First, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names and initials below. Finally for today, commentary from the Berkshire Eagle. — MCM
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Six dead in Russian strikes in eastern Ukraine: Governor. From AFP. Six people were killed today in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine, after the city was shelled by Russian rockets, according to the regional governor. Pavlo Kyrylenko, the governor of the Donetsk region. . . READ MORE . . .
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Zelensky hails ‘brave’ Ukraine on 500th day of war. From AFP. President Volodymyr Zelensky today published on social media an undated video clip of a visit to Snake Island in the Black Sea — a symbol of Ukraine’s defiance against Russia. “Today we are on Snake Island, which will never be conquered by the occupiers, like the whole of Ukraine, because . . . READ MORE . . .
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Zelensky wins Erdogan’s NATO backing after securing U.S. cluster bombs. From AFP. President Volodymyr Zelensky today secured Turkey’s crucial backing for Ukraine’s NATO aspirations after winning a U.S. pledge for cluster munitions that could inflict massive damage on Russian forces on the . . . READ MORE . . .
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The U.S. will provide cluster bombs to Ukraine and defends the delivery of the controversial weapon, by Zeke Miller, Lolita C. Baldor and Tara Copp | AP WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday defended what he said was a “difficult decision” to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, a move the administration said was key to the fight and buttressed by Ukraine’s promise to use the controversial bombs carefully. It comes on the eve of the NATO summit in Lithuania, where . . . READ MORE . . .
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The White House defends the inclusion of cluster munitions in new Ukraine aid package. Reported by Erika Ryan, Ashley Brown and Daniel Estrin | NPR White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby talks about how the United States plans to supply Ukraine with controversial cluster munitions. Click HERE to listen and read.
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EU strikes deal to boost ammunition production to aid Ukraine. From Reuters. BRUSSELS — The EU will devote 500 million euros to boosting the production of ammunition for Ukraine and to replenish the stocks of EU member countries, it announced on Friday. The European Council and European Parliament representatives struck a provisional . . . READ MORE . . .
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Zelensky to take part in first Ukraine-NATO Council meeting in Vilnius — Stoltenberg. From Tass. BRUSSELS — Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will take part in the first meeting of the Ukraine-NATO council, which will take place on the sidelines of the July 11-12 summit in Vilnius, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday. “I expect . . . READ MORE . . .
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Remembering Ukrainian novelist Victoria Amelina, killed by a Russian missile. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR A young award-winning novelist who retrained as a war crimes researcher to document Russian atrocities and preserve Ukrainian culture has met a tragic end. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Ukraine’s wounded grain giant weathers war with Danube exports, by Tom Balmforth | Reuters * Nibulon was Ukraine’s biggest pre-war grain exporter * Son became CEO when father died in Russian strike * Battered firm survives by focusing on Danube exports * Late father saved company with Danube move – son | KYIV — With the Black Sea export deal now hanging by a thread 16 months into a war that has devastated the grain exporting firm Oleksiy Vadatursky founded, that decision is one reason Nibulon is not bankrupt, said his son and successor Andriy. The Danube River has become the company’s main export route, channelling 190,000 tonnes of grain per month . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian Federation’s restive republics opening a second front for Putin, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle With Russia’s Army cut in half by its invasion of Ukraine, several militants say the timing is right to break ties with Moscow. Several say their republics should have rebelled in the 1990s, when Chechnya fought two wars for independence. Several say their republics should have rebelled in the 1990s, when Chechnya . . . READ MORE . . .