First, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Kyiv Post; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, via Popular Resistance and People’s Dispatch, a link to commentary published Monday by Indian Punchline. — MCM

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Ukraine says it advances in south, stops Russian attack in east. From Reuters. KYIV — Ukraine’s armed forces have halted a Russian offensive towards the cities of Kupiansk and Lyman in the east of the country, and are advancing in the south, a senior Ukrainian defence official said today. “We . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine says downed 13 cruise missiles overnight. From AFP. Ukraine said today it had downed an entire barrage of 13 cruise missiles fired by Russian forces overnight, targeting an airfield in the west of the country. “This time, the attack was aimed at a military airfield in the Khmelnytskyi region,” the Ukrainian air force . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kiev’s counteroffensive ‘not meeting expectations’ of Western states – CNN. From Tass. NEW YORK — The Ukrainian counteroffensive does not meet the expectations of Western states, CNN reported Thursday, citing two Western officials and a high-ranking Pentagon representative. At the same time, Ukrainian forces are proving “vulnerable” to minefields, the report says. READ MORE . . .

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Russian sources claim defenses holding well in south, reports of Moscow successes in northeast, by Stefan Korshak | The Kyiv Post  Russian defenses are holding across the southern sector and in the northeastern Kharkiv sector Moscow’s troops have gained ground, multiple Kremlin information platforms said today. Ukrainian and independent news sources . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian mercenary boss says Kremlin’s grounds for Ukraine war were lies. From the Kyiv Post. Evegeniy Prigozhin, head of the notorious Wagner mercenary group, appeared to fling down a direct political and, possibly, military challenge to the Kremlin today. In another video he declared that Russia’s grounds for invading Ukraine were false and accused the country’s senior leaders of systematically lying to President Vladimir Putin . . . READ MORE . . .

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Biden walks back on Ukraine’s NATO accession, by M. K. Bhadrahumar | Indian Punchline  In one of the great turnarounds of history in modern times, Moscow eventually prevailed in the battlefields decisively and irreversibly. Against such a historical backdrop, President Biden’s remark on Saturday that the U.S. . . . READ MORE . . .

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Linked here, a news release from Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth. Other information is accessible by clicking on its abbreviated name below.— MCM

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‘Thirty Seconds of Silence’ is almost here! From AE911Truth. The long anticipated short film directed by Dylan Avery, “Thirty Seconds of Silence,” will be released on Monday, June 26. It will be streamable on a new Vimeo channel. Before then, on Sunday, June 25, sustaining members of AE911Truth at the $25 tier or higher will also be able to watch a special livestream debut of  the film and a post-screening interview with the filmmaker and submit their questions for him. READ MORE . …

First, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, commentary from the Kyiv Post and Consortium News. — MCM

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Zelensky claims Russia preparing radiation leak at nuclear plant. From AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said toay that “intelligence services have received information” that Moscow is considering launching a “terror attack” at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, a recurring flash point of concern throughout Russia’s invasion. The Kremlin rejected Zelensky’s claims. “This is another lie. There . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kiev regime’s losses indicate West intends to fight Russia until last Ukrainian – Putin. From Tass. MOSCOW — The West can supply additional military equipment to Ukraine but it does not have an endless amount of manpower to work with, meaning Western countries intend to fight Russia until the last Ukrainian, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a briefing with permanent Security Council members. “I realize . . . READ MORE . . .

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European Union countries agree on a new package of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, by Samuel Petrequin, Raf Casert and Lorne Cook | AP   BRUSSELS — European Union countries on Wednesday agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine aimed at countering sanctions circumvention through third countries and businesses. Much work in this batch of sanctions . . . READ MORE . . .

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The Africans fighting on Russia’s front line in Ukraine. A  Reuters special report by Giulia Paravicini, Filipp Lebedev and Felix Light  The stories of three men from Tanzania, Zambia, and Ivory Coast tell of soaring ambitions and broken dreams. They also show the strength of the bond some young Africans feel for Russia, which is untarnished by an imperial past in a continent where . . . READ MORE . . .

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Threat of explosion at Europe’s largest nuclear plant never higher, by Iuliia Mendel | The Kyiv Post  The threat of an explosion at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia NPP has never been higher. If all six of its reactors are blown up, like what happened to just one reactor at Chornobyl in 1986, the territory up to the Iberian coast could be contaminated for the next 50 years, Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Energy Research Center, tells me. But such a nuclear catastrophe . . . READ MORE . . .

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On horseradish & nuclear war, by Scott Ritter | Consortium News  Russian President Vladimir Putin is known for a lot of things — his “in your face” speeches, his marathon unscripted press conferences and his stoic impassiveness in the face of adversity come to mind. One thing that doesn’t jump out . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED

It’s early on the day after summer solstice 2023, when there was maximum sunlight in the northern hemisphere. It’s a fitting time to pass along an invitation I got a few hours ago to a memorial celebration of the life and work of Graeme MacQueen, who died on April 25.

Fitting because of the light he, working ably with others, caused to shine on the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the followup anthrax terror attacks of a week or so later.

Please read the message just below from the Lawyers’ Committee for 9/11 Inquiry, and consider attending live wherever it’s comfortable for you to do so. If not this Saturday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. EDT, then at your convenience when the event will be made available for posterity. Click HERE to read more about MacQueen.

— Mark Channing Miller

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Dear Northeast:

The Lawyers Committee for 9/11 Inquiry invites you to join us and 9/11 Truth cosponsors nationwide for an online Memorial in honor of our beloved Graeme MacQueen on Saturday, June 24, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. EDT. Cosponsors are the Colorado, Boston, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Miami FL, Monterey CA and European 9/11 Truth groups; the 9/11 and Other Deep State Teleconference; the newly launched International Center for 9/11 Justice; the 9/11 War Room and The Lawyers’ Committee for 9/11 Inquiry, Inc.

 Gene Laratonda of the 9/11 War Room will be hosting the Zoom and the link to join the online Memorial is as follows:

911warroom.com/zoom/ 

Following a welcome by the LC and scheduled special testimonials by Elizabeth Woodworth, Barrie Zwicker and Ted Walter, we’ll open the mic to attendees. The event will be recorded and the link to the archived video will be posted and available.

We look forward to sharing our most valued memories of Graeme, 

Barbara Honegger, Chairman of the LC Board of Directors

Jane Clark, Attorney, LC Executive Director

For today, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their  below. — MCM

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Ukrainian troops dig in after ‘partial success’ in south, fighting rages in east, by Tom Balmforth | Reuters  * Ukraine says its forces dig in on southern front * Kyiv reports heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine * Counteroffensive seen as crucial juncture in war | KYIV — Ukrainian forces are digging in and attacking on the southern front after having “partial success” in the last day, and are weathering a big Russian assault in the east, a senior defence official said today. Ukraine has reported . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine offensive ‘slower than desired’, Zelenskiy says; Putin sees ‘lull’. From Reuters. *  Don’t expect a ‘Hollywood movie’, Zelenskiy says *  Kyiv says troops consolidating earlier gains  *  Putin says Kyiv realises it has ‘no chance’ | KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was quoted today as saying progress in Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces was “slower than desired”, but that Kyiv would not be pressured into speeding it up. His adversary, Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Moscow had . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. to provide $1.3 bn in fresh economic aid to Ukraine. From AFP. Secretary of State Antony Blinken today announced $1.3 billion in fresh US economic assistance for Ukraine, and vowed that Russia would eventually pay financially for its invasion. “As Russia continues to destroy . . . READ MORE . . .

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Over 170 victims of Kiev troops found in makeshift graves in LPR over past week – official. From Tass. MOSCOW — More than 170 people, killed by Kiev troops, have been found in makeshift graves on the territory of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) over the past week, says the head of the Russian Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin. “Territorial investigative bodies continue an active effort to examine . . . READ MORE . . .

