Ukraine, 7-9-22

To begin, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. Then, from the Berkshire Eagle, a link to columnist James Brooke’s look at what he sees as a possibly decisive turning point in the war with the massive infusion of Western weaponry beginning to be added to Ukraine’s forces. — MCM

   

‘Relentless’ Russian Shelling in East Ukraine as U.S. Promises New Aid, by Miguel Medina | Agence France-Presse Russian troops pursued their “relentless” shelling of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region today, as the United States promised new military aid to Kyiv including powerful rocket launchers. Having endured long battles to capture cities in the neighboring Luhansk region, Russia is now seeking to push deeper into Donetsk to consolidate . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Ukraine prepares for first rape case connected to the Russian invasion. Reported by Deborah Amos | National Public Radio Ukraine is preparing to try its first rape case related to the Russian invasion. Rape has been used a tactic of war by Russians before – against German women during World War II. Click HERE to listen and, one day, read.

   

One man’s efforts to lighten the spirits of displaced children in western Ukraine. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR In a western Ukraine town that’s refuge to people from the war in the east, a clown who is a refugee himself tries to keep up children’s spirits. Click HERE to listen and, one day, read.

   

Zelenskyy has consolidated Ukraine’s TV outlets and dissolved rival political parties. Reported by Emily Feng | NPR President Zelenskyy has consolidated all TV platforms in Ukraine into one state broadcast and restricted political rivals. Political opposition fears such civil liberty constraints could continue. Click HERE to listen and read.

   

UN says Ukraine bears share of blame for nursing home attack, by Richard Lardner and Beatrice Dupuy | The Associated Press POKROVSK, Ukraine — A Ukrainian regional official warned Friday of deteriorating living conditions in a city captured by Russian forces two weeks ago, saying Sievierodonetsk is without water, power or a working sewage system while the bodies of the dead decompose in hot apartment buildings. Gov. Serhiy Haidai said the Russians were unleashing indiscriminate artillery barrages as they try to secure their gains in eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk province. Moscow this week claimed full control of Luhansk, but the governor and other Ukrainian officials said their troops retained a small part . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Russia assembling reserve forces near Ukraine for future offensive, says British intelligence. From Reuters. July 9 (Reuters) – Russia is moving reserve forces from across the country and assembling them near Ukraine for future offensive operations, British military intelligence said today. A large proportion of the new Russian infantry units are probably deploying with MT-LB armoured vehicles taken from long-term storage as their primary transport, Britain’s Ministry of Defence tweeted in a regular bulletin.

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Is Snake Island the start of Ukraine’s counteroffensive? By James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle An amazing amount of NATO weaponry, largely from the U.S., is coming to Ukraine’s troops in southeastern Ukraine. On Tuesday, the Pentagon posted a comprehensive list of the U.S. military aid. . . . After weeks of setbacks for Ukraine, this cornucopia of modern U.S. arms may well turn tide of war. A sign of the future . . .READ MORE . . .