Changes

In early May 2022, Ukrainian commanders withdrew defenders from Popasana in order to send them north to the Russian border to plant a blue and yellow ''papier-mâché'' pole in unguarded, desolate territory for a [[photo-op]] to be used in their global propaganda campaign ahead of the vote in the U.S. Congress for $40 billion in aid.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10820403/Ukraine-war-Kyivs-men-pose-Russian-border-Kharkiv-attack-crumbles.html</ref>

In early May 2022, Ukrainian commanders withdrew defenders from Popasana in order to send them north to the Russian border to plant a blue and yellow ''papier-mâché'' pole in unguarded, desolate territory for a [[photo-op]] to be used in their global propaganda campaign ahead of the vote in the U.S. Congress for $40 billion in aid.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10820403/Ukraine-war-Kyivs-men-pose-Russian-border-Kharkiv-attack-crumbles.html</ref>

Two months into the fighting on the Donbas front Ukrainian commanders were deserting the men they were leading.  Many of the conscripts had only two days training, as most of Ukraine's front-line soldiers had either been captured, killed, or deserted and began walking home.  Morale in the AFU, as well as in the general society, dropped quickly after the fairy tale of proud and committed soldiers bravely resisting in Azovstal was shattered.  On May 22 , 2022, 230 AFU members were killed and 33 armored vehicles were destroyed by the Russian Armed Forces, according to the Russian MOD.  In the Donetsk People’s Republic, the DPR and LPR troops with support from the Russian Armed Forces had liberated and established control over 216 settlements as of this date.  War Gonzo reported the presence of two battalions of Polish infantry in the city of Pavlograd in the Dnipropetrovsk region being prepared for further transfer to the Avdiivka front.<ref>https://twitter.com/AZmilitary1/status/1528343685334704128</ref>  Each battalion has four "Rapier" anti-tank guns, as well aso American made armored personnel carriers. It was not clear whether they were Polish regulars or mercenaries.<ref>https://lenta.ru/news/2022/05/22/pavlograd/?utm_source=yxnews&utm_medium=desktop</ref>

Two months into the fighting on the Donbas front Ukrainian commanders were deserting the men they were leading.<ref>https://youtu.be/ADGMeZV_cms</ref> Many of the conscripts had only two days training, as most of Ukraine's front-line soldiers had either been captured, killed, or deserted and began walking home.  Morale in the AFU, as well as in the general society, dropped quickly after the fairy tale of proud and committed soldiers bravely resisting in Azovstal was shattered.  On May 22 , 2022, 230 AFU members were killed and 33 armored vehicles were destroyed by the Russian Armed Forces, according to the Russian MOD.  In the Donetsk People’s Republic, the DPR and LPR troops with support from the Russian Armed Forces had liberated and established control over 216 settlements as of this date.  War Gonzo reported the presence of two battalions of Polish infantry in the city of Pavlograd in the Dnipropetrovsk region being prepared for further transfer to the Avdiivka front.<ref>https://twitter.com/AZmilitary1/status/1528343685334704128</ref>  Each battalion has four "Rapier" anti-tank guns, as well aso American made armored personnel carriers. It was not clear whether they were Polish regulars or mercenaries.<ref>https://lenta.ru/news/2022/05/22/pavlograd/?utm_source=yxnews&utm_medium=desktop</ref>

===Legality of operation===

===Legality of operation===