This was done by you: the broader KSE community. About 1,000 people from all around the world, from academics to politicians to business leaders, and even the military and students.
Thank you. This is proof that we can get Ukraine through this war together. 5X
We estimate we preserved 7.5k-15k hours of studying and work, and avoided 35-70 deadline failures.
We probably prevented dozens of cases of pneumonia, avoided multiple mental health breakdowns, and kept some students from leaving Ukraine for good. 4/
- 157 people received batteries, chargers, and basic power and heating equipment.
- Logistics: 1,500 trips to and from the university.
People did not end up without warmth or shelter. KSE did not “go offline.” 3/
I think it is our social contract to teach the next generation of students, no matter the war and winter conditions. If we stop teaching, we don’t deserve to exist.
What we delivered (facts):
- 524 people received support.
- 114 people stayed in a hotel, 21 days on average. 2/
We closed KSE’s winter support campaign.
This is not a “heartwarming story.” It was an operational problem under pressure: blackouts, cold apartments, overloaded suppliers, and a university that still had to run.
Most universities in Kyiv went on winter break. We refused. 1/
Petraeus: The Russian provision of intelligence is in a way predictable, but very concerning.
Without this, they would not have the precision that they apparently do have to conduct missile and drone strikes. 3X
Petraeus: The most sophisticated air ballistic missile defense system that Iran had was taken out in the early hours of the 12-day air campaign by the Israelis flying F-35s.
This is a Russian system [S-400], and Russia has none to spare at this point in time. 2/
Ex-CIA director Petraeus: Ukraine will make 7 mln drones this year. They are already throwing 10,000 a day at the Russians in various forms, suicide drones, surveillance.
The US produces probably 400,000. Ukrainians produce them at a much lower cost and generally are more effective. 1/
Source: hromadske.ua/viyskovi/260...
His mother Carla Webber: “Andrew believed it was his duty to go to Ukraine and help. That is what soldiers do — protect people and do the right thing.” 11X
His funeral in the United States gathered more than 600 people — diplomats, veterans, and members of the Ukrainian diaspora.
His family received a Ukrainian flag in his honor. 10/
Webber spoke Arabic, Farsi, Dari, some Spanish, and had begun learning Ukrainian.
Two days before July 27, his family last heard from him while playing Wordle online, their daily ritual. 9/
Carla Webber knows little about his final battle.
She only knows her son commanded the operation and that it ended badly.
His comrades later wrote that he changed how his unit fought and saved lives. 8/
Webber rarely spoke about combat with his family.
Instead he sent photos of Ukrainian fields, farms, and stray cats, and told his parents he had eaten “the best hot dog of my life” in Ukraine. 7/
He joined the International Legion of Ukraine.
In messages home he wrote that the army lacked equipment, instructors, and combat-experienced officers. 6/
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion he already worked with NATO structures training Ukrainian forces.
In spring 2023 he took a 10-week leave from his law firm and flew to Ukraine. 5/
After the military he built a career in Seattle.
Webber earned a Juris Doctor, worked as a corporate lawyer at a large international firm, and earned about $700,000 a year. 4/
He earned the Bronze Star for valor in Afghanistan.
His mother, Carla Webber, says the family learned about the award only when the certificate arrived by mail.
Andrew later left the Army with the rank of captain. 3/
Webber graduated from West Point in 2005. The U.S. Army deployed him to Iraq in 2006, then to Afghanistan in 2008 and 2012.
During his second Afghan tour he commanded the 1191 Cavalry reconnaissance and sniper unit. His callsign was “Palwar” — “fighter” in Dari. 2/
“I had a $700,000 salary in Seattle. I still went to fight in Ukraine.”
Andrew Webber, a U.S. Army captain and Iraq–Afghanistan veteran, left his corporate law career and joined Ukraine’s International Legion in 2023. He died in combat on July 27, 2023, reports hromadske. 1/
Sources:
1. bloomberg.com/news/article...
2. politico.eu/article/belg...
3. dw.com/en/belgium-s...
Zelenskyy welcomed the seizure, framing it as action against Moscow’s ability to finance its invasion.
FM Sybiha urged partners to intensify enforcement efforts to cut off funding for Russia’s war. 8X
The EU has designated 600 vessels as part of Russia’s shadow fleet, but Moscow has continued using older tankers to circumvent sanctions and sustain oil exports. 6/
The tanker is part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of older vessels with opaque ownership used to bypass Western sanctions and export discounted crude. 5/
Francken said the vessel was sailing under a false flag and using false documentation, calling the operation a step toward cutting funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine. 4/
Belgian PM De Wever and Defense Minister Theo Francken framed the action as enforcement of international maritime law and protection of territorial waters. 3/
The operation was conducted within an international task force involving G7, Nordic, and Baltic partners, according to Belgian FM Prevot.
France directly supported the military operation. Macron called it a major blow to the ghost fleet. 2/
Europe is finally acting.
Belgian special forces seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker, "Ethera," in the North Sea and brought it to the Port of Zeebrugge as sanctions enforcement.
Macron said French Navy helicopters helped the Belgian boarding operation, Bloomberg. 1/
Source: telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Sunak: The West needs a strong Ukraine, and a strong Ukraine needs a strong economy.
Ukraine’s human capital, natural resources, and culture of innovation could make it one of the most dynamic economies in Europe. 4X
