First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, Agence France-Presse, and Newsweek; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a link to a Newsweek story linked in an article from the Libertarian Institute cited HERE yesterday. — MCM
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Blinken says no Ukraine cease-fire without a peace deal that includes Russia’s withdrawal, by Susie Blann and Matthew Lee | AP KYIV — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today there can be no cease-fire in the war in Ukraine unless it is part of a “just and lasting” peace deal that includes Russia’s military withdrawal. He said “a cease-fire that simply freezes current lines in place” and allows Russian President Vladimir Putin “to consolidate control over . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine says it downed 36 Russian missiles and drones, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters KYIV — Ukrainian forces in Kyiv said today they shot down 36 Russian missiles and drones in and around the capital overnight, with two people injured by falling debris before authorities lifted air raid alerts across most of the country. Russia has launched about 20 missile and drone attacks on Kyiv since the beginning of May, a surge . . . READ MORE . . .
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U.S. seeking explosives in Japan for Ukraine artillery shells, by Tim Kelly, Nobuhiro Kubo, Yukiko Toyoda and Kaori Kaneko | Reuters TOKYO — The United States is seeking to secure supplies of TNT in Japan for 155mm artillery shells, as Washington rushes weapons and ammunition to Ukraine for a counteroffensive against Russian forces, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. For war-renouncing Japan, any procurement would test its willingness to court controversy to help Kyiv because export rules ban Japanese companies from selling lethal items overseas, such as . . . READ MORE . .
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Europe suffering sharp munitions deficit due to military aid largesse to Kiev – newspaper. From Tass. ROME — Europe is experiencing a palpable deficit of ammunition due to its generous military support for the Kiev regime, Italian daily La Repubblica reported today. According to the newspaper, among other items, there is a shortage of shells and explosives for warheads. That . . . READ MORE . . .
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Two wounded after drone hits Russian city near Ukraine: governor. From AFP. Two people were wounded on Thursday when a drone hit Russia’s southwestern city of Belgorod near Ukraine, regional officials said. “An unknown device exploded in Belgorod,” regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Belgorod Mayor Valentin Demidov said the explosion went off near a petrol station, adding . . . READ MORE . . .
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What is known about Kiev’s attack on city of Shebekino in Belgorod Region. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to break into the city of Shebekino in the Belgorod Region, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told reporters Thursday. He said Kiev lost over 60 servicemen and six vehicles; several civilians were injured as a result of Ukraine’s attack . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian commanders facing ‘acute dilemma’ as border regions attacked: U.K., by Isabel Van Brugen | Newsweek Russian commanders have faced an “acute dilemma” as its border regions came under attack for the second time in 10 days, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said today. The MoD’s intelligence update came a day after anti-Vladimir Putin militias said they crossed into Russia’s Belgorod region. Ilya Ponomarev, an exiled Russian politician . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia ‘on course’ for NATO conflict, Czech commander says, by David Brennan | Newsweek General Karel Rehka, the chief of the general staff of the Czech armed forces, said at a conference in the Czech parliament on Monday that NATO militaries must undertake the “essential” task of preparing for the “worst-case scenario” of a NATO war with Russia, according to Czech news service iROZHLAS. READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED