First, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Tass, Agence France-Presse, and National Public Radio; others are accesssible by clicking on their names or initials below. See also a one-year perspective on the war from Consortium News, linked HERE or just below this entry. — MCM

–   –   –

Ukraine says Russia endures deadliest day as fighting intensifies in east, by Olena Harmash | Reuters KYIV — Ukraine said today the last 24 hours were the deadliest of the war so far for Russian troops, as Moscow pressed on with an intensifying winter assault in the east bringing tens of thousands of freshly mobilised troops to the battlefield. The Ukrainian claim could not be independently verified. Tallies of enemy casualties from either side have typically been seen as . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian shells spark hospital fire before expected assault, by Susie Blann | AP  KYIV — Russian shelling hit more civilian targets in Ukraine, starting a fire at a town’s hospital and damaging five apartment buildings, local officials said today, as Ukrainian authorities reported a Moscow troop buildup in eastern areas before what Kyiv suspected was . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Shoigu talks about success near Artyomovsk, escalation risk over NATO moves. From Tass. MOSCOW — The deliveries of Western offensive armaments to the Kiev regime are drawing NATO countries into the conflict in Ukraine and can eventually lead to “an unpredictable escalation,” Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said today. Meanwhile, Russian forces “continue grinding down” the West-supplied weapons both at the front line and along . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia advancing ‘with success’ in east Ukraine: Minister. From AFP. “Military operations are at the moment progressing with success in the areas around Vugledar and Artemovsk,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said today using the previous name for Bakhmut. He listed seven settlements that Russia has recently “liberated,” including . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukrainian soldiers benefit from U.S. prosthetics expertise but their war is different. Reported by Quil Lawrence | NPR  Since Russia invaded a year ago, it’s believed that thousands of Ukrainians have lost limbs in the war, though the government in Kiev hasn’t publicly confirmed the number killed or wounded. Click HERE to listen, read and see photos by NPR’s Eric Lee.

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED