European Command News Archive | EUCOM Or USEUCOM Alerts Europe
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May 31st, 2023 - Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. This authorization is the Biden Administration's thirty-ninth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. Read more
May 30th, 2023 - NATO-led KFOR: 30 KFOR peace-keepers wounded during yesterday's attack in the municipality of Zvecan. Read more
May 28th, 2023 - Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called Poland "hostile" and addressed claims by Polish media, Russian and Belarusian officials that Poland is planning a coup in Belarus, and says that if this happens, Russia will step in and intervene. We have found that Russian state-run media has taken Polish media out of context. Read more
May 25th, 2023 - President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has said that Russia has begun its movement of tactical nuclear warheads into Belarus. Read more
May 23rd, 2023 - The Russian Ministry of Defense has claimed that it intercepted two United States B-1B strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea approaching the Russian border. Read more
May 17th, 2023 - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Read more
May 15th, 2023 - The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that it detected and intercepted two aircraft approaching the Russian border over the Baltic Sea and turned the military aircraft "away to its home airfield". Read more
May 14th, 2023 - The Alaskan Region of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected, tracked, positively identified and intercepted six Russian aircraft operating in and near the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 11, 2023. Read more
May 3rd, 2023 - The Energotom National Nuclear Power Company State Enterprise claims that Russia has "placed another batch of military equipment, weapons, and explosives in the premises of the turbine department of the 4th power unit of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant". Read more
April 2nd, 2023 - A newly declassified report on Havana Syndrome by the director of national intelligence has been released that contradicts another recent report saying that it was very unlikely that the illness was caused by an energy weapon. Read more
March 17, 2023 - The International Criminal Court (ICC) released a statement on Friday that it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, including the abduction of children from Ukraine during Russia's war on the country. Read more
March 15, 2023 - The Russian ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that Russia views the U.S. drone flight in the Black Sea as a "real provocation" and said that it was flying with its "transponders off" and "entered into the zone of the special military operation" which is the term Russia uses for its war in Ukraine. Read more
March 14, 2023 - Two Russian Su-27 aircraft conducted an unsafe and unprofessional intercept with a U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 aircraft that was operating within international airspace over the Black Sea today. Read more
March 09, 2023 - DOD: Russia Reportedly Supplying Enriched Plutonium to China: Various open-source outlets reported how Rosatom is providing highly enriched uranium for Chinese fast breeder reactors. Read more
March 09, 2023 - There was a fake nuclear alert that went out alerting Russians about a nuclear strike. The Russian Emergencies Ministry said that the message was due to a false alarm as a result of a cyberattack. Read more
March 06, 2023 - BLACK SEA - Ukrainian Defense Forces have reported that there are currently 16 Russian vessels in the Black Sea, including four missile carriers. Read more
February 26, 2023 - The death toll as a result of the earthquakes that shook Turkey and Syria has now exceeded 50,000, with 44,218 deaths in Turkey alone, and Syria: 5,914 deaths. Read more
February 22, 2023 - Russia suspends the New START nuclear treaty, which is the only nuclear treaty in effect between the US and Russia, saying that the U.S. is "weakening" the security of the Russian Federation. Read more
February 20, 2023 - Russian Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Putin will be reading out a message to the Russian Federal Assembly on February 21st in Gostiny Dvor that will focus on "the current situation" - the "special operation" and the "economy", as well as "the social sphere". Read more
February 10, 2023 - Romania releases a statement regarding the Missile Launched By Russia, Crossing Into Moldova. Read more
February 10, 2023 - The Moldovan Ministry of Defense released the following statement on their official Facebook account regarding the "rocket" that flew over its territory and "strongly condemned" the "violation" of its airspace. Read more
February 10, 2023 - General Valery Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine put out a statement claiming that Russian missiles flew over Romania and Moldova during a missile strike on Ukraine, crossing into NATO-allied airspace. Read more
February 06, 2023 - There has been another 7.5 magnitude earthquake, this time in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. Many aftershocks also reported, along with internet outages in the country. Read more
February 06, 2023 - 7.8 and a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Turkey, the 6.7 magnitude earthquake looks to be an aftershock of the first 7.8 magnitude quake. Read more
February 01, 2023 - The United States is preparing a $2.2 billion package worth of military aid to Ukraine, and is expected to contain longer-range rockets than the United States has previously been willing to give to Ukraine, as well as other weapons and ammunition. Read more
January 29, 2023 - Israel reported to be behind the attack on the Iranian weapons factory. The Pentagon has stated that no U.S. military forces were involved in strikes, despite claims by Saudi media that the United States Air Force was involved. Read more
January 28, 2023 - An Admiral serving as the Chair of the NATO Military Committee says that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is ready for a direct confrontation with Russia. Read more
January 27, 2023 - U.S. and Albanian defense leaders met today at the Pentagon to make a strong bilateral alliance even stronger. Department of Defense: "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Defense Minister Niko Peleshi met as the two nations marked the 30th year of their nations' defense relationship. Read more
January 27, 2023 - Russian Foreign Minister has put out a warning and sent a note to members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that any shipments that contain military equipment will become a legitimate target for Russian Aerospace Forces. Read more
January 27, 2023 - Russia’s Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev released a statement after the United States and Germany announced sending tanks to Ukraine that called the decision an "extremely dangerous decision" that "takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation". Read more
January 27, 2023 - The delivery of Western-made uranium shells to Ukraine will be regarded by Russia as "the use of dirty nuclear bombs" and said that the depleted uranium shells used for the Leopard 2 tanks lead to "contamination of the area" and outbreaks of cancer. Read more
January 27, 2023 - Department of Defense: "The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the procurement of Abrams tanks for Ukraine via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). Read more
January 27, 2023 - Russian Ministry of Defense: "The crew of Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov's frigate, operating in areas of the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, conducted computer simulation exercises with hypersonic missile weapons. Read more
January 27, 2023 - Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman, and former president Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia may be nationalizing the property of people who are registered in the United States, European Union, and other "unfriendly" jurisdictions in the midst of new "anti-Russian" sanctions. Read more
January 26, 2023 - US Military: "CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo — Kosovo Force, Regional Command-East recently conducted exercise Cavalry Guardian, an emergency response training exercise, geared toward testing team cohesion, resilience under stress and job proficiency Read more
January 26, 2023 - The Department of the Army announced the preparation of Army units for potential deployment to back-fill units currently in Europe. This potential deployment would not constitute a change to current force posture levels. Read more
January 26, 2023 - Former Special Agent In Charge Of The New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Charged With Violating U.S. Sanctions On Russia. A Russian Court and Government Interpreter Is Also Charged with Violating U.S. Sanctions on Russia. Read more
January 26, 2023 - The Norwegian Defense Chief Eirik Kristoffersen said in an interview with Norwegian channel TV2 that Russia has approached nearly 180,000 dead or wounded soldiers in Ukraine since the start of the war, to date. Read more
January 25, 2023 - Former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that The United States is attempting to destroy Russia and that a new global military alliance may be emerging. Read more
January 25, 2023 - The United States says that they will be making an announcement to send around 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as soon as Wednesday, but it could tank a few months to deliver the tanks. Read more
January 23, 2023 - The Russian Bologoye strategic missile division in Tver dispatched the Yars mobile surface-to-surface nuclear missile systems to "combat patrol missions," according to the Russian MOD, which says that it is scheduled training. Read more
January 23, 2023 - U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE Michael Carpenter said that he expects broad support in the United States to for the Netherlands to transfer allied F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, in an interview with Lithuanian news agency Delfi. Read more
January 23, 2023 - The White House has declared the Russian private paramilitary organization PMC Wagner group as "transnational criminal organization". Read more
January 23, 2023 - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova said on Friday that the statements about supplying Ukraine with any weapons, including those that are able to hit Crimea will "inevitably" lead to "an escalation". Read more
January 21, 2023 - The White House has declared the Russian private paramilitary organization PMC Wagner group as "transnational criminal organization". Read more
January 20, 2023 - Pentagon's spokeswoman Sabrina Singh just said if Ukraine decides to carry out a military operation in Crimea, the United States would "be with Ukraine for as long as it takes". Read more
January 19, 2023 - While speaking of Russia's war in Ukraine, Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the "defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger a nuclear war". Read more
January 19, 2023 - U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Ryan: "If the Ukrainian military was having great success in the spring, and was chopping up the Russian military and was threatening to take back Crimea, then I think that the Russian military and leadership would use a nuclear weapon". Read more
January 19, 2023 - A report released by the New York Times claims that "several anonymous US officials" spoke to the paper and told them that Washington is warming up to the idea of aiding Ukraine in strikes on Ukraine. Read more
January 19, 2023 - Germany says that they will be allowing the export of its tanks to Ukraine on the condition that the United States also sends tanks to the country. If Germany decides to do so, other NATO-allied countries say they will follow suit. Read more
January 16, 2023 - GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany - NATO prepares a deployment Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance planes to Bucharest, Romania. Read more
January 16, 2023 - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin has put out a statement calling on the United States and Japan to "Abandon" their "Cold War" mentality and "ideological bias" against China. Read more
January 16, 2023 - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to disembowel himself after Kishida warned Russia any use of nuclear weapons would be an act of "hostility against humanity". Read more
January 16, 2023 - IAEA - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a Statement saying it will be boosting its presence within Ukraine in order to aid in preventing a nuclear accident from occurring during ongoing battles between Russia and Ukraine. Read more
January 14, 2023 - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Challenger 2 tanks and artillery systems to Ukraine. These are obviously "offensive" weapons now being supplied to Ukraine by NATO-allied countries. Read more
January 14, 2023 - The United States has begun sending a "large number" of tanks and other military vehicles to the port of Vlissingen in the Netherlands. on Wednesday, according to a report by Reuters, which has alarmed Russia. Read more
January 14, 2023 - The pipeline connecting Lithuania to Latvia has exploded. Although sabotage is not being ruled out, the pipeline operator said that he does not "see any malign cause" or any "potential impact from outside". Read more
January 11, 2023 - UK MINISTRY OF DEFENSE - "HMS Portland is monitoring the Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama as they sail in international waters close to the UK. Read more
January 11, 2023 - The British postal service company Royal mail says that it's facing a major disruption in international export services after a "cyber incident" occurred. Read more
January 09, 2023 - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday that NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) declined its request to send up to 1,000 police and military personnel into Kosovo in response to rising tensions between the Serbians and Kosovo authorities. Read more
January 09, 2023 - Two men, one of which is Iranian were arrested in Germany on suspicion of planning to carry out a terrorist attack with a bio-weapon. Read more
January 09, 2023 - Poland and Finland voiced support for supplying Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks after the two countries agreed to start sending heavy weaponry to the country to fight against the ongoing Russian war. Read more
January 08, 2023 - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry says that Russia is planning to mobilize up to 500,000 more conscripts into its military in the middle of January, a larger mobilization than the previous 300,000 Russia called up in October, 2022. Read more
January 08, 2023 - General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated that around 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have either died or been injured in the start of the fighting in Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. Read more
January 08, 2023 - The Japanese trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura is calling for the rebuilding of a "world order" in order to counter the rise of "authoritarian regimes". Read more
January 07, 2023 - A Russian hacker group called Cold River targeted three different nuclear research labs in the United States between the months of August and September of 2022. Read more
January 07, 2023 - The Norwegian Armed Forces has posted a statement saying that the Russian hypersonic missile boat, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov is sailing south, along the coast of Norway, in international waters. Read more
January 07, 2023 - Former Russian President Medvedev posted a message on the Twitter account to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that Russia should send its Zircon hypersonic missiles close to the Potomac River, which flows through Washington D.C. Read more
January 05, 2023 - Russian state media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a "Christmas truce" ceasefire for 36 hours from 12:00 on January 6th to 24:00 on January 7th. The offer was rejected by Ukraine, which said that it "should not be taken seriously". Read more
January 05, 2023 - China is running secret overseas police stations around the world, including unauthorized stations in the US, in order to surveil Chinese nationals in countries across the globe. Read more
January 05, 2023 - The British MI5 Security Service addressed threats to the UK posed by Iran, Russia, and China and is expected to declare the Iranian IRGC a terrorist organization in the coming weeks. Read more
January 01, 2023 - The Japanese embassy released a statement expressing "outrage" after Russia's New Year's Eve attack on Ukraine that it says resulted in the death and injuries of civilians, which included a Japanese journalist. Read more
December 29, 2022 - The Belarusian Ministry of Defense say they intercepted and destroyed a Ukrainian S-300 anti-air missile on Thursday. Read more
December 28, 2022 - The Russian Foreign Ministry reportedly put out a statement to Russian State news agency TASS that Moscow hopes that Washington will show enough prudence and is wise enough to prevent the situation from escalating to the point of a direct confrontation. Read more
December 28, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has put out a warning to the United States against carrying out a decapitation strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read more
December 26, 2022 - The Serbian armed forces were put on the highest combat alert due to an order from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, according to Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic who spoke to the Serbian news agency Tanjug. Read more
December 26, 2022 - Ukraine called on the UN members states on Monday to remove Russia from the United Nations and to exclude it "as a whole" so that it no longer has the power veto UN Security Council resolutions. Read more
December 26, 2022 - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that Russia is ready to resume the gas flow to Europe through the Yamal-Europe pipeline. Read more
December 26, 2022 - The Russian military says that it shot down a Ukrainian drone that it detected was on approach to the Engels Air Base located deep within Russian territory, and reported that three servicemen were killed due to the resulting falling debris from the wreckage. Read more
December 15, 2022 - The Russian Embassy to the United States has condemned the possible shipment of long-range Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine by the US, saying that the move would be a provocative step. Read more
December 15, 2022 - Russia has loaded its RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into a missile silo in the Kaluga Region in central Russia at the Kozelsk missile formation according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Read more
December 14, 2022 - The US is currently deciding on whether to send a Patriot long-range missile system to Ukraine, after receiving a request from Ukraine for more powerful and longer-range missile systems. Read more
December 14, 2022 - Poland To Deploy German Patriot Missile Systems On Border With Ukraine - Polish President Andrzej Duda announced on Monday that Poland will be working with Germany to deploy German Patriot missile systems on its border with Ukraine in the coming days. Read more
December 14, 2022 - Ukraine has requested cluster bombs from the United States. Both Russia and Ukraine have used cluster munitions in the war, mostly in populated areas. Read more
December 13, 2022 - According the the Russian Ministry of Defense, a Norwegian P-3C Orion "Spy Plane" was intercepted by Russia over the Barents Sea. Read more
December 13, 2022 - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has threatened Greece with a missile strike on Athens. Both countries are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance. Read more
December 12, 2022 - Belarusian army says that they have deployed tactical battalion groups on the borders between Belarus and the countries where NATO had deployed forces. Skies above Belarus Empty. Read more
December 12, 2022 - Shots were fired, and explosions were heard on the border between Serbia and Kosovo after a stun grenade was thrown. Serbia has asked NATO to deploy the Serbian army and police force. Read more
December 10, 2022 - Turkey has carried out airstrikes in the Duhok province in northern Iraq, according Lebanese news agency Al-Mayadeen, targeting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) elements in the region. Read more
December 09, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has put out a statement saying that any country that dares attack Russia with nuclear weapons will be wiped from the face of the earth, considers adding Russia to nuclear first strike strategy. Read more
December 08, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said the special military operation in Ukraine is taking longer than expected and addressed the usage of nuclear weapons. Read more
December 06, 2022 - Russia claims that Ukraine hit two of its air bases located on Russian soil before Russia carried out a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine. Read more
December 05, 2022 - RAYTHEON - The United States is currently working with countries in the Middle East to move some of the U.S. air defense systems to Ukraine. Read more
December 01, 2022 - Top officials within the European Union are reportedly accusing the United States of making a fortune from the war in Ukraine, while EU countries suffer from the consequences of the ongoing war. Read more
November 25, 2022 - Turkey has told Russia that it will be continuing to respond to attacks coming from northern Syria, after Russia requested that Turkey not upgrade the conflict in Syria into a full-scale offensive. Read more
November 25, 2022 - The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko attended a meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Yerevan, Armenia and announced priorities for 2023. Read more
November 24, 2022 - WHITE HOUSE: "As Russia struggles on the battlefield, it is increasingly turning to horrific attacks against the Ukrainian people with punishing strikes damaging energy grid infrastructure, and deliberately doing so as winter approaches". Read more
November 23, 2022 - US DEPARTMENT OF STATE: "The United States continues to support Ukraine with additional military assistance to help defend itself, including from the Kremlin’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. Read more
November 23, 2022 - Ukraine: Russia fired 70 cruise missiles into Ukraine on November 23rd, killing six people and injuring 36. The head of the Ukrainian police Ihor Klymenko said rockets hit 16 'objects' within Ukraine. Read more
November 23, 2022 - The Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine has reported that Russia has hit the capital's infrastructure facilities. He later reported that there were explosions in various districts in Kyiv, hitting the "residential sector" and "critical facilities". Read more
November 20, 2022 - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a new report that the shelling has now stopped, and there are no radiation leaks detected as a result of the explosions. power plant. Read more
November 20, 2022 - The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian control has taken fire, causing explosions. Russia has blamed Ukrainian attacks for the explosions, claiming that Ukraine has carried out 12 strikes against the nuclear power plant. Read more
November 20, 2022 - Turkish air raids targeted 89 locations in Iraq and Syria, including the Iraqi locations of: Asos, Qandil, Hakurk, and Northern Syria locations of: Cizire, Tal Rifat, Kobani and Derik, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Read more
November 19, 2022 - The Swedish Security Service Reported on November 18th that gross sabotage on the Nord Stream gas pipelines have been confirmed. The Swedish Prosecution Authority said that traces of explosives have been found at the sites of the Nord Stream pipeline ruptures. Read more
November 19, 2022 - A gas pipeline explosion occurred in Saint Petersburg, Russia (formerly known as Leningrad). Saint Petersburg Governor (Leningrad Oblast) Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported the explosion on his Telegram channel. Read more
November 19, 2022 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has Reported that two Russian fighter aircraft made an "unsafe and unprofessional" approach toward the Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG1) that was carrying out "routine operations" in the Baltic Sea. Read more
November 16, 2022 - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the missile strike in Poland only proves that the West is "approaching a world war," and that the West wants to "wage war on Russia by all means against Russia", and that talking about Russian missiles falling into Poland is a "provocation" with the intent on escalating the conflict. Read more
November 16, 2022 - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that although the missile that landed in Poland and killed two people was "likely caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile" that it was "not Ukraine's fault". Read more
November 16, 2022 - Reuters reported that U.S. President Joe Biden told the G7 and NATO partners that "a missile blast in Poland was caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile", according to a NATO source who reportedly spoke to Reuters. Read more
November 16, 2022 - Article 5 is not automatic, it needs to be agreed upon. It is unlikely alliance members will agree on article 5 if it was accidental, which thus far it looks to be. If it is found that it was intentional, however, the likelihood of article 5 will increase tremendously. Read more
November 16, 2022 - *Ongoing Report* POLAND - The Associated Press reported that a Russian-made missile crossed into the eastern part of Poland on Wednesday, striking a grain facility near the Ukrainian border on the Polish side and killing two people. Poland is a member of the NATO alliance. Investigations have not yet concluded who manufactured the missile. Read more
November 14, 2022 - 11 countries have been placed on the travel advisory page in the last 30 days, including Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Ecuador, Moldova, Nigeria, China, Taiwan, Samoa, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Read more
November 12, 2022 - British Ministry of Defense: "Russia's announced withdrawal from Kherson marks another strategic failure for them. In February, Russia failed to take any of its major objectives except Kherson. Now with that also being surrendered, ordinary people of Russia must surely ask themselves "What was it all for?". Read more
November 08, 2022 - Russia has been lamenting the sale of Alaska to the United States 155 years ago. Russian State Duma said that Russia could reclaim Alaska. Read more
November 07, 2022 - Ties between North Korea and both Russia and China have been deepening as Russia and China stand in the way of holding North Korea responsible for continued provocations at the U.N. Security Council. Read more
November 06, 2022 - DoD authorizes the Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $600 million to Ukraine. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s twenty-first drawdown since August 2021. Read more
November 06, 2022 - Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrey Kelin spoke to Sky News and told them that Russia has "evidence" that the special forces in the UK was involved in the attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet, and claimed that he has proof, although as of yet no proof has surfaced. Read more
November 06, 2022 - Both Finland and Sweden say they will be deciding issues on nuclear weapons only after they are officially accepted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but that they do not seek any opt-outs or preconditions for joining the alliance, they said at a press briefing in Helsinki. Read more
November 06, 2022 - The US military carried out onsite weapons inspections in Ukraine in order to make sure that weapons provided to Ukraine by the United States are not being diverted. Finnish news is reporting the weapons are ending up in the hands of criminals in European countries. Read more
November 03, 2022 - Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrey Kelin spoke to Sky News and told them that Russia has "evidence" that the special forces in the UK was involved in the attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet, and claimed that he has proof. Read more
November 02, 2022 - Norway has reportedly raised its military alert level after unmanned aerial (UAV) drones were sighted over the last few weeks around Norway's oil and gas fields and airports, which has led to at least seven arrests of Russian citizens. Read more
November 02, 2022 - Nord Stream AG has completed "initial data gathering" on the section of the Nord Stream pipeline that was damaged and concluded that there are 'technogenic craters' with a depth of 3 to 5 meters on the seabed located under the damaged section of the pipeline. Read more
October 31, 2022 - Both Poland and Finland may be interested in participating in NATO's nuclear sharing program, which would give both countries access to deploying nuclear weapons in their territory, and allow NATO to establish bases within their borders. Poland interested, Finland more reserved on the matter. Read more
October 30, 2022 - The Pentagon said that although Russia is an "acute threat", China "is the only competitor out there with both the intent to reshape the international order, and increasingly the power to do so". Read more
October 29, 2022 - KYIV - The Russian Defense Ministry put out a statement on Saturday saying that they are suspending the grain deal brokered by the United Nations allowing grain to be exported out of Ukraine after accusing Britain of aiding Ukraine in attacking its vessels in the Black Sea with drones. Read more
October 29, 2022 - The United States said during a closed meeting with NATO that it will be accelerating the deployment of an upgraded version of the B61-12 air-dropped thermonuclear "gravity bomb" to European bases in December, which is a few months earlier than was originally planned. Read more
October 29, 2022 - MOSCOW - Russia is claiming that the British Navy was involved in what the country calls a "terrorist attack" on the Nord Stream pipeline. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed on Saturday that the British Navy had a part in orchestrating and staging a sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The British Ministry of Defense released a statement saying that Russia is "resorting to peddling false claims of an epic scale". Read more
October 28, 2022 - The International Space Station was forced to ignite a thruster in order to move the space station away from debris created from a Russian anti-missile test in 2021. Read more
October 26, 2022 - Intelligence update from the British Ministry of Defense for October 26th, 2022: "On 24 October 2022, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region announced that an explosive device had damaged the railway near the village of Novozybkovo, approximately 15km from the Russia-Belarus border. The line is the main rail link between Russia and southern Belarus. Read more
October 26, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin monitored the launches of ballistic and cruise missiles on Wednesday as part of Russia's yearly "Grom" nuclear exercises, as NATO holds simultaneous nuclear exercises. Read more
October 25, 2022 - Norwegian Police Security Service arrested a scientist in Tromsoe, Norway suspected of being a spy for a Russian intelligence service. The suspect was researching "hybrid threats" tied to "Arctic Norway", according to Deputy PST chief Hedvig Moe. Read more
October 25, 2022 - Iran claims that it has arrested 10 agents allegedly working for Israel in West Azerbaijan province as part of an espionage network, according to Iranian state news agency Fars. Israeli officials claim to have struck 90% of Iran's military operations in Syria, targeting a drone assembly factory near Damascus. Read more
October 25, 2022 - Russia has claimed that Ukraine is preparing a possible 'provocation' involving the use of a 'dirty bomb', while the US and Ukraine claim that this might be a pretext for a Russian 'false flag' operation. Read more
October 22, 2022 - The US Army's 101st Airborne Division which consists of about 4,700 soldiers has been deployed to Europe, on the border of Romania and Ukraine, for the first time since World War 2 (80 years ago). Read more
October 22, 2022 - The Ukrainian National Resistance Center has claimed that three Russian aircraft capable of equipping and launching hypersonic missiles were spotted over Minsk, Belarus on Sunday. Read more
October 22, 2022 - Iran has released an advisory to all of its citizens strongly advising them not to travel to Ukraine, and told Iranians currently living in the country to leave the country "for their own safety". Read more
October 21, 2022 - UKRAINE - Russia has declared martial law in the four regions that it has annexed in Ukraine, which include: Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Read more
October 21, 2022 - According to the White House, Iranian troops were sent to Ukraine to help assist Russia in operating Iranian-made drones that Russia had reportedly purchased from the country. Read more
October 20, 2022 - Russia has declared martial law in the four regions that it has annexed in Ukraine, which include: Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Read more
October 20, 2022 - EUROPE - Expressen has used an underwater drone to film the damage to the ruptured Nordstream pipeline 262 feet below the ocean's surface. The following report is based on a translation of Expressen's findings. Read more
October 18, 2022 - NORAD - Russian Tu-95 bombers capable of being equipped with nuclear weapons were intercepted on October 18th (local time) after "entering and operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone". Read more
October 16, 2022 - The following countries have urged their citizens to leave Ukraine immediately: China, Egypt, Kazakhstan. There are alerts for other countries embassy's floating around social media, but many of those look to be older, previously issued embassy alerts. Read more
