Hello to readers!
Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands, but was among the cities targeted in an especially aggressive wave of drone and air strikes overnight.
This thread's theme is advice from the OGs:
Sebastian Junger
Chris Hedges
Kim Dozier
…on war correspondence
But first the news: The Russian air campaign had appeared to be in something of a "lull" since March, per Reuters, but had been renewed over the last ten days with attacks all across the country.
Russia launched its biggest swarm of drones for months against Ukraine on Monday, the eve of Russia's May 9 holiday celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, striking the capital Kyiv and the Black Sea city of Odesa and shelling other cities.
Tomorrow – Tuesday – is Russia’s Victory Day, a holiday to mark the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.
There is a parade scheduled on the Red Square, but security is tight especially following a series of unexplained drone attacks in Moscow.
I remember palpable feeling of tension last year when Victory Day came around. It was a mostly a symbolic milestone.
Putin arguing Russia had no choice to invade; and Zelenskyy countering: soon Ukraine would have two Victory Days, "and [Russia] will not have even one left."
Today's Counteroffensive newsletter focuses on the advice longtime combat reporters -- Sebastian Junger, Chris Hedges and Kim Dozier -- had for me as I return back to Ukraine this week.
If you haven't signed up yet, free or paid, please do!
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.
Hello from Paris’ Charles De Gaulle airport, where I’m en route to Warsaw, Poland. Warsaw and Krakow have become common hubs for humanitarian workers, politicians, and reporters trying to find their way into Ukraine.
I’ll be in-country later this week.
Sebastian Junger doesn't even jaywalk anymore.
The end point for him was when his reporting partner Tim Hetherington, who he co-directed Restrepo with, was killed in Libya in 2011.
Chris Hedges is the author of my favorite book on combat reporting, ‘War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning,’ a book about the addictive and seductive nature of war – for both correspondents and societies.
He spent twenty years covering war.
But his first piece of advice was not about addiction. It was about the importance of learning language.
I've taken nineteen in-person Ukrainian tutoring lessons so far!
If you subscribe, I'll be able to take even more ;)
Hedges also warned of the seductive nature of war, like moths to the flame, trying to cheat death.
"You just live very intensely... the colors are even heightened."
And he recalled a story of a friend who went too far:
Kim Dozier, whose exploits are too grand and numerous to name on a character-limited forum like this, talked about how to be a leader of your small team.
...to check for sixth senses.
…To create an "oasis of calm" for your colleagues.
"Humor is a survival tool," she exclaimed.
Today’s dog of peace is Bianca, who I snapped a shot of before the invasion happened, when I reporting from DC.
She is a much-loved dog who was once given special permission to be brought before the Mueller grand jury as emotional support for a witness.
I hope you'll join the new newsletter. As I mentioned above, I'm back in Ukraine this week. We'd love to have your subscription -- free or paid!
counteroffensive.substack.com/subscribe
Best,
Tim
Tim Mak
Jennifed
Breck Beatie