For today, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Post, Tass, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date and a 9/11 TRUTH entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Ukraine’s Donetsk region pounded by up to 2,500 Russian strikes daily — governor, by Max Hunder | Reuters  DONETSK REGION, Ukraine — Russia is firing between 1,500 and 2,500 shells and rockets at Ukraine’s war-ravaged Donetsk region every day and is targeting critical infrastructure to make it harder for people to remain there in winter, its governor told Reuters. The eastern province, 57% of which . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kyiv says ‘neutralized’ Russian spy network. From AFP. Ukraine said today it had arrested five former and current intelligence officers it said were secretly working for Russia as part of an influential spy ring. Kyiv said the men were caught . . . READ MORE . . .

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A third of Russia’s Black Sea fleet out of action, Ukraine claims. From Kyiv Post. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian forces have reportedly rendered about one-third of Russia’s Black Sea Fleetinoperable, according to the Strategic Communications Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the data . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian forces lose up to 290 servicemen, equipment in Donetsk area. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Russian armed forces wiped out up to 290 Ukrainian servicemen, a tank and two infantry fighting vehicles in the Donetsk area over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said in a general briefing. Also . . . READ MORE . . .

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EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell arrives in Kyiv, by Martin Fornusek | The Kyiv Independent  He was accompanied, on his fourth visit since the outbreak of the full-scale war, by his advisor, Zaki Laidi, who . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, Reuters, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Foreign Affairs; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Blinken lands in Saudi on latest Mideast crisis trip. From AFP. RIYADH — Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Saudi Arabia today to kick off his latest regional crisis trip aimed at securing a new truce in the Israel-Hamas war. The top U.S. diplomat’s plane touched down . . . READ MORE . . .

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UN agency says Israeli naval fire hit food convoy in Gaza. From AFP. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said today that a Gaza food convoy was struck by the Israeli navy, which controls the waters off the territory. “A food convoy waiting to move into northern Gaza . . .  READ MORE . . .

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Palestinians hope Blinken visit can deliver Gaza truce before Rafah assault, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  Palestinians huddling under bombardment in Gaza said today they hoped a visit to the region by the U.S. secretary of state would finally deliver a truce, in time to head off a threatened new Israeli assault on the last refuge at the enclave’s edge. Antony Blinken was headed. . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli settler violence ‘must stop’: French FM. From AFP. French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said today that Israeli “settler violence must stop” against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Under no . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel shouldn’t keep a military presence in Gaza after the war, analyst says. Leila Fadel of NPR speaks with Palestinian writer and analyst Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib about the future of security and governance in Gaza. Click HERE to read and, later, listen.

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Will U.S. strikes in Iraq, Syria and Yemen lead to more fighting in the region? Reported by Leila Fadel and Greg Myre | NPR  First, Hamas attacked Israel, igniting a local war. Then the Houthis fired on ships, drawing in the U.S. Navy. Now the U.S .is bombing Iraq, Syria and Yemn as part of a tense standoff with Iran. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Spycraft and statecraft, by CIA Director William J. Burns | Foreign Affairs  The crisis precipitated by Hamas’s butchery in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, is a painful reminder of the complexity of the choices that the Middle East continues to pose for the United States. I have rarely seen the Middle East more tangled or explosive. Winding down . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Moscow Times, the Associated Press, Reuters, and the Kyiv Independent, and to commentary from the Kyiv Post and Foreign Affairs; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Russian shelling of Kherson kills four, official says. From AFP. Russian shelling of the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson killed four people and injured one other person today, a local official said. Among the dead were two men aged 45 and 50 who were in a car, a woman on the street and a 60-year old man in the city centre, according to . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s military loses up to 290 troops, four tanks in Donetsk area over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces struck Ukrainian army units in the Donetsk area, killing and wounding up to 290 enemy troops over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said today in a general briefing. READ MORE . . .

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Georgia says intercepted Ukrainian explosives sent to Russia. From the Moscow Times. Georgian security officials said today that they intercepted several explosives claimed to be from Ukraine and intended to be transported to the southwestern Russian city of Voronezh. Georgia’s State Security Service said the . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelenskyy signals a shakeup of Ukraine’s military leadership is imminent at a critical point in war, by Illia Novikov and Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is thinking about dismissing the country’s top military officer as part of a broader leadership shakeup, a possibility that has shocked the nation fighting a war to end Russia’s invasion and also worried Ukraine’s Western . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian troops near Bakhmut expect to fight until war ends, by Inna Varenytsia | Reuters  NEAR BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Some soldiers in the east of Ukraine say they will have little choice but to fight until the war is over, despite attempts by the government in Kyiv to mobilise more troops to replace those serving long stints at the front. Draft legislation aimed at replenishing Ukraine’s depleted and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Reshuffling Ukrainian army leadership is up to Zelensky, Sullivan says, by Alexander Khrebet and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  Responding to conflicting reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky is planning to dismiss his army chief, the United States government has told Ukraine . . . READ MORE . . .

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President Zelensky – time for clarity. From Kyiv Post. During almost two years of Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has earned the reputation of being a great communicator. But in recent days . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia’s adaptation advantage, by Mick Ryan | Foreign Affairs   Throughout the war in Ukraine, Kyiv and Moscow have waged an adaptation battle, trying to learn and improve their military effectiveness. In the early stages of the invasion, Ukraine had the advantage. Empowered by . . . READ MORE . . .

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Spycraft and statecraft, by CIA Director William J. Burns | Foreign Affairs  This year is likely to be a tough one on the battlefield in Ukraine, a test of staying power whose consequences will go well beyond the country’s heroic struggle to sustain its freedom and independence. As Russian President Vladimir Putin . . . READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date, so far, and a KUCINICH entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says death toll at 27,365. From AFP. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said today at least 27,365 people have been killed in the territory during the war between Palestinian militants and Israel, including 127 deaths over the past 24 hours, while a total of 66,630 people have been wounded in Gaza since the war broke out on Oct. 7.

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Gaza doctor describes ordeal of detention, by Bassam Masoud and Ibraheemabu Mustafa | Reuters RAFAH, Gaza Strip — A Palestinian doctor says Israeli forces in Gaza detained him when they overran a hospital and subjected him to abuse during 45 days of captivity including sleep deprivation and constant shackling and blindfolding before releasing him last week. Dr. Said Abdulrahman Maarouf was working at al-Ahli al-Arab hospital in Gaza City when. . . READ MORE . . .

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A requiem for Gaza’s iconic sites, destroyed in the war. Reported by Daniel Estrin and Abu Bakr Bashir | NPR  So many of Gaza City’s gems are no more. They withstood decades of upheaval, preserving the memory of Gaza’s ancient glory as a crossroads of civilizations. Now . . . Click HERE to read and, later, listen.

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TO BE CONTINUED

First, links to reports from Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, the Associated Press, the Kyiv Post, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date, so far, and a KUCINICH entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM FEB. 2  Ukraine suspends senior defence offical amid corruption prove. From Reuters. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov has suspended a senior official while authorities investigate suspected corruption in the procurement of weapons, his ministry said on Friday. Toomas Nakhkur, who led the defence ministry’s department for technical policy and weapons development, was . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 1  Latest defense corruption case goes after officials allegedly tied to deadly ammunition shortage, by Vladyslav Kudryk | The Kyiv Independent  Police are investigating five people of possible involvement, including the former and current heads of a Defense Ministry department that buys weapons. The five in the alleged $39.6 million scheme . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 3  The EU is providing Ukraine with $54 billion. How will the money be spent? From AP. European Union leaders on Thursday sealed a deal to provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros ($54 million) to shore up its war-ravaged economy after Hungary dropped weeks of threats to veto the measure. The aid package aims to stabilize Ukraine’s economy, pay for rebuilding, and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s Defense Ministry revises mobilization bill, by Maryna Shashkova | Kyiv Post  Among other details of the new proposal, the Ministry of Defense believes it is necessary to lower the age of mobilization from 27 to 25, and it proposes introducing basic military training for citizens aged 18 to 24. It will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women. READ MORE . . .

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Death toll hits 28 in occupied east Ukraine strike: Russian rescuers. From AFP. The death toll from a strike on a bakery in the occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Lysychansk has climbed to 28 people, including a child, Russian rescuers said today. Moscow’s occupation forces on Saturday said Kyiv had targeted a bakery that is popular on weekends. READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces improve positions on frontline in Krasny Liman area over week. From Tass. MOSCOW — Units from Russia’s Battlegroup Center have improved their positions on the frontline in the Krasny Liman area and repelled three attacks by assault units of Ukraine’s armed forces and the Azov battalion (outlawed in Russia), the Russian Defense Ministry said. The total losses of the Ukrainian armed forces have amounted . . . READ MORE . . .

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A Ukrainian kindergarten teacher returns to the classroom. Reported by Elissa Nadworny | NPR  Iryna Sahan, a kindergarten teacher in Kharkiv, heads back to the classroom for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine. Click HERE later to listen and, still later, read.

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TO BE CONTINUED

When some people think of Ohio they think Taft. Others think of “Burn On, Big River.” In a better world they may someday think Kucinich. The message linked below is an announcement dated Jan. 24 of this year. More from the sender are accessible by clicking on the link. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Statement of Dennis J. Kucinich

The moment is crucial.  America is at the threshold of . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Israel keeps pressure on last two refugee cities, kills 18, health officials say, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Ibraheem Abu Mustafa | Reuters  DOHA / GAZA — Israeli air strikes killed 18 Palestinians in Rafah and Deir Al-Balah, Gaza health officials said today, in the last two Gaza Strip cities where troops had not been deployed, adding to residents’ fears Israel would expand its ground operation. They said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Hamas deploys police, distributes funds in sign of resurgence in Gaza areas Israeli troops have left, by Najib Jobain and Samy Magdy | AP  RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Hamas has begun deploying police forces and making partial salary payments to some of its civil servants in Gaza City in recent days, resurfacing in areas from which Israel had withdrawn the bulk of its troops a month ago, four residents and a senior official in the militant group said today. Signs of . . . READ MORE . . .

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The U.S. hit over 85 Iran-linked targets in retaliatory strikes. Reported by Scott Simon and Tom Bowman | NPR  The U.S. says it has struck more than 85 targets at seven facilities used by Iran or Iran-allied groups in Iraq and Syria. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon on the significance of the retaliatory strikes. Scott Simon of NPR speaks with Jeffrey Feltman about the American response in the widening Middle East conflict. He’s a former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon who went on to work in mediation at the U.N. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Russia says U.S. ‘sowing chaos and destruction’ in Middle East. From AFP. The statement from Russia’s foreign ministry came today after Washington launched retaliatory air strikes against Iran backed groups in Iraq and Syria. “Washington, confident . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Washington Post, the Kyiv Post, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Ukraine informs White House about decision to fire top general, by John Hudson | The Washington Post  The government of Ukraine has informed the White House that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to fire his top military commander, Gen. Valery Zalushny, in what would be . . . READ MORE . . .

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White House reportedly notified, but Kyiv officially denies Zaluzhny dismissal rumors. From Kyiv Post. In a further twist to an ongoing headline story in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration has reportedly informed the White House of its intention to dismiss Valery Zaluzhny, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, The Washington Post reported on Friday. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s SBU hits Russia’s Volgograd oil refinery in drone attack, source says. From Reuters. KYIV — Two Ukrainian drones struck a primary oil processing facility at the Volgograd oil refinery in southern Russia today in an operation conducted by the SBU security service, a Ukrainian source said. Local authorities in Russia said earlier . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine says downed 9 of 14 Russian drones overnight. From AFP. Ukraine’s air force said today it downed nine out of 14 drones launched by Russia over southern and central regions overnight. Kyiv said most of the drones were directed at . . . READ MORE . . .

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Military says Crimean airfield attack damaged 3 Russian warplanes. From the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine damaged at least three Russian military aircraft at the Belbek military airfield near Sevastopol in occupied Crimea, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat confirmed Friday. A military source said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian forces lose up to 1,825 servicemen, six tanks in Krasny Liman area. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia’s battlegroup Center has occupied more advantageous positions in the Krasny Liman area, repelling 19 Ukrainian attacks and wiping out up to 1,825 enemy servicemen over the week, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Also . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio, and to an article of commentary via Popular Resistance from Scheer Post; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Hamas says it’s studying Gaza cease-fire proposal, but appears to rule out key provisions, by Bassam Mroue and Samy Magdy | AP  BEIRUT — Hamas officials said today that the group is studying a proposed cease-fire dealthat would include prolonged pauses in fighting in Gaza and swaps of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, but at the same time appeared to rule out some of its key components. A senior Hamas . . . READ MORE . . .

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Backs to the wall, Gazans fear Israeli assault on last refuge, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Mohammed Salem | Reuters  GAZA — Israeli forces today shelled the outskirts of the last refuge on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, where the displaced, penned against the border fence in their . . . READ MORE . . .

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What does Hamas have left? Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  Hamas has lost thousands of fighters and apparently its ability to carry out large-scale rocket attacks. But Israel remains a long way from its stated goal of destroying the militant group. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Palestinians desperately need food aid. How did the war in Gaza make food political? Reported by Eyder Peralta | NPR  Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of using food deprivation as a weapon of war while other humanitarian organizations warn the risk of famine in Gaza is growing. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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White House will sanction Israeli settlers in the West Bank who attack Palestinians. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR President Biden has issued an executive order targeting Israeli settlers who have attacked Palestinians in the West Bank. The measure could lead to the freezing of their bank accounts and assets. Click HERE to listen and read.

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The silence of the damned, by Chris Hedges | Scheer Post / Popular Resistance  There is no effective health care system left in Gaza. Infants are dying. Children are having their limbs amputated without anesthesia. Thousands of cancer patients and those in need of dialysis  . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse and CNN, and to commentary by a Substack writer, by the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces for CNN, and from the Kyiv Post; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for today is HERE.) — MCM

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Russian drone attack in Ukraine leaves 40,000 without power. From AFP.  Ukraine said today that tens of thousands of people were without power after a barrage of two dozen Russian drones damaged energy infrastructure in the central part of the country. The overnight attack . . . READ MORE . . .

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Two Swiss Chuch Aid staff killed in Ukraine: Statement. From AFP. Two workers with Swiss Church Aid were killed Thursday in an attack in southeastern Ukraine and other staff members were wounded, the non-governmental organisation said today. “A group . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 31  Zelensky set to announce dismissal of Ukraine’s top commander within days as rift grows over war, source says, by Victoria Butenko, Daria Tarasova-Markina and Andrew Carey | CNN  KYIV — Ukraine’s popular army chief Valery Zaluzhny was called to a meeting at the president’s office on Monday and told he was being fired, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN, following . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB 1   The president vs. the general, by Seymour M. Hersh | seymourhersh.substack.com  It’s suddenly a tabloid war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reported to have demanded that General Valery Zaluzhny, the battle-scarred and much respected commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, resign. Zaluzhny has . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 1  (Written before this week.) The design of war has changed, by Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi | CNN  The Second World War drew to a close almost 80 years ago, but its legacy in defining the strategic vision of war persists to this day. Whatever remarkable advances there have been in aviation, missile technology and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Rethinking warfare — On Zaluzhny’s CNN column, by Alisa Orlova | Kyiv Post  In his column for CNN, Valerii Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, shares his vision for a new strategy against Russia. Acknowledging . . . READ MORE . . .