First, links to reports from Tass, Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials. — MCM
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Weapons supplies to Ukraine bring NATO closer to direct clash with Russia — MFA. From Tass. MOSCOW — The flow of NATO weapons to Ukraine and military support for Kiev bring the alliance closer to a dangerous line of a direct military clash with Russia, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said today. “The NATO countries seem to be racing each other in supplying , , , READ MORE . . .
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Putin demands all-Russia war effort as he declares martial law in occupied Ukraine, by Mark Trevelyan | Reuters * Putin tells all Russian regions to support needs of army * Order meets low-key response from regional heads * Kremlin chief says soldiers need proper kit * Martial law in occupied regions under Ukrainian counter-attack | LONDON — Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he was introducing martial law in four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine that Moscow claimed last month as its own territory but is struggling to defend from Ukrainian advances. He boosted the security powers of all Russia’s regional governors and ordered the creation of a special coordinating council under Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, saying the “entire system of state administration” must be geared to supporting what Russia calls its “special military . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine’s utilities threatened by Russia in war’s new phase, by Sabra Ayres | AP Moscow has openly declared its intention to increasingly strike power stations, waterworks and other key infrastructure. One Ukrainian energy official said Wednesday that 40% of the country’s electric power system had been severely damaged, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces have destroyed 30% of Ukraine’s power stations since . . . READ MORE . . .
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EU readies new Iran sanctions over drones to Russia. From AFP. BRUSSELS: The EU is working toward fresh sanctions on Iran after collecting “sufficient evidence” it is supplying Russia with deadly drones for use in Ukraine, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday. “Now that we have gathered our own sufficient evidence work is ongoing . . . READ MORE . . .
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Iran denies that it is supplying weaponry to Russia for use in Ukraine. Reported by A Martínez and Peter Kenyon | NPR Iran is wading into Russia’s war on Ukraine with reported plans to sell surface to surface missiles and drones to Moscow. Will Iran’s help change the trajectory of this war? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Iran turns to Russia for support and strategic alliance, Middle East expert says. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, about the history of Iran and Russia cooperating in conflicts. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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TO BE CONTINUED