For today, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, the Kyiv Post, National Public Radio, and Tass, and to commentary from Indian Punchline and ScheerPost. (GAZA entry for this date and an ASSANGE entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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UK defence minister says intelligence has evidence of Chinese lethal aid to Russia. From Reuters.LONDON — British defence minister Grant Shapps accused China today of providing or preparing to provide Russia with lethal aid for use by Moscow in its war against Ukraine. Shapps said U.S. and British defence intelligence had evidence . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian army says recaptured village in Ukraine’s Luhansk. From AFP. Russia said today its forces retook Klishchiivka, one of only a handful of villages on the eastern front that Ukraine regained during its counteroffensive last summer. READ MORE . . .
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Russian guided bombs hit residential area in Kharkiv, nine injured. From Reuters. A Russian air attack on Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv today injured at least nine people, at least one severely, and set fire to a residential building, local officials said. READ MORE . . .
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Russian attacks on Ukraine power grid touch Kyiv with blackouts ahead of peak demand, by Samya Kullab | AP KYIV — Sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid in recent weeks have forced leaders of the war-ravaged country to institute nationwide rolling blackouts. Without adequate air defenses to counter assaults and allow for repairs, though, the shortages could . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine army gunners now finding — some – shells to hit latest Russian assault, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post Ukrainian gunners for the first time in months appear to have had enough artillery shells to take on big Russian ground attacks, but supplies . . . READ MORE . . .
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Former NATO secretary-general wants to see Ukraine admitted to the alliance quickly. Leila Fadel of NPR speaks with former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen about what it might mean if NATO invited Ukraine to join the alliance as soon as this year, Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Russian drone kills Ukrainian police officer evacuating frontline village. From AFP. A Russian drone attack killed a Ukrainian police officer who was evacuating civilians from the front line village of Vovchansk in the northeast Kharkiv region, Ukraine’s interior minister said today. READ MORE . . .
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Russian troops liberate Kleshcheyevka community in Donetsk area over past day — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated the settlement of Kleshcheyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 21 The ‘inside track’ of Putin-Xi Jinping talks, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline The summit meeting at Beijing last Thursday between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place at a momentous juncture when . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 21 Putin and Xi embrace in defiance of the West. Robert Scheer of ScheerPost “plays president” as he talks with CIA veteran Ray McGovern following last week’s summit meeting in Beijing between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Click HERE to watch and listen.