Election Angel Match & Action Opportunities

by WaterGirl|  May 23, 202510:00 am| 25 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

We have $250 left on our Angel Match from Wapiti.   Wapiti’s Angel Match is complete!  (yay!)  We are back to 4x matching.

With the double-match for the next $6,500 or so, plus the Angel Match for the first $250, donations up to $100 per person are 6x matching.

With the double-match for the next $6,500 or so, all donations are 4x  3x  matching.

Even more critically, once that angel match is met, we will still have about *$11,000  to go in order to meet our goal for The Civics Center.

*We are at $11.6k as I type this.  Let’s say we get to $12k with the remaining Angel Match.  Our Balloon Juice Angel adds their $1k to the thermometer, that’s $13k.  And our previous BJ Angel is a “check” person, so that takes us to $14k, even though it will only show $13k in the thermometer.  That leaves $11k to go!  Can we do this?


Donate

Josie signed up with Postcards to Swing States, where you can choose your campaign or select “wherever it’s most needed“, and they sent her postcards for the Supreme Court race in Pennsylvania.

I think that’s telling – it’s outside confirmation that we are on the right track in our focus on this race.

Sign-ups for our postcard programs for this November’s elections in Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are off to a great start — click here to order those now. So far, volunteers have signed up to write 4 million postcards with us this year.

In Virginia and New Jersey, our efforts will help make sure both states elect Democratic governors and majorities in their state legislatures. In Pennsylvania, our focus is to make sure three Democratic Supreme Court justices are retained, which is critical to preserving a liberal majority on the court in one of the most important swing states.

We still need your help to write 7 million additional postcards by October. This includes our upcoming and innovative News Boosting postcard program, sign-ups for which will begin on Tuesday, June 3.

Here’s everything you need to know about this new program — or watch the section of our recent webinar that talks about it in more detail.

Read more about news boosting below.  I love this idea.

What is News Boosting?

We’ll send postcards with useful news headlines to Democratic-leaning voters in Virginia to combat disinformation and to make sure they learn about how harmful the Trump/GOP agenda is for most Americans.

What is the goal?

We’ll measure how well the postcards work to persuade voters to support Democrats, as well as the impact on overall turnout — it’s a large statistical study that will inform Democratic strategy in the post-2024 era.

How does it work?

After you sign up — starting June 3 — you’ll receive postcards with a news headline (like the one below), and instructions for exactly what to write on the back. You’ll either receive Message 1 (see below), which reinforces our credibility as the messengers; or your instructions will specify a message specific to that headline that connects to our values and models the emotion we want to elicit in those receiving the postcards (see Message 2 in the example below)

When will you mail the cards to voters?

We’re sending each voter 10 total postcards between July and October — you will receive just one headline and mailing date, and you’ll have roughly 3-5 weeks to write your cards before the instructed mailing date

Who is Informed Voters of VA?

The messenger really matters. We’re calling this new initiative Informed Voters of VA, because that reflects exactly what our goal is — to provide factual and useful news headlines to voters who might otherwise only hear disinformation.

I really like this news boosting idea and I hope this method is picked up by organizations in other states.

What do you think?

PA Supreme Court Election Angel Match & Action OpportunitiesPost + Comments (25)

Friday Dawn Open Thread

by Betty Cracker|  May 23, 20256:48 am| 121 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

I didn’t sleep worth a damn, so it’s going to be an extra long day. Spent the long hours of dark reading, mostly. First news, and when that got too depressing, short stories from one of Bill’s sci-fi anthologies.

Now that the sun is up, I spotted my first flamingo of the day — the plastic one that lives on a windowsill.

Plastic flamingo on a windowsill

Bill got it for me at Rural King, which is a kind of a redneck Walmart. It commemorates my mostly unsuccessful stint as a flamingo chaser a couple of falls ago, when I drove all over the western coast of Florida looking for flamingos that had been blown off course by hurricanes.

Here’s another type of pink bird that I see often around here for real:

A pink Roseate Spoonbill flying against a blue sky

I’ve always admired the way they use their feet for rudders in flight. When I was a kid, we almost never saw Roseate Spoonbills this far north, but now we do.

Someday, I firmly believe a flamingo will land in our lagoon, but today is probably not that day.

Open thread!

Friday Dawn Open ThreadPost + Comments (121)

War for Ukraine Day 1,183: A Quick Thursday Night Update

by Adam L Silverman|  May 22, 202511:16 pm| 16 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

I am still fried, which has been exacerbated by assembling something for my mom this evening. So I’m just going to run through the basics tonight as quickly as I can.

All of eastern and most of north and central Ukraine is currently – 10:40 PM EDT/5:40 AM local time in Ukraine – under air raid alert for drone swarms.

Another day, another Russian war crime:

Russian occupiers are receiving orders to kill Ukrainian soldiers who are taken prisoner, according to CNN.

Radio intercepts of conversations between Russian troops indicate that they are being instructed to execute captured Ukrainian servicemen.
t.me/c/1377735387…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 10:46 AM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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It Is Clear to the World That It Is Russia’s Fault the War Is Still Ongoing – Address by the President

22 May 2025 – 19:35

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

A brief summary of today.

Preparations for a prisoner exchange. Intelligence and the Security Service of Ukraine reported on the lists provided by the Russians – specific details are being worked through. Further meetings will follow.

I held an extended meeting with our military officials: Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, Chief of the General Staff Hnatov, all intelligence agencies, and the Ministry of Defense. We discussed the situation on our frontline, our prospects, and the activities we are preparing. We also discussed the military foundation for diplomacy – the next technical meeting. We are working to ensure it takes place as soon as possible. Ukraine’s interest is not to prolong the war, but to be prepared for any development. It is clear to the world that it is Russia’s fault the war is still ongoing. Ukraine is ready to take the fastest possible steps – for a real ceasefire and the establishment of a new security architecture. We are doing all the necessary groundwork on our side. What’s needed is a reciprocal readiness from Russia – and it’s not there now. Without global pressure, that won’t change. We are doing our part to maintain that pressure, primarily through our defense and active operations. I want to thank all our warriors for their resilience and real results. Thank you for the long-range capabilities too, guys. Today, I held a meeting with our government officials: the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Deputy Prime Ministers, and the Office team. We discussed the most important economic steps – those that can bring greater long-term stability for our people. Jobs, technological development, and guaranteed social opportunities for our people – these are the three key priorities.

And today, I continued talks with our European partners – support for the negotiation process, support for a ceasefire, support for all our joint formats of work in Europe. Today, I invited Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Moldova to take part in the next Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit. I thank everyone for being ready to make this format of ours even more substantive. Several more talks with our partners are ahead. I want to thank everyone who stands with us, who stands with Ukraine, and who is preparing new defense support packages.

Glory to Ukraine!

First Lady Zelenska addressed her foundation to present the findings of a nationwide Ukrainian research study: the Future Index: Professional Expectations and Development of Adolescents in Ukraine.

Georgia:

Day 176 – Stubbornly persisting! ✊🏻

I do feel like things are slowly but surely going down a culminating spiral. Especially today, with @Zuraja’s arrest. He has always been popular among young people and his popularity is now on a major rise.

#GeorgiaProtests

📷 George Burjanadze

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM

The court yard is shut off preventing protesters to enter the territory, and the surroundings are filled with the criminal police, etc.

Zurab’s case will likely set the precedent for the upcoming trials of other opposition leaders.

#terrorinGeorgia 2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 6:43 AM

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 9:13 AM

🚨 Heavy police presence at Tbilisi City Court as opposition leader Zurab Japaridze faces possible detention for refusing to appear before so-called ‘Tsulukiani’s investigative commission’.
Courtroom packed, citizens removed by police.
#Georgia #GeorgiaProtests

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 22, 2025 at 8:13 AM

#Tbilisi City Court now:

Refusing to appear before a parliamentary commission in #Georgia is punishable by fine or up to 1 year in prison.

Ex-Defense Minister Okruashvili was jailed on May 14 for the same.
#GeorgiaProtests

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 22, 2025 at 8:19 AM

Zurab Jafaridze, leader of “Girchi-More Freedom”, was arrested in the courtroom for failing to pay bail after skipping a session of the GD-led parliamentary commission. The commission, chaired by Tea Tsulukiani, is tasked with “investigating the crimes of UNM.”