October 16, 2022 - Russia is transferring dual-equipped Iskander-M missile systems with conventional missiles to Belarus, and converting Belarusian SU-25 jets with the ability to carry nuclear weapons, but it is 'not planned' to equip Belarus with actual nuclear warheads. Read more
October 16, 2022 - On Thursday NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance will be giving Ukraine "hundreds of drone jammers" to counter the Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drones that Russia is using. Read more
October 15, 2022 - EUROPE - NATO put out a statement on Friday saying that it would be launching its annual nuclear exercises "Steadfast Noon". NATO also said that it will be monitoring Russia's own upcoming nuclear exercise very closely. Read more
October 15, 2022 - Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Ministers of Defense for Finland and Sweden, Antti Kaikkonen and Peter Hultqvist. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout.. Read more
October 14, 2022 - UK Government: British Air Strikes Against Daesh: "The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria." Read more
October 14, 2022 - FRANCE - During a live interview on France 2 Wednesday, France's President Emmanuel Macron said that if Russia chooses to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, France would not be responding with nuclear weapons. Read more
October 12, 2022 - The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution condemning Russia's annexation of the territories of Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, as well as the DPR and LPR regions. Read more
October 12, 2022 - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Ukraine's military spy Chief of being a part of carrying out the attack on the Crimean Bridge. Russia has taken eight out of twelve suspects of the bombing into custody according to the FSB. Read more
October 12, 2022 - Department of Defense: "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with allies at NATO headquarters in Belgium this week to discuss the continued support for the defense of Ukraine, amid Russia's unprovoked invasion and recent attacks against civilian targets and infrastructure, according to a defense official. Read more
October 12, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Russia has ordered 2,400 Iranian-made Shahed drones from the Islamic Republic, and asked leaders of the G7 countries to give medium and long-range missile defense systems to protect against the them. Read more
October 12, 2022 - Statement by Ukrainian intelligence regarding the current situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (translated). "All six units are disconnected at the ZNPP, the occupiers are forcing employees to sign contracts with Rosatom. Read more
October 12, 2022 - Ukraine claims that Russia has been transferring Shahed-136 kamikaze drones to Belarus territory Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported. Read more
October 11, 2022 - NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg: "Stoltenberg: "hybrid and cyber attacks can trigger Article 5," and, "We are closely monitoring every incident that may constitute a hybrid or cyber attack against the NATO Allies and we are ready to take the necessary measures if needed." Read more
October 11, 2022 - Official spokesman for the Russian energy giant Gazprom Sergey Kupriyanov said Monday that a NATO mine destroyer, which is an explosive device was discovered near the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in 2015, according to the official Nord Stream company. Read more
October 11, 2022 - The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has ordered Belarusian soldiers to deploy along with Russian forces near Ukraine as a response to what he called a clear threat from Ukraine and the West. Read more
October 11, 2022 - Germany's Foreign Ministry has reported that the German visa office located in Ukraine was damaged by rocket fire during Russia's attack on Kyiv in the morning. Read more
October 11, 2022 - Poland has put out an advisory recommending its citizens to leave Belarus territory as tensions increase between the two countries due to the conflict in Ukraine. Read more
October 11, 2022 - Poland is now checking the condition of its bomb shelters and taking inventory in light of recent developments, according to a Polish deputy minister Reuters reports. Read more
October 10, 2022 - U.S. Embassy In Ukraine: Security Alert. Event: Russia has launched attacks against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure as well as government facilities in Kyiv and elsewhere. Russia’s continued strikes in Ukraine pose a direct threat to civilians and civilian infrastructure. Read more
October 10, 2022 - White House national security spokesman John Kirby addressed U.S. President Joe Biden's comments regarding the "prospect of Armageddon" on Sunday, saying that the President's statement reflects "the very high stakes that are in play”, in relation to Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats. Read more
October 10, 2022 - The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has claimed that Russia has lost 62,500 Russian soldiers from the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022 to October 9th, 2022. Read more
October 10, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin regarding the explosion on the Crimean bridge and said stated that the bombing, which he called a "terrorist attack" was staged by Ukrainian special services and that both the Ukrainian special services and citizens of Russia and foreign countries participated in the bombing. Read more
October 09, 2022 - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a statement saying that although recent shelling took out the power at Zaporizhzhya , Ukrainian engineers have restored the external power supply to the currently Russian-occupied nuclear power plant. Read more
October 09, 2022 - Armenia and Azerbaijan Trade Accusations Regarding Being Fired Upon By The Other Statements from the Armenia and Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense pages (statements translated from original languages). Read more
October 09, 2022 - Ukrainian intelligence claims that Russia is attempting to draw Belarus into an open war with Ukraine. Read more
October 09, 2022 - British Ministry of Defense Intelligence update for Ukraine, October 9th, 2022: "Early on 08 October 2022, an explosion damaged the Kerch Strait Bridge, the road and rail crossing which links Russian-occupied Crimea and the Krasnodar region of Russia. Read more
October 09, 2022 - Statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding alleged provocation by Belarus (accusations by Belarus that Ukraine was planning an attack on Belarus territory) Read more
October 09, 2022 - NORD STREAM PIPELINE - A U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane (P-8A Poseidon) was spotted flying across the Baltic Sea just hours after the Nord Stream pipeline began leaking into the ocean on September 26th, 2022. Read more
October 09, 2022 - Sergei Sorobikin, former commander of Russia in Syria has reportedly been appointed the new senior commander of Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine. Read more
October 09, 2022 - There have been unverified rumors floating around Twitter stating that a Nord Stream sabotage investigator was found dead. We have not seen any evidence supporting these claims. If this can be verified, we'll post any information that we find on the matter. Read more
October 09, 2022 - According to the ASPR government website, The U.S. Government has purchased $290 million worth of Nplate, from Amgen USA Inc. "as part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies." Read more
October 09, 2022 - A U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane (P-8A Poseidon) was spotted flying across the Baltic Sea just hours after the Nord Stream pipeline began leaking into the ocean on September 26th, 2022. Read more
October 09, 2022 - Translated statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding alleged provocation by Belarus (accusations by Belarus that Ukraine was planning an attack on Belarus territory). Read more
October 08, 2022 - RIA Novosti has reported that three people died in the bridge explosion, according to Russia's investigative committee. Read more
October 08, 2022 - A 12 mile long bridge linking Russia-annexed Crimea with Russia across the Kerch Strait has been severely damaged by a bomb. Read more
October 07, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky put out a video address on Friday announcing that Ukraine has liberated 2,434 square kilometers (940 square miles), as well as 96 settlements in Ukraine's east in their recent offensive against Russian positions. Read more
October 07, 2022 - Posted by official International Atomic Energy Agency account (IAEA): "Yesterday, an industrial zone outside the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine was shelled, damaging the power transmission line that supplies power to the No. 6 reactor unit, which had to temporarily rely on emergency diesel generators for power." Read more
October 07, 2022 - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko: Moscow and Minsk will think about the response to the nuclear threat in Poland. Read more
October 07, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the threat of nuclear Armageddon is at the highest level since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Read more
October 6, 2022 - Swedish security service concluded its investigation on the four Nordstream pipeline leaks and stated: "There have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines." Read more
October 3, 2022 - If Russian President Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons, the US and its allies "would destroy Russia’s troops and equipment in Ukraine and will sink its Black Sea fleet," former CIA director and retired four-star general for the United States Army David Petraeus stated in an interview Sunday. Read more
October 3, 2022 - EUROPE - The Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Baltic Sea is no longer leaking, according to a Nord Stream 2 spokesman. Read more
September 30, 2022 - White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says the US military in Europe is ready for "any contingency" and says that multiple reinforcements have been sent to bolster US forces in Europe. Read more
September 30, 2022 - The Israeli intelligence firm called ImageSat International (ISI) has spotted an "irregular presence" of Russian TU-160 and TU-95 strategic bomber aircraft at the Olenya Airbase, which is located close to Finland on the Kola Peninsula near Murmansk. Read more
September 30, 2022 - Ukraine has said that they are officially submitting an application for membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Read more
September 29, 2022 - Multiple reports that the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant was on fire and that power unit Number 6 was damaged. Energodar's official channel, and Russian state media says that these reports are false. Read more
September 27, 2022 - Poland has issued a new travel alert advising against any travel to the Russian Federation in connection with the war in Ukraine and the recognition of Poland by the authorities of the Russian Federation as an "unfriendly state". Read more
September 27, 2022 - German authorities say that a pressure drop of both the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines look to be a "targeted attack". Explosions have been recorded in the area before the leaks were detected. Read more
September 27, 2022 - Russian official Medvedev said that the United States would not intervene even if Russia uses the "most formidable weapon," and said the country has the right to use nuclear weapons "if necessary," and said that it is "certainly not a bluff". Read more
September 25, 2022 - Conflict With Nuclear Peer Possible, As Russia Uses Dangerous Nuclear Rhetoric. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a "partial mobilization", as well as Putin's threats to use "all means" at Russia's disposal to protect the country, saying that Putin's speech used "dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric". Read more
September 21, 2022 - North Korean state media has reported that the country is not exporting weapons to Russia, and does not have any plans at all to do so. Read more
September 21, 2022 - MOSCOW - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has announced that Russia will be drafting 300,000 reservists, and says that mobilization is necessary in order to "consolidate" Ukrainian territory that the country has occupied. Read more
September 20, 2022 - US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says that President Putin appears to be on the brink of proceeding with plans to hold "sham referenda" in areas of Ukraine and potentially preparing for potential mobilization measures. Russia says, "there will be no general mobilization" but may be martial law. Read more
September 19, 2022 - The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has accused Russia of attempting to shell a second nuclear power plant in the Mykolaiv region. The defense ministry posted a video allegedly showing the shelling taking place. Read more
September 17, 2022 - After a ceasefire agreement was reached between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the countries Ministry of Defense is reporting no new activity, indicating that the ceasefire between the two countries is holding up thus far. Read more
September 17, 2022 - Germany has taken control of three Russian oil refineries, it said on Friday, September 16th. Rosneft Deutschland GmbH and RN Refining & Marketing GmbH, it announced will be placed under Germany's Federal Network Agency. Read more
September 17, 2022 - CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said that although we should not underestimate Putin's adherence to his original plan to control Ukraine, the CIA has no concrete evidence that Russia is planning to use "weapons of mass destruction". Read more
September 16, 2022 - Fighting has been reported between Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, in which both countries have blamed each other for violating the ceasefire agreement. Read more
September 16, 2022 - DoD authorizes the Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $600 million to Ukraine. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s twenty-first drawdown since August 2021. Read more
September 14, 2022 - WASHINGTON – Pentagon leaders held a top-secret conference at the Pentagon on September 6th, and 7th, to discuss China and Russia's potential to develop unique space weapons, giving to a publicly posted dossier. The meetings also centered around protecting the US-owned assets currently in orbit around the earth. Read more
September 14, 2022 - Ongoing Report: Azerbaijan and Armenia exchanged fire, with each side's Ministry of Defense putting out a version of events that conflicts with the other's. The below statements from each respective Ministry of Defense has been translated to English. Updated September 14th, 2022. Read more
September 13, 2022 - EUROPE - Azerbaijan and Armenia exchanged fire, with each side's Ministry of Defense putting out a version of events that conflicts with the other's. The below statements from each respective Ministry of Defense has been translated to English. Read more
September 12, 2022 - Greece has fired on a Turkish vessel and said that it entered territorial waters. Turkey, on the other hand, says that the incident happened in international waters, and that Greece shot at it with 'harassment fire'. Read more
September 12, 2022 - UKRAINE - After the six-reactor Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor, the largest nuclear reactor in Europe, and one of the top 10 largest in the world had been disconnected from power for around a weeks time, it has now had its connection to Ukraine's power grid reestablished. Read more
September 08, 2022 - DOD - The Defense Department has put out a statement saying that the Biden administration has approved another assistance package valued at $675 million in "U.S. assistance to Ukraine", along with another $2 Billion in long-term military financing to "European countries threatened by Russia". Read more
September 08, 2022 - Gas supplies to Europe won't be resumed until the West lifts sanctions against Moscow, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who said that Western sanctions against Russia are to blame for the Nord Stream pipeline being taken offline. Read more
September 08, 2022 - Queen Elizabeth II Has Now Passed On. The official Royal Family Twitter account has released a statement saying that the Queen Elizabeth II has now passed on. The statement said, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow." Read more
September 08, 2022 - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he is "confident" that Russia hasn't lost a thing during Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Brief overview on what started the conflict in 2014. Brief conflict overview.. Read more
September 08, 2022 - Russian energy giant Gazprom has said that it has signed a deal with China to pay for Russian gas in the Chinese yuan and Russian ruble, rather than paying with the U.S. dollar. Read more
September 07, 2022 - According to a newly declassified U.S. Intelligence, Russia could be purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea. The White House has indicated that Moscow looking to purchase arms from North Korea and claims that it is further evidence that Russia is desperate, and that its ammunition supplies are running low as its "special operation" on Ukraine passes its six and a half month mark. Read more
September 04, 2022 - ZAPORIZHZHIA - One day after a visit by the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) team, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was forced offline after an artillery shell fell between two reactors, damaging the main power line on Saturday morning, September 3rd. Read more
September 04, 2022 - RUSSIA - Siemens Energy corporation has put out a statement saying that an engine oil leak is no reason to stop the Nord Stream gas pipeline, and said that the leak should have been able to be sealed on site. Read more
September 02, 2022 - ENERHODAR - The UN IAEA Team, led by Director-General Rafael Grossi, has arrived, conducted their intended safeguarding mission, and left the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Read more
September 01, 2022 - KREMLIN - On Thursday, September 1st, Russia initiated the Vostok 2022 exercise. Being held in the far east of Russia and the Sea of Japan, The wargames are intended to demonstrate to western countries that Russia still has enough military to hold these massive exercises while it is still engaged in Ukraine. Read more
August 31, 2022 - KYIV - On Wednesday, August 31st, The United Nations International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) dispatched its team to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), amid rising tensions between The Russian Federation and the sovereign state of Ukraine. Read more
August 29, 2022 - Amid renewed shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the UN's IAEA has decided to go ahead and visit the plant and has dispatched a team of nuclear specialists. The facility, which has a total of six nuclear reactors, has already been taken completely offline during shelling the previous week, according to the IAEA website. Read more
August 29, 2022 - A security alert has been released by the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro, which is located near Kosovo. Event: A persistent and ongoing cyber-attack is in process in Montenegro. Read more
August 28, 2022 - The president of the BRICS International Forum, Purnima Anand told reporters on Thursday that both Russia and India no longer need the U.S. dollar, as they have turned to national currencies to conduct mutual settlements. Read more
August 28, 2022 - Final review and agreement of the U.N. Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which is its foundation for nuclear disarmament, was blocked by Russia due to its critical statements regarding Russia's invasion in nation of Ukraine. Read more
August 26, 2022 - The United States Treasury Department has issued a letter that contains a threat of possible sanctions for Turkey's leading business organization on the grounds of Russian Collaboration. Read more
August 25, 2022 - On Ukraine's Independence Day, Wednesday, August 24th, A Russian missile strike hit a civilian train station in the small town of Chaplyne, which is in the central Dnipropetrovsk region. Originally it was reported that 15 were deceased and 50 were wounded. The death toll has risen to 22. Read more
August 23, 2022 - Gas flow from Nord Stream will be stopped for three days, from August 31st to September 2nd, according to Russian state news agency TASS, who says that the downtime is needed in order to repair the only fuel compressor unit that currently remains in operation. Read more
August 23, 2022 - Three foreign citizens, 2 from Russia and 1 from Ukraine, have been arrested while trying to enter an Albanian Military Plant, with 2 Albanian soldiers injured in the event. Read more
August 23, 2022 - KYIV - Wednesday, August 24th, will mark 31 years free from Soviet rule in Ukraine, but the date will come and go, without celebration, in fears of safety concerns, due to Russia's "special military operation." Read more
August 22, 2022 - The US Embassy in North Macedonia put out a message saying, "Look up! Today at 2:30 pm there will be a low-altitude flyover of two B-52s in Skopje". Read more
August 22, 2022 - The U.S. State Department said on Thursday that they are deeply concerned about increasing tensions in Northeastern Syria regarding a suspected Turkish drone attack that killed four teenage girls and injured 11 other people who were playing volleyball at a girl's center in Hasakah, Syria. Read more
August 21, 2022 - The daughter of famous Russian public figure and political scientist Alexander Dugin was killed in a vehicle explosion near on a highway near Moscow according to authorities and Russian state media. Read more
August 21, 2022 - On August 18th US military B-52 nuclear-capable bombers returned to the 'RAF' Fairford US Air Force base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom from the Minot Air Base in North Dakota. Read more
August 20, 2022 - *Update* Ukraine's Mykolaiv Regional State Administration has put out a radiation exposure notice on its official Facebook page for the Ukrainian population outside of the NPP surveillance zone. Read more
August 20, 2022 - The United States Department of Defense has released a statement regarding another major security assistance package to be sent to Ukraine valued at $775 million. Read more
August 20, 2022 - Ukraine's Mykolaiv Regional State Administration has put out a radiation exposure notice on its official Facebook page. Mykolaiv is located near the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. Read more
August 18, 2022 - The Chinese Ministry of Defense has reported that their military is carrying out joint military exercises that are co-hosted by 12 countries, with 37 countries in total participating. Read more
August 17, 2022 - Gazprom, Russia's state-owned energy corporation says that gas prices in Europe could go over $4,000 per 1,000 cubic meters for the first time in history on Tuesday. Read more
August 14, 2022 - UNITED KINGDOM - There are major elections being held this fall around the world. In countries such as Australia, Israel, the UK, the United States, and Estonia, political campaigns are ongoing. Due to current price hikes on staple products and commodities, terms like recession and inflation are going around, but a new trend in UK campaigns has been mentioning The China Threat. Read more
August 14, 2022 - Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, in an analytical statement of world events, states that the U.S. is "Teetering on the brink of war" with China and Russia and owns some responsibility for its manifestation. Read more
August 14, 2022 - ARMENIA - A series of explosions hit the Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan, Armenia's capital, on August 14th, leaving 20 people injured and 1 person dead. Fires have now broken out and an unknown number of people are reportedly trapped under debris, according to the Yerevan Mayor's office. Read more
August 14, 2022 - CRIMEA - Approximately 24 Su-35 aircraft have been lost during the special military operation in Ukraine, resulting in the Russian Federation resurrecting old and outdated fighter jets, according to a social media post from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Read more
August 11, 2022 - From the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), For the last two days, there have been two known incursions into the Alaskan Air Defense Zone, a buffer zone that sits between the airspace of Alaska and international air space, by Russian surveillance aircraft, which were detected, identified, and tracked off the coast. Read more
August 11, 2022 - SOUTHERN UKRAINE - Caught in crossfire, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, on the Dnieper River, near the town of Enerhodar, is being watched very closely by international eyes as the power plant receives heavy artillery rounds, causing fears of a Chernobyl-like nuclear incident. Read more
August 10, 2022 - On August 9th at 3:20 pm local time, a very powerful explosion shook Crimea, as the Saky Russian air base in the annexed region explodes into flames, marking a major escalation in the war in Ukraine. Plumes of smoke filled the sky, causing residents and tourists to flee the city as first responders raced towards the blast. Read more
August 09, 2022 - Russia stated on Monday, August 8th that they would no longer allow inspection of weapons under the New START Nuclear Arms Control Treaty for an unspecified time due to restrictions on travel implemented by the United States and the west. Read more
August 08, 2022 - The Group of Seven (G7) Foreign ministers released a joint statement regarding Taiwan calling an end to China's provocative exercises around the island of Taiwan, after which the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) condemned the statement and called it scrap paper. Read more
August 07, 2022 - SOCHI, RUSSIA - Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, met today to secure an end to the global food crisis and resume exporting Ukrainian grain. Read more
August 05, 2022 - Russia has kicked 14 Bulgarian diplomats from the country and declared them persona non grata, in what looks to be a response to Bulgaria expelling 70 Russian diplomats over the summer. Read more
August 04, 2022 - The U.S. Department of State has put out a worldwide travel alert, advising against traveling abroad after Sunday's drone strike where two R9X Hellfire missiles killed al-Qaeda leader, and Osama bin Laden successor, Ayman al-Zawahri. Read more
August 04, 2022 - White House Statement On Senate Ratification of the NATO Accession Protocols for Sweden and Finland. "Today, the Senate overwhelmingly endorsed our close partners Finland and Sweden joining NATO. This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, and to ensuring our Alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow". Read more
August 02, 2022 - Russia Warns Moscow May Use Nuclear Weapons Due To Direct Involvement In Ukraine War By by US - At the United Nations, Russia said that although the conflict in Ukraine does not require the use of nuclear weapons, Moscow might decide to resort to a nuclear response as a result of what it says is direct involvement in its conflict with Ukraine by the United States. Read more
August 02, 2022 - Current Tensions At Boiling Point Between Serbia & Kosovo - On July 31st, Serbs blocked roads that were located close to high-level border crossings with its neighbor Kosovo. On August 1st, new regulations in Kosovo, regarding ID documentation and license plates issued in Serbia were to come into force. The mood on the border has increased ever since. There have also been reported sightings of NATO peacekeeping forces flying in northern Kosovo. Read more
August 02, 2022 - The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which is being built near Mersin, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is being constructed by the Russian state-owned nuclear power company, Rosatom, and is set to come online with its first two reactors in 2023. Even though Russia has invaded Ukraine in a special military operation, and NATO is the official nation group to stand against Russia for its actions, Turkey is still on track with its Russian collaborated nuclear energy contract. Read more
August 02, 2022 - The first shipment of grain left Odessa, Ukraine on Monday, August 1st, at 5:30 GMT, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Read more
August 01, 2022 - As Pelosi is expected to arrive in the Asia Pacific, growing concerns come from other countries who are in support of China instead of the United States and an independent Taiwan. Read more
July 30, 2022 - In the event China invades Taiwan, the director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs expects Switzerland to adopt any measures that are implemented by the European Union against China. Read more
July 28, 2022 - The Turkish consulate in Mosul, Iraq was targeted by missiles on Wednesday, after the Iraqi government claimed that Turkey had carried out artillery strikes in the Zakho District, in the Duhok Governorate that killed eight people, which Turkey has denied involvement in. Read more
July 28, 2022 - The U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has announced that they have offloaded 2,700 pieces of U.S. Army equipment at the port Antwep-Bruges, Belgium, for onward movement by rail, commercial line-haul and barge in "response to Russia's aggression" in Ukraine. Read more
July 28, 2022 - Yuri Borisov, who is head of the Roskosmos, Russia's state space agency has said that Russia will be withdrawing from the International Space Station (ISS) project after the year 2024. Read more
July 27, 2022 - Russian state owned energy corporation Gazprom had stated that it will reduce gas flows through the Nord Stream to 20% of its normal capacity on July 27th, 2022, taking injection down to 33 mln cubic meters of gas per day. Read more
July 26, 2022 - MOSCOW - Alexander Bastrykin, Russian investigative committee head, has told the government news site Rossiiskaya Gazeta, that over 1,300 criminal investigations have begun, regarding war crimes in Ukraine. Ukraine also said it was examining more than 21,000 war crimes which it alleges were carried out by Russian forces. Read more
July 26, 2022 - SYRIA/IRAQ - IRAQ - An ongoing military operation by the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Iraq, against the Kurdistan Workers' Party ( PKK ) in the Duhok Governorate, is the next phase of many operations utilizing the code word 'claw' aimed at the PKK. Other operations, beginning in 2019, prior to Claw-Lock include the following: Claw-Eagle, Claw-Tiger, Claw-Lightening, & Claw-Thunderbolt. Read more
July 23, 2022 - Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister is setting out on a trip to Egypt where he will meet with officials and solidify their relationship with Russia. Rosatom, a Russian state-owned energy corporation began construction on Egypt's first nuclear power plant. Read more
July 23, 2022 - White House Spokesperson John Kirby has announced $270 million in defense aid to Ukraine, including rocket systems, which will bring the total of US military assistance to Ukraine to $8.2 billion USD. Read more
July 22, 2022 - DOD: $270 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. Immediate release from the Department of Defense. Included: 20 Soviet designed Mi-17 helicopters originally purchased by the US military to aid the Afghan military. Read more
July 22, 2022 - U.S. Depeartment of State - Quadrilateral Deal for Safe Passage of Agricultural Goods on the Black Sea. The United Nations, the Republic of Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia have committed to a plan for resuming Ukrainian exports through the Black Sea. Read more
July 21, 2022 - Russia restarted its gas supply to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline on Thursday after 10 days of being closed off, according to Nord Stream AG, the pipeline's operator, who said: "gas is flowing". Gas flow is well below full capacity, however, and expected to fall even further. Read more
July 21, 2022 - CIA Director William Burns stated on Wednesday that the United States intelligence community estimates that around 15,000 Russian forces have been killed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion on the country since the war began. Read more
July 20, 2022 - TEHRAN - Today there was a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayhip Erdogan, and the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. The topics of discussion were Ukrainian grain exports as well as peace in Syria. Read more
July 19, 2022 - The New York National Guard are deploying to train Ukrainian soldiers. 140 troops Syracuse-situated 27th Infantry Brigade Combat squad deployed to Germany on Friday to assist Ukrainian military members. Read more
July 17, 2022 - A Ukrainian owned, soviet made Antonov-12 (An-12Bk) plane carrying 8 crew members is reported to have crashed in Kavala, Northern Greece while flying from Serbia to Jordan, carrying 12 tons of dangerous material. Read more
July 17, 2022 - The Russian offensive in Ukraine intensified overnight following instruction from Russian Defense Minister, Sergey Shoigu announcing an intensified effort on all fronts in Ukraine to shore up military groups in the south and center. Read more
July 16, 2022 - A British aid worker who was captured by Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Russian separatists in April and accused of being a mercenary has died while in detention. Read more
July 16, 2022 - The security situation throughout Ukraine continues to be violent and unpredictable due to ongoing military attacks by Russia, with active fighting in country and uncertain safety conditions. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens not to enter Ukraine and those in Ukraine to depart immediately. Read more
July 16, 2022 - The Russian state gas giant Gazprom says that it can't guarantee that the Nord Stream pipeline will go back online after the major maintenance that is currently being done on it, according to Dutch daily newspaper Trouw. Read more
July 15, 2022 - The U.S. inflation rate hit 9.1% for the month of June as the cost of purchasing things rise, not just in the United States but in numerous countries across the globe, with 37 of 44 developed nations having at least two times the inflation that they had in the first quarter of 2020. Read more
July 15, 2022 - Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says that they have cut ties with North Korea as a result of North Korea recognizing the "independence" of Ukrainian territories under the occupation of Russia. Read more
July 15, 2022 - The European Commission has released new guidelines that state sanctions against Russia do not apply to rail transit through Lithuania to Kaliningrad, Russia and that rail transit can only be used for essential goods. Read more
July 15, 2022 - The European Commission has today published further guidance to Member States on the transit of goods from Russia. This is part of regular technical exchanges on the practical implementation of EU restrictive measures. Read more
July 12, 2022 - The White House has said that the U.S. has "information" that indicates Iran is preparing, or already has given Russia "hundreds" unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and said that Iran plans to train Russian forces on using the drones as early as this month. Read more
July 11, 2022 - The lower tier of the Russian parliament will assemble on July 15 for an unaccustomed meeting, its convention decided on Monday, just days after President Vladimir Putin warned that he had not even started to get serious about the conflict in Ukraine. Read more
July 11, 2022 - Russian gas to Germany from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline has been completely stopped for the next 10 days, and shipments from the pipeline to .Europe are due to stop today. The West fears the gas flow may never come back. Read more
July 10, 2022 - Boris Johnson Resigns His Post Along With Others In The UK - UNITED KINGDOM - Boris Johnson's most well-known achievement was uniting the Conservative Party and Brexit, where the United Kingdom exited the European Union, and he just made a speech at 10 Downing Street, posting his resignation, according to The Washington Post. Read more
July 09, 2022 - The Pentagon is considering sending weapons inspectors to Ukraine in order to monitor the U.S. weaponry being sent to the country, according to Jed Royal, deputy director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Read more
July 09, 2022 - Increased number of young Russian men are looking to avoid nations' obligatory military service since the conflict began in February. Read more
July 08, 2022 - Belarus has given Russia full control of the Zyabrovka air field located about 19 miles from the Belarusian border with Ukraine in the Gomel region, according to Oleksiy Gromov, deputy chief of the Main Operative Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Read more
July 08, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the "special military operation" in Ukraine "has not started anything in earnest," and said that the "war in Ukraine just beginning; hints that peace talks will become more difficult with time." Read more
July 07, 2022 - A British Royal Navy vessel had seized a shipment of Iranian missiles in the Gulf of Oman earlier this year. British officials also said that the seizure is proof that Iran is supporting Yemen's Houthi rebels. Read more
July 07, 2022 - Ukraine cited an "unacceptable situation" as they summoned the ambassador of Turkey, after Turkish authorities released the Zhibek Zholy, a Russian vessel which Ukraine has accused of smuggling stolen Ukrainian grain. Read more
July 07, 2022 - The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that they arrested several foreigners, including the British deputy ambassador to Iran Giles Whitaker for spying. The UK says that the reports are "completely false". Read more
July 07, 2022 - A newly constructed nuclear facility in Russia, which opened on the 1st of June, 2022, has begun constant nuclear explosion detection, says The 12th Chief Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry as of the 1st of July 2022. Read more
July 05, 2022 - Kaliningrad's Region Governor said that Russia could take out "half of the Lithuanian economy" if Russia implements counter-sanctions on goods coming in and out of the Baltic states. Read more
July 05, 2022 - Russia's oil company, Rosneft has announced that they have discovered a 'huge oil deposit' in the Pechora sea, containing around 82 million tons of oil. Read more
July 04, 2022 - After fully capturing the city of Lysychansk, which was Ukraine's last stronghold, Russia is claiming full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, after intense fighting and resistance from Ukrainian forces. Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu has informed Russian President Vladimir Putin, that the Luhansk region has now been "liberated." Read more
July 04, 2022 - The United States and Western allies have been giving Ukraine Soviet-era military equipment due to the fact that Ukraine's military was once part of the Soviet Union and Soviet-era weapons are not interchangeable with those of the West. Western stocks of Soviet-era weapons however are running out. Read more
July 04, 2022 - Russian state media Channel 1 talks of world war 3 which it calls Russia's Second Great Patriotic War and said that countries that decided to play with Westernness neutrality are next, once the special military operation in Ukraine concludes. Read more
July 04, 2022 - Russian state news Gazeta and the Russian Ministry of Defense have put out a statement regarding explosions captured on video from Belgorod saying that three people died and four were injured in the explosions. Read more
July 04, 2022 - Russian and Syrian vessels have been turning off their transponders and have been accused of deceptive shipping practices in order to sell crude oil and stolen Ukrainian grain while evading the heavy sanctions placed on Russia due to its war on Ukraine. Read more
July 03, 2022 - BELARUS - On Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that 3 days ago, Ukraine attempted a missile strike on Belarusian military installations, but said that the missiles had been intercepted, through the Belarusian state-run media Belta news. Read more
July 02, 2022 - Although new vehicle sales in the United States have dropped by over 21 percent in the second quarter, versus a year ago, demand is still greater than supply due to a global shortage of semiconductors in spite of rising inflation, fuel prices and interest rates. Read more
July 01, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that sanctions and political pressure on Russia from the West is pushing Russia and Belarus towards "unification". Read more
July 01, 2022 - Russia's Deputy Security Council Chairman and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated on the Thursday that 'under certain circumstances' such 'hostile measures' as the sanctions placed on the country could be seen as an act of international aggression, or even as a casus belli [a provocation that is a justification for war] and said that Russia has a right to defend itself. Read more
July 01, 2022 - Australian bank, Volt has collapsed in the midst of rising inflation and the bank has urged their customers to pull their funds from their accounts before it closes them on Tuesday. Inflation in Australia and US on the rise. Read more
July 01, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden has announced another $800 million military aid package to Ukraine, which will be including modern air defense systems, HIMARS missile systems and ammunition, and other "offensive weapons". Read more
July 01, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the "special military operation" in Ukraine is going according to plan, and that there is no need to meet any deadlines to end it. Read more
July 01, 2022 - The Japanese defense ministry reported around 10 Russian Chinese navy vessels earlier this month in Waters Near Japan, leaving analysts to believe that the two countries are sending a message to Japan, the United States as well as Taiwan. Read more
July 01, 2022 - Russian state news Izvestia, and TASS have confirmed reports that Russia plans to send Belarus nuclear capable Iskander-M missile systems, capable of carrying "a nuclear warhead" and promised to "retrofit Belarusian Su-25s in order to upgrade them to "carry nuclear charges". Read more
July 01, 2022 - Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday expressed "serious concern" and "resolute protest" on behalf of the CCP regarding the NATO's new 'Strategic Concept', saying that it ignores facts, distorts the truth and vilifies China's foreign policy. Read more
July 01, 2022 - In an address to the 10th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (SPBILF), Putin stated that a multi polar world order is "evolving globally", and said that the process is "irreversible". He also said that it should be built upon "international law" and the "UN charter". Read more
July 01, 2022 - NATO leaders have declared that the Russian Federation is the most significant "direct threat" to the security of North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies. According to the Lithuanian ministry of defense, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization leaders at the NATO summit agreed that "Russia is a direct threat to NATO", on "new strategic concept" being adopted, reinforcement of NATO's eastern flank with Forward Presence Brigades, increased support for Ukraine, as well as other "security enhancement" measures. Read more
June 30, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 21st that the BRICS countries, which include Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa (Iran and Argentina have applied but not yet accepted) are currently working on setting up a global reserve currency to cut their financial reliance on the West. Read more
June 30, 2022 - Member of the Russian state Duma Leonid Slutsky said that while Sweden and Finland's choice to join NATO is their choice, it will have consequences on their relationship with Russia, and on the general security architecture in Europe which is already in deep crisis. Read more
June 30, 2022 - Due to Syria's recognition of independence of the two separatist regions in Eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Lugansk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that all relations between Ukraine and Syria are now cut off. Read more
June 30, 2022 - Britain, who already has 2,000 soldiers stationed in Estonia has committed to add 1,000 more service members to the country, as well as sending one of its new aircraft carriers to defend NATO's eastern flank. Read more
June 29, 2022 - Washington has shown support toward the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey just one day after Turkey withdrew its objections regarding Sweden and Finland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Read more
June 29, 2022 - In an intelligence update, the British Ministry of Defense has agreed that the strike on the Kremenchuk shopping center may have been an accident, and that the intended target may have been, as Russia says a nearby infrastructure target. Read more
June 29, 2022 - Metal Shark, an American company that developer and builder of aluminum-hull vessels have put out a statement saying that they are providing six maritime combat vessels to Ukraine. Read more
June 29, 2022 - The Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos has Published Satellite Photos and coordinates of Western decision making centers, all publicly known locations in an apparent statement to the West. Read more
June 28, 2022 - Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Jens Stoltenberg has announced that Turkey has agreed to support both Finland and Sweden in joining the NATO alliance. Read more
June 28, 2022 - Iran has applied to become a member of the BRICS, a group of emerging world economies that include: Russia, China, South Africa, Brazil and India. Read more
June 27, 2022 - The United States now has over 100,000 troops stationed in Europe, which has increased from the 70,000 U.S. troops that were stationed in Europe when Russia's invasion on Ukraine began at the end of February. Read more
June 27, 2022 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is increasing the number of its NATO Response Force troops at high readiness from 40,000 to "well over 300,000", according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday. Read more
June 27, 2022 - Russian state media Channel 1 talks about Lithuania, NATO Article 5, military presence being established on the Belarusian border and targeting oil tankers in the Netherlands. Read more
June 27, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin told the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko that Russia will be providing Belarus nuclear capable Iskander missile systems in the "next few months". Read more
June 27, 2022 - Germany's Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) has announced the second stage of the gas emergency plan, or alert stage, according to the ministry, putting the gas emergency plan 'on alert'. Read more
June 27, 2022 - Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui told Russian state news TASS that they are ready to supply aircraft components to Russia, noting that there are no restrictions from the Chinese side. Read more
June 26, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin and the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met at the Constantine Palace and talked about issues such as the economy, the situation with Poland and Lithuania, and NATO training and nuclear weapons in Europe. Read more
June 26, 2022 - Iran Expanding Nuclear Program While Expanding Cooperation With Russia. Iran’s top security official Ali Shamkhani stated during a meeting with a top diplomat from the European Union that Iran will continue developing its nuclear program until the West changes what it calls "illegal behavior" according to Iranian state news IRNA. Read more
June 26, 2022 - China says that they "can't leave Taiwan independent" and that they will "retake Taiwan by all means, including military ones" if they can't reunify the island using peaceful methods. They also said that the United States wants two wars, one in Europe and one in Asia. Read more
June 26, 2022 - The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko said that what Russia calls the 'blockade' against Kaliningrad by Lithuania is akin to a declaration of war on Russia. Read more
June 25, 2022 - Russia has fired rockets directly from Belarus into Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence, and the New York Times who says that over 40 missiles were launched from Belarus into Ukraine. Read more
June 25, 2022 - A Russian state television Channel 1 speakers indicates that conflict in Europe will never end, and that the struggle is against the West, not just Ukraine, saying that there will be other 'special operations' elsewhere, aside from the one in Ukraine. Read more
June 25, 2022 - Andrey Gurulyov, who is a member of the Russian defense committee spoke on Russian state television Channel 1, and said that if world war 3 breaks out, London will be the first city that Russia Will Bomb, and that all power sites in Western Europe will be destroyed. Read more
June 25, 2022 - List of travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State from June 1st, 2022 to June 24th, 2022. KEY: Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | Level 4: Do Not Travel. For a clickable list visit the OSLINT Advisories post. Read more
June 25, 2022 - Andrey Gurulyov, who is a member of the Russian defense committee spoke on Russian state television Channel 1, and said that if world war 3 breaks out, London will be the first city that Russia will bomb and that all power sites in Western Europe will be destroyed. Read more
June 24, 2022 - Ukraine and Moldova has now formally been recognized as candidates for EU membership, while the EU is ready to grant candidate status to Georgia "once priorities will be addressed". Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has compared the EU and NATO to Hitler, and said they are building a coalition to fight Russia. Read more
June 23, 2022 - Release from the Belarus ministry of defense regarding the pre-planned military mobilization exercises in the Gomel region that will last until July 1st, 2022. Read more
June 23, 2022 - Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg says that he "aims" to get both Finland and Sweden into the alliance "soon" regardless of objections by Turkey, but said that he "cannot guarantee" that it will be done swiftly. Read more
June 23, 2022 - Finnish Armed Forces Chief of Defense, General Timo Kivinen says that Finland has been preparing for a Russian attack for decades and says that Finland would be a "tough bite to chew" for Russia if they decided to attack the country. Read more
June 22, 2022 - Russian state news TASS reported that the Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov stated restrictions put in place on freight transit by Lithuania "looked like a mistake at first" but then said, "it's now clear that it's deliberate policy". Read more
June 22, 2022 - The Russian embassy in Washington says that they have received no requests from the United States regarding two "US mercenaries" reported to have been captured in Ukraine. Read more
June 22, 2022 - Denmark's Ministry of Defense says that they have credible information that attributes a cyberattack on satellite equipment operated by the Viasat satellite company to Russia prior to the invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. Read more
June 22, 2022 - Estonia, Lithuania, and Denmark which are all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance have reported incursions into their airspace by Russian forces who filed no flight plan and turned off their transponder. Read more
June 21, 2022 - Russian scientist, political writer, and analyst Andrey Andreyevich Piontkovsky said that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko would never dare to give the order for his troops to go to war with Ukraine. Read more
June 21, 2022 - NATO member, Lithuania has banned some goods from traveling to the Kaliningrad, Russia enclave from Lithuania which has angered Russia who said the move was unprecedented and unlawful as well as threatening to respond saying the situation is more than serious. Read more
June 19, 2022 - British MOD intelligence update for June 19th, 2022 reports that entire Russian units are refusing orders and having armed standoffs with their own officers and troops. Read more
June 19, 2022 - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a German newspaper that Russia's war on Ukraine could take years, but that 'we must not let up in supporting Ukraine' he said. Even if the costs are high. The head of the British army also told troops they must prepare to fight in Europe. Read more
June 19, 2022 - On June 15, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced $1 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine. This includes an authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $350 million, as well as $650 million in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds. This authorization is the twelfth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. Read more
June 19, 2022 - Ukrainian Pravda has claimed that Russia launched three cruise missiles at an oil depot in the Novomoskovsk district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast which wounded 11 people, one of whom is reported to be in "serious condition" with seven others suffering "minor injuries". Read more
June 19, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he believes the United States sees itself as a "messenger of God on Earth", who has "no interests" but "no responsibility". Read more
June 19, 2022 - The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko says that his country will have to react to Poland's "desire to take Western Ukraine" because it poses a "threat to the security of the republic" on Friday. Read more
June 19, 2022 - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated that it is no longer possible for Ukraine to return to its previous borders, and added that "this is obvious". Read more
June 19, 2022 - Two Russian Project 22160 missile frigates were spotted patrolling off of Romania's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the country's natural gas platforms around 140 km (87 miles) from Romania's coastline. Read more
June 18, 2022 - After reducing energy output to Germany by over half the previous output, Russian energy giant Gazprom was accused of artificially pushing up energy prices by cutting off supplies. Read more
June 18, 2022 - Iranian terror cells have been activated in Turkey and are roaming the streets of Istanbul "looking for Israelis" after having been given an order to carry out attacks against Israelis located in the country, according to an Israeli official who spoke to Ynet on Friday. Read more
June 18, 2022 - U.S. Satellite images have spotted Russian-flagged vessels carrying grain from Ukraine to Syria, according to the satellite imagery company Maxar. Read more
June 18, 2022 - Russia carried out airstrikes at the al-Tanf garrison U.S. military base on Wednesday after first notifying the United States of their intentions. The base is located near Syria's border with Jordan in southeast Syria. Read more
June 17, 2022 - According to the Dutch intelligence service, a Russian spy tried to infiltrate the International Criminal Court (ICC) that was investigating allegations of war crimes carried out in Ukraine by Russia using fake identification and spent over a decade building up his cover story. Read more
June 17, 2022 - Russian State Television Channel 1 Talks Of NATO Sending Weapons To Ukraine And Nuclear Strike. Read more
June 17, 2022 - A fire has started at a 1400mm pipeline in Russia. The Urengoy is the largest gas extraction facility in the country, and the second-largest natural gas field in the world, after South Pars/North Dome Gas-Condensate field in the Persian Gulf which is shared between Iran and Qatar. Read more
June 17, 2022 - The Mikolavska District Administration of Ukraine has claimed that on June 15th the Russian military burned down a wheat field and destroyed houses and warehouses in Nikolaev, Ukraine. Read more
June 16, 2022 - Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Wednesday that Beijing will keep backing Moscow on "Sovereignty and security", according to Chinese state media. Read more
June 16, 2022 - Two Alabama residents have gone missing within the last few days near Kharkiv, Ukraine which is located near the Russian border, according to their families. U.S. State Department has reported that two Americans have been captured and advised Americans not to travel to Ukraine. Read more
June 16, 2022 - Washington is sending another $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including howitzers, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) ammunition and harpoon coastal defense systems. Germany is also sending MLRS systems. Read more
June 14, 2022 - Mikhail Kasyanov, who served as Russia's Prime Minister from 2000 to 2004 stated during an interview with Agence France-Presse that the war in Ukraine could last two years, and if Ukraine falls, the Baltic states will be next. Read more
June 14, 2022 - 50 people were detained in Moscow, including activists, journalists and other citizens due to planned protests over the Ukrainian war on Sunday according to Russian Radio Svoboda. Read more
June 14, 2022 - According to the Iranian state's shipping company, Iran has commenced its first shipment of Russian goods to India using a new trade route that uses Iran to link Russia to Asian export markets. Read more
June 12, 2022 - Russia and China have finished building and opening up a cross-border bridge that they stated in February will bring the two countries closer together in their "no limits' partnership, before Russian President Vladimir Putin began his invasion of Ukraine. Read more
June 11, 2022 - After Russia withdrew a large number of troops from Syria in order to re-focus them on its war in Ukraine, Turkey has announced that it will be carrying out a military operation in northern Syria. Read more
June 11, 2022 - U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high of 8.6 percent in the month of May according to data given by the U.S. government on Friday. This makes it the 12th month in a row that the inflation percentage has been above 5%. Food and fuel prices are also soaring up, while China, India and other countries benefit from Cheap Russian Oil at discounted prices. Read more
June 11, 2022 - Both India and China have drastically increased their imports of Russian oil at greatly discounted prices, with Indian purchases of Russian oil up by 400%, while countries buying from Russia benefit from discounted prices, the price for oil for the rest of the world is surging. Read more
June 11, 2022 - Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus has said that he believes Belarus may have to fight for "Western Ukraine so that it is not cut off [or pulled away] by the West". Read more
June 10, 2022 - NATO forces conduct live-fire exercises in Poland in order to test their readiness and ability to respond to missile attacks from enemy drones and aircraft. Read more
June 10, 2022 - Russia has begun naval exercises in the Baltic Sea with around 60 warships. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) said that the exercises are "planned operational exercise with groups of the Baltic". Read more
June 9, 2022 - Russian banks, one after the other are beginning to implement service charges and service fees for accounts held in foreign currencies due to what the Russian banks are calling the unreliability of foreign currency partners for Russia. Read more
June 9, 2022 - The Japanese Joint Staff put out a statement saying "Yesterday, JASDF’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea, the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7. (sample image)". Read more
June 9, 2022 - A Russian senator has proposed that Russia carry out missile strikes on U.S. military bases located in Europe in response to the decision by the United States to go ahead and send longer ranged rocket systems to Ukraine. Read more
June 9, 2022 - Russia's Foreign Ministry says that it is suspending a fishing agreement allowing Japan to have fishing rights near the disputed Kuril Islands, which are called the Northern Territories by Japan. Read more
June 8, 2022 - The World Bank put out a statement saying that less developed countries in the world face a major recession as a result of the war in Ukraine, as well as the consequences of the COVID-19 lockdowns as the cost of energy and food continue to rise globally. Read more
June 8, 2022 - Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar spoke to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in a phone call, and said that Turkey would be responding to actions meant to destabilize northern Syria. Read more
June 7, 2022 - Russia is continuing its efforts to revert back to the 'gold standard' for the first time in over a hundred years, purchasing gold at a fixed price of 5,000 rubles ($59) per gram until June 30th. Read more
June 6, 2022 - Britain is sending Ukraine M270 multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine a week after U.S. President Joe Biden authorized sending M142 High Mobility Artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) after Kyiv gave assurances that they would not be used to strike Russian territory. Read more
June 4, 2022 - MOSCOW - Former Russian President and current head of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has warned that if Ukraine uses any of the missiles given to them by the United States to strike Russian territory, Russia will have 'no choice' but to strike 'decision making centers' which are 'not even located on the territory of Kyiv'. Read more
June 3, 2022 - The United States, on Thursday blacklisted 71 more Russian and Belarusian companies, which included institutes for ship building and research, and aircraft plants along with other sanctions and restrictions in response to Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine. Read more
June 3, 2022 - According to a classified U.S. intelligence report, Russian President Vladimir Putin was treated for advanced cancer in April 2022, Newsweek said that they were privy to the information given by U.S. intelligence leaders reported. Read more
June 2, 2022 - Alexei Zhuravlev, who is a lawmaker and a member of the Russian parliament has threatened the United States with Satan-2 nuclear missiles over U.S. support for Ukraine. Read more
June 2, 2022 - The Biden administration has authorized another $700 million to go to Ukraine, along with MQ-1C Gray Eagle Drones. Read more
June 2, 2022 - RUSSIA - Around 1,000 servicemen of the Russian nuclear forces began exercises with over 100 vehicles in the Ivanovo province northeast of Moscow, Russia, according to the Russian defense ministry. Read more
June 1, 2022 - Russian state television Channel 1 said that world war 3 has already started, and that the war in Ukraine, which was a rehearsal for a 'bigger conflict' in the future. Read more
June 1, 2022 - Russian state television Channel 1 said that world war 3 has already started, and that the war in Ukraine, which was a rehearsal for a 'bigger conflict' in the future. Read more
May 31, 2022 - The U.S. will not be giving long-range rocket systems to Ukraine that can be used to target locations within Russia, according to U.S. President Joe Biden. Read more
May 30, 2022 - The European Union has agree to cut about 90% of Russian oil imports by the end of 2022, according to the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Read more
May 30, 2022 - China has sent 30 military aircraft into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Monday, which is the largest incursion on the island's ADIZ since January and caused Taiwan to scramble their fighter own fighter jets. Read more
May 28, 2022 - Two Russian lawmakers who acted as regional officials have been branded as traitors and ordered out of a legislation meeting after they called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion on Ukraine. Read more
May 28, 2022 - Israel has said no to a request by the United States to allow Germany to supply Ukraine with anti-tank missiles manufactured in Germany using Israeli technology, according to an Israeli official, and two U.S. officials. Read more
May 28, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that abolishes the age limit of those allowed to join its military. The age limit to serve in the Russian military has now been extended to up to 65 years of age for men and 60 years of age for women, which is the age of retirement. Read more
May 28, 2022 - Russia has successfully tested a hypersonic nuclear capable Zircon cruise missile which was fired from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense on Saturday. Read more
May 28, 2022 - Russia loaded two of their six Varshavyanka submarines anchored in the South Bay of Sevastopol with Kaliber class cruise missiles. Ukraine says they will be used to strike targets within Ukrainian territory. Read more
May 27, 2022 - A food insecurity expert has told the United Nations Security Council that the world only has a 10-week supply of wheat left stored, and that global food insecurity has now reached levels that hasn't been seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Read more
May 25, 2022 - DAVOS, SWITZERLAND - Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros said on Tuesday that the Russian invasion on Ukraine may have been the beginning of World War Three, and that the best way to preserve free civilization was for the West to defeat Russia. Read more
May 25, 2022 - On Monday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia must cease being dependent upon the West, and that the 'dictator's position' of the West will lead economic ties with China to grow 'even faster'. Read more
May 24, 2022 - Japan scrambled fighter jets after warplanes from both Russia and China approached its airspace on Tuesday. Japan called the action a "provocation" that was likely planned while it hosted an informal gathering of Quad nations. Read more
May 24, 2022 - South Korea has scrambled fighter jets after at least four Russian warplanes and four Chinese warplanes entered the country's Air Defense Identification Zone without giving notice. Read more
May 24, 2022 - Russia and China have held the first joint exercise since Russia's war on Ukraine began as a part of the two countries "annual military cooperation plan" over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and Western Pacific, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry. Read more
May 24, 2022 - General Mark Milley, who is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated on Monday that although there is low-level planning currently underway, the United States is still "a ways away" from re-introducing U.S. troops back into Ukraine. Read more
May 23, 2022 - The Pentagon has said that the claim by a Ukrainian official that the United States has plans to attack the Russian naval fleet in the Black Sea is not true and said that there has been no change in maritime posture in the Black Sea. Read more
May 23, 2022 - The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that they have declared a Russian travel ban on 963 Americans, including U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in retaliation for what it calls hostile US actions. Read more
May 23, 2022 - Russia will be establishing new military bases in western regions of the country in response to the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as both Finland and Sweden apply to join the NATO alliance, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Read more
May 22, 2022 - The Ukrainian parliament has extended martial law, which was initiated on February 24th of this year, in Ukraine for another 90 days as a result of the continued Russian invasion of the country. Read more
May 22, 2022 - The government of Lithuania has put out a statement saying that the country is now completely independent from Russian gas, oil and electricity. Read more
May 21, 2022 - WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $40 billion dollar aid package to Ukraine during his visit to Seoul, the capital of South Korea after the Senate passed the package with an 86-11 vote, while inflation in the United States sits at a 40-year high. Read more
May 21, 2022 - Both Italy and Germany have authorized companies to open ruble accounts in order to purchase gasoline from Russia without violating the current sanctions that have been placed on Russia, according to Reuters and Radio Free Europe. Read more
May 21, 2022 - Russia said that it is not Ukraine Russia is fighting, but the West fighting Russia on Ukrainian territory and said that their opponent is not Ukraine, but a united West through the hands of the Ukrainians. Read more
May 18, 2022 - After 3 months of fighting, Russia has now captured the port city of Mariupol, Ukraine which not only gives Russia a land bridge corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, it also takes a key port away from Ukraine. Read more
May 18, 2022 - After a three month closure as a result of the Russian war on Ukraine, the United States has reopened its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. Read more
May 18, 2022 - Russia responds to Finland's decision to join the NATO alliance and says that the response will be both a 'surprise' and will be taken primarily by the military. Read more
May 18, 2022 - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that both Finland and Sweden have officially handed in their applications for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Read more
May 18, 2022 - The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that Russia is shutting down the Moscow Bureau of Canadian broadcaster CBC. They are also withdrawing their journalist's accreditations and Visas. Read more
May 18, 2022 - Russia has expelled 34 French diplomats. The diplomats have been declared non grata and have been told to leave the country within two weeks time according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Read more
May 18, 2022 - The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group, along with other United States naval vessels have come under NATO command once again for Neptune Shield Drills in the Baltic, Adriatic, and Mediterranean Seas. Read more
May 18, 2022 - Switzerland's Defense Ministry is drawing up a report on security options which include joint military exercises with NATO countries. It also includes "backfilling" munitions to countries sending Ukraine aid. Read more
May 18, 2022 - Researchers believe that they have finally found the cause of Gulf War illness that made around 250,000 U.S. troops sick after almost 30 years of attempting to find the answer. Read more
May 18, 2022 - Dmitry Peskov, who is a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the Western countries, including the United States which it says is currently conducting a hybrid war against Russia, have become hostile states to the country. Read more
May 18, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has, for many years taken Finland and Sweden into account for its plans for eastward expansion. Read more
May 17, 2022 - Four NATO warships that had departed from Hamburg, Germany were spotted traveling through the English Channel just off the Kent coast on May 17th. Read more
May 17, 2022 - On Tuesday Sweden formally signed their request to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), one day after they had announced the intention to join the alliance. Read more
May 17, 2022 - SYRIA - Syria, Channel 13 news has reported that Russia , for the first time fired on Israeli aircraft in Syria using S-300 anti-aircraft missiles last week citing 'foreign publications'. Read more
May 16, 2022 - There have been reports that Russia is moving nuclear capable missiles toward their border with Finland, after Finland and Sweden stated that they have decided to seek NATO membership. Read more
May 16, 2022 - U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, as well as a delegation of Republican senators traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine unannounced and met with Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine in order to show bipartisan support for Ukraine from the U.S. Congress. Read more
May 16, 2022 - EUROPE - Sweden's president and government have officially announced on Sunday that it will be joining Finland in applying for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Turkey however has raised objections and has threatened to veto the request. Read more
May 16, 2022 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States would "strongly support a NATO application by either Sweden or Finland, should they choose to formally apply to the alliance. Read more
May 15, 2022 - Russian Channel 1 state TV said that the reason Finland is joining NATO is fear, but that when NATO bases begin popping up in Sweden and Finland, Russia will have no choice but to deploy tactical nuclear weapons. Read more
May 15, 2022 - The President of the Finnish Ministerial Committee has agreed that Finland would apply for membership for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after the Parliament has been heard, according to the Finnish Government. Read more
May 15, 2022 - MOSCOW - Top member of Russia's Kremlin party "United Russia's Superior Council" and Duma deputy Oleg Morozov stated that "Poland should be the next in the line for denazification process after Ukraine". Read more
May 14, 2022 - Russia carried out drills with fighter jets repelling a mock airstrike against Kaliningrad, Russia which sits between Poland and Lithuania along the Baltic Coast after Finland announced plans to join NATO, with Sweden likely to follow suit. Read more
May 14, 2022 - WASHINGTON - U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers on May 10th that the U.S. believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Read more
May 14, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that the consequences of the "total hybrid war against Russia declared by the West" will be felt by everyone without exception, and said that Russia did its best to avoid direct confrontation, but that if the challenge has been posed, they certainly accept it. Read more
May 10, 2022 - French President Emmanuel Macron stated that it would take years for Ukraine to join the European Union, and called for a new 'community' of non-EU European democracies which would not only include Ukraine, but other countries in Europe, including Britain to join the "European core values". Read more
May 9, 2022 - The Pentagon says that they will not define Russia's fighting in East Ukraine as a stalemate, as they are still making progress, though incremental. Read more
May 8, 2022 - Russia is redirecting its troops located in Syria, in the Middle East to eastern and southern Ukraine. Read more
May 6, 2022 - The Pentagon says that they have seen no information to corroborate the reports that the Russian ship Admiral Makarov was in fact hit in the Black Sea. Read more
May 6, 2022 - The United States has stated that they are ready to provide various forms of security assurances to both Finland and Sweden on their road to joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Read more
May 4, 2022 - A report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that Russia is now preparing to evacuate the families of Russian officers from Transnistria, Moldova after a string of attacks that sparked fears that Moldova could be dragged into the conflict. Read more
May 4, 2022 - Belarus has begun large-scale snap drills to test combat readiness, according to the Belarusian defense ministry. Read more
May 3, 2022 - U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine hopes to return to the country by the end of May. Read more
May 1, 2022 - U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger has announced the introduction of a joint resolution that would authorize the United States Armed Forces to defend Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin escalates the war on Ukraine by using chemical, biological or nuclear weapons against the country. Read more
May 1, 2022 - The United States has depleted about a third of its Javelin missiles due to donations of its stock of missiles to Ukraine to aid in its war with Russia, leaving lawmakers concerned that it leaves the United States vulnerable. Read more
April 29, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened "lightning-fast" retaliatory strikes on any country that intervenes in what Russia calls their "special military operation' in Ukraine. Read more
April 27, 2022 - The Interior Ministry of Transnistria, an unrecognized breakaway state that is internationally recognized as part of Moldova, has accused Ukraine of an attack in Kolbasna this morning, and claimed that drones flew from Ukraine into Transnistria last night. Read more
April 27, 2022 - Two men, one Russian citizen, and one Belarusian citizen have been arrested by the Polish military police on suspicion of espionage, according to the leading radio station in Poland, RMF 24. Both men had lived in Poland for 'many years' according to the station. Read more
April 27, 2022 - In a major policy shift, Germany has reportedly now allowed the transfer of Gepard anti-aircraft cannon tanks to Ukraine to aid in their efforts to fight the Russian invasion of the country. Read more
April 27, 2022 - US officials say they have given coordinates to Russian targets to the Ukrainian military which has aided Ukraine not only in moving their forces out of the way from Russian strikes but also allegedly led to Ukraine shooting down a transport plane. Read more
April 26, 2022 - Russia has issued a warning to Britain for allegedly provoking Ukraine, and said that if it continues to do so, there will be an immediate and 'proportional response'. Read more
April 26, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the West Monday not to underestimate the risk of a nuclear conflict over Ukraine and also stated that he views the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as currently being 'in essence' engaged in a proxy war with Russia because it is supplying Ukraine with weapons. Read more
April 24, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has 'lost interest in diplomatic efforts' in order to end the war with Ukraine and 'appears' set on taking as much Ukrainian territory as possible, according to the Financial Times who were referencing three people who they said were briefed on conversations with Vladimir Putin. Read more
April 24, 2022 - The United Nations says that there is a growing amount of evidence that Russia committed war crimes as a result of actions that they have carried out during their 'special operation' or invasion on Ukraine since the war started on February 24th, 2021. Read more
April 24, 2022 - The Russian Investigative Committee, Russia's main investigative authority said on Saturday that it is now looking into a report by Russian state media that alleged that British SAS special forces, or 'sabotage' experts have been deployed in the western region of Lviv, Ukraine. Read more
April 24, 2022 - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a press conference in India that Britain is considering sending tanks to Poland in order to intensify pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read more
April 24, 2022 - MOSCOW - Russian military official has claimed that the United States is preparing 'provocations' so that it can accuse Russia of using weapons of mass destruction. Russian state news TASS said that Igor Kirlov alleged that the U.S. plan was in response to the "successes" that Russian troops have had during their 'special operation' in Ukraine. Read more
April 23, 2022 - According to Russian state news, TASS on Friday, Russian Major General Rustam Minnekaev, Deputy Commander of the Central Military District said that the 'second phase' of the war on Ukraine will be centered around establishing a 'land corridor' between Russia, the Russian-occupied portion of Crimea, and Transnistria, a pro-Russian area of Moldova. Read more
April 23, 2022 - Turkey has reportedly closed their air space to civilian aircraft that carries military personnel from Russia to Syria after speaking with Moscow, according to Turkish broadcaster TRT Haber, who cited Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Saturday. Read more
April 22, 2022 - The Pentagon has confirmed that a Ukrainian missile strike did lead to the sinking of the Russian missile cruiser Moskva. Russian state news RIA Novosti, as well as the Russian Ministry of Defense, have also put out a new report admitting that some crew onboard the Moskva were indeed killed. Read more
April 21, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that the United States will be banning all Russian-affiliated ships from entering American ports. Read more
April 21, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared the city of Mariupol "liberated" and fully under the control of the Russian Federation, as Ukraine claims that Ukrainians continue to defend the city from the Russian military Read more
April 20, 2022 - Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby stated that the test of the Russian RS-28 ICBM missile was 'routine' and that the Russians had 'properly notified' the United States under its new START treaty obligations. Read more
April 20, 2022 - Russia has test-fired the RS-28 Sarmat (SATAN II) intercontinental ballistic missile, a liquid-fueled MIRV-equipped ICBM capable of carrying 10 to 15 18-25 megaton nuclear warheads that can each target a different location within the United States and is believed to have the ability to evade missile defense systems. Read more
April 20, 2022 - British Ministry of Defense intelligence update for April 20th, 2022. Russia's military presence on Ukraine's eastern border continues to build, while fighting in the Donbas is intensifying as Russian forces seek to break through Ukrainian Defenses. Read more
April 20, 2022 - Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia is not considering the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine and that they are considering 'conventional weapons only". Read more
April 19, 2022 - The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Russian forces have now begun their assault on Eastern Ukraine, and Donbas. Read more
April 17, 2022 - (Based on translated information) Russian state-run news RIA Novosti has reported that Russian Crimean political expert Ruslan Balbek stated that Russia is not going to demilitarize Ukraine for ten years. Read more
April 16, 2022 - Russia has said that attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine will increase and claimed that Ukraine carried out airstrikes on Bryansk, Russia after Russia's warship was sunk and Ukraine claimed to have blown it up with two missiles while Russia claimed a fire blew up ammunition on board. Read more
April 14, 2022 - The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that the Moskva cruiser that Ukraine says they hit with two Neptun anti-ship missiles has sank while being towed in a storm. Read more
April 14, 2022 - Russia has put out a threat to deploy nuclear weapons in the Baltic if Sweden or Finland joins NATO after the two countries expressed the intention to apply to join the alliance. Read more
April 14, 2022 - The Ukrainian military has claimed that they struck the Russian Flag-Ship, Slava-Class Project 1164 missile cruiser "Moskva" with two Neptun anti-ship missiles off of the coast of Odessa in the Black Sea. Read more
April 12, 2022 - The Pentagon says that it cannot confirm the use of chemical weapons by Russian forces in Ukraine "at this time", according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity. Read more
April 12, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed on Monday that the 'Special Military Operation' by Russia was meant to put an end to the United States quest for world domination and the expansion of NATO. Read more
April 12, 2022 - Slovakia's Prime Minister now says that the MiG-29 transfer over to Ukraine is back on the table. Eduard Heger said that discussions regarding NATO providing Ukraine with the MiG-29 jets have been renewed due to "how Russia behaves". Read more
April 12, 2022 - Pentagon says they are monitoring unconfirmed reports Russia used chemical weapons in Mariupol, Ukraine, and said that they reflect concerns about Russia's "potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents." Read more
April 11, 2022 - Spokesman for the Kremlin Dmitry Peskov spoke to reporters and said that the NATO "alliance remains a tool geared towards confrontation" as US officials have stated that they expect both Finland and Sweden will apply for membership of the alliance as early as June, which would increase NATO membership to 32 members. Read more
April 11, 2022 - Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov has warned that the West giving Ukraine weapons and ammunition may lead to direct military confrontation between Russia and the United States and claimed that the invasion was a result of Ukraine carrying out genocide of Russians. Read more
April 8, 2022 - A train station in Ukraine that was crowded with thousands of people trying to escape eastern Ukraine was reportedly hit by a missile, killing 50 people on Friday according to Ukrainian authorities. Read more
April 8, 2022 - Intel, which has 1,200 people employed in Russia has decided to pull out of the country and suspend all operations due to the Russian war on Ukraine. Read more
April 8, 2022 - NATO jets have been scrambled from the Mihail Kogalnicanu Air Base in Romania four times over the last 20 days in order to intercept Russian fighter jets over the Black Sea toward NATO territory. Read more
April 8, 2022 - Russia has put out a statement regarding the possibility of Finland and Sweden joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, saying that they would have to re-balance and make Russia's western flank more sophisticated to ensure security. Read more
April 8, 2022 - *UPDATED* Finland is set to announce possible plans to apply for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance membership as early as this spring according to reports by the local Finnish media. Read more
April 7, 2022 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that the U.S. is imposing sanctions on two of the largest financial institutions in Russia, Putin's adult children, Lavrov's wife and adult child, 21 members of Russia's National Security Council and former President. Read more
April 6, 2022 - Expert says he believes China is preparing for a war with the United States, as well as its neighboring Asian countries. NATO to expand cooperation with partners in Indo-Pacific. Read more
April 6, 2022 - There many are reports coming out saying that Russia blew up a nitric acid tank in Rubizhna, Luhansk Oblast in Ukraine. Pro-Russian media outlets however say that Ukraine was behind the attack. Read more
April 5, 2022 - The U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador has issued a security alert regarding the Government of El Salvador’s enactment of emergency measures on March 27, violent encounters between law enforcement personnel and alleged gang members continue around the country. Read more
April 4, 2022 - SPAIN - Federal agents from the United States, along with law enforcement from Spain has boarded a $90 million dollar yacht owned by Russian billionaire Victor Vekselberg Monday and seized the property as per a court order. Read more
April 4, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden has again called Russian President a 'war criminal' and says that Putin must stand trial for the slaughter of civilians in Bucha. When he was asked whether he believed that the slaughter of civilians in Bucha was genocide, he stated "No, I think it is a war crime". Read more
April 3, 2022 - Jaroslaw Kaczynski, a top Polish official has stated that Poland is ready to deploy United States nuclear weapons in the country to deter Russian aggression. Read more
April 3, 2022 - A mass grave filled with around 280 people has been found according to the head of Bucha, Ukraine. The bodies of around 20 civilians have also been found all over the Zhytomyr highway. Bodies have also reportedly been found in Motzhyn and other towns and villages in Ukraine. Read more
April 2, 2022 - Ukraine has denied hitting the fuel depot in Russia, after Russia accused Ukraine of sending two helicopters over the border and shooting missiles at the depot. Read more
April 2, 2022 - Russian forces are using banned antipersonnel mines in Kharkiv, Ukraine that "can indiscriminately kill and maim people" according to a report from Human Rights Watch who has verified that these mines, which includes POM-3 antipersonnel mines have been used. Read more
April 2, 2022 - Ukrainian photographer Maks Levin, who went missing during the battle of Kyiv on March 13th was found dead on April 1st near Huta village in Kyiv, Ukraine. He was said by RSF (Reporters Without Borders) to be wearing a press jacket and unarmed at the time of his disappearance. Read more
April 2, 2022 - The United States has canceled testing the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that it originally had intended only to delay testing amid tensions with Russia. Read more
April 1, 2022 - British MOD intelligence update for April 1st, 2022: "A fire has destroyed several oil tanks at a depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, close to the Ukrainian border. On 30 March, explosions were also reported at an ammunition depot in the vicinity of the city". Read more
April 1, 2022 - Ukrainian helicopters reportedly crossed the Russian border at low altitude in order to carry out strikes on a fuel depot in Belgorod, Russia. Two workers were reportedly injured in the fire resulting from the strikes. Read more
April 1, 2022 - The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola has announced that she is traveling to Kyiv, Ukraine. She tweeted "on the way to Kyiv" on Thursday night Read more
April 1, 2022 - The U.S Embassy in Russia has put out another alert saying that U.S. citizens currently located in Russia "should depart Russia immediately" via commercial options still available. Read more
April 1, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated last Friday that the United States and the West have declared total war, stating "a real hybrid war, total war has been declared on us" by the West. Read more
March 31, 2022 - "Russia is redeploying elements of its forces from Georgia to reinforce its invasion of Ukraine. Between 1,200 and 2,000 of these Russian troops are being reorganized into 3 x Battalion Tactical Groups. Read more
March 31, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to pay for Russian gas in rubles for 'unfriendly countries' starting on April 1st. Read more
March 31, 2022 - Two workers that were on duty at the Chernobyl site when Russian soldiers took control of it have stated that Russian soldiers, who wore no radiation suits drove through the 'Red Forest' located near the reactor kicking up clouds of radioactive dust. Read more
March 30, 2022 - An ammunition depot exploded in Belgorod, Russia for a reason that is not yet known. There is a possibility of mishandling of explosives within the depot. Some have alleged that it was a missile strike on the ammunition depot, but that has not been confirmed to be true. Read more
March 30, 2022 - Ukraine has claimed that Russia used phosphorous munitions in the town of Marinka, Donetsk region. Our intel team suspected as much after seeing many videos showing what looked like phosphorous being dropped from the sky in Ukraine. Read more
March 29, 2022 - The Ukrainian army says that they have destroyed two missiles that were launched from territory within Belarus at the city of Lviv, Ukraine. The missiles were reportedly destroyed about 30 kilometers away from the city. Read more
March 29, 2022 - The Russian Ministry of Defense says that they have agreed to 'drastically reduce' military activity in Chernihiv and Kyiv in order to increase trust in peace talks. Read more
March 29, 2022 - Hundreds of unexploded mines have been discovered in Kyiv, Ukraine and have been removed. The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs has called on residents to be careful and inform the police if they see an object that resembles a mine or other explosive device. Read more
March 26, 2022 - The Russian Ministry of Defense has put out a statement claiming that Russian male citizens are receiving fake phone calls which the 'answer-back unit informs them of a call to the military commissariat". After 12 hours of the statement we have seen no rebuttal from Ukraine regarding the claim. Read more
March 26, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden has called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be removed from office, saying 'For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power' during a speech at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland. Read more
March 26, 2022 - The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has been seen in public at a Security Council meeting after having been missing from public view since March 11th amidst rumors and speculation that he had died. Read more
March 24, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden said that if Russia uses chemical weapons then the United States would respond, saying "We would respond if he uses it, the nature of the response would depend on the nature of the use". Read more
March 24, 2022 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has estimated that there have been up to 15,000 troops killed since Russia's invasion on Ukraine began last month, with as many as 40,000 troops either killed, wounded, taken prisoner or gone missing, including Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Read more
March 23, 2022 - The following is a report put out by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine about the current situation regarding the current situation at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine Read more
March 22, 2022 - A senior U.S. Defense official says that Russia is continuing to talk about using chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine but that the United States has no indications of an imminent attack. Read more
March 22, 2022 - US and NATO officials say that Belarus could soon join Russia in its war on Ukraine and is already taking steps in that direction. Read more
March 22, 2022 - Russian warships were spotted going through the Japanese strait on March 15th and 16th, as the Kremlin has halted peace treaty talks with Japan after Japan placed heavy sanctions on Russia over the invasion on Ukraine. Read more
March 22, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Monday that he was prepared to discuss a deal not to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in order to reach a ceasefire with Russia, along with the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and a guarantee of Ukraine's security. Read more
March 22, 2022 - The Pentagon says that it can neither confirm nor refute Russia's claims that it had fired hypersonic missiles in Ukraine and at Ukrainian targets. U.S. President Joe Biden however has confirmed that hypersonic missiles were used. Read more
March 22, 2022 - British intelligence update for March 21st, 2022: "Heavy fighting continues north of Kyiv. Russian forces advancing on the city from the north-east have stalled. Read more
March 22, 2022 - Poland is allegedly preparing for a possible invasion by Russia, according to local Ukrainian media who reportedly quoted Ukraine's Warsaw envoy, Andriy Deshchytsia. Read more
March 22, 2022 - Washington says that the Kremlin is 'exploring options' for carrying out cyberattacks against the United States, Joe Biden said on Monday urging to strengthen the cybersecurity of America's private sector. Read more
March 22, 2022 - The head of the Ukrainian Railways Alexander Kamyshin has confirmed that there is no longer any railway connection between Ukraine and Belarus, "thanks to Belarusian railway workers" who decided to launch what they have called a "railway war" by sabotaging Russian equipment in various ways. Read more
March 21, 2022 - Cooperation between Russia and China is only going to get stronger in the current circumstances, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday. Read more
March 21, 2022 - The death toll from the overnight attack on the mall in Kyiv, Ukraine has risen to six people. Rescuers are searching the rubble for more people. Read more
March 21, 2022 - Oleksandr Starukh, governor of Zaporizhzhia Oblast has reported that Russia has used tugboats to steal five grain carriers from the Berdyansk port. Read more
March 21, 2022 - One person was reported to have been killed and several residential and business areas were hit by the missile earlier in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Retroville shopping mall area is reported to have been the likely target. Read more
March 19, 2022 - Four U.S. Marines have died in a plane crash in Norway in the Arctic Circle during a NATO exercise that was reportedly not in any way related to the war in Ukraine according to Norway's Prime Minister. Read more
March 19, 2022 - US officials have confirmed Russia's first use of hypersonic missiles in western Ivano-Frankivsk Ukraine last week, destroying an underground missile and ammunition depot. Read more
March 19, 2022 - The British Defense Intelligence update on Ukraine 19 March 2022: "The Kremlin has so far failed to achieve its original objectives. It has been surprised by the scale and ferocity of Ukrainian Resistance". Read more
March 17, 2022 - National Guard refutes Russian state media reports that falsely claim Tennessee National Guard members killed in Ukraine. Read more
March 17, 2022 - An American named Jim Hill was among around nine other civilians who were reportedly standing in the bread line in Chernihiv, Ukraine when they were gunned down by Russian soldiers according to his sister. Read more
March 17, 2022 - Both Belarus politician Pavel Latushka and Belarusian journalist Franak Viačorka posted this map saying that popping sounds (explosions) were heard in these Belarusian cities in the evening on March 16th. Read more
March 16, 2022 - Explosions were reported in Baranavichy, Luninets, Stolin, Hantsavichy, Slutsk & Kletsk cities of Belarus. Our intel team has examined the audio and concluded that it does not sound like artillery, but it does sound like sonic booms. Read more
March 16, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that the International Court of Justice in the Hague has ordered Russia to stop the war on Ukraine immediately and says that the order is binding under international law. Read more
March 16, 2022 - Ukraine, Russia were reportedly drawing up plans to end the war, providing Ukraine agrees not to join NATO and promises not to host foreign military weapons or bases on its territory. Kyiv rejected Russia's offer after 10 reportedly killed in bread line by Russian military. Read more
March 16, 2022 - There are reports going around that @FoxNews reported the death of the American news crew that worked for them, but not the Ukrainian woman who worked for them that was killed, which has drawn ire from some. Fox did report this, but not initially because they wanted to wait to notify the woman's family first. Read more
March 15, 2022 - A Fox News cameraman, and long-time photojournalist was killed after his vehicle was hit with 'incoming fire' outside of Kyiv, Ukraine. The correspondent that he was with inside the vehicle that took fire was also injured. Read more
March 15, 2022 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance has sent 35,000 troops, 50 ships, including a nuclear attack submarine and 200 aircraft to Norway, which borders Russia for military drills. Read more
March 14, 2022 - Russia is reportedly legalizing piracy by issuing a decree this week allowing businesses to steal patents from anyone in its list of 'unfriendly nations' and stating that unauthorized use of the patents will not be compensated. Read more
March 14, 2022 - The Estonian Parliament has formally called for the implementation of a no-fly zone in Ukraine and a total trade embargo against Russia, becoming the first NATO member to officially endorse a no-fly zone in the war-torn country. Read more
March 13, 2022 - A Soviet-era Tu-141 military drone carrying a bomb flew across three NATO member states before finally crashing down in Croatia, in an urban area according to the Croatian defense minister on Sunday. Read more
March 13, 2022 - According to the Financial Times, US officials stated that Russia has requested military aid from China since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in the form of military equipment and other assistance, but declined to give any further details. Read more
March 13, 2022 - A Russian airstrike that targeted a military training base in Western Ukraine near the Polish border has killed 35 people according to Ukrainian authorities on Sunday. Read more
March 13, 2022 - One journalist was killed and two were injured in Irpin, Ukraine when Russian troops reportedly opened fire on their vehicle. Read more
March 12, 2022 - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that there are 16,000 volunteers from the Middle East who are ready and willing to join Russian backed rebels fighting in Donbas, Eastern Ukraine. Read more
March 12, 2022 - The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine has urged American citizens to depart Ukraine now via ground transport if safe and says that border crossings are now open. Read more
March 12, 2022 - Russia threatens to target foreign aid convoys to Ukraine after NATO Chief said targeting supply lines of allied nations would be 'a dangerous escalation of the war'. Read more
March 12, 2022 - The United States is revoking Russia of its 'permanent normal trade relations' status in order to punish it for its invasion of Ukraine. Read more
March 12, 2022 - Russia says that sanctions on the country could cause the International Space Station to crash into the ocean. The head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos called on Saturday for the sanctions against Russia to be lifted. Read more
March 11, 2022 - The Russian invasion of Ukraine could worsen microchip shortages due to the fact that Ukraine produces around 70% of the world's neon. Neon gas is used to run the lasers necessary for manufacturing semiconductors. There is also a looming threat of a Chinese invasion on Taiwan. If China were to invade Taiwan, it could worsen microchip Shortages even further. Read more
March 10, 2022 - After the United States rejected Poland's offer to put all of its MiG-29 fighter at the disposal of the US, a top US general has explained in more detail why the decision was made. Read more
March 10, 2022 - According to the United Nations, there are now more than 2.3 million Ukrainian war refugees who have left the country since the beginning of the Russian invasion. 161,700 have left the country in the last 24 hours according to the UN report. Read more
