To begin, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. Next, via the Greanville Post, a military assessment of the war as of June 16 from Brian Berletic of The New Atlas. — MCM
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‘It’s just hell there’: Russia still pounds eastern Ukraine, by John Leicester and David Keyton | The Associated Press KYIV — Russia’s military machine persevered in its ferocious effort to grind down Ukraine’s defenses today, as the war’s consequences for food and fuel suppliesincreasingly weighed on minds around the globe after warnings that the fighting could go on for years. In Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, which in recent weeks has become the focal point of Moscow’s attempt to impose its will on its neighbor, battles raged for the control of multiple villages, the local governor said. . . . Russian shelling and airstrikes on the industrial outskirts of Sievierodonetsk have intensified . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russians advance, Zelenskiy expects escalation as EU set to welcome Ukraine, by Natalia Zinets and Max Hunder | Reuters * European Union to decide on Ukraine membership bid * Zelenskiy says battle for Donbas to intensify * City of Sievierodonetsk focus of Russian attacks * NATO’s Stoltenberg says war could last for years | KYIV — Russian forces captured territory along a frontline river in eastern Ukraine on today, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy predicted Moscow would escalate attacks ahead of a summit of European leaders expected to welcome Kyiv’s bid to join the EU. Moscow’s separatist proxies claimed to have captured Toshkivka, a town on the mostly Ukrainian-held western bank of the Siverskyi Donets river, south of Sievierodonetsk, which has become the main battlefield city in recent weeks. Ukraine acknowledged . . . READ MORE . . .
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Lithuania Says Sanctions on Goods to Kaliningrad Take Effect, by Andrius Sytas | Reuters VILNIUS, LITHUANIA — Lithuanian authorities said a ban on the transit through their territory to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad of goods that are subject to EU sanctions was to take effect Saturday. News of the ban came Friday. . . . The EU sanctions list notably includes coal, metals, construction materials and advanced technology, and Alikhanov said the ban would cover around 50% of the items that Kaliningrad imports. READ MORE . . .
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The once-quiet southwestern corner of Ukraine is now playing a key role in trade. Reported by Nathan Rott | National Public Radio An overlooked corner of Ukraine is quietly playing a critical role in the country’s efforts to import and export goods. Russia is trying to cut it off. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Russian Ops in Ukraine (June 16, 2022, Update): West Sends Arms, Russia Still Gaining Ground. Reported by Brian Berletic | The New Atlas Russian forces continue to gain ground in the Donbas; – Russia also gains ground outside Kharkov; – Western media covers up Ukrainian shelling of civilian targets in Donetsk; – The flood of Western weapons continues, but limitations are manifesting themselves; – Harpoon anti-ship missiles will take months to deploy; – 18 more M777 howitzers will not even replace Ukrainian combat losses to date; – HIMARS/M270s will be deployed with . . . Listen HERE to half-hour presentation.
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TO BE CONTINUED