Ukraine, 7-23-22

First, via Consortium News, a link to an article that helps explain how and why a popular TV actor became Ukraine’s president and some of what followed. Then, from the Berkshire Eagle, a link to a detailed look at the country’s history as a leading grain producer and how the war brought this “to a grinding halt.” Next, links to National Public Radio, Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse reports; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. — MCM

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Servant of the Corrupt, by Pedro Gonzalez | IM—1776 / Consortium News Understanding the real Volodymyr Zelensky requires seeing him as a creation of Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky. Zelensky is, in truth, a puppet of intrigue. It might be hard to believe now, but revelations from documents in the Pandora Papers — millions of files from offshore service providers leaked to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and shared with partners around the world . .   READ MORE . . .

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Will Ukraine again feed the world? By James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle Over the last decade, the world took for granted the rivers of cheap grain that quietly flowed from the black soils of Ukraine. . . . Populations benefited. The World Food Program bought half its wheat from Ukraine. China bought 15 percent of its corn . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine and Russia agree to a new deal focused on grain shipments. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | National Public Radio Ukraine and Russia agreed to a UN-brokered deal on grain shipments out of the Black Sea that Turkey will oversee. The food supplies are badly needed around the globe. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Russia hits Ukraine’s Black Sea port in wake of grain deal, by Susie Blann | The Associated Press KYIV — Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa hours after Moscow and Kyiv signed deals to allow grain exports to resume from there. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry denounced today’s strike as “spit in the face” of Turkey and the United Nations, which brokered the agreements. Two Russian Kalibr cruise missiles hit the port’s infrastructure and Ukrainian air defenses brought down two others, the Ukrainian military’s Southern Command said. READ MORE . . .

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Russian missiles hit Ukraine port, putting landmark grain deal at risk, by  | Reuters * Two missiles hit port in Odesa, Ukraine says * Moscow, Kyiv had signed grain export deal on Friday * Unclear if exports possible after Saturday’s strikes * Deal had sought to avert major food crisis * UN secretary-general condemns the missile strikes | KYIV — Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s southern port of Odesa on today, the Ukrainian military said, threatening a landmark deal signed just the day before to unblock grain exports from Black Sea ports and ease global food shortages caused by the war. The deal signed on Friday by Moscow and Kyiv and mediated by the United Nations and Turkey was hailed . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s Odesa port, key to grain deal, by Frankie Taggart | Agence France-Presse Russian missiles struck Ukraine’s key Black Sea port of Odesa today, officials said, in an attack Kyiv described as a “spit in the face” of a deal signed by the warring neighbors a day earlier to resume grain exports blocked by the conflict. Two cruise missiles hit terminal infrastructure, regional authorities said on social media, casting a shadow over . . . READ MORE . . .

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Germany bails out its largest energy company after Russia cut off gas supply. Reported by  | NPR  Natural gas is flowing again between Russia and Germany. But Berlin isn’t sure how long that may last, and is shoring up its gas supplies while looking for other energy options. Click HERE to listen and, one day, read.

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TO BE CONTINUED