Syrskyi withdraws Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka

Yeah. I'm not saying this just because I'm a Ukraine fanboy (although I am), but this is about the best possible way you could run a defensive war when you're outnumbered and outgunned.

Modern cities with big buildings made of concrete are the best type of terrain you can have to defend from by about an order of magnitude. They absorb invading armies like rain soaks into dry soil. Since the city's basically destroyed at this point and it's not safe now, withdraw to the next one, let the Russians fight a long protracted costly battle to try to take that one, and if they take it, move west and move on to the next one. It's not like it's good to lose the strategic position and the men who died defending it but that is the reality.

I wish I could realistically hope for US aid for Ukraine to come soon without also aid for Israel's mass murder in Gaza. I don't know what to say; nobody put me in charge. But I wish Ukraine the best and I hope more ammunition comes for them soon.

Does anyone know how to donate directly to the Ukrainian military? I want to send them some money. I looked around, but all I found was humanitarian efforts. Humanitarian efforts are great but I think $50 worth of shells will do more for Ukrainian people than will $50 worth of food and a shelter in which to wait for the advance to reach them.