Ukraine, 5-14-24

For today, links to reports from National Public Radio, Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, the Kyiv Post, Tass, and the Moscow Times, and to an interview on Useful Idiots, via ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

   

Russian troops press toward Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv. Reported by Leila Fadel and Joanna Kakissis | NPR  Ukraine says it is struggling to contain a new Russian offensive in a northeastern border region. Its army is short on troops and ammunition. How has Russia gained momentum in this war? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

   

Ukraine sees signs Kharkiv front stabilising, but warns of buildup near Sumy region, by Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth | Reuters  Ukraine’s top military spy said today there were signs the northeastern front was stabilising amid a Russian ground attack into the Kharkiv region, but warned . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Blinken in Kyiv says U.S. arms will make a difference as Ukraine reels from a new Russian offensive, by Matthew Lee | AP  KYIV — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that American military aid on its way to Ukraine will make a “real difference” on the battlefield, as the top diplomat made an unannounced visit to reassure . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Macron condemns surge in Russian strikes on Ukraine: French presidency. From AFP. French President Emmanuel Macron today condemned an “intensification of Russian strikes” in Ukraine and Moscow’s offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region in a phone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Macron gave Zelensky details of the French arms deliveries Ukraine . . . READ MORE . . .

   

FROM MAY 13  Russian troops push further in Kharkiv Oblast; nearly 6,000 people evacuated from region.  From the Kyiv Independent. At least 5,900 people have been evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast since Russian forces launched a new offensive in the region, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said Monday. The new offensive began May 10, mainly . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Senior Ukraine commander sacked in wake of big Russian advance in Kharkiv Region, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  A top Ukrainian general responsible for defenses swamped by a surprise Russian offensive into the northeastern Kharkiv region was sacked on Monday. Brig. Gen. Yury Halushkin, commander of joint forces Kharkiv, the . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Russian troops liberate Bugrovatka community in Kharkov Region over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated the community of Bugrovatka in the Kharkov Region over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today. “Battlegroup North units . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Ex-Ukrainian president says US delay in war aid was ‘colossal’ waste, let Putin inflict more damage, by Hanna Arhirova and Tassanee Vejponosa | AP  PHILADELPHIA — Former Ukrainian President Viktor  Yushchenko said the long delay by the U.S. Congress in approving military aid for his country was “a colossal waste of time,” allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin . . . READ MORE . . .

   

FROM MAY 13  Russia says shot down 31 Ukrainian drones overnight. From AFP. Russia’s Defense Ministry said early Monday that its anti-air systems had shot down 31 Ukrainian drones over severaL Russian regions and annexed Crimea. “During . . . READ MORE. . .

   

Death toll in missile attack on Russia’s Belgorod climbs to 16. From the Moscow Times. Rescue workers today retrieved a woman’s body from beneath the rubble of an apartment building in the western Russian city of Belgorod that collapsed after being struck by a Ukrainian missile over the weekend, raising the death toll . . . READ MORE . . .

   

FROM MAY 13  ‘Insanity’— Mearsheimer on the U.S. role in Gaza and Ukraine. Katie Halper and Aaron Maté of Useful Idiots talk with the political scientist and international relations scholar John Mearsheimer. The 42 minutes pertaining to Ukraine begin roughly 22 minutes in. Click HERE for introduction and video.