Ukraine updates in English

[US7IGN]

All Ukrainian pilots noted that piloting the F-16 is much easier than the old Soviet aircraft. I would put the version that it was a pilot's error last. Although, due to the technical complexity and age of the F-16, there could be technical problems that the pilot could not cope with in the air. But we understand that neither Ukraine nor the Pentagon will ever publicly admit that their planes have problems.

Moreover, the USA will not take on such responsibility. Perhaps this is why the USA distanced itself even from their service. You can always blame Ukrainian pilots and technical staff for everything.

The Biden administration has rejected a military proposal to send American contractors to Ukraine to maintain Western military equipment, including F-16 jet fighters, over concerns about safety, U.S. officials say. https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/white-house-rejects-plan-to-send-americans-to-ukraine-to-maintain-f-16s-34fa1967?mod=Searchresults_pos3&page=1

The deputy of the Verkhovna Rada and the deputy head of the defense committee Maryana Bezugla, known for criticizing the Ukrainian military command, wrote on her Facebook page that the fighter jet could have been mistakenly shot down by "friendly fire" from the Patriot air defense system, and that the military leadership is hiding this.

Such a statement of hers caused a wave of emotions, and the answer: "No one has hidden anything and does not hide anything!" - said the commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk, regarding the circumstances of the plane crash.

In the evening after the release of this material, Volodymyr Zelenskyi dismissed Mykola Oleshchuk from his post. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cp3d2lvw0pvo

It is difficult to assume that the F-16 was shot down by the Patriot, since they must have a system of recognition of own-alien. But an anti-aircraft missile could explode next to a russian missile, next to which the plane could also be, trying to attack it. Perhaps someday the truth will be declassified, but for now we can only guess.

[N0TZU]

I think we agree, Wlad. There are many possibilities, so to dismiss the Air Force commander so soon, apparently without conclusion of investigation, seems hasty. I can understand there may be other reasons.

To clarify my earlier point: Being easier to fly is one thing, but the pilot was in combat conditions which adds more dimensions and requirements for split-second reactions. Having compressed training in the F16 is not ideal, and having to overcome the memory of similar training and experience in Soviet aircraft could have been a factor adding to whatever occurred. If that is true I would not consider it to be pilot error. I think the pilot did the best he could.

[US7IGN]

As I heard, there are no more air battles like in WWII. The plane is now a carrier of bombs and missiles and a target for other missiles.

Today russians have attacked energy facilities again, a lot of destruction and injuries in Sumy and Kharkiv. There are more power outages. People are asking me again to repair their old radios, but I don't have time for that.

[UT7UX]

Hi Gene!

Hey Gene,

Bob, Jaye, and everyone, have a good day! So nice to hear you all guys. And special thanks to Wlad for keeping the thread going on.

[US7IGN]

The air defense work and explosions woke me (and not only me) up again at night. According to Ukraine’s military, 22 cruise and air ballistic missiles were destroyed by the air force. Local authorities say three people were injured by debris from destroyed missiles.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wjey4kkp0o

Unfortunately, no one talks about the destruction caused by the unshot missiles, but characteristic flashes on the horizon and vibrations indicated hits.

Everyone arrived at the office late, were sluggish and at lunch went to a family restaurant of one of the colleagues to celebrate his birthday. However, it looked more like a continuation of the discussion of work issues during lunch. I was very tired and went home early without waiting for desserts. The team seems great and I am afraid to get used to good people.

Kate, with whom I spoke for a long time on the phone, received many emotions from the first day at the lyceum. After all, the teachers and the atmosphere there are very different from her previous school.

The situation with Ukrainian education is difficult. In an interview with BBC, the Minister of Education of Ukraine Oksen Lisovy, who is known for plagiarism during the defense of the dissertation, says that we have a shortage of teachers in the country. We have the most acute shortage of computer science teachers, mathematics teachers, and English language teachers. The average salary of a teacher is equivalent to approximately US$300. But the minister says that it will be possible to at least double their salary no earlier than when the budget receives at least 1-1.5 billion additional funds to begin with. There is a big problem with security and bomb shelters and the organization of education in schools during blackouts.
https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c23lre84g37o

