First, links to reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, analysis from a Berkshire Eagle  foreign affairs writer. — MCM

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Pressures on Ukraine’s power grid pose a challenge to U.S. aid delivery. By Eric Schmid | NPR  Ukraine needs more than weapons to defeat Russia. The U.S. is also working frantically to provide infrastructure to help keep the lights on. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Brutality of Russia’s Wagner gives it lead in Ukraine war. From AP.  Fierce battles in eastern Ukraine have thrown a new spotlight on Russia’s Wagner Group, a private military company led by a rogue millionaire with longtime links to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Wagner has . . . READ MORE . . .

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Three killed in Russian strike on east Ukraine city. From Reuters. KYIV — Three people were killed and at least two others wounded after Russian forces struck a residential neighbourhood in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, the regional governor said today. Pavlo Kyrylenko said four apartment buildings and a hotel had been damaged and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces hit 86 Ukrainian army units at firing positions — Defense Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces hit 86 Ukrainian army units at firing positions in the past day, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said today. “Russian tactical aircraft, missile troops and artillery forces . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia’s new census could explain why Kremlin kidnaps Ukrainians, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  New Russian census data indicate that ethnic Russians have fallen to 72 percent of Russia’s 147 million people, well below the 80 percent usually touted by the Kremlin. Reflecting sensitivity over the nation’s shrinking Slavic . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED