According to a report by Mediazona, over 20,000 Russian soldiers have faced prosecution for refusing to fight in Ukraine since September 2022, with the majority of cases involving going AWOL. These cases highlight a significant issue within the Russian military, with widespread reports of abuse and punishment tactics employed to maintain order. Despite these challenges, Russia continues to recruit a large number of soldiers monthly, often offering substantial financial incentives. Additionally, President Putin signed a decree to significantly increase the size of the Armed Forces, further indicating the scale of Russia’s ongoing war efforts.
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Recent reports indicate that over 20,000 Russian soldiers have faced prosecution for refusing to fight in Ukraine, with the majority of cases involving AWOL violations. Independent media outlets have documented these cases since September 2022, revealing a significant number of convictions. Such actions suggest a systematic program of abuse within the Russian military, potentially aimed at maintaining order. Despite these challenges, Russia continues its war effort and recruits thousands of soldiers monthly, with the armed forces set to expand further.
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Mayor Borys Filatov reported that a missile strike damaged numerous schools, a hospital, and private residences, with preliminary information suggesting at least one fatality. Fires erupted, impacting a dormitory, gymnasium, and administrative buildings, according to Regional Governor Serhii Lysak. Passenger train No. 52 was also hit while en route between Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, prompting passenger evacuation and a replacement train.
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An Iranian ballistic missile strike in Haifa damaged the city’s two oldest mosques, Al-Jarina and Zahir al-Umar. The attack resulted in injuries to Muslim clerics present in Al-Jarina Mosque. The Zahir al-Umar Mosque, a 300-year-old structure, was also impacted by the missile strike. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed the attack and its consequences.
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A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv and Odesa killed at least 15 civilians and injured over 100, prompting President Zelensky to denounce the assault as “pure terrorism.” The attacks, targeting residential areas despite Russian claims of military objectives, resulted in widespread destruction and ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. This follows former President Trump’s suggestion that Russia’s 2014 expulsion from the G8 contributed to the invasion. In response, Ukraine is urging its allies for increased sanctions on Russia and expedited delivery of air defense systems.
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Israeli tank fire killing 51 people in a Gaza crowd desperately seeking food is a deeply disturbing and complex event. The accounts paint a picture of chaos and suffering, with civilians caught in the crossfire while attempting to access essential supplies. One account describes a sudden shift from being allowed to approach food distribution to the immediate commencement of shelling, with tank shells raining down indiscriminately.
The ambiguity surrounding who exactly orchestrated this tragedy demands clarification. Was it a direct order from higher-ups in the IDF, or did individual soldiers make the decision to open fire? The possibility that IDF soldiers fired upon their own people adds a horrific layer of complexity, raising serious questions about accountability and command structure.… Continue reading
Following an Israeli attack on Iran’s state television building, which Iran has condemned as a war crime, the country called for immediate UN Security Council action. The attack, which occurred during a live broadcast, resulted in damage to the IRIB building and prompted strong condemnation from Iranian officials, including the foreign ministry and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This incident is the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which began Friday with a surprise Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities and has resulted in numerous casualties on both sides. Retaliatory strikes by Iran have followed the Israeli offensive.
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During a Vienna press conference, President Zelenskyy revealed a Russian proposal to exchange prisoners of war for abducted Ukrainian children, a clear violation of international law. This unacceptable offer underscores Russia’s refusal to acknowledge the scale of child abductions, previously evidenced by dismissive comments from Russian negotiators. Ukraine is actively engaging numerous international partners to secure the return of thousands of forcibly deported children. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to achieve this goal.
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A Frankfurt court sentenced a Syrian doctor, Alaa M., to life imprisonment for war crimes and torture committed in Syria between 2011 and 2012. The sentence, which stems from the deaths of two individuals and torture of nine others, includes a finding of particularly grave guilt, virtually eliminating the possibility of early parole. The court highlighted the doctor’s sadistic tendencies and enjoyment of harming those he deemed inferior. Alaa M., who had lived and worked in Germany for a decade, was arrested after being recognized by victims.
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Radio Svoboda’s investigation details the killings of six Bucha residents—Andrii Matviychuk, Vitalii Karpenko, Volodymyr Rubailo, Dmytro Konovalov, Valerii Kizilov, and Ihor Horodetskyi—potentially linking four soldiers from the Russian 234th Airborne Assault Regiment: Sergeant Artem Dementiev, Lieutenant Artem Tareyev, Sergeant Vladimir Borzunov, and Captain Yevheniy Plyusnin. The investigation meticulously reconstructs three days of events in March 2022, utilizing surveillance footage, eyewitness testimonies, and victim family accounts. Analysis of this evidence, including a confirmed interview with Borzunov, points towards the Russian army’s culpability in these civilian deaths. Previously unseen footage from security cameras further supports these findings.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood