Putin believes he is fighting the West, not Ukraine:

“Victory over the West can only come if Putin first has victory in Ukraine. And victory in Ukraine means victory over the United States.”

“Putin has lied, is lying, and will continue to lie.” My interview with Ukraine’s new national security secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko.

economist.com/europe/2024/04…

My profile of the remarkable Russian volunteer Alexander Demidenko through the accounts of his friends, family and the Ukrainian refugees he helped return to their home country. Demidenko died last week in jail after being tortured
theguardian.com/world/2024/apr…

With the appearance of new, stealthier Russian missiles like kh-69, it’s not just about air defence systems and missiles - that too - but operational tactics and low altitude radars. It’s a complex that Ukraine is facing a race against time to fix.

Great conversation with Kate Gerbeau on Times Radio on the course of the war, diplomacy, political prisoners, Putin’s use of religion, Havana Syndrome (sic) and living/working in Russia.

NATO SACEUR: “Russia is reconstituting that force far faster than our initial estimates suggested.”

An audio report and interview on the race to save Kharkiv. play.acast.com/s/theintellige…

Ukraine, outgunned by Russia, is turning to AI to gain an edge. The technology offers clues about Russian military weaknesses and is even being used to help catch spies. But how much difference all this will ultimately make is still unclear econ.st/43RCiLW 👇

Medical wagons for evacuation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers #Ukraine

New Ukrolancet drones have started hitting Russian air defenses hard, suggesting a significant upgrade in Ukraine's capability -- my take for Forbes forbes.com/sites/davidham…

Not everyone in US govt is on board. I’ve been speaking to some people here in Kyiv involved in the long range programme. They say their US contacts are winking while warning. “They’re privately telling us to keep going.”

I had the privilege of working with Lev, a writer of huge talent who will go down in history. His hit-and-run killer got probation — while others are routinely sent to prison camp for years for protest. It's enraging just how cruel, corrupt and idiotic the regime has become.

Just your average game of football in Kharkiv.

My piece on Polish-Ukrainian relations amid border protests. The evidence — compiled with bot blocker | блокировщик ботов among others —shows the Russians were trying to influence. Was it critical? Maybe not. But even the idea it might have been has poisoned the well. economist.com/europe/2024/04…

Worth reading this piece on the situation in 🇺🇦's second largest city, Kharkiv.

It covers not only 🇷🇺's ramped up assault on the city, located just 20 miles from the border, but also the almost unbreakable resilience of its residents.

The best piece I've read in a while

It's one of the most successful influence campaigns of all time. And it wasn't even particularly secret.

I can confirm that Kharkiv is very much teeming with activity. The cafes are full, restaurants buzzing. But attacks on electrical plants & nightly drones are taking a toll. Air defense is needed ASAP. My favorite cafe now has “Gen” next to menu items it can cook on the generator.

If the world has already written Kharkiv off, not everyone there has received the memo. The race to save Ukraine's second city. My latest economist.com/europe/2024/04…