"124 combat engagements between the Defense Forces of Ukraine and Russian invaders were recorded along the frontlines.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy twice attacked Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk and Tykhe.
The defenders repelled Russian attacks near Kindrashivka, Zahryzove, Topol and Petropavlivka in the Kupiansk sector, where five enemy attacks were recorded in the past day.In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 16 times yesterday. They tried to break through the defenses near Kopanky, Novoserhiivka, Tverdokhlibove, Makiivka, Kolodiazy, Terny and Hryhorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the enemy carried out six attacks in the areas of Stupochky, Chasiv Yar and Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy carried out nine attacks in the Bila Hora, Toretsk and Krymske areas.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled 56 Russian attacks in the direction of Baranivka, Myroliubivka, Promen, Novyi Trud, Shevchenkove, Udachne, Kotlynove, Petropavlivka, Staryi Terny, Yantarne, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Zelene, Zvirove, Uspenivka, Andriivka and Dachne.
Ukrainian defenders repelled five enemy attacks in the Novopavlivka sector. The most active attempts to advance were made by the Russian troops near Vremivka and Kostiantynopil.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy attacked four times in the areas of Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka and Shcherbaky.
No attacks were recorded in the Siversk, Huliaipole and Prydniprovskyi sectors yesterday.
In the Kursk sector, 15 combat clashes occurred. Russian troops conducted 13 air strikes with 18 aerial guided bombs and launched 340 artillery strikes, including 15 MLRS attacks." Ukrin
"Even Israeli media is very clearly attributing achievement of the Gaza ceasefire deal to President-elect Donald Trump and his team. President Biden too at one point in an afternoon press conference hailing the deal acknowledged that he spoke as 'one team' with Trump on the Gaza deal. According to The Times of Israel:
"A "tense" weekend meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and incoming Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff led to a breakthrough in the hostage negotiations, with the top aide to US President-elect Donald Trump doing more to sway the premier in a single sit-down than outgoing President Joe Biden did all year, two Arab officials told The Times of Israel on Tuesday.Witkoff has been in Doha for the past week to take part in the hostage negotiations, as mediators try to secure a deal before Trump’s January 20 inauguration. On Saturday, Witkoff flew to Israel for a meeting with Netanyahu at the premier’s Jerusalem office.
During the meeting, Witkoff urged Netanyahu to accept key compromises necessary for an agreement, the two Arab officials on Monday told The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity. Neither Witkoff nor Netanyahu’s office responded to requests for comment."
As expected, Biden disagrees with this assessment...Still there are reports of intensified Israeli bombing in parts of Gaza, merely hours before the deal is expected to go into effect, which will see the release of hostages and an exchange for many dozens of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Meanwhile, Nassim Taleb makes a great point, stating on X that
"...with Kamala there is a near-certainty of more wars coupled with a lot of bull about "peace" initiatives. With Trump (rather, Trump-Vance) there is a possibility of peace coupled with loud saber rattling." ZH
"Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) answered concerns about his longstanding, vocal stance against the atrocities committed by communist China in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where he appeared following his nomination to be secretary of state.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) raised the Chinese government’s years-long acrimonious opposition to Sen. Rubio and his policies, which ultimately resulted in the country banning him from entry in 2020. Sen. Paul used his time to question the usefulness of sanctions generally, then express his hope that Sen. Rubio, as head of the State Department, would not antagonize China away from constructive engagement.
“My role now as secretary of state is to lead the diplomatic wing of the country and that will involve engaging them,” he continued, promising a “mature and prudent” approach to conversations with China.
Sen. Rubio described sanctions as one of the few peaceful alternatives “in the toolbox” of diplomacy to address malicious foreign behavior outside of military action. He cited onerous sanctions on Iran, the world’s premier state sponsor of terrorism, as an example of successful sanctions, contrary to Sen. Paul’s skepticism about their use." Breitbart
"UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in Ukraine for an unannounced visit, where he is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since assuming office." Ukrin
