First, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a freelance journalist’s commentary initially published a week ago. — MCM
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Senior Ukrainian officials step down in rare purge in Kyiv, by Tom Balmforth and Olena Harmash | Reuters * Deputy head of Zelenskiy’s office steps down * Defence official denies accusations of overpaying for supplies * Deputy prosecutor had been criticised for holiday in Spain * Allies seek German tanks for Kyiv | KYIV — Several senior Ukrainian officials resigned today in the biggest leadership shakeup of the war with Russia so far, in what an aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called an answer to public calls for “justice”. Some, though not all, of the resignations were linked with corruption allegations. Ukraine has a history of graft and shaky governance, and is. . . READ MORE . . .
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Five regional governors, four deputy ministers dismissed in Ukraine. From AFP. Five regional governors and four deputy ministers are stepping down in Ukraine against the backdrop of several corruption scandals, a senior official said today. Nemchinov also announced the dismissal of a deputy defence minister, two deputy ministers of development of communities and territories, and a deputy minister of social . . . READ MORE . . .
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Poland asks Germany for tank OK; Ukraine targets corruption, by Andrew Meldrum | AP KYIV — Poland has officially requested permission from Germany to transfer its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine where they can help fight Russia’s invasion, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said today. The development on possible tank deliveries came as Ukrainian authorities moved to crack down on corruption, with three senior officials today announcing their exit. Błaszczak also . . . READ MORE . . .
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Germany is under increased pressure to send its Leopard tanks to Ukraine. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Stefan Liebich, a former member of Germany’s Parliament, about his country’s reluctance to send tanks to Ukraine, and to allow other countries to do the same. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Ukraine offers Belarus non-aggression pact, Lukashenko says. From Tass. MINSK — Ukraine offers Belarus to sign a non-aggression pact, while simultaneously training militants that pose potential threat to Belarus’ national security, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said today. “I don’t know why . . . READ MORE . . .
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Is the hammer about to fall? by Mike Whitney | The Unz Review Ukrainian forces are now suffering unsustainable casualties on the battlefield, which is laying the groundwork for the inevitable splintering of the state. Whatever the outcome of the conflict may be, one thing is certain: Ukraine will no longer exist as a viable, independent, contiguous state. READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED