First, a collection of reports from the British daily The Guardian. Second and third, the beginnings of Reuters and Associated Press stories updated this morning, both linked to others related to the war. Fourth, a look at translations of some headlines in extended coverage by the Spanish newspaper El País, which asks readers to subscribe.) Then, the beginning of a story of how many Russian families tend to be divided by generation over the war, from the French daily Le Monde. — MCM
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Putin appoints new war commander; Johnson Kyiv visit ‘very important. From The Guardian Alexander Dvornikov has record of brutality against civilians in Syria, say U.S. officials; Zelenskiy adviser praises UK prime minister’s ‘timely’ visit * Trapped in Mariupol hospital: ‘They said anyone who left would be shot’ * Boris Johnson pledges to send more arms during surprise visit to Kyiv * Luhansk residents told to evacuate as Russia moves focus east * Analysis: witnessing atrocities in real time is changing everything * At a glance: what we know on day 46 of Russian invasion of Ukraine
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Kyiv keeps pressure on West to do more as battle looms in Ukraine’s east, by Elizabeth Piper and Zohra Bensemra | Reuters * Zelenskiy urges oil embargo, seeks arms * Satellite pictures show convoy heading south * Civilian grave found near Kyiv, official says * Nine trains laid on for evacuation in east, governor says | KYIV/BUZOVA, Ukraine — Ukraine said today it was seeking another round of European Union sanctions against Moscow and more military aid from its allies as it braces for a major Russian offensive in the east of the country. , , . Ukraine says [Russia] has been gathering its forces in the east for a major assault and has urged people . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine digs in to fight Russia’s looming eastern offensive, by Adam Schreck and Cara Anna | The Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces dug in and Russia’s military lined up more firepower today ahead of an expected showdown in eastern Ukraine that could become a decisive period in a war that has flattened cities, killed untold thousands and isolated Moscow economically and politically. Experts say a full-scale offensive in the east could start within days, though questions remained about the ability of Russia’s depleted and demoralized forces to conquer much ground after Ukraine’s inspired defenders repelled their push to capture the capital, Kyiv. Britain’s Defense Ministry reported today that Russia’s armed forces were trying to compensate for mounting casualties by boosting troop numbers with personnel who had been discharged from service since 2012. Ukraine has the bulk of its military forces in the east: estimates vary, but they are believed to number in the tens of thousands. READ MORE . . .
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El País offers for free the latest from the conflict in Ukraine as a public service. Headlines include “United States will supply Ukraine ‘the weapons necessary’ to stop Russia” (AP), “France will keep two paintings from the Morozova collection that were to return to Russia” (El País), “Ukraine denounces the wounding of six rescue workers by shelling in the Dnipro region this morning” (news agencies), “[Ukraine Foreign Minister] Kuleba says the German and French decision in 2008 against permitting Ukraine to join NATO was a ‘strategic error’” (news agencies), “Emergency services exhume bodies of civilians buried in a common grave in Buzova outside Kyiv” (Reuters), “UN confirms 1,793 civilians deaths and 2,439 civilian wounded in Ukraine” (Europa Press), “The Russian Orthodox Church’s support for the war threatens to isolate it) (EFE), “The Pope asks for a truce in Ukraine during Holy Week” (EFE). “If you want to support our journalism,” El País suggests, “subscribe.” (Si quieres apoyar nuestro periodismo, suscríbete.)
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In Russia, on the question of Ukraine, generations clash, by Moscow correspondent Benoît Vitkine | Le Monde The “special military operation” unleashed by Vladimir Putin is tearing apart thousands of families. Older members watch state-controlled television and a majority support their president. The young, informed by the Internet, are more critical. On the morning of Feb. 24, when the conflict started in Ukraine, Jenia had only one reflex: run to his parents place on the other side of Moscow. “I was shocked,” recalled the 25-year-old fashion photographer, “and I said to myself we should be together, supporting each other emotionally.” . . . In his parents’ apartment, though, it was not at all what he had imagined. “My mother was glued to the television, my father stretched out on the sofa. His first words to me were, ‘You, you’re on the khokhlis’ side.’” The term khokhli, very pejorative, was for the Ukrainians. For his father, workers in an electronics factory, Jenia was in the enemy camp. The following days were worse . . . READ MORE in French . . .
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TO BE CONTINUED