For today, links to eight reports: from the Kyiv Post, Reuters, the Moscow Times, Tass, and the Associated Press; other articles and interviews are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA entry for this date and an ECONOMY entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Ukraine shifts forces to defend Pokrovsk as Russian troops advance. From Kyiv Post. Forbes says Ukraine has urgently deployed the Kara-Dag Brigade, a key offensive unit, to reinforce defenses around Pokrovsk, a crucial logistics hub in eastern Ukraine. This deployment highlights . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says Ukrainian drones target refinery, power plants near Moscow. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Ukraine launched waves of drone attacks targeting power plants and a refinery near Moscow, sparking fires, while more than 150 drones were destroyed across other parts of the country, Russian officials said today. Drone debris . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from AP, the Moscow Times, Kyiv Post and Tass.

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FROM AUG. 31  7 killed by Russian attacks as Moscow pushes ahead in Ukraine’s east. From AP.  Russian shelling in the town of Chasiv Yar on Saturday killed five people, as Moscow’s troops pushed ahead in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. The regional governor said the vic tims . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin-Biden video conference on Dec. 7 made clear U.S. had no intent to continue dialogue — spokesman. From Tass. MOSCOW — The December 7 video conference conversation between Presidents of Russia and the United States was a harsh one, but it made clear that the United States have no intention to continue the dialogue, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview. READ MORE . . .