Ukrainian suspect in Russian influence case goes into hiding ft.com/content/6597fe… via Isobel Koshiw Laura Dubois Raphael Minder

In dire need of more men, Ukraine's military uses psychology to recruit: keep control, choose your own unit and a commander you can trust. With Isobel Koshiw

Ukraine’s pitch to new soldiers: ‘Choose your own adventure’ ft.com/content/ca20a4… via @ft

Russia dropped a 250 kg bomb on an evangelical church in Zavitne, Ukraine but it didn't explode. 'You are merciful God, you saved the prayer house,' says the man recording the video.

Protests continue in Georgia against a Russian copycat law on “foreign agents”

.Francis Farrell longread from inside and around Chasiv Yar

“Experts and soldiers alike identify manpower as the core problem at the heart of Ukraine’s military at this stage of the war: overstretched, undermanned units…without rotation”

kyivindependent.com/battle-of-chas…

Despite Ukraine having no real navy, sea drone and missile attacks have disabled or destroyed a third of Russia’s Black Sea fleet and forced much of Moscow’s navy to newly fortified ports, like Feodosia, on the eastern edge of the sea.

New: How Ukraine broke Russia’s grip in the Black Sea.

Drone attacks have pushed Moscow’s warships to newly protected bases in the east and enabled trade from key ports to return to pre-war levels.

W/Sam Learner Dan Clark Irene de la Torre Arenas Ian Bott

ft.com/black-sea

For the Financial Times, I wrote about the battle of Chasiv Yar and why the town matters for the general Ukrainian defense in the Donbas region. In short: taking Chasiv Yar would give the Russian military a lot of options ft.com/content/01cbf4…

“It is not only in RBI’s interest to stay in Russia. The [Russian central bank] will do everything it can to not let them go,” a senior Russian banking executive said.

Western banks in Russia paid €800mn in taxes to Kremlin last year on.ft.com/3UmG7nY

“In February 2022, Russia had a far better equipped and trained army. I simply can’t see that it is better now.”

A look at Russia’s manpower and firepower advantages in Ukraine – which US aid may do a lot to counteract. with Christopher Miller [email protected]

on.ft.com/3Ufa0GS

I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track.

Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to…

US lawmakers approve aid to Ukraine and Israel after months of delay ft.com/content/e42dd8… via @ft

US aid delays leave Ukrainians at low ebb on.ft.com/3w26M1h Isobel Koshiw Christopher Miller

On the downcast mood in Ukraine, the cautious optimism of many Ukrainians about the looming U.S. assistance vote, and the doom-laden warnings of President Zelensky if it isn’t passed and help doesn’t arrive to war-weary Kyiv soon. Story with Isobel Koshiw.
on.ft.com/3Q8ek9C Financial Times

“Trump hates Ukraine,” said Lev Parnas. “He and people around him believe that Ukraine was the cause of all Trump’s problems.'

politico.eu/article/why-do…