MAP showing the military situation in Ukraine as of Friday (Wikipedia).

As Russian forces continue their invasion of Ukraine, resistance – military, diplomatic and financial – is stiffening.

Thousands of civilians have taken up arms to supplement the regular Ukrainian forces, and news agencies are reporting that their efforts have – at least – slowed the progress of the attackers.

Fighting is especially fierce in and around the capital city of Kyiv (also known as Kiev). While most of the 150,000 Russian troops mobilized for the invasion are believed to have crossed the border, a smaller number are approaching the city, according to The New York Times.

Military sources suggest that while some Russian troops are inside the city, the bulk of their forces are still miles away.

While the fighting on the ground and in the air continues, some help is coming for the embattled eastern European nation.

Germany has reversed an earlier decision and agreed to send military weapons and supplies, according to the Associated Press. It will send 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles.

Also, Germany has now joined with other Western allies to support slapping some restrictions on Russia’s access to the SWIFT global banking system.

Casualties inflicted by the Russian attacks are numbered at close to 200 killed and 1,115 people wounded. Refugees leaving the area have been estimated to be over 150,000 people, many of them headed for the border with Poland.

The Ukrainian government is banning all males ages 18 to 60 from leaving the country, presumably to have a role in the defense of the country.

Sports: McVay will McReturn

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, fresh off a Super Bowl victory, has squashed speculation that he would retire to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. ESPN is reporting that McVay has confirmed to the  network that he will return for the 2022 season.

Weather: Summer in the winter

For another three weeks or so, this is technically the winter season. However, starting on Sunday, residents of West Orange County will be able to enjoy summer-like conditions, at least for a while. Tomorrow’s daytime high is expected to hit 77 (49 overnight) with mostly cloudy skies. Monday should see the thermometer hit 83 (41) with sunny skies; Tuesday should be similar.