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Russia’s Drive to Recruit More Soldiers: ‘Prove You’re a Real Man’

by Mike Eckel / RFE-RL The flyer appeared earlier this month, pasted to the walls of apartment building entryways in the Moscow suburb of Odintsovo — and hard to miss above the announcement for when the building’s hot water would be shut off for maintenance. “Wanted: men between 20 and …

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The Wagner Group in Mali: A Special Report

By Samuel Longstreth / Grey Dynamics  Editor’s note: Over the summer, the government of Mali accused Cote d’Ivoire of sending armed mercenaries into the country, a charge the Ivory Coast denies. But Mali is working with another foreign military force, the Wagner Group of Russia. Here’s a Special Report for …

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On the Front Lines With SOF: A Sticker in Wartime

by Owen Thorne Editor’s note: Owen sent this quick note while on the move in Ukraine. More to come… Sergi was our military escort as I visited a forward unit in eastern Ukraine. In the Donbas salient the Ukrainians are fighting hard, and skillfully trying to hold back the Russian …

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New US Weapons Package Will Send More HIMARS Advanced Rocket Systems to Ukraine

The United States will send more long-range multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine as Kyiv’s forces prepare for a slow Russian advance to grab more territory in the eastern Donbas region. The U.S. weapons package, announced on July 8, will include four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS, bringing …

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Al-Shabaab Claims Credit for Bombs That Killed Two in Somalia

Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for attacks this week that killed two men in Somalia. The victims were a security officer and a man who was released from an Italian prison after being held 16 years in a wrongful conviction case. The first explosive device targeted a vehicle carrying the police …

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Russian Precision Fire Hits Kramatorsk, Killing Ukrainian Soldiers

by Owen Thorne KRAMATORSK, UKRAINE – In the North side of Donbas salient, as the Russians regroup for the next push against Slovyansk, Kramatorsk comes under air and long range rocket fire.  Today, a precision guided aerial munition struck this Ukrainian position in the center of the small city, killing …

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Four Army Veterans Awarded Medal of Honor for Actions in Vietnam War

President Joe Biden has awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor, to four U.S. Army soldiers for their actions during the Vietnam War. During a ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, President Joe Biden presented the award to Specialist 5 Dwight Birdwell, Major John Duffy, …

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Dispatch From Donbas: Russia Takes July 4 Operational Pause After Victories in Ukraine

by Chief Correspondent Owen Thorne As evening comes on July 4th here in the Donbas, the Russians have taken an operational pause.  Their commanders think they have earned it. In spite of the early disastrous setbacks in places like Kyiv and Karkiv, Phase II here in the east has seen …

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Cluster Bombs and the Weight of Artillery: a Report From the Frontline in Donbas

by Owen Thorne, Chief Correspondent SLOVYANSK, UKRAINE – Slovyansk has now become the frontline, essentially, of the Russian offensive in the Donbas. The Russians have focused their main effort here in the Donbas over the past two months. They’re slowly pushing the Ukrainian forces back. They’re using the weight of …

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