First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, Agence France-Presse, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally for today, from Consortium News, a link to an interview. — MCM
– – –
Russia targets Ukraine’s farm storage sites after days of hitting Black Sea port facilities, by Felipe Dana | AP KYIV — Russian cruise missiles destroyed farm storage buildings in the Odesa region early today, Ukrainian officials said, as Moscow’s forces expanded their targets following three days of bombardment of the southern region’s Black Sea port infrastructure. Other Russian missiles damaged what officials described only as an “important infrastructure facility” . . . READ. MORE . . .
– – –
Russia hits Ukraine’s grain for fourth day, practises seizing ships, by Olena Harmash | Reuters KYIV — Russia pounded Ukrainian food export facilities for a fourth day in a row today and practised seizing ships in the Black Sea in an escalation of what Western leaders say is an attempt to wriggle out of sanctions by threatening a global food crisis. The direct attacks on Ukraine’s grain, a key part of the global food chain, followed . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russian forces wipe out signal center, command post of two Ukrainian army brigades. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces struck a signal center and a command post of two Ukrainian army brigades over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov said on Thursday in a briefing. “In areas near . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Putin says western weapons and support not helping Ukraine. From AFP. Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that Kyiv’s counteroffensive, launched to push Russian troops back in the south and east of Ukraine, was failing despite military and financial support from Western countries. “In any case, . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
CIA Director William Burns discusses recent developments in the war in Ukraine. Mary Louise Kelly of NPR speaks with CIA Director William Burns at the Aspen Security Forum about Russian attacks on Ukrainian port cities and about Ukraine using U.S.-supplied cluster bombs. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
– – –
From Stalinism to the ‘most avoidable war in history.’ Natalie Baldwin, author of The View from Moscow: Understanding Russia and U.S.-Russia Relations (2020), talks with Soviet and Russian specialist Geoffrey Roberts on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, Europe’s role, Stalin and World War II. Click HERE for the interview from Consortium News.