To start, six reports heard on NPR’s “Morning Edition” show. Then Associated Press and Reuters stories from mid-afternoon EDT, both linked to others. — MCM
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Russia’s war will be led by a general with a reputation for attacking civilians. Reported by Leila Fadel and Tom Bowman | National Public Radio Russia put a new commanding general in charge of operations in Ukraine. The move comes after several top Russian military leaders died during the invasion which has taken longer than Russia expected. Click HERE to listen.
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European Union leaders consider reducing their dependency on Russian energy. Reported by A Martinez and Jackie Northam | NPR EU foreign ministers, who are meeting Monday, are going to discuss more steps concerning the war in Ukraine. One question is whether Europe will reduce its dependence on buying Russia oil and gas. Click HERE to listen.
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Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelenskyy addressed South Korea’s Parliament. Reported by Anthony Kuhn | NPR. South Korea was among the first Asian nations to sanction Russia, but it faces conflicting political and economic interests. Click HERE to listen.
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Why India has not condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Reported by Lauren Frayer | NPR. The U.S. wants India to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but so far the world’s biggest democracy has not. India has deep ties with Moscow, some distrust of the West and big concerns about China. Click HERE to listen.
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Runners from Russia and Belarus are banned from this year’s Boston Marathon. Reported by Amanda Beland | WBUR The Boston Marathon is a week away. Dozens of runners who live in Russia or Belarus may no longer compete because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and its use of Belarus as a staging ground. Click HERE to listen.
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How sanctions against Russia could set back climate change work in the Arctic. Reported by Quil Lawrence | NPR Scientists in the Arctic are concerned that the rift with Russia over Ukraine will set back crucial work on climate change. Click HERE to listen.
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Mariupol mayor says siege has killed more than 10K civilians, by Yuras Karmanau, Adam Schreck and Cara Anna | The Associated Press LVIV, Ukraine— The mayor of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol said today that more than 10,000 civilians have died in the Russian siege of his city, and that the death toll could surpass 20,000, with corpses that were “carpeted through the streets.” Speaking by phone to The Associated Press, Mayor Vadym Boychenko also said Russian forces brought mobile cremation equipment to the city to dispose of the bodies, and he accused Russian forces of refusing to allow humanitarian convoys into the city in an attempt to conceal the carnage. . . . The mayor’s comments emerged as Russia claimed that it destroyed several Ukrainian air-defense systems in what appeared to be a renewed push to gain air superiority and take out weapons Kyiv has described as crucial ahead of an expected broad new offensive in . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine expects Russian assault soon in east, by Maria Starkova | Reuters * Russian eastern invasion seen in “nearest time” * Austrian leader says “not optimistic” after Putin meeting * Zelenskiy appeals to South Korea for military aid * Mariupol still holding out-commander * Germany sees evidence of war crimes | LVIV, Ukraine — Ukraine said today it expected Russia to launch a huge new offensive soon, as Moscow shifts its focus to seizing territory in the east after its invasion force was driven from the gates of Kyiv this month. The first EU leader to meet Vladimir Putin face-to-face since the war began, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, gave a grim account of his talks with the Russian leader, held at a residence outside Moscow. “I generally have no optimistic impression that I can report to you from this conversation with President Putin,” he said. “The offensive [in eastern Ukraine] is evidently being prepared on a massive scale.” READ MORE . . .
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TO BE CONTINUED