First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, the Moscow Times, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM
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Kyiv region still struggles 6 months after Russian retreat, by Sam Mednick | AP An estimated 1 million people — half the number who fled the region — have returned, according to local authorities. But many no longer have jobs, cannot afford to fix their houses and say they need more assistance. Nearly $350 billion is needed for reconstruction across the war-ravaged country, and that amount is expected to grow, according to a . . . READ MORE . . .
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Power being partially restored in Russian-occupied Kherson, by Andrew Meldrum | AP KYIV — The city of Kherson in the southern region that Moscow illegally annexed in September was cut off from power and water supplies on Sunday following damage to three power lines. The deputy head of the pro-Kremlin administration of the partially occupied Kherson region, said today that “power and connectivity . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia issues rare denial of ‘pointless losses’ by marines in Ukraine, by Mark Trevelyan | Reuters LONDON — Russia’s defence ministry today took the rare step of denying allegations that a naval infantry unit had suffered disastrous losses of men and equipment in a futile offensive in eastern Ukraine. It was a response to what Russian military bloggers said was an open letter from members of the 155th marine brigade of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, complaining they had . . . READ MORE . . .
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Italian newspaper says U.S., NATO believe talks on Ukraine possible if Kiev takes Kherson. From Tass. ROME — The US and NATO think that launching peace talks on Ukraine would be possible if Kiev takes back Kherson with the battle for it having both strategic and diplomatic significance, La Repubblica wrote today. According to the paper, Washington is in constant contact with Brussels and its allies on this issue as well as . . . READ MORE . . .
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Putin says employers must retain jobs for Ukraine war volunteers. From the Moscow Times. Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that employers should guarantee the jobs of men who volunteer to fight in Ukraine amid a widely reported troop shortage in Moscow’s ongoing invasion of its neighbor. A spokesman for Putin said he pledged to order the government to enshrine the provision in law after receiving complaints . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine hails arrival of Western defense systems. From AFP. Ukraine announced today that it had received more air defence systems from Western military allies, saying they would help defend against Russian attacks that have recently targeted energy infrastructure. “NASAMS and Aspide air defence systems arrived in Ukraine! These weapons will significantly strengthen . . . READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED