For this entry. links to two opinion pieces from Indian Punchline and the Berkshire Eagle (a map in the first is helpful), followed by links to news articles from the Associated Press Friday and Reuters Saturday; other articles are accessible by clicking on the sources’ names below.— MCM

–   –   –

Russia scrambles as EU surges in Caucasus, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  Armenia no longer disputes that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. The prospect of peaceful resolution of a regional conflict ought to be good news, but this is an incredibly complex situation with an external environment where a brutal war is raging with no end in sight, and the protagonists pursue contrarian interests. A settlement over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict leading to peace and reconciliation might open the pathway . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Weakened by Ukraine, Russia’s power ebbs in Caucasus, its historic backyard, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  The surprise surrender of ethnic Armenians in the western mountains of Azerbaijan on Wednesday ends a 35-year-old separatist project on the southern fringe of Russia’s former empire. But as 2,000 Russian peacekeepers stand by this weekend, the defeat illustrates how the Ukraine quagmire is shrinking Russia’s influence  . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia says Armenian separatists surrender arms after Azerbaijan reclaims Nagorno-Karabakh, by Avet Demourian | AP  YEREVAN, Armenia — Ethnic Armenian separatists in Azerbaijan’s region of Nagorno-Karabakh surrendered arms Friday to Russian peacekeepers, Russia’s Defense Ministry said, two days after Azerbaijan reclaimed control of the breakaway region that has long been at the center of a conflict with neighboring Armenia. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Karabakh Armenians say ceasefire being implemented, aid is arriving, by Felix Light | Reuters NEAR KORNIDZOR, Armenia — The ethnic Armenian leadership of breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh said today that the terms of their ceasefire with Azerbaijan were being implemented, with work proceeding on the delivery of humanitarian aid and evacuation of the wounded. Earlier . . . READ MORE . . .

For now. links to reports from the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, and Tass, followed by commentary from the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft; other articles are accessible by clicking on the sources’ names or initials below. — MCM

–   –   –

Ukraine targets key Crimean city a day after striking Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters, by Susie Blann | AP  KYIV — Ukraine this morning launched another missile attack on Sevastopol in occupied Crimea, a Russian-installed official said, a day after an attack on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet left a serviceman missing and the main building smoldering. Sevastopol was put on air raid alert . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine says ‘senior’ Russian Navy officials killed in HQ attack. From AFP. Ukraine today said dozens including senior Russian navy commanders died or were injured when it staged a missile attack on Moscow’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the Crimean port of Sevastopol. Ukraine struck the headquarters on Friday. It said the strike happened when “a meeting of the Russian navy’s leadership” . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukrainian heavy artillery inflicts ‘hell’ on Russian lines near Bakhmut, by Anna Voitenko | Reuters NEAR BAKHMUT (Reuters) – The use of heavy weapons supplied by the West in the fierce battle raging on the outskirts of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russia in May, is inflicting a significant toll on enemy lines, Ukrainian commanders have told Reuters. Buoyed after . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia maintains informal communication with unfriendly countries, envoy to UN says. From Tass. MOSCOW — Moscow maintains informal communication with unfriendly countries, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya told reporters. He said some countries in Europe followed Brussels’ order not to maintain relations with Russia. “However, more reasonable people among our European . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Not leaving empty handed: Zelensky gets his ATACMs, by Kelley Beaucar Vlahos | Responsible Statecraft  So it looks like Ukrainian President Zelensky did not leave Washington empty handed this week after all. According to reports Friday afternoon, the Biden administration has relented and will transfer long range ATACMs, long considered too escalatory for the conflict, to Ukraine in the “upcoming weeks,” according to Politico. The ATACMs variant that the U.S. is reportedly considering . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

When officials say the quiet part about Russia and NATO out loud, by Branko Marcetic | Responsible Statecraft  From the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we’ve been told that the issue of NATO expansion is irrelevant to the war, and that anyone bringing it up is, at best, unwittingly parroting Kremlin propaganda, at worst, apologizing for or justifying the war. So it was curious to see NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

For today. links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, and National Public Radio, followed by links to commentary via Popular Resistance from Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, and via Consortium News commentary from Common Dreams; other offerings from these sources are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

–   –   –

Russian official says Ukraine launches a missile strike on headquarters of Russia’s Black Se fleet, by Samya Lullab and Dasha Litvinova | AP  KYIV — Ukraine carried out a missile strike today on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, a Russian official said, and images on social media showed large plumes of smoke said to be coming from Sevastopol harbor in the annexed Crimea. The Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, warned . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine to launch joint weapons production with US, Zelenskiy says, by Olena Harmash | Reuters  KYIV — Ukraine and the United States have agreed to launch joint weapons production in a step that will enable Kyiv to start producing air defence systems, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said today. He said the long-term agreement would create jobs and a new industrial base in Ukraine, whose economy . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

U.S. to deliver Abrams tanks to Ukraine in upcoming days or weeks — Pentagon. From Tass. WASHINGTON — The Pentagon expects that Ukraine will receive Abrams tanks in the upcoming days or weeks, Pentagon spokesman Brigade General Patrick Ryder said. He added that the upcoming military aid package for Kiev will include air defense systems and artillery. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Securing his western flank, Zelenskyy bids to maintain his U.S. support. Reported by Steve Inskeep, Ally Schweitzer and Lisa Weiner | NPR  Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy spent part of this week’s visit to thE U.S. . . . Click HERE to listen, read, and watch.

–   –   –

NYT’s incredibly low bar for labeling someone ‘pro-Putin,’ by Bryce Greene | Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting / Popular Resistance  Anyone who advocates actually pursuing negotiations to end the Russo-Ukrainian war is immediately attacked in the New York Times (8/27/23) — as in an article about former French President Nicolas Sarkozy that argued he “gives a voice to . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

NATO expansion & Ukraine’s destruction, by Jeffrey D. Sachs | Common Dreams / Consortium News During the disastrous Vietnam War, it was said that the U.S. government treated the public like a mushroom farm: keeping it in the dark and feeding it with manure. Daniel Ellsberg leaked the Pentagon Papers documenting the unrelenting U.S. government lying about the war. A half century later, during the Ukraine War, the manure is piled even higher. According . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to two reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. — MCM

–   –   –

Russia hits Ukrainian energy facilities in biggest attack in weeks, by Olena Harmash and Tom Balmforth | Reuters  KYIV — Russia pounded energy facilities across Ukraine today in its biggest missile attack for weeks, firing what Ukrainian officials saw as the first salvo in a new air campaign against the national power grid. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Scores of Ukrainian drones downed over annexed Crimea, western Russia. From AFP. Moscow said today it had downed multiple Ukrainian drones overnight in annexed Crimea and the Black Sea, as well as in parts of western Russia.”Air defense systems destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea and the territory of the Republic of Crimea,” the Russian Defense Ministry said. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

As the U.S. mulls more aid to Ukraine, Zelenskyy says ‘we have the same values.’ Reported by Rachel Treisman and Ally Schweitzer | NPR  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is requesting continued support from the U.S. amid Russia’s ongoing war and growing Republican opposition. Zelenskyy spoke to Morning Edition‘s Steve Inskeep in New York on Wednesday. “We have the same values — freedom and democracy — and that is why . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy makes case for continued U.S. support against Russia. Reported by Steve Inskeep | NPR  Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells NPR’s Steve Inskeep that more foreign aid is necessary to beat back Vladimir Putin’s ambitions to expand Russia’s influence across Europe. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Inside a Ukrainian brigade’s battle ‘through hell’ to reclaim a village on the way to Bakhmut, by Mstyslav Chernov and Lori Hinnant | AP  ANDRIIVKA, Ukraine — The Russian bullet struck the sergeant just above the left ear. The leader of the Ukrainian platoon was down. Headquarters radioed a battlefield promotion to the private who had called him “brother” — a man known as Courier. Courier knew the platoon’s orders were to move forward through the forest, on the road to Bakhmut. He . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Kyiv Post, and National Public Radio, followed by commentary, via Popular Resistance, from Indian Punchline; other articles are accessible by clicking on these sources names or initials below.. — MCM

–   –   –

Russia has turned food, energy and even children into weapons against Ukraine, Zelenskyy says at UN, by Jennifer Peltz and Derek Gatopoulos | AP  UNITED NATIONS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Russia is “weaponizing” everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraine — and he warned world leaders that the same could happen to them. “When hatred . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukrainian soldiers hope for Western arms to speed up counteroffensive, by Anna Voitenko | Reuters  NEAR BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Despite recent battlefield gains, Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the eastern front say they need more Western weapons to speed up their grinding counteroffensive against Russian forces. Kyiv says it has in recent fighting recaptured two villages south of Bakhmut which will help its forces advance on . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia says 4 Ukrainian drones destroyed. From AFP. Russia said early today it had destroyed four Ukrainian drones overnight in its western Belgorod and Oryol regions. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukrainian troops lose seven units of hardware, over 100 personnel in Zaporozhye area. From Tass. MELITOPOL — Russian forces have eliminated seven pieces of equipment and more than 100 Ukrainian troops near the village of Rabotino in the Zaporozhye area in the last 24 hours, Vladimir Rogov, according to the leader of the We Are Together With Russia movement. “The adversary is seeing no success,” he said. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine confirms missile attack in Crimea, by Kateryna Zakharchenko | The Kyiv Post  Kyiv confirmed that Ukrainian missiles were behind explosions today near a Russian airfield in occupied Crimea.  Andriy Yusov, spokesperson of the Main Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), said: “Missile strikes are being launched on the military facilities of the invaders in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea.” READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

