For now, links to reports from the Associated Press, teleDUR, National Public Radio, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; to access others, click on their names or initials below. — MCM
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Putin orders troop replenishment in face of Ukraine losses,by Derek Gatopoulos and Hanna Arhirova | AP KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a major buildup of his country’s military forces Thursday in an apparent effort to replenish troops that have suffered heavy losses in six months of bloody warfare and prepare for a long, grinding fight ahead in Ukraine. The move to increase the number of troops by 137,000, or 13%, to 1.15 million by the end of the year came . . . READ MORE . . .
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U.S. announces largest weapons package for Ukraine. From TeleSUR. On Wednesday, the United States announced an additional tranche of security assistance to Ukraine worth nearly US$3 billion, the largest one-time weapons aid to Kiev that came as the Russia-Ukraine conflict reached the half-year mark. The United States has committed more than US$13.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Biden took office. According to a breakdown by the Department of Defense . . . READ MORE . . .
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At Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, officials try to prevent a meltdown. Reported by Julian Hayda | NPR A nuclear power plant in eastern Ukraine is at risk of melting down because of attacks on the surrounding electric grid. European officials want international inspectors to visit the plant. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Russia fires on cities not far from nuclear plant, by Derek Gatopoulos | AP KYIV — Russian forces fired missiles and artillery on Ukrainian-held area across the river from Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, authorities said today as concern persisted about safety at the Russian-controlled plant after it was temporarily knocked offline. Grad missiles and artillery shells hit the cities of Nikopol and Marhanets, each . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of shelling around Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. From Reuters. KYIV — Moscow and Kyiv traded fresh accusations today of shelling around the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, which has been a focus of international concern that fighting in the area could . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukrainian operator warns of risk of radioactive leak at nuclear power plant. From AFP. There is a risk of a radioactive leak at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — Europe’s largest — which is occupied by Russian troops, the state energy operator said today. Enervator said Moscow’s troops had “repeatedly shelled” the site of the plant in southern Ukraine over the past day. “As a result of periodic shelling, the infrastructure of the station . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian embassy slams U.S. accusations of war crimes as another fake. From Tass. WASHINGTON — Washington’s accusations of war crimes against Moscow are nothing more than “another fake aimed at discrediting the Russian special military operation,” the Russian embassy in the US said on Friday. . . . The Russian diplomatic mission said that “Russia is committed . . . READ MORE . . .
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Six months into war, Russian goods still flowing to U.S., by Juliet Linderman and Martha Mendoza | AP BALTIMORE — On a hot, humid East Coast day this summer, a massive container ship pulled into the Port of Baltimore loaded with sheets of plywood, aluminum rods and radioactive material – all sourced from the fields, forests and factories of Russia. President Joe Biden promised to “inflict pain” and deal “a crushing blow” on Vladimir Putin through trade restrictions on commodities like vodka, diamonds and gasoline in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine six months ago. But . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia will supply gas to EU in required volumes if its arms are not twisted — official. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia is ready to supply gas to Europe in contracted volumes if the West does not twist its arms by restrictions, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday in an interview with France’s LCI TV Channel. “We are ready to supply gas in volumes that were contracted even now. However, this will definitely . . . READ MORE . . .