First, links to reports from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Post, and teleSUR; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Next, a link to commentary from the Moscow Times. Then, a link to an op-ed piece in this weekend’s Berkshire Eagle. — MCM
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Russian mercenary leader’s exile ends revolt but leaves questions about Putin’s power. From AP. The greatest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin in his more than two decades in power fizzled out after the rebellious mercenary commander who ordered his troops to march on Moscow abruptly reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and sounded the retreat. The brief revolt, though, exposed vulnerabilities among Russian government forces . . . READ MORE . . .
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The short-lived Wagner group rebellion has permanently damaged Putin’s reputation. Reported by Ayesha Rascoe and Jackie Northam | NPR The events of the past two days raise many questions about the future of Vladimir Putin’s Presidency and many are asking how he will recover from this most public of challenges to his leadership. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Former U.S. ambassador to Russia says aborted Moscow march signals Putin’s weakness. Scott Detrow of NPR speaks on Saturday with Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, to get his reading on the day’s events in Moscow. Click HERE to listen and read.
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The Wagner group retreated from its ‘march on justice’ in Russia, ending the rebellion. Reported by Ayesha Rascoe and Charles Maynes | NPR The so called “march for justice” on Moscow has been halted, and Wagner mercenaries are returning to base, their leader exiled – we get the latest from our correspondent in Russia’s capital. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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The Biden administration’s response to the events in Russia. Reported by Ayesha Rascoe and Tamara Keith | NPR We look at what the Biden Administration is and isn’t saying about the remarkable events that unfolded in Russia yesterday, when the leader of a private army threatened to march to Moscow. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Russian assault helicopters attack two Ukrainian brigades near Kupyansk – top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — The crews of assault helicopters of Russia’s Battlegroup West unleashed 11 missile strikes on two Ukrainian brigades in the Kupyansk area, according to Battlegroup spokesman Sergey Zybinsky. He added that Russian forces averted four attacks of Ukrainian subversive groups in the Kupyansk area and thwarted . . . READ MORE . . .
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Wagner fighters leave Lipetsk region in southern Russia: Official. From AFP. Wagner fighters have left the Lipetsk region in southern Russia, the regional government said today on social media, following a deal to end a rebellion by the mercenary group. “Wagner units that had deployed on Saturday in . . . READ MORE . . .
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Wagner mutiny will not affect Ukraine assault plans: Kremlin. From AFP. The Kremlin said Saturday that a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group would not affect Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.Government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was “out of the question” that Wagner’s aborted rebellion would . . . READ MORE . . .
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Wagner chief aborts march on Moscow. Reported on Saturday’s “All Things Considered” by Charles Maynes | NPR Wagner mercenaries have halted their march on Moscow and agreed to return to their bases in Ukraine, to avoid what the Wagner chief described as “inevitable bloodshed.” Click HERE to listen and read.
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Zelensky highlights prevailing chaos and lack of control in Russia, while an advisor stresses the humiliation of Putin. From the Kyiv Post. In a nighty address, President Zelensky said the rebellion of the “Wagner” mercenaries on Saturday showcased the lack of control by the “owners” of Russia. He emphasized . . . READ MORE . . .
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Lukashenko strikes deal with Wagner Group, Prigozhin retreats. From teleSUR. President Aleksandr Grigórievich Lukashenko of Belarus, announced on Saturday that he had arranged a deal in which Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, in exchange for “security guarantees” for his fighters, would end the current armed insurgency in Russia; the talks were held in coordination with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin was offered “an advantageous and acceptable . . . READ MORE . . .
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Grupo Wagner acepta propuesta para detener su avance en Rusia. De teleSUR. El jefe del grupo militar privado Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, aceptó este sábado la oferta del presidente de Belarús, Alexander Lukashenko, de detener el avance en territorio ruso y tomar nuevas medidas para rebajar las tensiones. El servicio de prensa del presidente bielorruso dijo que se ha desarrollado una opción rentable y aceptable para resolver la situación con . . . LEA MÁS . . .
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What was at stake in the standoff between Putin and the Wagner group. Miles Parks of NPR spoke (around midday Saturday) with Sam Greene, professor of Russian Politics at King’s College London, about the current turmoil inside Russia. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Why Ukraine’s counteroffensive has gone ‘slower than desired.’ Miles Parks of NPR spoke last week with Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Colonel, about Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Prigozhin’s armed rebellion will have lasting consequences for Russia, Putin and the Ukraine war, by Joshua R. Kroeker | The Moscow Times Vladimir Putin has ruled Russia with an increasingly tighter grip on power for more than two decades. But his decision to invade Ukraine . . . READ MORE . . .
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Will the Russian Federation survive until 2024? by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle Lenin once wrote: “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” This year, below Russia’s impassive surface, new forces are in motion, forces that could threaten Vladimir Putin’s hold on power. If the center loses hold, it would threaten the integrity of a sprawling, transcontinental nation of . . . READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED