RUSSIAN TROOPS are having trouble subduing Ukraine (Wikipedia).

An estimated 7,000 to 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the invasion of Ukraine in a month. That’s the figure a senior NAO military official gave the Associated Press.

Strong resistance by Ukrainian forces and armed civilian volunteers has stalemated the advance of the invaders in most regions. As a consequence Russian strategy has shifted to attacking cities with aerial and artillery explosives.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky urged people all over the world to rally in the streets on Thursday to show support for his nation. “Make yourselves visible and heard,” he said. “Say that people matter. Freedom matters. Peace matters. Ukraine matters.”

In related news:

• The United States has formally concluded that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine, according to The New York Times.
• NATO will deploy new battle groups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. Those nations were once part of the Soviet Union-dominated Warsaw Pact, but which are now allied with Western democracies.

Madeline Albright is dead at 84

MADELINE ALRBIGHT

The first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State – Madeline Albright – has died at the age of 84, according to United Press International. The cause of death was given as cancer.

She served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations before becoming America’s top diplomat during Bill Clinton’s second term as president.

After her pioneering career, two other women – Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton – have headed the State Department.

Sports: Good news for Yanks, Mets, Nets

New York City Mayor Eric Adams will lift the vaccine mandate on private businesses on Thursday, according to USA Today. It would allow unvaccinated athletes – including Kyrie Irving of Brooklyn Nets – to play in home games as well as clear the path for other athletes, including members of the Yankees and Mets to play in New York stadiums.

Weather: Clouds on their way back

The skies were not cloudy all day, so far this week, but partly cloudy conditions are expected to return to the West Orange County area on Thursday, heralding a cooling trend heading toward the weekend. Thursday should have a daytime high of 82 (overnight low of 54), dropping to 80 (55) on Friday and 75 (55) on Saturday. An 87 percent chance of rain is predicted for Monday.

Business: Renault hits brakes in Russia

French automaker Renault announced on Wednesday it would stop operations at a plant in Moscow in reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It’s the largest Western auto manufacturer in that country and is in partnership with AvtoVAZA, Russia’s biggest carmaker, according to The New York Times.

Renault is also “assessing the available options,” especially with regard to international sanctions against Russia.