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Mo News: Six Months Of Hell In Ukraine

Author

Mosheh Oinounou
August 22, 2022

**Check out the Mo News daily podcast AND please subscribe to the show! Your listens, show follows and reviews have launched us up the charts---into the Top 10 News Podcasts on Apple and Spotify!Tune In ****Don't forget to subscribe to the Mo News Newsletter and consider joining us as a premium member for additional, exclusive content.**

Hi everyone,

On Wednesday, Ukraine will celebrate its Independence Day. The same day will also mark six months since Russia invaded the country. In today's newsletter, we break down the state of the war, what comes next, the threat of a new nuclear disaster and how the war has impacted the world.

Plus,

  • When you can expect the Biden administration's decision on student loans;

  • New polling on how Americans feel about the direction of the country, the economy, and November's midterm elections;

  • The defense team in the Parkland mass shooter's trial will attempt to save his life in their case to jurors;

  • A mass shooting averted in Washington state;

  • Why Dennis Rodman thinks he can get Brittney Griner out of prison;

  • And, our weekly Good Mood Monday story.

I will see you tonight at 9pmET on my regular Mondays with Mosh Instagram Live. Bring your questions.

🎙 Preview: In Wednesday's premium edition, we will bring you the final part of our conversation with former CIA Director Michael Morell on all things Russia, Ukraine and Vladimir Putin. Morell takes us inside how the former KGB agent thinks. Sign up for premium to receive it.

~ Mosh

🇺🇦 SIX MONTHS OF WAR

This Wednesday, August 24, marks six months since Putin's military forces invaded Ukraine. The Ukrainians successfully fought off the initial Russian attempt to take over in a matter of days. The war has turned into a prolonged military stalemate as the Russians have captured about 25 percent of the country, and the two sides battle it out in the southern and eastern territories. The toll has been immense: tens of thousands dead and wounded, millions of refugees, billions in damage, countless communities destroyed and huge global economic ramifications.

