Ukraine update: 'For some people this day is not good. For some people this day is the last one.'

The square outside the city hall of Kharkiv, where neighboring buildings were destroyed by Russian shelling overnight.

Every day of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has brought amazing stories. Again and again, there have been shots of Russian convoys abandoned along highways—or converted into slag in an ambush. There have been bridges retaken. Assaults repulsed. Russian units that seemed unassailable … right before they were destroyed or captured.

Even more than improbable underdog military victories, there have been those scenes of Ukrainian people demonstrating incredible fortitude. The farmers who towed away an idling tank. The man who gave directions back to Russia. Schoolteachers and bartenders working together to make thousands of Molotov cocktails. Protesters shouting in the faces of occupiers. The sunflower woman.

This war has demonstrated that the Russian military’s vaunted skill and competence is a myth. Those ten-foot-tall soldiers have started to look like garden gnomes. Their tactics farcical. Vladimir Putin’s vaunted strategic skills have started to look a lot like Hitler fuming in his bunker. The damage that Putin did to Russia when he launched this war is inestimable.

In contrast, the Ukrainians have emerged as tough, united, and incredibly lovable—the kind of people we would all like to imagine ourselves becoming in such a crisis. They look like heroes. Because they are. But they’re also human. For five days, they have performed miracles, but every street in Ukraine is starting to look the same: the rubble of apartments and shops shattered by missiles, the pavement pockmarked by the impact of cluster weapons, everything dimmed behind a pall of concrete dust and smoke.

Don’t expect a miracle every day.

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 4:19:01 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Continuing coverage can be found here.

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:18:06 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy spoke to E.U. ministers in an effort to accelerate Ukraine’s admission into the E.U. and with a request that Russian actions be classified as terrorism. That speech got a standing ovation from those assembled in person to watch Zelenskyy speaking from Kyiv. For a former comedian, Zelenskyy showed — again — that he not only has a grasp of the military and economic situation, but a very good sense of the human tragedy unfolding around him.

Ukrainian President Zelensky speech to European Parliament: “I cannot say good morning or good evening…because every day for some people this day is not good. For some people this day is the last one. I speak today now of my citizens, citizens of Ukraine…”

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:19:01 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Translator chokes up as Zelensky addresses the European Parliament: "Nobody is going to break us. We are strong. We are Ukrainians. We have a desire to see our children alive. I think it's a fair one." pic.twitter.com/AqOzmMPuFx

— Zach Basu (@zacharybasu) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:20:57 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

On Monday evening, Russian forces completed an encirclement of the city of Kherson — scene of fierce fighting over the last five days, and a key to the southeastern route into Kyiv. On Tuesday, those forces began moving into the city and are now occupying parts of the city center.

📽️ #Kherson, Russian troops and APCs on the streets #Ukraine #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/VRuMJ7abip

— MilitaryLand.net (@Militarylandnet) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:25:02 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Meanwhile, another blockade of Russian forces by ordinary, unarmed civilians has taken place near Mariupol. Scenes like this one have been among the most extraordinary of the war. The fact that these groups have succeeded in halting or slowing the Russian advance on at least three occasions, without resulting in mass casualties, is a strong signal that Russian forces identify with the Ukrainians and are reluctant to engage in the brutality seen in Chechnya or Syria.

If there’s a reason to hope that the first phase of this war might end short of Vladimir Putin’s goals, this is it.

📽️Civilians blocking the passage of another Russian column in #Melitopol #Ukraine #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/eGRPdq8PNU

— MilitaryLand.net (@Militarylandnet) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:26:29 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Russian defence ministry is warning - according to the TASS and RIA - that it is about to strike several targets in Kyiv. One at least may be in the very heart of the city.

— Polina Ivanova (@polinaivanovva) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:28:59 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Some of the news of NATO nations presenting Ukraine with new planes on Monday appears to have been exaggerated — the news out of Poland was not. The anger and frustration of Polish officials from the outset of the invasion has been extreme, and the desire to punch back at the Russians is strong. And here’s a big roundhouse left. 

