For now, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from the Kyiv Post; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (GAZA entry for this date, so far, is HERE.) — MCM

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Ukraine is putting pressure on fighting-age men outside the country as it tries to replenish forces, by Jill Lawless and Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Ukraine worked today to get much-needed new supplies of weapons and ammunition from a huge U.S. aid package to its eastern front line. Ukraine is also seeking to reverse the drain of potential soldiers from the country, announcing . . . READ MORE . . .–   –   –

Russia says it may downgrade ties with U.S. if its assets are confiscated. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russia is considering downgrading the level of its diplomatic relations with the United States if Western governments go ahead with proposals to confiscate its frozen assets, state news agency RIA quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying today. The G7 group of nations . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says its battlegroup West seized better positions. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia’s battlegroup West has taken control of better positions and inflicted firepower damage on the troops and equipment of five Ukrainian brigades, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a daily bulletin. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 24  Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say, by Lolita C. Baldor and Tara Copp | AP  WASHINGTON — Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday. Long sought by Ukrainian leaders, the . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 24  More U.S. aid will help Ukraine avoid defeat in its war with Russia. Winning is another matter, by Jill Lawless and Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — A big, new package of U.S. military aid will help Ukraine avoid defeat in its war with Russia. Winning will still be a long slog. The weaponry in the $61 billion military aid package should . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 24  What Congress’ $60 billion of military aid for Ukraine could mean for the battlefield. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  Congress has approved $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine. Here’s a look at what it it’s likely to include and how it might reshape the battlefield. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Ukraine’s supreme commander is betting on drones, patience and discipline, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  Ukraine’s strategy of military counterpunching and making the Kremlin pay in blood for every meter gained seems to have become less crisis management, and more the basic structure of the Syrsky plan. On Feb. 8 Gen. Oleksander Syrsky took over the Armed Forces of Ukraine under siege, replacing . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED