For today, links to reports from the Kyiv Independent, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, Kyiv Post, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Austin at Ramstein: U.S. has ‘already delivered many of Ukraine’s top priority requirements,‘ by Nate Ostiller and news desk | The Kyiv Independent U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivered the opening remarks at the 22nd Ramstein-format summit of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) today, emphasizing that the new Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast has added to the urgency of the West’s support for Ukraine. READ MORE . . .
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Moscow claims control of Ukrainian stronghold in Luhansk Region, From AFP. Russia said today its forces captured the Ukrainian village Bilogorivka, one of the few remaining settlements in the eastern Luhansk region under Kyiv’s control. Luhansk is one of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow claimed to have annexed in 2022. READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine controls 60% of Kharkiv border town after Russian raids, Kyiv says. From Reuters. KYIV — Ukrainian troops still control about 60% of Vovchansk and are fighting house-to-house to defend the border town in northeastern Kharkiv region from Russian attacks, officials said in the most detailed public assessment of the battle to date. Capturing the town would . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine Navy: Missile strikes sinking one Russian warship confirmed, second probable, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post Ukrainian precision-guided missiles sank an armed minesweeper tied up at a military wharf in Sevastopol and likely also blew up one of the Russian navy’s most modern guided missile boats, a Ukrainian Naval Forcesspokesperson said today. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 19 At least 11 killed as Russia presses forward with its offensive in northeastern Ukraine, by Samya Kullab and Elise Morton | AP KYIV — At least 11 people were reported killed in attacks in Ukraine’s war-ravaged northeast on Sunday as Russia pushed ahead with its renewed offensive. In the Kharkiv region, the . . . READ MORE . . .
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Assessing the Russia-Ukraine war since the latest offensive began around Kharkiv. Steve Inskeep of NPR talks with former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor about the impacts and strategies involving Russia’s latest offensive on northeastern Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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West to push for Ukraine deal on their terms, Russia won’t bend — Medvedev. From Tass. MOSCOW — The decision to make peace with Russia will be made not by the Ukrainian president but by the U.S. and its allies, who will try to get Moscow to sign an unfair deal, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev told TASS, assuring that Russia will never sign such a treaty. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 18 Zelensky: ‘Our partners fear that Russia will lose this war,‘ by Dinara Khalilova and news desk | The Kyiv Independent President Volodymyr Zelensky believes Ukraine’s allies would like Kyiv “to win in such a way that Russia does not lose,” he said Saturday. He said allies “fear” Russia’s loss in the war because it would involve “unpredictable geopolitics.” READ MORE . . .