For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below.— MCM
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Russia fires 30 cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets; Ukraine says 29 were shot down, by Susue Blann | AP KYIV — Russia fired 30 cruise missiles against different parts of Ukraine early today, killing one person and wounding two, in the latest nighttime test of Ukrainian air defenses, which shot down 29 of them, officials said. Amid the recently intensified Russian air assaults, China said its special envoy met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during . . . READ MORE . . .
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The Ukraine grain deal is extended 2 months, helping ease the global food crisis, by Charles Maynes and Joanna Kakissis | NPR An agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports to ship through the Black Sea to help ease global hunger has been extended for two months just a day before its expiration — overcoming Russia’s threats to pull out of the deal. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday announced . . . READ MORE . . .
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G7 to discuss sanctions on Russian diamonds: EU. From AFP. G7 leaders meeting in Japan will discuss sanctioning Russia’s billion-dollar diamond trade, an EU official said today, hoping to further starve Moscow of funds for its war in Ukraine. Russia exported almost $5 billion worth of diamonds in 2021, according to . . . READ MORE . . .
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About eight railway cars derail in Crimea, authorities report. From Tass. SIMFEROPOL — Eight railway cars derailed in the Simferopol district of Crimea, Nikolay Lukashenko, Crimean transport minister, said today. Crimean . . . READ MORE . . .
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Kiev’s pilots not allowed to train on European F-16s amid Washington’s skepticism – NYT. From Tass. NEW YORK — Ukrainian pilots are not allowed to train on F-16 fighter jets owned by European countries, as Washington remains unconvinced that Kiev needs the expensive aircraft, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing a senior Ukrainian official. Despite . . . READ MORE . . .
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Traitor next door? Fear stalks Kherson after Russian occupation ends, by Elizabeth Piper | Reuters Fear and suspicion stalk the streets of Kherson, a southern port that was occupied by Russian troops for over eight months before they were driven out by Ukrainian forces in November. The city is now the focus of relentless Russian bombardment. A district administrator said . . . READ MORE . . .