First, links to reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. Then, a link to a writer’s commentary in the Kyiv Post. — MCM

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Ukraine’s counteroffensive is finally underway. Reported by Greg Myre and Tom Bowman | NPR  Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive is underway. Many wonder how successful it will be in pushing back Russian forces, but U.S. defense officials are calling the war a marathon, not a sprint. Myre and Bowman talk yesterday with Ari Shapiro. Click HERE to listen and read.

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African leaders visit Russia to discuss their peace plan with Putin, after Ukraine trip, By Jamey Keaten | AP  KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin torday is set to host a group of African leaders who have traveled to Russia on a self-styled “peace mission” the day after they went to Ukraine. Seven African leaders — presidents of Comoros, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia, as well as Egypt’s . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine won’t have ‘easy path’ to join NATO: Biden. From AFP. The United States won’t make special arrangements for Ukraine to join the NATO military alliance, President Joe Biden said today, despite Russia’s invasion.  “They’ve got . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian missile kills two in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, governor says. From Reuters. KYIV — Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Synehubov revised the death toll from a Russian missile strike on a small Ukrainian village in the east to two people today. He initially said four people were killed as a Russian anti-tank guided missile hit a car driving towards the village of Huriyv Kozachok which is near the border with Russia. Ukraine . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian army loses 235 men south of Donetsk, near Zaporozhye – top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces destroyed up to 40 Ukrainian troops and two Gvozdika motorized artillery systems in the Kherson area over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said today. The Ukrainian army lost up to 235 men south of Donetsk and near Zaporozhye in one day, he said. READ MORE . . .

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Russian defense minister says more tanks needed in Ukraine. From AFP. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu today called for more tanks to be manufactured “to meet the needs of Russian forces” in Ukraine after Kyiv launched a counteroffensive with Western arms. Shoigu, who visited a military factory in western Siberia, stressed the need “to maintain the increased production of tanks” and better . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says repelled drones targeting oil refinery. From AFP. Russia today said it had destroyed three drones in an overnight targeting an oil refinery in the southern border region of Bryansk, as Ukraine pursues its counteroffensive against Russian forces. READ MORE . . .

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Are Western businesses with Ukraine or enablers of Russian aggression? by Nataliya Popovych | The Kyiv Post At the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, some western businesses demonstrated swift and early exits from the tarnished Russian market, putting human values over profit. Yet the majority of western firms such as Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank, Germany’ Metro AG and France’s Auchan remained. According to data . . . READ MORE . . .

 

First, a link to a week-old report from Deutsche Welle. Then, a link to an interview published yesterday by the Socialist Program podcast and Consortium News.  — MCM

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Julian Assange loses latest bid to halt U.S. extradition. From DW.  WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange has lost another attempt to block his extradition from the UK to the United States, according to a court order published on June 9. The 51-year-old is facing 18 charges in the United States over the release of a series of confidential U.S. military and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Why Biden wants Assange in jail: Case at a tipping point. Brian Becker of The Socialist Program talks with Consortium News editor-in-chief Joe Lauria about events up to this week in the Julian Assange case. Click HERE for video, or HERE for audio only.

 

First, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Moscow Times, the Associated Press, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally for today, links to two related commentaries from Consortium News and an Australian observer. — MCM

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African peace mission visits Ukrainian capital to sounds of air raid, by Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash | Reuters * African leaders arrive in Kyiv on peace mission * They hope to mediate between Ukraine and Russia * Russia launches air strike on Kyiv, officials say | KYIV — At least two explosions rocked Kyiv today and air raid sirens blared as African leaders began a peace mission, hoping to mediate between Ukraine and Russia. The peace delegation, including leaders from South Africa, Senegal, Zambia, the Comoros and Egypt . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine says downed 12 missiles including six hypersonic Kinzhals. From AFP. Ukraine said today it downed 12 Russian missiles, including six hypersonic Kinzhals, over Kyiv as a delegation of African leaders was set to hold talks as part of a peace mission. The Ukrainian Air Force said it destroyed six Kinzhals, six Kalibr cruise missiles and two reconnaissance drones. The chief of the Kyiv military administration Sergiy Popko said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian general ‘almost certainly’ killed in Ukraine attack – UK intel. From the Moscow Times. A Russian general was “almost certainly” killed in a strike on a command post in southern Ukraine this week, the British Defense Ministry said today. Major General Sergei Goryachev would be . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops to get bonuses for destroying Western tanks.  From Reuters Russian troops who have destroyed German-made Leopard tanks and U.S.-supplied armoured vehicles being used by Ukraine will receive bonus payments, the Defence Ministry said today. The ministry said . . . READ MORE . . .

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‘Highly likely’ Russia behind Ukraine dam collapse – international experts, by Anthony Deutsch | Reuters AMSTERDAM – It is “highly likely” that the collapse of the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine was caused by explosives planted by Russians, a team of legal experts assisting Ukraine’s prosecutors . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. says price caps on Russia’s oil are cutting revenue nearly in half and weakening its economy, by Fatima Hussein | AP  WASHINGTON — A top Treasury Department official said Thursday that the cap on the price of Russia’s oil is severely curtailing its greatest source of revenue as it wages war in Ukraine. “In just six months . . . READ MORE . . .

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West far from shipping F-16s to Kiev, lot of work to be done – Pentagon. From Tass. BRUSSELS — Western states are far from implementation of plans to ship U.S.-made F-16 planes to Ukraine, and a lot of work is yet to be done for that, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said Thursday. “We are early in . . . READ MORE . . .

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NATO has gone into high gear as the war in Ukraine continues. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR  As the war in Ukraine intensifies, NATO is stepping up training to increase readiness among its members, including maneuvers this month on NATO’s eastern flank in Romanis. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Suspended for providing balanced news on Ukraine, by Tony Kevin | Consortium News  On June 9 The Guardian Australia website carried a news report, with a follow-up piece on Monday, whose implications for free speech are profoundly disturbing. They concern a Radio New Zealand, or RNZ, broadcasting employee who has been placed on leave while their professional conduct is investigated. This unnamed person in RNZ committed the cardinal sin of . . . READ MORE . . .

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Why propaganda works, by Caitlin Johnstone | caitlinjohnstone.com  It’s not really deniable that western civilization is saturated with domestic propaganda geared toward manipulating the way the public thinks, acts, works, shops and votes. Mass media employees . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Kyiv Post, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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How is Ukraine’s counteroffensive going so far? by Tom Balmforth |  Reuters  * Ukrainian gains most rapid since September * Kyiv yet to reach main Russian defences * Bulk of Ukrainian forces still waiting in wings | After a week of heavy fighting, the real tests of Kyiv’s counteroffensive lie ahead, with Ukrainian troops some distance from Russia’s main defensive line and the bulk of forces prepared for the push still . . . READ MORE . . .

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‘A Very Serious Confrontation,’ by Pete Shmigel | The Kyiv Post Ukrainian forces continued limited assaults in three theatres of the front with potentially small territorial gains in.western Zaporizhzhia and near Bakhmut, while Russian troops heavily counterattacked in the area of Makarivka near the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk boundary. Russian forces . . .  READ MORE . . .

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang to visit Germany, France June 18-23: govt. From AFP. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit Germany and France from June 18 to 23, Beijing’s foreign ministry said today. Li will “take part in the seventh round of China-Germany government consultations, and also pay an official visit to France,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said. “At the . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says to hold votes in occupied Ukraine regons in September. From AFP. Russia said today that it would stage local elections in September in four Ukrainian regions that it claimed to have annexed last year. “Elections in the new . . . READ MORE . . .

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NATO debates ways to boost ties with Ukraine as war against Russian invasion drags on. | AP BRUSSELS — NATO defense ministers gathered today to discuss future relations with Ukraine as Russia’s war on the country thwarts its hopes of joining the world’s biggest security alliance soon. The ministers were also due to take part in a separate meeting at NATO headquarters of the . . . READ MORE . . .

