First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, National Public Radio, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on the organizations’ names below. — MCM
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Russia brands Ukrainian steel plant defenders terrorists, by Susie Blann and Suzan Fraser | The Associated Press — KYIV — Russia’s Supreme Court today declared Ukraine’s Azov Regiment a terrorist organization, a designation that could lead to terror charges against some of the captured fighters who made their last stand inside Mariupol’s shattered steel plant. Scores of Azov fighters are being held by Moscow since their surrender in mid-May. Russian authorities have opened criminal cases against them, accusing them of killing civilians. The addition of terrorism charges could mean even longer prison sentences. In a statement, the Azov Regiment dismissed . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia high court labels Ukraine’s Azov Regiment ‘terrorist’ group. From RFE/RL’s Russian Service. The Supreme Court of Russia, acting on a request by the Prosecutor General’s Office, has designated Ukraine’s ultra-right Azov Regiment as a “terrorist” organization. The court announced the decision today against the group, one of the most prominent Ukrainian military formations fighting against Russia in eastern Ukraine. The court ruled to “recognize . . . READ MORE . . .
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Resuming Ukrainian grain exports may help reduce food insecurity in the Middle East. Reported by Ari Shapiro, Alejandra Marquez Janse and Ashley Brown | National Public Radio Ari Shapiro talks with Corinne Fleischer, the World Food Programme’s Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe regional director, about what grain shipments from Ukraine means for some areas. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Ukraine’s army faces a big test in the war: trying to retake the city of Kherson. Reported by Brian Mann | NPR A 29-year-old battalion commander is helping lead Ukraine’s counteroffensive near Kherson. He says the fight is costly but his troops have already won ground. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
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The story of a war, a wedding dress and a business opportunity. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR The Russian invasion is destroying much of Ukraine’s economy. In some cases, however, companies that adapted are not just surviving but thriving. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
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The Ukrainian women who make art in the face of war. Reported by Susan Stamberg | NPR Stories of war are being told now by some of Ukraine’s leading female artists at New York’s Fridman Gallery, as well as a gallery in Kyiv. The women are activists as well as artists, and are responding in paint, photographs and videos to the Russian invasion, and earlier conflicts over the annexation of Crimea. The powerful, haunting works prove that art is not just about pretty pictures. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Russia’s military suffers heavy toll from its Ukraine invasion. Reuters presents a gallery of 70 photographs and captions. Click HERE for it.
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TO BE CONTINUED