Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dr. Michael MacKay

@michaelmackay.bsky.social

7.9K followers 95 following 7.2K posts

Canadian Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and Political Science Participant in the democratic renaissance of Ukraine since independence Chronicler of fascist Russia's wars since 2014

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 4d

Russia is a terrorist state. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are a terrorist organization.

National governments that refuse to recognize this reality are placing their populations in grave danger. They are being criminally negligent by failing their duty to protect.

2 27 88

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 2h

In a sign of his growing weakness, terrorist leader Putin admitted to Azerbaijani president Aliyev that Russian missiles shot down an AZAL aircraft on 25 December 2024, killing 38 people.

Putin gave pathetic excuses and somehow blamed Ukraine. Aliyev listened like a superior.

2 10 26

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 2h

European governments should ban visas for Russians and sever diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation. When they do, there will be fewer operatives of the Russian terrorist state launching drones that shut down Europe's airports.

1 11 46

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 3h

European leaders are so paralyzed by infantile fear they won't shoot down russian drones, won't block the shadow fleet, won't confiscate russian assets and hand them over to Ukraine – they won't do anything to defend their citizens from the russian terrorist state.

1 6 27

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 3h

On the night of October 8-9, russian terrorists attacked Europe's towns and cities with 112 strike UAVs.

Ukrainian defenders shot down or suppressed 87 enemy drones. NATO forces did nothing.

22 strike UAVs hit 12 locations.

(infographic: Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine)

1 15

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 13h

Increased russian and North Korean losses over the past day:

>1,020 personnel (killed or seriously wounded)

tanks +1
armoured personnel vehicles +1
artillery systems +15
operational-tactical UAVs +328
vehicles +55

mod.gov.ua/en/news/the-...

The estimated combat losses of russians over the last day: 1 020 persons, 328 UAVs and 15 artillery systems | MoD News

The estimated total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 09.10.25.

mod.gov.ua

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 13h

Russian/North Korean losses, 24 Feb 2022 – 9 Oct 2025:

1,119,390 personnel

11241 tanks
23325 armoured vehicles
33534 artillery systems
1517 MLRS
1225 air defence systems
427 aircraft
346 helicopters
68293 UAVs
3841 cruise missiles
28 ships/boats
1 submarine
63705 vehicles
3973 special equipment

1 2 25

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 17h

After a Ukrainian drone strike, the gas processing plant in Kotovo, Volgograd region, is on fire.

#RussiaInvadedUkraine

9 67

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 21h

Trump is abrogating the First Amendment of the Constitution, knowing that no power in the United States will stop him – certainly not the corrupt Supreme Court.

American fascism seems inexorable.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 22h

Trump: "We took the freedom of speech away because that's been through the courts and the courts said you have freedom of speech, but what has happened is when they burn a flag it agitates and irritates crowds."

3 8 24

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 21h

Kherson region, along the Dnipro River: "The Armed Forces [of Ukraine] stopped the enemy’s attempt to advance towards the Antonivka Bridge."

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operational information as of 22:00 on 8 October 2025 regarding the russian invasion

1 6 20

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 21h

In the Orikhiv direction, in Zaporizhzhya region, the russian fascist invaders tried seven times to advance in the Stepove area and towards Novoandriyivka.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operational information at 22:00 on 8 October 2025 regarding the russian invasion

2 12

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 21h

In the Oleksandrivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 24 enemy attacks in the areas of Filiya, Andriyivka-Klevtsove, Piddubne, Sichneve, Sosnivka, Vorone, Oleksiyivka, Komyshuvakha, Novomykolayivka, Novohryhorivka, Poltavka and Malynivka. Eight more battles continue.

3/3

1 9

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 21h

In the Pokrovs'k direction, the russian fascist invaders conducted 37 assaults on Ukrainian fortifications in the areas of Zapovidne, Zatyshok, Razine, Krasnyi Lyman, Novoekonomichne, Myrolyubivka, Lysivka, Muravka and Dachne as well as owards Myrnohrad, Balahan, Pokrovs'k and Filiya.

2/3

1 2 7

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 21h

In the Torets'k sector, russian invaders stormed Ukrainian positions 15 times near Pleshchiyivka, Shcherbynivka, Rusyn Yar, Poltavka and towards Kostyantynivka in Donetsk region.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operational information at 22:00 on 8 October 2025

1/3

1 5 15

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 22h

In the Sivers'k direction, in Donetsk region, the rashists attacked seven times in the areas of Yamil', Dronivka and Hryhorivka.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operational information as of 22:00 on 8 October 2025 regarding the russian invasion

2/2

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 22h

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled six and are holding back four more assaults by the russian fascist invaders in the areas of Novomykhaylivka, Karpivka, Shandryholove, Derylove and Tors'ke in Donetsk region as well as towards Ol'hivka and Novyi Myr in Kharkiv region.

1/2

1 6 13

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 22h

In the Kup'yans'k direction, the rashists attacked the Ukrainians six times in the areas of Kup'yans'k, Stepova Novoselivka and towards Kurylivka in Kharkiv region.

–General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operational information at 22:00 on 8 October 2025 regarding the russian invasion

2/2

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 22h

In the north of Kharkiv region, the russian fascist invaders attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 21 times in the areas of Vovchans'k, Dovhen'ke, Zapadne and towards Lyptsi, Odradne, Dvorichans'ke, Kolodyazne, Kut'kivka. Fighting is still ongoing in five locations.

1/2

2 2 12

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 1d

Armed Forces of Ukraine units have entered the south of the village of Oleksiyivka, Sumy region.

1 8 35

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 1d

Russian terrorists fired mortars and artillery at the peaceful border settlements of Khrinivka, Yasna Polyana, Mykhal'chyna-Sloboda (Chernihiv region); Stara Huta, Prohres, Studenok (Sumy region).

–General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operational information at 16:00 on 8 October 2025

1 9

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 1d

On the night of October 7-8, russian terrorists attacked Ukraine with 183 strike UAVs.

Ukrainian defenders shot down or suppressed 154 enemy drones.

22 strike UAVs hit 11 locations. The russian attack continues.

Source: Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

2 19

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 1d

Increased russian and North Korean losses over the past day:

>1,010 personnel (killed or seriously wounded)

tanks +2
armoured personnel vehicles +5
artillery systems +26
multiple-launch rocket systems +1
air defence systems +1
operational-tactical UAVs +401
vehicles +75

mod.gov.ua/en/news/the-...

The estimated combat losses of russians over the last day: 1 010 persons, 401 UAVs and 26 artillery systems | MoD News

The estimated total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 08.10.25: personnel: about 1 118 370 (+1 010) persons, tanks: 11 240 (+2), troop-carrying AFVs: 23 324 (+5).

mod.gov.ua

2 13

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 1d

Russian/North Korean losses, 24 Feb 2022 – 8 Oct 2025:

1,118,370 personnel

11240 tanks
23324 armoured vehicles
33519 artillery systems
1517 MLRS
1225 air defence systems
427 aircraft
346 helicopters
67965 UAVs
3841 cruise missiles
28 ships/boats
1 submarine
63650 vehicles
3973 special equipment

2 1 19

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 1d

A Russian missile hit a Russian apartment building in Stary Oskol, Bilhorod region.

2 4 43

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 1d

Kherson region, along the Dnipro River: "In the Prydniprovs'ke direction, the invaders made three unsuccessful attempts to improve their position."

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operational information as of 22:00 on 7 October 2025 regarding the russian invasion

5 14

Dr. Michael MacKay @michaelmackay.bsky.social · 1d

In Zaporizhzhya region, the Ukrainians repelled 11 russian attacks on Poltavka and Malynivka as well as seven attacks near Stepove and Plavni and towards Novoandriyivka and Stepnohirs'k.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operational information at 22:00 on 7 October 2025

3 11