March 10, 2022 - The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that the United States has been carrying out experimentation on bat coronavirus samples in U.S. established and U.S. funded bio-labs in Ukraine and that it was first revealed during Russia's 'special operation' in Ukraine. According to Turkish news, China has 'demanded answers' from the United States regarding the '26 bio-labs in Ukraine'. Read more
March 9, 2022 - The United States is deploying two Patriot missile batteries to Poland in order to bolster defenses, after having sent thousands of U.S. troops to the country. Read more
March 9, 2022 - NetBlocks real-time network data shows evidence of a blackout in the vicinity of Chernobyl and Slavutych. The IAEA says however that nuclear experts say it does not present a threat due to the fact that the fuel is "so old that it's no longer hot enough to rely on active pool cooling". Read more
March 9, 2022 - The U.S. has rejected Poland's offer to put all of its MiG-29 fighter jets at the disposal of the United States, which according to a U.S. diplomat was a 'surprise move' after Ukraine requested aircraft from countries in Eastern Europe to aid in their fight against Russia. Read more
March 8, 2022 - U.S. President Biden has announced that the United States is banning oil, gas and energy imports from Russia, saying that it has strong bipartisan support in the congress. Read more
March 8, 2022 - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he agrees to seek compromises, including on NATO, but is not going to surrender. Regarding NATO he said he cooled down to the issue after realizing that NATO was not ready to accept Ukraine and said NATO is afraid of confrontation with Russia. Read more
March 7, 2022 - Russia has published an official list of foreign states that it deems has committed 'unfriendly actions' against Russia. Read more
March 7, 2022 - Dominik Stillhart, director of operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told BBC Radio that the evacuation route out of Mariupol was mined. Read more
March 7, 2022 - The Russian Defense Ministry claimed, without providing any evidence, that the Ukrainian military plans to blow up the 'experimental nuclear reactor' at the Kharkov institute and then blame the Russians for doing it. Read more
March 6, 2022 - Many sources have reported that Russian troops targeted and killed civilians that were attempting to leave the city of Irpin, Ukraine. Video footage also shows this. Four civilians are reported to have died from the attack. Read more
March 6, 2022 - Netflix has announced that it is suspending its services in Russia saying “Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service”. Netflix currently has about 1 million subscribers in Russia. It is not yet known what will happen to the accounts of current subscribers, but Netflix will not be allowing any more sign ups or subscription extensions on existing accounts from Russia. Read more
March 6, 2022 - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that they can no longer get reliable information on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant due to the fact that the internet and telecommunications to the area have been disconnected. Read more
March 6, 2022 - The British Defense Intelligence update for March 6th, 2022 says that the ceasefire agreement to enable the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol was violated within hours of the planned implementation and has failed for the second day in a row. Russian artillery strikes have also likely remained at high levels. Read more
March 6, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine might lose statehood 'if they continue what they are doing'. Read more
March 6, 2022 - The United States has given the 'green light' to NATO countries to provide fighter jets to Ukraine. Russia, however, says that countries that use their airfields to supply Ukraine with fighter jets may be regarded as participating in the conflict. Read more
March 6, 2022 - Many major companies, as well as entire countries continue to cut the cord with Russia. A growing number of companies have stopped shipping and selling products and services to the country citing Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine. Read more
March 6, 2022 - Russian state media has announced that Ukraine is close to building a nuclear 'dirty bomb' but cited an unnamed source that did not provide any evidence to speak of to back up the claims. Read more
March 6, 2022 - The city council of Mariupol, Ukraine says that an evacuation of around 400,000 people currently trapped in the city will start around noon local time on Sunday according to a temporary ceasefire that will reportedly last until 9:00 p.m. Read more
March 5, 2022 - Visa has announced that they are suspending all Russian operations "effective immediately". Visa will be working with its clients and partners in Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days. Read more
March 5, 2022 - A journalist for Sky News was wounded during an ambush by Russian soldiers while they were reporting on the war in Ukraine. The cameraman for the news crew took two bullets to the body armor he was wearing at the time. Read more
March 5, 2022 - The U.S. State Department has reissued its advisory urging all Americans to leave Russia 'immediately'. Read more
March 5, 2022 - There are now major disruptions in Ukraine's national telecoms operator Ukrtelecom. The provider reports combat damage impacting service to: Chernihiv, Sumy, Kherson, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Volyn, Khmelnytsia, Lviv, Ternopil Read more
March 5, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Saturday that sanctions put on Russia from the West are 'akin to a declaration of war' but also said 'thank God it has not come to that'. Read more
March 5, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he has no plans to introduce martial law in Russia, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Read more
March 5, 2022 - The Mariupol City Council has stated that the Mariupol evacuation has been postponed due to continued Russian shelling. DPR however, claims 'Ukrainian nationalists' refuse to allow the population of Mariupol to use the humanitarian corridor. Read more
March 5, 2022 - Over 200,000 people are planned for evacuation from Mariupol, Ukraine. Read more
March 5, 2022 - U.S. Based Russian state news channel RT America is now closing its doors, 'ceasing production' at every location and laying off nearly all of its staff members due to 'unforeseen business interruption events'. Read more
March 5, 2022 - The United Nations says that more than 1,200,000 refugees have fled Ukraine in total thus far since the war with Russia started. Read more
March 5, 2022 - PayPal has reportedly officially stopped working in Russia after PayPal shut down its services in the country citing aggression against Ukraine. Read more
March 5, 2022 - Ukrainian presidential advisor, Mykhaylo Podolyak has reportedly confirmed that Russia will open a humanitarian corridor at Mariupol and Volnovakha today. Read more
March 5, 2022 - British Defense Intelligence update for March 5th, 2022: The overall rate of Russian air and artillery strikes observed over the past 24 hours has been lower than previous days. Ukraine still holds key cities such as Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol. Reports of street fighting in Sumy. Russian forces probably advancing on port city of Mykolaiv. Read more
March 5, 2022 - Russian state news claims that the Russian Ministry of Defense will be declaring a ceasefire at 10:00 Moscow time, in Mariupol and Volnovakha in Donbas to open 'humanitarian corridors' in order to evacuate civilians. Read more
March 4, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Wednesday that if there is a third world war, it will be destructive and involve nuclear weapons. Read more
March 4, 2022 - Russian troops reportedly fired on each other, destroying nine of their own tanks and four of their own armored vehicles according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other sources. Read more
March 4, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly banned Russians from leaving the country with more than $10,000 of foreign currency in their possession. Read more
March 4, 2022 - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham's indirect call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be assassinated is now drawing ire from lawmakers on both political sides. Read more
March 4, 2022 - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says that Russia is using cluster bombs in Ukraine. Read more
March 4, 2022 - A Russian spy who was allegedly posing as a journalist was doing intelligence work in Przemysl, Poland near the Ukrainian border when he was apprehended. He now faces up to 10 years in prison. Read more
March 4, 2022 - Over 8,100 anti-war protesters have been arrested by authorities in Russia as protests broke out across Russia regarding the war in Ukraine. Read more
March 4, 2022 - A massive airlift effort by NATO is underway to 'reinforce Europe' according to NATO Allied Air Command. "Strategic and tactical air transport aircraft including C-17s, C-5s, A330 MRTTs and C-130s from multiple nations have been busy moving units from the NATO Response Force along with national contributions to locations across NATO's Eastern Flank". Read more
March 4, 2022 - Mariupol, Ukraine is currently under siege. Citizens are reporting there is no electricity, no water and faltering telecoms. NetBlocks real time network data shows a collapse in internet activity. Read more
March 4, 2022 - The Russian Parliament has reportedly drafted a law that would punish what they call 'fake' information about the war in Ukraine with up to 15 years in prison and will be debating on it tomorrow. Read more
March 4, 2022 - The Kyiv Independent has posted what they claim are Russian losses. Remember, we likely won't know the real number until the war is over. Read more
March 4, 2022 - CBS reportedly obtained the latest status report from Ukrainian operators on Zaporizhzhia nuclear site to the IAEA: "at present, no changes in the radiation situation have been registered". Read more
March 4, 2022 - Russia is reportedly returning to the gold standard. The government will abolish the VAT (tax) on bullion when purchasing gold bars or other precious metals from a bank. The 20% current tax on top of its value will not apply. Read more
March 4, 2022 - Russian state news RT says that US senator Lindsey Graham is calling for an assassination on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read more
March 4, 2022 - The Russian stock exchange remains closed on Friday for the fourth day in a row as Russian authorities reportedly rolled out additional measures to limit the economic impact from the 'severe sanctions imposed by the West' Read more
March 4, 2022 - The following is an advisory from the U.S. Department of State to U.S. citizens currently located within Ukraine. Read more
March 4, 2022 - The Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said that the U.S. Department of Energy activated its Nuclear Incident Response Team and is 'monitoring events in consultation with the DOD, NRC and White House but sees no elevated radiation readings near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility. Read more
March 4, 2022 - U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has stated that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station "are protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down. We have seen no elevated radiation readings near the facility". Read more
March 4, 2022 - According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ukraine has reported that the fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has not affected 'essential' equipment Read more
March 4, 2022 - White House readout of President Biden's calls with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and NNSA Administrator Hruby regarding the fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Read more
March 4, 2022 - Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba put out a statement earlier saying that the Russian army was firing 'on all sides upon Zaporizhzhia' nuclear power plant and said if it blows up it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl was. Read more
March 4, 2022 - A fire has reportedly broken out at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine according to Dmytro Orlov who is the mayor of Energodar, a town close to the power plant. Video footage also shows problems at the nuclear power plant. Read more
March 3, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that he believed some foreign leaders were preparing for war against Russia and that Russia will continue its war and military operations on Ukraine until the end, also mentioning bio-labs in Ukraine. Read more
March 3, 2022 - After Turkey asked Russia not to send their warships into the Black Sea 'in a friendly way', Turkey says that Russia has withdrawn their request to do so. Turkey has made it clear it will be restricting access to warships from both sides of the war. Read more
March 3, 2022 - The Swedish armed forces have announced that four Russian jets have violated Swedish airspace over the Baltic Sea. Two Russian SU-27 jets and two Russian SU-24 jets were involved in the violation. The Swedish defense minister has called the violation 'unacceptable'. Read more
March 3, 2022 - Turkey has rejected Russian warships from entering the Black Sea through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, according to Turkish foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on March 1st. Read more
March 3, 2022 - A Romanian military helicopter along with the MiG-21 fighter jet the helicopter was searching for has crashed close to the Ukrainian border killing 8 people in total. The reason for the crash is not yet known but harsh weather conditions were reported. Read more
March 3, 2022 - Several Russian vessels have left Crimea and are now heading to Odesa according to correspondent Lucas Tomlinson who stated "An amphibious assault on Ukraine’s third largest city could come as soon as Thursday: U.S. officials". Read more
March 3, 2022 - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) figures state that over one million Ukrainians have now fled the country of Ukraine since the large-scale invasion by Russia began last week. Read more
March 3, 2022 - The Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby has made a statement to reporters saying that the Department of Defense has postponed the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch in order 'to demonstrate we are a responsible nuclear power'. Read more
March 2, 2022 - The US State Department has said that they have closed the U.S. Embassy in Belarus and have authorized the voluntary departure of nonessential staff at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow due to Russia's invasion on Ukraine. Read more
March 2, 2022 - The head of Russia's space agency has stated that Russia will be treating any hacking of its satellites as justification for war, after an alleged hack of their systems was claimed by a 'non-state' hacker group on Tuesday according to media reports. Read more
March 2, 2022 - Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Interior says that Russia is attempting to storm two nuclear power plants in Southern Ukraine. Olga Tokariuk, a freelance correspondent in Kyiv says that there are fears of a potential disaster, should they succeed in storming the nuclear plants. She also warns that this is not only a threat to Ukraine, but to all of Europe. Read more
March 2, 2022 - Reports circulating around British news agencies that appear to be from the same source, that Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved his family to a Siberian 'underground city' designed to 'survive nuclear war'. Our findings here: Read more
March 1, 2022 - A US Defense official has rejected a no fly zone in Ukraine and said "There's no discussion about it here. There's no debating about it here. It's not something that we have to take to NATO". Read more
March 1, 2022 - The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has put out a statement claiming that Russia is preparing a deliberate 'provocation' to justify the introduction of Belarusian troops. They also stated that according to available intelligence, there are now 300 Belarusian tanks near the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. Read more
March 1, 2022 - Mariupol, Ukraine which is a city of nearly 500,000 people has lost power after attacks from advancing Russian forces. The Mayor of Mariupol says that the enemy is attacking 'from all fronts' and that it is being 'pounded' by Russian attacks. Read more
March 1, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that Ukraine still has 'Soviet nuclear tech' and that Russia cannot fail to respond to this danger. He also said that it's 'time for US nuclear weapons in Europe to return home'. Read more
March 1, 2022 - Google Europe has put out an official message saying that they are blocking YouTube channels connected to RT and Sputnik across Europe. Read more
March 1, 2022 - The British Ministry of Defense intelligence update for March 01, 2022 says that the Russian advance in Ukraine has made little progress in the last 24 hours. Russian artillery is hitting densely populated urban areas and Russia still does not have air superiority. Read more
March 1, 2022 - Current (as well as former) U.S. officials who have been briefed on the matter have reportedly told NBC News that Russian President Vladimir Putin is growing 'increasingly frustrated' and has had outbursts of anger at the people in his inner circle regarding the current progress of his military 'campaign' on Ukraine so far. Read more
February 28, 2022 - Ukrainian Pravda news site (based on Ukrainian translation) claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Wagnerians to Ukraine with a special mission to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and 'prepare the ground for Russia's seizure of power. Read more
February 28, 2022 - The exchange rate for the Russian rouble is now at a record high, at around 117 to 125 rouble per every one US dollar. The Central Bank has also lifted the borrowing rate to 20%, from yesterday's 9.5% borrowing rate. Read more
February 28, 2022 - The British Prime Minister has stated that the United Kingdom will be sending 40 million more pounds in aid to Ukraine for medical supplies and assistance to the country. Read more
February 28, 2022 - The British Defense Ministry has put out an intelligence update that says that Russia's ground forces remain 30km from North of Kyiv, slowed by Ukrainian forces, heavy fighting continues near Chernihiv and Kharkov but remain under Ukrainian control, logistical failures and Ukrainian resistance continue to frustrate the Russian advance and Russia has been forced to admit casualties despite suppressing details since the start of the conflict. Read more
February 28, 2022 - Speaking to Fox News, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stated that he believes that Russia may be ready to level a Ukrainian city with a nuke and kill thousands of civilians to 'break their will and to break our will". Read more
February 28, 2022 - The US embassy in Moscow has put out an announcement telling all US nationals to leave Russia 'immediately'. Read more
February 28, 2022 - After assessing the situation with Russia and their forces being set to a higher nuclear deterrence level, we have set our overall alert level back to three for the time being. We don't believe the current situation warrants a two quite yet. Read more
February 28, 2022 - Russia's war on Ukraine has failed to provide Russia a quick and decisive victory after four days of fighting, so Russia has reportedly pulled their ally Belarus in on the conflict according to Ukrainian news. Read more
February 27, 2022 - A former U.S. defense intelligence analyst says that Putin is "is escalating the conflict into the nuclear domain in order to de-escalate – that is topple Kiev’s regime quickly" due to the fact that his forces aren't getting the job done. Read more
February 27, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has now ordered Russia's nuclear deterrent forces on alert in response to Western sanctions and rising tensions over Putin's invasion on Ukraine. Read more
February 26, 2022 - French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Lukashenko, the President of Belarus to demand that Russian troops leave the country, claiming that Russia has been given the green light to deploy nuclear weapons in the country. Belarus borders Ukraine, giving Russia a strategic reason to deploy nuclear warheads in the country if they so choose to do so. Read more
February 26, 2022 - Russian forces have reportedly fired at a radioactive waste disposal site in Kyiv, Ukraine according to The Kyiv Independent. Read more
February 26, 2022 - YouTube has blocked Russian state news RT, as well as other Russian channels from receiving money from advertisements. This includes videos that run videos from these state run news and media channels. Read more
February 26, 2022 - Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba has responded to apparent propaganda that Ukraine has plans to launch a 'dirty bomb' into Russian territory. Read more
February 26, 2022 - Ukrainian President Zelensky seemed to hint that Turkey had closed its straits leading to many reports that they have done done, but reports by Reuters say that Turkey has not yet decided to close the straits. Read more
February 26, 2022 - Ukraine's Ministry of Interior has asked all people in the country to turn off the geolocation on their cell phones, as Russia is beginning to track gatherings of people. As locations may possibly be tracked even with geolocation (GPS and data) turned off, it's best to completely remove the battery on your cellphone if possible to ensure your location cannot be tracked. Read more
February 26, 2022 - Britain's Ministry of Defense has put out a new intelligence update on the Russia/Ukraine war. They say Russian forces have continued their advance on Kyiv with the bulk of their forces and are now 30km away from the city. Read more
February 26, 2022 - Russian state news RT has announced that Russia is deploying 12,000 Chechens to Ukraine. We had been hearing about Russia having plans to do that earlier today but it has now been posted out by Russian state news. Read more
February 26, 2022 - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that the alliance sending thousands of commanders to nations in Eastern Europe near Ukraine, and will be beefing up arms support and continuing to send weapons and air defenses to Ukraine and reinforcing defenses on allied territory (territory of NATO members in Eastern Europe). Read more
February 26, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has told both nations that if they join NATO there will be 'military military-political repercussions'. Read more
February 26, 2022 - The Biden administration has said that they believe that Russia plans to threaten to kill the families of Ukrainian soldiers if they don't surrender to Russia Read more
February 26, 2022 - There has been a major disruption in Ukraine's internet provider GigaTrans that feeds internet connectivity to many of Ukraine's networks amidst heavy fighting in Vasylkiv and Kyiv, Ukraine according to Netblocks Internet Observatory. Read more
February 26, 2022 - The North Atlantic Treaty Agreement (NATO) has now activated parts of its multinational response force. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated "We are deploying elements of the NATO Response Force. On land, at sea, and in the air. We will do what it takes to protect and defend every Ally, and every inch of NATO territory". Read more
February 26, 2022 - Russia reportedly shelled a Moldovan chemical tanker and Panamanian cargo ship headed for the load grain near Odessa port in the Black Sea and a Japanese Bulk carrier MV Namura Queen also reportedly hit by a rocket at anchor off Yuzhne. Read more
February 25, 2022 - Actions that are being described by some as war crimes are allegedly being carried out in Ukraine by Russian forces. One video was posted on showing what looks to be a Russian tank rolling over a person's car in Kyiv. The driver of the car was allegedly still inside according to Ukrainian UNIAN news. Read more
February 25, 2022 - Ukraine forces claim they have reportedly re-taken Kyiv airport from the control of Russian special forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered a full mobilization of troops. Read more
February 25, 2022 - Kyiv, Ukraine has been bombarded by Russian rockets. Photos from Kyiv's local news show an entire skyrise apartment complex nearly demolished by rocket fire (join us on social media or telegram to see photos and videos). Some rockets fired by Russia at Kyiv were reportedly intercepted, but many hit their marks (or missed their intended targets). Read more
February 25, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 137 Ukrainian military and civilians have been killed in the fighting with Russia thus far. 10 officers and 316 injuries have also been reported elsewhere. Read more
February 25, 2022 - Ukrainian Defense Minister Ukrainian Defense Minister Hanna Maliar put out a report claiming alleged Russian military losses (as of 03:00 24.02.2022): 7 planes, 6 helicopters, over 30 tanks, 130 BBM. The Ukrainian Defense Minister says that about 800 Russians have been killed in the fighting so far. Read more
February 25, 2022 - A Turkish ship off Odessa is reported to have been hit by a Russian missile (some reports say bomb) which was 'misfired'. There weren't any reported casualties, but the incident according to Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2 on Twitter), could put pressure on Turkey to block Russian vessels from entering its straits Read more
February 25, 2022 - It appears 'the whole Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea (that we know of) sailed to Syria this morning while the invasion of Ukraine was unfolding'. Information provided by well known Defense analyst H I Sutton, writer for Naval News. Read more
February 24, 2022 - A Russian artillery shell has reportedly hit the Uman city center and killed one person, injuring five others according to the Head of the Cherkasy Regional State Administration Oleksandr Skichko. Read more
February 24, 2022 - The United States is set to deploy 7,000 more troops to Europe, including an armored Brigade combat team with enablers. Read more
February 24, 2022 - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that allies condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine in the 'strongest possible terms'. Read more
February 24, 2022 - Russia attacked Ukraine by air, land and sea on Thursday, in what Reuters calls 'the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two'. Read more
February 24, 2022 - The Ukrainian government has now imposed martial law according to local Ukrainian news reports. Read more
February 24, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin is launching full-scale attacks on the entire country of Ukraine, not just the separatist locations. Read more
February 24, 2022 - During the live broadcast by Russian President Vladimir Putin he both officially declared war on Ukraine, and added a warning to anyone who might get involved saying that they will have 'consequences that you never have had before in your history'. Read more
February 24, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly officially declared war on Ukraine in a live speech that is currently being broadcast. We will report more on what was said in the live speech as the information comes in, he's still speaking and he sounds very resolute. Read more
February 24, 2022 - The Mariupol live feed camera we were monitoring has been cut. Either it has been hacked or the live feed had too many requests from heavy site traffic due to the current situation. Read more
February 24, 2022 - There is currently a suspected missile attack in Mariupol, Ukraine happening. Live feed cameras of the city show heavy explosions and smoke billowing from the city. Read more
February 24, 2022 - Russia has closed the airspace along the northeast Ukrainian border for civil aviation according to NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) Read more
February 24, 2022 - The official Ukrainian government websites have a virus. Confirmed by our intel team. DO NOT click on the link at the bottom of the page if you try to visit. Read more
February 23, 2022 - According to Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, there are "Worrying reports from Crimea on the entire night shift of Titan chemicals plant in Armyansk evacuated from the facility. This might be a preparation for another staged provocation by Russia. Moscow seems to have no limits in attempts to falsify pretexts for further aggression". Read more
February 23, 2022 - The Ukrainian Parliament has now declared a state of emergency. Decree green lights on the following measures: Document checks, ban on protests, evacuation of people from dangerous areas, ban on producing or spreading information that may 'destabilize the situation'. Read more
February 23, 2022 - The Latvian Prime Minister says that Russia is moving some forces and tanks into Eastern Ukraine, which would confirm previously unconfirmed videos that we have seen of Russia moving tanks into Eastern Ukraine. Read more
February 23, 2022 - We continue to see large convoys of tanks allegedly rolling into Belgorod, Russia, and a new field hospital at a garrison near Belgorod around 12 miles from the Ukrainian border which indicates that something is going on there. Putin said last week he planned on ending drills as planned on February 20th. Read more
February 22, 2022 - There are many reports coming out from sources regarding an explosion that allegedly happened in Donetsk at a TV center. So far the root sources we've been able to track down all seem to be coming from the DPR and LPR which could be Russian propaganda. We will keep you informed as we get more information. Read more
February 22, 2022 - There are many reports coming out from sources regarding an explosion that allegedly happened in Donetsk at a TV center. So far the root sources we've been able to track down all seem to be coming from the DPR and LPR which could be Russian propaganda. We will keep you informed as we get more information. Read more
February 22, 2022 - White House Officially Calls Russian 'Peacekeeping Mission' In Ukraine An Invasion - The White House has officially called the so called Russian 'peace keeping' mission in Ukraine to the separatist regions Donetsk and Luhansk an invasion. Read more
February 22, 2022 - Russian state news RIA Novosti has announced that the meeting between France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that was scheduled for February 25th has now been canceled in the midst of ever increasing tensions between Russia and the West. Read more
February 22, 2022 - The Russian President held a meeting of the Russian Federation Security Council at the Kremlin. Read more
February 22, 2022 - The following is a conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin, who says he supports making the LPR and DPR part of the Russian Federation. Read more
February 22, 2022 - The head of the Belarusian Army, Viktor Vulevich stated that the withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus primarily depends on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pulling back its own forces from the region. Read more
February 22, 2022 - The U.S. Department of State has released a statement regarding the move of Department of State personnel to Poland for the night. Read more
February 22, 2022 - Tanks and military vehicles were reportedly spotted on the outskirts of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine by a Reuters reporter, according to Reuters. Read more
February 22, 2022 - *Defcon Site No Longer Under Attack Due To Our Restrictive Firewall* Reports coming out that various services are being jammed in Ukraine's occupied "LDPR" territories. We're also seeing attempted attacks on our own web server, with thousands of new requests hitting it and increasing rapidly. We have never seen an increase like this before. If you have issues with anything loading on our website please message us on social media and let us know. Read more
February 22, 2022 - The Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations put out a letter from Sergiy Kyslytsya requesting an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council and requested to be allowed to 'participate in the meeting and make a statement". Read more
February 21, 2022 - In response to the recent decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize Donetsk (DNR) and Luhansk (LNR) as independent states, Biden will issue an executive order that prohibits new investment trade and financing by U.S. persons to, from or in DNR and LNR. Read more
February 21, 2022 - The Biden Administration has ordered out all remaining State Department personnel out of Ukraine. The U.S. Embassy had been moved from Kyiv, Ukraine to the western Ukraine city of Lviv but now they are moving out of Ukraine completely and into Poland Read more
February 21, 2022 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated "Kremlin recognition of the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” as “independent” requires a swift and firm response, and we will take appropriate steps in coordination with partners". Read more
February 21, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops to carry out 'peacekeeping functions' only hours after officially recognizing the two separatist regions as independent. The forces are reportedly to maintain peace in the separatist held regions. Read more
February 21, 2022 - The U.S. Embassy had been moved from Kyiv, Ukraine to the western Ukraine city of Lviv but now they are moving out of Ukraine completely and into Poland. Read more
February 21, 2022 - A Ukrainian commander that is currently operating on the front lines in Donbas sent Buzzfeednews correspondent Christopher Miller a text message saying "We’ve been under shelling all day and yesterday. We watched Putin’s speech and now we are waiting. No new orders from military leadership except be covered with armor and watch for drones". Read more
February 21, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has also ordered a 'peacekeeping operation' in eastern Ukraine's two breakaway regions, Donetsk and Luhansk. Read more
February 21, 2022 - The White House has responded to Putin's 'Live' address recognizing two Russian backed separatist locations in Eastern Ukraine as independent states. Read more