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NATO eyeing future use of F-16s to beef up Ukrainian air defenses – Dutch defense minister. From Tass. BRUSSELS — NATO plans to deploy F-16 fighter jets in the future to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense system, although the issue of supplying the aircraft to Ukraine is thus far not on the alliance’s agenda, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said today. “The most urgent need is . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russians furious after Ukraine HIMARS strike ‘kills 100 troops waiting for commander’s speech,’ by Aleksandra Klitina and Chris York | The Kyiv Post Russian milbloggers have said their army is “at war with our own stupidity and sloppiness”, after reports emerged that as many as 100 of Moscow’s troops were killed when a Ukrainian strike struck a gathering of soldiers waiting for their commander to give a speech. According to unconfirmed Russian sources, the massacre . . . READ MORE . . .

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Medvedev sees option of Russia destroying Western communications cables on Atlantic seabed. From Tass. MOSCOW — Given the West’s involvement in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, Russia should have a free hand to destroy Western seabed communications cables, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warned on Wednesday. “Now that . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia now has free hand to destroy undersea communications cables, Putin ally says, by Guy Faulconbridge | Reuters  * Russia demands international investigation  * U.S. newspapers: CIA knew of Nord Stream plot * NATO warned in May of threat to undersea cables | Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday there were no longer any “moral limits” to stop Moscow from destroying its enemies’ undersea communication cables given what he said was western complicity in the Nord Stream pipeline blasts. U.S. media reports . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin threatens to seize more of Ukraine to block attacks on border regions, by Jamey Keaten | AP  KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Tuesday that he could order his troops to try to seize more land in Ukraine to protect bordering Russian territory — a threat with questionable credibility because the Kremlin lacks full control over areas it already annexed. In some of his most detailed remarks about the war in months, he . . .  READ MORE . . .

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Captured Ukrainian soldiers face trial in Russia. From AP. MOSCOW —More than 20 Ukrainian soldiers who were taken prisoner during fighting in Ukraine went on trial in southern Russia on Wednesday. The captured soldiers were members of the Azov battalion, an elite Ukrainian armed forces unit that fought Russian troops in the Sea of Azov port of Mariupol. Russia captured . . . READ MORE . . .

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Analysis: Ukraine counteroffensive takes shape but main test still to come, by Tom Balmforth | Reuters  * Ukrainian gains most rapid since last November  * Kyiv yet to reach main Russian defences  * Bulk of Ukrainian forces still waiting in wings | KYIV — After a week of heavy fighting, the real tests of Kyiv’s counteroffensive lie ahead, with Ukrainian troops some distance from Russia’s main defensive line and the bulk of forces prepared for the push still on standby. Ukraine struck in two areas along the southeastern front last week as it . . . READ MORE . . .

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European lawmakers want Ukraine to have a pathway to NATO membership. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  Ahead of NATO’s upcoming summit in July, European lawmakers want the transatlantic alliance to give Ukraine, not only more support, but also a pathway to membership. Click HERE to listen and read.

Links here to articles from Public and Racket News; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. — MCM

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First people sickened by Covid-19 were Chinese scientists at Wuhan Institute of Virology, say U.S. government sources, by Michael Shellenberger, Matt Taibbi and Alex Guttentag | Public After years of official pronouncements to the contrary, significant new evidence has emerged that strengthens the case that the SARS-CoV-2 virus accidentally escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). According to . . . READ MORE . . .

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On Tuesday’s explosive coronavirus story, by Matt Taibbi | Racket News Michael Shellenberger’s Public has released a blockbuster story, “First person sickened by Covid-19 was Chinese scientist who oversaw “gain of function” research that created virus.” It cites three government officials in naming scientist Ben Hu, who was in charge of “gain-of-function” research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, as the “patient zero” of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, links to reports from the Kyiv Post, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, antiwar.com, Tass, and the Libertarian Institute; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, commentary from Respsonsible Statecraft. — MCM

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Russian missiles hit Odesa residential district, three killed, by Ugo Poletti | The Kyiv Post Early this morning Odesa was attacked by four Russian Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea. Three of the missiles were shot down by the Ukrainian air defense, while one hit a residential district of the city. So far . . . READ MORE . . .

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Deadly Russian missile strikes hit Ukraine. From AFP. Deadly Russian missile strikes hit southern and eastern Ukraine today as the Western-backed country’s air defenses fought back against Moscow’s intensified attacks. Russia fired four Kalibr missiles on the southern port city of Odesa from a warship in the Black Sea, Ukraine’s air force said, with air defenses shooting down three. One hit a food warehouse, killing three employees and wounding seven, the head of the region’s . . . READ MORE . . .

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Belarus starts taking delivery of Russian nuclear weapons, by Lidia Kelly and Andrew Osborn | Reuters * Lukashenko says he already has Russian tactical nuclear weapons * Indicates delivery process is ongoing * Says their use can be swiftly agreed with Moscow | Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said his country has started taking delivery of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, some of which he said were three times more powerful than the atomic bombs the U.S. dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The deployment is Moscow’s . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. set to provide Ukraine with depleted uranium rounds for Abrams tanks, by Dave DeCamp | antiwar.com The Biden administration is expected to provide Ukraine with controversial depleted uranium ammunition for use with U.S.-made Abrams tanks, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. Depleted uranium is a byproduct of enriched uranium and is extremely dense, making it a good material for penetrating armor. But . . . READ MORE . . .

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West keeps resisting fair inquiry into Nord Stream sabotage – Russian diplomat. From Tass. WASHINGTON — Western countries keep utterly resisting a transparent international investigation into the sabotage attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines, Minister-Counselor of the Russian Embassy in the U.S. Andrey Ledenev said today. “It is also useful to . . .  READ MORE . . .

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Pentagon personnel did not appropriately track weapons transferred to Ukraine, by Kyle Anzalone | The Libertarian Institute A report from the Department of Defense Inspector General found Pentagon employees in Poland failed to follow procedures to account for military equipment being transferred to Ukraine. In the shipments of weapons monitored by the office, Pentagon employees failed to properly track the weapons in three of five . . . READ MORE . . .

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Is the U.S. military more intent on ending Ukraine war than U.S. diplomats? by Branko Marcetic | Responsible Statecraft  Throughout modern American History, hawkish military officials have often been frustrated by the caution of civilian leadership. This is reportedly not the case today. In a recent report about the growing U.S. willingness to cross Russian red lines by supplying Kyiv with ever more escalatory weapons, the Washington Post . . . READ MORE . . .

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

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Russian missile attack on Zelenskyy’s hometown kills at least 6; several others trapped in rubble, by Jamey Keaten | AP  KYIV — At least six people were killed when Russian missiles hit civilian buildings in an overnight attack today in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, regional officials said, as rescuers scrambled to retrieve people believed to be trapped under the rubble. The strike involving cruise missiles . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ceding ground in Ukraine, Russia kills civilians in apartment block strike, by Max Hunder | Reuters KRYVYI RIH, Ukraine — A Russian missile strike killed at least six civilians in an apartment building in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s hometown today, while Moscow’s forces yielded ground in the early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Officials said at least 25 people were wounded and others could still . . . READ MORE . . .

