For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, the Moscow Times, Reuters, Tass, and National Public Radio, followed by links to commentary from an Australian observer, recommended by Consortium News; others articles are accessible by clicking on the sources’ names or initials below. — MCM

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Putin marks anniversary of annexation of Ukrainian regions as drones attack overnight, by Susie Blann | AP  KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin today insisted that the residents of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed a year ago “made their choice — to be with their Fatherland.” In an address, Putin insisted that it was carried out “in full accordance with international norms,” and claimed that residents of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions had again expressed . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia to draft 130K young men in fall military call-up. From the Moscow Times. Russia’s military will enlist 130,000 young men for compulsory service this fall, according to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on Friday. Combined with the 147,000 men drafted during the spring draft, Russia’s Defense Ministry will field 277,000 conscripts in 2023. Putin last month raised the upper age limit . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine lures Western weapons makers to transform defence industry, by Olena Harmash | Reuters KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said today he wants to turn Ukraine’s defence industry into a “large military hub” by partnering with Western weapons manufacturers to increase arms supplies for Kyiv’s counteroffensive against Russia. At a forum his government convened with international producers to discuss how to jointly develop industrial capacity to build and repair weapons in Ukraine . . .  READ MORE . . .

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About 50,000 construction workers engaged in reconstruction of new Russian regions. From Tass. LUGANSK — About 50,000 construction workers are engaged in reconstruction efforts in Russia’s new regions, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said today as the Kremlin observed the Day of Reunification of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions with Russia. “Literally the entire nation is here to help, he wrote on Telegram. “Reconstruction efforts involve . . . READ MORE . . .

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Slovakia’s elections could have big implications for Europe and war in Ukraine. Reported by Rob Schmitz | NPR  Slovakia, a member of both NATO and the EU, holds national elections on Saturday. The likely winner is an party that rejects NATO’s military support of Ukraine and is sympathetic toward Russia. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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People are dying for inches In Ukraine, by Caitlin Johnstone | CaitlinJohnstone.com.au / Consortium News  There’s a heartbreaking graphic going around right now showing the almost microscopic changes to the frontline of the war in Ukraine this year despite nonstop death and destruction of unfathomable horror the entire time. The graphic comes from a New York Times article titled “Who’s Gaining Ground in Ukraine? This Year, No One.”, which eventually gets around to acknowledging . . . READ MORE . . .