Ukraine, 2-3-23

First today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. See also commentary from last week by a Consortium News contributor HERE. — MCM

   

Air raid sirens sound in Kyiv during visit by European leaders, by Tom Balmforth and Dan Peleschuk | Reuters * EU leaders to convene talks with Zelenskiy in Kyiv * EU offers more military, financial, political support * Zelenskiy stresses unity to defend Ukraine against Russia | KYIV — Air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine today as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hosted European Union leaders to discuss further sanctions on Russia and Ukraine’s prospects of joining the European bloc. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was hosting EU chairman Charles Michel and the bloc’s chief executive, Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of . . . READ MORE . . .

   

U.S. to send Ukraine longer-range bombs in latest turnaround, by Tara Copp, Matthew Lee and Lolita C. Baldor | AP  WASHINGTON — After months of agonizing, the U.S has agreed to send longer-range bombs to Ukraine as it prepares to launch a spring offensive to retake territory Russia captured last year, U.S. officials said Thursday, confirming that the new weapons will have roughly . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Germany authorizes manufacturers to send Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine. From AFP. Germany said today it has issued authorisation for Leopard 1 tanks to be sent to Ukraine, in a further boost for Kyiv as it seeks heavier weapons to counter Moscow’s forces. Berlin has already . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Russian forces strike two Ukrainian army brigades in Zaporozhye area, top brass reports. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces struck two Ukrainian army brigades in the Zaporozhye area over the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov said Friday. Enemy’s losses in that area in the past 24 hours totaled “over 20 Ukrainian personnel, a U.S.-made M777 artillery system, two D-20 howitzers and a D-30 howitzer,” he . . . READ MORE . . .

–    

Along Ukraine-Belarus border, a war of nerves — and drones, by Samya Kullab | AP  BELARUS BORDER, Ukraine — The reconnaissance drones fly several times a day from Ukrainian positions deep inside the thick forest that marches across the border into Belarus, a close Russian ally, scouring sky and land for signs of trouble on the other side. Ukrainian units . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Ukraine needs more support even though Russia has fought poorly, Polish diplomat says. Steve Inskeep of NPR talks with Polish Ambassador to the U.S. Marek Magierowski about Poland’s support of Ukraine, and its call for more military aid in the war against Russia. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

   

MAY BE CONTINUED