I started to send this when suddenly
everything shook.
KYIV–And unusually in Kyiv, I ran to the shelter, feeling more like I was in Kharkiv. The Russians were pounding the city quite heavily. Details in this afternoon’s Radio War Day journal. Here within is yesterday’s report!
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RADIO WAR DAY 1,030: “Chemical General” Death Sparks Fallout; & the Kyiv Carol
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KYIV—On the 1,030th day of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s daring assassination of the “Chemical General”—responsible for illegal chemical weapon attacks—shakes Moscow and the world.
🧨 Why Was a Russian “Chemical General” Assassinated?
Ukrainians took out the infamous “Chemical General,” responsible for battlefield chemical weapon attacks likely violating the Geneva Convention. These weapons have caused suffering among Ukrainian soldiers, yet the global media largely ignores this. The Kremlin has already pivoted the narrative, claiming he was killed for knowing NATO “biolab secrets.”
The US does of course have biolabs and strange places around the world, just as Beijing has operatives in scientific centers worldwide. That has nothing to do with Ukrainians who simply do not want to live under tyranny, a tyranny they have known from the Soviet times. 👉⤵️
🇺🇸 U.S. Critics vs. Ukrainian Scrappy Creativity in War
General Kellogg, named by Trump as a special envoy on Ukraine's resistance to Russian invasion, criticized the chemical general's assassination, calling it improper since the target wasn’t “on the battlefield.”
Ukrainians argue this precision strike was necessary, given how often Washington ties their hands while refusing to seize opportunities to weaken Russia further. Also, this attack was precise and narrowly limited to the target unlike some Israeli and US strikes against masterminds of evil. 👉⤵️
🛑 Why I Left the USA's WGN Radio After 3 Years
After volunteering daily for nearly three years, WGN Radio management abruptly announced they wanted me off air--but that they'd still call upon me from time to time. Well, instead of a quiet, ambiguous goodbye that might confuse the audience, I chose a sharp cutoff to ensure the truth is clear: Lord, I've been cancelled! 😂
My focus is now on building this platform to continue reporting honestly and directly. And I send all gratitude and respect to WGN host Bob Sirott and the production team. No matter where I was in Ukraine, often in difficult situations, they were always standing by in Chicago to keep our record-making report going. 👉⤵️
🎄 Is Russia Waging a War on Christmas?
Russia’s attack on Ukraine isn’t just military—it’s cultural. Ukrainians celebrate Christmas with unmatched fervor, while in Russia, Soviet-era traditions have reduced it to a forgotten relic, replaced by New Year’s. Despite Moscow’s bombs, Ukrainians are reviving their faith and ancient traditions, especially in the east, where Soviet oppression lingered longest. You'd be hard to pressed to find a more traditional, vibrant, widespread public celebration of Christmas, the actual religious meaning of it, anywhere more than in Western Ukraine. 👉⤵️
📢 The Post That Has Russians Fuming
My recent X post comparing Ukrainian and Russian words for “victory” has upset many Russians. Why? I think because language reveals worldview. In Russian, “victory” (победа) translates to “after the misery,” reflecting a victim mentality. In Ukrainian, “victory” (перемога) means “beyond ability,” encapsulating hope and resilience. The truth in language cuts deep. It just bees that way. 👉⤵️
SEE THE POST HERE.
🎶 A Kyiv Christmas Carol Like No Other
We’ve created a hauntingly beautiful version of Carol of the Bells, performed by Lviv's medieval revival group Kings & Beggars with art by @neivanmade and lyrics written amid a chaotic week by me. The song’s roots lie in the city of Bakhmut, now devastated but still in Ukrainian hands. This rendition captures both the sorrow and hope of a nation under siege. MERRY CHRISTMAS — watch, listen, share ⤵️
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That's it for Radio War Day 1030. Until tomorrow—with a musical guest co-host who has made many volunteer trips to Ukraine with a special focus on helping mental recovery of wounded vets
🎙️ The only American show reporting live from Ukraine every weekday of the Russia’s full-scale war . 🎭🎬
WGN Listeners React to Ukraine Report Cancellation
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How War Can Fix Your Brain, part two
How War Can Fix Your Brain, Lesson 2 of 10: “In war, good people become better, and evil people become more evil.”
I’ve seen this proven quite true every day here in Ukraine, the world’s best living self-help book. There’s no option just to be good; you have to be great. WATCH:
Propaganda Decoder
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