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How Ukraine created an ‘Army of Drones’ to take on Russia. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  The Ukrainians have employed drones creatively for both reconnaissance and attacks. The drones have nowhere near the firepower of fighter jets. Still, they have allowed Ukraine to surveil and harass Russian troops in ways that would otherwise . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, the Kyiv Post, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a link to commentary in early June by a presidential candidate on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s June 2 address in Helsinki, Finland. Finally for today, via the Gleanville Post, a long, detailed commentary by a Serbian identified as an executive, engineer, economist and geopolitical analyst. — MCM

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Ukraine downs Russian drones but some get through due to gaps in air protection, by Susie Blann | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian air defenses downed 32 of 35 Shahed exploding drones launched by Russia early today, most of them in the Kyiv region, officials said, in a bombardment that exposed gaps in the country’s air protection after almost 16 months of war. Russian forces mostly . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia attacks Kyiv and other cities in overnight air strikes. From Reuters. KYIV — Russia attacked military and infrastructure targets across Ukraine early today, including in the capital Kyiv and the western city of Lviv, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraine said it had shot down 32 of 35 drones. But a “critically important facility” was struck in Lviv, far from . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces wipe out two Ukrainian artillery ammo depots near Zaporozhye city. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces delivered multiple strikes by seaborne precision weapons targeting the Ukrainian army’s foreign equipment storage sites over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said today in a briefing. Russian forces . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine summer offensive ‘continues according to plan,’ by Pete Shmigel | The Kyiv Post  There were ongoing offensive actions by Ukraine in all three of its chosen theaters of operation, as well as mine clearing activity, but no substantive territorial gains reported. Eight villages and an additional 113 square kilometers are now under Ukrainian . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia appears to produce limited gains so far. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  Ukraine’s troops have retaken a number of villages from Russian forces. But the increased fighting is also generating heavy casualties on both sides, according to a British military assessment. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Secretary Blinken and China’s Xi Jingping didn’t reach agreement on military contact. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese leader Xi Jingping. He called the talks “candid and constructive,” but they did not reach an agreement on resuming military-to-military contact. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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On Blinken war speech, by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s speech highlights once again that the Biden Administration has no intention of ending this conflict peacefully. The plan, which members of the administration including . . . READ MORE . . .

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Several topics regarding Ukraine, by Aleks | The Greanville Post This article will be about reminding you about some stuff that I already said months ago, stuff that is still current and more than relevant. Moreover, I want to issue very briefly some new considerations. Please don’t take them as an analysis, since I do not have the time currently for proper research. Take them as opinions. READ MORE . . .

The nine paragraphs that begin below are by a co-founder of the Post Carbon Institute; they were linked in today’s selection from Popular Resistance. Click on the title for their presentation by Resilience. Click HERE or at at the link at the end of the essay for free access to the report Welcome to the Great Unraveling.  — MCM

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Polycrisis, unraveling, simplification, or collapse: Coming soon to a planet near you?

By Richard Heinberg | Resilience 

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the resulting disruption of multiple global supply chains, policy think tanks have increasingly adopted the term polycrisis to signify humanity’s destabilized status quo. The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Global Risk Report uses the newish word 13 times in 90 pages. Scholars from a range of disciplines (including Columbia University historian Adam Tooze) have written about the polycrisis, and both Cascade Institute and Omega Institute have published papers and reports on it. The Cascade Institute notes that “a global polycrisis occurs when crises in multiple global systems become causally entangled in ways that significantly degrade humanity’s prospects. These interacting crises produce harms greater than the sum of those the crises would produce in isolation, were their host systems not so deeply interconnected.”

Evidence of polycrisis is usually separated into two buckets—environmental and social. Signs of environmental crisis include climate change, the disappearance of wild nature, relentless resource depletion, the increasing chemical pollution of air and water, soil loss and degradation, and fresh water scarcity. Evidence of social crisis includes increasing economic inequality, poverty, racism and other forms of discrimination, the rise of authoritarianism, and impacts of rapid technological change (such as automation).

