As Vladimir Putin started to publicly use the term Novarossiya (new Russia) to refer to the area of southeast Ukraine he is invading, heavy fighting is reported in east Ukraine between Ukrainian forces and a large Russian 200-250 piece armored column of tanks and armored personnel carriers heading to take back the corridor that the Ukrainian forces made to cut off Donetsk from Luhansk and Russia. Initial Reports are limited but indicate that they are taking significant ground but the Ukrainians are fighting back and inflicting casualties surprising the Russian forces. In modern military terms this is a very significant armored group representing almost a full armored brigade as a typical Russian armored battalion holds 41 tanks. This corridor is of significant military value and cost the Ukrainian military many casualties and weeks of effort to create as they tried to isolate Russian mercenaries in Donetsk.

The other large Russian armored force that took Novazovsk has extended it's reach towards the significant city of Mariupol. The Ukrainian army retreated to Mariupol and residents are working with the army to fortify roadblocks and fighting positions.

As a testament to the heavy fighting and determination of Ukraine to protect its territory, the Ukrainian press service released information today that on August 25th two Ukrainian Majors were surrounded by a force of Russian paratroopers and when they raised their hands to surrender they triggered explosive devices killing 12 of the Russian invaders.

Ukraine also announced today the reinstitution of conscription as they came to realize that this war will escalate further and last longer now that so many regular Russian forces have invaded.

As the casualties mount and the first large scale conventional war in Europe since World War Two unfolds, Europe and the United States have yet to act with more than words and limited economic sanctions. Further sanctions are expected but Ukraine really needs real time intelligence and more sophisticated weapons systems, training and basic supplies to support their needs for a growing force that is fighting to keep Russia out of Eastern Europe again.