Tim MakFeb 24

Good morning readers; #Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.

4 years ago today, Polina and Daria woke up to one of the worst days in Ukraine's history, which also happened to be their birthday.

Since then both women have adapted their birthdays and learned to celebrate amidst grief. https://www.counteroffensive.news/p/russians-stole-my-birthday

Russians stole my birthday

Born on Feb. 24, Polina and Dariia watched Russia turn their birthdays into a national anniversary, and now negotiate joy and grief on the same date.

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak
Show threadTim MakFeb 24
Polina Kotiuk booked a hotel in #Kharkiv to spend the night with her boyfriend and celebrate her birthday.
Show threadTim MakFeb 24
She was in a festive mood after receiving flowers, gifts, and congratulations from friends and family. She planned to celebrate for three days because she loved throwing parties – and why not use any excuse?
#birthday #war #ukraine
Show threadTim Mak
A little further south, in #Cherkasy, Dariia Cherep was also preparing for her day.
She planned to celebrate her 17th birthday with a dozen friends at a cafe.
#ukraine
Feb 24 at 3:06pmWeb
Show threadTim MakFeb 24
They both woke up on February 24, 2022, at 5 a.m., not yet processing that this day would no longer be a celebration. #Russia had turned it into a date that would symbolize national mourning.
Show threadTim MakFeb 24
For Polina and Dariia, this date was their special day long before it became a national day of mourning. For them, February 24, a day that used to be about cake, friends, and feeling loved, is now overshadowed by grief.
#ukraine #war
Show threadTim MakFeb 24
To find out how Polina and Dariia spent their birthdays on February 24th, 2022 and how that day reshaped their celebrations - read the full story through the link! https://www.counteroffensive.news/p/russians-stole-my-birthday
Russians stole my birthday

Born on Feb. 24, Polina and Dariia watched Russia turn their birthdays into a national anniversary, and now negotiate joy and grief on the same date.

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak
Show threadTim MakFeb 24

#NEWS OF THE DAY:

KREMLIN BUYS STRATEGIC REAL ESTATE ACROSS EUROPE: Kremlin-linked entities are buying real estate and even islands across #EU and the #UK. https://ua.korrespondent.net/world/4857556-rosiia-skupovuie-stratehichnu-nerukhomist-v-yevropi

Show threadTim MakFeb 24
#HUNGARY BLOCKS #EU SUPPORT FOR #UKRAINE: As EU leaders traveled to #Kyiv to mark the anniversary of Russia’s war, Hungary blocked the bloc’s 20th sanctions package against Moscow and threatened to veto a €90 billion loan for Ukraine’s defense. https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ukraine-visit-hungary-blocks-russia-sanctions-funding-feud-viktor-orban/
The EU is going to Ukraine empty-handed ― thanks to Hungary

This is how Budapest spoiled EU’s carefully choreographed trip to Kyiv.

POLITICO
Show threadTim MakFeb 24
#AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCED BIGGEST #SANCTIONS PACKAGE AGAINST #RUSSIA: The Australian government announced the biggest sanctions package against Russia, which included 180 new restrictions targeting Russian individuals, companies, and shadow fleet vessels. https://suspilne.media/1248416-avstralia-ogolosila-najbilsij-paket-sankcij-proti-rosii-so-potrapilo-pid-obmezenna/
Австралія оголосила найбільший пакет санкцій проти Росії з 2022 року

На річницю початку повномасштабного вторгнення Австралія ввела найбільший пакет санкцій проти Росії з 2022 року, що охоплює фінанси, оборонку, транспорт та криптовалютні організації — Суспільне Новини

Суспільне | Новини
Show threadTim MakFeb 24
Find out more about resilience, memory, and the emotions that refuse to fade through the link! https://www.counteroffensive.news/p/the-anniversary-effect-ukrainians
The ‘anniversary effect’: Ukrainians live by a trauma calendar

As Feb. 24 approaches, Ukrainians feel it on a physical level—with the sudden onset of insomnia, anxiety, and appetite loss. They’re dealing with a phenomenon that pops up near the war anniversary.

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak
Show threadTim MakFeb 24

#DOG OF #WAR:

Zoriana saw this playful pup in a coffee shop near the office. When she asked the owner for a photo, he gladly agreed and said that some of our colleagues had already photographed him. It seems all our local dogs have become stars of The Counteroffensive!

Show threadTim MakFeb 24

Read real stories directly from our on-the-ground team in #Ukraine.

Be a part of our story – subscribe now for unmatched content.

Join us through the link! https://www.counteroffensive.news

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

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.

Show threadZZ BottomFeb 24
@timkmak ❤️
Show threadFaraiweFeb 24
@timkmak the main problem with that headliner is that we can never tell the exact date, or what iteration is it...
Show threadChristo. London, EnglandFeb 24
@timkmak
Why are Hungary still in the EU?
Show threadTim MakFeb 24

#NEWS OF THE DAY:

KREMLIN BUYS STRATEGIC REAL ESTATE ACROSS EUROPE: Kremlin-linked entities are buying real estate and even islands across #EU and the #UK. https://ua.korrespondent.net/world/4857556-rosiia-skupovuie-stratehichnu-nerukhomist-v-yevropi