For today, links to nine reports from the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, the Kyiv Post, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Ukrainian drones and missiles kill 3 in Russia and Crimea, after bombing of Kharkiv leaves 3 dead. From AP. KYIV — Russian authorities said four people died in Ukrainian drone and missile attacks today, a day after Russia’s bombing of Ukraine’s second largest city of Kharkiv killed three people and left dozens in hospitals.READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for reports from AFP and HERE for a report from Tass.

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Russian forces dropped 35 glide bombs on Kharkiv Oblast over past day. From the Kyiv Independent. Russian troops attacked Kharkiv Oblast with 35 glide bombs in the past 24 hours, Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia group of forces, said today. Russia recently . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia could reduce decision time for use of nuclear weapons, lawmaker says, by Guy Faulconbridge and Lidia Kelly | Reuters  MOSCOW — Russia, the world’s biggest nuclear power, could reduce the decision-making time stipulated in official policy for the use of nuclear weapons if Moscow believes that threats are increasing, parliament’s defence committee chairman said. The war in Ukraine has . . . READ MORE . . .

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With its new pact with North Korea, Russia raises the stakes with the West over Ukraine. From AP. The pact that Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un envisions mutual military assistance between Moscow and Pyongyang if either is attacked. Putin also announced for the first time that Russia could provide weapons to the isolated country, a move that could destabilize the Korean Peninsula and reverberate far beyond. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s use of western weapons on Russian soil becomes a gamechanger within hours of U.S. approval. From Kyiv Post. The recent decision by the United States to authorize Ukraine’s use of Western weaponry on Russian soil has rapidly changed the course of the war. According to Ukrainian military sources cited by the Associated Press, the approval granted in late May . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia is finding new supporters after being isolated by the West. Reported by Charles Maynes | NPR  Russia is courting new international trading partners since its invasion of Ukraine caused much of the globe to economically isolate it. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.