Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦

| #NAFO Fella | Political Strategist | Support my work if you feel it brings value here:

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

The greatest honor of my life: I was decorated by @ZelenskyyUa and in the future I will receive the award (this is the plan) personally from him!

I quote from the Ukrainian Presidency website: "DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE No. 556/2023"

For a significant personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, supporting the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and popularizing the Ukrainian state in the world, I decree:
[...]
To be awarded the Order of Merit, third degree:
[...]
HOSSU Radu - volunteer, correspondent, philanthropist, #Romania
[...]
President of Ukraine V.ZELENSKY

4 September 2023"

----
When on 26.02.2022 I started writing "Night Summaries", I never imagined that somewhere in the future I would get the chance to meet the most wanted man in the world at that time, being number 1 on the FSB assassination list.

When I started fundraising in August 2022 where thousands of people donated to help the civilians and military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, I never imagined that my life would change for the better (self-fulfillment) and for the worse (going through moments absolutely unimaginable for any human) that together we would touch, alleviate and shoulder to save hundreds, maybe thousands of lives. Lives that until February 24th lived in relative peace and wanted nothing more than what we all want: to fulfill their dreams, to raise their children, and their grandchildren, to marry, to love, to travel, to wait for the weekend, for vacation, to curse their boss or whatever. Absolutely normal things.

And yet I did it.

I still don't realize how much we've accomplished together, maybe because I'm still so connected to the war there. But there are people in Ukraine who write to me and thank us for our help. Misha's team who not once told me that the machines I carried saved their lives. The #Bakhmut special that saved the lives of the firefighters there. Civilians were extracted from Bakhmut during a shelling barrage, one of them getting married and saying "Without Radu and Misha I would not have been alive to marry the love of my life". Thousands of people had weeks to eat in the towns and villages we went through with dozens of tons of food. Hundreds of families over the winter had electricity and heat.

Thousands of soldiers will be saved in Oleg Gubal's name with the help of the Mobile Medical Complex built with your donations in his name.

We will never know if we saved the future Einstein or the next Marie Curie, but we certainly know that thousands of families will not suffer the loss of loved ones!

I did this not for the politicians in Ukraine, not for the parties there, and certainly not for the leaders because it never occurred to me for a moment that I would receive such an award. I did it for those who defend what I believe it is everyone's duty to defend: the international rules that say you can't break down your neighbor's door and take his house by force. It defends the world in which I would like to raise my children.

The power of your solidarity has made a difference in the world. You are not too small. There is no "I don't count." There is no "I can't change the world around me". That you gave a like, a share and maybe someone on your list donated 1 euro or 10, it mattered.

As I said at TEDxBaiaMare: The power is within you!

When I meet President Zelensky to present me with the Order of Merit Class III I don't know. Sometime in the future. I hope in the near future.

The feeling is extraordinary. It's something that can't be contained in words, given that this honor comes from the man who had his wife ranked second on the FSB assassination list and yet said, "I don't need a ride, I need ammunition."

Thanks to you all! I am honored and touched!

#SlavaUkraini!

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

The Ukrainian military is attempting to turn the Crimean Peninsula into the "island" of Crimea, and this is extremely important for the entire war.

How did we get here?

The Crimean Peninsula is connected to the mainland via two routes: the first is Crimea-Kherson (Ukraine) in the north of the peninsula, where three bridges serve this purpose: Chongar, Henichesk, and Armiansk. The second is Crimea-Krasnodar (Russia), via the Kerch Bridge.

Crimea was essential to the 2022 invasion because attacks on Ukraine’s southern front were launched from there. The invasion toward Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and later toward Mykolaiv and Odesa originated in Crimea.

The stabilized fronts in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia were maintained in the first months of the invasion solely because of Crimea, through which the supply lines ran, where the military bases were located, and from where some of the Russian airstrikes on this flank were launched. In 2022, the Kerch Bridge was targeted by the Ukrainians. That strike knocked down a section of the bridge, destroyed the railway lines, and damaged its structure. To this day, the Kerch Bridge has not been used as a serious military logistics route.

Fast-forward to 2026, and we arrive in May of this year when Ukraine began targeting the logistics lines connecting Russia and Crimea via the "land bridge" of Mariupol-Berdiansk-Melitopol. These lines sustain and keep the southern front alive.

What is happening now?

For more than a year, Crimea has been the target of Ukrainian “mid-strike” attacks that are part of a shaping, modeling, and groundwork operation. Russian bases, radars, air defense systems, and naval bases have all been simply obliterated during this period.

The two operations—the one against the Mariupol-Crimea lines and the one against Crimea itself—have led to a dire situation on the peninsula. The population is on fuel rationing. Military bases are no longer defended. The naval fleet was forced as early as 2023 to flee to Novorossiysk.

It must be understood that if Crimea becomes militarily (and civilian) unsustainable, the Russian southern front faces a danger unlike any seen before in this war. Crimea REMAINS essential to this front. So the Ukrainians have gotten to work and:

This week they struck multiple times at the three access routes from the mainland to the peninsula: the Chongar, Henichesk, and Armiansk bridges. Crimea is close to complete isolation (it will never be entirely so).
The only operational military route is the one in Armiansk, because the bridge crosses the old canal that used to bring water from the Kahovka reservoir (destroyed by the Russians in 2023) to Crimea.

Crimea is on the verge of becoming a new disaster for the “second army of the world.” This year, the Ukrainians will certainly do everything in their power to isolate the Russian army there, weaken the southern front, and thus try to turn the tide of the war (because yes, Crimea could be one of the keys to an unexpectedly favorable outcome for Ukraine).

What might follow?

These operations will continue and intensify during these summer months, because Ukraine has the necessary resources: equipment (FP-2 attack drones and Behemoth—we’ll be hearing a lot about this new “Shahed-type” drone, but Ukrainian-made, with a dual payload), identification technology, acquisition, AI-guided strikes, and the necessary financial resources.

In Crimea, this year, the fate of this war MAY be “decided,” at least in part. To give you an idea, the isolation and blockade of Crimea could open the possibility (in a best-case scenario) of liberating the Kherson region (on the left bank of the Dnieper) and liberating Melitopol, the collapse of the Zaporizhzhia front, the liberation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the liberation of Berdiansk, and forcing the Russians to redeploy units from the eastern front, opening up opportunities for Ukraine there as well.

Slava Ukraini!

[EPP Group @EPPGroup]

Nearly 500,000 Russian citizens enjoyed European holidays last year.

Meanwhile, Ukrainians were dying on the battlefield.

It's time to end Schengen tourist visas for Russian tourists.

Holidays in the EU are a privilege, not a right for citizens of a country waging war on our continent.

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

It is a political objective and a military one. The military one is simple, the military offers you "cards on negociations", eliminates as much of the enemy, pushes the lines back. Political one is far more vast and includes domestic win, international win, consolidation of power etc.

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

The closer we get to a ceasefire—and statements by Budanov and Zelensky clearly point in that direction—the more I worry about the potential reaction of the Global West. What do I mean by that?

We all know that Europe wants a relaxation of social tensions. A ceasefire between Ukraine and russia by the end of the year would deliver exactly that. Social easing means at least partially halting the material aid given to Ukraine, other than the 90 billion.

At the same time, it could mean shifting attention to other global issues, with Ukraine dropping down the priority list.

Another aspect to consider would be the easing of sanctions imposed on russia, because Europe is starved for cheap energy and rare metals. russia has them, or China has them. Since the West’s narrative is that China—not Russia—is the enemy of civilization, even though since 2008 the player that has demonstrated it is capable of genocide is russia and not China, Europe will be forced—including by the U.S.—to make deals with russia.

The final and greatest problem is that a ceasefire without serious and, above all, viable security guarantees—this pause in the war—will merely allow russia to regroup and catch its breath, after which it will launch new attacks on a vulnerable Ukraine. If this happens, Europe’s attention will never return to the same level toward Ukraine, as European societies will be exhausted and demotivated to continue supporting the cause in this war.

Such a scenario frightens me, because it would be a short-term victory for all of us who support Ukraine and a catastrophic long-term defeat for Ukraine, Europe, and the entire moral system. The repercussions of this scenario will be disastrous not only for Ukraine, but also for the entire liberal democratic system.

[EUvsDisinfo @EUvsDisinfo]

A useful reality check: Ukrainian civilians are not attacking Russia. Russia is attacking Ukrainian civilians.

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

All these achievements belong first and foremost to the Ukrainian people. To the Ukrainian military, to the foreign fighters who have come to the defense of the democracy and freedoms for which Ukrainians are fighting, including the (few) Romanians who are fighting, have fought, and some have even died there. To the Ukrainian administration, to the Ukrainian institutions, which—despite corruption and systemic problems—manage to work miracles.

Then there is the credit due to the citizen volunteers from countries supporting Ukraine, people like me and a few others like me from Romania, and thousands upon thousands from all over the world—volunteers who have been supported by MILLIONS of people worldwide.

Then there is also the credit due to the supporting states, those that have done a great deal for Ukraine (the Baltics, the Nordic countries, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, the US until 2025, etc.) and those that have done little for Ukraine but have taken the historically correct stance (this includes Romania). It is a global effort that is beginning to bear more and more fruit, and this gives me hope that I can look at this big world with a little more optimism.

Glory to all the heroes who have fought and are fighting for democracy, freedom, and the defense of the weak against the strong!

Slava Ukraini!

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

Six-Month Summary (June 3, 2026):

Yes, this is what the oil terminal in St. Petersburg, russia, looked like this morning as russia’s largest economic forum opened its doors. Ukraine made a point of attending this international economic forum to express its views on russia’s economy and russia’s future in general. The image is relevant to the kinetic sanctions that Ukraine has been imposing on russia for over a year now.

After striking Moscow, Ukraine is showing that it wasn’t just an accident and that it can attack russia’s most important cities at any time. The port of Kronstadt was also struck, and several russian warships in the Baltic Sea were hit there. Thus, russia’s Black Sea and Baltic Sea fleets are constantly being struck by a country without a military navy. 1/👇

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

This summary does not cover all aspects of the war, and I will provide additional insights in the coming days. For example, the Unmanned Systems Forces are an example of how Ukraine is increasing its technological lead.

The partnership with Palantir and Palantir-like, which I mentioned in the early months of the year would bring a significant tactical advantage, is already evident, and perhaps it would be worth discussing what comes next. The BRAVE1 system initiated by Defense Minister Fedorov is going international, with BRAVE Lithuania being one of the first countries to join the program. Romania should be the first, but as far as I know, it isn’t even in talks, and this is a huge missed opportunity for the Romanian Army.

There is thus much to discuss, but the most important thing to remember is: russia is losing the initiative, is beginning to lose more and more territory, is having its worst first six months in several years, Ukraine is increasing its technological lead, stabilizing the front, and stabilizing its problematic manpower situation; and if European and Coalition of the Will support remains at current levels (i.e., not to increase, just not to decrease), I predict that by the start of 2027 we will see not only ballistic attacks on Moscow, but genuine counteroffensive operations against russian positions, most likely on the southern Zaporizhzhia front and the southern and northern sectors of Kupyansk on the eastern front.
7/

[Phillips P. OBrien @PhillipsPOBrien]

The Ukrainian decision to double down on drone warfare, from the battlefield, to mid range and long range strike, and not to draft all of its young men to make infantry, will be seen by historians as one of the most important decisions in 19th-21st century warfare.

[Iryna Voichuk @IrynaVoichuk]

Kyiv tonight.

Amid explosions and russian attacks, people lean out of their windows shouting: “Usyk! Usyk! Usyk!” “Slava Ukraini!” “Heroiam slava!”

A city refusing to let fear become its only voice.

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

Moscow hit hard by Ukraine - 17.05.2026

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

The largest attack on Moscow since World War II took place last night.

As far as I can tell, since I’ve been following the war, there has never been such a large number of drones reaching the Moscow Region, nor causing such disruption.

The Moscow Oil Refinery was struck for the third time since the start of the war (it happened once in 2024 and once in 2025), but the success of last night’s attack is surprising even to me. Why do I say this:

To protect the May 9 parade, the Moscow region and the capital itself had four rings of air defense, consisting of over 300 air defense systems of all types (Pantsir, Buk, Tor, S-300, S-400) along with hundreds of radars, acoustic detection systems, mobile teams in vehicles, and russian spy satellites used for detection—you get the picture: Moscow was the best-protected against air attack location on the planet. There was no longer comparable to 2024 or 2025. The russians have adapted. They understood the danger and adapted. However:

Eight days later, today, multiple waves of Ukrainian drones and cruise missiles breached the russian multi-layered defense (part of which had been dispersed to other regions after the parade) and struck several targets that were considered nearly impossible to hit. Surprising even to me.

At the beginning of the year, I said that Moscow would be hit by Ukrainian ballistic missiles. That hasn’t happened yet (because the FP-7 and FP-9 missile projects are still in development, though I stand by my prediction), but Moscow is already in flames. The Ukrainians are returning the war to the russians, sending it back to their own doorstep.

No, this is not revenge for the 24 people (including 3 children) killed by the Russians two days ago in Kyiv. The Ukrainians are not using these attacks for revenge, but for military and political (read: diplomatic) gain. The russians’ crimes must be avenged through fair justice, and for that, we need the support and pressure of every European citizen on national and European politicians.

The war is returning home, and that is setting Moscow ablaze.

Slava Ukraini!

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

"Moskow's on fire, your defense is terrified. Tra la la la la" (I need someone to AI make that song).

Last night one of the best protected sites in Moskow region, Moskow Refinery was his by Ukrainian drones. Multiple other targets in the are were hit.

Probably the bigger strike on Moskow since WW2.

Like englishmen like to say about European or World Cup, "it's coming home" (since they started whe whole beautiful game), same can now sing the moskovites: "it's coming home". Not a cup, but the war you started.

[GeoConfirmed @GeoConfirmed]

GeoConfirmed conflictmap UKR.

We try to avoid statements but there are limits.

After analyzing thousands of videos over more than four years, we feel we have earned the right to speak plainly: Russia is committing war crimes repeatedly and systematically and they are getting worse.

The longer the West fails to respond decisively, the more these crimes continue. This inaction also sends a dangerous signal to other authoritarian regimes, suggesting that international law can be violated with little consequence. As a result, the boundaries of international law are becoming increasingly weak and difficult to enforce.

The last few days have once again shown that the Russian regime is a terrorist regime that has little regard for humanitarian law:

(1)
After Ukraine agreed to a Russian 3-day ceasefire proposal, for the Russian commemoration of the end of World War II and its victory over Nazi Germany, Russia launched one of the most severe attacks on Kyiv since the beginning of the war, resulting in multiple civilian casualties.
This stands in stark contrast to Russia’s public rhetoric about peace and historical memory.

(2)
It is not enough that Russia is deliberately targeting civilians in Kherson, also known as the “human safari”, it has now also started attacking clearly marked UN vehicles, which would represent another serious violation of international law. Attempts to hide or destroy evidence only make these actions more alarming. And its not the first time they try to hide or manipulate evidence.

Western leaders, especially the Trump administration, should wake up instead of being so easily manipulated by the Russian regime.

0:00-0:17, location at 0:05 - United Nations (UN) vehicle was hit by Russian drones.
46.62328, 32.595023
JHFW+826 Kherson, Kherson Oblast, Ukraine

0:18-End - United Nations (UN) vehicles were hit by Russian drones.
46.621161, 32.576600
JHCG+FJ9Kherson, Kherson Oblast, Ukraine

Great work by @99Dominik_!

GeoLocated by @99Dominik_ and @Zeldamices

Geolocation:
https://t.co/LvhmmJVj4o
https://t.co/vL0o9545gr

Location:
https://t.co/ndA9stLim2

Statement by the UN representative:
https://t.co/6Wqf6v24ro
https://t.co/4LblB2U1FI

Sources:
https://t.co/rjrtra5WCv
https://t.co/uxKiJHpMvN
(Longer)
https://t.co/KdQmjFmJ4m
https://t.co/u9gLCy07sW

The original source has deleted their Telegram post with the video, but the information and the Russian unit claiming responsibility have been archived. https://t.co/QNakvALfNi

Visit our map: https://t.co/g9OP1aPlGP

[Radu Hossu 🇹🇩🇺🇦 @RaduHossu]

@NAFOvoyager Source is @KHoholenko. It would be nice to give credit.