First, links to reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally for today, a link to an article of analysis from the Unz Review. — MCM
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In the Donbas, Russia’s vast numbers of troops weigh heavily on Ukraine’s defenders. Reported by Frank Langfitt | NPR KRAMATORSK, Ukraine — The Russian and Ukrainian armies have burned through many of their best soldiers in the past year of war. Both sides now rely heavily on conscripts. Andriy, a Ukrainianreconnaissance team leader, says the problem is that Russia has far more troops than Ukraine, and even young, inexperienced men pose a challenge simply by virtue of their numbers. “The Russian mobilizational reserve is pretty much infinite,” he says, “which means . . . Click HERE to listen and read.
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Ukraine unyielding in Bakhmut as Russian troops close in. From AP. KYIV — Ukrainian military leaders are determined to hold onto Bakhmut, Kyiv officials said today, even as Russian forces continued to encroach on the devastated eastern Ukrainian city. More broadly, Russia continues to experience difficulty generating battlefield momentum. Moscow’s . . . READ MORE . . .
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Kyiv says forces are holding on in ‘hellish’ Bakhmut battle, by Nick Starkov | Reuters * Bakhmut defence is holding, says Ukrainian officer * Pentagon boss Austin plays down strategic value of Bakhmut * Wagner boss says aide barred from operational HQ as row swirls | KYIV — Kyiv said today its troops were still holding out in a “hellish” fight for Bakhmut, while Washington said that even if the eastern Ukrainian city should fall to a Russian offensive, it would not necessarily give Moscow momentum in the war. In the latest sign of a feud between Russia’s military and the Wagner private army leading its Bakhmut assault, Wagner’s boss demanded . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia aims to capture Bakhmut, for its first important battlefield victory in months. Reported by A Martínez and Joanna Kakissis | NPR Russian and Ukrainian forces have been fighting over the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Both sides have suffered horrific losses. Russia is trying to encircle Ukrainian forces still in the city. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Deja vu: Ukrainian forces trapped in Artyomovsk evoke memory of Debaltsevo – DPR adviser. From Tass. MOSCOW — The encirclement in Artyomovsk (a town known in Ukraine as Bakhmut) harkens back to how Ukrainian forces were trapped in Debaltsevo in 2015, Yan Gagin, an adviser to interim head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin, said today. “Practically everything,” he said, “is under the control [of Russian forces]. This, one can say, is practically a new cauldron, which . . . READ MORE . . .
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Direct talks between Russia, U.S. are needed to settle conflict in Ukraine – Hungarian FM. From Tass. BUDAPEST — Hungary believes the settlement of the armed conflict in Ukraine requires direct talks between Russia and the U.S., Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said today. “We would welcome direct talks . . . READ MORE . . .
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Italy’s prime minister supports Ukraine — causing tension within her coalition. Reported by Sylvia Poggioli | NPR Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is known for her far-right domestic policies, but she is supporting Ukraine. However, some of her coalition partners do not. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Japan and South Korea address a dispute over their bitter past. Reported by Anthony Kuhn | NPR South Korea’s government is introducing a new plan to resolve historical disputes with Japan, and compensate Koreans for the forced labor imposed by Tokyo’s 35-year colonial rule. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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War and propaganda in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, by Ron Unz | The Unz Review The Wall Street Journal on Feb. 25 published a lengthy review by Yaroslav Trofimov of the twelve months of the conflict, summarizing what had happened and describing future prospects (Ukraine is the West’s war now). The writer noted that America and its allies had already provided Ukraine with an astonishing $120 billion in military equipment and money, a figure far larger than Russia’s entire defense budget, with further massive . . . READ MORE . . .