For today, links to seven reports: from Kyiv Post, Reuters, the Associated Press, the Kyiv Independent, Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, and Tass, and to commentary from Indian Punchline; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE.) — MCM   

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Russia claims control over Kurakhove, Ukraine denies loss while countering in Kursk. From Kyiv Post. Russian authorities announced that they had fully taken control of Kurakhove in the Donetsk region, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces deny loss of the town, reporting ongoing battles in the city and 27 repelled attacks. Today . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters, AP, the Kyiv Independent and AFP.

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Russia continues drone attacks against civilians in Ukrainian city of Kherson. Reported by Brian Mann | NPR  People in the Ukrainian city Kherson {kHAIR-son} say Russian soldiers are using remote-controlled drones to attack civilians. Officials say the attacks escalated last summer and are a daily threat. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Russian forces liberate village of Dachenskoye in DPR. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces have liberated the village of Dachenskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE .. . .

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FROM JAN. 3  Kyiv plays games with Russian gas transit, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The dataset by the Brussels-based think tank Brugel aggregating the data on European natural gas import flows and storage levels puts in perspective Ukraine’s decision to halt the transit of Russian gas to Europe. READ MORE . . .