See update below: It now appears these planes are NOT coming.

BREAKING: Ukrainian pilots are currently in Poland to transfer the 28 MiG-29 jets- Ukrainian official

— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:43:04 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

There’s a special irony to the Ukrainian Air Force receiving a shot in the arm in the form of MiG-29 fighter jets. These are, of course, Soviet-era jets made primarily in Russia, with the oldest ones dating back to the late 1970s. However, their age doesn’t mean they’re bad. The MiG-29 is an incredibly agile plane, regarded as on par with more modern fighters like the U.S. F-18 when it comes to it ability to handle tight turns and fast maneuvers.

But the Russians gave them away like popcorn. 

They did this because the MiG-29 has a very limited range (less than 900 miles), meaning that it can’t stay airborne for more than an hour or two and can’t reach far into enemy territory. For the Russians, whose plans called for fighting aggressive campaigns where fighters would be conducting long sorties, this was inadequate. So Russia sold MiG-29s everywhere and even gave them away in efforts to improve relations. You can find them in air forces on every continent short of Antarctica. Even the U.S. military has some for testing purposes.

As a result of hundreds of these dated planes being out there, a whole industry grew up around updating the electronics and other systems in MiG-29s, making the current planes more of a “multirole” weapon, capable of performing limited support and bombing operations in addition to plane-to-plane combat. The “Ghost of Kyiv” — if he or she actually exists — supposedly flies a MiG-29.

And now Ukraine is getting more of them.

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:45:56 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Ukrainian refugees now number over half a million. As the Kyiv Independent reports: “Thousands more are still trying to get through the clogged borders, waiting in the cold for hours on end in cars or on foot with only minimal belongings.”

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:48:39 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Another shot of U.N. representatives — including the U.S. ambassador — leaving the U.N. Human Rights Council chamber as Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov begins to speak. Just a brief reminder: Lavrov is the same guy Michael Flynn was calling to keep him informed about the Trump transition.

Representatives of the EU, the US and the UK left the room during Lavrov's speech at the U.N. human rights forum pic.twitter.com/IyIlt2PWRJ

— Hanna Liubakova (@HannaLiubakova) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 1:57:07 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

A map of rail stations in Ukraine from the national railway service. The red stations are “out of service” and give a good idea of where Russian forces have managed to either occupy a town or surround it sufficiently to block rail traffic. (Note: map taken from a Twitter post by Financial Times correspondent Polina Ivanova.)

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 2:20:47 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Reversing news that was enthusiastically being pushed out just an hour ago, it now seems that European nations have changed positions on donating those MiG-29s to the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian fighter pilots actually are in Poland, but they may be coming home by train.

Why this decision was made — especially with a massive Russian convoy knocking on the door of Kyiv — is unclear.

It's official - Europe won't transfer fighter planes to Ukraine. Poland decided not to, and Slovakian defense ministry spokesperson confirms to me just now: “Slovakia will not provide fighter jets to Ukraine."

— Paul McLeary (@paulmcleary) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 2:23:46 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Air raid sirens sounding in Kyiv. This may signal the big incoming catastrophe that Russia was bragging about earlier.

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 2:29:18 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Reports today that volunteer platoons are being formed by fighters who have come from Chechnya and Syria to help Ukraine. Russia has a lot of pigeons out there, and some of them would desperately like to come home for some aggressive roosting.

Also, there’s this group of volunteers from Belarus, appealing to their countrymen.

‼️ #Belarusian volunteers recorded an appeal to Belarusian soldiers pic.twitter.com/wDMK62V8iy

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 2:35:52 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

A reminder that Daily Kos is raising funds to help those escaping Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Over $80,000 has been raised so far.

The number of refugees is now over 600,000. Please help them out.

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 2:43:40 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The length and makeup of that Russian convoy continues to baffle onlookers. Positioning so many vehicles so tightly together seems like an invitation for disaster. Many of the vehicles are fuel trucks or supply trucks carrying materiel needed by Russian forces deeper in Ukraine — the kind of vehicle easily taken out by handheld weapons. 

There have been questions about whether creating such an absurdly long and vulnerable convoy marks a confidence on the part of Russian commanders that they have eliminated the possibility of assault or attack from the air. There have also been suggestions that this is another sign of Russia’s general tactical incompetence.

There’s no reason it can’t be both.

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 2:46:23 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

As I was just saying, but in a lot fewer words …

Walking this decision back while a 40 mile long tank and artillery column bears down on a city of 3 million people is madness. https://t.co/bDNPH1qUdP

— Oz Katerji (@OzKaterji) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 2:51:10 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

More Russian advances in Kherson. While Ukrainian troops have rallied to counterattack and retake areas of the city several times in the last five days, this is a far more extensive incursion than Russia has managed previously. There doesn’t currently seem to be any fighting underway to hold back Russian forces. 

📽️Russian forces taking control over the railway station in Kherson #Kherson #Ukraine #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/oloU3xJKtt

— MilitaryLand.net (@Militarylandnet) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 3:01:25 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Hillary Clinton making it clear that the only people who can really act to contain Putin’s madness are not the leaders in the U.S. or the E.U. or even soldiers in Ukraine — it’s the people “sitting at the other end of those 40’ tables … they need to act.”

Hillary Clinton on Vladimir Putin: "His behavior is dangerous and it's dangerous to the future of Russia." pic.twitter.com/uvO1sRFD0X

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 3:18:55 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

One target of the Russian missile attack appears to have been Ukrainian broadcast tower at Kyiv. Considering how badly Ukraine has been thrashing Russia in the war of public opinion, maybe Putin thought this would keep Zelenskyy from being able keep up the national spirit.

❗️The invaders attacked the #Kyiv TV tower. pic.twitter.com/DGGgSXhf5a

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 3:20:44 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Even if Russia is randomly throwing missiles at civilian areas, they seem to be doing a remarkably good job of hitting hospitals. Almost like they’re targeting medical facilities, in violation of some of the oldest rules of war. 

The destroyed #Kharkiv hospital as a result of a #Russian airstrike. pic.twitter.com/BMMCEszyQX

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 3:23:37 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Russia’s attack on the broadcast facility in Kyiv has taken local television stations off the air.

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 3:25:14 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Another missile has struck an apartment building in Kyiv. At the same time, reports are that Russian forces are attempting to move into the city. 

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 3:30:23 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

That multi-camera view of cities in Ukraine is currently showing what appears to be explosions and a possible Russian convoy moving through the city of Zaporzhizia. This is northeast of Kherson and directly south of Dnipro.

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 3:47:13 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Ukrainian protesters in Kupyansk, who had stood up to Russian troops occupying their town, have been dispersed using tear gas. That Russian forces are equipped with tear gas at all speaks to their intention to become an urban occupation force.

Розігнали людей гранатами чи чимось іншим підараси pic.twitter.com/SUEl3vTYgM

— Борода (@drunk_cachallot) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 3:49:39 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Ukrainian defense forces warning that Russia is again spreading rumors that the Ukrainian government has surrendered. Following Russia’s attack on the television tower and the media vacuum it creates, expect there to be an accelerated effort by Russia to push false claims of defeat and surrender.

Шановні українці!
Будьте готовими до чергового фейку, до якого спробують вдатися російські окупанти. А саме: що нібито українське керівництво та уряд здали країну.https://t.co/04AtAT4bla pic.twitter.com/PgCvklWJ7V

— Генеральний штаб ЗСУ (@GeneralStaffUA) March 1, 2022

Tuesday, Mar 1, 2022 · 3:54:06 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

There are many reasons why Zelenskyy opened his speech by stating that he could not say “good morning or good day.” 

The shelves inside the shops are now bare. Without supply lines, grocery stores can no longer restock. Ukraine’s allies must act fast to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/bi02WcYBzl

— Oz Katerji (@OzKaterji) March 1, 2022