1 RUSSIA
Kerch Bridge struck again as hopes of grain deal end
Twin explosions damaged the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea to mainland Russia in the early hours of Monday morning, killing two people. But by late evening, one lane of the road was partially re-opened to traffic.
The heavily guarded road and rail link is among the Kremlin’s most important and high-prestige infrastructure projects, and the only overland link directly from Russia to occupied Crimea. The apparent attack is the second time that the bridge has been targeted since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia said its decision not to extend the Black Sea grain deal was final and that no more talks were planned. The statement followed comments from the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to the effect that he hoped for progress in talks at the UN on reviving it. The deal, brokered by the UN and Turkey last year, was meant to alleviate a food crisis sparked by a Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports that had halted millions of tonnes of grain exports, much of it to developing countries. Russia suspended its participation on Monday, saying its conditions for an extension had not been met.
2 UKRAINE
Biden-approved shipment of cluster bombs arrives
Cluster munitions provided by the US reached Ukraine last week, the Pentagon confirmed.
The munitions – bombs that open in the air and release scores of smaller bomblets –
