Tim Mak
@timkmak.bsky.social
Founder, The Counteroffensive: Compelling human stories to illustrate news of the war in Ukraine. Fmr US Army medic.
https://www.counteroffensive.news/
https://www.counteroffensive.news/
See past just the statistics – hear the voice of Ukraine.
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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
February 5, 2026 at 2:23 PM
See past just the statistics – hear the voice of Ukraine.
Support reporting that puts human stories first.
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Support reporting that puts human stories first.
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Here's what Oleksandra is listening to today:
Jamala- Шлях Додому
Jamala- Шлях Додому
Jamala - Шлях Додому (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Jamala | Джамала
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Here's what Oleksandra is listening to today:
Jamala- Шлях Додому
Jamala- Шлях Додому
Want to find out how cold weather and darkness continue to retraumatise Oleksii after captivity? Read our latest story via the link
Why cold, darkness worsen PTSD among ex-POWs
We explore the tragic, unusual link between cold and post traumatic stress. Amid blackouts, former POWs face a surge in flashbacks. Oleksii is waking up from nightmares for the first time in years.
www.counteroffensive.news
February 5, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Want to find out how cold weather and darkness continue to retraumatise Oleksii after captivity? Read our latest story via the link
On February 4, the European Council agreed to give Ukraine a loan of €30 billion of macroeconomic support and €60 billion to invest in domestic and EU defense producers in 2026-2027.
As soon as the European Parliament approves it, the first payments will be made.
As soon as the European Parliament approves it, the first payments will be made.
Council agrees position on legal framework to provide €90 billion in financial support to Ukraine
As Russia’s war of aggression continues, the Council agreed its position regarding the legal framework to provide €90 billion in financial support to Ukraine. The Ukraine support loan will become repa...
www.consilium.europa.eu
February 5, 2026 at 2:18 PM
On February 4, the European Council agreed to give Ukraine a loan of €30 billion of macroeconomic support and €60 billion to invest in domestic and EU defense producers in 2026-2027.
As soon as the European Parliament approves it, the first payments will be made.
As soon as the European Parliament approves it, the first payments will be made.
Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. delegations agreed to release 314 prisoners during peace talks, Steve Witkoff said.
This prisoner exchange will be the first in the last five months. Ukraine has frequently criticised Russia for rejecting prisoner exchanges.
This prisoner exchange will be the first in the last five months. Ukraine has frequently criticised Russia for rejecting prisoner exchanges.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on X: "Today, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners—the first such exchange in five months. This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive. While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate" / X
Today, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners—the first such exchange in five months. This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive. While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate
x.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. delegations agreed to release 314 prisoners during peace talks, Steve Witkoff said.
This prisoner exchange will be the first in the last five months. Ukraine has frequently criticised Russia for rejecting prisoner exchanges.
This prisoner exchange will be the first in the last five months. Ukraine has frequently criticised Russia for rejecting prisoner exchanges.
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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
February 4, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Captivated by this story?
Without your support, these stories can’t be told!
Engage with us through the link
Without your support, these stories can’t be told!
Engage with us through the link
CAT OF CONFLICT:
Today’s Cat of Conflict is Oleksandra’s cat Compote (it’s also the name of a Ukrainian winter drink made from boiled fruit). Compote isn’t the biggest fan of his new sweater, but without it he gets really cold.
Today’s Cat of Conflict is Oleksandra’s cat Compote (it’s also the name of a Ukrainian winter drink made from boiled fruit). Compote isn’t the biggest fan of his new sweater, but without it he gets really cold.
February 4, 2026 at 2:39 PM
CAT OF CONFLICT:
Today’s Cat of Conflict is Oleksandra’s cat Compote (it’s also the name of a Ukrainian winter drink made from boiled fruit). Compote isn’t the biggest fan of his new sweater, but without it he gets really cold.
Today’s Cat of Conflict is Oleksandra’s cat Compote (it’s also the name of a Ukrainian winter drink made from boiled fruit). Compote isn’t the biggest fan of his new sweater, but without it he gets really cold.
To learn more about how homeless people in Ukraine live in the cold, read our story via the link
How Ukraine’s homeless are faring in freezing conditions
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s heating infrastructure have turned the -20°C winter into a harsh test of survival for homeless people. Ivan hasn’t had a home since he left Crimea in 2011.
www.counteroffensive.news
February 4, 2026 at 2:38 PM
To learn more about how homeless people in Ukraine live in the cold, read our story via the link
MORE UKRAINIANS READY TO CEDE DONBAS, BUT WITH SECURITY GUARANTEES:
For Peace, More Ukrainians Consider the Once Unthinkable: Surrendering Land
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM
MORE UKRAINIANS READY TO CEDE DONBAS, BUT WITH SECURITY GUARANTEES:
EU STATES LEAVE ZOOM AND TEAMS TO DISTANCE U.S.: Last week, Paris announced that 2.5 million public sector employees will stop using American video conferencing tools by 2027, AP reported.
France dumps Zoom and Teams as Europe seeks digital autonomy from the US
European governments are moving away from U.S. tech giants, opting for domestic or open-source alternatives.
apnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:28 PM
EU STATES LEAVE ZOOM AND TEAMS TO DISTANCE U.S.: Last week, Paris announced that 2.5 million public sector employees will stop using American video conferencing tools by 2027, AP reported.
NEWS OF THE DAY:
RUSSIA-U.S. NUCLEAR PACT EXPIRES: On Thursday, the last U.S.-Russia nuclear deterrence pact expires, AP reported. Opening up the possibility of the resumption of a nuclear arms race between the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world, after a half-century of nuclear deterrence.
RUSSIA-U.S. NUCLEAR PACT EXPIRES: On Thursday, the last U.S.-Russia nuclear deterrence pact expires, AP reported. Opening up the possibility of the resumption of a nuclear arms race between the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world, after a half-century of nuclear deterrence.
The last US-Russian nuclear pact is about to expire, ending a half-century of arms control
The last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the United States is set to expire this week, removing any caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in more than a half-centur...
apnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:27 PM
NEWS OF THE DAY:
RUSSIA-U.S. NUCLEAR PACT EXPIRES: On Thursday, the last U.S.-Russia nuclear deterrence pact expires, AP reported. Opening up the possibility of the resumption of a nuclear arms race between the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world, after a half-century of nuclear deterrence.
RUSSIA-U.S. NUCLEAR PACT EXPIRES: On Thursday, the last U.S.-Russia nuclear deterrence pact expires, AP reported. Opening up the possibility of the resumption of a nuclear arms race between the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world, after a half-century of nuclear deterrence.
To learn more about how the conditions of Russian captivity continue to shape Oleksii’s life long after his release, read the full story via the link
Why cold, darkness worsen PTSD among ex-POWs
We explore the tragic, unusual link between cold and post traumatic stress. Amid blackouts, former POWs face a surge in flashbacks. Oleksii is waking up from nightmares for the first time in years.
www.counteroffensive.news
February 4, 2026 at 2:24 PM
To learn more about how the conditions of Russian captivity continue to shape Oleksii’s life long after his release, read the full story via the link
Cold is one of the forms of torture Russian forces systematically use against Ukrainians held in Russian prisons. Today, that same cold has turned into a tool of pressure on civilians, aimed at breaking society and forcing Ukraine into concessions.
February 4, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Cold is one of the forms of torture Russian forces systematically use against Ukrainians held in Russian prisons. Today, that same cold has turned into a tool of pressure on civilians, aimed at breaking society and forcing Ukraine into concessions.
He is not alone. Traumatic memories have intensified among former prisoners of war, with the onset of blackouts, as power outages have become a powerful trigger.
