SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE GROWS IN THE BROWNSVILLE HOODS...

(Ed.'s Note: Whether it's in swank Sunset Drive in Rio Viejo or on Ebony Street across Palm Blvd., local residents' support for the beleaguered Ukraine Republic is growing in Brownsville. The Russian invasion – AKA "special military operation" – now in it's 55th day, has seen thousands of civilians killed through indiscriminate bombing and ruthless summary executions and their bodies left to rot in the street.

President Vladimir Putin hailed the “liberation” of Mariupol after being told by his defense minister that Russian forces now control all of the Ukrainian port city, apart from the vast Azovstal steel plant where Ukrainian fighters are holding out. They have vowed to fight to the death.

Ukraine is ready for a “special round of negotiations” with no conditions “to save our guys … military, civilians, children, the living and the wounded,” Ukrainian negotiator and presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter.

Kyiv has proposed swapping Russian prisoners of war for safe passage for trapped civilians and soldiers. It is not known if Russia has responded to the offer of special negotiations.

The Luhansk governor says Russian forces now control 80 percent of the region amid a renewed offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Russia is “most likely” to intensify attacks in Ukraine before their May 9 Victory Day celebrations, the United Kingdom’s defence ministry says in its latest intelligence briefing.

Given the dire straits and valiant defense of their country by the Ukranians, we wonder why the City of Brownsville, Cameron County and other boards of local government entities have not passed resolutions in support of these freedom fighters against Russian aggression. Will they follow the lead of their constituents and issue them?)