**Check out the Mo News daily podcast AND please subscribe to the show! Your listens, show follows and reviews have launched us up the charts---into the Top 10 News Podcasts on Apple and Spotify! Tune In ** **Don't forget to subscribe to the Mo News Newsletter and consider joining us as a premium member for additional, exclusive content.** Hi everyone, On Wednesday, Ukraine will celebrate its Independence Day. The same day will also mark six months since Russia invaded the country. In today's newsletter, we break down the state of the war, what comes next, the threat of a new nuclear disaster and how the war has impacted the world. Plus, When you can expect the Biden administration's decision on student loans; New polling on how Americans feel about the direction of the country, the economy, and November's midterm elections; The defense team in the Parkland mass shooter's trial will attempt to save his life in their case to jurors; A mass shooting averted in Washington state; Why Dennis Rodman thinks he can get Brittney Griner out of prison; And, our weekly Good Mood Monday story. I will see you tonight at 9pmET on my regular Mondays with Mosh Instagram Live. Bring your questions. 🎙 Preview: In Wednesday's premium edition, we will bring you the final part of our conversation with former CIA Director Michael Morell on all things Russia, Ukraine and Vladimir Putin. Morell takes us inside how the former KGB agent thinks. Sign up for premium to receive it. ~ Mosh 🇺🇦 SIX MONTHS OF WAR This Wednesday, August 24, marks six months since Putin's military forces invaded Ukraine. The Ukrainians successfully fought off the initial Russian attempt to take over in a matter of days. The war has turned into a prolonged military stalemate as the Russians have captured about 25 percent of the country, and the two sides battle it out in the southern and eastern territories. The toll has been immense: tens of thousands dead and wounded, millions of refugees, billions in damage, countless communities destroyed and huge global economic ramifications. Kyiv | Getty Images Kharkiv | Getty Images The devastating scenes from the last six months are hard to erase from our memory - like the airstrike in early March that devastated a maternity ward in the city of Mariupol. The hospital was hit by a series of blasts that blew out windows. Mariupol | Photo via AP News It’s been a long and difficult six months, with no end in sight, as diplomatic talks continue to fail. Here’s where the war stands today: We saw another weekend of fire and fury erupt in both Ukraine and Russia. Inside Russia: The daughter of one of Putin’s key allies was killed by a car bomb that exploded near Moscow. Daria Dugina, 29, died on the spot when the vehicle she was driving exploded and burst into flames. Russian authorities say the bomb was placed under the car on the driver's side. Officials believe it was a planned and targeted attack. Her father was supposed to ride with her, but last minute decided to take a separate vehicle. Russian authorities have launched a murder investigation. Daria is the daughter of Russian nationalist Alexander Dugin, nicknamed “Putin’s Brain” for helping laying the philosophical groundwork for the decision to invade Ukraine. He reportedly has significant influence over President Vladimir Putin, and believes Russia should take over all nations once controlled by the Soviet Union. Both Dugin and his daughter have advocated for Russia's war on Ukraine. They have reportedly said that Russia can only thrive if Ukraine is defeated. The Ukrainian government has denied any responsibility for the attack. A mysterious new group, called the National Republican Army, declared responsibility. The Kremlin was quick to demand revenge… an ominous message spurring heightened fears of attacks, just as Ukraine’s president warns Russia could do something “particularly cruel” on Ukraine's Independence Day on Wednesday. Ukraine Fights Back: Ukraine has begun what appears to be a counter-offensive, targeting deep inside Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine--including with the use of drones. Russia's Black Sea fleet suffered a direct hit by a Ukrainian drone that slammed into its headquarters early Saturday, resulting in massive explosion. Video of the attack showed a plume of thick, black smoke rising over a clear, blue sky. State of Emergency in Sevastopol/Te via The New York Post Threat of nuclear catastrophe: Fears of disaster have lasted for months, when Russia first seized Europe's largest nuclear plant in March. Ukraine is now fighting to take back control, and the battle is concerning many Western and UN officials. Ukrainian intelligence announced Friday that they feared a Russian strike on the massive Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The concern was so acute that some nearby residents abandoned their homes and fled over the possibility of an attack. Some experts dismiss the threat of a Chernobyl-like incident, given the precautions engineers have taken and the fact that several reactors are shut down, but still are worried about the proximity of the fighting. ~BBC News Ukrainian President Zelensky accused Russia of conducting “blackmail with radiation." ~Washington Post The Washington Post Military Latest: The size and scope of Russia’s military capability dwarfed Ukraine’s – one of the reasons why Putin expected this war to end quickly. His forecast couldn’t have been more off. The Russian forces repeatedly underperformed, showcasing poor tactics, aging equipment, haphazard organization and terrible morale. Meanwhile, Ukraine out-performed expectations and successfully withstood the assault--with the help of the West. It is now in the midst of training with, and utilizing, their new western arsenal. U.S. Military Aid: The Pentagon's latest shipment of weapons to Ukraine included $775 million in arms and equipment. It’s the 19th aid package since the war started. ~ New York Times 40 armored vehicles equipped with giant rollers to clear minefields ahead of any Ukraine ground operation 50 armored troop-carrying Humvees 1,500 TOW guided missiles 1,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles 16 HIMARS rockets (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) and 36,000 rounds of ammunition The U.S. is capping the number of HIMARS launchers sent to Ukraine at 16 over fears that any more would burn through our own stockpile of rockets and put our combat readiness in danger. Human Toll/Refugee Crisis: The official UN number puts the civilian death toll at just over 5,000, but they acknowledge this is likely a huge undercount. Ukrainians officials already put the civilian death toll at more than 40,000 earlier this summer. That is beyond the estimated tens of thousands of soldiers who have been killed on both sides. The UN estimates that more than 11 millions Ukrainians, more than 1/4 of the country's population have become refugees. Many of the refugees are women and children. All men aged between 18 and 60 have been asked to remain in Ukraine to fight. Millions have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, with neighboring countries absorbing many of the refugees. 🇵🇱 Poland: 5,439,431 🇷🇺 Russia: 2,197,679 🇭🇺 Hungary: 1,188,983 🇷🇴 Romania: 1,044,292 🇸🇰 Slovakia: 690,337 🇲🇩 Moldova: 573,228 🇧🇾 Belarus: 16,689 The impact of the war stretches far beyond the boundaries of Ukraine’s borders. It has brought the western alliance closer together, with Sweden and Finland applying to join NATO. But the war continues to weigh on the global economy and impact inflation: Gas prices have hit record highs, heightened energy costs have millions preparing for a dark winter in Europe, and food shortages are leading to widespread hunger across the developing world. Here are 6 more takeaways from Bloomberg News. 🗞 THE SPEED READ The prosecution is done. Now, Nikolas Cruz's attorneys must work to save his life (Palm Beach Post) Parkland mass shooter Nikolas Cruz will be back in court today, where jurors will return to the courtroom to hear, for the first time, the gunman's defense team in the trial over his 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Prosecutors are pushing for the death penalty for Cruz, which would take a unanimous decision by jurors. The defense team will emphasize Cruz's childhood of abuse and trauma as they make their case for life in prison. Cruz has already pleaded guilty to premeditated murder and attempted murder for killing 17 and wounding 17 others. NBC News poll: 57% of voters say investigations into Trump should continue (NBC News) New NBC News polls Sunday revealed insight into voter’s positions on a variety of topics in the aftermath of the search of Mar a Lago. Highlights from the poll found that 57% of respondents believe the investigations into former President Trump should continue, while 40% disagree, saying they are politically motivated. A poll on midterm elections found a majority of respondents want to see a GOP-led Congress come November. An overwhelming majority of Americans, 74%, say the country is on the wrong track, and a record 58% say America’s best years are behind us. On the economy, 68% believe the U.S. is in a recession. Education Secretary says Biden administration will announce decision on student loan payments in the next week(The Hill) The Biden administration will announce its decision on whether it will extend the pause on student loan debt next week, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said yesterday. The current deadline, August 31, is quickly approaching. The big question is whether the White House also decides to make a bigger announcement on debt cancellation. Deputies arrest man who reportedly had plans to shoot up Washington music festival (Fox News) Deputies arrested a Washington man who may have had plans to commit a mass shooting during a concert on Friday night. Concertgoers at the “Bass Canyon Festival” reported a suspicious man in the parking lot to security officers, after witnesses say they saw the man inhale an unknown gas from a balloon, load two 9mm pistols from the trunk of his car, and tuck both weapons inside his waistband. The man, who is now identified as 31-year-old Jonathon Moody, allegedly asked people what time the concert ended and where people would be exiting the venue, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Moody was arrested on suspicion of one count of possession of a dangerous weapon, and one count of unlawful carrying or handling of a weapon. Dennis Rodman Planning Trip to Russia to Seek Brittney Griner Release: 'I Know Putin Too Well' (People) Dennis Rodman, the Chicago Bulls legend who has become known for meetings with the likes of world dictators Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, says he’s going to Russia to push for Brittney Griner’s release, after the WNBA star was sentenced to nine years in prison. “I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC News this weekend, not saying exactly who he got permission from. “I’m trying to go this week.” Rodman has become known in the past decade for rubbing elbows with political figures that have tense relationships with the U.S. He has spoken in multiple interviews about his personal friendship with North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. And in 2014, he accepted an invitation by Vladimir Putin to meet in Moscow, later calling the Russian president “cool as f—.” ☀️ GOOD MOOD MONDAY The Iowa State Fair smashed the Guinness World Record for the largest cornhole tournament on Saturday. 730 people with bean bags in hand helped the Hawkeye State beat the previous Guinness World Record, set in San Diego in a 2019 tournament with 444 players. ~ Des Moines Register Bryon Houlgrave/The Register ⭐️ Premium Content: Enjoying Mo News? Want access to newsmaker interviews, extra editions every week, additional content in an exclusive Facebook group and an opportunity to ask me questions directly? Sign Up for our premium newsletter subscription. It will help us grow the newsletter and continue to expand to multiple platforms. Special Deal: 15% off to become an annual member. 🎙Subscribe to our Mo News podcast Apple | Spotify | More Platforms 📰 Miss a day? Check out past newsletters here 📧 Any questions or feedback about this newsletter? Email Us 📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and TikTok

Kyiv | Getty Images

**Check out the Mo News daily podcast AND please subscribe to the show! Your listens, show follows and reviews have launched us up the charts---into the Top 10 News Podcasts on Apple and Spotify! Tune In ** **Don't forget to subscribe to the Mo News Newsletter and consider joining us as a premium member for additional, exclusive content.** Hi everyone, On Wednesday, Ukraine will celebrate its Independence Day. The same day will also mark six months since Russia invaded the country. In today's newsletter, we break down the state of the war, what comes next, the threat of a new nuclear disaster and how the war has impacted the world. Plus, When you can expect the Biden administration's decision on student loans; New polling on how Americans feel about the direction of the country, the economy, and November's midterm elections; The defense team in the Parkland mass shooter's trial will attempt to save his life in their case to jurors; A mass shooting averted in Washington state; Why Dennis Rodman thinks he can get Brittney Griner out of prison; And, our weekly Good Mood Monday story. I will see you tonight at 9pmET on my regular Mondays with Mosh Instagram Live. Bring your questions. 🎙 Preview: In Wednesday's premium edition, we will bring you the final part of our conversation with former CIA Director Michael Morell on all things Russia, Ukraine and Vladimir Putin. Morell takes us inside how the former KGB agent thinks. Sign up for premium to receive it. ~ Mosh 🇺🇦 SIX MONTHS OF WAR This Wednesday, August 24, marks six months since Putin's military forces invaded Ukraine. The Ukrainians successfully fought off the initial Russian attempt to take over in a matter of days. The war has turned into a prolonged military stalemate as the Russians have captured about 25 percent of the country, and the two sides battle it out in the southern and eastern territories. The toll has been immense: tens of thousands dead and wounded, millions of refugees, billions in damage, countless communities destroyed and huge global economic ramifications. Kyiv | Getty Images Kharkiv | Getty Images The devastating scenes from the last six months are hard to erase from our memory - like the airstrike in early March that devastated a maternity ward in the city of Mariupol. The hospital was hit by a series of blasts that blew out windows. Mariupol | Photo via AP News It’s been a long and difficult six months, with no end in sight, as diplomatic talks continue to fail. Here’s where the war stands today: We saw another weekend of fire and fury erupt in both Ukraine and Russia. Inside Russia: The daughter of one of Putin’s key allies was killed by a car bomb that exploded near Moscow. Daria Dugina, 29, died on the spot when the vehicle she was driving exploded and burst into flames. Russian authorities say the bomb was placed under the car on the driver's side. Officials believe it was a planned and targeted attack. Her father was supposed to ride with her, but last minute decided to take a separate vehicle. Russian authorities have launched a murder investigation. Daria is the daughter of Russian nationalist Alexander Dugin, nicknamed “Putin’s Brain” for helping laying the philosophical groundwork for the decision to invade Ukraine. He reportedly has significant influence over President Vladimir Putin, and believes Russia should take over all nations once controlled by the Soviet Union. Both Dugin and his daughter have advocated for Russia's war on Ukraine. They have reportedly said that Russia can only thrive if Ukraine is defeated. The Ukrainian government has denied any responsibility for the attack. A mysterious new group, called the National Republican Army, declared responsibility. The Kremlin was quick to demand revenge… an ominous message spurring heightened fears of attacks, just as Ukraine’s president warns Russia could do something “particularly cruel” on Ukraine's Independence Day on Wednesday. Ukraine Fights Back: Ukraine has begun what appears to be a counter-offensive, targeting deep inside Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine--including with the use of drones. Russia's Black Sea fleet suffered a direct hit by a Ukrainian drone that slammed into its headquarters early Saturday, resulting in massive explosion. Video of the attack showed a plume of thick, black smoke rising over a clear, blue sky. State of Emergency in Sevastopol/Te via The New York Post Threat of nuclear catastrophe: Fears of disaster have lasted for months, when Russia first seized Europe's largest nuclear plant in March. Ukraine is now fighting to take back control, and the battle is concerning many Western and UN officials. Ukrainian intelligence announced Friday that they feared a Russian strike on the massive Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The concern was so acute that some nearby residents abandoned their homes and fled over the possibility of an attack. Some experts dismiss the threat of a Chernobyl-like incident, given the precautions engineers have taken and the fact that several reactors are shut down, but still are worried about the proximity of the fighting. ~BBC News Ukrainian President Zelensky accused Russia of conducting “blackmail with radiation." ~Washington Post The Washington Post Military Latest: The size and scope of Russia’s military capability dwarfed Ukraine’s – one of the reasons why Putin expected this war to end quickly. His forecast couldn’t have been more off. The Russian forces repeatedly underperformed, showcasing poor tactics, aging equipment, haphazard organization and terrible morale. Meanwhile, Ukraine out-performed expectations and successfully withstood the assault--with the help of the West. It is now in the midst of training with, and utilizing, their new western arsenal. U.S. Military Aid: The Pentagon's latest shipment of weapons to Ukraine included $775 million in arms and equipment. It’s the 19th aid package since the war started. ~ New York Times 40 armored vehicles equipped with giant rollers to clear minefields ahead of any Ukraine ground operation 50 armored troop-carrying Humvees 1,500 TOW guided missiles 1,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles 16 HIMARS rockets (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) and 36,000 rounds of ammunition The U.S. is capping the number of HIMARS launchers sent to Ukraine at 16 over fears that any more would burn through our own stockpile of rockets and put our combat readiness in danger. Human Toll/Refugee Crisis: The official UN number puts the civilian death toll at just over 5,000, but they acknowledge this is likely a huge undercount. Ukrainians officials already put the civilian death toll at more than 40,000 earlier this summer. That is beyond the estimated tens of thousands of soldiers who have been killed on both sides. The UN estimates that more than 11 millions Ukrainians, more than 1/4 of the country's population have become refugees. Many of the refugees are women and children. All men aged between 18 and 60 have been asked to remain in Ukraine to fight. Millions have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, with neighboring countries absorbing many of the refugees. 🇵🇱 Poland: 5,439,431 🇷🇺 Russia: 2,197,679 🇭🇺 Hungary: 1,188,983 🇷🇴 Romania: 1,044,292 🇸🇰 Slovakia: 690,337 🇲🇩 Moldova: 573,228 🇧🇾 Belarus: 16,689 The impact of the war stretches far beyond the boundaries of Ukraine’s borders. It has brought the western alliance closer together, with Sweden and Finland applying to join NATO. But the war continues to weigh on the global economy and impact inflation: Gas prices have hit record highs, heightened energy costs have millions preparing for a dark winter in Europe, and food shortages are leading to widespread hunger across the developing world. Here are 6 more takeaways from Bloomberg News. 🗞 THE SPEED READ The prosecution is done. Now, Nikolas Cruz's attorneys must work to save his life (Palm Beach Post) Parkland mass shooter Nikolas Cruz will be back in court today, where jurors will return to the courtroom to hear, for the first time, the gunman's defense team in the trial over his 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Prosecutors are pushing for the death penalty for Cruz, which would take a unanimous decision by jurors. The defense team will emphasize Cruz's childhood of abuse and trauma as they make their case for life in prison. Cruz has already pleaded guilty to premeditated murder and attempted murder for killing 17 and wounding 17 others. NBC News poll: 57% of voters say investigations into Trump should continue (NBC News) New NBC News polls Sunday revealed insight into voter’s positions on a variety of topics in the aftermath of the search of Mar a Lago. Highlights from the poll found that 57% of respondents believe the investigations into former President Trump should continue, while 40% disagree, saying they are politically motivated. A poll on midterm elections found a majority of respondents want to see a GOP-led Congress come November. An overwhelming majority of Americans, 74%, say the country is on the wrong track, and a record 58% say America’s best years are behind us. On the economy, 68% believe the U.S. is in a recession. Education Secretary says Biden administration will announce decision on student loan payments in the next week(The Hill) The Biden administration will announce its decision on whether it will extend the pause on student loan debt next week, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said yesterday. The current deadline, August 31, is quickly approaching. The big question is whether the White House also decides to make a bigger announcement on debt cancellation. Deputies arrest man who reportedly had plans to shoot up Washington music festival (Fox News) Deputies arrested a Washington man who may have had plans to commit a mass shooting during a concert on Friday night. Concertgoers at the “Bass Canyon Festival” reported a suspicious man in the parking lot to security officers, after witnesses say they saw the man inhale an unknown gas from a balloon, load two 9mm pistols from the trunk of his car, and tuck both weapons inside his waistband. The man, who is now identified as 31-year-old Jonathon Moody, allegedly asked people what time the concert ended and where people would be exiting the venue, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Moody was arrested on suspicion of one count of possession of a dangerous weapon, and one count of unlawful carrying or handling of a weapon. Dennis Rodman Planning Trip to Russia to Seek Brittney Griner Release: 'I Know Putin Too Well' (People) Dennis Rodman, the Chicago Bulls legend who has become known for meetings with the likes of world dictators Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, says he’s going to Russia to push for Brittney Griner’s release, after the WNBA star was sentenced to nine years in prison. “I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC News this weekend, not saying exactly who he got permission from. “I’m trying to go this week.” Rodman has become known in the past decade for rubbing elbows with political figures that have tense relationships with the U.S. He has spoken in multiple interviews about his personal friendship with North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. And in 2014, he accepted an invitation by Vladimir Putin to meet in Moscow, later calling the Russian president “cool as f—.” ☀️ GOOD MOOD MONDAY The Iowa State Fair smashed the Guinness World Record for the largest cornhole tournament on Saturday. 730 people with bean bags in hand helped the Hawkeye State beat the previous Guinness World Record, set in San Diego in a 2019 tournament with 444 players. ~ Des Moines Register Bryon Houlgrave/The Register ⭐️ Premium Content: Enjoying Mo News? Want access to newsmaker interviews, extra editions every week, additional content in an exclusive Facebook group and an opportunity to ask me questions directly? Sign Up for our premium newsletter subscription. It will help us grow the newsletter and continue to expand to multiple platforms. Special Deal: 15% off to become an annual member. 🎙Subscribe to our Mo News podcast Apple | Spotify | More Platforms 📰 Miss a day? Check out past newsletters here 📧 Any questions or feedback about this newsletter? Email Us 📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and TikTok

