To begin, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. Next, via the Greanville Post, a military assessment of the war as of June 16 from Brian Berletic of The New Atlas. — MCM

–   –   –

‘It’s just hell there’: Russia still pounds eastern Ukraine, by John Leicester and David Keyton | The Associated Press KYIV — Russia’s military machine persevered in its ferocious effort to grind down Ukraine’s defenses today, as the war’s consequences for food and fuel suppliesincreasingly weighed on minds around the globe after warnings that the fighting could go on for years. In Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, which in recent weeks has become the focal point of Moscow’s attempt to impose its will on its neighbor, battles raged for the control of multiple villages, the local governor said. . . . Russian shelling and airstrikes on the industrial outskirts of Sievierodonetsk have intensified . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russians advance, Zelenskiy expects escalation as EU set to welcome Ukraine, by Natalia Zinets and Max Hunder | Reuters * European Union to decide on Ukraine membership bid * Zelenskiy says battle for Donbas to intensify * City of Sievierodonetsk focus of Russian attacks * NATO’s Stoltenberg says war could last for years | KYIV — Russian forces captured territory along a frontline river in eastern Ukraine on today, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy predicted Moscow would escalate attacks ahead of a summit of European leaders expected to welcome Kyiv’s bid to join the EU. Moscow’s separatist proxies claimed to have captured Toshkivka, a town on the mostly Ukrainian-held western bank of the Siverskyi Donets river, south of Sievierodonetsk, which has become the main battlefield city in recent weeks. Ukraine acknowledged . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Lithuania Says Sanctions on Goods to Kaliningrad Take Effect, by Andrius Sytas | Reuters VILNIUS, LITHUANIA — Lithuanian authorities said a ban on the transit through their territory to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad of goods that are subject to EU sanctions was to take effect Saturday. News of the ban came Friday. . . . The EU sanctions list notably includes coal, metals, construction materials and advanced technology, and Alikhanov said the ban would cover around 50% of the items that Kaliningrad imports. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

The once-quiet southwestern corner of Ukraine is now playing a key role in trade. Reported by Nathan Rott | National Public Radio An overlooked corner of Ukraine is quietly playing a critical role in the country’s efforts to import and export goods. Russia is trying to cut it off. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Russian Ops in Ukraine (June 16, 2022, Update): West Sends Arms, Russia Still Gaining Ground. Reported by Brian Berletic | The New Atlas Russian forces continue to gain ground in the Donbas; – Russia also gains ground outside Kharkov; – Western media covers up Ukrainian shelling of civilian targets in Donetsk; – The flood of Western weapons continues, but limitations are manifesting themselves; – Harpoon anti-ship missiles will take months to deploy; – 18 more M777 howitzers will not even replace Ukrainian combat losses to date; – HIMARS/M270s will be deployed with . . . Listen HERE to half-hour presentation.

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

First, a collection of reports from the British daily The Guardian. Second and third, the beginnings of Reuters and Associated Press stories updated this morning, both linked to others related to the war. Fourth, a look at translations of some headlines in extended coverage by the Spanish newspaper El País, which asks readers to subscribe.) Then, the beginning of a story of how many Russian families tend to be divided by generation over the war, from the French daily Le Monde. — MCM

–   –   –

Putin appoints new war commander; Johnson Kyiv visit ‘very important.  From The Guardian Alexander Dvornikov has record of brutality against civilians in Syria, say U.S. officials; Zelenskiy adviser praises UK prime minister’s ‘timely’ visit  * Trapped in Mariupol hospital: ‘They said anyone who left would be shot’ * Boris Johnson pledges to send more arms during surprise visit to Kyiv * Luhansk residents told to evacuate as Russia moves focus east * Analysis: witnessing atrocities in real time is changing everything * At a glance: what we know on day 46 of Russian invasion of Ukraine

