Mariupol Defenders: ‘We Are All Dead Men”; “Teach Others to Do Impossible Things”
Plus: Podcast, parody of Putin propaganda, and daily situation summary from Ukraine
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Mariupol Defenders: ‘We Are All Dead Men”; “Teach Others to Do Impossible Things”
Here you can watch one of the defenders of Mariupol speak in English from the Azovsteel Plant, the last bit of territory Ukrainians hold in the city that Russians have shelled and sieged since March 20. It’s been a catastrophe for civilians, and the city is the last spot on the Azov Sea coastline not fully under Russia occupation.
The Azov Battalion, a Ukrainian militia, has refused to quit the city, even as the situation seems more hopeless. Here, speaking in a live stream made possible thanks to Elon Musks’s Starlink internet service, the warriors share their message with the world.
"For the last two months we showed the world impossible things. The impossible thing became routine for us. ... Teach others how to do impossible things."
"The sanctions have not been enough … ”
Daily Situation Summary: Amid fears of new Russian escalation, Zelenskiy asks the world to take seriously the words ‘Never Again’
PLUS: the latest from Mariupol; U.S. First Lady and Bono visit Ukraine
BY PAVLO VITENKO, Ukrainian Freedom News
UKRAINE: "Extremely important decision": Zelensky said that Canada has removed all trade barriers for Ukraine for a year
🔵 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that it was currently impossible to unblock Mariupol by military means.
🟡 This is a war of not two armies, it is a war of two worldviews, President Zelensky said this in his video address on May 8, V-E Day, the anniversary of the defeat of the allies over the Nazis.
The words never again: What do they mean? Zelenskiy asked. “You say, ‘Never again’. Tell Ukraine about it.
WORLD: Canada will provide Ukraine with about $ 40 million in defense aid
🔵 "I felt the readiness of the world to help us": Zelensky on participation in the video conference of G7 leaders.
🟡 The Prime Minister of Japan said that the country would still impose an oil embargo against Russia. The country's decision could have been influenced by pressure from the G7. The European Union says it wants a union-wide embargo on Russia oil and gas, but Hungary, whose PM supports Putin, refuses.
🔵 On May 8 and 9, Berlin banned Russian and Ukrainian flags. Police reportedly confiscated Ukrainian flags but Russian flags were seen in abundance.
🟡 "Taking away the Ukrainian flag is an attack on anyone who is currently defending Europe," Kuleba said of the incident in Berlin, where police took away a giant Ukrainian flag.
🔵 Putin had his annual May 9th military parade yesterday, and despite warnings from Russia-watchers of a new escalation, the day was relatively calm in war-torn Ukraine, with fighting on the eastern front and with missiles hitting civilian areas in Odesa in the evening.
Read the rest, including our region-by-region updates: Daily Situation Report
WATCH: Parody of Russian State Media Claiming ‘Victory’
From friends in Poland:
Losses: "Russia has suffered no losses. Twenty-five thousand Russian soldiers are not answering their phones because Ukraine has really bad cell phone reception.
Looting: "The special operation has brought huge economic success to Russia, along with 25,000 washing machines ... 700 refrigerators, 30,000 Nazi mobile phones, and one-and-a-half ton of toys for Russian children."
Speak Freely: Near-Daily Ukraine War Journal
"Feels Like the Last Day": Something Wicked This Way Comes Tonight?
Here's a near-daily audio war-journal from Lviv, Ukraine with American journalist Joe Lindsley and Ukrainian bartender Zakhar Pikh.
This episode:
Many fear that on May 9 Putin will escalate Russia's war on Ukraine. Here, in the early hours of that day, Zakh and Joe discuss the real mood, on what has been perhaps the strangest day since the full-scale invasion on February 24.
*Includes explicit language, because the goal is to share honest thoughts and the mood of the moment.*
You can also listen on Spotify:
Songs discussed:
🔵 "April," by TIK ("Sober and Civilised") [Ukrainian]
🟡 "Somebody to Love" Jefferson Airplane
🔵 "POWER," Kanye West
You can access the playlist of music discussed here.
Daily Supply Needs
Each day, on our Telegram Channel, we post a list of requests for soldiers and medics at the front-lines, as well as shelters throughout the country. Collaborating with many of the NGOs and volunteers working for victory, Ukrainian Freedom News sources supplies from the world and delivers necessary items through out network of trusted drivers to the front lines.
—Atropine INJECTIONS - $2.5 each- 1000 ($2500) If you can buy it in your country write us!
—Tactical sneakers: 60$\each- 10 (600$)
—Utility vest - $65/each- 5 (325$)
—Pistol holster:$25/each- 5 (125$)
TOTAL 3550$
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If you wish to support specific soldiers, you can choose which items you’d like to fund (e.g., one tactical glasses; two uniforms; and a headlamp). We have access to supply sources for all of the above. We will purchase and deliver the supplies to the soldiers at their bases or at the front lines, and we will provide you video or photo showing receipt of goods.
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