THE SQUIZ
In a video that mirrors the one released after Russia commenced the invasion of its neighbour, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised his troops and highlighted that he and his top team remain in place. Since the war kicked off on 24 February, he said that Ukrainians have “done what seemed impossible” by stopping “the second army of the world” from seizing control of the nation. Analysts said Zelensky has again reminded Russia that its early objectives have failed, and even though they occupy about a 5th of the country, Ukrainians will continue to fight. A Russian presidential spokesman disagreed, saying many parts of Ukraine have been “liberated”.

WHAT’S THE COST?
The pictures tell the story of Europe’s worst armed conflict in decades. Counting the cost continues to be difficult, but “tens of thousands” of civilians have died since February, and 60-100 Ukrainian soldiers die each day, Zelensky said last week. In Mariupol alone, officials have reported more than 21,000 civilian deaths. Last week, Russian officials said they have recorded 1,351 troop deaths, but the UK Government reckons it’s 15,000. As for destruction, 38,000 residential buildings have been destroyed or badly damaged, rendering 220,000 people homeless. Hundreds of factories, hospitals and bridges have been reduced to rubble. The United Nations estimates that 6.8 million people have been driven out of Ukraine during the conflict, with about 2.2 million returning. And 15.7 million people in Ukraine are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection, the UN’s refugee agency says.

HOW DOES IT END?
Experts say that’s a question that probably won’t be answered in the next 100 days… They reckon Russian President Vladimir Putin is hoping a lengthy war of attrition will wear down Ukrainian forces and the nation’s allies, which have provided weapons and supplies while putting sanctions on Russia. That’s not lost on Zelensky, who says he’s worried that people will get “fed up” with the war. Holding the world’s attention is most certainly a thing… Looking at American’s social media interactions, Ukraine was running hot in February and March, but during April and May, there was about 6-times more interest in stories about Johnny Depp/Amber Heard than about Ukraine.