For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Tass, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Ukraine war not likely to end soon, says top U.S. spy, by Jonathan Landay and Idrees Ali | Reuters WASHINGTON — Russia is likely to press its aggressive tactics in its war in Ukraine but the conflict is unlikely to end soon, the top U.S. intelligence official said today. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee that . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukrainian soldiers say rear defensive lines barely exist amid Russian advance, by Samya Kullab | AP KHARKIV, Ukraine — Devastating Russian aerial glide bombs that can drop up to 1.5 tons of explosives out of range of most of Ukraine’s air defenses are gnawing away at soldiers’ positions in a new tactic. Yet, to retreat carries no promise of safety — the rear defensive lines meant to give them cover . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian troops liberate Berdychi community in DPR over past day — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated the community of Berdychi in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today. “Battlegroup Center units . . . READ MORE . . .
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Macron doesn’t rule out troops for Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines. From AFP. French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed he did not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, saying the issue would “legitimately” arise if Russia broke through Ukrainian front lines and Kyiv made such a request, in an interview published today. “I’m . . . READ MORE . . .
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Missile strikes postal depot in Ukraine’s Odesa, 14 injured, regional governor says. From Reuters. A Russian ballistic missile struck a postal depot in the Ukrainian port of Odesa late on Wednesday, injuring 14 people and triggering a large fire, Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said. It was the third missile attack on the city in as many days. READ MORE . . .
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U.S. accuses Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine. From AFP. The U.S. State Department accused Russia Wednesday of having used chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, while also announcing fresh sanctions against Moscow. In addition to the chemical agent chloropicrin, Russia . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 1 Russians throng to display of Western ‘trophy’ tanks captured in Ukraine, by Andrew Osborn | Reuters Western tanks and military hardware captured by Russian forces in Ukraine went on display in Moscow on Wednesday at an exhibition the Russian military said showed Western help would not stop it winning the war. Long queues of people formed . . . READ MORE . . .