For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, the Kyiv Post, and the Kyiv Independent, and to commentary from Consortium News; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Ukraine shoots down three Russian warplanes, air force chief says. From Reuters. Ukrainian forces shot down two Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers and one Su-35 fighter in the skies over eastern Ukraine today, the country’s air force chief said. Reuters was . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia says its forces move forward after Ukraine withdraws from Avdiivka, by Guy Faulconbridge | Reuters MOSCOW — Russia said today its forces had inflicted a series of defeats on Ukrainian forces along the 1,000-km (620-mile) front line just as Ukrainian troops withdrew from the devastated eastern town of Avdiivka. The Ukrainian withdrawal . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine’s Zelenskyy warns of an ‘artificial deficit’ of weapons after withdrawal from Avdiivka, by Geir Moulson and Kerstin Sopke | AP MUNICH — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned allies today that an “artificial deficit” of arms for his country risks giving Russia breathing space, highlighting the need for artillery and long-range weapons after his military chief said . . . READ MORE . . .
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A journalist in Ukraine reflects on daily life since Russia’s invasion 2 years ago. Reported by Scott Simon | NPR How has life in Ukraine changed as the second anniversary of the war nears? NPR’s Scott Simon talks to journalist Yaroslav Trofimov and art curator and journalist Kateryna Iakovlenko. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Russian air defense intercepts 33 Ukrainian drones in 5 regions overnight — ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — During the night, Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian drones in the Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Bryansk, and Kaluga regions of Russia, the Russian Ministry of Defense said today. “Tonight, an . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine’s army chief orders retreat from Avdiivka, says ‘life of military is highest value.’ From Kyiv Post. Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the frontline city of Avdiivka to avoid being encircled, new military chief Oleksandr Syrsky said today, handing Russia its biggest symbolic victory following Kyiv’s failed summer counter-offensive. Russia has . . . READ MORE. . .
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Zelensky in Munich: ‘If Ukraine left alone, Russia will destroy us,’ by Nate Ostiller | The Kyiv Independent President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference today urging more security assistance from Ukraine’s allies amid ammunition shortages and the recent withdrawal from the embattled city of Avdiivka. His . . . READ MORE . . .
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Throwing good money after bad in Ukraine? by Ray McGovern and Lawrence Wilkerson | Special to Consortium News As U.S. House members grapple with whether to give $60 billion more to Ukraine, they must also grapple with the checkered nature of the intelligence they’ve been fed. READ MORE . . .