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

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A Ukrainian drone attack on an oil depot inside Russia causes a massive blaze, officials say. From AP. A Ukrainian drone struck an oil storage depot in western Russia today, causing a massive blaze, officials said, as Kyiv’s forces apparently extended their attacks on Russian soil ahead of the war’s two-year anniversary. Four oil reservoirs with a total capacity. . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  Moscow summons French ambassador over ‘growing’ role in Ukraine. From AFP. Russia today summoned France’s ambassador in Moscow and issued a formal complaint over his country’s alleged “growing involvement” in the war in Ukraine. The move comes just days after Moscow claimed evidence it had killed a group of French mercenaries in a strike on the northeastern city of Kharkiv. Moscow said . . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER   EU confirms intent to hit Russia with new sanctions by Feb. 24. From Tass. BRUSSELS — The European Union intends to introduce new sanctions against Russia by the second anniversary of the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, an EU spokesperson said. “Yes, I can confirm . . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  Recent campaigns against journalists raise concerns about press freedom in Ukraine, by Dinara Khalilova | The Kyiv Independent  Investigative journalists in Ukraine came under two attacks in just the past week, one involving a threatening home visit and another using covert surveillance. “These . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Substack; other articles are accessible by clicking on their sources’ names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date, so far, is HERE.) — MCM

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Israeli strike kills 16 in southern Gaza; no word on whether medicines reached hostages, by Najib Jobain, Bassem Mroue and Melanie Lidman | AP  RAFAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike on a home killed 16 people, half of them children, in the southern Gaza town of Rafah, medics said early today. The military continued to strike targets where it has told civilians to seek refuge. Meanwhile . . . READ MORE . . .

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Khan Younis battle threatens biggest hospital still working, by Bassam Masoud, Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams | Reuters  GAZA / DOHA — Israeli forces fighting to seize the southern Gaza Strip’s main city pounded areas near the biggest hospital still functioning in the enclave today, sending patients and residents fleeing a battle they feared would lay the city to waste. The heaviest battle of the year so far was under way in Khan Younis, a city that . . . READ MORE . . .

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What Palestinians in Gaza may fear even more than Israeli bombardment. Reported by Lauren Frayer | NPR  BEIT HANINA AL-BALAD, Israeli-Occupied West Bank — Since 1948, the extended family of 56-year-old Sakher Abu Dahouk has moved several times — from what is now Beer Sheva, Israel, to Jordan, to the Israeli-occupied West Bank — as Israel seized territory in subsequent wars, redrew boundaries and . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

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The political costs of Biden’s wars, by Seymour M. Hersh | seymourhersh.substack.com It’s doubtful President Biden understands the cost of his unwillingness to stop supplying weapons to Israel and to demand a ceasefire from Israeli President Netanyahu, who has proclaimed that Israel will continue the war until all elements of Hamas are destroyed. Netanyahu is . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Kyiv Post, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and Reuters, and to commentary from Substack; other articles are accessible by clicking on their sources’ names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date, so far, is HERE). — MCM

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Ukraine confirms St. Petersburg attack, claims drone flew over Putin’s Valdai residence, by Kateryna Zakharchenko | Kyiv Post  Ukrainian drones struck an oil depot in Russia’s St Petersburg overnight, a source in Kyiv’s security services has confirmed, with one of them reportedly having flown over President Putin’s Valdai residence. It marks the first time the northern city — some 1,000 kilometers from Ukraine — has been attacked since . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia strikes Ukraine with drones, missiles in overnight attacks. From AFP.  Kyiv said today that Russian forces used nearly three dozen Iranian-designed drones to attack Ukraine overnight, while also firing guided missiles at the northeastern city of Kharkiv. The aerial attack . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces hit over 40 Ukrainian artillery units in Krasny Liman area. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia’s Battlegroup Center has hit more than 40 Ukrainian artillery units in the Krasny Liman area, the battlegroup’s spokesman Alexander Savchuk said. “In the course of counterbattery . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine starts to rebuild towns and cities even as the war rages on, by Dan Peleschuk | Reuters  TROSTIANETS, Ukraine — Badly damaged in fighting with Russian forces almost two years ago, the town of Trostianets is one of six Ukrainian settlements being rebuilt with state funds in a pilot programme to develop the skills and experience needed for . . . READ MORE . . .

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The political costs of Biden’s wars, by Seymour M. Hersh | seymourhersh.substack.com  Does President Biden understand that the American-led attacks on the Houthis in Yemen, even if successful, won’t undo the political damage he is suffering for his continued support of a losing war in Ukraine? It’s unlikely. More . . . READ MORE . . .

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

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UN chief says parties to Gaza war ‘trampling’ on international law. From Reuters. DAVOS, Switzerland — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said today that parties to the conflict in Gaza were “trampling” on international law and urged them to implement an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. “The world is standing by as civilians, mostly women and children . . . READ MORE . . .

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Hostages and residents in Gaza are set to receive medicines as Israel-Hamas war rages on, by Jajib Jobain, Samy Magdy and Melanie Lidman | AP  RAFAH, Gaza Strip — A shipment of medicine for dozens of hostages held by Hamas was en route to Gaza today after France and Qatar mediated the first agreement between Israel and the . . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  France says accusing Israel of genocide ‘crosses moral threshold.’ From AFP. France does not back a case against Israel at the UN’s top court accusing the country of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said today. “The notion of genocide cannot be exploited for . . . READ MORE . . .

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The tiny Persian Gulf nation of Qatar occupies a big role on the world stage. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Mehran Kamrava, professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar, about how Qatar has become a bridge between the West and its adversaries. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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The U.S has repeatedly fired missiles into Yemen. What does it hope to accomplish? Reported by Michel Martin and Greg Myre | NPR  The U.S. is responding to Houthi rebels who’ve attacked ships in the Red Sea. The exchange is seen as a widening of the Mideast conflict because Houthis say they’re responding to the Israel-Hamas war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Australian journalist fired after Israel lobby push, by Jake Johnson | Common Dreams / Consortium News  Leaked text messages obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday show that the government-funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation fired radio host Antoinette Lattouf last month following a pressure campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Lattouf, a Lebanese-Australian journalist who was working in a short-term contract position . . . READ MORE . . .

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Senate kills Sanders resolution requiring Biden to report on Israeli human rights conduct in Gaza, by Brett Wilkins   | Common Dreams  The United States Senate on Tuesday evening voted overwhelmingly to table a resolution by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders that would have required the Biden administration to promptly report on Israel’s human rights practices during its war on Gaza, which is currently the subject of an International Criminal Court genocide case. Sanders (I-Vt.) had attempted to force a . . . READ MORE . . .

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Technicality could sink genocide case v. Israel, by Joe Lauria | Consortium News   In order for a claim to reach the International Court of Justice, there must be an established dispute between two states. Israel’s argument is that such a dispute was never established and thus the ICJ lacks jurisdiction to hear South Africa’s claim that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and must be stopped. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, the Moscow Times, Tass, the Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, and Reuters; others articles are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE). — MCM

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Top NATO military officer urges allies and leaders to plan for the unexpected in Ukraine, by Lorne Cook | AP  BRUSSELS — Ukraine is locked in an existential battle for its survival almost two years into its war with Russia and Western armies and political leaders must drastically change the way they help it fend off invading forces, a top NATO military officer said today. At . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian missiles hit Ukrainian apartment buildings and injure 17 in latest strikes on civilian areas, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Russia fired two missiles at Kharkiv during the night, hitting apartment buildings and a medical center and injuring 17 people in the city in northeastern Ukraine, officials said today, in Moscow’s . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine says downed 19 Russian drones overnight. From the Moscow Times. Kyiv said today that Russia had launched 20 Iranian-designed attack drones at targets in southern Ukraine overnight and that its air defense systems destroyed all but one. “The enemy . . . READ MORE . . .

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West scales up training of Ukrainian troops — White House. From Tass.  GENEVA — The U.S.-led Western coalition is scaling up its effort to train members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. “The United States and our partners will continue to stand with them. We’re . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian combat units suffer brutal losses in Dnipro bridgehead battles, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  Now, after more than three months, if you look at a battle map, Ukraine’s assault crossing of the Dnipro River seems to have stagnated — but on the ground there are daily, pitiless battles.According to accounts from both sides, Ukrainian Marines are deeply dug in and, backed by masses of strike drones, are firmly . . . READ MORE . . .

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F-16s for Ukraine: When will they arrive and what can they do? by Dinara Khalilova | The Kyiv Independent  The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American air superiority fighter that Kyiv has begged for since the start of the full-scale invasion and is expected to finally start receiving this year. It’s a . . . READ MORE . . .

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How one officer class offers a glimpse into Russia’s military amid Ukraine war, by Maria Tsvetkova, Polina Nikolskaya and Anton Zverev | Reuters  The Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School has existed for over a century. Around 170 of its graduates have been awarded the “Hero of the Soviet Union” or “Hero of Russia” medals, the highest military honour. Most of the class of 2016 . . . READ MORE . . .

First, a link to an article from Consortium News written in the spring of 2023 by the Australian journalist and filmmaker John Pilger, who died at the end of December at age 84. Then, via CN, a link to an article from Declassified UK. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM 

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The coming war — It’s time to speak up, by John Pilger | Consortium News  I am writing this on April 30, 2023,  the anniversary of the last day of the longest war of the 20th century, in Vietnam, which I reported. I was very young when I arrived in Saigon and I learned a great deal. I learned to recognise the distinctive drone of . . . READ MORE . . .

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UK secretly plotted to discredit John Pilger, by John McEvoy
| Declassified UK / Consortium News  Recently declassified files show how the U.K. government covertly monitored Australian journalist John Pilger, and sought to discredit him by encouraging media contacts to attack him in the press. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, the U.K. government monitored his activities and plotted to launch counter-measures against him. The . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED

First, links to reports from the Associated Press and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names and initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date and a PILGER entry are HERE and HERE.)  — MCM

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UN agency chiefs say Gaza needs more aid to arrive faster, warning of famine and disease, by Najib Jobain, Samy Magdy and Tia Goldenberg | AP  RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Gaza urgently needs more aid or its desperate population will suffer widespread famine and disease, the heads of three major U.N. agencies warned Monday, as . . . READ MORE . . .

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Hamas appears to show dead bodies of two hostages after warning Israel, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi, Fadi Shana and Ari Rabinovitch | Reuters  DOHA / GAZA / JERUSALEM — Hamas appeared to show the dead bodies of two Israeli hostages on Monday after warning Israel they might be killed if it did not stop its bombardment of Gaza. A new video released by the Palestinian militant group purportedly showed the bodies of Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Itai Svirsky, 38, who . . . READ MORE . . .

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Hamas fights with a patchwork of weapons built by Iran, China, Russia and North Korea, by Michael Biesecker | AP  An Associated Press analysis of more than 150 videos and photos taken in the three months of combat since . . . READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from the Kyiv Independent, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, and Reuters; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date and a PILGER entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Kharkiv Oblast expands mandatory evacuation order, by Elsa Court and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  A mandatory evacuation order for families with children has been expanded to 26 more villages near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov announced today. The villages . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. envoy says frozen Russian assets could be ‘easy’ Ukraine funding. From AFP.  The U.S. special envoy for Ukraine’s economic recovery said Monday that tapping frozen Russian assets would be an “easy” source of money for Kyiv, but G7 countries must first agree . . . READ MORE . . .

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Blinken promises Zelensky U.S. will sustain support for Ukraine. From AFP. Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised sustained U.S. support for Ukraine in a meeting today with President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite a row in the U.S. Congress on approving new funding. “We . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelenskyy takes center stage in Davos as he tries to rally support for Ukraine’s fight, by Jamey Keaten | AP  DAVOS, Switzerland — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is headlining a frenzied first full day of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, where . . . READ MORE . . .

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‘It’s their turn now’: Ukrainians call on government to demobilize exhausted soldiers fighting for nearly two years, by Alexander Query| The Kyiv Independent  Over a hundred women braved a snowstorm in early December to gather in central Kyiv’s Independence Square and call on the government to demobilize their relatives who have . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine drone attack injures two children in Russia’s Voronezh. From Reuters. VORONEZH, Russia — A state of emergency was declared in the southern Russian city of Voronezh today after a Ukrainian drone attack wounded a 6-year-old boy and a young girl, officials . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from Reuters, National Public Radio and the Associated Press, followed by commentary via Consortium News and Popular Resistance; other articles are accessible by clicking on their sources’ names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date, so far, is HERE.) — MCM

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Israel pounds targets across Gaza, awaits Hamas word on three hostages, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi,Fadi Shana and Dan Williams | Reuters  DOHA / GAZA / JERUSALEM — Israeli forces bombarded targets in the south, north and centre of Gaza today ahead of an expected announcement by Hamas on the fate of three Israelis held hostage by the Palestinian militant group shown in a video clip at the weekend. Twelve . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 14. After 100 days of war, Israel is determined to fight on in Gaza. Reported by Carrie Kahn and Becky Sullivan | NPR  TEL AVIV, Israel — Since Oct. 7, the day that fighters from the militant group Hamas burst across Israel’s southern border, Israeli officials have vowed not to stop fighting until Hamas has been destroyed. The attackers . . . READ MORE . . .

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White House says ‘it’s the right time’ for Israel to scale back Gaza war as fighting hits 100 days, by Josef Federman, Samy Magdy and Kareem Chehayeb | AP  JERUSALEM — The White House said Sunday “it’s the right time” for Israel to scale back its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, as Israeli leaders again vowed to press ahead with their operation against the territory’s ruling Hamas militant group. The comments exposed the growing . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel, Gaza and the world marked 100 days of fighting since Oct. 7 attack. Reported by A Martínez and Lauren Frayer | NPR  It was a somber moment remembering the 23,000 people killed in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel which killed 1,200 people last October. Click HERE later to listen and, still later, read.

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The fate of many hostages taken captive by Hamas on Oct. 7 remains unclear. A Martínez of NPR talks with Moshe Lavi, whose brother-in-law has been held captive by Hamas for 100 days. Lavi met last week in Washington with congressional leadership to advocate for hostages’ release. Click HERE later to listen and, still later, read.

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Your man in The Hague — Day 2, by Craig Murray | craigmurray.com.uk / Consortium News  As with the South African case, according to court procedure the Israeli case was introduced on Friday by their “agent”, permanently accredited to the court, Tal Becker of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He opened with . . . READ MORE . . .

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The IDF’s war crimes are a perfect reflection of Israeli society. Chris Hitchens of The Real News Network interviews author and former Israeli Special Forces member Miko Peled on Israel as “a settler colonial state whose existence depends on the elimination of Palestinians . . . whose citizens are raised in an environment of historical revisionism and indoctrination that whitewashes Israel’s crimes while cultivating . . .” Click HERE for video and transcript..

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

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United Nations seeks $4.2 billion to help people in Ukraine and refugees this year. From AP. BERLIN — The United Nations appealed today for $4.2 billion to help people in Ukraine and displaced outside the country this year, saying that people on the front lines have “exhausted their meager resources” and many refugees also are vulnerable. About three-quarters of the total, $3.1 billion, is meant . . . READ MORE . . .

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‘Don’t forget Ukraine,’ UN urges in aid funding appeal, by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | Reuters  GENEVA — The United Nations appealed for $4.2 billion from donors today to support war-ravaged communities in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in 2024, as war rages nearly two years on from Russia’s invasion. “Please . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky arrives in Switzerland for World Economic Forum, talks with Swiss leaders, by Dinara Khalilova | The Kyiv Independent  President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 15 he had arrived in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and meet with top Swiss officials. Zelensky’s visit comes a day after national security advisors from 80 countries gathered in Davos for the. . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine air force says downed two Russian command aircraft. From AFP. Ukraine said today it had downed two Russian military command aircraft over the Azov Sea, saying it had carried out a “successful” mission against Moscow’s forces. The Azov Sea lies between Russia and Ukraine. Moscow controls its entire coast after seizing . . . READ MORE . . .

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’No information’ about command aircraft reportedly destroyed over Azov Sea – Kremlin. From the Moscow Times. The Kremlin said today it has “no information” about Russian military aircraft that Ukraine claims to have shot down over the Azov Sea. Ukraine’s top general Valerii Zaluzhnyi announced earlier today that a Russian A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and an Il-22 aerial command center had been . . . READ MORE . . .

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A quick guide to Russia’s downed A-50 and Ilyushin Il-22M command planes, by Christopher Stewart | Kyiv Post  Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate has confirmed two high-value Russian airborne command aircraft were shot down on Sunday evening, cutting into the Kremlin’s ability to see the situation in the air. Such aircraft are considered . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kiev’s forces boost number of targeted attacks on DPR’s civilian infrastructure — official. From Tass. DONETSK — The Ukrainian military has increased the number of targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure facilities in the Donetsk People’s Republic, as well as attacks on Emergencies Ministry staff, regional public services and ambulance workers arriving to aid those affected, according to DPR Head Denis Pushilin. “Unfortunately . . . READ MORE . . .