First, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and the Moscow Times; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Heating restored in freezing Kyiv, Mayor Klitschko says. From Reuters. KYIV — Heating has been fully restored to Kyiv after the latest Russian bombardment that targeted water and power infrastructure, the capital’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko said today. “All sources of heat supply work normally.” Ukrainian officials said Russia fired more than 70 missiles on Friday in one of its heaviest barrages . . . READ MORE . . .

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One dead, several others injured in strikes on Russian region: Governor. From AFP. MOSCOW — Strikes on the Russian region of Belgorod that borders Ukraine killed one person and injured five others on Sunday, the regional governor said, two days after attacks by Moscow battered Ukraine’s energy grid. In the regional capital Belgorod, “there are four wounded (with injuries) of moderate . . . READ MORE . . .

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Pope slams conflict in Ukraine as world war. From Tass. MADRID — Pope Francis believes that the conflict in Ukraine is a “world war” and will not end soon, according to his interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC published today. “Now [Ukrainian President] Vladimir Zelensky is sending one of his religious advisers to me for the third time,” the pontiff reported, “I’m in touch, accepting, helping”. “I don’t see the end . . . READ MORE . . .

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Is Russia Receiving Weapons From North Korea? by James Beardsworth | The Moscow Times Washington claimed last month that Russia was buying weapons from North Korea and using those weapons in Ukraine. The allegations . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Tass, Agence France-Presse, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Italiana, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. — MCM

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Russia fires scores of missiles in one of its biggest attacks on Ukraine, by Tom Balmforth and Olena Harmash | Reuters  * Major new missile barrage forces blackouts nationwide * Ukraine defence chiefs: Russia planning new offensive * Zelenskiy again urges west to provide more air defences | KYIV — Russia fired more than 70 missiles at Ukraine on Friday in one of its biggest attacks since the start of the war, knocking out power in the second-biggest city and forcing Kyiv to implement emergency blackouts nationwide, Ukrainian officials said. Three people . . . READ MORE . . .

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Dead boy pulled from rubble of latest Russian hit on Ukraine, by Jamey Keaten | AP  KYIV — Emergency crews pulled the body of a toddler from the rubble in a pre-dawn search today for survivors of a Russian missile strike that tore through an apartment building in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih. The missile . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian Armed Forces hits base of foreign mercenaries in DPR – Defense Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Russian Armed Forces hit a base of foreign mercenaries in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said today. “A temporary base of foreign mercenaries was hit near . . . READ MORE . . .

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EU slams Russia’s ‘indiscriminate terror’ in Ukraine. From AFP / ANSA  BRUSSELS — The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday condemned the “indiscriminate terror” that Russia’s latest missile attacks were inflicting on Ukraine. “These cruel, inhumane . . . READ MORE . . .

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Are sanctions on Russia working? Reported by Jackie Northam | NPR   The international community has slapped an unprecedented number of sanctions on Russia since it invaded Ukraine. What impact have they had? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Via YouTube, a British member of Parliament suggesting this week a complete halt to policy requiring Covid-19 vaccine injections. — MCM

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MP calls for complete suspension of mRNA jab in extraordinary British Parliamentary speech. Addressing a nearly empty chamber of the House of Commons, Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen calls for complete suspension of mRNA jab, claiming unprecedented harms and close to “non existent” benefit. Click HERE to watch and listen.

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Tass, the Spectator, teleSUR, Agence France-Presse, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. — MCM

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Russia launches another major missile attack on Ukraine, by Hanna Arhirova, Vasilisa Stepanenko and Jamey Keaten | AP  KYIV — Ukraine’s capital came under one of the biggest attacks of the war today as Russia’s invading forces fired dozens of missileS across the country, Ukrainian officials said, reporting strikes in at least four cities that triggered widespread emergency power outages. The attack took place after the United States this week agreed to give a Patriot missile battery to Ukraine to further . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kissinger says it’s time to resolve Ukraine conflict through talks. From Tass. LONDON — Henry Kissinger, the former U.S. secretary of state and national security adviser, has said the world could be at a turning point in the conflict in Ukraine and called for talks to achieve peace. He laid out his thoughts in a guest essay published by the Spectator, a UK weekly, on its website toiday. Kissinger wrote . . . READ MORE . . .

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How to avoid another world war, by Henry Kissinger | The Spectotor The first world war was a kind of cultural suicide that destroyed Europe’s eminence. Europe’s leaders sleepwalked – in the phrase of historian Christopher Clark – into a conflict which none of them would have . . . READ MORE . . .

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EU leaders greenlight 9th sanctions package against Russia. From teleSUR. On Friday, the European Union (EU) approved a new package of sanctions against Russia and 18 billion euros that will be transferred to Ukraine to meet its most urgent financial needs. Previously, the European Council (EC) had discussed how to . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kyiv metro to remain offline due to power cuts: City Hall. From AFP. Ukraine said today the metro system in the capital would remain out of service for the rest of the day after Russian strikes targeted electricity infrastructure. “Due to damage to the . . . READ MORE . . .

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A century and counting: Ukraine’s ongoing fight to free itself from Russia. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  The past century in Ukraine has been packed with monumental events — wars, famines, political upheavals. Yet there’s a recurring theme that can be boiled down to a single sentence: Ukraine tries to break free from Russia, and Russia refuses to let it go. “The Russian empire . . .  Click HERE to listen and read.

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First, links to reports from the Associated Press, teleSUR, Tass, Politico, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Russia warns ‘consequences’ if U.S. missiles sent to Ukraine, by Jamey Keaten | AP  KYIV — Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned today that if the United States confirms reports that it plans to deliver sophisticated air defense missiles to Ukraine, it would be “another provocative move by the U.S.” that could prompt a response from Moscow. Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said “the U.S. has effectively become a party” to the war in Ukraine, following reports that it will provide Kyiv with Patriot surface-to-air missiles, the most advanced the West . . . READ MORE . . .

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What can the Patriot missile do for Ukraine? by Tara Copp and Lolita Baldor | AP  WASHINGTON — Patriot missile systems have long been a hot ticket item for the U.S. and allies in contested areas of the world as a coveted shield against incoming missiles. In Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific, they guard against potential strikes from Iran, Somalia and North Korea. So it was a critical turning point when news broke this week that the U.S. . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine carries out ‘most massive attack’ on Donetsk since 2014. From teleSUR. On Thursday, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) denounced that the Ukrainian army launched over 40 rockets from MLRS Grad against civilian areas of the city of Donetsk. “Ukrainian fascists have committed another war crime,” Mayor Alexei Kulemzin said. “At exactly 7.00 am, they subjected downtown Donetsk to the most massive attack since . . . READ MORE . . .

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EU, NATO expected to issue joint declaration on Ukraine soon – Politico. From Tass. BRUSSELS — The European Union and NATO are about to formally issue a joint call for Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, and to pledge their full support to authorities in Kiev, Politico reported on Wednesday. According to a draft declaration seen by Politico, the document has been in the works for more than a year. It also includes a separate section addressing China, which was added at Germany’ initiative, one of the diplomats told . . . READ MORE . . .

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EU and NATO near long-delayed joint pledge to back Ukraine, by Jacopo Barigazzi | Politico After months of delays, the EU and NATO are expected to soon formally issue a joint call for Russia to stop its war and leave Ukraine, and to pledge full support to Kyiv. The declaration, a draft of which . . . READ MORE . . .

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The global supply trail that leads to Russia’s killer drones, by Stephen Grey, Maurice Tamman and Maria Zholobova | Reuters — The hundreds of Russian drones hovering ominously over the Ukrainian battlefield owe their existence to an elastic, sanctions-evading supply chain that often runs through a shabby office above a Hong Kong marketplace, and sometimes through a yellow stucco home in suburban Florida. The “Sea Eagle” Orlan 10 UAV is a deceptive, relatively low-tech and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian refugee sells food and horseradish schnapps at a German Christmas market. Reported by Rob Schmitz | NPR  An 18th century Baroque Palace on the edge of Berlin is home to one of Germany’s many Christmas markets. There are a variety of food stalls — not to mention a special kind of Ukrainian schnapps. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Russian strikes thwarted, wreckage hits buildings, by Hanna Arhirova and Jamey Keaten | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian authorities said they thwarted a Russian attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region today as their air defense system intercepted and destroyed 13 explosive-laden drones, although wreckage from some of them damaged five buildings. The attacks highlighted Ukraine’s claims of increasing efficiency in intercepting weapons — something that Patriot missiles from the U.S. may soon help boost. Ukrainian President . . . READ MORE  . . .

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No Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia says, as prisoner swap frees American, by Tom Balmforth and Pavel Polityuk | Reuters  * Missiles, rockets hit Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia * American among dozens freed in Ukraine-Russia swap * U.S. citizen among dozens of detainees handed to Ukraine * No plans for Christmas ceasefire, Kremlin says | KYIV — Moscow today said no “Christmas ceasefire” was on the cards after nearly 10 months of devastating war in Ukraine, even as the release of dozens more prisoners including an American showed that some contacts between the two sides remain. Russia and Ukraine are not currently engaged in talks to end the fighting, which is raging in the east and south and reached Kyiv again today. Tens of thousands . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin’s annual State of the Nation Address likely to be held in 2023 – source. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s State of the Nation Address to the Russian Federal Assembly is likely to be arranged next year, a source in the parliament said today.  In line with the Constitution of Russia, the president delivers his address annually to the Federal Assembly focusing on . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kyiv says 64 Ukrainians, U.S. citizen released in prisoner swap with Russia. From AFP. Ukraine said today that it had secured the release of Suedi Murekezi, a U.S. citizen “who helped our people” as well as 64 Ukrainian members of the military in its latest prisoner swap with Russian forces. “Sixty-four soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces who fought in Donetsk and Lugansk . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky urges Europe to back war tribunal for Russian leaders. From AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today urged Europe to help set up a tribunal to try Russia’s leadership for the “crime of aggression”, as he accepted the EU’s top rights award. “I call on all of you, your . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin says Russia has no plans for holiday ceasefire in Ukraine. From AFP. The Kremlin said today that it had not received any proposals from Kyiv to halt fighting in Ukraine during the upcoming holiday period and that a ceasefire was not on Moscow’s agenda. Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on Jan. 7, and public holidays in the country usually extend from New Year’s Day until . . . READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Tass, National Public Radio, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on AP, Tass, NPR, or AFP below. — MCM

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Cornered in Ukraine, Putin ditches annual news conference. From the Associated Press. President Vladimir Putin has ditched his annual marathon news conference following a series of battlefield setbacks in Ukraine — a tacit acknowledgment that the Russian leader’s war has gone badly wrong. Putin typically uses the year-end ritual to polish his image, answering a wide range of questions on domestic and foreign policy to demonstrate . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops wipe out seven military command posts in Ukraine operation – top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces destroyed seven Ukrainian army command posts in the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported today. “Operational-tactical aircraft, missile and artillery troops struck seven command posts in the areas of the settlements of . . . READ MORE . . .

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A month after Ukraine liberated it, Kherson is still getting bombarded daily. First heard on Weekend Edition Sunday two days ago. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  A month after being liberated, the Ukrainian city of Kherson is getting bombarded daily from Russian troops less than a mile way. Meanwhile, authorities are searching for Kremlin collaborators. Click HERE to listen and read.

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A Russian recruit, mobilized for the war in Ukraine, is fighting to avoid the fight. Reported by Charles Maynes  | NPR  A Russian recruit, mobilized for the war in Ukraine, is fighting to serve his country in a different way: alternative service as a conscientious objector. Click HERE to listen and read.

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1 bn euros pledged for Ukraine at Paris aid conference. From AFP. Countries gathered at an aid conference for Ukraine in Paris have pledged aid worth around one billion euros to help the war-hit country this winter, France’s foreign minister said today. Catherine Colonna said these were “new commitments, thanks to the holding of this conference. It is aid, or gifts in kind. It is not loans.” She said the aid . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, links to reports from Reuters, Tass, the Moscow Times, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Fighting rages in east Ukraine, West eyes more sanctions on Russia, by Nick Starkov and Pavel Polityuk | Reuters   * Heavy fighting rages in eastern, southern Ukraine * Russia says US not showing ‘constructive’ approach to war * EU, G7 meetings on Monday could bring more sanctions on Russia * Zelenskiy speaks with leaders of U.S., France, Turkey | KYIV — Russian forces pounded targets in eastern and southern Ukraine with missiles, drones and artillery, Ukraine’s General Staff said today, while millions remained without power in subzero temperatures after further strikes on key infrastructure. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke with the leaders of the United States, France and Turkey ahead of planned Group of Seven (G7) and EU meetings today that . . . READ MORE . . .

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EU fails to agree on 9th package of sanctions against Russia, says Borrell. From Tass. BRUSSELS — EU members failed to agree on the ninth package of sanctions against Russia in time during a meeting in Brussels among top diplomats. Disagreements do remain, so the ministerial deliberations on the sanctions will be very difficult, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrel said today. “This Council is . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kyiv Says Will Resume Counteroffensive as Soon as Ground Freezes. From the Moscow Times. Ukrainian forces will actively resume their counterattack as soon as winter weather freezes the ground and allows for the passage of military equipment, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Sunday. He said damp soil from rains made . . . READ MORE . . .

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Dog therapy for kids facing the trauma of the war in Ukraine, by E. Eduardo Castillo | AP  BOYARKA, Ukraine — Bice is an American pit bull terrier with an important and sensitive job in Ukraine — comforting children traumatized by Russia’s war. The playful 8-year-old gray dog arrived on time this week to a rehabilitation center on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, ready to start his duties. As . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Moscow Times, National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, via Global Research and the Unz Review, a link to commentary on a Fox News interview conducted last Wednesday. Next, links to three reports from overtly partisan sources.— MCM

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Free for a month, Kherson still toils to clear Russian traps, by Inna Varenytsia and Jamey Keaten | AP  KHERSON, Ukraine — Today marks exactly one month since Russia’s troops withdrew from Kherson and its vicinity after an eight-month occupation, sparking jubilation across Ukraine. But life in the southern city is still very far from normal. The departing Russians left behind all sorts of ugly surprises, and their . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia drones smash power network in Odesa, by Nick Starkov | Reuters KYIV — All non-critical infrastructure in the Ukrainian port of Odesa was without power after Russia used Iranian-made drones to hit two energy facilities, leaving 1.5 million people without power, officials said on Saturday. “The situation in the Odesa region is very difficult . . . READ MORE . . .

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White House announces new air defense aid for Ukraine. From AFP. The White House Friday announced a new 275-million-dollar aid package to help boost Ukraine’s air defenses, against Russian drones in particular. White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters the aid “will . . . READ MORE . . .

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Medvedev says enemy entrenched global wide, Russia boosting production of powerful weapons. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia is boosting the production of the most powerful weapons, including based on new physical principles, for countering Western countries that support Kiev’s regime, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said today. “Our enemy is entrenched . . . in Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and a whole number of other places that have sworn allegiance to today’s Nazis. That is why. . . READ MORE . . .

