For today, links to reports from Agence France-Prese, Reuters and National Public Radio, and to commentary via Consortium News and Popular Resistance; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Russian strikes kill 20, including rescuers, in ‘vile’ Odesa attack, by Oleksandr Gimanov | AFP Russian missiles pounded Ukraine’s Black Sea port city of Odesa on Friday, killing more than a dozen people including rescue workers in an attack President Volodymyr Zelensky described as “vile.” Bodies covered by blankets were strewn . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine hits Russian city and oil refinery on day two of presidential vote. From Reuters. MOSCOW — A Ukrainian missile attack killed two people in western Russia and a separate drone strike set an oil refinery ablaze today, the second day of an election that President Vladimir Putin has accused Kyiv of trying to disrupt. In the Belgorod region where . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian border city closes malls, schools after Ukrainian attacks. From AFP. Authorities in the Russian border city of Belgorod announced today they were closing schools and shopping centres due to an uptick in Ukrainian strikes coinciding with Russia’s presidential election. “Based . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia says repulsed more Ukrainian border attacks. From AFP. Russia’s defence ministry said it had thwarted today more Ukrainian attacks on the Belgorod border region which the Kremlin says are aimed at disrupting an ongoing three-day presidential election. “Attacks were . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MARCH 15 Ukrainian authorities launch mass evacuation in northern region. From Reuters. — Ukrainian authorities have begun mass evacuations of communities in the country’s northern Sumy region close to the Russian border after extended periods of intense shelling of the area, local officials said on Friday. The military administration . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MARCH 15 Major European leaders meet to show solidarity with Ukraine. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR The leaders of France, Germany and Poland met Friday in Berlin in a show of unity over Ukraine. French President Macron sparked concern by suggesting NATO troops might have to fight there. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM MARCH 13 After Nuland, the chances for peace in Ukraine, by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies | Consortium News / Popular Resistance The assumption of the U.S. political elite that President Biden has had a viable plan to defeat Russia and restore Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders has proven to be one more triumphalist American dream that has turned into a nightmare. Ukraine has . . . READ MORE . . .