For today, links to seven reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, the Kyiv Post, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.)
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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy dominates Asia security conference as China, Taiwan trade barbs, by Xinghui Kok and Fanny Potkin | Reuters SINGAPORE — Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy today asked governments at the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore for support and participation at a summit in Switzerland later this month aimed at bringing peace to his war-ravaged nation. READ MORE . . .
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Zelenskyy accuses China of pressuring other countries not to attend upcoming Ukraine peace talks, by David Rising and Ken Moritsugu | AP SINGAPORE — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused China today of helping Russia to disrupt an upcoming Swiss-organized peace conference on the war in Ukraine. Speaking at Asia’s premier security conference . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia claims capture of Umanske village in Donetsk Oblast, by Chris York and news desk | The Kyiv Independent Russia’s Defense Ministry today claimed its forces captured the village of Umanske in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk Oblast, and the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said Russian forces were “trying to advance” in the direction of Sokil, a village around 10 kilometers to the north. READ MORE . . .
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Russian air defenses down two Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft in past day — Defense Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian air defenses downed two Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft in the past day, in addition to destroying 50 Ukrainian drones, 23 HIMARS rockets, two Tochka U missiles, a Neptune missile and three French-made Hammer air bombs, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. READ MORE . . .
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Ukhta oil refinery in Russia rocked by explosions and fire, casualties reported. From Kyiv Post. In Ukhta, in the Russian Republic of Komi, a fire broke out at a local oil refinery owned by Lukoil, following a series of explosions, as reported by the Russian Telegram channels. Russian media reported that the possibility of a UAV attack is not being considered. READ MORE . . .
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Bookstores have come under attack in Ukraine. But interest in reading is only growing. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR After the missile strike, the Factor Druk printing factory looked like a crime scene. Firefighters hosed down piles of burning books and there was blood on the wall. Seven people died. Most of the thousands of destroyed novels, textbooks and children’s books in the Ukrainian language came from . . . Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM JUNE 1 China’s defence minister, Zelenskiy dominate Shangri-La Dialogue’s last day, by Gerry Doyle | Reuters SINGAPORE — Chinese defence chief Dong Jun will discuss global security in an address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday that is often the highlight of the summit’s last day, but may be overshadowed by the presence of Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy. READ MORE . . .