Free Republic

KYIV -- The average lifespan on the frontline of the fierce fighting in the city of Bakhmut is "four hours," according to an American fighting side by side with the Ukrainian army against Russian forces in the Donbas. Former U.S. Marine Troy Offenbecker, of Michigan, told ABC News that the situation in the city, which has seen some of the deadliest fighting since Russia's full-scale invasion, is "chaotic" and has been dubbed "the meat grinder." "It's been pretty bad on the ground," he told ABC News. "A lot of casualties. The life expectancy is around four hours on the frontline."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday that "now is not an era of war," marking the first public criticism of Putin's invasion of Ukraine after months of neutrality, as India balances its reliance on Russia for military equipment and about one-fifth of its oil imports. KEY FACTS In their first meeting since the start of the war, Modi told Putin, “I know that today’s era is not of war,” adding that the biggest issues in the world today, especially in developing countries, are “food security, fuel security, fertilizers,” according to a translation of...

The White House confirmed Sunday that President Joe Biden’s call for regime change was not part of his prepared speech. “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power,” Biden said at the conclusion of his speech, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.