–   –   –

Kyiv keeps pressure on West to do more as battle looms in Ukraine’s east, by Elizabeth Piper and Zohra Bensemra | Reuters * Zelenskiy urges oil embargo, seeks arms * Satellite pictures show convoy heading south * Civilian grave found near Kyiv, official says * Nine trains laid on for evacuation in east, governor says | KYIV/BUZOVA, Ukraine — Ukraine said today it was seeking another round of European Union sanctions against Moscow and more military aid from its allies as it braces for a major Russian offensive in the east of the country. , , . Ukraine says [Russia]  has been gathering its forces in the east for a major assault and has urged people . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine digs in to fight Russia’s looming eastern offensive, by Adam Schreck and Cara Anna | The Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces dug in and Russia’s military lined up more firepower today ahead of an expected showdown in eastern Ukraine that could become a decisive period in a war that has flattened cities, killed untold thousands and isolated Moscow economically and politically. Experts say a full-scale offensive in the east could start within days, though questions remained about the ability of Russia’s depleted and demoralized forces to conquer much ground after Ukraine’s inspired defenders repelled their push to capture the capital, Kyiv. Britain’s Defense Ministry reported today that Russia’s armed forces were trying to compensate for mounting casualties by boosting troop numbers with personnel who had been discharged from service since 2012. Ukraine has the bulk of its military forces in the east: estimates vary, but they are believed to number in the tens of thousands. READ MORE . . .

– – –

El País offers for free the latest from the conflict in Ukraine as a public service. Headlines include “United States will supply Ukraine ‘the weapons necessary’ to stop Russia” (AP), “France will keep two paintings from the Morozova collection that were to return to Russia” (El País), “Ukraine denounces the wounding of six rescue workers by shelling in the Dnipro region this morning” (news agencies), “[Ukraine Foreign Minister] Kuleba says the German and French decision in 2008 against permitting Ukraine to join NATO was a ‘strategic error’” (news agencies), “Emergency services exhume bodies of civilians buried in a common grave in Buzova outside Kyiv” (Reuters), “UN confirms 1,793 civilians deaths and 2,439 civilian wounded in Ukraine” (Europa Press), “The Russian Orthodox Church’s support for the war threatens to isolate it) (EFE), “The Pope asks for a truce in Ukraine during Holy Week” (EFE). “If you want to support our journalism,” El País suggests, “subscribe.” (Si quieres apoyar nuestro periodismo, suscríbete.)

–   –   – 

In Russia, on the question of Ukraine, generations clash, by Moscow correspondent Benoît Vitkine | Le Monde The “special military operation” unleashed by Vladimir Putin is tearing apart thousands of families. Older members watch state-controlled television and a majority support their president. The young, informed by the Internet, are more critical. On the morning of Feb. 24, when the conflict started in Ukraine, Jenia had only one reflex: run to his parents place on the other side of Moscow. “I was shocked,” recalled the 25-year-old fashion photographer, “and I said to myself we should be together, supporting each other emotionally.” . . . In his parents’ apartment, though, it was not at all what he had imagined. “My mother was glued to the television, my father stretched out on the sofa. His first words to me were, ‘You, you’re on the khokhlis’ side.’” The term khokhli, very pejorative, was for the Ukrainians. For his father, workers in an electronics factory, Jenia was in the enemy camp. The following days were worse . . . READ MORE in French . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED

First, from today’s Berkshire Eagle, views of Ukraine before Russia’s invasion this year and now, by former international correspondent James Brooke, who lived there with his family for six years before moving back to the United States; his talk at a church this afternoon in Lenox, Massachusetts, will be on Zoom (details HERE). Second and third, Associated Press and Reuters reports made available around 10 a.m. EDT, both linked to others. Then, an AP report on how the war is affecting food prices. Next, a report via Popular Resistance! that Greek railroad workers have blocked a shipment of U.S. tanks to Ukraine. Finally, via Consortium News, an Indian writer puts the Ukraine war in a geopolitical context.  — MCM

–   –   –

Putin’s war perverts a personal geography, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle [Brooke sketches pre-war experiences in Bucha, Mariupol, Chernihiv and Kramatorsk in the opening paragraphs.] This was my Ukraine, a cultured, family friendly country where I lived for six years until moving back to Lenox last fall. Based in Kyiv, my wife Pen Soy, our son George and I explored this little known European nation, an expanse larger than France. After Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his war of choice on Ukraine, every city I visited in Ukraine has been bombed. For me, reading the news is to see a friendly, familiar geography turn perverse. From Kyiv, the now iconic photo of the bandaged young woman nursing her baby in a government hospital rang a bell with me. Last August, our George was interned in the same hospital . . . Eagle subscribers can read more HERE.