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 11:59 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Russia already attempted this last year when it launched a limited incursion into Kharkiv Oblast. The effort has since stalled.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 11:55 AM

🇺🇦🎯 A sniper from Ukraine’s E40 group disabled a Russian MT-LB armored vehicle from a distance of 1.7 km using a Barrett M82A1 rifle.

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 4:06 AM

Ukrainian monitors warning of high chance of large Russian missile attack on Ukraine, with fascist Russia mustering its fleet of Tu-95 strategic bombers. Meanwhile, Russian airports are in chaos, with delays and cancellations as 485 🇺🇦 drones swoop into Russia over two days.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 8:26 AM

Ukraine’s new drone strategy — cripple Moscow’s airports, make Russian population ‘pay’ #Ukraine

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— AmplifyUkraine 🔱🇺🇦 (@amplifyukraine.eu) May 22, 2025 at 1:50 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Hundreds of Ukrainian kamikaze drones have flown towards Moscow in recent weeks.

None appear to have even reached the Russian capital, yet the effect on the city — and the wider country — has been hugely significant.

Ukrainian drones have forced at least 217 temporary airport closures across Russia since Jan. 1, independent Russian outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe reported on May 14, citing data from Russia’s state aviation agency Rosaviatsia.

The figure already surpasses the combined total for all of 2023 and 2024, underscoring Kyiv’s growing ability to put pressure on Russia, even in areas far from the border with Ukraine.

According to Serhii Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Defense Army’s Southern Division, the surge in disruptions reflects a strategic shift in Ukraine’s drone campaign.

“Moscow is the biggest aviation hub in the Russian Federation — flights go everywhere, not only across Russia, but worldwide,” he told the Kyiv Independent.

“This is about the potential disintegration of Russian regions and the weakening of internal control.”

Three nights of Ukrainian drone raids before Russia’s Victory Day on May 9 forced Rosaviatsia to order temporary flight restrictions that disrupted travel plans for at least 60,000 passengers, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia.

Just shy of two weeks of calm have been followed by another wave. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 485 Ukrainian drones had been downed over the past three days, from May 20 to May 22, including 63 over Moscow Oblast.

“The priority direction is clear — Moscow and the surrounding regions,” Bratchuk said.

Bratchuk highlights that due to Russia’s vast geography, air travel is essential for maintaining connectivity, and disruptions in aviation could increase the risk of regional disintegration and public unrest.

“These disruptions are not accidental. They are part of a pressure campaign against logistics, air defense systems, and public morale,” he said.

“The Russian population has to pay for this war. Sleeping in tents at the airport is not the highest price, but it does affect morale.”

Bratchuk also claims there is an economic cost to Russia in having to constantly close its airports.

“Aviation is not a cheap industry, and losses are incurred by airports, by airlines — but it also has a psychological effect on passengers and cargo clients,” he said.

While the economic fallout may be limited for now, Ukraine’s drone campaign is also intended to serve a military purpose beyond financial disruption, Bratchuk said, saying the tactic also forces Russian air defense systems into a constant state of alert.

“Even the smallest aerial target must trigger a full air defense response,” Bratchuk said. “That’s how the system works — for us, for Russia, and for any country.”

Russia’s layered defense network is already under visible strain from Ukraine’s now years-long campaign targeting Russian oil production in an attempt to deprive the Kremlin of money to fund its full-scale invasion, as well as military targets like ammunition dumps.

Targeting Moscow and the surrounding oblast with increasing numbers of drones could spread Russia’s air defenses even thinner.

With Russia’s air defense units forced to react to every aerial threat, Kyiv appears to be testing the limits of the Kremlin’s ability to protect its own territory — a tactic that could lay the groundwork for future strikes with greater precision and deeper penetration.

“Maybe this is one element that would enable our combat drones to strike more effectively at military targets,” Bratchuk said. “As for military targets, strikes will continue to hit military-industrial sites in Russia.

That’s the only strategy. But the priorities now are somewhat different,” Bratchuk concluded.

More at the link.

Russian media report that hundreds of Russians are once again stranded in Moscow airports due to UAV attacks. At Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, and Domodedovo, dozens of departing flights have been delayed.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 8:25 AM

Someone has been reading Sir Rupert and, as a result, has adopted war among the people as a theater strategy for the drone war.