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BBC investigation verifies deaths of 10,000 Russian troops in Ukraine. From the Moscow Times. The Russian military has sustained over 10,000 verifiable deaths in the course of its nine-month invasion of Ukraine, according to open-source research conducted by the BBC and independent Russian news outlet MediaZone that was released on Friday. Among the 10,002 dead servicemen identified . . . READ MORE . . .

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Life in a Ukrainian town: rampaging Russians, power cuts, a visit by Banksy. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  BORODIANKA, Ukraine — The Russian troops who pulverized this small town are gone. But as residents try to rebuild from the rubble, Russian missiles blasting other parts of Ukraine keep knocking out the electricity here as well. The challenges seem overwhelming. The main street is lined . . . Click HERE to listen and read more.

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4 minutes of undiluted truth on mainstream TV, by Mike Whitney | The Unz Review The last thing you’d ever expect to hear on a mainstream news channel, is the truth. But — strange as it might seem —that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday night [Dec. 7] on the Tucker Carlson Show. Carlson interviewed veteran journalist Glenn Greenwald in a 4-minute segment that provided the best ‘easy-to-understand’ summary of the Ukraine War you’ll hear anywhere. And what was so shocking about . . . READ MORE . . .

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Update from Ukraine: Crimean airfields are under fire, Ukraine wants to get Melitopol this winter. Reported by Denys Davydof | DenysDavydof24h Click HERE for video commentary from yesterday, and HERE for other recent reports.

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Foreign mercenaries ready to retire from Ukrainian front lines. From South Front. Click HERE for that. Click HERE for other recent South Front reports.

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Day 291: Ukrainian War Map. From Ukraine News TV. Click HERE for Dec. 11 report, and HERE for other recent reports.

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First, a link to an op-ed article in today’s Berkshire Eagle by its foreign affairs columnist. Then, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, and Agence France-Presse; others may be accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Ukraine’s elite IT bedevils Russia, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle The Biden administration has made hardware and software fixes to prevent rockets from reaching Russia. American officials apparently forgot that in the Soviet era, Ukrainian engineers designed and built intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of hitting New York. This Cold War scientific legacy resurfaced this week when Ukrainian drones flew as far as 500 miles into Russia, hitting three . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia grinds on in eastern Ukraine; Bakhmut ‘destroyed,’ by Jamey Keaten | AP KYIV — Russian forces have “destroyed” the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, while Ukraine’s military today reported missile, rocket and air strikes in multiple parts of the country that Moscow is trying to conquer after months of resistance. The latest battles of Russia’s 9 1/2 month war in Ukraine have centered on four provinces that Russian President Vladimir Putin triumphantly — and illegally — claimed to have annexed in late September. The fighting indicates . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine gets more U.S. aid as Russia-Iran ties worry West, by Dan Peleschuk | Reuters  * Washington announces new military aid for Ukraine * Ukraine says Russia is shelling in east of country * Russia trying to obtain ballistic missiles from Iran, says UK * Putin accuses West of using Ukraine as ‘cannon fodder’ | KYIV — The United States announced new military aid for Ukraine on Friday and vowed to disrupt Russian ties with Iran, which a British envoy said involved Moscow seeking hundreds of ballistic missiles and offering unprecedented military support in return. Tehran and Moscow have denied . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops destroy US-made AN/TPQ-36 radar system, two Grad MLRS in DPR – top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops destroyed a US-made AN/TPQ-36 mobile radar system and two Grad multiple rocket launchers in the course of the special military operation in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) in the past day, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov said today. According to him, the U.S.-made radar system was destroyed near Torskoye, while . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin says ‘agreement will have to be reached’ to end Ukraine conflict. From AFP. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that ultimately an agreement would need to be struck to end fighting in Ukraine, nine months after the Kremlin launched its “special military operation” there. His comments came in response to remarks from former German chancellor Angela Merkel about the Minsk agreements, negotiated in 2014 with Paris and Berlin to end fighting between Russia and Ukraine. Merkel . . . READ MORE . . .