First, links to versions of Associated Press reports used in two western Massachusetts daily newspapers today, and to a Reuters mid-morning summary. Then, via Yahoo! News, a link to a New York Times look at some “restraint” on Russia’s part in the war. Next, links to two National Public Radio reports. — MCM
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New effort races to rescue civilians from Mariupol plant, by Elena Becatoros and Jon Gambrell | The Associated Press ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — A new international effort raced today to rescue more civilians from the tunnels under a besieged steel plant in Mariupol and the city at large, even as fighters holed up at the sprawling complex made their last stand to prevent Moscow’s complete takeover of the strategic port. The fight . . . appeared increasingly desperate amid growing speculation that President Vladimir Putin wants to finish the battle for Mariupol so he can present a triumph to the Russian people in time for Monday’s Victory Day, the biggest patriotic . . . READ MORE . . .
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Official: US gave intel before Ukraine sank Russian warship, by Aamer Madhani, Norman Merchant and Lolita C. Baldor | AP WASHINGTON — The U.S. says it shared intelligence with Ukraine about the location of the Russian missile cruiser Moskva prior to the strike that sank the warship, an incident that was a high-profile failure for Russia’s military. An American official said Thursday that Ukraine alone decided to target and sink the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet using its own anti-ship missiles. But given Russia’s . . . READ MORE . . .
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Ukraine says new Mariupol evacuation has begun, despite reports of fighting, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters * Civilians trapped in steel works under Russian siege * Russian-back fighter says defenders have ‘little left’ * Kremlin: Time for feting Victory Day in Mariupol will come * 400 medical centres destroyed, damaged, Zelenskiy says * EU to tweak sanctions plan to win over eastern states | KYIV — Ukraine said a new attempt had begun on Friday to evacuate scores of civilians trapped in a ruined steel works in the city of Mariupol, after bloody fighting with Russian forces thwarted efforts to bring them to safety the previous day. Mariupol, a strategic southern port on the Azov Sea, has endured the most destructive siege of the 10-week-old war, and the sprawling Soviet-era Azovstal steel plant is the last part of the city still in the hands of holdout Ukrainian . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia’s War Has Been Brutal, but Putin Has Shown Some Restraint. Why?, by Anton Troianovski and Julian E. Barnes | The New York Times Russia’s war against Ukraine has leveled cities, killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions of others from their homes. But quietly, some military analysts and Western officials are asking why the onslaught has not been even worse. Russia could be going after Ukrainian railways, roads and bridges more aggressively to try to stanch . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russians wreak havoc on Ukrainian farms, mining fields and stealing equipment. Reported by Franco Ordoñez | National Public Radio BILKA, Ukraine — For Ukrainian farmer Anatolii Kulibaba, this year’s planting season comes with anguish. Kulibaba is among many who were forced to flee their land as Russian forces moved in with their tanks. In the first few days of the war, Russian soldiers delivered an even crueler blow: They killed Kulibaba’s son, Oleksandr, as he was traveling to their village of Bilka, 25 miles from the Russian border. “He was just 45. He had . . . Click HERE to listen and read the rest.
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The European Union is taking aim at Russia’s main revenue source: oil. Reported by Jackie Northam | NPR With the European Union countries vowing to stop buying Russian oil, India and China might get some more crude for a discount, but it is not going to make up the lost profits for Russia. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
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TO BE CONTINUED