–   –   –

More civilians flee east Ukraine after deadly station strike, by Adam Schreck and Cara Anna | The Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine — Civilian evacuations moved forward in patches of battle-scarred eastern Ukraine today, a day after a missile strike killed at least 52 people and wounded more than 100 at a train station where thousands clamored to leave before an expected Russian onslaught. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded a tough global response to Friday’s  train station attack in Kramatorsk, calling it the latest example of war crimes by Russian forces that should motivate the West to do more to help his country defend itself. “All world efforts will be directed to establish every minute of who did what, who gave what orders, where the missile came from, who transported it, who gave the command and how this strike was agreed,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address, his voice rising in anger. Russia denied it was responsible and accused Ukraine’s military of firing on the station to try to turn blame for civilian casualties on Moscow. A Russian Defense Ministry spokesman detailed the missile’s trajectory and Ukrainian troop positions to bolster the argument. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine faces ‘hard battle’ in eastern regions, Zelenskiy says, by Elizabeth Piper | Reuters * Zelenskiy expects hard battle in Ukraine’s east * At least 52 died in train station attack * Civilians in Luhansk region told to flee KYIV — Ukraine is ready for a tough battle with Russian forces amassing in the east of the country, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on today, a day after a missile attack in the east that officials said killed more than 50 civilians trying to evacuate. Air-raid sirens sounded in cities across eastern Ukraine, which has become the focus of Russian military action following a withdrawal from areas close to the capital, Kyiv. After Friday’s strike on a train station crowded with women, children and the elderly in the Donetsk region city of Kramatorsk, officials urged civilians in the neighbouring Luhansk region to flee. “Yes, [Russian] forces are gathering in the east [of Ukraine],” Zelenskiy told a joint news conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Kyiv. “This will be a hard battle, we believe in this fight and our victory. We are ready to simultaneously fight and look for diplomatic ways to put an end to this war . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Food prices soar to record levels on Ukraine war disruptions, by Nicole Winfield | The Associated Press ROME — Prices for food commodities like grains and vegetable oils reached their highest levels ever last month largely because of Russia’s war in Ukraine and the “massive supply disruptions” it is causing, threatening millions of people in Africa, the Middle East elsewhere with hunger and malnourishment, the United Nations said Friday. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said its Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in international prices for a basket of commodities, averaged 159.3 points last month, up 12.6% from February. As it is, the February index was the highest level since its inception in 1990. FAO said the war in Ukraine was largely responsible for the 17.1% rise in the price of grains, including wheat and others like oats, barley and corn. Together . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Greek Railroad Workers Block Delivery of U.S. Tanks to Ukraine, by Simon Zinnstein | Left Voice Workers at TrainOSE, a Greek railroad company, have been refusing to transport U.S. tanks destined for Ukraine from Alexandroupoli, a port in the northern part of the country. After workers there refused, bosses tried to force railroad workers from elsewhere to take on the work. “For about two weeks now,” the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said in a statement, “there has been pressure on the employees of the engine room in Thessaloniki to go to Alexandroupoli.” The bosses’ desperate effort to find workers who would move the transport forward .   .   . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine: The Broader Geopolitical Conflict, by Vijay Prashad | Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research It is hard to fathom the depths of our time, the terrible wars and the confounding information that whizzes by without much wisdom. Certainties that flood the airwaves and the internet are easy to come by, but are they derived from an honest assessment of the war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russian banks (part of a broader United States sanctions policy that now afflicts approximately thirty countries)? . . . It appears that many of the “certainties” are caught up in the “Cold War mentality,” which views humanity as irreversibly divided on two opposing sides. However, this is not the case; most countries are . . . READ MORE . . .