At UN, world leaders talk Russia’s war against Ukraine, coups and climate change. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  Climate change dominates the opening day of the UN general assembly, with speeches from President Biden amongst other leaders, with a warning from the UN Secretary General. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Zelenskyy’s U.S. visit comes as Republican opposition to Ukraine aid grows. Reported by Susan Davis | NPR  The Ukraine aid package is expected to ultimately pass, but how much more, and for how much longer, is a question that will linger in Washington long after Zelenskyy returns to Kyiv. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

U.N. Secretary-General warns geopolitical tensions are rising around the world. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Colum Lynch, senior global reporter for Devex, about the General Assembly. Only one leader of the five permanent members of the Security Council showed up: President Biden. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

The ‘Biden phase of the Ukraine war, by  M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline / Popular Resistance  The ground war in Ukraine has run its course, a new phase is beginning. Even diehard supporters of Ukraine in the Western media and think tanks are admitting that a military victory over Russia is impossible and a vacation of the territory under Russian control is way beyond Kiev’s capability. Hence the ingenuity of the Biden administration in exploring Plan B — counseling Kiev . . . READ MORE . . .

Other links from the newspaper are accessible by clicking on its name below. — MCM

–   –   –

Massachusetts will be the first state to stop buying single-use plastic, governor says, by Matthew Medsger | Boston Herald   Massachusetts will no longer buy single-use plastic products, the governor announced to start the week. Speaking Monday in New York at the Clinton Global Initiative, Gov. Maura Healey used her brief time at the podium to announce she will issue two executive orders in the coming days, one of which would call on the state’s procurement officers . . . READ MORE . . .

For now, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

–   –   –

Heading for UN, Ukraine’s president questions why Russia still has a place there, by Jennifer Peltz | AP  NEW YORK — Days before potentially crossing paths with Russia’s top diplomat at the United Nations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested today that the world body needs to answer for allowing his country’s invader a seat at the tables of power. “For us, it’s very important . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Graft accusations dog top Zelenskiy aides, by Stephen Grey and Dan Peleschuk | Reuters  VIENNA / KYIV — In his years as the chief executive of one of Ukraine’s biggest construction firms, Oleh Maiboroda kept rolls of dollar bills in a safe behind his desk. The task of handing over the cash to bribe public officials, he said, was entrusted to a lawyer named Oleh Tatarov, now a senior adviser to Ukraine’s president . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia destroys Ukrainian equipment while repulsing attacks near Rabotino — politician. From Tass. MELITOPOL — The Russian armed forces have destroyed ten Ukrainian armored vehicles while repulsing two enemy attacks near Rabotino in the Zaporozhye area, according to Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the ‘We Are Together with Russia’ movement. “The fighting has sharply . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian drone attack on a city in western Ukraine sparks an inferno at a warehouse and kills 1, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Russia launched a massive drone attack on the western city of Lviv early today, burning down a warehouse said to house humanitarian supplies and killing one man, Ukrainian authorities said. The Air Force said Ukraine intercepted most of the 30 Shahed drones overnight . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a link to a revised article in Harper’s Magazine. — MCM

–   –   –

The spotlight is on Ukraine at UN leaders’ gathering, but is there room for other global priorities? by Edith M. Lederer | AP  UNITED NATIONS — The war in Ukraine and its visiting president take center stage at the United Nations this week, but developing countries will be vying for the spotlight as well in the first full-on meeting of world leaders since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel three years ago. The annual meeting at the U.N. General Assembly . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

World leaders are gathering in New York for U.N. General Assembly. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  World leaders are taking stock of a set of ambitious goals to fight poverty and hunger around the world. Ukraine’s president is also expected to attend the general assembly. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Ukraine retakes more territory in the east, south in counteroffensive. From Reuters. Ukraine reported today that its troops had recaptured more territory on the eastern front and advanced in the south in its military counteroffensive against Russian forces. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Two people killed in overnight attacks on Ukraine — Officials. From Reuters. KYIV — Russia carried out a new wave of overnight air strikes and shelling in Ukraine, killing two elderly people and wounding several others in the southern region of Kherson, Ukrainian officials said today in various statements. In one they said Ukraine had downed 18 drones of 24 Russian drones and 17 cruise missiles overnight over the Dnipropetrovs’k, Poltava and Khmelnytskyi regions. READ MORE . . ..

–   –   –

Chinese foreign minister to visit Russia for security talks. From AFP. China’s top diplomat Wang Yi will begin a four-day trip to Russia for security talks on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, the latest in a series of high-level visits and phone calls between the two sides. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian Su-34 hits Ukrainian brigade’s deployment point in Kupyansk direction. From Tass. MOSCOW —The Russian Battlegroup West’s Su-34 fighter-bomber delivered a strike on a temporary deployment point of Ukraine’s 103rd territorial defense brigade in the Kupyansk direction, Battlegroup Spokesman Sergey Zybinsky told Tass. In addition . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

The tragedy of Volodymyr Zelensky, by Michael C. Desch | Harper’s Magazine  In December 2022, Time magazine named the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky its Person of the Year. The reasons seemed obvious: When Russia invaded in February of that year, few thought that Ukraine would survive more than a week, or that its president would remain at his post in Kyiv. But . . . READ MORE with subscription . . .

First, links to reports from National Public Radio, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, commentary from Responsible Statecraft. — MCM

–   –   –

Ukraine is under pressure to step up its advances against Russia before winter sets in. Reported by Ayesha Rascoe and Greg Myre | NPR  Ukraine needs to make more advances against Russia before winter weather makes conditions more difficult. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Five killed, one wounded in Donetsk, Russian-installed official says. From Reuters. Five civilians were killed and one wounded as a result of intense Ukrainian shelling of the Donetsk region on Saturday, said a Russian-installed official in the eastern region of Ukraine. The five . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia claims seven Ukrainian drones destroyed over Moscow, Crimea. From AFP.  Russia shot down one Ukrainian drone over the outskirts of Moscow and six others over the annexed Crimean peninsula today, according to the Ministry of Defense. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

New U.S. sanctions target workarounds that let Russia get Western tech for war, by Emma Burrows | AP  The United States said Thursday that it was sanctioning more than 150 businesses and people from Russia to Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Georgia to try to crack down on evasion and deny the Kremlin access to technology, money and financial channels that fuel President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions package is . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

U.S. pursuing war against Russia — Lavrov on supplies of longer-range missiles to Kiev. From Tass. MOSCOW — The U.S. controls the military actions in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says. “Ukraine has been prepared, has long been prepared for inflicting strategic defeat to Russia using its hands and its bodies,” the minister . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Antony Blinken and the diplomacy deficit, by James Carden | Responsible Statecraft  If Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Wednesday address in Washington is any indication, any hopes that the thousands of freshly dug graves across Ukraine and Russia might be giving rise to introspection or regret that diplomatic overtures could have staved off the war, are bound to be dashed. In a speech titled, “The Power and Purpose of American Diplomacy in a New Era,” Blinken set forth a vision of U.S. foreign policy that is both exhaustingly familiar and deeply concerning because . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

For now, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and National Public Radio, followed by links to an op-ed piece in today’s Berkshire Eagle, to commentary from Consortium News, and to a podcast interview; other offerings from these sources are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

–   –   –

Poland, Hungary, Slovakia to introduce bans on Ukraine grains, by Julia Payne and Alan Charlish | Reuters  BRUSSELS / WARSAW — Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced their own restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports on Friday after the European Commission decided not to extend its ban on imports into Ukraine’s five EU neighbours. Ukraine was one of the world’s top grain exporters before . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia denies losing frontline village to Ukraine forces. From AFP. Russia said today its forces had not been pushed out of Andriivka, a village near the key frontline town of Bakhmut, a day after Ukraine said it had “liberated” the site and inflicted heavy losses on enemy troops. Andriivka is around 14 kilometers (nine miles) south of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, where . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian armed forces deliver 11 strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure over week. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces have delivered 11 massive surgical strikes on port infrastructure targets, personnel locations and the production and storage facilities of Ukrainian unmanned motorboats over a week, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It said the strikes disrupted supplies to Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk and Zaporozhye areas and eliminated a large . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

In Ukraine’s Odesa, a Soviet-era writer remains a powerful figure. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  A century ago, author Isaac Babel immortalized the Jewish community in one of Ukraine’s principal cities. He’s still remembered fondly today. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Ukrainian strikes deep behind Russia’s front lines boost Zelenskyy for Biden meeting, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  Ukrainian rockets destroyed $1.5 billion worth of Russian warships and anti-aircraft systems in Crimea this week. Seen around the world, the dramatic videos of the fireballs and explosions will boost Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is set to arrive in the U.S. on Sunday. In New York, he will address the United Nations General Assembly. In Washington, he will meet U.S. President Joe Biden. The fireworks in Russia-controlled Crimea follow . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Westmoreland revisited, by Barbara Koeppel | Consortium News At the end of 1967, the Vietnam War was a stalemate — at least to those who could see straight. Some, like Gen. William Westmoreland, who commanded the American forces, couldn’t. Thus, in November 1967, he claimed “a new phase is starting” in Vietnam.” What’s more, he “could see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Despite his rosy . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

‘Ep. 97: Ask the Inspector.’ Jeff Norman of the U.S. Tour of Duty podcast hosts Scott Ridder, a former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer and former UN arms inspector as Ritter responds to questions and comments from around the world. This “Episode 97” podcast took place on Sept. 11. Click HERE to watch and listen.

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED