For today, links to six reports: from Reuters, National Public Radio, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names and initials below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Russia intensifies Kursk assaults, piles pressure in the east, Ukraine’s army chief says. From Reuters. KYIV — Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian forces battling to hold an enclave in Russia’s Kursk region and also increased pressure in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine’s top army commander said today. READ MORE . . .

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Russian general in charge of chemical and biological warfare is killed in Moscow. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and Michel Martin | NPR  The apparent assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov came a day after Ukraine’s security service charged him with using banned chemical weapons. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and AP.

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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy tells allies Russia’s shadow fleet must be stopped. From Reuters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appealed to allies today to ensure the so-called shadow fleet of vessels used by Russia to circumvent sanctions no longer operated in the European waters. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 16  Trump says deal needed to stop Ukraine war, will talk to Putin and Zelenskiy. From Reuters. PALM BEACH, Florida — President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy should be prepared to make a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to the nearly three-year-old Ukraine war. READ MORE . . .