Ukraine, 8-3-23

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, the Moscow Times, Reuters, and Tass, followed by a link to commentary from the Kyiv Post; other articles from these organizations are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

   

Russian shelling hits a landmark church in the Ukrainian city of Kherson, by Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — Russian shelling today damaged a landmark church in the city of Kherson that once held the remains of the renowned 18th-century commander who exerted Russian control through the southeast parts of modern Ukraine and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. Ukraine’s emergency service said four of its workers were wounded in a second round of shelling as they fought the fire at St. Catherine’s Cathedral. Four other . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Russia says downed 6 Ukrainian drones near Moscow. From the Moscow Times. Russian air defense systems shot down six Ukrainian drones outside Moscow, Russia’s military and regional authorities said today. The drones were intercepted while attempting to “fly through” western Russia’s Kaluga region overnight, according to Kaluga Governor Vladislav . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Ukraine says Russians fail to advance but are well dug in. From Reuters. Russian forces have made no headway along the front lines, but are entrenched in heavily mined areas they control, making it difficult for Ukrainian troops to move east and south, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday. Russian accounts . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Kiev deploys 8,000 troops to Orekhov area in Zaporozhye Region, says regional official. From Tass. MELITOPOL — The Ukrainian military deployed some 8,000 troops to the area of Orekhov and Gulyaipole in the Zaporozhye direction, Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the We Are Together with Russia public movement, said today. In that frontline area, the enemy has . . . READ MORE . . .

   

The West needs to keep the Black Sea open, by Hans Petter Midttun | The Kyiv Post  The Black Sea Grain Initiative became a necessity because of Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its massive and targeted attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, its maritime blockade of Ukraine, its harassment of and attacks on civilian shipping, its minelaying, communications jamming, electronic interference and cyber-attacks in the Black Sea. The grain deal was terminated on July 17 supposedly . . . READ MORE . . .