For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, and the Kyiv Post; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date and a BEES entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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NEWER Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says Russia has the initiative in the east but new Western aid is on the way, by Vasilisa Stepanenko and Illia Novikov | AP POKROVSK, Ukraine — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said today his country’s army is facing “a really difficult situation” in eastern regions, but massive new U.S. military aid will turn the tide. READ MORE . . .
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Zelenskiy replaces special operations chief for second time in six months, by Yuliia Dysa | Reuters KYIV— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy today replaced the commander of his special forces, the second time in half a year that he has changed the head of the unit which operates in Moscow-occupied territories. READ MORE . . .
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Ukrainian rescuers evacuate elderly and infirm as Russians close in, by Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey and Dan Peleschuk | Reuters TORETSK, Ukraine — Russian forces are steadily advancing north and south of Toretsk as they press on multiple parts of the eastern front, threatening to eventually envelop this former coal-mining town and others around it. READ MORE . . .
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In first, drone attacks oil refinery in Russia’s Bashkortostan. From the Moscow Times. A drone has attacked an oil refinery in Russia’s republic of Bashkortostan, regional authorities said today, the first such reported case in the region since Moscow invaded Ukraine more than two years ago. READ MORE . . .
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Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s Belgorod injure 8 as Moscow marks Victory Day. From AFP. Ukrainian attacks in and around the western Russian city of Belgorod have injured at least eight people, Russian authorities said today, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. READ MORE . . .
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Two hydropower plants decommissioned after May 8 Russian attacks, by Kateryna Hodunova | The Kyiv Independent Two Ukrainian hydroelectric power plants have been decommissioned due to damage from the May 8 Russian attacks, state-owned energy company Ukrhydroenergo said today. Russia carried out a large-scale attack Thursday against Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia oblasts, mainly . . . READ MORE . . .
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Zelensky signs laws on mobilization, extension of martial law, by Rachel Amran and news desk | The Kyiv Independent Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law the extension of martial law and general mobilization from May 14 to Aug. 11. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 8 Russian attack hits school stadium, injures four children in Ukraine’s Kharkiv. From Reuters. A Russian air attack hit a school stadium in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv today, injuring at least four children and three adults, officials said. READ MORE . . .
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Russia to advance deep Into Ukraine if Chasiv Yar falls, by Alisa Orlova | Kyiv Post Russian forces are poised to advance deep into Ukraine if they manage to capture the frontline town of Chasiv Yar and the wider Donbasregion, Vadym Filashkin, Governor of the Donetsk region, said in an interview. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 8 EU reaches a tentative deal on Ukraine aid coming from profits of frozen Russian assets. From AP. BRUSSELS — European Union nations reached a tentative breakthrough deal to provide Ukraine with billions in additional funds for arms and ammunitions coming from the profits raised from frozen Russian central bank assets held in the bloc. The agreement among the 27 EU ambassadors was announced by Belgium, which holds . . . READ MORE . . .