The reason(s):

🚁🇺🇦 Kateryna is the only female combat pilot in the AFU who flies missions on an Mi-8 helicopter, according to a New York Times article.
At the age of 16, she entered the Kharkiv Air Force University, the only woman among 45 men.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 12:50 PM

When she was 10 years old and growing up at the air force base where her father was an officer, she was taken for a ride in a Mi-8 helicopter, which inspired her to become a pilot.
Kateryna joined the 18th Army Aviation Brigade in 2023 and has already completed more than 30 combat missions.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 12:50 PM

Foreign volunteers in the Ukrainian Armed Forces speak about their motivation to fight on Ukraine’s side.
t.me/c/1377735387…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 3:18 PM

Switchblade 600 strikes on Russian TOR, BUK and S-300 air defence systems

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 9:54 AM

Kostiantynivka:

A Russian glide bomb crashed into a house in Kostiantynivka but failed to detonate 🤯

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 10:32 AM

Velykyi Burluk, Kharkiv Oblast:

Russia attacked Velykyi Burluk last night, destroying administrative building.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 6:46 AM

Zaporizhzhia:

Russian forces plan to connect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to their grid soon, says ex-Mariupol mayoral advisor Andriushchenko. They’ve built a distribution hub and compressor station near occupied Mariupol and Berdyansk, with full-scale operation expected in the coming months.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 10:33 AM

Lipetsk Oblast, Russia:

In Russia’s Lipetsk Oblast, a drone strike hit a factory in Yelets responsible for producing batteries for UAVs 🔥👀

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 7:32 PM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

DOG OF WAR:

Today’s dog of war is this little dog who patiently waited while his owner did the shopping. He approved Zoriana’s grocery haul with a bark as she exited the store.

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— Tim Mak (@timkmak.bsky.social) May 22, 2025 at 9:48 AM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,183: A Quick Thursday Night UpdatePost + Comments (16)

Proof of Live – Ohio Meetup

by WaterGirl|  May 22, 202511:35 am| 82 Comments

This post is in: Meetups, Open Threads

Proof of Life!

This was apparently so much fun that columbusqueen is already planning for next year’s meet-up, and I am told that you’ll all be invited.

Pics from Ohio Mom

Left to right: Ohio Mom, Ohio Dad and Manyakitty

 

From back wall to front: columbusqueen, Ohio Dad, Manyakitty, Mrs. Professor Bigfoot and Professor Bigfoot

 

Left to right: Goku, Ohio Farmer and Shaun/Temp Decloaked Lurker (all the way from Michigan!)

 

Left to right: Sab, two lurkers whose names I didn’t catch (it was noisy at Planks) so they will have to come out of hiding and identify themselves, and columbusqueen with a big wave

Camera shy: Suzanne (all the way from Pittsburgh!) and Mr. Sab

 


Starting with the red Indycar P1 hat: Ohio Farmer, lurker Shawn, lurker, Suzanne, sab, I think i see hair by the chalkboard next to sab – is that Josie? -, then columbusqueen, Ohio Mom, Ohio Dad, Manyakitty, Mrs. Professor, Professor Bigfoot, and then Goku at the head of the table.

Pic from manyakitty (taken by Mr. Sab?)

If someone wants to supply names for the bottom pic, in order, starting with the (surely not MAGA hat) red Indycar P1 hat I can add to the caption list!

Clues on names:

Take 1: Goku is at the head of the table. Ohio Farmer is wearing the red hat, Prof. Bigfoot is on the other side of Goku, Ohio Mom is next to Ohio Dad, I can’t remember nym for the woman next to Ohio Mom, or the man to her right. I think Josie is next to the man, Suzanne is next to her, then sab. The man next to Ohio Farmer is a lurker but I can’t remember his exact nym.

Take 2: Nice lurker 1 and 2, Suzanne, sab, temporarily decloaked lurker S., Ohio Farmer, Goku, Prof. B. and his lovely bride, Manyakitty, Ohio Dad, Ohio Mom, and columbusqueen!

Is this our biggest meetup ever?

Proof of Live – Ohio MeetupPost + Comments (82)

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