Ukraine, 6-5-23

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Moscow Times, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally for today, via Consortium News, commentary by an Australian observer. — MCM

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Russia claims it thwarted Ukrainian attacks in provinces annexed by Moscow, by Susie Blann | AP  KYIV — Russian officials said today their forces thwarted large Ukrainian attacks in two provinces of Ukraine illegally annexed by Moscow. The Ukrainian military suggested a rare early morning video was part of a Russian misinformation campaign as Kyiv prepares . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Russia says it thwarted major Ukrainian offensive, Kyiv says Moscow spreads lies, by Guy Faulconbridge | Reuters. * Russia says has destroyed tanks equipment * Russia says Ukraine attacked with 8 battalions * Ukraine silent on Russian claims * Ukraine did not respond to requests for comment | MOSCOW — Russia said today its forces had thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive at five points along the front in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk and killed hundreds of troops while Ukraine accused Moscow of spreading lies. It was not immediately clear . . . READ MORE . . .

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Regional governor says ‘combat’ ongoing in Russian border village. From AFP. The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, hit by increased Ukrainian shelling this week, said Sunday there was ongoing “combat” in the border village of Novaya Tavolzhanka. “A sabotage group came, there is combat now in Novaya Tavolzhanka,” Vyacheslav Gladkov said. “I hope they will all be destroyed.”

   

Ukrainian forces step up operations on several sectors south of Donetsk – DPR official. From Tass. DONETSK — The Ukrainian army has stepped up operations along several sectors of the line of contact near Donetsk, with Marinka, Ugledar, and Avdeyevka remaining the hottest spots, Yan Gagin, an adviser to Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Acting Head Denis Pushilin, said today. Russian artillery and aviation strikes neutralized the Ukrainian attacks. The enemy . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Ukraine operates sabotage cells, smuggles drones in Russia – CNN. From the Moscow Times. Kyiv has cultivated sabotage cells inside Russia and has started supplying them with Ukrainian-made drones, CNN reported today, citing multiple unnamed sources familiar with U.S. intelligence. Kyiv reportedly supplies drones via the “vast and very difficult to control” Russian-Ukrainian border. As a result . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Ukrainian workers describe fleeing the Russian-occupied nuclear power plant. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  Workers fleeing the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine describe arrests and torture at the hands of Russian forces they say have turned the plant into a military base. Click HERE to listen and read.

   

Zelenskyy accepts Ukraine cannot become a NATO member until the war ends. Scott Simon of NPR talks with John R. Deni, a research professor at the U.S. Army War College, about developments in Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. Click HERE to listen and read.

   

15 reasons why media don’t do journalism, by Caitlin Johnstone | caitlinjohnstone / Consortium News If you watch Western news media with a critical eye you eventually notice how their reporting consistently aligns with the interests of the U.S.-centralized empire, in almost the same way you’d expect them to if they were government-run propaganda outlets. The New York Times has reliably supported every war the U.S. has waged. Western mass media focus . . . READ MORE . . .