Ukraine update: ‘We are still here’
Mark Sumner
Three days into Russia’s senseless war of aggression, some locations in Ukraine are becoming familiar. It’s not just the Capitol of Kyiv. It’s a stretch of highway near Kharkiv, a much fought over bridge in the middle of Kherson, a tiny island off the coast where no one lives … but where 13 men and women died rather than surrender.
Our picture of these places is far from complete. We see them in flashes, momentarily appearing in tweets and news reports next to the words “was taken,” “was lost,” or simply “has survived.” We see them backlit by explosions. We see them entering into history, even while we watch. We certainly don’t see them in full; we’re getting the trailer, but missing the film. More stories will emerge from each of these places, and from too many others. Those stories will have the sound and terror and elation and disgust and everything else we’re not getting at the moment. Let’s just hope there is someone to tell them.
As the sun came up on Saturday, Kyiv is still there. After warnings that the city was facing its most dangerous hours so far, the night was full of statements that involved the words “heavy fighting.” But it’s still there. Also still there—in spite of a stepped-up Russian propaganda effort that tried to make people think otherwise—President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the other leaders of the elected government. On Friday evening, the U.S. offered to assist Zelenskyy in getting out of Kyiv to ensure the continuance of the Ukrainian government. Zelenskyy had a very different idea of where he should be.
“The fight is here,” he said. “I need ammunition, not a ride.”
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Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 · 9:46:04 AM EST · Mark Sumner
The statement from Snake Island is becoming the 21st century version of “Nuts”
Mark Sumner
Three days into Russia’s senseless war of aggression, some locations in Ukraine are becoming familiar. It’s not just the Capitol of Kyiv. It’s a stretch of highway near Kharkiv, a much fought over bridge in the middle of Kherson, a tiny island off the coast where no one lives … but where 13 men and women died rather than surrender.
Our picture of these places is far from complete. We see them in flashes, momentarily appearing in tweets and news reports next to the words “was taken,” “was lost,” or simply “has survived.” We see them backlit by explosions. We see them entering into history, even while we watch. We certainly don’t see them in full; we’re getting the trailer, but missing the film. More stories will emerge from each of these places, and from too many others. Those stories will have the sound and terror and elation and disgust and everything else we’re not getting at the moment. Let’s just hope there is someone to tell them.
As the sun came up on Saturday, Kyiv is still there. After warnings that the city was facing its most dangerous hours so far, the night was full of statements that involved the words “heavy fighting.” But it’s still there. Also still there—in spite of a stepped-up Russian propaganda effort that tried to make people think otherwise—President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the other leaders of the elected government. On Friday evening, the U.S. offered to assist Zelenskyy in getting out of Kyiv to ensure the continuance of the Ukrainian government. Zelenskyy had a very different idea of where he should be.
“The fight is here,” he said. “I need ammunition, not a ride.”
............
Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 · 9:46:04 AM EST · Mark Sumner
The statement from Snake Island is becoming the 21st century version of “Nuts”
