Tim MakMay 12, 2023

Good morning to readers. Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.

And I’m back in the capital.

The counteroffensive for which this publication is named after may still be a ways off.

Ukraine is waiting for more equipment from its western partners, Zelenskyy said.

Show threadTim Mak

"We can go forward and be successful," Zelenskyy told reporters.

"But we'd lose a lot of people. I think that's unacceptable. So we need to wait. We still need a bit more time."

https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-updates-counteroffensive-needs-time-zelenskyy-says/a-65588225

Ukraine updates: Counteroffensive needs time, Zelenskyy says

A planned counteroffensive against Russian forces will have to wait until the military has had more time to prepare, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Meanwhile, the EU and G7 are discussing sanctions. DW has the latest.

Deutsche Welle
May 12, 2023 at 2:50pmWeb
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023

Meanwhile the head of the Wagner Group, the Russian mercenary organization, said that Ukraine's counteroffensive is “in full swing.” “Zelenskyy is lying,” said Yevgeny Prigozhin.

https://www.businessinsider.com/wagner-group-prigozhin-zelenskyy-ukraine-counteroffensive-full-swing-2023-5

Wagner boss says Ukraine counteroffensive in 'full swing' amid counterattack

But Ukraine has reportedly called it a "positional struggle," and Zelenskyy has said Kyiv still needs more time.

Insider
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023
It's the topic on everyone's lips in Kyiv, where I returned last night. Some think that the shaping and reconnaissance operations that make up the ‘pre-Counteroffensive’ have already begun.
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023
"Ukrainian forces likely broke through some Russian lines in localized counterattacks near Bakhmut," the Institute for the Study of War assessed in their Thursday night update.
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-11-2023
Institute for the Study of War

Ukrainian forces likely broke through some Russian lines in localized counterattacks near Bakhmut, prompting responses from Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD). Ukrainian Eastern Group of Forces Commander

Institute for the Study of War
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023
Another Ukrainian told me: “You know, when it starts, they’re not going to sound a horn, and say, ‘ATTENTION, THE COUNTEROFFENSIVE IS STARTING!’”
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023

The Counteroffensive newsletter today begins with Andriy Stepanenko, a pseudonym for a Ukrainian drone pilot we visited in the hospital today. We cover his injuries, and his greatest fear for the counteroffensive. Hope you'll subscribe, free or paid:

http://counteroffensive.news

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Compelling human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.

Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023
Even as the country braces for this major combat operation, there is this fear among soldiers – Andriy Stepanenko being just one of them – that many civilians are returning to a pre-February 2022 mentality.
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023
Indeed, the crisis and fear that characterized the early days of the war, when Russian forces surrounded much of Kyiv, is gone. Two humanitarian workers estimated that 85% of the foreign volunteers who had showed up in the immediate aftermath of the invasion had returned home.
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023

And as we drove from western Ukraine to Kyiv, there were no signs of the checkpoints that characterized the early days of the war. Instead, bridges were being repaired. Shot-up gas stations were being reopened.

Pictured: Cow of war being transported

Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023

At the entrance to Kyiv, two disinterested soldiers waved cars through without stopping to ask for identification or passports. People are trying to pretend like life is going on as normal. They’re enjoying the cool, sunny days of spring.

Photos: Lviv in Spring

Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023

The process of reentering Ukraine was also smoother than before.

A Polish customs officer poked around our luggage, asking playfully, "Rifle, maybe?"

"No, no rifles!" we insisted.

Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023
Every time I’ve entered Ukraine by car in previous rotations, it had been sunny on the Polish side – and then immediately thunderous or snowy or rainy on the Ukrainian side. This time it was sunny all the way through. I’m hoping it’s a good omen.
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023
I’ve been working on my Ukrainian. As we entered one cafe, Ross ordered a coffee for me. “Hold on,” I said with a boastful grin, holding up my hand. “Let me order one myself!” “можне американо, будь ласка,” I said to the barista, rather proudly...
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023

She replied to me with fast, staccato delivery, a flurry of Ukrainian language.

I looked at her blankly. I was once again helpless.

I grimaced and turned to Ross again for help. 

Everyone laughed, even me.

“She said you have excellent pronunciation,” he translated.

Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023
Today’s dog of peace is Arlo, a newly adopted dog who is just excited to be with his new family in Washington, D.C. Stay safe out there.
Show threadTim MakMay 12, 2023
If this thread interested you -- and you are concerned we might get disconnected by our capricious tech oligarch overlords, sign up to get it, free or paid at: http://counteroffensive.news
The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Compelling human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.

Show threadTinaQuiltsMay 12, 2023
@timkmak Stevie says hi. Well he would if he was awake.
Show threadKnowAttitudeMay 12, 2023

@timkmak

There comes a moment in the process of learning another language, that hopefully you get to experience, when suddenly you realize the native-language speakers don't speak fast, they talk at a normal pace, and now you hear it that way.

Show threadMonarchLadyMay 12, 2023
@timkmak HEARING a language is at least 10 times as hard as speaking it.
Show threadNathan CarpenterMay 12, 2023
@timkmak seeing that yellow field and that blue sky makes their choice of flag design so obvious. Be safe, and thank you for your reporting!
Show threadDigbyMay 14, 2023

@timkmak

I just subscribed to your substack. Stay safe. #SlavaUkrani.

Show threadDigbyMay 14, 2023
@timkmak
http://counteroffensive.news
The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Compelling human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of subscribers.

Show threadRobert DenbyMay 12, 2023

@timkmak

I imagine this feeling decreases as one gets closer to the front? I hope.

Show threadSean BalaMay 12, 2023
@timkmak I understand that one cannot remain on a war-footing forever but this is a bit worrisome. I'm not there but from the outside, it really does not look like the danger has passed. I can imagine if the Ukrainians get close to Crimea, it might have a wider effect on the rest of Ukraine. But I really can't blame people for wanting a bit of peace and relaxation. As always, thank you for your updates!
Show threadDamnKimberleeMay 12, 2023
People who know the real liars are!🇷🇺@timkmak