RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (Kremlin.ru/Wikipedia).

Has Russia gained the upper hand in Ukraine?

At the same time that invading Russians forces are reportedly making advances against Ukrainian defenders, Russian President Vladimir Putin fired his defense minster and replaced with Andrei Belousov, an economist who was first deputy prime minister. Sergei Shoigu will become the new head of the security council.

On the battlefield, Russian troops have crossed the northeastern Ukrainian border and pushed defenders and refugees back out of nine villages toward the city of Kharkov.

After the initial period of combat, most of the fighting has been in the south and east of Ukraine. Fatigue and a shortage of ammunition and other supplies are being blamed for Ukrainian setbacks, although $62 billion worth of military and humanitarian aid is on its way from the United States.

New “Planet of Apes” earned $56.5m

“KINGDOM OF The Planet of the Apes” (20th Century Fox).

The latest version of the “Kingdom of the Apes” franchise pulled in an estimated $56.5 million at the box office this weekend.

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” was the most popular film, followed by “The Fall Guy” (earning $13.7 million), “Challengers” ($4.7 million) and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” ($2.5 million).

In sixth through 10th place were “Unsung Heroes,” “Kung Fu Panda 4, “Civil War,” “The Phantom Menace” and “Abigail.”

Weather: Just a bit cooler

Daytime temperatures in our West Orange County area will be a bit chillier this week, compared to previous weeks. Monday’s forecast is for morning clouds and afternoon sun, with a daytime high of 70 and an overnight low of 59. Tuesday is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 70 (58). Wednesday and Thursday should cool a bit to 69 (57/58) with clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon each day.