For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from the Berkshire Eagle; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Ukraine says it has checked Russia’s offensive in a key town, but Moscow says it will keep pushing, by Illia Novikov | AP KYIV — Ukrainian units locked in street battles with the Kremlin’s forces in the key northeastern Ukraine border town of Vovchansk have halted the Russian advance, military officials in Kyiv claimed today, though a senior Moscow official said . . . READ MORE . . .
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Zelenskiy visits embattled Kharkiv region as Russia presses in border areas. From Reuters. KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelenskiy travelled to the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv today, describing the battlefield situation in the region as “extremely difficult” but under control, as Russia . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine accuses Russia of detaining, killing civilians in Kharkiv region. From AFP. Ukraine today accused Russia of detaining and killing civilians in the border town of Vovchansk in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where Russian forces launched a ground assault last week. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian forces are trying to take Ukrainian village 30km from Kharkiv, says RIA. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russian forces are preparing to try to take a village called Lyptsi located about 30 km (19 miles) north of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, according to a Russian-installed official quoted by Russia’s RIA state news agency. READ MORE . . .
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Belbek arsenal hit: Russian bomber weapons depot reportedly damaged, by Alisa Orlova | Kyiv Post A weapons depot at the Belbek airfield, the main base of Russian military aviation in Crimea, suffered significant damage in today’s early hours, following a long-range missile attack, according to reports by Atesh partisans. The strike led to . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian cluster munition attack on Kharkiv Oblast injures 5, including Vovchansk official, by Kateryna Denisova | The Kyiv Independent Russian forces attacked a village of Vovchansk community in Kharkiv Oblast with cluster munitions today, injuring five people, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Among those injured . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia, China praise dialogue as best form of settling Ukrainian crisis — statement. From Tass. BEIJING — Russia and China emphasize the importance of dialogue as the optimal form of settlement of the Ukrainian crisis while respecting the principle of indivisibility of security, according to a joint statement on deepening the partnership signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 15 Blinken ends Ukraine trip with promise of U.S. help as Russia goes back on offensive. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended his trip to Ukraine by promising U.S. help to push Russian troops out. But the lengthy debates in Washington over aid to Ukraine has impacted the battleground. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Biden officials raise concerns about Russian momentum – NYT. From Kyiv Post. The White House is worried that Russia has figured out how to counter many of the weapons the U.S. has sent to Ukraine, the New York Timesreported on Tuesday, citing American officials. Biden administration . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 14 Red Square tank speaks volumes of Russia’s growing shortages of military equipment, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle A lone World War II-era T-34 tank clanked across the cobblestones of Moscow’s Red Square on May 9, passing a triumphant banner proclaiming “1945 2024 Victory!” It begged the question: Where are the others? Click HERE to read with Berkshire Eagle subscription.