The battle continues, not just at ground zero.

This is a several hours old, but for the most part the Russians haven't secured a major city yet or made much progress on the ground.

However, intense fighting right now in all directions around Kyiv as the Russians are trying to assault the city. The Russians have recaptured Hostomel airport to the northwest of the city.

And likewise heavy fighting at Kherson in the south at an important connection across the Dnipro river as Russians advance into the city.

And heavy attacks on Kharkiv and Mariupol.

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I expected the American Right to be completely bonkers on Ukraine, they've been unmoored from reality for awhile now, but I didn't expect to see American Leftists adopt the talking points of Putin so readily. Putin is no friend to leftist values.

Whatever flaws the Ukrainian government has it is still a democracy with competitive, free elections and peaceful transitions of power.

Since independence they have worked to join the international liberal community. They have flourishing civil society organizations.

And they have far more freedom of speech and civil liberties than Russia under Putin.