First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass. Then a link to an opinion piece in the Moscow Times; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. NOTE: items are scarcer lately, owing to summer vacations and other factors. — MCM

–   –   –

UN demands end to military activity at Ukraine nuke plant, by Edith M. Lederer | The Associated Press UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. nuclear chief warned Thursday that “very alarming” military activity at Europe’s largest nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine could lead to dangerous consequences for the region and called for an end to attacks at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia facility. Rafael Grossi urged Russia and Ukraine . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine, Russia trade blame for risk of nuclear disaster at frontline plant, by Natalia Zinets | Reuters * Sides trade blame for blasts at Russian-held nuclear plant * U.N. calls for demilitarised zone * Zelenskiy demands Russia return plant to Ukraine * Ukrainian towns on opposite bank under Russian bombardment * Satellite images show damage at Russian air base in Crimea | KYIV — Ukraine and Russia accused each other today of risking nuclear disaster by shelling Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, occupied by Russian forces in a region expected to become one of the next big front lines of the war. Western countries have called for Moscow to withdraw its troops from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and the United Nations called on Thursday for it to be declared a demilitarized zone. But there has been no sign so far of Russia agreeing to move its troops out of the facility they seized in March. The plant . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian public’s confidence in Putin surpasses 81%, poll reveals. From Tass. MOSCOW — The level of Russian citizens’ confidence in President Vladimir Putin has increased by 0.5 percentage points to 81.3% over the week, according to a poll by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center published today. . . . Positive assessment figures for the activities of the Prime Minister and the Russian government over the past week dropped to 52.6% (-0.2 p.p.) and 52.2% (-0.6 p.p.), respectively. “[PM] Mikhail Mishustin is trusted by 63.1% of respondents (-0.5 p.p. over the week),” the report said. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

War in Ukraine Has Sparked a New Race to Succeed Putin, by Andrei Pertsev | The Moscow Times The war in Ukraine and ensuing sanctions have failed to cement Russia’s power vertical or unify the country’s influential business and political groups. Had President Vladimir Putin gotten the swift victory he was clearly counting on when he launched his “special operation,” he would have solidified his position as ruler, but as the conflict drags on, the elites are being forced to think of their future and to try to find their place within it. Putin himself demonstrates . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

TO BE CONTINUED