Our current set of crises can be described as a polycrisis because self-reinforcing feedbacks between ecological breakdown and social breakdown are strengthening and growing more numerous. For example, climate-driven human migration presents challenges to political systems while also . . . READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally for today, a link to commentary from Consortium News from last Wednesday. — MCM

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Ukraine says eight villages retaken from Russian forces in two weeks, by Tom Balmforth and Pavel Polityuk | Reuters * Russia says it seized French-made tank from Ukraine Russia * Zelenskiy says speed of Western arms supply is key | Reuters  KYIV — Ukraine confirmed today it had driven Russian forces from an eighth village in its two-week-old counteroffensive in a heavily fortified part of the front line on the most direct route to the country’s Azov Sea coast. A Russian-installed official said on Sunday that Ukraine had taken control of the village, Piatykhatky, in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. He later said Moscow had pushed them out and this morning he said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia had means, motive and opportunity to destroy Ukraine dam, drone photos and information show,  by Mstyslav Chernov and Lori Hinnant | AP  BERISLAV, Ukraine — Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to bring down a Ukrainian dam that collapsed earlier this month while under Russian control, according to exclusive drone photos and information obtained by The Associated Press. Images taken from above the Kakhovka Dam and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Death toll from Kakhovka HPP collapse aftermath in Kherson Region up to 35 – authorities. From Tass. GENICHESK — The death toll from the floods in the Kherson Region that were triggered by the collapse of the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant (HPP) has risen to 35, head of the region’s government, Andrey Alexeyevnko, said today. On Saturday, the death toll was 29. On the morning of June 6, the Ukrainian military launched a missile attack on the Kakhovka HPP, which resulted . . . READ MORE . . .

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A history of ceasefires — and peace in Ukraine, by Ann Wright   | Consortium News  If history is our guide, negotiations for peace will take weeks, months or perhaps years, to get Ukraine and its allies to agree on a negotiating strategy — and even longer to come to an agreement with Russia after negotiations begin. Even if all parties, Ukraine, Russia, U.S./NATO, would agree to negotiations tomorrow, and if the talks would ultimately succeed, . . . READ MORE . . .

The article linked below was published Thursday on the reporter’s Substack account and yesterday by Popular Resistance and ScheerPost. It links to another, by a key Russian foreign and defense policy figure, titled “A difficult but necessary decision,” published Tuesday in Russia. (NOTE: Further below, links to some of today’s news about the Ukraine war.) — MCM

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Partners in Doomsday, by Seymour Hersh | seymourhersh.substack.com / Popular Resistance / ScheerPost There has been an escalation in rhetoric about the war in Ukraine and its possible consequences from within Russia. It can be observed in an essay published in Russian and English on June 13 by Sergei A. Karaganov, an academic in Moscow who is known to be close to Putin. One of his main points is that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine will not end even if . . . READ MORE . . .

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

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Both sides suffer heavy casualties as Ukraine strikes back against Russia, UK assessment says. From AP.  KYIV — Russia and Ukraine are suffering high numbers of military casualties as Ukraine fights to dislodge the Kremlin’s forces from occupied areas in the early stages of its counteroffensive, British officials said today. Russian losses are probably at their highest level since the peak of the battle for Bakhmut in March . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia reports fierce fighting as African peace mission leaves, by Mark Trevelyan | Reuters  * Peace efforts by African leaders fail to gain traction * Russian-installed official says Ukrainian retook village * Ukraine says it blew up major Russian ammunition dump * Rare Putin statements highlight key juncture in war | Russia reported fierce fighting today on three sections of the front line in Ukraine, a day after hosting an African peace mission that failed to spark enthusiasm from either Moscow or Kyiv. A Russian-installed official said Ukraine had recaptured Piatykhatky, a village in . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian forces take control of Piatykhatky village on Zaporizhzhia front, Russian-installed official says. From Reuters. A Russian-installed official acknowledged today that Ukraine had recaptured a village in the southern Zapororizhzhia region, its first gain on that front since . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine says it destroys ammunition depot in Kherson.  From Reuters. Ukrainian forces destroyed a “significant” ammunition depot near the Russian-occupied port city of Henichesk in the southern region of Kherson, Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Odesa military administration, said today. “Our armed forces dealt . . . READ MORE . . .

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Death toll rises from flooding after Ukraine dam breach. From Reuters. The death toll from flooding following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam has risen to 16 in Ukraine, Kyiv officials said, while Russian officials said 29 people have died in territories that Moscow controls. The breaching of the Kakhovka Dam on June 6 . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin does not tule out that Zaluzhny could be outside Ukraine. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin does not rule out that Ukrainian Army Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny could be abroad, Putin has said. “I know. I think I know,” the president said in response to . . . READ MORE . . .