First, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials. Then, via Popular Resistance, an article by a close observer of the war and an accompanying nearly two-hour video of a forum held last Friday. — MCM |
– – –
Fighting rages over Ukraine’s Soledar despite mercenaries’ claim of control, by Olena Harmash and Clodagh Kilcoyne|Reuters * Russia acknowledges heavy losses * Wagner contract militia claims control * Ukraine says its forces holding on * Salt mines have symbolic, military and commercial value | KYIV/NEAR BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Russian and Ukrainian forces were engaged in intense fighting on today over the town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine — a stepping stone in Moscow’s push to capture the entire Donbas region — with the Russians appearing to have the upper hand. The mercenary group Wagner . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Ukraine says mining town holding out against Russian assault, by Andrew Meldrum | AP KYIV — The fate of a devastated salt-mining town in eastern Ukraine hung in the balance today as Ukraine said its forces were holding out against a furious Russian onslaught inwhat has become one of the fiercest and most costly battles in the almost 11-month war . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russia makes a tactical advance in Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. Reported by Leila Fadel and Elissa Nadworny | NPR Intense fighting continues in and around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Russia and a Kremlin-aligned mercenary force have made small advances in nearby villages in recent days. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
– – –
DPR official says 500 Ukrainian troops may be trapped in Soledar. From Tass. DONETSK — About 500 Ukrainian troops may be trapped in Soledar, a town that’s gone under the control of Russian forces, Yan Gagin, a military analyst and an adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic said today. Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin said several hours earlier . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Ukraine can win this year with long-range missiles from West: presidency. From AFP. Ukraine can win the war this year if Western powers increase weapons supplies, particularly long-range missile systems, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
My evening with a Ukrainian propaganda/agitation unit, by Scott Ritter | Educate! Information Warfare 101. On the night of January 6, I was invited to participate in a panel discussion on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine organized by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace (BN4P), a local antiwar group I’ve had connections with since the leadup to the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, and the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC), a national organization founded and headed by . . . Click HERE to read, and to listen and watch.