Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
Back when Taras had both of his arms, he liked to play his Lira, an instrument popular in Ukraine since the 17th century.
But after his left arm was blown off in Bakhmut last year, he had to find another way.
He fashioned a strap which allows him to carry the Lira.
But for the time being, he cannot play the instrument, as it requires two hands if you want to play more than one note.
Taras hopes that in a few months will he get his prosthesis and get back to playing the instrument he loves.
Taras made this instrument himself:
“Look at how fine it is. Is it not fine?”
He smiles proudly and leans the body of his cappucino-coloured Lira forward to admire the glossy back and run his index finger along the instrument’s edge.
The existential threat posed by Russia’s invasion to Ukraine has forced Ukrainian performers to think more about how they can use their art to express their identity.
Many musicians have turned to fusing together traditional folk culture with more mainstream musical forms.
Keep reading today's issue to learn how the warring nation turns to quintessentially #Ukraine 's art in order to protect its endangered identity.
Click on the link in the bio.
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A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week! Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
NEWS OF THE DAY:
RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA TARGETS UKRAINE:
#Russia spreads propaganda on social media to polarize Ukraine.
The campaign aims to destabilize Ukrainian society by undermining trust in its leadership, dividing elites, demoralizing troops and demotivating population.
UKRAINE REPELLED THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE IN THE SOUTHEAST:
#Ukraine repelled Russia's offensive last Saturday on the Zaporizhzhia front.
The Ukrainian troops have destroyed 18 out of 30 pieces of Russian equipment.
70 Russian soldiers were killed and approximately 80 were wounded.
RUSSIA CAN REPEAT TACTICS USED IN AVDIIVKA:
#Russia can successfully scale up its Avdiivka capture tactics if the West keeps delaying military assistance to #Ukraine.
The Russian success relied on the mass use of glide bombs, which provided air support to advancing infantry troops.
US TO AID UKRAINE WITH RUSSIAN FUNDS:
The US will transfer $500,000 from confiscated Russian funds to #Ukraine via Estonia.
The transfer will be the second case of the US Justice Department giving confiscated Russian funds to Ukraine.
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A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week! Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
Hi folks, it’s Alessandra here.
When I told Taras I was writing an article about folk music in #Ukraine he asked if I had ever heard of the Kobarskyi Tsekh.
I had not.
‘It’s lucky that you are writing this now, because there is a very important concert that is about to take place,’ Taras says to me, while shifting to adjust the empty sleeve on his left side.
The Kobzarskyi Tsekh held the concert to commemorate the birthday of a famous Ukrainian musician.
The interior of the building is what one might expect from a Soviet era museum: faux marble floors, windows draped in heavy velvet curtains and the smell of damp.
But when you find the entrance to the concert hall, you find something you would likely only find in Ukraine.
Access the full issue to keep reading Alessandra's reflections on how Ukraine's century-old heritage is fueling its present-day morale.
Follow along through the link in the bio.
It's free!
A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week! Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
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A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week! Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
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