First, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, Le Monde, Tass, the Associated Press, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, three articles from the Berkshire Eagle by its foreign affairs writer, from Substack by a veteran investigative reporter, and from the Eagle-Tribune by the chairman of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. — MCM

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Russia takes stock after winter offensive fails to deliver gains. From AFP. Russia’s ill-fated winter offensive has been another disappointment for Moscow. As spring arrives, Russian and Ukrainian forces are deadlocked with troops stretching from the shores of the Black Sea to northeast Ukraine — and the Kremlin has once again been forced to . . . READ MORE . . .

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The key to Ukraine’s counter-offensive: Breaching Russian lines, by Cédric Pietralunga | Le Monde  According to the military, this will be one of the decisive factors in the success or failure of the Ukrainian counter-offensive announced for the spring. Will Kyiv’s troops be able to break through the lines of fortifications hastily constructed by the Russians on the front line? Will their armored vehicles be able to . . . Click HERE  for beginning of article in English, and HERE for beginning in French.

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Missile launched from Ukraine downed over Feodosiya – Head of Crimea. From Tass. SIMFEROPOL — A missile launched from Ukraine was downed over Feodosiya on the eastern coast of Crimea, Head of the republic Sergey Aksyonov said today. In the recent weeks . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s coal miners dig deep to power a nation at war, by Vasilisa Stepanenko | AP  DNIPROPETROVSK OBLAST, Ukraine — Deep underground in southeastern Ukraine, miners work around the clock extracting coal to power the country’s war effort and to provide civilians with light and heat. Coal is central to meeting Ukraine’s energy needs, the chief engineer of a mining company in Dnipropetrovsk province said.“Today, the country’s energy independence is . . . READ MORE . . .

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In Kharkiv, a widower tries to repair his bombed apartment building. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  In a war-ruined district of Kharkiv, a widower tries to repair his bombed apartment building as Ukraine struggles to restore neighborhoods destroyed by Russian attacks. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Nuclear threat looms over Ukraine, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  Russia is running out of arms. Photo experts say trainloads of Stalin-era T-54 tanks are being shipped west from a storage depot created in the Russian Far East during the Korean War. Ukrainian forensic experts say that some of the missiles that rained down on Ukraine recently were the same missiles that Ukraine shipped back to Russia in the mid-1990s. These missiles carried conventional warheads. READ MORE . . .

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The Nord Stream ghost ship, by Seymour Hersh | Substack America’s Central Intelligence Agency is constantly running covert operations around the world, and each must have a cover story in case things go badly, as they often do. It is just as important to have an explanation when things go well, as they did in the Baltic Sea last fall. Within weeks of my report that Joe Biden ordered the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines, the agency produced a cover story and found willing takers in . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ike’s military power misgivings still ring true, by Andrew Bacevich | The Eagle-Tribune  In his farewell to the nation, President Eisenhower in 1961 took aim at the “disastrous rise of misplaced power” stemming from the “conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry.” Abetted by a pliant Congress, military and corporate leaders collaborated to advance their shared interests with the well-being of the American people consigned to . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED

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

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Top-secret Pentagon documents on Ukraine war appear on social media sites Twitter and Telegram. Reported by Greg Myre and Sergio Olmos | NPR The Pentagon is trying to determine how the detailed material was leaked or stolen. It includes maps of Ukraine and charts on where troops are concentrated and . . . Click HERE to listen and read more.

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Ukraine debates ways to prevent military leaks after report of breach. From Reuters. KYIV — Ukraine’s president and top security brass discussed ways to prevent leaks of military information at a meeting toiday, Kyiv said, after secret documents detailing Western help for Ukraine reportedly ended up online. A statement . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian air defenses intercept two US-made HIMARS rockets in Ukraine operation. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian air defense forces intercepted two rockets of the U.S.-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system and destroyed 11 Ukrainian drones over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said today in a report that included other selected statitics.  READ MORE . . .

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Any Ukraine peace talks should be about ‘new world order’: Lavrov. From AFP. Moscow wants any Ukraine peace talks to focus on creating a “new world order”, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on a visit to Turkey toiday. The top Russian diplomat also threatened to abandon a landmark grain deal, which Turkey helped broker, if obstacles to Russian exports remain. “Any negotiation . . . READ MORE . . .

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In Ukraine, a growing resistance to military enlistment, by Thomas d’Istria | Le Monde   Recruiting posters in Kyiv and other cities display portraits of soldiers with determined faces call on citizens to enlist to defend the country. One war effort operation aims to create eight new brigades. But the time when army recruitment offices were overwhelmed with requests from civilians ready to take up arms seems to be over. Read more in English HERE, and in French HERE.    

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

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Macron calls on Xi to reason with Russia for Ukraine peace, by Michel Rose and Laurie Chen | Reuters  * French President visits China with EU chief von der Leyen * EU-China relations have soured in recent years * Macron hopes Xi can use Russian ties to seek Ukraine peace * China’s peace plan for Ukraine met with scepticism * Trade ‘risks’ and business deals also on summit agenda | BEIJING — French President Emmanuel Macron urged China’s Xi Jinping today to reason with close ally Russia and help end the Ukraine war, while Xi responded by saying he hoped the two sides could hold peace negotiations as soon as possible. In closely-watched talks in Beijing, which also involve EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Macron said the West must engage Beijing to help end the crisis and prevent ‘spiralling’ tensions that could split global powers into warring blocs. “The Russian aggression in Ukraine has . . . READ MORE . . .

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China has mediation potential, but situation with Ukraine is difficult now – Kremlin. From Tass. MOSCOW — China has impressive mediation potential, but the situation with Ukraine remains complicated, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today. He added that Moscow, given “the position, official and unofficial, that has been communicated to Kiev” . . .  READ MORE . . .

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Russian charged with war crimes: Ukrainian kids can go home, by Edith M. Lederer | AP  UNITED NATIONS — Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights Maria Lvova-Belova, who is being sought for war crimes for deporting children from Ukraine, told a U.N. meeting Wednesday that the children were taken for their safety and Moscow is coordinating with international organizations to return them to their families. Ambassadors from Western countries boycotted the informal U.N. Security Council meeting, sending . . . READ MORE . . .

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Moscow says foiled attempt by Ukrainian ‘sabotoeurs’ to enter Russia. From AFP. Russian security forces foiled an attempt of a group of Ukrainian “saboteurs” to enter Russia, the governor of the Bryansk region that borders Ukraine said today. “Today, the border department of the FSB (security service) of the Bryansk region thwarted . . . READ MORE . . .

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Medics risk their lives In Bakhmut to treat Ukrainian soldiers and evacuate them. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR  The battle over the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut has been a deadly slugfest that has reduced it to ruins. Ukrainian medics have worked hard to support and treat wounded soldiers. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Ukraine is asking allies for modern aircraft — an upgrade to its Soviet-era equipment. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR  Ukraine’s military is asking its allies for modern aircraft to fight Russian forces. In the meantime, it is making do with Soviet-era equipment, like the many vintage helicopters in Ukraine’s fleet. Click HERE to listen and read.

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TO BE CONTINUED

For a change, the beginnings of a Canadian Press report in English, followed by a French-language version. (Click HERE for coverage by Le Monde and Agence France-Presse of the French president’s diplonatic visit in Beijing.) — MCM

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French envoy: Canada should link with Europe, surpass ‘weak’ military engagement, by Dylan Robertson | The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — France’s ambassador to Canada says Ottawa must choose between tying itself entirely to Washington or broadening its links to partner more with Europe — while also calling out Canada’s “weak” military engagement.

“This nagging question of the future American commitment offers, in any case more than ever, the opportunity for Europe, France and Canada to play a role together,” Michel Miraillet said in a French-language speech Tuesday to the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.

Miraillet argued that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year was the culmination of a decade of Moscow and Beijing working to weaken democracies.

He said both Russia and China have sold their citizens a narrative of patriotic nationalism, while building up their military capabilities and involvement in developing countries, in anticipation of an inevitable decline of a faltering western world.

“This relationship goes far beyond the assertion of common interests. [Vladimir] Putin and Xi Jinping share the same hatreds, that of the West, which they want to weaken and push back … and that of democracy, which according to them leads to decadence and the disintegration of nations,” he said.

