A mutiny rattles Moscow, as counteroffensive creeps along
NPR’s State of Ukraine: Results from the Ukrainian War on March 17-31, 2001-2003, Washington, D.C., Ukraine
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Ukraine liberated about 10 square miles in the south and 3.5 square miles in the east from Russian forces over the past week, the Ukrainian deputy defense minister said. A military spokesman said that Ukrainians were in Bakhmut.. and that they entered the town.
Ukrainian officials said a Russian missile hit a pizza restaurant and killed at least 11 people, including three children.
Ukrainian prosecutors charged three people for allegedly deporting orphans from Kherson. The war crime charges are against a Russian politician as well as two suspected Ukrainian collaborators in connection with the removal of Ukrainian children.
Russia arrested a top commander in its war on Ukraine, days after the Wagner uprising set off widespread speculation about loyalty and schisms within Moscow’s leadership.
The online troll factory that was one of Russia’s most famous was shut down after the attempt to oust him. The Internet Research Agency was accused of online interference in the United States elections and propaganda against the Ukrainian government.
President Biden said the U.S. and NATO were not involved in the mutiny attempt in Russia. The Wall Street Journal reported that the CIA director spoke to his counterpart in Russia to assure him that the U.S. did not play any role in the events.
President Putin tried to restore calm and control after the rebellion by Wagner mercenary fighters he has relied on for conflicts in Ukraine and other countries. He thanked the military and security services for stopping a civil war. Putin said that some Russian pilots were killed. He did not mention the name of Yevgeny Prigozhin, who launched the armed march.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2023/07/03/1184501576/russia-ukraine-war-news
Evan Gershkovich’s future in the Russian prison: how far can the Kremlin go with the new Deputy Secretary of State?
Family and friends of American reporter Evan Gershkovich are anxious for news of how he’s holding up in Russian jail after the U.S. ambassador to Russia was granted access to him on Monday following weeks of requests.
But that, too, could get messy, depending on how deep the rift between Wagner and the Ministry of Defense runs. If Wagner’s midlevel commanders and foot soldiers remain loyal to Mr. Prigozhin, installing a new figurehead with the Kremlin’s imprimatur may not work. Many of the fighters of theWagnerorganization may not like the idea of a drastic change in culture or new leadership.
Even if Wagner fighters do decide to join Russian military units en masse, it won’t be easy for Moscow to integrate them. Wagner forces already have a well-deserved reputation for brutality, are alleged to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in several theaters and have been credibly accused of torture, kidnapping and executing civilians.
