First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, the Moscow Times, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a link to a report from the Libertarian Institute. — MCM
– – –
Latest Russian missile bombardment of Ukraine’s capital kills at least 3 people, including a child, by Hanna Arhirova and Susue Blann | AP KYIV — The latest pre-dawn Russian missile attack on Kyiv killed at least three people today, including a 9-year-old child and her mother, Ukrainian officials said. Ukrainian air defenses . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
NATO presses Turkey to drop objections to Sweden’s membership as summit looms, by Mattew Lee and Lorne Cook | AP OSLO, Norway — NATO today ramped up pressure on its member Turkey to drop its objections to Sweden’s membership as the military organization seeks to deal with the issue by the time U.S. President Joe Biden and his counterparts meet next month. Fearing that they . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Zelenskiy joins European leaders at summit in Moldova, by John Irish andAndrew Gray | Reuters BULBOACA, Moldova – President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed his case for Ukraine to be part of the Nato military alliance as he joined European leaders on Thursday in Moldova close to his nation’s border ahead of an expected counter-offensive against Russia’s invasion. Meeting Moldovan President Maia Sandu . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russia lays mines at ‘industrial level’ ahead of Ukrainian counteroffensive, by Brawley Benson | The Moscow Times When Ukrainian forces launch their long-awaited counteroffensive this summer, they will be up against multiple lines of Russian fortifications stretching hundreds of miles from the Black Sea to Ukraine’s northern border. The military . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Berlin set to close consulates in three Russian cities by November — German diplomat. From Tass. BERLIN — The German government made the decision to close by this November its consulates general in the Russian cities of Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad and Novosibirsk, after Moscow’s earlier decision to cap Germany’s diplomatic staff stationed in Russia at no more than 350 people, a German diplomat said today. Structural . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russian involvement on Mount Athos didn’t draw attention until Russia invaded Ukraine. Reported by Julian Hayda | NPR Mount Athos in Greece is a revered site for the Orthodox Church — and potentially attractive as an unorthodox route for Russian money into Europe. Click HERE to listen and read later.
– – –
Czech general warns NATO ‘is currently on a course’ for war with Russia, by Kyle Anzalone | The Libertarian Institute The commander of the Czech Republic’s armed forces said the North Atlantic alliance and Russia are on the path to a direct war. The general described the potential war as the “worst-case scenario” but emphasized that it remains a distinct possibility. General Karel Rehka, the chief of the Czech armed forces general staff, told his country’s parliament on Monday . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
MAY BE CONTINUED