First; links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, Agence France-Presse, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. See also Cook, 2-11-23. — MCM
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Wagner owner says war in Ukraine could drag on for years, by Susie Blann | AP KYIV — The owner of the Russian Wagner Group private military contractor actively involved in the fighting in Ukraine has predicted that the war could drag on for years. Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a video interview released late Friday that it could take 18 months to two years for Russia to fully secure control of Ukraine’s eastern . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia hits Ukraine power grid and gains ground in east; Biden to visit Poland, by Olena Harmash | Reuters * Bombardments leave Ukrainians in blackout * Ukraine says new Russian ground offensive has begun * Russian advances reported in Bakhmut and Vuhledar | KYIV — Russian missiles hit power facilities on Friday across Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelenskiy returned from a tour of Western capitals and Ukrainian officials said a long-awaited Russian offensive was underway in the east. Ukraine’s armed forces said . . . READ MORE . . .
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Strike by Russian troops affects Ukrainian defense companies, top brass says. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Russian Armed Forces on Friday delivered a massive strike on critical facilities generating power for Ukraine’s defense sector and transportation networks, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov said today. Also, foreign weapons and ammunition supplies as well as the deployment of reserves by railway to the combat zones . . . READ MORE . . .
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Biden to mark Ukraine invasion anniversary with Poland trip. From AFP. WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a visit to Nato ally Poland, the White House said on Friday. He will travel on Feb 20 to 22, meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda and also members of the Bucharest Nine, a group of members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Eastern Europe, said . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine alleges that Putin was involved in 2014 Malaysia passenger jet downing. Reported by Tim Mak | NPR Investigators into the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine alleged this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin [ was he president in 2014? ] was directly involved. The incident led to 298 civilian deaths from 16 countries. Click HERE to listen and read.
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MAY BE CONTINUED