Putin's Annexation and Lyman's Encirclement  —  Even by his own standards Vladimir Putin's speech on 30 September in the Kremlin's St George's Hall was unhinged.  For those who can face reading it, it can be found here.  As he ranted about the west, denouncing it in lurid terms for a range of evils …

Ukraine live briefing: Russian forces withdrawing from Lyman; nuclear plant chief detained  —  The Russian Defense Ministry says its troops are withdrawing from the eastern Ukrainian city of Lyman “due to the threat of encirclement” — a day after the Kremlin illegally annexed that region.

Putin Is Turning Russia Into a Giant North Korea  —  With his annexation of parts of Ukraine on Friday, Vladimir Putin has set in motion forces that are turning Russia into a giant North Korea.  It will be a paranoid, angry, isolated state, but unlike North Korea, the Russian version …

Russia withdraws troops after Ukraine encircles key city  —  After being encircled by Ukrainian forces, Russia pulled troops out Saturday from an eastern Ukrainian city that it had been using as a front-line hub.  It was the latest victory for the Ukrainian counteroffensive that has humiliated and angered the Kremlin.

Ukrainian forces encircle thousands of Russian troops in key eastern city  —  Kyiv edges towards full control of Lyman, a staging ground for Russian troops, in blow to Putin  —  Russia withdrew from the eastern Ukrainian city of Lyman on Saturday, less than 24 hours after Vladimir Putin announced …

Russian troops forced out of key east Ukraine town  —  Summary  — Russian troops withdraw from strategic east Ukraine town of Lyman where Kyiv's forces were threatening to encircle them  — Confirmation of the retreat came via Russia's defence ministry.  It will be seen as a significant blow, analysts say

A G.O.P. Test in Michigan: Is Trump a Help or a Hindrance?  —  Tudor Dixon, the party's nominee for governor, has ground to make up in her race against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.  She is hoping the former president can rally their party's base.  —  CLARKSTON, Mich. — As she runs to lead …

Democrats worry polls showing them as Senate favorites are wrong  —  Political handicappers are labeling Senate Democrats as the favorites to keep their majority, but Democratic senators themselves are worried the polls may be flawed in their favor just as they were in 2016 and 2020.