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Fear and uncertainty reign in heavily shelled Russian border town, by Giovanni Pigni | The Moscow Times SHEBEKINO, Russia — Weeks of relentless shelling have turned this once-thriving district center near the Ukrainian border with a pre-war population of about 40,000 into a ghost town. Rubble and broken glass litter . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says German Leopard tanks, U.S. Bradies captured in Ukraine. From AFP. Moscow said today that it had captured several German Leopard tanks and U.S. Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, releasing footage showing Russian troops surveying the equipment supplied to Ukraine by Western countries. The Defense Ministry said several of the captured vehicles had working engines, suggesting . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine flood toll in Russian-held areas rises to 17: officials. From AFP. MOSCOW — The death toll from a devastating flood in Russian-controlled  territory in southern Ukraine has risen to 17, Moscow-installed officials said today. “As of this morning, 12 dead were confirmed in Gola Prystan and five in Oleshky,” Andrei . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine targeting Russian transport infrastructure near special op zone for terror acts – official. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian transportation facilities located near the special military operation zone have been targeted by Ukrainian intelligence services, Russian Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov said today. “To conduct terror attacks on railways, auto roads and aviation infrastructure, the enemy . . . READ MORE . . .

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NYT reports losses of troops in Ukraine’s counteroffensive. From Tass. NEW YORK — There have been some confirmed losses of troops in Ukraine’s counteroffensive, the New York Times reported today, citing analysts. Ukraine’s attacks against Russian trenches, bunkers, minefields and gun emplacements are likely . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine counteroffensive slowly but steadily succeeding, by Pete Shmigel | The Kyiv Post Ukraine’s conservative and cautious summer counteroffensive continued with territorial takeovers of three villages in the Zaporizhzhia Region and thrusts in two other combat zones, but key challenges for Ukrainian forces are coming into greater focus. Ukrainian forces newly deoccupied three villages in . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, links to reports from National Public Radio, Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Post, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. Then, two articles of opinion published in early June, from Foreign Affairs magazine and from a Substack account. A link to to Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s June 2 address in Helsinki is HERE. — MCM

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Ukraine’s long-awaited military offensive against Russia has begun. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Greg Myre | NPR  Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has finally broken the silence and announced a long-awaited military offensive against Russia is underway. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Ukraine says it recaptured fourth village in modest counteroffensive gains, by Tom Balmforth | Reuters Ukrainian officials today claimed the country’s forces have recaptured a fourth village in their counteroffensive against Russian troops. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Ukraine’s flag was flying over the Storozhov village again, adding . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia’s improved weaponry and tactics pose challenges to Ukraine’s counteroffensive. From AP. Ukrainian troops are probing Russian defenses as spring gives way to a second summer of fighting, and Kyiv’s forces are facing an enemy that has made mistakes and suffered setbacks in the 15-month-old war. But analysts say Moscow also has learned from . . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says beat back Ukraine in villages claimed by Kyiv. From AFP. Russia said today it had repelled Ukrainian attacks around several villages in the war-battered southeast of the country, contradicting earlier claims from Kyiv’s forces that they had retaken the settlements. The contradictory reports from Kyiv and Moscow come as analysts have said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s latest counteroffensive attacks: Small but significant gains, by Pete Shmigel | The Kyiv Post Relatively small but potentially significant gains in four areas of the 1,000-kilometer-long frontline have been made by Ukraine during the first week of a new phase of its counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied territories. Ukrainian offensive action has . . . READ MORE . . . 

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Ukrainian unit loses most of its Bradley fighting vehicles in Zaporozhye – news agency. From Tass. PARIS — A Ukrainian military unit lost most of its U.S.-made Bradley fighting vehicles during an offensive in Zaporozhye, the France-Presse news agency reported. According to it, the fighting vehicles were eliminated near the town of Orekhovo. On June 10, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian troops had lost nine tanks over 24 hours south of Donetsk and in the Zaporozhye area, including four Leopard . . . READ MORE . . .

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Chechen force signs contract with Russia’s defence ministry that Prigozhin refused. From Reuters. Russia’s Defence Ministry said today it has signed a contract with the Akhmat group of Chechen special forces, a day after Russia’s powerful mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin refused to do so. The signing followed an order that all “volunteer units” should sign contracts by July 1 bringing them  . . . READ MORE . . .

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An unwinnable war, by Samuel Charap | Foreign Affairs  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was a moment of clarity for the United States and its allies. An urgent mission was before them: to assist Ukraine as it countered Russian aggression and to punish Moscow for its transgressions. While the Western response was clear from the start, the objective . . . READ MORE . . .

