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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

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The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week...

www.counteroffensive.news

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

DOG OF WAR

Zorіana's friend saw this dog in her hometown. She tried to take a photo of him for three days, but he kept hiding from her. One day, she finally managed to take a picture, and in response, the dog started barking, probably wanting to see the photo immediately.

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

IEDs IN KYIV: A local teenager was recruited by Russian agents to take a bomb and remotely detonate it, the latest incident in the shadow war of sabotage between Russia and Ukraine.

Assassinations, railway sabotage, car bombs: Inside the shadow war in Ukraine | CBC News

As the front lines of the war in Ukraine continue to be described as a “meat grinder,” the shadow wars between the Kremlin and Kyiv have intensified, with covert assassinations, railway sabotage and c...

www.cbc.ca

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

ZELENSKYY: I’LL LOBBY FOR TRUMP NOBEL, IF…: Should Trump approve the provision of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine and broker a peace, the Ukrainian president said he'll nominate the U.S. leader for the Nobel peace prize.

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

RUSSIA WARNS ABOUT TOMAHAWKS: The United States is currently considering giving Ukraine access to Tomahawks missiles, leading the Russian government to warn of the “severity of consequences” if this were to happen.

Russian Foreign Ministry threatens US with “severe consequences” if it supplies Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said that the United States must “understand the depth and severity of the consequences” should it decide to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk...

www.eurointegration.com.ua

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

NEWS OF THE DAY:

GAS OUT, COLD WINTER AHEAD: Russian attacks have destroyed more than half of Ukraine's gas production, meaning that Ukraine will need to spend billions of dollars on fuel imports to get through the looming cold season.

Russian Strikes Knock Out More than Half of Ukraine Gas Production Ahead of Winter

Russian strikes in recent days have wiped out more than half of Ukraine’s domestic natural gas production, likely forcing the war-battered country to spend 1.9 billion euros ($2.2 billion) on fuel imp...

www.bloomberg.com

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

To read about Ukrainian anarchists who joined the army – people who once rejected all forms of hierarchy, yet chose to fight not for the state, but for freedom, for their loved ones, and for those whose homes were destroyed – click the link!

The Anarchists (yes, anarchists) in Ukraine’s military

Even Ukrainian anarchists felt compelled to join the army to fight against Russia, despite opposing the concept of the state. One of them, Faust, joined to fight for the freedom of his loved ones.

www.counteroffensive.news

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

And yet Russia’s attacks have so infuriated some anarchists that they’ve joined the army. And, as the soldiers themselves joke, there are only three ways out: being killed in action, wounded in action, or going to prison.

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

In other words, it’s a far cry from what Ukraine is fighting for, which is to preserve the right to exist as an independent country.

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

Anarchism is a radical, idealized political philosophy that envisions the liberation of the individual, the elimination of hierarchies, and the abolition of the state in favor of voluntary cooperation.

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

The last people you would expect to meet here, in a platoon of mortar gunners, are anarchists. By definition, the last thing you’d think they would be doing is waiting for orders.

Yet here they are.

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

Here in the Black Sea lowlands, the air temperature in summer can reach 40+ °C.

The earth, body, and brain are scorched.

It seems that even the blood in your veins is about to boil.

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 48m

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.

Although the army would seem to be that last place for an anarchist, Ukraine’s military is an exception.

Here, everybody needs Ukraine to win.

Faust, an anarchist, signed up to fight for the freedom of his loved ones.

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 1d

Dive into our newsletter to experience the reality of living on the ground in this war.

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The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week...

www.counteroffensive.news

9

Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 1d

Here’s what Zoriana is listening to today:

Birdy – Skinny Love

Skinny Love

YouTube video by Birdy - Topic

music.youtube.com

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 1d

Check out our latest issue on Mariana’s quest to uncover her lost ancestry — and how Ukrainians are reclaiming their erased history amid the war — through the link.

Tracing my buried bloodlines

With the war, genealogy has become popular among Ukrainians as a way to reclaim their historical heritage. Mariana travels to her home region to find lost family roots.

www.counteroffensive.news

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 1d

Indian refiners plan to increase Russian crude oil imports amidst discounted oil prices.

Earlier this year, Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India to discourage these imports, creating tension between the countries. India’s imports of Russian oil increased significantly after 2022.

India Refiners May Buy More Russian Oil as Discounts Deepen

Indian refiners are expected to boost oil imports from Russia in the coming months, as trade talks with Washington drag on and discounts widen amid ample supplies.

www.bloomberg.com

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 1d

Belgium faces EU pressure to back a plan using €190 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund a €140 billion “reparation loan” for Ukraine.

Despite initial U.S. hesitation, recent FT reporting reveals that Trump called on G7 allies to use the assets to fund Ukraine’s defense.

EU pressure builds on Belgium to allow use of Russia’s frozen assets

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever insists other capitals should cover financial and legal risks of €140bn loan

www.ft.com

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 1d

Here’s what you should know today:

Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure ahead of winter risk disrupting Europe’s energy market.

As Ukraine increases imports from its neighbours, the EU gas market, already cutting back on Russian supply, could be further strained.

www.reuters.com

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 2d

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The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week...

www.counteroffensive.news

4

Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 2d

Here’s what Nastia is listening to today:

Riot Van - Arctic Monkeys

Riot Van

YouTube video by Arctic Monkeys - Topic

youtu.be

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 2d

Read about Mariana’s search for her buried bloodlines - and how Ukrainians are reclaiming their erased history during the war - at the link.

Tracing my buried bloodlines

With the war, genealogy has become popular among Ukrainians as a way to reclaim their historical heritage. Mariana travels to her home region to find lost family roots.

www.counteroffensive.news

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 2d

As temperatures drop, Kyiv may increase gas imports by 30% to avoid winter blackouts.

Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in recent weeks, significantly damaging Ukraine’s gas production capacity and raising concerns about winter energy shortages.

Україна через обстріли енергетики планує збільшити імпорт газу

Подробиці читайте на сайті

www.rbc.ua

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 2d

Putin seeks to block the sale of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, saying it would damage relations between Russia and the U.S.

Kyiv has long wanted Tomahawk missiles to expand deep strikes into Russia, but Trump has yet to indicate whether he will move forward with the sale.

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 5, 2025

Toplines Russian President Vladimir Putin continues attempts to deter the US from sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine by linking improvements in the US-Russian bilateral relationship to concessions f...

understandingwar.org

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Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 2d

Here's what you should know today:

The EU will restrict travel for Russian diplomats within the bloc, citing increasing incidents of spies using diplomatic cover.

Russian diplomats must now notify local authorities when traveling between member states.

EU to curb Russian diplomats’ travel as suspected spy attacks mount

Intelligence agencies say sabotage operations are often led by spies posing as diplomats

www.ft.com

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