Kharkiv | Getty Images

The devastating scenes from the last six months are hard to erase from our memory - like the airstrike in early March that devastated a maternity ward in the city of Mariupol. The hospital was hit by a series of blasts that blew out windows.

Mo News: Six Months Of Hell In Ukraine

Mariupol | Photo via AP News

It’s been a long and difficult six months, with no end in sight, as diplomatic talks continue to fail. Here’s where the war stands today:

Mo News: Six Months Of Hell In Ukraine

  • We saw another weekend of fire and fury erupt in both Ukraine and Russia.Inside Russia: The daughter of one of Putin’s key allies was killed by a car bomb that exploded near Moscow.Daria Dugina, 29, died on the spot when the vehicle she was driving exploded and burst into flames. Russian authorities say the bomb was placed under the car on the driver's side. Officials believe it was a planned and targeted attack. Her father was supposed to ride with her, but last minute decided to take a separate vehicle. Russian authorities have launched a murder investigation.Daria is the daughter of Russian nationalist Alexander Dugin, nicknamed “Putin’s Brain” for helping laying the philosophical groundwork for the decision to invade Ukraine. He reportedly has significant influence over President Vladimir Putin, and believes Russia should take over all nations once controlled by the Soviet Union.Both Dugin and his daughter have advocated for Russia's war on Ukraine. They have reportedly said that Russia can only thrive if Ukraine is defeated.The Ukrainian government has denied any responsibility for the attack. A mysterious new group, called the National Republican Army, declared responsibility.The Kremlin was quick to demand revenge… an ominous message spurring heightened fears of attacks, just as Ukraine’s president warns Russia could do something “particularly cruel” on Ukraine's Independence Day on Wednesday.Ukraine Fights Back: Ukraine has begun what appears to be a counter-offensive, targeting deep inside Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine--including with the use of drones. Russia's Black Sea fleet suffered a direct hit by a Ukrainian drone that slammed into its headquarters early Saturday, resulting in massive explosion. Video of the attack showed a plume of thick, black smoke rising over a clear, blue sky.

Mo News: Six Months Of Hell In Ukraine

State of Emergency in Sevastopol/Te via The New York Post

  • Threat of nuclear catastrophe: Fears of disaster have lasted for months, when Russia first seized Europe's largest nuclear plant in March. Ukraine is now fighting to take back control, and the battle is concerning many Western and UN officials. Ukrainian intelligence announced Friday that they feared a Russian strike on the massive Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The concern was so acute that some nearby residents abandoned their homes and fled over the possibility of an attack.Some experts dismiss the threat of a Chernobyl-like incident, given the precautions engineers have taken and the fact that several reactors are shut down, but still are worried about the proximity of the fighting. ~BBC NewsUkrainian President Zelensky accused Russia of conducting “blackmail with radiation." ~Washington Post

Mo News: Six Months Of Hell In Ukraine

The Washington Post

Military Latest: The size and scope of Russia’s military capability dwarfed Ukraine’s – one of the reasons why Putin expected this war to end quickly. His forecast couldn’t have been more off. The Russian forces repeatedly underperformed, showcasing poor tactics, aging equipment, haphazard organization and terrible morale. Meanwhile, Ukraine out-performed expectations and successfully withstood the assault--with the help of the West. It is now in the midst of training with, and utilizing, their new western arsenal.

U.S. Military Aid: The Pentagon's latest shipment of weapons to Ukraine included $775 million in arms and equipment. It’s the 19th aid package since the war started. ~ New York Times

  • 40 armored vehicles equipped with giant rollers to clear minefields ahead of any Ukraine ground operation50 armored troop-carrying Humvees1,500 TOW guided missiles1,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles16 HIMARS rockets (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) and 36,000 rounds of ammunitionThe U.S. is capping the number of HIMARS launchers sent to Ukraine at 16 over fears that any more would burn through our own stockpile of rockets and put our combat readiness in danger.

  • Human Toll/Refugee Crisis: The official UN number puts the civilian death toll at just over 5,000, but they acknowledge this is likely a huge undercount. Ukrainians officials already put the civilian death toll at more than 40,000 earlier this summer. That is beyond the estimated tens of thousands of soldiers who have been killed on both sides. The UN estimates that more than 11 millions Ukrainians, more than 1/4 of the country's population have become refugees.Many of the refugees are women and children. All men aged between 18 and 60 have been asked to remain in Ukraine to fight. Millions have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, with neighboring countries absorbing many of the refugees.🇵🇱 Poland: 5,439,431🇷🇺 Russia: 2,197,679🇭🇺 Hungary: 1,188,983🇷🇴 Romania: 1,044,292🇸🇰 Slovakia: 690,337🇲🇩 Moldova: 573,228🇧🇾 Belarus: 16,689

  • The impact of the war stretches far beyond the boundaries of Ukraine’s borders. It has brought the western alliance closer together, with Sweden and Finland applying to join NATO. But the war continues to weigh on the global economy and impact inflation: Gas prices have hit record highs, heightened energy costs have millions preparing for a dark winter in Europe, and food shortages are leading to widespread hunger across the developing world. Here are 6 more takeaways from Bloomberg News.

🗞 THE SPEED READ

Parkland mass shooter Nikolas Cruz will be back in court today, where jurors will return to the courtroom to hear, for the first time, the gunman's defense team in the trial over his 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Prosecutors are pushing for the death penalty for Cruz, which would take a unanimous decision by jurors. The defense team will emphasize Cruz's childhood of abuse and trauma as they make their case for life in prison. Cruz has already pleaded guilty to premeditated murder and attempted murder for killing 17 and wounding 17 others.

New NBC News polls Sunday revealed insight into voter’s positions on a variety of topics in the aftermath of the search of Mar a Lago. Highlights from the poll found that 57% of respondents believe the investigations into former President Trump should continue, while 40% disagree, saying they are politically motivated.

A poll on midterm elections found a majority of respondents want to see a GOP-led Congress come November. An overwhelming majority of Americans, 74%, say the country is on the wrong track, and a record 58% say America’s best years are behind us. On the economy, 68% believe the U.S. is in a recession.

The Biden administration will announce its decision on whether it will extend the pause on student loan debt next week, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said yesterday. The current deadline, August 31, is quickly approaching. The big question is whether the White House also decides to make a bigger announcement on debt cancellation.

Deputies arrested a Washington man who may have had plans to commit a mass shooting during a concert on Friday night. Concertgoers at the “Bass Canyon Festival” reported a suspicious man in the parking lot to security officers, after witnesses say they saw the man inhale an unknown gas from a balloon, load two 9mm pistols from the trunk of his car, and tuck both weapons inside his waistband. The man, who is now identified as 31-year-old Jonathon Moody, allegedly asked people what time the concert ended and where people would be exiting the venue, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Moody was arrested on suspicion of one count of possession of a dangerous weapon, and one count of unlawful carrying or handling of a weapon.

Dennis Rodman, the Chicago Bulls legend who has become known for meetings with the likes of world dictators Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, says he’s going to Russia to push for Brittney Griner’s release, after the WNBA star was sentenced to nine years in prison. “I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC News this weekend, not saying exactly who he got permission from. “I’m trying to go this week.”

Rodman has become known in the past decade for rubbing elbows with political figures that have tense relationships with the U.S. He has spoken in multiple interviews about his personal friendship with North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. And in 2014, he accepted an invitation by Vladimir Putin to meet in Moscow, later calling the Russian president “cool as f—.”

☀️ GOOD MOOD MONDAY

The Iowa State Fair smashed the Guinness World Record for the largest cornhole tournament on Saturday. 730 people with bean bags in hand helped the Hawkeye State beat the previous Guinness World Record, set in San Diego in a 2019 tournament with 444 players. ~ Des Moines Register

Mo News: Six Months Of Hell In Ukraine

Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

⭐️ Premium Content: Enjoying Mo News? Want access to newsmaker interviews, extra editions every week, additional content in an exclusive Facebook group and an opportunity to ask me questions directly? Sign Up for our premium newsletter subscription. It will help us grow the newsletter and continue to expand to multiple platforms. Special Deal: 15% off to become an annual member.

🎙Subscribe to our Mo News podcast Apple | Spotify | More Platforms

📧 Any questions or feedback about this newsletter? Email Us

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