February 4, 2026 at 2:22 PM
He is not alone. Traumatic memories have intensified among former prisoners of war, with the onset of blackouts, as power outages have become a powerful trigger.
Yet, this winter Oleksii has begun waking in the middle of the night to flashbacks, as the darkness and cold in his own home resembles the conditions of captivity.
February 4, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Yet, this winter Oleksii has begun waking in the middle of the night to flashbacks, as the darkness and cold in his own home resembles the conditions of captivity.
It has been three years since he was released from the punishment cell, where the air was saturated with mold and the stench of urine and feces.
February 4, 2026 at 2:21 PM
It has been three years since he was released from the punishment cell, where the air was saturated with mold and the stench of urine and feces.
"I've started having bad dreams. I remember my punishment cell. It was constantly cold there. Even in summer, it was always cold in our cell," said Oleksii Anulia, who spent nearly ten months in Russian captivity in 2022.
February 4, 2026 at 2:21 PM
"I've started having bad dreams. I remember my punishment cell. It was constantly cold there. Even in summer, it was always cold in our cell," said Oleksii Anulia, who spent nearly ten months in Russian captivity in 2022.
Think you’ve seen it all? Ukraine has more to tell.
Follow human-centered reporting that goes beyond the headlines.
Subscribe through the link!
www.counteroffensive.news
Follow human-centered reporting that goes beyond the headlines.
Subscribe through the link!
www.counteroffensive.news
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
February 3, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Think you’ve seen it all? Ukraine has more to tell.
Follow human-centered reporting that goes beyond the headlines.
Subscribe through the link!
www.counteroffensive.news
Follow human-centered reporting that goes beyond the headlines.
Subscribe through the link!
www.counteroffensive.news
Here’s what Sasha is listening to today:
River Tiber - Hypnotized
River Tiber - Hypnotized
River Tiber - Hypnotized (Official Video)
YouTube video by River Tiber
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Here’s what Sasha is listening to today:
River Tiber - Hypnotized
River Tiber - Hypnotized
If you want to learn more about how homeless people in Ukraine live in the cold, read our story via the link.
How Ukraine’s homeless are faring in freezing conditions
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s heating infrastructure have turned the -20°C winter into a harsh test of survival for homeless people. Ivan hasn’t had a home since he left Crimea in 2011.
www.counteroffensive.news
February 3, 2026 at 2:49 PM
If you want to learn more about how homeless people in Ukraine live in the cold, read our story via the link.
Russia launched the biggest attack on Ukraine of 2026 before the next round of peace talks in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for Feb 4.
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the attacks demonstrate Russia’s lack of seriousness about peace.
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the attacks demonstrate Russia’s lack of seriousness about peace.
Russia bombards Ukraine with its biggest attack of the year so far
www.independent.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Russia launched the biggest attack on Ukraine of 2026 before the next round of peace talks in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for Feb 4.
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the attacks demonstrate Russia’s lack of seriousness about peace.
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the attacks demonstrate Russia’s lack of seriousness about peace.
On January 28, an unidentified drone crashed 70 m away from a weapons storage unit in the north of Poland, an investigator reported.
Meanwhile, balloons from Belarus have entered Polish airspace for three nights in a row, as Russia continues to probe European air defense capacity.
Meanwhile, balloons from Belarus have entered Polish airspace for three nights in a row, as Russia continues to probe European air defense capacity.
Balloons from Belarus enter Poland's airspace for 3rd night in a row
After spotting "objects resembling balloons" on radar, Polish military and security forces quickly intercepted them and detained individuals suspected of involvement, the Polish military said.
kyivindependent.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:49 PM
On January 28, an unidentified drone crashed 70 m away from a weapons storage unit in the north of Poland, an investigator reported.
Meanwhile, balloons from Belarus have entered Polish airspace for three nights in a row, as Russia continues to probe European air defense capacity.
Meanwhile, balloons from Belarus have entered Polish airspace for three nights in a row, as Russia continues to probe European air defense capacity.