First, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, Tass, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM
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Russia says Ukraine used U.S.-suppled rocket propelled bomb. From AFP. Russia says it has downed in Ukraine a long-distance rocket-propelled bomb recently supplied to Kyiv by the United States — a weapon seen as vital for a planned Ukrainian counter-offensive. The Defense Ministry said its forces had downed what it called a GLSDB guided rocket in the conflict zone, referring to a ground-launched small-diameter bomb which has a range of up to 150 kilometers (90 miles).
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Russian air defenses intercept GLSDB guided bomb for first time in Ukraine operation. From Tass. MOSCOW — In the past 24 hours, Russian air defense forces intercepted a GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) smart munition for the first time during the special military operation in Ukraine, as well as 18 rockets of the HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported today. In addition, Russian air defense systems destroyed 12 Ukrainian unmanned . . . READ MORE . . .
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Relief workers are trying to help people leave a ruined city in Ukraine. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR There are still some 10,000 civilians in the Ukrainian frontline city of Bakhmut. Many have left and some live in a shelter in a nearby town where they share stories of survival and loss. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Poland, EU seek to boost munitions production. From AP. WARSAW — Officials from Poland and the European Union on Monday discussed artillery munitions manufacturing as part of a new, 2 billion euro ($2.2 billion) program to supply Ukraine in its war against invading Russian forces and to replenish Europe’s dwindling stocks. Days ago, Brussels announced a program to reimburse countries offering artillery ammunition to Ukraine from a 1 billion euro ($1.1 billion) fund. The program also . . . READ MORE . . .
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A Chinese drone for hobbyists plays a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR The drones cost around $2,000 or less. They’re easy to fly, widely available online and in electronics stores, and are hugely popular worldwide among civilians who fly drones in the park for fun. They’re also a hot commodity for troops on both sides of the Ukraine war. Click HERE to listen and read more.
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Mark Hamill lends ‘Star Wars’ voice to Ukrainian air-raid app, by John Leicester | AP The intrusion of Hollywood science-fiction fantasy into the grim daily realities of war in Ukraine is a consequence of Hamill’s decision to lend his famous voice to “Air Alert” — a downloadable app linked to Ukraine’s air defense system. When air raid sirens start howling, the app , , . READ MORE . . .
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Facial recognition is helping Putin curb dissent with the aid of U.S. tech, by Lena Masri | Reuters Since at least 2017 the Russian government has used thousands of facial recognition cameras to keep an eye on citizens. Now a Reuters review of more than 2,000 court cases shows these cameras have played an important role in the arrests of hundreds of protesters, most of them in 2021 after they joined anti-government demonstrations, court records show. But after Russia invaded . . . READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED