Like water polishing rock,
sometimes imperceptible, inexorable,
But suddenly the cracks split open,
We see decisive actions, momentum,
something in the air, the water,
A change in the balance of power
Ukraine reclaiming territory…
The tide of the war is shifting,
perhaps almost imperceptibly,
But nonetheless real…
Asymmetric war, innovation,
Foreign drone production,
Allies stepping forward, joining,
A new international F-16 squadron,
a different year ended, turning, shifting,
A decisive year has begun,
unfolding before our eyes,
things are changing on the front…
Quickly seeing the fruits of their efforts,
The resolve of their partners rising,
Ukraine will continue to survive, to adapt…
Russia is facing struggle, rebellion,
trying to silence their people, cutting off
communication when they need it most...
General Winter is attacking, General Frost,
Across Siberia, infrastructure is collapsing,
Russia’s size has become its weakness…
Ukraine’s strength mutes its power…
Homegrown weapons become effective
destroying strategic targets
Their Achilles Heel…
Asymmetric warfare, drones, and missiles,
A change in the language of allies,
A rise in the KIA numbers, shifting,
a new target announced by leaders,
Hunting in their homeland, unprotected…
They will be defeated by attrition,
By their self-destructive choices,
Vulnerable in their vastness,
a field rich with targets
Too many to protect…
---------------
Edited/change name February 18, 2026
Momentum Shifting
Edited/change name February 17, 2026
Momentum changing
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/02/momentum-changing.html
Based on my post to Mykhailo Fedorov on LinkedIn,
“In the poem below, I called 2025, "A different year
ended"; but that makes 2026, "A decisive year begun". I pray
this is the year for Ukraine to achieve victory and a just and lasting peace. ”
Edited January 25, 2026
A decisive year beginning – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-decisive-year-beginning-v2.html
Based on my post to Mykhailo Fedorov on LinkedIn
Edited January 5, 2026
A different year ended – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-different-year-ended-v2.html
Inspired by post of Christina Kydrava, December 31, 2025,
https://www.instagram.com/stories/kydrava_/3799867793609373927/
reposting her post of December 31, 2024
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEQD199tBfb/
“There will be no results, only conclusions: the struggle
continues.”
I replied: “Another year ending but different than last
December 31. This year ending was like 1942/1943 in the United States, where
military production and attacks on Japanese positions began after the attack on
Pearl Harbor. The parallels aren't perfect, but Ukraine is now producing more
of its own weapons and taking the fight to Russia. 2026 will be decisive for
Ukraine’s victory.”
Edited December 31, 2025
Despite everything
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/despite-everything.html
December 30, 2025 Instagram post by Oleksandra Matviichuk
https://www.instagram.com/p/DS7HP6aDOC3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Edited December 27, 2025
Courage to Step Outside – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/courage-to-step-outside-v3.html
Images and videos of Christmas celebrations and parades
In Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine and
Erica Kabaeva post on Instagram November 4, 2025
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A.
Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023,
2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for
usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where
You Live.
Poetry, courage, life, Ukraine, war, Christmas, Kyiv, resolve,
New Year, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Christina Kydrava, Mykhailo Fedorov,
#poetry #courage #life #Ukraine #war #Kyiv #resolve
#NewYear #OleksandraMatviichuk #ChristinaKydrava #EricaKabaeva #MykhailoFedorov
