First, a link to a column in this weekend’s Berkshire Eagle by its foreign affairs writer. Then, links to reports from Reuters, Tass, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM
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As peace efforts plod on in background, Ukraine’s front line quickly becoming deadlier, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle In a blog that drew 2.1 million readers, the Russian Engineer Telegram channel claimed that Ukrainian military cutouts cornered the market last winter on cheap, racing drones produced by the world’s largest drone producer, DJI Technology Company. This Shenzhen-based producer sold to Ukrainian front companies kits for up to 100,000 drones, asserts the blog post. Ukrainian technicians routinely outfit civilian drones with explosives. READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine says it controls key supply route into Bakhmut, by Lidia Kelly | Reuters Ukraine remains in control of a key supply route into Bakhmut, a military spokesperson said Saturday, as the head of Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group threatened to withdraw some of his troops from the eastern city if Moscow did not send more ammunition. Russian forces have been trying for 10 months to punch their way into the shattered remains of what was once a city of 70,000. Kyiv has pledged to defend Bakhmut, which Russia sees as . . . READ MORE . . .
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Over 480 Ukrainian troops, mercenaries wiped out in Donetsk area – Russian top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Ukraine’s total losses in the Donetsk area reached over 480 troops and mercenaries, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said today. “In total, over the past day in this direction [Donetsk – TASS] more than . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian-occupied Ukrainian city under ‘intense’ artillery fire. From AFP. Russian occupational authorities in southern Ukraine said Saturday that Ukrainian forces were subjecting the city of Novaya Kakhovka to “intense artillery fire” that had cut off electricity. The city is in the part of the southern Kherson region that Russia controls. It lies upstream the Dnipro River from Kherson, the regional capital from which Russia withdrew . . . READ MORE . . .
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Five Russian villages without power after Ukraine shelling. From AFP. Five Russian villages on the border with Ukraine were without power as a result of Ukrainian shelling, the governor of Russia’s southwestern Belgorod region that borders Ukraine said Saturday. The region has been hit by attacks throughout Moscow’s more than year-long offensive in Ukraine. “The village of . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine welcomes EU deal on continued farm exports, by Raf Casert | AP BRUSSELS — Ukraine on Saturday welcomed the European Union’s hard-fought deal to keep farm exports flowing into and through the bloc to world markets, saying that the Middle East and Africa would specifically stand to benefit from it. Late Friday, the 27-nation EU ended a damaging internal standoff over a destabilizing glutof Ukraine farm imports by granting five eastern member countries the right to temporarily ban the most problematic produce while allowing . . . READ MORE . . .
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What China’s growing role on the world stage means for the U.S. Ayesha Rascoe of NPR talks with analysts Yun Sun and Ryan Hass abouT the implications of China’s growing diplomatic role worldwide. Click HERE to listen and, another day, read.
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MAY BE CONTINUED