First, links to reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse; more may be accessible by clicking on the organizations’ names below. — MCM
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The Russian army appears close to taking the entire Donbas region. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | National Public Radio Russian troops have taken Luhansk and are headed for Donetsk, pounding cities along the way. When Donetsk falls, which seems likely, Putin will have “liberated the Donbas.” But will he be satisfied? Click HERE to listen and read.
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‘Dad, that’s it. She’s dead’: Another day of loss in Ukraine, by Cara Anna and Mstyslav Chernov | The Associated Press KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP) — She had gone out to feed the cats when the shelling began. It was afternoon, a residential neighborhood, a time to get errands done. But there is nothing routine about life near the front line in Ukraine. Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city and a short drive from the Russian border, lives with the low thunder of . . . READ MORE . . .
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More Russian men look to avoid military service, some lawyers and rights groups say. From Reuters. LONDON — Danila Davydov said he left Russia within weeks of the Kremlin sending troops into Ukraine because he feared having to fight in a war he doesn’t support. The 22-year-old digital artist who had been living in St Petersburg . . . READ MORE . . .
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Indonesia says Ukraine war discussed in almost all bilateral G20 meetings. From Reuters. NUSA DUA, Indonesia — The Ukraine war was discussed at almost all bilateral meetings at this week’s G20 event, where some participants condemned Russia’s invasion and urged an immediate end to hostilities through diplomacy and talks, Indonesia’s foreign minister said today. Retno Marsudi, in remarks as chair of the gathering in Bali, praised G20 counterparts for attending in person amid global tensions over the impacts of the Ukraine war. . . . She also said food and energy security and the reintegration of Ukraine and Russia’s grain and fertilizer into supply chains was critical.
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Lavrov Walks Out of G20 Talks as West Presses Moscow on Ukraine, by Shaun Tandon | Agence France-Presse Russia’s top diplomat stormed out of talks with G20 foreign ministers meeting in Indonesia on Friday as Western powers criticized Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Washington and allies condemned Russia’s assault ahead of the meeting before Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov faced what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called a barrage of Western criticism at the closed-door . . . READ MORE . . .
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Western plan to isolate Russia at G20 failed: Moscow. From AFP. The West failed to isolate Russia at the G20 summit over Moscow’s military offensive in Ukraine, the Russian foreign ministry said today. “The G-7’s plan to boycott Russia at the G-20 has failed,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on messaging app Telegram. She also accused Germany’s foreign minister of “lying” after Annalena Baerbock criticised Moscow for blocking dialogue with international partners after her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov walked out of her speech. “What utter nonsense,” . . . READ MORE . . .