Russian missile strike in Odessa kills at least ten people

"At least ten people were killed after a missile strike on an apartment building in the southern
Ukrainian city of Odessa." WION

What Really Happened on Snake Island?

"Snake Island’s position in the Black Sea allows guns and missiles stationed there to help

control the waters through which much of Ukraine’s imports and exports travel. Or used to, before the war.

Russia took the island early on, but defiant Ukrainian troops there immediately became a symbol of resistance.

“Russian ship, f*** you,” was reportedly the semiofficial Ukrainian reply to the Russian warship Moskva (since sunk) ordering them off the island.

Needless to say, after all that, there’s a lot of prestige that comes with possession of Snake Island on top of its strategic significance.

That’s why both sides are claiming victory, even if only of a sort: “Unable to withstand the fire of Ukraine’s artillery, missile and air strikes, Russian army left Snake Island,” the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhny, said.

The last Russian troops left — some say “fled” due to heavy fire — by speedboat early on Thursday.

Moscow claims a sort of moral victory: Russia’s ministry of defence stated that it had completed its assigned tasks and was tactically withdrawing to allow for grain exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

Russia could easily allow grain shipments while still holding Snake Island. It’s real simple: Make it known that ships are free to pass and then refrain from sinking them. On the other hand, if your goal is to maintain a stranglehold on your enemy’s economy, you keep possession of the island vital to doing just that. 

So this claim that Russia has suddenly grown a conscience about grain supplies doesn’t wash.

Economics aside, retreating under heavy fire and then saying, “I meant to do that!” is a pretty sad justification." PJMedia

Ukraine --144 of the country's soldiers have returned in a prisoner swap with Russia

"Ukrainian authorities said 144 of the country's soldiers have returned in a prisoner swap with
Russia. Of those released, 95 are fighters who defended the Azovstal steel plant in the besieged port city of Mariupol, which Russian troops captured in May." NPR

Syria makes decision to recognize LPR, DPR

 "Based on the common will and desire to improve relations in all areas, the Syrian Arab
Republic has made a decision to recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic," the Foreign Ministry." Tass

NATO Leaders Officially Invite Sweden, Finland to Join Alliance

 "NATO formally invited Finland and Sweden into the alliance on Wednesday at its Madrid
summit." Sputnik

Boris Claims Putin Wouldn’t Have Invaded Ukraine if He Was a Woman

"British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed that the invasion of Ukraine represents
“toxic masculinity” on the part of Russian President Vladimir Putin and that the war would not have happened if a woman was in charge." Breitbart

Putin signs law banning issuance of licenses to foreign users of mineral resources

"Putin signed a law prohibiting the issuance of licenses for the development of mineral
resources to foreign companies. The document was published on the official portal of legal information.

According to the law, only legal entities established in accordance with the law of the Russian Federation, as well as individual entrepreneurs, who are citizens of Russia, can be users of national mineral resources. To continue working in Russia, foreign companies will have to create legal entities in the Russian Federation and transfer the rights to use subsoil plots to them. Valid licenses for the right to use subsoil held by foreigners will be transferred to Russian entities or returned to the subsoil fund." Tass

The U.S. imposed new sanctions to punish Russia

"The U.S. imposed new sanctions to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine. The sanctions
include restrictions on 70 Russian defense-related businesses, including Rostec, a state-owned corporation "considered to be the cornerstone of Russia's defense, industrial, technology, and manufacturing sectors," the State Department said. The U.S., along with G-7 countries, is also banning the import of Russian gold." NPR

The death toll climbed to at least 20 after Monday's missile attack on a crowded mall

"The death toll climbed to at least 20 after Monday's missile attack on a crowded mall in the
central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, which leaders at a Group of Seven meeting called a "war crime." On Tuesday, emergency responders ended a rescue search for survivors. Russia's government denied hitting the shopping center, claiming it caught fire after Russia struck a nearby weapons depot. But Ukraine's president said it was a "calculated" strike against the mall." NPR

‘No NATO’: Watch Thousands Protest Alliance in Madrid on Eve of Key Summit

"Thousands took to the streets of Madrid on Sunday to protest the upcoming NATO summit.

Carrying modern-day Spanish flags, banners of the old Spanish Republic and flags identifying a range of Leftist forces, including the Party of Labour, the Communist Party, the United Left, the social democratic Unidas Podemos and the Solidaridad Obrera union, demonstrators chanted ‘No NATO’ and ‘NATO Bases – Out’ as they marched along Paseo del Prado Boulevard.

The protesters were joined by allies from other countries, including a group from the Communist Party of Greece, and South Koreans carrying banners reading “Disband NATO, a vehicle of imperialist war!” and “Oppose South Korea Joining NATO!” Sputnik

Report Confirms Expansive CIA ‘Stealth Network’ Of Spies & Commandos Inside Ukraine

"A fresh New York Times report has confirmed what many already suspected – that the CIA is
still very active inside Ukraine – especially with training as well coordinating weapons among its Ukrainian allies.

The Times report details “a stealthy network of commandos and spies rushing to provide weapons, intelligence and training,” based on US and European intelligence officials" ZH

At Least 10 Killed in Missile Strike on Ukrainian Shopping Mall

"At least 10 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a Russian missile struck a
busy shopping mall in central Ukraine, senior Ukrainian officials said Monday.

Video footage shows plumes of black smoke rising from the burning shopping center in the industrial city of Kremenchuk as dozens of rescuers rush around the perimeter and fire trucks parked nearby." MT

Ukraine’s Zelensky asks G7 for more arms, stricter sanctions as Russia makes headway in Donbas

"Zelensky on Monday urged world powers to step up their support for Ukraine via arms and
sanctions as he addressed the G7 summit via videolink from Kyiv after the capital was hit by the first Russian strikes in weeks. In the eastern Luhansk province, meanwhile, the governor urged all civilians to leave the city of Lysychansk – the last big city in the region still held by Ukrainian troops." France24

Obese Russian general, 67, called up to fight in Ukraine as Putin ‘scrapes the barrel

"An obese Russian retired general has been sent to fight on the frontlines in Eastern Ukraine
because Vladimir Putin is running out of senior officers.

The 20 stone general, 67, is now said to be in charge of Russian special forces operating in the region after the unit’s former commander was seriously injured in an artillery strike.

The veteran of Russia ’s disastrous war in Afghanistan is known as General Pavel.

A senior intelligence source last night told the Daily Star Sunday: “Putin is now scraping the barrel." OBJ

One dead, several wounded in missile strike on central Kyiv

"At least one person was killed and several were injured after a Russian missile strike hit Kyiv.News agencies reported that Moscow has stepped up its air strikes on Ukraine for a second day amid the ongoing war."  WION