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Blinken’s battle hymn, by Seymour Hersh | Substack   Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in a June 2 speech in Helsinki outdid himself in the fierceness of his commitment to the Ukraine war. He was dismissive of any talk of a ceasefire — something desperately needed by an increasingly besieged Ukrainian army and citizenry. Does America’s secretary of State not . . . READ MORE . . .

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Common Dreams published this essay and accompanying video last Tuesday, Consortium News on Thursday. — MCM

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How JFK would pursue peace in Ukraine, by Jeffrey D. Sachs | Common Dreams / Consortium News  In his Peace Speech, delivered 60  years ago on June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy laid out his formula for peace with the Soviet Union. The dazzling and unsurpassed speech highlights how President Joe Biden’s approach to Russia and the Ukraine War . . . Click HERE for the article and a video of Kennedy delivering the address.

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

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Ukraine’s dam collapse is both a fast-moving disaster and a slow-moving ecological catastrophe, by Lori Hinnant, Sam McNeil and Illia Novikov | AP  KHERSON, Ukraine — The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam was a fast-moving disaster that is swiftly evolving into a long-term environmental catastrophe affecting drinking water, food supplies and ecosystems reaching into the Black Sea. The short-term dangers . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says repelled attack on Black Sea warship. From AFP.  Moscow said today its forces repelled a Ukrainian attack on a Russian warship guarding gas pipelines in the Black Sea. “Ukraine’s armed forces made an unsuccessful attempt to attack the Black Sea Fleet’s Priazovye ship,” the Russian Defense Ministry said, adding Kyiv’s forces used six unmanned boats. “All the boats have been destroyed  . . . READ MORE

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Ukraine announces retaking village in southeast, first gain of offensive.  From AFP. Ukraine’s ground forces said today that soldiers of the 68th separate ranger brigade had “liberated the settlement of Blagodatne” in Donetsk. READ MORE . . .

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Zelenskyy says ‘counteroffensive, defensive actions’ taking place in Ukraine, by Samya Kullab and Jamey Keaten | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that counteroffensive and defensive actions are underway against Russian forces, asserting that his top commanders are in a “positive” mindset as their troops engaged in intense fighting along the front line. Top Ukrainian authorities . . . READ MORE . . .

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IAEA chief’s proposals on ZNPP not supported by Kiev de facto – Rosatom CEO. From Tass. MOSCOW — Kiev has not supported proposals on the security and safety of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) advanced by Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, Alexey Likhachev, director general of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, said today. He said the Kiev government “de facto did not support Grossi’s proposals, trying to talk him down and impose  . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s army reports new gains against Russian forces near Bakhmut. From Reuters. KYIV — Counterattacking Ukrainian forces have advanced up to 1,400 metres at a number of sections of the front line near the eastern city of Bakhmut in the past day, a military spokesman said on Saturday. The advance is the latest in a series of similar gains reported this week by Kyiv near Bakhmut, which Russia said it had fully captured . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin says Russian tactical nuclear weapons to be deployed to Belarus next month. From AP. MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscow will deploy some of its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus next month, a move that the Belarusian opposition described as an attempt to blackmail the West. Putin said during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that work . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s anarchists have come together in support of the war. Reported by Julian Hayda | NPR How anarchist politics are factoring in Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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A young aid worker from Bakhmut, Ukraine, mourns the loss of the city but won’t leave. Reported (earlier in June) by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  A young rescue worker who helped evacuate thousands from his hometown — a city now synonymous with the war’s longest and bloodiest battle — grieves its loss but refuses to leave the frontline. Click HERE to listen and read.

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In a counteroffensive, defining success varies, by Julian Barnes and Steven Erlanger | The New York Times After months of anticipation, Ukraine’s forces — newsly trained in complex warfare tactics and armed with billions of dollars in sophisticated weaponry — launched operations on multiple fronts in the past week, in an effort . . . Click HERE to read article with subscription.

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