Ukraine, 9-20-23

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Kyiv Post, and National Public Radio, followed by commentary, via Popular Resistance, from Indian Punchline; other articles are accessible by clicking on these sources names or initials below.. — MCM

   

Russia has turned food, energy and even children into weapons against Ukraine, Zelenskyy says at UN, by Jennifer Peltz and Derek Gatopoulos | AP  UNITED NATIONS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Russia is “weaponizing” everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraine — and he warned world leaders that the same could happen to them. “When hatred . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Ukrainian soldiers hope for Western arms to speed up counteroffensive, by Anna Voitenko | Reuters  NEAR BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Despite recent battlefield gains, Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the eastern front say they need more Western weapons to speed up their grinding counteroffensive against Russian forces. Kyiv says it has in recent fighting recaptured two villages south of Bakhmut which will help its forces advance on . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Russia says 4 Ukrainian drones destroyed. From AFP. Russia said early today it had destroyed four Ukrainian drones overnight in its western Belgorod and Oryol regions. READ MORE . . .

   

Ukrainian troops lose seven units of hardware, over 100 personnel in Zaporozhye area. From Tass. MELITOPOL — Russian forces have eliminated seven pieces of equipment and more than 100 Ukrainian troops near the village of Rabotino in the Zaporozhye area in the last 24 hours, Vladimir Rogov, according to the leader of the We Are Together With Russia movement. “The adversary is seeing no success,” he said. READ MORE . . .

   

Ukraine confirms missile attack in Crimea, by Kateryna Zakharchenko | The Kyiv Post  Kyiv confirmed that Ukrainian missiles were behind explosions today near a Russian airfield in occupied Crimea.  Andriy Yusov, spokesperson of the Main Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), said: “Missile strikes are being launched on the military facilities of the invaders in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea.” READ MORE . . .

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At UN, world leaders talk Russia’s war against Ukraine, coups and climate change. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  Climate change dominates the opening day of the UN general assembly, with speeches from President Biden amongst other leaders, with a warning from the UN Secretary General. Click HERE to listen and read.

   

Zelenskyy’s U.S. visit comes as Republican opposition to Ukraine aid grows. Reported by Susan Davis | NPR  The Ukraine aid package is expected to ultimately pass, but how much more, and for how much longer, is a question that will linger in Washington long after Zelenskyy returns to Kyiv. Click HERE to listen and read.

   

U.N. Secretary-General warns geopolitical tensions are rising around the world. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Colum Lynch, senior global reporter for Devex, about the General Assembly. Only one leader of the five permanent members of the Security Council showed up: President Biden. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

   

The ‘Biden phase of the Ukraine war, by  M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline / Popular Resistance  The ground war in Ukraine has run its course, a new phase is beginning. Even diehard supporters of Ukraine in the Western media and think tanks are admitting that a military victory over Russia is impossible and a vacation of the territory under Russian control is way beyond Kiev’s capability. Hence the ingenuity of the Biden administration in exploring Plan B — counseling Kiev . . . READ MORE . . .