Chinese companies are prohibited from supplying UAVs, electronic warfare equipment and parts for them to Ukraine. Some companies have already refused to cooperate with Ukrainians. As of September 1, the Chinese government is implementing new restrictions on the export of drone components from China that could potentially be used for military purposes, and Ukrainian manufacturers have already faced problems. As the South China Morning Post writes, the Chinese government published a directive on export restrictions on July 31. According to the document, government agencies will strictly control where manufacturers will deliver the following products:
- high-precision inertial measuring devices;
- synthetic aperture radars;
- engines with an output power of more than 16 kilowatts;
- means for wireless communication with a range of more than 50 km;
- consoles that can control more than 10 drones simultaneously;
- jammers for drones for civil use with an effective range of more than 5 km.
https://focus.ua/uk/digital/662602-kitay-pozbavlyaye-ukrajinu-droniv-ta-reb-shcho-mozhe-vryatuvati-virobnictvo-i-armiyu
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3272636/china-imposes-export-controls-drone-parts-military-and-civilian-use

The problem of military desertion from the Ukrainian army has reached a threatening scale. At first, the punishments were increased, but unable to punish the deserters, the authorities are ready to forgive them, if only they return to the ranks. The situation with deserters is difficult, but the consequence of an inconsistent policy against war crimes will be an even lower drop in the motivation of military personnel to defend the country. https://www.dw.com/uk/dezertirstvo-v-zsu-desatki-tisac-sprav-ale-do-sudu-dovodat-odinici2-a-69597844/a-69597844

The situation with mobilization is not getting better either. According to the current legislation, employees of mobilization centers have no right to detain conscripts under any circumstances - only police officers are authorized to do this. Otherwise, they can be held accountable - both administratively and criminally. However, as a rule, law enforcement officers are in no hurry to react to the fact that the employees of the mobilization centers exceed their official powers.

As a result, the motivation of citizens to join the military service decreases significantly. Instead, the fear of entering the army increases. Impunity breeds lawlessness. And using war to justify the fact that mobilization centers employees are not punished for exceeding their powers is a very bad idea. After all, war should not be an indulgence for impunity. https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2024/09/2/7472979/

[KD8ZM-Brady]

To clarify my earlier point: Being easier to fly is one thing, but the pilot was in combat conditions which adds more dimensions and requirements for split-second reactions. Having compressed training in the F16 is not ideal, and having to overcome the memory of similar training and experience in Soviet aircraft could have been a factor adding to whatever occurred. If that is true I would not consider it to be pilot error. I think the pilot did the best he could.

I agree with this. "easier" or "harder" is too simplistic a way to look at it. Which is easier, the guitar or the piano? For me, guitar. For a pianist, the piano. But you won't train me to be a pianist in six months, even though both are musical instruments. 

[US7IGN]

I agree with this. "easier" or "harder" is too simplistic a way to look at it. Which is easier, the guitar or the piano? For me, guitar. For a pianist, the piano. But you won't train me to be a pianist in six months, even though both are musical instruments.

I don't think it's an apples and oranges comparison, more like going from an Icom 718 to an Icom 7800. But I don't know any pilots personally to ask about that. It would be great if one of them wrote a book about this after the war.

Last night I woke up again because the air defenses were shooting down drones. Not getting enough sleep every night because of air attacks is unpleasant, but so far I don't feel my condition getting worse. Also, it was time for another visit to the doctor, but he said that I should do some tests first. As soon as I receive my first salary, I will immediately start doing this.

Today there is a tragedy in Poltava, where some of my friends live. Fortunately, they were not hurt, but two ballistic missiles hit the military institute of communication and the hospital located nearby. More than 40 dead and 200 wounded, but the rubble is still being cleared. https://24tv.ua/poltavskiy-viyskoviy-institut-zvyazku-shho-vidbuvalos-moment_n2633098
https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cwy520l7gddo

The military institute of communication is a logical target for enemy attacks, but this could have been foreseen. Some accuse the military command of negligence and consider it unacceptable to gather cadets and troops en masse in one place. It is a pity that there is no possibility to organize military training outside the country.

