It's 3 am Saturday in Ukraine, what do we know?

This is Valeriy, one of countless thousand who have lost everything in the war. Valeriy’s home in the village of Moshchun was destroyed during the Battle of Kyiv. Photo courtesy of Nolan Peterson

What do we know in Ukraine?

• The Battle for Donbas has begun

• Multiple defense and intelligence assessments indicate the Russian offensive in Donbas is faltering as a result of logistical challenges similar to those earlier in the conflict, morale issues and stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces

• The EU is likely to begin a phased embargo of Russia oil starting next week.  Ambassadors are expected to meet on May 4th to vote on the matter

• The US has completed training of 100 Ukrainian instructors in the operation of advanced US weapons systems.  The US has also trained 15 Ukrainians to use advanced American radar systems

• Russia launched about 50 missiles into Ukraine in the past 24 hours.  50  missiles per day is about what Russia was averaging during the earlier phase of the war in mid-March

• The US still assesses that there is no threat of a nuclear strike by Russia in Ukraine or elsewhere, and has not raised its alert level

• As Kyiv begins ordering strikes across the border into Russia, the US, UK and other western allies have made it clear the Ukrainians can operate at their own discretion and such attacks are within the bounds of international law.  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “Ukraine will defend itself in any way, including strikes on the warehouses and bases of the killers.”

D.Emery @DemeryUK

Something going on over Belgorod in Russia tonight. Anti-air missiles fired and flashes in the sky

What else do we know?

• The Oklahoma Legislature followed other GOP controlled states in passing a law that prohibits virtually all abortions after six weeks.  The law is modeled on Texas’s SB 8 law, passed last year, that encourages private citizens to sue anyone involved with an abortion procedure.  Oklahoma already has a bill on the books that makes abortion punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine but that law won’t take effect until later in the year

• Uncle Crazy Pants McDictator has some thoughts on the upcoming GOP primaries: