Here are some of the stories we are covering from around the world:

Russia’s Attack on Poltava Comes After a Week of Strikes in Ukraine

The Russian missile strike that killed more than 40 people in the eastern city of Poltava on Tuesday comes after a difficult few days for Ukraine, in which Moscow appears to have stepped up the tempo of its attacks, resulting in a wave of death and destruction.

Christmas Starts in October, Venezuela’s Autocrat Declares

With Venezuela’s democracy in shambles, President Nicolás Maduro tried to inject some holiday cheer: He decreed that Christmas, a beloved holiday in the South American nation, would begin in October.

Dozens Die in Congo Jailbreak Attempt After Stampede and Gunfire

More than 100 people died during an attempted jailbreak at the largest prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the latest incident to hit an overcrowded detention facility notorious for poor conditions.

@nytimes