“They also became convinced of the inevitability of America’s erasure from the international stage.”

Miraillet cited the presidency of George W. Bush, without directly referencing the Iraq War, and noted the Obama administration opting against intervening in Syria or pushing back on Russia’s 2014 takeover of Ukraine’s Crimea region.

“The withdrawal from the world stage, initiated under Obama and amplified under Trump, has proved disastrous, as it created a vacuum quickly filled by the rival powers and opened a field of expansion for Russia,” he said.

“If it was to be feared that Joe Biden would go in the same direction, especially at the time of the panic in Afghanistan, let us agree that he adopted a firm and courageous attitude in the Ukrainian conflict.”

Yet Miraillet warned that all elected leaders are subject to short-term mandates while autocrats remain in power.

“This asymmetry which . . .

READ MORE . . .

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L’ambassadeur français tend la main au Canada et veut plus d’investissement militaire, par Dylan Robertson | La Presse canadienne

L’ambassadeur de France au Canada affirme que le gouvernement canadien doit choisir entre se lier entièrement aux États-Unis ou élargir ses liens pour s’associer davantage à l’Europe.

« La question de l’engagement américain à l’étranger offre plus que jamais l’opportunité à l’Europe, à la France et au Canada de jouer ensemble un rôle », a déclaré mardi l’ambassadeur Michel Miraillet, dans un discours livré devant le Conseil des relations internationales de Montréal (CORIM).

L’ambassadeur a fait valoir que l’invasion de l’Ukraine par la Russie est le point culminant d’une décennie de travail de Moscou et de Pékin pour affaiblir les démocraties.
À son avis, la Russie et la Chine ont vendu à leurs citoyens un nationalisme patriotique, tout en renforçant leurs capacités militaires et leur implication dans les pays en développement, en prévision du déclin d’un monde occidental. « Vladimir Poutine et Xi Jinping partagent les mêmes haines, dont celle de l’Occident, qu’ils veulent affaiblir et repousser, et celle de la démocratie qui, selon eux, conduit à la décadence et à la désintégration des nations. Ils sont également devenus convaincus de l’inévitabilité de l’effacement des États-Unis de la scène internationale », selon l’ambassadeur français.

Michel Miraillet a cité la présidence de George W. Bush, sans faire directement référence à la guerre en Irak, et a noté que l’administration Obama avait choisi de ne pas intervenir en Syrie, ni de repousser la prise de contrôle par la Russie en 2014 de la région ukrainienne de Crimée.

« Le retrait de la scène mondiale, lancé sous Obama et amplifié sous Trump, s’est avéré désastreux, car il a créé un vide rapidement comblé par les puissances rivales et ouvert un champ d’expansion pour la Russie », d’après Michel Miraillet. « S’il était à craindre que Joe Biden aille dans le même sens, surtout en Afghanistan, convenons qu’il a adopté une attitude ferme et courageuse dans le conflit ukrainien. »

À son avis, Vladimir Poutine espère que les Américains éliront un président isolationniste à l’automne 2024 et que les Européens choisiront le confort du pétrole russe plutôt que la difficulté des factures énergétiques plus élevées qu’ils paient en raison du respect des valeurs et de la démocratie.

Dépenses militaires

L’ambassadeur Miraillet a par ailleurs évoqué la récente augmentation des dépenses militaires de la France, qui est un important producteur d’armes et qui fait pression pour davantage de fabrication militaire sur le continent. Selon lui, le Canada doit démontrer un engagement similaire envers la sécurité mondiale.

« Le Canada déploie un faible effort de défense ; il oublie un peu ses engagements passés, le courage dont il a fait preuve dans tous les grands conflits, comme dans les opérations de maintien de la paix. »

Dans ce contexte, M. Miraillet souhaite que le Canada approfondisse son partenariat avec des pays comme la France, de la même manière que l’Australie a formé des alliances avec la Corée du Sud et le Japon. Il rappelle que le monde d’aujourd’hui s’organise autour de nouveaux axes de pouvoir, avec le pacte sino-russe d’un côté, et que les démocraties ne devraient pas s’aligner uniquement sur les intérêts américains.

« Il y a une occasion unique pour le Canada et la France d’agir ensemble, qui consiste à sortir de leur zone de confort et au-delà des jeux de politique intérieure pour avoir un grand destin », a précisé l’ambassadeur français.

Il a soutenu que la France souhaite s’associer au Canada sur les minéraux essentiels pour les technologies vertes, sur la technologie nucléaire à petite échelle et sur des projets d’hydrogène qui peuvent aider à électrifier les transports en commun.

Il a noté que la France et le Canada sont souvent les seuls à défendre constamment les droits individuels dans les forums de . . .

LIRE PLUS . . .

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Herewith, via Consortium News, the beginning of an essay by a former British diplomat and university rector. It links in the fourth paragraph to a 2011 Guardian story on the arrest in Russia of a British journalist and his deportation. As of 12 noon EDT it had garnered six comments. — MCM

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Evan Gershkovich & Julian Assange

By Craig Murray | CraigMurray.org.uk

Russia should release Evan Gershkovich; if as part of a prisoner swap it should be speedily concluded.

Gershkovich was arrested in Ekaterinburg while investigating the Wagner Group. Ekaterinburg is one of Russia’s grimmest, most mafia-dominated and least open cities, which I have myself visited specifically to investigate the murders of local Russian journalists.

That was dangerous enough without the complications of a war and the fact Gershkovich was planning to visit the location of a nearby tank factory (it is unclear whether he got to carry out this plan).

I am not in the least surprised he was arrested, but I would have hoped he would simply be deported, or have his visa cancelled like Luke Harding. A journalist from a country openly supplying the enemy in an active war could hardly complain if deported. It is part of the game.

Let us not forget that Russia is still allowing Western journalists to operate inside Russia, while most countries in the West, including the U.K., have closed down all Russian media outlets and canceled the visas of their journalists.

But to charge Gershkovich with espionage for — from what we know so far — simply doing his job, is a major escalation.

I am going to assume Gershkovich was not actually working for the C.I.A. or Ukrainian intelligence. No evidence has so far been produced of this and, so far, I have not seen Russia allege it. If alleged, it would change the game in some respects, but I for now assume that is not in play and Gershkovich was merely functioning as a journalist.

The Biden administration’s problem is that it is in no position to object. Julian Assange is being charged with espionage solely for journalism: there is no allegation he was working for a foreign power.

If Assange committed espionage against the U.S. by publishing national security secrets of the United States, how exactly is Gershkovich not committing espionage against Russia by seeking to publish what it deems its national security secrets?

The answer is of course . . . READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from Le Monde and Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Next, commentary from the Los Angeles Times. Then, via Consortium News, commentary from Common Dreams. — MCM

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In Beijing, Macron says China can play ‘major role’ in finding ‘path to peace’ in Ukraine. From Le Monde and AFP. French President Emmanuel Macron said today, ahead of a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, Macron said France would seek to work with China “in this shared responsibility for peace and stability” in Ukraine. “China, with . . . READ MORE . . .  [Click HERE for a report in French by two AFP reporters.]

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Zelenskyy visits Poland to thank ally and meet Ukrainians, by Vanessa Gera | AP  WARSAW — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife were welcomed with military honors, tributes and praise in Poland today at the start of a state visit meant as a gesture of thanks by Kyiv to its neighbor for its crucial support in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion. The visit is. . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy visits Poland as allies step up military aid, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters  * Heavy fighting reported around Bakhmut * Zelenskiy visits Poland, Macron to press China * Washington pledges billions more as Ukraine readies offensive | KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited Poland on Wednesday, buoyed by the latest announcement of U.S. military aid, as Russian troops pressed on with their long and costly battle to seize the eastern city of Bakhmut. French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, was visiting China after he and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed they would try to engage Beijing to hasten the end of the Russian assault on Ukraine. Beijing has called  . . . READ MORE . . .

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In Ukraine, the grief-stricken bear the pain of war. From AP. KYIV — Mothers burying their sons, children burying their fathers. As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, men and women have been dying in droves on the front lines, fighting off Russia’s invasion of their country. For them, the fight is over. They . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces thwart Kiev’s attempts to advance in several areas in Donbass, says LPR. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces thwarted the Ukrainian army’s attempts to advance in several areas in Donbass over the past day, Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) people’s militia retired Lt. Col. Andrey Marochko said today. “The enemy suffered quite heavy losses and returned to its initial positions.” He said the enemy was advancing all around in . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia detains woman in connection with bombing that killed military blogger. Reported by Charles Maynes | NPR  Russia has formally charged a 26 year woman with terrorism in connection with last weekend’s bombing in a Saint Petersburg cafe which killed a prominent Russian military blogger and injured dozens. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Ukraine is counting on its spring offensive against Russia. Biden has a stake in it too, by Doyle McManus | Los Angeles Times  “We’re providing the systems they needed six months ago,” says retired Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO. “War is not a mathematical equation. You need to overprovide. Now is the time to give Ukraine what they need in order to avoid the political calendar next year.” In fact, the U.S. political calendar . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. diplomacy — war, never peace, by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies | Common Dreams  In 1998, then-Secretary of State Madeline Albright toured the Middle East and then the United States to rally support for President Bill Clinton’s threat to bomb Iraq. After failing to win support in the Middle East, she was confronted by heckling and critical questions during a televised event at Ohio State University, and she appeared on the Today Show the next morning to respond . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED

For now, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below, Next, via Consortium News, an analysis from Declassified UK. Finally for today, two news stories and commentary from the past few days concerning the U.S. journalist arrested in Russia, from AP, antiwar.com, and the Washington Post. — MCM

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Finland joins NATO, dealing blow to Russia for Ukraine war, by Lorne Cook and Matthew Lee | AP  BRUSSELS — Finland joined the NATO military alliance today, dealing a major blow to Russia with a historic realignment of the continent triggered by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The Nordic country’s membership doubles Russia’s border with the world’s biggest security alliance and represents . . . READ MORE . . .

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Finland joins NATO, Russia warns of counter-measures, by Anne Kauranen and Andrew Gray | Reuters HELSINKI / BRUSSELS —  Finland formally joined the NATO military alliance today in a historic policy shift brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drawing a threat from Moscow of “countermeasures”. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto completed the accession process by handing over an official document to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at NATO . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces come almost right next to Artyomovsk train station – DPR head. From Tass. MOSCOW — Ukrainian forces retreating to the Western part of Artyomovsk (Bakhmut), Acting DPR Head Denis Pushilin said today. The city is on the Kiev-controlled part of the Donetsk People’s Republic and was a major transportation hub for the Ukrainian army’s supplies army’s in Donbass. Fierce fighting is . . . READ MORE . . .

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‘Significant portion’ of UK lethal aid for Ukraine stays secret, by Matt Kennard | Declassified UK  “A significant proportion of our lethal aid [for Ukraine] is procured overseas and for both operational and commercial reasons, the detail of these contracts will not be published,” the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has told Parliament. The announcement . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. urges release of WSJ reporter, Russia sees politicization, by Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed and Mark Trevelyan | Reuters  WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who Russia accuses of spying, in a call on Sunday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said Washington should not politicize the case. Russia’s FSB security service said on Thursday it had arrested . . . READ MORE . . .

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Blinken, Lavrov discuss WSJ reporter detained in Russia, by Dave DeCamp | antiwar.com  Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday held a call with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, to discuss Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal and U.S. citizen who was detained in Russia last week over spying allegations. According to a State Department readout of the call, Blinken expressed the U.S.’s “grave concern over Russia’s unacceptable detention of a U.S. citizen journalist” and called for his “immediate release.” According to the Russian side, Lavrov told Blinken . . . READ MORE . . .

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American journalist arrested by Russia is not an ‘alleged spy,’ by Jason Rezaian | The Washington Post In arresting Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the state he controls are sending a very clear message to the international community, and the United States in particular: Journalism in Russia is dead, and foreign correspondents are not welcome. Putin didn’t simply move to expel foreign journalists as a group. He instead . . . READ MORE . . .

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

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Russia blames Ukraine for bomb that killed military blogger. From AP. Russian authorities blamed Ukrainian intelligence agencies today for orchestrating a bombing at a St. Petersburg cafe that killed a Russian military blogger who fervently supported Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and arrested a suspect accused of involvement in the attack. Vladlen Tatarsky, 40, was killed Sunday as he was leading a discussion at a cafe in the historic heart of Russia’s second-largest city, officials . . . READ MORE . . .

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Suspect held in blast that killed Russian military blogger: Official. From AFP. Russian investigators said today they have detained a suspect over a bomb blast in a cafe in Russia’s second city that killed a top military blogger and supporter of Russia’s campaign in Ukraine. “Darya Trepova has been detained on suspicion of involvement in the explosion in a cafe in St Petersburg,” Russia’s Investigative Committee said following . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine says its forces fight on in Bakhmut, mocks Russian claim to have captured city, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters  * Wagner’s Prigozhin says his forces have raised flag in Bakhmut * Ukrainian officials say defenders still fighting * Kremlin sees Ukraine involvement in assassination of blogger * Russia to move tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus’ west | KYIV — Ukraine’s military said its troops were locked in combat with Russian forces around the administration building of Bakhmut today, and it poured scorn on Russian claims that mercenary fighters had captured the eastern city after months of warfare. A Ukrainian spokesman said that . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian air defenses down 10 HIMARS, Smerch rockets in Ukraine operation – top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — In the past day Russian air defense forces intercepted ten rockets of the HIMARS and Smerch multiple launch rocket systems and destroyed seven Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov said today in addition to listing Ukrainian casualties. READ MORE . . .

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White House applies more pressure on those helping Russia evade sanctions. Reported by Jackie Northam | NPR  The U.S. is trying to step up enforcement of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine — looking to make countries and their companies fear losing business if they evade sanctions. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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A year later: How 3 elderly people in Ukraine are surviving in a time of war. Reported by Elissa Nadworny | NPR  Not everyone can evacuate when there is war. A year ago in Kyiv, NPR profiled three elderly residents who stayed behind — unwilling or unable to leave. A year later, we find out how they are doing. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

First on a day of little news about the war, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Next, from antiwar.com, commentary on how the war is affecting Republican politics in the United States. Then, from AP, an analysis of possible broader consequences of  the International Criminal Court’s warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrest. — MCM

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Zelensky says Ukraine ‘will never forgive’ on first anniversary of Bucha killings, by Emmanuel Peuchot | AFP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Ukraine would “never forgive” Moscow for its occupation of Bucha, a year after the town became a symbol of alleged Russian war crimes. AFP journalists on April 2 last year discovered the bodies of at least 20 people in civilian clothing, some with their hands tied behind their . . . READ MORE . . .

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Chaplains made part of Ukraine’s military as war drags on. From AP  KYIV — The first group of chaplains to join the Ukrainian military’s command structure graduated in a ceremony Saturday. Although chaplains have ministered to Ukraine’s armed forces for years, they worked as embedded civilians rather than as officers. Now, they will sign contracts to . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian official offers plan for a Crimea without Russia, by Karl Ritter | AP  KYIV — Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, today outlined a series of steps the government in Kyiv would take after the country reclaims control of Crimea, including dismantling the strategic bridge that linksthe seized Black Sea peninsula to Russia. Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, but most of the world . . . READ MORE . . .

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Brittney Griner urges Biden to bring home reporter Gershkovich. From Reuters. — U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, who was freed from a Russian penal colony in a prisoner exchange last year, has urged the Biden administration to keep using “every tool possible” to win the release of a U.S. reporter accused of spying in Russia. Griner and her wife Cherelle said that “our hearts are filled with great concern” for Evan Gershkovich, the journalist arrested by Russia’s FSB security service . . . READ MORE . . .

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Wall Street Journal again calls for reporter Gershkovich’s release. From Tass. NEW YORK — The Wall Street Journal once again called for release of its reporter Evan Gershkovich, detained in Russia over espionage charges. “The Wall Street Journal demands the immediate release of our colleague Evan Gershkovich, a distinguished journalist who was arrested while reporting in Russia,” the WSJ said, characterizing Gershkovich’s detention as a “vicious affront” to the freedom of press, which . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine war enters 2024 U.S. presidential election — stage right, by John V. Walsh | antiwar.com  Opposition to Joe Biden’s proxy war to destroy Russia has entered the 2024 U.S. presidential election. And the growing anti interventionist sentiment among grass roots conservatives and libertarians is alarming Establishment warhawks on both “left” and “right.” They are furious. Their anger boiled over when Tucker Carlson asked likely GOP presidential candidates for their positions on the cruel war steeped in the blood of Ukrainian proxies; he posted their replies on Twitter. The only two who opposed the war: Donald Trump and Ronald DeSantis. Trump’s responses came as no surprise. As before, . . . READ MORE . . .

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War-crimes warrant for Putin could complicate Ukraine peace, by Mike Corder | AP  THE HAGUE, Netherlands — An international arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin raises the prospect of the man whose country invaded Ukraine facing justice, but it complicates efforts to end that war in peace talks. Both justice and peace appear to be only remote possibilities today, and the conflicting relationship between the two . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED

First, links to two articles on the war by writers critical of Russia’s military performance. The first, via the Greanville Post this week, considers, among other things, the importance of operational railroad bridges across Ukraine’s Dnieper River to the war’s outcome. The second, published in the Berkshire Eagle on Jan. 7 and picked up then in this blog HERE, focuses on the importance, and vulnerability, of several dams across the Dnipro (same river, different spelling). Then, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and the Moscow Times. — MCM

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The Bakmut diversion and the Donbas defensive — a view from Donetsk, by Russell Bentley | The Greanville Post  Russia must immediately, fully and permanently prevent the movement of troops and weapons from the West to the Donbas Front. The primary method of transport for these troops and weapons is by rail, on railroad bridges across the Dnieper River. Forty bridges cross the Dnieper River in Ukraine, 12 of which are operational railroad bridges. To destroy some or all of these rail bridges (which should have been done in the first few days of the strategic military operation) will severely degrade the ability of UAF/NATO forces to rotate, reinforce and resupply the nazis attacking the Donbas Front. READ MORE . . .

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Russian dam-busters threaten Kyiv, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  Ukrainian strategists fear the Kremlin could turn its attention to the dams across the Dnipro, a river about half the length of the Mississippi. These massive dams could be breached by conventional or nuclear bombs. The most devastating blow would be to the top of the cascade: the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant. Located . . . READ MORE . .  .

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Will there be a spring counteroffensive? Reported by Barry Hatton | AP  Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II is poised to enter a new phase in the coming weeks. With no suggestion of a negotiated end to the 13 months of fighting between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian defense minister said last week that a spring counteroffensive could begin as soon as April. Kyiv faces a key tactical question: How can . . . READ MORE . . .

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IMF approves $15.6 billion Ukraine loan. Report from Reuters. The International Monetary Fund said its executive board had approved a four-year $15.6 billion loan programme for Ukraine, part of a global $115 billion package to support the country’s economy as it battles Russia’s 13-month-old invasion. DIPLOMACY, WEAPONRY. A $2.6 billion U.S. military aid package that could include air surveillance radars, anti-tank rockets and fuel trucks for Ukraine’s fight against Russia is expected to be announced as soon as Monday, three U.S. officials said on Friday.  READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine calls Russia UN presidency a ‘slap in the face.’ From AFP. Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba today joined a chorus of outrage from Western countries against Russia’s presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of April. “I urge the current UNSC members to thwart any Russian attempts to abuse its presidency,” he said, calling Russia “an outlaw on the UNSC.” READ MORE . . .

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Russian Aerospace Forces down a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft and a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter in DPR – Official. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia’s Aerospace Forces downed a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft and an Mi-8 helicopter in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said today. READ MORE . . .

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Hostage, signal or revenge? Spotlight on Russia’s reasons for arresting WSJ reporter, by Pyotr Kozlov | The Moscow Times The Russian authorities’ decision to arrest Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on spying charges came under intense scrutiny Friday, with speculation over why the Kremlin decided to take a step that was not only provocative but has no analogy in post-Soviet Russia. As the dust settled on Gershkovich’s detention on Thursday . . . READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED