For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for today and an ASSANGE entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Zelenskyy rules out a cease-fire with Russia, saying Moscow would use it to rearm, by Jim Heinz and Illia Novikov | AP  TALLINN — In a visit to Estonia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today ruled out a cease-fire in his country’s war with Russia, saying the Kremlin’s forces would use the pause to rearm and regroup before overwhelming Kyiv’s troops. “A pause on the Ukrainian battlefield . . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  Estonia pledges $1.3 billion in long-term support for Kyiv as Zelensky tours Baltics, by Martin Fornusek | The Kyiv Independent  Estonian President Alar Karis pledged to allocate 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for Kyiv until the year 2027, a major commitment from a country of 1.3 million people, after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine builds barricades, digs trenches as focus shifts to defence, by Vitalii Hnidyi and Thomas Peter | Reuters  NEAR KUPIANSK, Ukraine — New defensive lines visited by Reuters near the northeastern city of Kupiansk on Dec. 28 show how Ukraine has stepped up construction of fortifications in recent months as it shifts its military operations against Russia to a more defensive footing. The defences, which bear some similarities . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian army hits two Ukrainian ammunition depots — top brass. From Tass.  MOSCOW — The Russian army has hit two Ukrainian ammunition depots over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said today in a more general briefing. READ MORE . . .