For today, links to seven reports: from Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, and Tass, and to commentary from AP and ScheerPost; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 5-31-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, MEDIA, WEST BANK, SYRIA and IRAN entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE,  HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Ukraine’s SBU drone blitz destroys 41 Russian bombers in deep strike, by Alisa Orlova and Kateryna Zakharchenko | Kyiv Post  A long-planned special operation damaged or destroyed 41 Russian military aircraftin a series of drone strikes launched from trucks parked near Russian airbases today, according to sources within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Ukraine attacks Russian nuclear-capable bombers in Siberia. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Ukraine attacked Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers at a military base in Siberia on Sunday, the first such attack so far from the front lines more than 4,300 km away, according to pro-Russian bloggers. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for earlier report. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from AFP.

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Zelenskyy says Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for talks with Russia on Monday, by Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Ukraine will send a delegation to Istanbul for a new round of direct peace talks with Russia on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, even as Russia pounded Ukraine with a missile strike that killed 12 soldiers and the biggest drone assault of the three-year war. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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Putin’s tough stance on a Ukraine peace plan shows his resolve on Russia’s demands. From AP. By making harsh, uncompromising demands in peace talks with Ukraine while continuing to pummel it with waves of missiles and drones, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a clear message: He will only accept a settlement on his terms and will keep fighting until they’re met. At the same time . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 31  War in our time, by Patrick Lawrence | Original to ScheerPost  BERLIN — Friedrich Merz has been in office as Germany’s new chancellor a matter of weeks, and already he has the German capital aflutter with worry about the increasing danger of a third world war. While Germans are fearful of such a prospect, the Russians are warning of it. In recent remarks . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces liberate Alekseyevka in Ukraine’s Sumy region — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces have liberated Alekseyevka in the Sumy Region, Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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