For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, the Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, and to commentary from Redacted News and, via Consortium News, from Common Dreams; other information is accessible by clicking on some of the names and initials below. (GAZA entry for this date and a PAUL entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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Russian drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s 2nd largest city, kills 7, by Samya Kullab | AP KYIV — A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, killed seven people overnight, including three children, Kharkiv region governor Oleh Syniehubov said today. At least 10 drones, he said, were launched at Kharkiv, eight of which were shot down. Civilian infrastructure . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia says it foiled Ukrainian drone attack on civilian cargo ships in Black Sea. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russia said today it had repelled an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on Russian “civilian transport ships” on Friday evening in the southwestern part of the Black Sea, a key artery for grain and oil exports from both countries. Civilian vessels on the Black Sea . . . READ MORE . . .
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Young blood: Zelensky bets on new generation, battle-tested officers for top army posts, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post If President Volodymyr Zelensky gets his way, his Thursday decision to sack veteran General Valery Zaluzhny from command of Armed Forces of Ukraine won’t just switch out the man in charge, but unleash generational change across the army’s top leadership. The next Ukrainian army commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, Zelensky said, will . . . READ MORE . . .
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Fate of Avdiivka uncertain as Ukrainian forces defending it struggle with fortifications, resources, by Asami Terajima | The Kyiv Independent DONETSK OBLAST – Avdiivka is an embattled city just outside Russian-occupied Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Many infantrymen and other soldiers deployed on the first line of defense have complained that their positions appear to have been poorly . . . READ MORE . . .
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‘Ukraine’s army is about to collapse and Zelensky is finished.’ Clayton Morris of Redacted News, a YouTube program, speaks with Scott Ritter, former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence office and former UN weapons inspector several days ago. Click HERE for the 14-minute segment,
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FROM FEB 9 Ukraine aid bill inches forward in U.S. Senate, by David Morgan | Reuters WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Friday edged closer to passing a bill that includes $95.34 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, but faces an uncertain path to becoming law due to Republican opposition in both chambers of Congress. The Senate voted 64-19 to advance the legislation one step along a chain of preliminary votes that could stretch into next week, unless . . . READ MORE . . .
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The Biden-Schumer plan to kill more Ukrainians, by Jeffrey Sachs | Common Dreams / Consortium News President Joe Biden is refusing to fold a losing hand as he bets with Ukrainian lives and U.S. taxpayer money. Biden and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer propose . . . READ MORE . . .