First, links to reports from Reuters, Tass, National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM
– – –
Ukraine defends front line, Putin talks up nuclear arsenal on war anniversary eve, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters * Putin raises possibility of boosting nuclear forces * Russia to deploy Sarmat ICBMs in 2023 * ‘Step back from the brink’, says U.N. chief | Ukraine said its forces had repelled Russian assaults along the length of the front line today, and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to deploy new Sarmat multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missiles this year. “As before, we will . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russian forces wipe out six Ukrainian ammo depots in DPR – top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces destroyed six Ukrainian army ammunition depots in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov said today. Additionally . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
A year in, the U.S. makes a pledge: ‘Ukraine will decide what victory looks like.’ Reported by Ari Shapiro, Ashley Brown and Noah Caldwell | NPR U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says the United States is committed to putting Ukraine in the best possible position to end Russia’s unprovoked invasion, “whether or not the fighting continues, or whether or not they decide to go to the negotiating table” — but . . . Click HERE to listen and read..
– – –
The view from Ukrainian soldiers, the Pentagon and U.S. lawmakers as the war grind on. Reported by Frank Langfitt, Franco Ordoñez and Tom Bowman | NPR As Russia’s war with Ukraine reaches the one-year mark, many say the war is entering a critical phase. But some Republican lawmakers are raising questions about the ongoing support from the U.S. Click HERE to listen and read.
– – –
Finland says will send three Leopard tanks to Ukraine. From AFP. Finland today announced it will send three Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the latest Western country to pledge heavier weapons. “We will send more defence materiel and participate in the Leopard cooperation together with our partners,”Minister of Defence Mikko Savola said, adding that the aid package would also include “training related to their use and maintenance.” READ MORE . . .
– – –
Putinology: the art of analyzing the man in the Kremlin. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR Americans and others who closely studied the Communist leadership of the Soviet Union used to be called “Kremlinologists.” Now there’s a new generation of analysts who could be called “Putinologists,” those seeking to understand Russia today by deconstructing its leader and the war he’s waging in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.
– – –
Putin’s Ukraine gamble seen as biggest threat to his rule, by Andrew Katell | AP Russian President Vladimir Putin laid the foundation for the invasion with a 5,000-word essay in 2021, in which he questioned Ukraine’s legitimacy as a nation. It was the latest chapter in a long obsession with the country and a determination to correct what he believes was a historical mistake of letting it slip from Moscow’s orbit. He reached back three centuries, to Peter the Great, to support . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
U.S. accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine. What does it plan to do about it? From NPR. The U.S. is openly accusing Russia of war crimes in Ukraine. Legal scholars say don’t expect Russian President Vladimir Putin to face trial anytime soon. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
– – –
‘Never saw such hell’: Russian soldiers in Ukraine call home, by Erika Kinetz | AP KYIV — The Associate Press obtained some 2,000 intercepted phone calls made in March 2022 from Russian soldiers in Ukraine, which offer an intimate new perspective on . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
MAY BE CONTINUED