First, links to reports from the Kyiv Post, Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, links to two pieces of commentary from Indian Punchline. — MCM
– – –
Ukrainian forces seize ground including an area occupied by Russia since 2014, by Stefan Korshak | The Kyiv Post The Armed Forces of Ukraine reported today that its troops have launched a series of short-range assaults across the frontline, gaining ground and scoring modest seizures of multiple locations; in at least one place where they have captured defensive positions held by the Russian military since 2014. The most . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russia calls for unity behind Putin after aborted mutiny, by Andrew Osborn | Reuters * Prime minister says Russia must stay united behind Putin * Defence minister appears after mercenary move against him * No sign of Putin or Prigozhin after deal ending revolt * Moscow cancels counter-terrorism measures, Russia said ‘stable’ * Western leaders say events show cracks in Russia’s facade | Russia has faced “a challenge to its stability” and must remain united behind President Vladimir Putin, its prime minister said today, after mercenaries briefly occupied a strategic command centre for its Ukraine war and marched on Moscow. The armed mutiny over the weekend . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
The chaos in Russia is a morale booster for Ukraine as it pushes forward with its counteroffensive, by Samya Kullab | AP KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The armed rebellion against the Russian military was an unexpected gift and timely morale booster for Ukrainian troops. “Soldiers at the front lines are positive about it,” the spokesperson for Ukraine’s Eastern Group of Forces said. “Any chaos and disorder on the enemy’s side . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Ukraine forces recapture new Russian-occupied settlement. From AFP. Ukrainian forces have recaptured another formerly Russian-held settlement on the southern front between the two armies, deputy defence minister Ganna Malyar said today. “Defence forces returned Rivnopil . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russian forces control ‘difficult’ situation on flanks near Artyomovsk – Acting DPR head. From Tass. MOSCOW —.The situation on the flanks near Artyomovsk (Ukrainian name: Bakhmut) remains difficult, but the Russian forces have everything under control, Acting Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Denis Pushilin said over the weekend. He said the Ukrainian servicemen continue to fire indiscriminately into the city, preventing the start of demining. According to . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Revolt by Wagner Group raises questions about consequences for Putin. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Russian investigative journalist Andrei Soldatov about what the Wagner mercenary group’s revolt means for President Vladimir Putin. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
– – –
FSB spooked the CIA on Prigozhin coup, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline The CNN, followed by the New York Times, broke the story on Sunday that the U.S. and western intelligence were indeed aware of the failed coup attempt on Friday night by Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group of Russian military contractors, “for quite some time and making preparations for such a move, including by massing weapons and ammunition.” What we do not know is . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
The rise and fall of Wagner Group’s Yevgeny Prigozhin, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline / People’s Dispatch / Popular Resistance In his address to the nation, Russian President Putin stopped short of alleging any “foreign hand” in the current developments, and put his finger on “excessive ambitions and personal interests [having] led to treason.” But, rather explicitly — more than once — Putin also highlighted that it will be foreign powers inimical to Russia who are the ultimate beneficiaries of Prigozhin’s activity. Significantly, the . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
MAY BE CONTINUED