Coincidentally, this was preceded also by an announcement: on the basis of one of the military units of the Poltava Region, a company of unmanned attack aircraft complexes is being formed, to which everyone is invited. Preference will be given to specialists in the fields of radio communication, aerodynamics and programming. The task of the unit will include working with new types of UAVs designed for both strike and reconnaissance operations. https://www.telegraf.in.ua/around/10131783-na-bazi-odniyeji-z-vijskovih-chastin-poltavschini-formujut-rotu-udarnih-bezpilotnih-aviacijnih-kompleksiv.html

Meanwhile, the Verkhovna Rada did not support the draft law on raising taxes https://psm7.com/uk/gosudarstvennye-organy/rada-ne-pidtrymala-zakonoproyekt-pro-pidvyshhennya-podatkiv.html

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, dismissed Rostyslav Shurma from the position of Deputy Head of the Office of the President. It was previously reported that the ex-director of Zaporizhstal, deputy head of the OP Rostislav Shurma, who was mentioned in August 2023 in the context of the scandal with state payments to solar plants in the occupation, got into the president's team a few years ago and gradually became the person who is in Zelensky's eyes. responsible for the entire economy". https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2024/09/3/7473311/

The Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, was still dismissed, but the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NEC Ukrenergo, Daniel Dobeny, and the member of the Supervisory Board, Peder Andersen, made an official statement that they too are resigning because they consider the decision to dismiss the head of Ukrenergo to be politically motivated. In their opinion, based on the results of the presented report, there are no reasonable grounds for it. They stated that "From the first days of our work in the Supervisory Board of Ukrenergo, we felt political pressure and observed constant attempts to bypass the competition to appoint people whose professional qualities were doubtful. We regularly received reports from the company's management during meetings about the negative impact on the company's reputation of anonymous sources in social networks and pressure on employees from law enforcement agencies.

And today, in conditions where the corporate management of the company according to OECD standards is called into question, we do not see the possibility of continuing our work in the Supervisory Board of Ukrenergo. Violating the principles of corporate governance and making a decision to dismiss its manager without proof of improper management is unacceptable and may affect Ukrenergo's further cooperation with ENTSO-E member operators." https://biz.nv.ua/ukr/markets/chleni-naglyadovoji-radi-ukrenergo-podali-u-vidstavku-50447980.html

It reminds me of my work in a state bank, where I saw with my own eyes how corruption won and the board member with whom I and my team worked left the bank due to disagreement with this.

Minister of Justice Denys Malyuska, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Protection Ruslan Strelets and Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin also resigned today. In addition, a resignation letter was received from the head of the State Property Fund, Vitaliy Koval and Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Olha Stefanishyna. https://delo.ua/economy/troje-ministriv-ta-golova-fdm-podali-u-vidstavku-435962/
https://unn.ua/news/olha-stefanishyna-podala-zaiavu-pro-vidstavku
The situation with these people is different because they are part of the current government team. Some suggest that rats leave a sinking ship.

The National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) has started monitoring and control over the possible violation of the anti-corruption legislation by the director of National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Semen Kryvonis. This was announced by the first deputy director of NABU Gizo Uglava on his Facebook page, "Law and Business" informs. "I filed a statement about the existence of a real conflict of interest with the NABU director in relation to me to the disciplinary commission and in the name of the director himself. But it was ignored by all of the above. At the same time, a similar application was submitted to the relevant body - NAPC," G. Uglava noted. https://zib.com.ua/ua/162948.html

But instead Uglava himself was fired. The director of NABU made a decision to apply disciplinary sanctions in the form of dismissal to the first deputy director of the Bureau for committing a disciplinary offense - violation of the oath of office of a civil servant, violation of the rules of ethical behavior of civil servants, the Law of Ukraine "On Civil Service", the Code of Ethics of the NABU employee, - reported in NABU https://aspi.com.ua/news/politika/direktor-nabu-krivonos-zvilniv-svogo-zastupnika-uglavu-0#gsc.tab=0

It is extremely difficult to understand what is happening in the country, but the activity is very high. At the same time, the streets of Kyiv look very empty considering the beginning of the school year. Previously, this meant a mass return of people and traffic jams on the roads.

[N0TZU]

What a mess.

[US7IGN]

What a mess.

Personally, it reminds me of an old joke.
- Do you believe in reforms?
- My grandfather had a brothel in Odessa and when things were going badly for him, he changed prostitutes, but did not rearrange the beds.

So in Ukraine, people loyal to the authorities move from one position to another, while independent ones are gradually squeezed out.

At the same time, thanks to the support of partners, the financial situation of Ukraine remains quite stable.

The Ministry of Finance reported that Ukraine announced the successful completion and settlement of its debt restructuring operation for thirteen series of sovereign Eurobonds and the sovereign-guaranteed Eurobonds issued by Ukravtodor.
This transaction was undertaken to restore Ukraine’s debt sustainability, preserve macroeconomic stability, and free up state budget resources in the face of continued russian military aggression against Ukraine.
The restructuring process involved the exchange of thirteen series of sovereign Eurobonds and one series of the Ukravtodor sovereign-guaranteed Eurobonds, with approximately USD 20.5 billion of outstanding principal amount (around USD 24 billion including accrued interests), into eight new Eurobonds series with USD 15.2 billion in principal amount.
As a result of this transaction, Ukraine’s state and state guaranteed debt has been reduced by close to USD 9 billion. This represents an upfront nominal haircut of 37% and a present value haircut of approximately 60%, based on a 14% discount rate—making it one of the largest haircuts in recent sovereign debt restructurings.
The restructuring decreases immediate debt servicing payments by 93%, leading to savings of USD 11.4 billion over the next three years. Moreover, debt servicing costs through 2033 will be reduced by about 77%, generating total savings of USD 22.8 billion.
This deal aligns with the IMF’s Program debt sustainability targets and has been endorsed by Ukraine’s Group of Creditors.
https://mof.gov.ua/en/news/ukraine_completes_the_restructuring_of_usd_205_billion_sovereign_and_sovereign-guaranteed_eurobonds-4772

But I was very surprised by what the IMF will become the first major international financial body to send its official mission to russia since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Aleksei Mozhin, the IMF's russian executive director, told Reuters on Tuesday. https://www.reuters.com/world/imf-conduct-first-mission-russia-since-covid-moscow-says-2024-09-03/

[US7IGN]

Today I woke up again to the work of the air defense, but in Kyiv everything was calm. This attack was aimed mainly at Lviv, where people died and buildings in the historical center of the city were destroyed. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c4glyq85q5vo

Germany is sticking to its plan to deliver 12 IRIS-T SLM air defence systems to Ukraine, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, clarifying that he was referring to previous commitments. Four units have been supplied, two more are expected to be shipped by the end of the year, with the leaving six to be delivered at a later stage. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-sticking-kyiv-air-defence-supply-plan-source-says-2024-09-03/

From February 2024, russia officially resumed mass production of the FAB-3000, announcing its modernization to the FAB-3000-M54 version, which became a guided glide bomb. The new bomb weighs more than 3,000 kg, of which 1,200 kg is explosive. Its feature is the ability to hit targets at a considerable distance with high accuracy. https://flot2017.com/rf-vidnovyla-masove-vyrobnytstvo-planuiuchykh-bomb-v-isw-poiasnyly-shcho-zahrozhuie-ukrainskym-mistam/

The rotation of ministers continues, although everyone admits that the position of deputy head of the Office of the President is more important than the position of minister. However, the authorities are going to create another ministry - the Ministry of Return of Ukrainians. For me as a lawyer, all this is a ridiculous farce, when the president and parliament, whose powers have long expired, dismiss at least formally legitimate ministers. However, it is time to get used to the fact that laws are written and are mandatory for execution only for the poor. If you can seize and hold power, this is no longer your problem.

[US7IGN]

Fatigue accumulates and at the end of the week I feel unwell. However, the first salary has been received and next week I will undergo examinations and visit the doctor. We will find out my objective indicators under load.

Now is my favorite weather - not cold and not hot, yellow leaves on the trees and very beautiful, but I'm not in the mood.

An attempt to get some sleep was unsuccessful again. Drones were buzzing very close and were shot down right overhead. Fortunately, no one was hurt in Kyiv this time and there was no destruction. https://unn.ua/news/nichna-ataka-rosiiskykh-droniv-na-kyiv-usi-bezpilotnyky-znyshcheni-sylamy-ppo Flashes in the window and loud explosions, accompanied by the screaming horns of cars on the street and the clatter of neighbors running for cover have long since become a common occurrence at night.

While the authorities are presenting the capture and retention of part of the Kursk region in russia as an achievement, the russians have advanced and have moved on to attacks on Pavlograd, which is already in the Dnepropetrovsk region. https://unn.ua/news/udar-balistykoiu-po-pavlohradu-kilkist-poranenykh-zrosla-do-64 They have not yet captured neighboring Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, but its fate is predetermined.

russia had been planning to launch a new attack on Ukraine from the Kursk region before Kyiv’s surprise cross-border incursion, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky told CNN in an exclusive interview. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/05/europe/ukraine-army-chief-kursk-incursion-exclusive-intl/index.html

Syrsky said that there’s no doubt that Ukraine is outgunned and outmanned as it tries to defend itself against the russian aggression.
“The enemy does have an advantage in aviation, in missiles, in artillery, in the amount of ammunition they use, of course, in personnel, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles,” he said.

Syrskyi said recruiting more soldiers was a priority. The Ukrainian government then passed a controversial mobilization law, requiring all men between 18 and 60 to register with Ukraine’s military and to carry their registration documents on them at all times – an effort to make the recruitment process more transparent and fair. Seven months later, the new recruits are arriving to the frontlines. But several commanders have told CNN that not all of the new soldiers are ready to fight and are routinely abandoning their positions.

Syrsky admitted his troops are heading to the battlefield after receiving less training than he’d like them to. “Of course, everyone wants the level of training to be the best, so we train highly qualified professional military personnel,” he said. “At the same time, the dynamics at the front require us to put conscripted servicemen into service as soon as possible,” he added, explaining that new recruits get one month of basic military training followed by half a month to a full month of more specialized training before they are sent to fight.

People joke that there is no point in training soldiers for a long time and spending resources on them if they live very little after getting to the front.

That is why no one wants to fight in such conditions and recruits have to be beaten and mobilized by force, and some weak recruits die even before getting to the front.
https://www.stroimdom.com.ua/uploads/monthly_2024_09/tck002.MP4.7be287e736c8cad2f98856bda9079ab0.MP4

Some of these cases are recorded by surveillance cameras or relatives of the deceased try to talk about it publicly, but the answers from mobilization centers are always the same and deny violations of laws by mobilization center employees.
https://sud.ua/uk/news/ukraine/309896-v-ttsk-sdelali-zayavlenie-o-smerti-mobilizovannogo-grazhdanina-na-zakarpate#google_vignette

Syrsky told that the delays in US military assistance did cause major setbacks on the battlefield and led to a slump in morale – something he admitted was still an issue.

The USA cited another reason for refusing to grant permission for strikes deep into the russian federation. ATACMS will not be able to hit russian warplanes because they are based outside the range of these missiles. https://ukranews.com/ua/news/1031829-u-ssha-nazvaly-shhe-odnu-prychynu-vidmovy-nadaty-dozvil-na-udary-vglyb-rf

In July 2024, the difficult energy situation caused a significant increase in migration abroad. Since the beginning of the year, the number of migrants has increased by almost 400,000 people. This is reported by the National Bank. According to UN estimates, the number of Ukrainian migrants in the world reached 6.739 million people, compared to 6.58 million people a month ago (that is, the number increased by 160 thousand). https://sud.ua/uk/news/ukraine/309955-s-nachala-2024-goda-ukrainu-pokinuli-esche-400-tysyach-chelovek-natsbank

Ukraine is running out of money for the salaries of the military. While there may still be enough money to finance official salaries, there is no money to pay "combat" allowances. The Verkhovna Rada must urgently vote on changes to the state budget in order to pay servicemen their earnings on time. https://facts.today.ua/u-verhovnij-radi-vyznaly-shho-v-ukrayini-zakinchylys-groshi-dlya-zarplat-vijskovym-yakyj-vyhid-bachyt-vlada/

[KD8ZM-Brady]

Wlad, glad to hear that you are beginning to collect a paycheck, no matter what the amount. That is so important to a person's mental well-being!
Very sorry to hear that your health is making you feel worse, compounded by explosions nearby - who wouldn't be negatively affected by that?

On the domestic front here, it's clear that the Democrats in the US will support Ukraine, but only as far as to keep them on life support and not to actually achieve victory or bring Russia to the negotiatng table with reasonable demands. Hence I am inclined to vote for the alternative, on hopes that the alternative will be a bit more gutsy and take a little more risk in angering the terrorists. (Of course, there is also a risk that they will do the opposite and abandon Ukraine, although I doubt that... no politician wants to look like a loser).

I am not asking anyone to vote my way, I am only expressing how I'm inclined to think. All politicians lie about what they'll do once in office, so a voter is reduced to making their best guess - I don't fault anyone for guessing differently than I do. Hopefully that is understood. Admittedly, we have very poor candidate choices either way.

[N0TZU]

Wlad, It’s excellent that you received your first salary in this job, and as Brady said it’s very important both financially and psychologically. I hope you will feel better this weekend and that the upcoming doctor visit and tests will be helpful.

As for support of Ukraine, I have not forgotten that Republican extremists in the US House of Representatives were responsible for the inexcusable nearly 6 month delay in weapons shipments to Ukraine, and many of their fellow party members went along. I also remain extremely frustrated with the continued failure of Biden to allow US weapons to be used broadly against Russia.

 It’s clear that Putin will not use nuclear weapons in this war, and that Ukraine must have what it needs from (primarily) the US in order to succeed. Yes, Biden must consider opinions of some reticent NATO members, especially the perennially pacifist Germans, but they are also highly dependent on the US.

True to his KGB training and proven by history, Putin always prefers to operate in the shadows by degrees rather than risk open confrontations. He is a bully with a bully’s pretense but is actually a coward. One might ask why then did he dare to attack Ukraine? It’s clear that he did so only based on his belief, supported by sycophants in Russian intelligence and the military, that it would be over in days with few casualties, and the West would not intervene in any way.

[US7IGN]

I have absolutely no time recently, but yesterday there was a fantastic online meeting with members of the Swedish club SK1BL, organized by Eric SM1TDE. Unfortunately there were connection problems at first, but the hour flew by like a minute. The attention and support from the Swedish radio amateurs were very inspiring!

On the night of September 7-8 there was a strong air attack on Kyiv and fortunately all the missiles and drones were shot down. But the drones were able to fly into the city and their buzzing was very audible. When they and the missiles were shot down right overhead, flashes lit up the entire sky and the walls shook from the shock wave. After nights like this you feel exhausted.

Last night was quieter and the drones were shooting down further, so I got almost enough sleep.
https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-shakhedy-kyyiv-ataka-kmva-ppo-viyna/33112597.html

The work on the restoration of the Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital, which was badly damaged by a rocket attack two months ago, may be postponed until next year. This was reported by the Minister of Health Zoryana Skaletska. https://www.komersant.info/roboty-z-vidnovlennia-okhmatdytu-mozhut-zamorozyty-do-nastupnoho-roku-skaletska/
This is one of the best examples of how corruption works.

It is predicted that in winter, residents of large cities will spend 16 hours a day without electricity. https://mis.dp.ua/news-ua/bez-svitla-po-16-godyn-na-dobu-v-yakyh-mistah-vzymku-bude-najskladnisha-sytuacziya

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to mediate in negotiations with the United States regarding Patriot deliveries, Messaggero reported on September 8 with reference to its sources. https://nv.ua/ukr/world/countries/ppo-dlya-ukrajini-zelenskiy-poprosiv-prem-yera-italiji-meloni-stati-poserednikom-u-peregovorah-50449284.html

On August 28, 2024, the mayor of Vyshgorod, Oleksiy Momot, announced that a poisonous substance was found in the Desna River, which flows into the Dnipro River from which Kyiv receives its water, and which flows downstream from the russian border. It is expected that this water will be in the Kyiv region already tomorrow. I have a supply of drinking water in bottles for almost a month, so I will use it until the real situation in the city water supply is clear.
https://nashkiev.ua/news/ruh-zabrudnenoi-vodi-u-desni-spovilnyuetsya-u-napryamku-kieva-podrobitsi

Ukraine has banned russian prisoners of war from making phone calls. Such restrictions do not contradict the Geneva Convention. https://www.slovoidilo.ua/2024/09/08/novyna/suspilstvo/ukrayina-zaboronyla-vijskovopolonenym-rosiyanam-telefonni-dzvinky
I and other Ukrainians are simply shocked by the government's care of captured russians. There is an opinion that they are kept in better conditions than some Ukrainians live, especially those who lost their homes during the hostilities.

Not everyone knows that the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Sirsky, is russian, so not everyone will understand the latest joke about the Kursk offensive. They say that he decided to take a vacation and go home to his mother, but also took several brigades of the Ukrainian army with him.

[KD8ZM-Brady]

Wlad, what you describe at night is unimaginable. I have a hard enough time sleeping when there are mere fireworks displays outside, though they are far away (as occurs during July 4th celebrations in the USA). May God bless you, and also the Swedish radio club for lifting your spirits at times!