For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Kyiv Post, National Public Radio, and the Kyiv Independent, and to commentary from the Duran and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date, so far, and a WOODWORTH entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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Russia’s top general visits troops in Ukraine to discuss next steps. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russia’s top general, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, visited troops fighting in the war in Ukraine to discuss the next steps after the taking the town of Avdiivka, state media reported today. President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russian troops would . . . READ MORE . . .
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HIMARS blamed for bloody strike on Russian unit standing in field to wait for general, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post A Ukrainian long-range missile strike shattered a Russian infantry battalion drawn up in parade formation, killing dozens of soldiers as they waited for a top Kremlin-appointed general and other army brass to inspect their ranks, reports today from both sides of the lines said. Russian milbloggers blamed . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine outnumbered, outgunned, ground down by relentless Russia, by Max Hunder | Reuters KRAMATORSK, Ukraine — The infantry of 59th Brigade are confronting a bleak reality: they’re running out of soldiers and ammunition to resist their Russian invaders. One platoon commander estimated that just 60-70% of the several thousand men in the brigade two years ago were still serving. The rest had . . . READ MORE . . .
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With Western military aid increasingly uncertain, Ukraine builds its own weapons. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and Polina Lytvynova | NPR Ukrainian Armor Design and Manufacturing Co. and other homegrown arms makers are turning out weapons as fast as they can. Since 2015, Ukrainian Armor has developed and produced two types of . . . Click HERE to listen and read.
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Ukrainian soldiers recall retreat from Avdiivka – on foot, leaving their wounded behind, by Asami Terajima | The Kyiv Independent DONETSK OBLAST — As Russian forces closed in on a Ukrainian pocket southeast of Avdiivka, infantryman Oleh heard the order clearly: “There will be no evacuation. Leave 300 [the wounded].” Oleh was among the last to flee the nearly encircled Zenit, a key position that . . . READ MORE . . .
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Chaos in Kiev follows chaotic retreat from Avdeyevka. Alex Christoforou of the Duran talks with Alexander Mercouris, his colleague in the Cyprus-based blog, about what they depict as Western misperceptions of Russian aims and strategies. Click HERE to listen and watch.
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How the Kremlin weaponized Russian history — and has used it to justify the war in Ukraine, by Dasha Litvinova | AP In an effort to rally people around their world view, Russian authorities have tried to magnify the country’s past victories while glossing over the more sordid chapters of its history. They have rewritten textbooks, funded . . . READ MORE . . .