February 21, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin is now urging lawmakers to sign treaties with Ukraine's rebel regions so that Moscow can begin to supply military support to those regions. Fox News reporterJennifer Griffin says that the "Pentagon is expecting Putin to move into Ukraine tonight, on to those just recognized independent areas". Read more
February 21, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "Discussed the events of the last hours with @POTUS. We begin the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council. A conversation with @BorisJohnson is also planned". Read more
February 21, 2022 - Putin says Ukraine is capable of creating nuclear weapons using heritage from Soviet era and Western technological support. This could be used as a pretext (or excuse) to move in on Ukraine. Read more
February 21, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has now officially signed the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic as sovereign states. The papers are now officially signed, and the Russian stock market futures are now crashing. As of 26 minutes ago at the time of writing this, the futures had plummeted 21% as Putin was speaking on Ukraine during the live address. Read more
February 21, 2022 - White House National Security advisor Jake Sullivan said on Monday that Russia is planning an 'extremely violent' invasion of Ukraine and that Russia seeks to 'crush' the Ukrainian people. Read more
February 21, 2022 - The recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to do, if he so chooses, roll his troops, tanks and artillery through the Ukrainian border and into those two regions. This would put Russian troops and tanks within Ukraine while under the pretext that it is Russian territory since it will now be 'officially' recognized as Russian territory the moment he signs the decree. Read more
February 21, 2022 - Putin has reportedly told Macron and Scholz that he will be signing the decree recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk 'People Republics'. He will reportedly be speaking about it in the live address about to take place. It was supposed to be taking place now, but he is not always on time. Read more
February 21, 2022 - There has allegedly been a car bomb explosion in the city of Lugansk in front of the JCC center that contains Russians who monitor the 'ceasefire'. There are many reports of an explosion that rocked Lugansk city center, and videos out purportedly showing the explosion released by Russian state news, RIA Novosti. Read more
February 21, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly 'going around the room asking his top officials if Russia should recognize the Russian-controlled separatist regions in Eastern Ukraine according to Moscow reporter Patrick Reevell. Watching the live now, they are debating on it (news stream is live, they are showing footage from earlier debating on the issue). Read more
February 21, 2022 - U.S. Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated "President Biden accepted in principle a meeting w/ President Putin following that engagement, again, if an invasion hasn’t happened. We are always ready for diplomacy. We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war". Read more
February 21, 2022 - The LPR and Russian state media are claiming that Ukraine allegedly shelled a position along the Line Of Control and killed two civilians. Read more
February 20, 2022 - Internet provider Lugacom, an ISP that supplies internet connectivity to Luhansk in eastern Ukraine from Russia, has announced potential disruptions in their mobile services in the region in the last day. Read more
February 20, 2022 - Fox news has confirmed reports by the New York Times and Washington Post that US allegedly has intelligence that Russian troops were given orders to proceed with an invasion. On NBC's Face The Nation CBS David Martin had stated "The commanders on the ground are making specific plans for how they would maneuver in their sector of the battlefield". Read more
February 20, 2022 - Natasha Bertrand, reporter for the White House and national security stated that she talked to Vice President Kamala Harris and asked if the U.S. has evidence that Putin has given his subordinates the order to invade Ukraine. Kamala replied with "We believe he has made his decision. Period". Read more
February 20, 2022 - The U.S. Embassy in Russia has put out a statement regarding possible terror attacks in Russia. They have warned American citizens to stay away from crowds, carry proper identification and have an evacuation plan ready. Embassy says that their assessment is based on 'media reports' of threats. They did not specify which media reports they were referring to. It's possible it could have been Russian media reports. Read more
February 20, 2022 - Russian tanks have been rolling into Belgorod, Russia. Our intel team has noticed many videos of tanks rolling into Belgorod the last few days. Check us out on social media to see our video and photo updates. Read more
February 20, 2022 - Over 10 Russian ships have now reportedly passed under the Crimean Bridge (Kerch Strait Bridge) and entered the Sea of Azov. The ships include: Project 775, the Saratov Project 1171 large landing ships, and Pavel Derzhavin Project 22160 patrol ship. Read more
February 20, 2022 - CNN has now reported that Russia has around 75% of its 'conventional forces' positioned around the Ukrainian border, including 120 Battalion Tactical Groups that are within 60km of Ukraine, 35 air defense battalions, 500 fighters and bomber aircraft and 50 medium to heavy bombers. Read more
February 20, 2022 - A video released by Russian state news TV Vezda allegedly shows DPR forces carrying out an anti-tank guided missile attack on Ukrainian positions in Donbass. Read more
February 20, 2022 - Russian state news RIA Novosti has put out an article that says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he has decided to make a nuclear bomb. We decided to get to the bottom of this claim and find out what was really said. Read more
February 20, 2022 - The British Prime Minister suggested that Russia may be planning the largest war in Europe since 1945. "All the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun" he stated. Read more
February 19, 2022 - Russian T-72 tanks have been spotted in Tomarovka, Belgrod Oblast, which is less than 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Our intel team has pulled up a large number of video footage of tanks in and around that location. Read more
February 19, 2022 - Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and four injured during a large escalation in fighting on the frontline. Mortars and artillery were used and there are even reports that a tank was allegedly used. Read more
February 19, 2022 - We're starting to see a large escalation of fighting near the line of control in Donbass, Ukraine over the last hour. What sounds like gunfire and artillery rounds are reportedly being fired near the Kievsky district. Read more
February 19, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "I had a conversation with the leader of one of the leading countries. I was told the war would start in a few days. I said - impose sanctions today. They answered me, we will introduce when the war starts". Read more
February 19, 2022 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "I had a conversation with the leader of one of the leading countries. I was told the war would start in a few days. I said - impose sanctions today. They answered me, we will introduce when the war starts". Read more
February 19, 2022 - The OSCE has reported that there have been 222 ceasefire violations by separatists in the #Donetsk region on Thursday including 135 explosions and 648 in #Luhansk including 519 explosions. Read more
February 19, 2022 - The leader of the Unrecognized DPR Denis Pushilin has announced a general mobilization saying "I urge fellow countrymen who are in reserve to come to the military commissariats. Today I signed a decree on general mobilization". Read more
February 19, 2022 - Russian state news has claimed that Ukrainian security forces have opened fire on DPR positions, and that in Donetsk they believe Kyiv is ready for a forceful solution to the conflict. Read more
February 19, 2022 - The OSCE says that there are between 169,000 and 190,000 Russian troops on the Ukrainian border, "This is the most significant military mobilization in Europe since the Second World War". They said that Russia now has around 50% of its forces stationed near the Ukrainian border. Read more
February 19, 2022 - Ukrainian security official Oleksiy Danilov stated on Friday that Russia is attempting to stage provocations in eastern Ukraine and trying to provoke a response out of Kyiv. Danilov stated that Ukraine will remain peaceful despite this in order to diffuse the current tensions with Russia. Read more
February 19, 2022 - U.S. intelligence indicates that Russia may target political opponents, activists and Belarusian 'dissidents' currently living in exile if it does carry out a large-scale invasion on Ukraine according to Foreign Policy. Read more
February 19, 2022 - During heightened tensions with Ukraine, Russia has decided to carry out nuclear force exercises on February 19th where they will test launch ICBMs, SLBMs and bombers. Read more
February 19, 2022 - The British Ministry of Defense stated Thursday that Russia has 50% of its ground combat units on the Ukrainian border. U.S officials now say Russia has around 150,000 ground troops and 125 battalion tactical groups on the border. Read more
February 18, 2022 - There has been a massive pipeline explosion in Ukraine. We are still investigating but Russian state news, Reuters and other news agencies say that it was near Luhansk, one of the main cities in Ukraine's breakaway region of the People's Republic of Luhansk. The pipeline caught fire after the blast. Read more
February 18, 2022 - The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic has announced an agreement with the Russian leadership to evacuate Russian citizens in the Rostov region into Russia. The evacuation is claimed to be carried out due to alleged 'increased shelling by Ukraine' and what they say is an 'impending Ukrainian attack' on Russian separatist locations within Ukraine. Read more
February 17, 2022 - Luhansk, Ukraine internet and main mobile service operator Vodafone. The cause has not yet been determined. One report says that Kyivstar is also down or having disruptions. Read more
February 17, 2022 - The CinC AF of Ukraine has put out a statement declaring an evacuation of the local population in some settlements in the 'temporarily occupied territory' especially by Donetsk. Read more
February 17, 2022 - Russian military expert Rob Lee has stated that when Russia said that they will be taking 'military technical response' they likely meant moving weapon systems closer to NATO members such as 9M729 (SSC-8) cruise missile systems. Read more
February 17, 2022 - Russian state news RIA Novosti reported saying that the United States allegedly "twisted" Russia's proposals on security guarantees in the direction of creating advantages for Washington and its allies. Russia says they expect a full withdrawal of US and NATO forces from eastern Europe. Read more
February 17, 2022 - Russia says that Moscow will be forced to respond due to Washington's unwillingness to agree on security guarantees, according to Russian state news TASS. Read more
February 17, 2022 - When Biden was asked is it "your sense Putin is going to go thru with it" Biden responded with, “Yes… not now, in a matter of days.” Read more
February 17, 2022 - Russian Foreign Ministry website seems to be under DDOS attack at the moment. Website now shows no errors except default 'site took too long to be reached' error which indicates the server has been taken down. Read more
February 17, 2022 - The Russian Foreign Ministry website is currently down, with a database error "DB query error. Please try later". Read more
February 17, 2022 - Russian state news has reported that Russia has expelled United States Deputy Ambassador in Moscow Bart Gorman. The United States has allegedly promised a 'response'. Read more
February 17, 2022 - There has reportedly been shelling on a kindergarten in Stanytsia Luhanska, Ukraine. Russian state news agencies claim that the artillery fire came from the Ukrainian front and that Ukraine targeted a kindergarten within its own territory. Ukraine says that the artillery fire came from Russia and that it is 'a big provocation'. Read more
February 17, 2022 - There is currently smoke billowing out of the Russian embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. The smoke is coming out of the chimney so it is controlled and does not seem to be accidental. This may indicate that Russia is burning sensitive documents within the embassy as a precaution to safeguard against another country obtaining them. Read more
February 17, 2022 - Al Jazeera reported the following message "Urgent | President of the separatist Lugansk Republic: We call on international observers to take urgent measures to prevent bloodshed in Donbass". Read more
February 17, 2022 - Russian state news has accused Ukraine of firing mortar shells and grenades at four LPR locations. This may or may not be true, but as always never treat a story as fact until it's verified by multiple credible sources. Read more
February 16, 2022 - Nolan Peterson, a reporter on the ground in Ukraine who spoke with Ukrainian soldiers said that they were 'on edge last night' and are now taking 'concrete actions' to prepare for a Russian attack. Read more
February 16, 2022 - Despite suspected propaganda coming from the Russian media, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that Washington continues to see Russian forces in mass moving toward the Ukrainian border, not away from it, and Russia is building a bridge over the Pripyat river from Belarus to Ukraine. Read more
February 15, 2022 - The United States is reportedly currently evaluating whether or not Russia is in fact behind the cyberattack on the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense website, as well as a few Ukrainian banks. Read more
February 15, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated During joint press conference with German Chancellor that "Russia can't turn away from the fact that US and NATO are interpreting the key principles of indivisibility of security that is stipulated in many pan-European documents". Read more
February 15, 2022 - Our intel channels confirm that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense website is still down. It is now not showing any custom error message at all, just the white default connection timeout message, indicating the server is completely shut down. Read more
February 15, 2022 - Netblocks monitoring service confirms that the Ukrainian ministry of defense website is down, along with Ukraine's State Savings Bank which is impacting ATM and banking services in Ukraine. Suspected ongoing DDOS attack on the servers. Read more
February 15, 2022 - Ukrainian Ministry of Defense: "The MOD website was probably attacked by DDoS: an excessive number of requests per second was recorded. Technical works on restoration of regular functioning are carried out. Communication via FB and Twitter pages" Read more
February 15, 2022 - Ukrainian media reports say there are issues with some Ukrainian banks, in addition with the Defense Ministry site being down. Privat and Oschad apps are not working and people can't pay with their cards. Read more
February 15, 2022 - Russian State news TASS claimed that the LPR prevented a terrorist attack in Luhansk. TASS said the department announced 'possible' involvement in the attempted attack of 'sabotage'. Remember to always read Russian state news with a grain of salt. The report may be part of Russia's pretext for justifying an invasion on Ukraine. Read more
February 15, 2022 - The United States Embassy in Kyiv says "Today’s Duma vote on the “LPR/DPR” is yet another odious attempt to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty and a clear violation of the Minsk agreements, which commit signatories to reintegrate these regions. Read more
February 15, 2022 - Russian State Duma reportedly passed resolution appealing to Putin to recognize independence of the DNR and LNR (Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republic) Read more
February 15, 2022 - Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs put out a statement saying "Russia's recognition of the so-called "L/DPR" will be tantamount to its deliberate withdrawal from the Minsk Agreements. Such a move will cause a blow to the politico-diplomatic settlement that Ukraine and its partners have been actively engaged to promote". Read more
February 15, 2022 - The Russian Defense Ministry says that they are withdrawing troops and have shown video footage of tanks moving back to their bases. They say Southern and Western Military District troops have completed their exercises and will return to their permanent bases. Read more
February 14, 2022 - The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is now reportedly closing down temporarily and relocating to Lviv, western Ukraine "due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces". Read more
February 14, 2022 - A U.S. official claims that Russia has 'moved some long-range artillery and rocket launchers into firing position' according to CBS. Read more
February 14, 2022 - Ukrayinska Pravda has reported that there are currently no flight cancellations at Ukraine's capital airports Boryspil and Zhulyany and that all flights in those airports are currently on schedule. Read more
February 14, 2022 - There are many reports that Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom told BBC that Ukraine may be willing to drop plans of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in order to avoid a possible war with Russia. However, they only said they had contemplated the possibility, not that they actually were actually considering doing such a thing now. Read more
February 13, 2022 - After reports began to come out of insurance agencies for airlines and aircraft refusing to allow their carriers over Ukrainian airspace, Ukraine has now reportedly put up $590 million to insure its airspace. Read more
February 13, 2022 - *TRANSLATED FROM UKRAINIAN* Ukrayinska Pravda is reporting that Ukrainian oligarchs and businessmen are leaving Ukraine on charter flights and that about 20 charters and private jets departed from Kyiv on Sunday alone. Read more
February 13, 2022 - Canada is reportedly pulling its troops out of Ukraine 'as a result of complex operational aggression against Ukraine' according to the Canadian Armed Forces, who are in the process of relocating components of their Joint Task Force from Ukraine to somewhere else in Europe. Read more
February 13, 2022 - Senior U.S. officials stated on Sunday that they can't confirm reports by mainstream sources that Russia is planning on invading Ukraine on Wednesday. They did however say that they will attempt to prevent any 'surprise attack' that might happen by sharing what they know about Russia's plans. Read more
February 13, 2022 - *Based On Translated Ukrainian News* Ukraine has reportedly classified the airspace over the Black Sea as dangerous and has put out a warning telling airlines not to fly over airspace above the Black Sea. Read more
February 13, 2022 - U.S. National Security Advisor has reiterated Washington's stance that the United States won't be sending any forces to battle the Russians in the event that Russia invades Ukraine. Read more
February 13, 2022 - Ukraine has reportedly stated that they see no point in closing airspace amid Russian tensions. But, "If particular air carriers decide to reconfigure the flight schedule, this certainly has nothing to do with the decisions or policies of our state". Read more
February 13, 2022 - Russia has reportedly begun the process of evacuating diplomats from Ukraine according to RIA Novosti which stated (translation): "Russian Diplomats begin to leave Ukraine, a source said". Read more
February 12, 2022 - *NEW INFORMATION* Russia claimed that the U.S. submarine refused orders to leave their territorial waters, but then left back into international waters after the Russian Navy used 'appropriate means'. The US has rejected Russia's claims that Russia warned off the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine. Read more
February 12, 2022 - The Russian Embassy for the United Kingdom quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating "After Russian troops finish drills and return to barracks, West will declare 'diplomatic victory' by having 'secured' Russian 'de-escalation'. Predictable scenario and cheap domestic political points". Read more
February 12, 2022 - Biden reportedly told the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, Poland, Romania and France as well as NATO Secretary General and President of the European Commission that Putin may launch an attack on Ukraine on Wednesday, February 16th. Read more
February 12, 2022 - The U.S. State Department has ordered the evacuation of 'most' of the embassy staff in Ukraine, reducing the staff to a 'bare minimum' according to a state department official. Read more
February 12, 2022 - *UPDATED* Countries that have asked their citizens to evacuate #Ukraine: United States, Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Iraq, Montenegro, Norway, Latvia, Great Britain, Estonia, North Macedonia, Finland, Canada, New Zealand, Kuwait, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Sweden, Spain, KSA, Lithuania, UAE, New Zealand, Australia, Czech Republic Read more
February 12, 2022 - Iraq has now reportedly asked all of its citizens currently located in Ukraine to leave the country due to the 'exceptional circumstances' and has issued a warning to its citizens against traveling to Ukraine until further notice for their safety. Read more
February 12, 2022 - There are reportedly 7,000 American citizens currently in Ukraine with another 25,000 dual citizens with U.S. citizenship, all of which will have no help from the U.S. government to evacuate from the country if Russia carries out an invasion of Ukraine. Read more
February 12, 2022 - Russia is looking to attack on Wednesday as a target date a U.S. official reportedly told AP. Why Wednesday? We don't know. The mainstream media has been in a state of confusion, and it only seems to be getting worse the closer the world gets to a possible war. Read more
February 12, 2022 - The Russian Mission To the United Nations put out a statement quoting Polyanskiy saying "We codemn the policy of the #UnitedStates and its allies that relocate their military to #EasternEurope. Those are steps in a wrong direction. Instead of bringing de-escalation, it may provoke crises that all of us would want to avoid". Read more
February 12, 2022 - More than 30 ships from the Russian Black Sea Fleet moved out for exercises From from Novorossiysk and Sevastopol with subdivisions of the coastal troops of the fleet 'also entering combat training grounds' according to Russian state news Zvezda by Russia's Ministry of Defense. Read more
February 12, 2022 - White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich stated "On WH denying reports Putin has decided to attack, diplomatic source tells me “There are some worrying signals that could lead you to believe a go-order has been given –but it cannot be confirmed. I would be a bit cautious because the information is imperfect, incomplete". Read more
February 11, 2022 - According to Belarus Journalist Franak Viačorka, "only part of the Russian troops were actually involved in the 'exercise' while some were deployed outside of the location where the drills were taking place, near the Ukrainian border. Read more
February 11, 2022 - Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs put out a statement saying that in a conversation with EU the Foreign Minister, they discussed the security situation and he confirmed that a package of 'severe sanctions' for Russia is ready. Read more
February 11, 2022 - Israel is now evacuating the families of its diplomats from Kyiv, Ukraine in light of the escalating tensions in the region. Read more
February 11, 2022 - The White House has put out another warning telling Americans in Ukraine to get out of the country, saying get out now because the U.S. Military won't help rescue you if Russia invades and that the President will not be putting the lives of soldiers at risk by sending them in a war zone to rescue people who could have gotten out but chose not to. Read more
February 11, 2022 - There is currently a lot of confusion going on regarding whether Putin has decided to invade Ukraine. Jake Sullivan pushed back on the report, but said he did not watch the PBS piece regarding Putin having made up his mind to invade. Read more
February 11, 2022 - Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrskyi spoke to Australia's Sky News and stated they are ready and capable and we will not give up a single meter of Ukrainian land without a fight, and that if Russia were to invade Ukraine each meter of the land will be flooded with their blood. Read more
February 11, 2022 - The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Russian Navy's detachment of six landing ships which includes the Minsk, Kaliningrad, Georgy Pobedonosets, Pyotr Morgunov, and Olenegorsk Miner has reached the naval base of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea. Read more
February 11, 2022 - *UPDATED* After the Russian Foreign Minister called British Foreign Minister A Dumb And Deaf Person and left her standing at the podium all alone, the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated that Russia's ties with Britain are at a low point while meeting with UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace for talks, saying that Russia's level of cooperation is "close to zero and about to cross the zero meridian and go into negative'. Read more
February 11, 2022 - After US officials stated that Russia was planning on creating a pretext for an invasion on Ukraine, Russia has conveniently come out with a report that they have found more than 130 mass graves of civilians on the territory of the so called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), who they claim died from Ukrainian aggression. Read more
February 11, 2022 - The US Mission to NATO said Russia continues its military buildup, NATO allies continue calling for diplomacy and said that an attack on one is an attack on all. Read more
February 11, 2022 - The United States has deployed B-52 Stratofortress nuclear bombers belonging to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota to the United Kingdom. Read more
February 11, 2022 - Secretary of State Antony Blinken has put out a statement saying that an invasion on Ukraine by Russia could happen 'at any time', including during the Beijing Winter Olympics. Read more
February 11, 2022 - Biden has told NBC that sending troops in to evacuate Ukraine would be world war, essentially saying that it would result in world war 3 where Americans and Russians would be shooting at each other. Read more
February 10, 2022 - Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called British Foreign Minister Liz Truss "dumb and deaf" and walked away, leaving her standing at the podium alone during talks. Read more
February 10, 2022 - *Based On Translated Version Of Ukrainian News* Ukrainian news site ZN.UA reported that Russia is closing off areas of the Black and Azov Seas for 'missile training' which, the project manager at the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies Andriy Klimenko said indicates that Russia may be planning to carry out a naval blockade of Ukrainian ports. Read more
February 10, 2022 - A group of members of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has reportedly asked Biden in an open letter to share as much intelligence as possible with Ukraine. Read more
February 10, 2022 - The U.S. Embassy in Russia has put out a travel advisory for Russia saying that the advisory level is at: Level 4: Do Not Travel, for reasons including 'harassment against U.S. citizens, harassment by Russian government security officials as well as the 'arbitrary enforcement of local law' and 'increased tensions along the border of Ukraine'. Read more
February 9, 2022 - Around 80 tons of 7.62mm ammunition has arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine from the United States. Read more
February 9, 2022 - Ukrainian request for THAAD missile defense systems from the United States are a 'provocation' and that seriously considering approving the request to Ukraine would deal a setback for the current crisis in Ukraine according to Russian RIA news agency. Read more
February 9, 2022 - Latvian Air Force has been accused by Belarus Border Guard with breaching its airspace. To prevent illegal border crossings that are being coordinated authorities in Belarus since last August, the Latvia Air Force plane An-2 made a planned flight along the Latvian-Belarus border, but allegedly didn't cross it. Read more
February 9, 2022 - Russia's 203mm self propelled nuclear capable 'Soviet atomic cannons' have been spotted having been deployed 10 miles from the Ukrainian border. Read more
February 9, 2022 - A new video in Russian that was posted on Telegram show what looks to be a Russian MiG-31K Foxhound (MiG-31I) carrying what appears to be a Kinzhal hypersonic missile to the Chkalovsk air base near Kaliningrad, which is a Russian territory that closely borders both Poland and Lithuania, both which are members of NATO. Read more
February 8, 2022 - The Canadian government is reportedly telling its citizens in the country to leave Ukraine immediately in the 'anticipation of a Russian invasion'. The department of Global Affairs told Canadian citizens to get out of the country on the first available flight and to avoid travel to Ukraine. Read more
February 8, 2022 - Six Russian Warships and a submarine, part of Russia's amphibious landing ship force which carries troops, tanks and supplies have now entered the Dardanelles which connects the Mediterranean to the Black Sea moving towards Ukraine. Read more
February 8, 2022 - French President Macron travels to Russia for talks with Putin. While Putin stated "we will do everything to find compromises that suit everyone", Peskov said Moscow and Paris could not do this, the leadership of NATO does not belong to France. Read more
February 8, 2022 - RIA Novosti stated that Peskov said he had not heard reports that Putin had agreed in talks with Macron not to hold new exercises near Ukraine. Furthermore, the Belarusian Security Council stated that if NATO activity near the borders of Belarus intensifies, it is planned to increase the measures of strategic deterrence. Read more
February 8, 2022 - A separatist commander in separatist controlled Eastern Ukraine has asked Russia to send 30,000 troops and military equipment to help the separatist forces fight against 'a potential Ukrainian offensive' which was originally claimed by Andrey Turchak without providing any evidence. Read more
February 8, 2022 - Air Force Major General Ferdinand B. Stoss, STRATCOM director of plans and policy issued a warning at the 2022 virtual Nuclear Deterrence Summit saying that the US and allies have not 'faced this type of threat in over 30 years' and that 'we have no history of this' regarding a nuclear China and Russia and a 'three-party nuclear peer dynamic'. Read more
February 8, 2022 - The Department of Defense has stated that the number of Russian forces stationed near the Ukrainian border has increased over the weekend to 'well north of 100,000' troops. Some reports estimate around 130,000. Read more
February 8, 2022 - Biden has stated that he promises that Nortstream 2 will be able to be shut down if Russia invades Ukraine saying, "I promise you we will be able to do it" after being asked how that is possible since the United States doesn't control the project. Read more
February 8, 2022 - Biden says that Germany is 'completely reliable' and that the partnership with Germany is a partnership of 'complete trust' despite how reluctant Germany has been to give aid to Ukraine, including the fact that Germany sent Ukraine 5,000 combat helmets instead of lethal weapons. Read more
February 7, 2022 - Biden has made an assessment on Putin's ability to invade Ukraine during a press conference on Monday. He stated (word for word): "I don't know that he knows what he's going to do, I know that he's in a position now to be able to invade almost assuming that the ground is frozen above Kyiv. He has the capacity to do that. What he's going to do, I don't know. And I don't think anybody knows but him". Read more
February 7, 2022 - Jens Stoltenberg says NATO is 'considering the deployment of additional battlegroups to the south-eastern part of the Alliance' and says that they have over 100k troops near the Ukrainian border (Some reports say over 130,000), and 30,000 Russian soldiers are headed to Belarus. Read more
February 7, 2022 - British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has announced that Britain is sending 350 more troops to the Polish border amid heightened tensions in Eastern Europe. Read more
February 7, 2022 - The Russian reconnaissance ship "Ivan Hurs" was spotted by the Ukraine military approaching the coast of Odessa at a distance of 20 miles on February 6th, 2022. Read more
February 7, 2022 - A CNN report says that the U.S. allegedly has intercepted communications that Russian officers have had doubts about the costs and difficulty of a full-scale invasion on Ukraine which would be costlier than even Putin realized Read more
February 7, 2022 - Russia has around 130,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, 70% of the forces it needs to carry out a full-scale invasion on Ukraine according to both U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Read more
February 7, 2022 - Another Russian Slava-class cruiser Ustinov has been spotted entering the Mediterranean Sea on February 6th, bringing the number of Slava-class cruisers in the Mediterranean to 2 now. Read more
February 7, 2022 - Su-30SM fighters from Russia and Belarus carry out more joint patrols over Belarus at an altitude of about 8,000 meters and speed of 750 km/h. Patrols will continue until Feb 9th, after which 'Allied Resolve - 2022' exercises set for February 10th through 20th. Read more
February 7, 2022 - The Ukrainian Foreign Minister has Dmytro Kuleba Sunday warned people to ignore 'apocalyptic predictions' regarding an 'imminent' Russian invasion on Ukraine and said that Ukraine is tough and has an unprecedented amount of international support Read more
February 7, 2022 - US troops have arrived in Poland to reinforce Eastern European allies on Sunday as Russia continues to bolster its forces near the Ukrainian border in both Russia and Belarus. Read more
February 6, 2022 - A US official has stated that based on a government assessment, Russia should be at full operational capacity at around February 15th and have now already moved ground troops near Ukraine from nearly every part of their military. Read more
February 6, 2022 - Around 80 members of the Main National Guard is set to be deployed to Eastern Europe in the Spring for a one year deployment to Poland. Read more
February 5, 2022 - The US Military's XVIII Airborne Corps from Fort Bragg has established a 300 member headquarters unit in Wiesbaden, Germany dubbed 'Task Force Dragon' in the midst of the current developing crisis in Europe between Russia and Ukraine. Read more
February 5, 2022 - Russian SU-25SM attack aircraft of the Eastern Military District have been moved from Russia to Belarus for what Russia and Belarus are calling 'exercises' but the West suspects may be an ever growing invasion force near Ukrainian borders. SU-25SM aircraft would be paramount to carrying out an attack on the ground in the event of an invasion taking place. Read more
February 5, 2022 - Russia sent a couple of nuclear-capable bombers to patrol Belarus on Saturday as tensions mount between Russia, Belarus and the West over Russian troops being stationed near the Ukrainian border within Russian territory, as well as within Belarus. Read more
February 5, 2022 - BELARUS - Belarus has quietly altered its constitution to allow the country to host nuclear missiles within its region, which comes into effect on February 27th, 2022 and gives Belarus the ability to legally offer Russia to host its own nuclear missiles within Belarusian territory. Read more
February 5, 2022 - Number Of Russian #Battalion Tactical Groups Near Ukraine Increased From 60 To 83 In Two Weeks. National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin has reported that Putin has in place 70% of necessary forces needed for a Ukraine invasion, and battalion tactical groups have increased from 60 to 83 in two weeks with 14 more in transit. Read more
February 5, 2022 - United States and NATO fighter jets, which included British and Norwegian aircraft intercepted Russian planes over the North Atlantic on Thursday according to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Read more
February 5, 2022 - Russian state propaganda machine and Kremlin mouthpiece Provda news claims that Russian nuclear submarines are currently on duty off the U.S. coasts, citing two 'unconfirmed' reports which included one submarine located near the east coast of the United States and one off the west coast, and also another 'presumably' in the Arctic. Read more
February 5, 2022 - Russia has agreed on a 30 year contract to supply gas to China which will be fed to China through a new pipeline. China will be paying Russia for the gas in Euros in order to separate themselves from the US dollar. Read more
February 5, 2022 - Bloomberg has accidentally reported on their website that Russia has invaded Ukraine, but then quickly removed the article saying that they prepare for many scenarios and one of those scenarios was accidentally published at about 4pm Eastern Time on their website. Read more
February 5, 2022 - The following is the "Joint Statement of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on the International Relations Entering a New Era and the Global Sustainable Development" given by the leaders of both Russia and China. Read more
February 5, 2022 - Russia now has 83 battlegroups stationed near Ukraine, which according to Russian defense policy expert Rob Lee is equal to half the total number of Russia's ground combat power with 14 additional battlegroups currently in transit Read more
February 4, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov put out a statement over Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Twitter account saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated Russia's position on security guarantees in Europe and that China's President has 'reaffirmed' support for Russia's stand on the issue. Read more
February 4, 2022 - Multiple oil transport and storage facilities in Europe have been hit with cyber attacks. Oiltanking in Germany, SEA-Invest in Belgium and Evos in the Netherlands have all had cyberattacks carried out against them, including 'dozens of terminals with oil storage and transport' across the world having been affected over the weekend according to BBC News. Read more
February 4, 2022 - The Russian President has met face to face with Chinese President during the kickoff of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, where Russia backed China's stance on Taiwan, and China backed Russia's stance on 'security guarantees' from the United States and NATO. Read more
February 4, 2022 - After a classified congressional briefing on the situation between Russia and Ukraine a GOP lawmaker stated the briefing is 'top secret' but what he can say is "Americans need to get out of Ukraine". He also stated the importance of focusing on America's southern border. Read more
February 4, 2022 - Russia stated on Thursday that it would be "absolutely justified" in responding to the Pentagon's deployment of 3,000 troops to Poland, Romania and Germany. Meanwhile the leader of Belarus stated "I will do everything so that Ukraine becomes ours. She is our Ukraine".` Read more
February 4, 2022 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has stated that Russian troop numbers stationed in Belarus which lies close to the Ukrainian border could reach 30,000, the largest since the cold war. Read more
February 3, 2022 - Russian, US and French warships have been spotted off the Irish coast by the Irish Air Corps and Navy ahead of Russian Naval and live fire missile exercises set to take place on Thursday. Read more
February 3, 2022 - Ukraine says footage of drone over Belarus is fake news. An interesting thing about the drone in the photos being shared across social media is that it appears to be a Russian made modded Orlan-10 UAV, which could indeed indicate it is a Russian false flag event. Read more
February 3, 2022 - There are multiple reports, one from ATN News stating that Belarus has shot down a Ukrainian drone over Brest as it was doing recon and taking footage of Russian troops training in Belarus. The #Ukrainian Foreign Ministry however reportedly says that they have not used drones at the border between Belarus and Ukraine and says that it's another provocation by #Russian authorities. Read more
February 3, 2022 - The leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has stated that things are currently unpredictable and can turn into a 'hot phase' at any moment, such as in the 1930s and 1940s around the time of World War 2. Read more
February 3, 2022 - KREMLIN - Article written by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the Chinese News Agency Xinhua on the strategic partnership between Russia and China. Read more
February 3, 2022 - WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has stated that the United States is on high alert, waiting for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make his next move as Satellite photos taken by Maxar suggests that Russian troops are on an increased level of readiness compared to earlier satellite photos taken. Read more
February 3, 2022 - The Pentagon has stated that the United States is on high alert, waiting for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make his next move. EUCOM alert level has been raised to level 2. Read more
February 2, 2022 - Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has put out a statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be visiting China on the invitation of the Chinese to attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. Read more
February 2, 2022 - Britain's Royal Air Force has intercepted four Russian strategic bombers approaching UK's area of interest but did not enter sovereign airspace. The UK scrambled quick reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft in response. Read more
February 2, 2022 - A new email alert that has been issued by the US embassy in Ukraine has advised Americans to contact the U.S. Embassy if they need financial assistance to purchase an airplane ticket out of the country. Read more
February 2, 2022 - New satellite photos taken by Maxar show an increased level of activity by Russian troops surrounding the Ukrainian border in Belarus, Crimea and Western Russia. Read more
February 2, 2022 - The Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Austria, Czech Republic And Slovakia are set to visit Ukraine next week according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko. Read more
February 2, 2022 - Thousands of Russians, including intellectuals and activists are urging the Kremlin to avoid an 'immoral, irresponsible, and criminal' war with Ukraine. Read more
February 1, 2022 - Russia has responded to the US and NATO's written message saying that the message 'demonstrate serious differences in the understanding of the principle of equal and indivisible security'. Read more
February 1, 2022 - The Ukrainian President has warned that there will be a 'full fledged' European war if Russia decides to carry out an invasion on Ukraine despite his recent comments admonishing the US for creating a 'big hype' regarding an 'imminent' invasion. Read more
February 1, 2022 - The United States, NATO and Britain have now stated that they will not likely be sending troops to Ukraine if Russia decides to invade the country. Read more
February 1, 2022 - Italy's defense ministry has spotted and confirmed six Russian warships in the Mediterranean Sea but said that Russia is not showing 'escalatory behavior'. Read more
February 1, 2022 - Russian state news RT has claimed that Ukraine has carried out a drone strike on the front line in Eastern Ukraine that killed 'military personnel'. Read more
February 1, 2022 - The Russian Embassy has stated that Russia will not be backing down to U.S. sanctions and 'stand at attention'. Read more
February 1, 2022 - Russia has now assumed the presidency of the United Nations for one month, until the end of February. Read more
February 1, 2022 - The U.S. State Department has ordered the evacuation of family members of the US Embassy in Belarus and warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Belarus amid 'unusual and concerning Russian military buildup along Belarus’ border with Ukraine'. Read more
January 31, 2022 - The Australian Embassy to Ukraine has called upon its citizens to leave the country immediately due to the threat of a new Russian invasion on the country. Australia has also advised citizens not to travel to Ukraine. Read more
January 31, 2022 - U.S. Senators are close to passing a sanctions bill that may include penalties on Russia even if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not decide to invade Ukraine. Read more
January 31, 2022 - The Pentagon has put out a statement saying that there will be no American troops on the ground in combat with the Russians in Ukraine. Read more
January 31, 2022 - The Russian army is reportedly disrupting GPS signals with electromagnetic waves in Latakia as well as Ben Gurion, the main airport in Israel and within Israel's airspace. Read more
January 31, 2022 - On Sunday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Russia wants "mutually respectful" relations with the United States but said that they don't want their 'security infringed daily' and said that Ukraine is not ready to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and would make no contribution to it. Read more
January 31, 2022 - Global Affairs Canada has temporarily withdrawn non-essential personnel from the Canadian embassy to Ukraine. Read more
January 31, 2022 - PENTAGON - The Pentagon stated Sunday that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time and says that Putin 'has a lot of options available to him' and 'could execute some of those options imminently'. Read more
January 30, 2022 - Britain is putting the aircraft carrier HMS Wales, a command ship for the NATO Response Force (NRF) on standby to move within hours if tensions with Russia further increase. Read more
January 30, 2022 - Russia: 2022 will be a year of crisis between the US and Russia, and a new world order is needed that weakens the US on the world stage for peace between the two countries to be possible. Read more
January 30, 2022 - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia plans on asking NATO to make it more clear whether it intends on implementing Russia's security demands after Russia stated that The U.S. and NATO's written response did not address Moscow's key concerns. Read more
January 30, 2022 - According to the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is 'downplaying' the risk of invasion on the country and pointed out that Zelensky has paid 'hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of weapons 'to defend against one'. Read more
January 30, 2022 - The British government says that they are considering making a major NATO deployment across Europe in response to Russia amassing troops, tanks and artillery near the Ukrainian border in order to "send a clear message to the Kremlin". Read more
January 29, 2022 - Does Russia want war? Verbal indications may say no, but actions indicate yes. Read more
January 29, 2022 - Russia says that they are now conscripting 'Russians permanently residing in the Donetsk and Luhansk people's Republics' (DNR and LNR) into the Russian military 'if they so wish' while Belarus also says that if Russia invades #Ukraine or gets attacked it 'will fight alongside Russia'. Read more
January 28, 2022 - Russia is now reportedly moving supplies of blood near the Ukrainian border, along with other medical materials. Read more
January 28, 2022 - Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned of destabilization amid fears of a new Russian invasion. Read more
January 28, 2022 - Russia replies to the written response by US and NATO. Russia activates a Triumph missile battalion for combat duty after claiming NATO Air Force is practicing sorties with nuclear missiles. Read more
January 28, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has responded to the written responses from the US and NATO saying the US security proposals were better than NATO's, and stated that Russia does not want to attack Ukraine. Read more
January 28, 2022 - There have been conflicting reports regarding Biden and Zelensky's phone conversation coming out. Some reports saying that the conversation leaked to White House reporter Natasha Bertrand and other established reporters at CNN is false. Read more
January 27, 2022 - The United States is now urging China to use its influence with Russia to urge diplomacy and discourage an invasion on Ukraine. Read more
January 27, 2022 - United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had stated on Wednesday that the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics might postpone a Russian invasion if that is what Putin decides to do. Read more
January 27, 2022 - "The document we’ve delivered includes concerns of the United States and our allies and partners about Russia’s actions that undermine security, a principled and pragmatic evaluation of the concerns that Russia has raised, and our own proposals for areas where we may be able to find common ground". Read more
January 27, 2022 - The Department Of Homeland Security has released an intelligence bulletin stating that Russia would consider carrying out a cyberattack on the United States homeland if Moscow deems that the written response given by the U.S. Read more
January 27, 2022 - Russia has said that they see some room for dialog after receiving the written security guarantee responses from both the United States and NATO but that it was clear that Russia's demands had not been taken into account in the response. Read more
January 27, 2022 - The Belarusian Ministry of Defense has stated that once the joint military exercises with Russia are over on February 20th, Russian forces will be leaving Belarus. Read more
January 27, 2022 - Ukraine says that they have seen the U.S. written response to Russia before it was passed onto the Kremlin and see no objections to its contents and emphasized the "No decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine" Golden rule. Read more
January 27, 2022 - NATO Open Door Policy: - "The door to NATO membership remains open to other European countries which are ready and willing to undertake the commitments and obligations of membership and whose membership contributes to security in the Euro-Atlantic area". Read more
January 27, 2022 - Russia has responded to the written response by the United States and NATO saying that its demands main demands have 'not been taken into account' and warned of an unavoidable nuclear missile crisis if measures aren't taken. Read more
January 26, 2022 - Secretary of State Antony Blinken has again strongly warned Americans currently in Ukraine to 'strongly consider leaving' and stated Americans still in Ukraine 'may be caught in a #conflict zone between #combatant forces'. Read more
January 26, 2022 - Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly stated that "there is no change, there will be no change" regarding the open door policy and that the door is open and 'remains open'. Read more
January 26, 2022 - Britain is in talks to send thousands of extra troops to Eastern Europe before any potential Russian invasion of Ukraine happens Read more
January 26, 2022 - US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan has reportedly delivered the U.S. response to Russia. NBC News Correspondent Richard Engel reported that he has been told that the written response to Russia does not go beyond what the US and NATO have already said". Read more
January 26, 2022 - Moscow has stated that Russia will take 'necessary response measures' and said that Russia and its citizens are 'absolute priority'. Read more
January 26, 2022 - U.S. Department of State has stated that they see every indication that Putin is going to use military force in Ukraine. They have stated that they believe that it will happen between now and the middle of February. Read more
January 26, 2022 - Russia's Defense Ministry has reported that they will be carrying out large-scale exercises in Russia near the Ukrainian border, including Crimea. Read more
January 26, 2022 - Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby has said that the United States may send more troops to Eastern Europe than the 8,500 soldiers that have already been placed on high alert. The U.S. supercarrier Harry S. Truman carrier group has also been placed under NATO command. Read more
January 26, 2022 - The United States has warned Belarus against helping Russia invade Ukraine saying that it would face a 'decisive response' if the country helps Russia carry out an invasion on Ukraine. Read more
January 25, 2022 - While the United States maintains that an invasion on Ukraine by Russia is imminent, Ukraine leaders say "Stay calm, a Russian invasion is not imminent" but says that the threat is real. If invasion isn't imminent however, what does Ukraine need with German weapons and military equipment? Read more
January 25, 2022 - Angered by Russian military live fire exercises being announced off the coast of Ireland, Irish fishing boats say that they plan to thwart the Russian military excessive by maintaining a presence in the area that they will be carrying out the drills. Read more
January 25, 2022 - There has reportedly been a cyber attack on the Belarus railway system by hacktivists who say they hacked the rail system to stop the Russian military buildup near the Ukrainian borders. Read more
January 25, 2022 - The Department of Homeland Security is warning of an 'imminent cyber threat' against both American companies and government agencies from Russia Read more
January 25, 2022 - Russian business elites are dumping the rouble and bracing for war as fears of an invasion on Ukraine grow. Many are 'bracing for heavy losses' but are unable to speak out or influence events Read more
January 24, 2022 - The U.S. Press Secretary has put out a statement to Americans currently in Ukraine saying "We are conveying very clearly, now is the time to leave" and said that the US government typically does not do large scale evacuations" Read more
January 24, 2022 - Three embassies in Ukraine have now reportedly announced evacuations including: US, UK and Australia and Germany. There are conflicting reports on Germany however. Read more
January 24, 2022 - The U.S. Navy has put their supercarrier USS Harry S. Truman under NATO command as U.S., NATO and Russian ships converge in the Mediterranean. Read more
January 24, 2022 - U.S. Press Secretary says U.S. committed to provide troops to the NATO Response Forces (NRF) of 40,000 troops and has put 8,500 troops on 'heightened alert'. Read more
January 24, 2022 - Both US and Russian stocks are crashing over tensions in Europe and fears of a Russian invasion on Ukraine. Read more
January 24, 2022 - Russia says that US troop deployments in the Baltic states are escalating tensions in the region. Read more
January 24, 2022 - The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a warning to Russia saying that invading Ukraine would be a 'disastrous step'. Read more
January 24, 2022 - Ireland has warned that Russian war games, including live fire missile drills off their coast are not welcome and NATO says they are sending more troops and fighter jets to eastern Europe. Read more
January 24, 2022 - The U.S. State Department said "Given that the President has said military action by Russia could come at any time. The US government will not be in a position to evacuate US citizens. So US citizens, currently present in #Ukraine should plan accordingly" Read more
January 24, 2022 - Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Minsk, Belarus (January 23, 2022). The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to exercise increased awareness and vigilance regarding political and military tensions in the region. Read more
January 24, 2022 - STATE DEPARTMENT - U.S. Embassy in Ukraine: Authorized departure of U.S. government employees, ordered departure for eligible family members, from U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. Read more
January 24, 2022 - Biden is considering sending thousands of troops along with warships and aircraft to the Baltics and Eastern Europe Read more
January 23, 2022 - The Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, Dominic Raab says that there is a 'very significant' risk that Russia will invade Ukraine. Read more
January 23, 2022 - The U.S. State Department has ordered the families of diplomats in Kyiv, Ukraine to leave the country. Non essential staff have also been told they can leave the country at government expense. U.S. Citizens also urged to leave on commercial flights. Read more
January 23, 2022 - The Russian Foreign Minister's office has warned Japan to stay out of the Ukraine crisis Read more
January 23, 2022 - The White House has stated that the report from the UK on Russia's purported plan to install pro-Kremlin leadership in Ukraine is 'deeply concerning. Read more
January 23, 2022 - A Russian Ambassador to Caracas, Venezuela says that deployment of Russian bases in Venezuela is impossible under its constitution. Read more
January 22, 2022 - Russia is set to test missiles off the coast of Ireland during an 'exercise'. The 'range practice' is scheduled to take place in early February in the Eastern Atlantic. Read more
January 22, 2022 - The Russian Foreign Ministry has reportedly put out a statement blasting the UK, saying that their claim that Moscow sought a puppet government in Ukraine is 'nonsense'. Read more
January 22, 2022 - The UK Government has put out a statement on their official website that they have exposed a plan by Russia to install pro-Russian leadership in Ukraine as it considers whether to invade and occupy the country. Read more
January 22, 2022 - Ukraine's military intel says that Russia has increased its military support for separatists in eastern Ukraine in the recent weeks as well as increasing its 'active recruitment of mercenaries'. Read more
January 22, 2022 - Russia's ambassador to Caracas, Venezuela says that Venezuela is ready to offer military help to Moscow if relations with the United States exacerbate. Read more
January 22, 2022 - Commander of the German Navy has resigned over comments saying that Putin deserved respect, that Kyiv would never be returned to Ukraine and that they would never meet NATO's criteria for membership. Read more
January 22, 2022 - Estonia and Lithuania have green lit sending Javelin anti-tank weapons and Stinger air-defense systems to Ukraine. The U.S. has approved the transfer of light anti-tank weapons from the UK and Russian made helicopters. Read more
January 22, 2022 - The United States has shipped 90 tons of military equipment to Ukraine, 'lethal aid' that is worth around $200 million. Read more
January 22, 2022 - The Russian Foreign Ministry says that they are expecting military and information provocations from the U.S. and Kyiv on the eve of the Olympics. Read more
January 22, 2022 - Germany continues to break with NATO allies and reject calls to ship weapons to Ukraine, calling it 'currently not helpful'. This has angered Ukraine, as well as comments by Germany Navy that Crimea will never be returned and Ukraine will never be allowed into NATO. Read more
January 21, 2022 - Biden stated on Wednesday that if Russia invades Ukraine, the U.S. will be sending more troops to Poland and Romania, boosting its number of troops in eastern NATO countries. Read more
January 21, 2022 - Germany has blocked North Atlantic Treaty (NATO) ally Estonia from getting weapons to Ukraine by saying that they won't issue permits for German-origin weapons for export to Ukraine Read more
January 21, 2022 - The U.S. is considering evacuating family members of diplomats out of Ukraine in light of rising tensions in the region Read more
January 21, 2022 - Blinken has said that the U.S. will share with Russia its concerns and ideas in more detail in writing next week after Russia issued demands that the U.S. give a written response to its security proposals Read more
January 21, 2022 - The Russian embassy put out a tweet calling for an end to the 'hysteria' and stating that Russia is not going to attack anyone but failed to explain the over 100,000 Russian troops stationed near the Ukrainian border Read more
January 21, 2022 - The Russian embassy in Washington put out a tweet calling for an end to the 'hysteria' and stating that Russia is not going to attack anyone. Read more
January 21, 2022 - The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that their demands for a NATO pullout also applies to both Bulgaria and Romania. Read more
January 21, 2022 - The Russian embassy to the United States tweeted that within a few hours the State Department published 3 documents 'designed to incriminate Russian authorities' and 'state media' but that Russia didn't see anything new and claimed that Washington keeps replicating propaganda and allegations. Read more
January 21, 2022 - Blinken stated "We don't expect to resolve our differences today" at the negotiations. Lavrov replied that he heard Blinken's statement and that Russia also doesn't expect a breakthrough. Read more
January 21, 2022 - During a news conference on January 14th Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated "Our patience has been exhausted. We are very patient. You know what they say about how long Russians take to harness their horses? We harness them slowly but then it’s time to ride". Read more
January 21, 2022 - Vyacheslav Volodin, Russian State Duma chairman has called upon the parliamentary to discuss recognizing the independence of Donbass as well as its separation from Ukraine according to Maariv. Read more
January 21, 2022 - Six Russian landing ships from the Russian Northern Fleet and Baltic Fleet have passed through the English channel to enter the Mediterranean and join a group of Russian Pacific Fleet ships on maneuvers with Iran and China Read more
January 21, 2022 - Britain on Friday gave a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping saying that the West will stand together to fight for democracy against dictatorships which have been emboldened more than any time since the Cold War. Read more
January 21, 2022 - Russia has announced that they are moving their S-400 Triumph surface to air missile systems from Russia to Belarus. Read more
January 21, 2022 - Moscow says that Russia and Belarus are forced to respond to NATO military buildup at their shared borders. Read more
January 21, 2022 - Warships from Russia, China and Iran are all navigating to the Middle East for joint naval drills in the Persian Gulf. Syria, India and Venezuela will also be participating in the drills. Read more
January 20, 2022 - Russia is staging massive cross country military drills where they will be live firing Iskander-M missile systems. Read more
January 20, 2022 - After Biden indicated that a small scale invasion into Ukraine would be met with a less severe response, the White House has put out a statement clarifying that any incursion into Ukraine will be met with a 'severe' response. Read more
January 19, 2022 - Biden Suggests minor invasion would have lesser response than a full scale invasion. Kyiv stunned, says "This gives the green light to Putin to enter Ukraine at his pleasure". Read more
January 19, 2022 - Biden believes Russia will further #invade Ukraine, but unlike Britain, which believes Putin wants a full-scale invasion, Biden does not believe Putin is seeking a full-blown war. Read more
January 19, 2022 - Russian State News Agency TASS has reported that the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Militia says that the Ukrainian Army is preparing sabotage actions on the 'contact line' in Donbass. Read more
January 19, 2022 - The Russian Embassy has called on Washington to stop providing weapons to Ukraine and instead convince them to 'stop sabotaging the Minsk Agreements' according to a statement. Read more
January 19, 2022 - GOP Senators have called on the Biden Administration and NATO to take decisive action against Russia and bloody Putin's nose. Read more
January 19, 2022 - Canada says that it fears that armed conflict could break out in Ukraine and is currently working with allies to make it clear to Russia that more aggression towards Ukraine is not acceptable Read more
January 19, 2022 - Russian Delegation says that the start of the countdown for security guarantees has begun and that the West faces a 'moment of truth' Read more
January 19, 2022 - A new invasion of Ukraine could happen 'at any minute' a Ukrainian official told Military Times on Wednesday Read more
January 19, 2022 - A UK Senior Defense Official has stated that they strongly believe that Russia is preferring a full scale invasion of Ukraine rather than a limited offensive Read more
January 19, 2022 - The latest intelligence assessment by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry states that Russia has more than 127,000 soldiers near the Ukrainian border now and has 'almost completed' its build up in the region Read more
January 19, 2022 - Russia and Belarus have announced drills next month where they will practice repelling an external attack in Belarus which they say is necessary as Ukraine has built up troops near Belarus. Read more
January 19, 2022 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is departing Washington D.C. to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for talks in an attempt to prevent a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Read more
January 18, 2022 - Officials at the U.K. Foreign Office are being told to get ready to move into 'crisis mode' at very short notice in light of heightened tensions with Russia regarding Ukraine. Read more
January 18, 2022 - The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield has stated "The Belarus deployment shows Russia is making moves that would suggest that they have plans to invade". Read more
January 18, 2022 - WASHINGTON - The White House has put out a statement saying that Russia could launch an attack on Ukraine at any time and that it would support an anti-Russian insurgency if Russia decides to further invade Ukraine. Read more
January 18, 2022 - A Senior State Department official has said that Belarus could play a part in a Russian invasion on Ukraine and Washington is worried about the potential that Russia could deploy conventional weapons, or even nuclear warheads in Belarus. Read more
January 18, 2022 - Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Germany may consider halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia decides to invade Ukraine. Read more
January 18, 2022 - According to a report by CNN, although Washington is still unsure what Putin's plans are, 'some U.S. officials who have seen the intelligence say there is evidence Russia is planning to try to take Ukraine's capital, Kyiv'. Read more
January 18, 2022 - The White House Press Secretary has told reporters "We're now at a time where Russia at any time could launch an attack on Ukraine". Read more
January 18, 2022 - The United States has indicated that it would strongly support an anti-Russian insurgency if Russia invaded Ukraine. Read more
January 18, 2022 - Spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin Dimitry Peskov says that the reason Russia began building up troops near the Ukrainian border is because it could no longer 'tolerate' NATO's eastward expansion and 'gradual invasion' of Ukraine. Read more
January 18, 2022 - Russia has begun evacuating its diplomats from Ukraine. Russian consulates have also been told to prepare to leave Ukraine according to the New York Times. Read more
January 18, 2022 - Iskander-M ballistic missile launchers have been spotted by Moscow-based Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) and captured on video being transported through Russia on trains toward Ukraine, but Russia has denied that it plans to invade Ukraine. Read more
January 18, 2022 - According to Belarus Secretary of Security Council, Russian troops have begun arriving in Belarus. Russian military vehicles have been spotted all over the country. Read more
January 18, 2022 - Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor has stated that he believes there is a "50 percent" chance that a 'major war' will break out in Europe amid fears that Russia will invade Ukraine. Read more
January 17, 2022 - Canada has reportedly sent special forces to Ukraine amid fears of a Russian invasion. Read more
January 17, 2022 - The British have reportedly sent troops to Ukraine amid fears that a Russian invasion could be only days away. Read more
January 17, 2022 - U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has stated that Washington is ready whether Russia decides to take the path of diplomacy, or to invade Ukraine. Read more
January 17, 2022 - Belarus President Lukashenko stated on Monday that Russia and Belarus will be holding a joint military exercise in February with the date yet to be determined. Read more
January 17, 2022 - Britain says they are supplying Ukraine with defensive weapon systems to face threats posed by Russia according to Britain's defense minister Ben Wallace on Monday. Read more
January 17, 2022 - The President of Belarus, Lukashenko says that there are over 30,000 U.S. allied troops amassed in Poland and the Baltic States near Belarusian borders Read more
January 17, 2022 - The White House has repeated its warning of 'severe economic consequences' from both the United States and Western allies if Russia decides to invade Ukraine. Read more
January 17, 2022 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at a press conference that the United States have disseminated a batch of 'total disinformation' about Russia preparing a provocation in order to justify an invasion on Ukraine. Read more
January 17, 2022 - NATO has signed a deal with Ukraine to 'deepen' cyber cooperation after the latest cyber attack on Ukrainian government websites, and worries about a coming full scale Russian invasion on the country. Read more
January 16, 2022 - Canada has put out a travel alert advisory telling its citizens to avoid air travel to Ukraine due to ongoing Russian aggression and military buildup. Read more
January 16, 2022 - Russian news TASS indicates Russia believes the only goal of a military cooperation agreement between the United States and Slovakia which was approved by the Slovakian government would be to deploy US troops closer to the Russian border. Read more
January 16, 2022 - Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that Russia will never discuss the withdrawal of weapons and missiles from Kaliningrad with anyone. Read more
January 16, 2022 - The Russian Embassy has put out a tweet quoting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating that Reaching an agreement depends on the United States and that Russia will not wait forever. Read more
January 16, 2022 - The NYT reported that Russia hinted that if its demands are not met then it may move nuclear missiles closer to the United States after Russia warns it may decide to deploy its military to Cuba or Venezuela and build Naval bases there. Read more
January 15, 2022 - The UK Defense Secretary has stated that there will be consequences if Russia invades Ukraine and that Britain would 'stand up to bullies' no matter how far away the conflict is. Read more
January 15, 2022 - A report by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine stated that militants in Horlivka in Donetsk Oblast eastern Ukraine released toxic ammonia gas into the atmosphere on January 14th. Read more
January 15, 2022 - Ukraine says that they suspect a hacker group linked to Belarus intelligence hacked into its government websites and shut them down. Read more
January 15, 2022 - The Russian Embassy in the United States put out a tweet saying that the 'continuous accusations' against Russia on preparation for invasion pretext are unfounded. Read more
January 15, 2022 - Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov stated "Even if Ukraine does not become a member of NATO, deployment of the alliance's offensive weapons on Ukrainian territory is also a 'red line' for Russia". Read more
January 15, 2022 - Sweden has reportedly rolled out tanks onto the streets of Gotland on Friday in response to "Russian Activity" that had been observed by the Swedish military. Read more
January 14, 2022 - Russian news, Pravda has claimed that a Russian nuclear submarine with 160 nuclear warheads on board appeared off the U.S. coast and went unnoticed. Read more
January 14, 2022 - Russian News Agency TASS reported that no Western sanctions can heavily affect Russia's economy. Read more
January 14, 2022 - Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby says that Russia has 'prepositioned a group of operatives to conduct a false-flag operation in eastern Ukraine' in order to create a pretext to invade Ukraine. Read more
January 14, 2022 - The Ukrainian Information Ministry said that 'the first data suggests' today's cyberattack on Ukrainian websites was 'carried out by the Russian Federation'. Read more
January 14, 2022 - The Swedish military has raised military preparedness due to increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea, which 'deviates from the normal picture' according to Sweden's military. Read more
January 14, 2022 - On Friday Russia repeated its demands that NATO will not allow Ukraine to join the alliance and agree not to expand its forces into Eastern Europe. Read more
January 14, 2022 - U.S. Department Of State: "It is Russia that has to make a stark choice: de-escalation and diplomacy or confrontation and consequences. We expect and had expected that the Russian delegations will have to report back to President Putin, who we all hope will choose peace and security". Read more
January 14, 2022 - Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov reportedly stated that Russia's patience with the West has come to an end and said 'now is the time to go'. Read more
January 14, 2022 - Ukrainian government websites have been hacked in a massive cyberattack and are temporarily down. Read more
January 13, 2022 - U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says that the administration will be sharing within the next 24 hours what US officials have seen Russia doing regarding creating disinformation as a pretext to invade Ukraine Read more
January 13, 2022 - British intelligence agency MI5 has said that a Chinese agent has been active in the UK Parliament and engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. Read more
January 13, 2022 - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin says he had a productive call with his counterpart in Ukraine discussing Russia's 'unprovoked military build-up'. Read more
January 13, 2022 - Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated Thursday that there would be a complete rupture of ties between the United States and Russia if the US sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine. Read more
January 13, 2022 - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said that Russia will not rule out deploying its military to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the United States continue to mount. Read more
January 13, 2022 - A mysterious illness called 'Havana Syndrome' is baffling Washington after four more diplomats in Geneva and Paris have been sickened with the suspected neurological illness. Read more
January 13, 2022 - After talks between Russia and NATO failed to come up with a resolution, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov stated that there is 'no reason for a new round of talks in the near future'. Read more
January 13, 2022 - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that there is a 'real risk of a new armed conflict in #Europe' and that the alliance is ready to send troop reinforcements into Eastern Europe if Russia invades Ukraine. Read more
January 13, 2022 - Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau has stated that Europe is closer to war than it has been any time in the last 30 years. Read more
January 11, 2022 - U.S. Officials say that Russia is currently moving its military helicopters into place, a sign that Russia continues to plan for an invasion on Ukraine despite talks being carried out according to the New York Times. Read more
January 11, 2022 - Ukraine has stated that they have arrested a Russian agent that was planning attacks in Odessa, Ukraine's largest Black Sea port. Read more
January 11, 2022 - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Russia tried to explain to the United States that playing with fire is no longer acceptable. Read more
January 11, 2022 - The CSTO Russian led troops are set to leave Kazakhstan in 2 days time. Read more
January 11, 2022 - As talks between Russia, the United States and NATO reveal no breakthrough, Ukraine says that they will defend themselves against Russia 'to the last drop of blood'. Read more
January 10, 2022 - Putin continues to make demands that he knows that NATO will not accept as NATO prepares for the worst fearing talks with Russia will fail. Russia meanwhile says that a failure to reach agreements will mean that Russia will be forced to ensure a necessary balance and deter opponents. Read more
January 10, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has proven its potential and ability to act swiftly and efficiently in the case of Kazakhstan Read more
January 10, 2022 - It has been confirmed that internet connectivity has been restored significantly in Kazakhastan as of Monday morning Read more
January 9, 2022 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken: "Let’s be very, very clear about this: NATO did not invade Ukraine; NATO did not invade Georgia; NATO did not position forces in Moldova against the will of its people. Those are all things, among many others, that Russia has done in recent years". Read more
January 8, 2022 - Kazakhstan U.S. Embassy Security Alert: Voluntary Evacuation. "The U.S. government has authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency personnel and family members at the U.S. Consulate General in Almaty." Read more
January 8, 2022 - NATO: We Won't Create 2nd-Class Allies To Sooth Russia but are ready to engage in arms control with Russia. Read more
January 7, 2022 - NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has stated that the 'risk of conflict is real' regarding Russia's buildup of soldiers, tanks and artillery near the Ukrainian border and said that NATO must be prepared for possibility that talks may fail. Read more
January 7, 2022 - Kazakhstan's leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has told security forces to 'fire without warning' on rioting citizens. Read more
January 6, 2022 - The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has reportedly requested help from Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO which consists of post-Soviet states to help restore order. Read more
January 5, 2022 - Kazakhstan President Tokayev has vowed 'maximum toughness' from no one in an address to the nation and announced that Nazarbayev is no longer the chairman of the Security Council. Read more
January 5, 2022 - President of Kazakhstan Tokayev has reportedly announced that he is taking over as chairman of the Security Council and will be staying in the Capital. Read more
January 5, 2022 - The President of Kazakhstan has reportedly accepted the government's resignation after reports that its people demanded the government resign over hiking fuel prices as Russia reversed the flow of gas to Europe. Read more
January 3, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear to Biden that imposing sanctions would be seen as an 'act of war' after Biden threatened Putin with sanctions over Ukraine. Read more
January 2, 2022 - The top U.S. General in Europe is seeking to reinforce NATO's eastern flank by adding battle groups in Romania and Bulgaria ahead of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Read more
January 2, 2022 - Ukraine has enacted a new law that prohibits Russian vessels from entering internal waters within Ukraine. Read more
January 1, 2022 - New intel shows that Russia is still sending troops to the Ukrainian border as of December 30th, 2021 Read more
December 31, 2021 - In a statement put out by the Press secretary regarding Biden's phone call with Putin, Biden urged Russia to de-escalate tensions and said the U.S. will 'respond decisively' if Russia 'further invades Ukraine'. Read more
December 30, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcoming more joint military drills with Belarus. Read more
December 30, 2021 - The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine is making emergency evacuation preparations Read more
December 29, 2021 - The U.S. and Russia are set to hold security talks on January 10th. Each will address concerns each has about the other's military activity and address tensions over Ukraine. Read more
December 29, 2021 - Russian State Duma deputy Mikhail Delyagin claims that Ukraine aims to attack Crimea in early 2022 due to Ukraine's 'bad internal situation of absolute hopelessness'. Read more
December 29, 2021 - Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin stated on Monday that NATO is refusing to speak to Russia on an equal basis and maintain an 'equal' dialogue. Read more
December 29, 2021 - On December 17th Ukraine began mandatory conscription of women into their military of ages between 18 and 60 who are 'fit for military service' amid a looming threat of a Russian invasion. Read more
December 29, 2021 - Ukrainian intelligence says that Russia continues to increase forces, combat equipment, artillery and armored vehicles near the Ukrainian border. Read more
December 29, 2021 - A Russian Commander of the Russian Airborne Troop has announced that Russia has formed a new airborne assault regiment in Crimea. Read more
December 29, 2021 - The U.S. Navy has ordered its warships to stay in the Mediterranean Sea amid tensions with Russia regarding Ukraine. Read more
December 28, 2021 - MOSCOW - Russia's Foreign Ministry warned foreign ambassadors that there is a 'high risk' of conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Read more
December 27, 2021 - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told International Affairs magazine that we are close to a point where diplomacy will play a subordinate role and where 'we will be unable to reconcile ourselves with current events'. Read more
December 27, 2021 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that he does not rule out that the West is planning a 'small war' in ukraine so that they can accuse Moscow of it and then impose sanctions to restrict Russia's capabilities Read more
December 27, 2021 - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Foreign Affairs magazine on Monday that Russia is not bluffing with their demands to the United States and NATO. Read more
December 27, 2021 - German and Russian Envoys have agreed to meet in person in January to attempt to ease tensions between Russia and Ukraine according to Reuters. Read more
December 27, 2021 - At a joint meeting of the State Council and Council for Science and Education Putin boasted about the latest successful Tsirkon hypersonic missile test Russia carried out on December 24th. Read more
December 27, 2021 - Accepting Sweden and Finland into NATO will have 'serious' military and political consequences that won't be left unanswered by Russia according to Russia's Foreign Ministry. Read more
December 27, 2021 - British Commanders have drawn up contingency plans to evacuate all of the British troops from Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion. Read more
December 27, 2021 - Regarding the 10,000 troops Russia has reportedly moved away from the border, U.S. intelligence did say that Russia would likely move battalion and tactical groups to and from the border 'to obfuscate intentions and to create uncertainty'. Read more
December 26, 2021 - NATO has invited Russia to a council meeting on January 12th between both NATO and Russia, and Russia is reportedly 'considering it' but insits it wants its demands met. Read more
December 26, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he is pondering a slew of options if the West fails to meet his demands for security guarantees, including military measures. Read more
December 25, 2021 - Russia has reportedly test fired a cruise missile from a submarine in the Sea of Japan Read more
December 25, 2021 - Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says there is no discussion currently underway regarding a meeting between Biden and Putin. Read more
December 25, 2021 - Over 10,000 Russian troops are returning to their permanent bases after drills near the Ukrainian border according to the Russian military. Read more
December 25, 2021 - Russian state run news RT has reported that the US is sending 'thousands of military personnel' to Ukrainian front lines. Read more
December 24, 2021 - A joint statement of 36 delegations to the United Nations states that Russia has used a UN Security Council event to proclaim false narratives against other states. Read more
December 24, 2021 - Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov threatens that accepting Ukraine into NATO and deploying missiles near Russia's borders could lead to a large military conflict in Europe. Read more
December 24, 2021 - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says that Russia will not be accepting any 'preconditions' from Washington on security guarantees. Read more
December 23, 2021 - New satellite images that have been released show that the Russian buildup near Ukraine's border is picking up steam. Read more
December 23, 2021 - On Tuesday Russia claimed that the United States has 150 mercenaries in Eastern Ukraine where Russian militants have been fighting with Ukraine forces. Read more
December 23, 2021 - Washington is working on a system that will issue battlefield intelligence to Ukraine that may give the country an early warning to respond to invading Russian forces. Read more
December 23, 2021 - A senior White House official told reporters that Moscow has stepped up their disinformation campaign in a possible prelude to invading Ukraine. Read more
December 23, 2021 - Ukrainian top commander Lieutenant General Valeriy Zaluzhniy says that while they support the state of the ceasefire in Donbass with the Russian militants, Ukraine will give an appropriate response to any enemy attack. Read more
December 23, 2021 - The United States "is ready to act if and when we need to” if Russia invades Ukraine" a senior administration official stated according to White House reporter Natasha Bertrand. Read more
December 23, 2021 - Russia is set to carry out paratrooper drills near the Ukrainian border this week according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Read more
December 23, 2021 - Putin: One Gets The Impression That Maybe They Are Preparing A Third Military Operation. Read more
December 23, 2021 - Russian controlled media says that Ukraine believes Russia is planning a nuclear attack on Ukraine. Read more
December 23, 2021 - Putin spoke at an annual news conference and said that the "ball is in the West's court". Read more
December 23, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the United States to act quickly to respond to its demands for security guarantees and to sign an agreement that NATO will withdraw forces from Eastern Europe and not expand further. Read more
December 23, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that he believes Ukraine is preparing for a new military operation in Donbas and that the West is calling on Russia not to interfere Read more
December 22, 2021 - Washington has alarmed Russia by approving the sale of anti-tank Javelin missiles to Lithuania. Read more
December 22, 2021 - A batch of nuclear capable Russian Su-34 bombers was delivered to a Lipetsk based State Aviation Personnel Training and Troop Testing Center of the Russian Defense Ministry according to the Russian Ministry of Defense website. Read more
December 22, 2021 - The Ukrainian Secretary of the National Security And SE Council (NSDC) now says there are 122,000 Russian troops within 200km of its borders and another 143,500 stationed within 400km of its borders. Read more
December 22, 2021 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's response to Russia's security guarantee proposals 'inappropriate'. Read more
December 22, 2021 - WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department has accused Russia of spreading 'dangerous misinformation' for claiming that U.S. Mercenaries are preparing to use chemical weapons in the eastern Ukrainian conflict zone in Donbas. Read more
December 22, 2021 - US State Department Spokesman Ned Price put out a tweet saying contrary to statements from Moscow, Russia and its proxies responsible for tensions, not Ukraine or United States. Read more
December 22, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia has no room to retreat in a standoff with the US over Ukraine and will be forced into a tough response unless the West drops what he calls its 'aggressive line'. Read more
December 22, 2021 - Dmitry Kiselyov who is known to be Putin's mouthpiece has stated that Russia is putting a 'gun to America's head' and that if NATO forces don't back off 'everyone will be turned to radioactive ash'. Read more
December 22, 2021 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has once again rejected Russia's demands that NATO back out of their promise that Ukraine would gain NATO membership in the future. Read more
December 21, 2021 - NATO Secretary General Gens Stoltenberg gave an update regarding the status of the Russian forces, tanks and heavy artillery near the Ukrainian border saying "The buildup continues". Read more
December 21, 2021 - The Russian Defense Ministry says that the US is building up a forward military presence with 8,000 troops near Russia's border in Eastern Europe. Read more
December 21, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said today that Russia is prepared to take 'military-technical measures' in response to what he calls 'unfriendly' actions by the West regarding Ukraine. Read more
December 20, 2021 - Russia is demanding immediate talks with the United States regarding their request for security guarantees from NATO and warning of a military response to NATO activity. Read more
December 20, 2021 - The US State Department has issued a level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Ukraine for risk of COVID-19 as well as 'increased threats from Russia', saying there are reports Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine. Read more
December 20, 2021 - Germany: NATO will not let Russia dictate its military posture. Read more
December 20, 2021 - In a tit for tat move, Russia has expelled two German diplomats in response for Germany expelling two Russian diplomats from its embassy Read more
December 20, 2021 - Reports circulating along with a video that Russian reserve troops have been called upon and are marching in the snow toward Ukraine. Read more
December 20, 2021 - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said that Ukraine's actions have reached a 'boiling point' that forces Russia to take 'radical steps' which includes other countries as well. Read more
December 19, 2021 - US Embassy In Kyiv: US Embassy In Kyiv: #Russia Claims It Has Always Treated Ukraine As Independent State. Read more
December 19, 2021 - Russia has stated that if the US and NATO ignores its Proposals for 'security guarantees' that many argue were written to be rejected then it will create 'counter #threats' in response and called it 'the moment of truth'. Read more
December 18, 2021 - Tod Wolters, NATO's top general says he wants NATO troops in Bulgaria and Romania and expand NATO's 'enhanced forward presence' in the Baltic states and eastern Poland, despite Russia's new demand for the removal of all U.S. and NATO troops from Eastern Europe. Read more
December 18, 2021 - Belarus has now stated that they are ready to deploy nuclear weapons under the threat from NATO according to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Makei. Read more
December 18, 2021 - Russian Tu-22M3 nuclear capable strategic bombers patrolled the border that Belarus shares with Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania amid tensions with NATO and the United States. Read more
December 18, 2021 - The UK Defense Ministry announced that personnel from 32 Engineer regiment arrived in Poland earlier this week to provide engineering support for Poland's border with Belarus. 140 specialists will be in Poland by end of December. Read more
December 18, 2021 - Russian Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Ukraine is openly declaring their intentions to join NATO on a legislative level and called it a 'creeping intrusion' on NATO's part saying that NATO is 'drifting' towards Russia's borders and said the Cold War Era is back. Read more
December 18, 2021 - General Micael Byden, the Swedish supreme commander told POLITICO Thursday that if the conflict between Russia and Ukraine deepens then the United States needs to send more troops to Europe to reinforce military presence in the region. Read more
December 18, 2021 - Despite urges from Biden to deescalate tensions, Russia continues to buildup and amass new troops near the Ukrainian border as well as diverting flights and rail systems to support military efforts. Read more
December 18, 2021 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has stated that in order for talks to begin and addressing Russia's security proposals, Russia must first de-escalate tensions with Ukraine. Read more
December 17, 2021 - The Russian Ministry of Defense website has locked out IP addresses that do not have either an origin from Russia. People located in Belarus however are still able to access Russia's Ministry of Defense website and that region has not been locked out (blocked). Read more
December 17, 2021 - Russia carried out large scale military exercises off Crimea Thursday, eliminating a 'notional' enemy warship in the Black Sea. Read more
December 17, 2021 - The draft agreement handed to US by Russia says that Russia wants the US to agree not to conduct any military activity in Ukraine as well as 'other eastern European states, Transcaucasia and Central Asia'. Read more
December 17, 2021 - A Ukrainian soldier has been killed in fighting with pro-Russia militia during the ongoing fighting that started in 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. Read more
December 17, 2021 - The United States has drafted a budget for 2022 that includes $756 million in assistance to Ukraine, including $400 million to strengthen the Ukraine's security. Read more
December 16, 2021 - Read The New Statement By The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Regarding The Situation (NATO) In And Around Ukraine. Read more
December 16, 2021 - During an event recognizing 30 years of Israel and Ukraine ties, the Ukrainian ambassador to Israel Yehven Korniychuck stated that Ukraine sees Jerusalem as Israel's 'one and only capital' and will be opening up an embassy in the city next year. Read more
December 16, 2021 - The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told CNBC on Thursday that he believes Putin has not decided yet whether to do a military operation, however if he decided to do so things would happen in the blink of an eye. Read more
December 16, 2021 - Ukrainian minister for veterans affairs Yuliia Laputina told Sky News that a full invasion of Ukraine by Russia would cause conflict to flare up in Europe and may even trigger World War Three. Read more
December 15, 2021 - A German court has accused Russia of 'state terrorism' and expelled two Russian diplomats non grata. Read more
December 15, 2021 - KYIV - Despite rumors that Russia has begun withdrawing its troops from the border, Ukraine says that there is no such sign. In fact, according to Ukraine there has been an increase in the number of troops stationed near the Ukrainian border. Read more
December 14, 2021 - The Ukrainian parliament has voted in favor of allowing foreign military to take part in Ukrainian exercises in 2022. Read more
December 14, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to discuss tensions in Europe and what they are calling 'aggressive' US and NATO rhetoric in a video call with one another according to Russia. Read more
December 13, 2021 - Paul McLeary who covers Defense for POLITICO stated that the Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov spoke of Ukraine's need of anti-missile systems, namely the Iron Dome and Patriot mobile air defense systems. Read more
December 13, 2021 - Ukraine has begun inspections of bomb shelters and carrying out alert drills in preparation for a possible invasion by Russian forces. Read more
December 13, 2021 - One of the two Danish crew that had gone missing after an overnight collision with a British cargo ship was found dead inside the ship hull. Read more
December 13, 2021 - The Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis has stated that he believes that Russia is really gearing up for war and that 'we are not taking this seriously enough'. Read more
December 13, 2021 - Russia has vetoed the UN resolution linking climate change as a threat to international peace and security. Read more
December 13, 2021 - Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday that Russia may be forced to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe if NATO does not engage with it on preventing escalation. Read more
December 13, 2021 - The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has put out a statement regarding the current tensions and military buildup near the Ukrainian border. Read more
December 13, 2021 - New Satellite images by Maxar show Russian forces building up less than 30 miles away from the Ukrainian border between September 7th and December 5th. Read more
December 13, 2021 - Russia says that they will respond 'militarily' if NATO does not stop encroaching on its western borders. Ryabkov said "Our response will be military" and "There will be confrontation". Read more
December 13, 2021 - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov has stated that 'The actions of the United States and NATO allies in Europe lead Moscow to believe that the United States is preparing for a repeat of the missile crisis that in 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war'. Read more
December 13, 2021 - Ukraine Minister of Defense has stated that a Russian invasion on Ukraine would mark an end of the current world and start a new era where international rules no longer exist. Read more
December 13, 2021 - Two cargo ships have collided in the Baltic Sea due to foggy conditions between Bornholm, Denmark and Ystad, Sweden. A rescue operation is underway to find two people who are missing after the collision Read more
December 13, 2021 - The US Embassy in Kyiv has put out a statement in response to Russia's accusations that Ukraine committed genocide: False accusations of genocide are irresponsible and dangerous. Read more
December 12, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Russia leads the world in hypersonic weapons, and by the time other countries catch up Russia will likely have developed the technology to counteract them. Read more
December 12, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the collapse and end of the Soviet Union was the demise of what he says is 'historical Russia'. Some believe Russia wants rebuild the Soviet Union, starting with conquering Ukraine. Read more
December 12, 2021 - At the G7 summit on Sunday the seven richest democracies met together and warned Russia that there would be 'massive consequences' if Russian president Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. Read more
December 11, 2021 - Despite Appeals from Ukraine, the Biden administration has chosen to hold back the $200 million in military assistance aid to Ukraine for diplomatic reasons. Read more
December 11, 2021 - The United States is sending a top diplomat for Europe, Donfried to both Russia and Ukraine. Read more
December 11, 2021 - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has rejected Russian demands to rescind NATO's promise to Ukraine that the country would one day become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Read more
December 11, 2021 - According to Russia's state run media, the Russian military carried out live fire tank drills and exercises in various places within Russia with 1,500 tank crews, including occupied Crimea and included driving over anti-tank trenches. Read more
December 11, 2021 - Multiple rare manned US Military aircraft have been flying over Ukraine. According to sources only US Military unmanned Global Hawks UAVS have been spotted in Ukrainian airspace until this point and manned aircraft are extremely rare over Ukraine. Read more
December 10, 2021 - After Russia demanded NATO rescind their offer to Ukraine for future membership, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the door for NATO membership remains open for Ukraine and that Moscow has no say over which countries have the right to join. Read more
December 10, 2021 - On Friday Russia demanded that NATO rescind the 2008 agreement with Ukraine stating that one day they would become members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Read more
December 10, 2021 - The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that 'irresponsible behavior of the West' toward Ukraine is provoking serious military risks, even up to 'large-scale conflicts in Europe'. Read more
December 10, 2021 - Biden has angered eastern NATO allies by announcing a meeting between NATO allies and Russia to discuss Russia's buildup of troops, tanks and artillery along Ukraine's border. Read more
December 10, 2021 - Ukrainian Navy says that Russia has blocked Ukraine off from 70% of the Sea of Azov and are holding live fire artillery drills close to the Ukrainian coast. Read more
December 10, 2021 - US and French NATO fighter jets were allegedly intercepted by Russian Su-27 fighter jets over the Black Sea on December 9th according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Read more
December 10, 2021 - According to the Joint Forces Operation HQ, Russian separatists breached the Minsk Protocol ceasefire agreement 6 times on December 9th with two Ukrainian soldiers injured in the fighting. Read more
December 10, 2021 - Russia continues to move medium range surface to air missile systems closer to the Ukrainian border raising concerns that Putin may indeed preparing to invade Ukraine. Read more
December 10, 2021 - U.S. Republican Senator Roger Wicker stated that the United States shouldn't rule out using nukes on Russia in response to the conflict over Ukraine. Read more
December 10, 2021 - Russian General Valery Gerasimov has issued a warning to Ukraine against attacking areas controlled by Russian separatists saying that Russia will get involved and 'severely suppress provocations'. Read more
December 10, 2021 - A Ukrainian warship named 'Donbass' sailed toward the Kerch strait without filing a request to sail through and was given warnings by Russia to turn away. The ship did not respond to the requests, but eventually turned away from the strait. Read more
December 10, 2021 - A Ukrainian warship named 'Donbass' sailed toward the Kerch strait without filing a request to sail through and was given warnings by Russia to turn away. The ship did not respond to the requests, but eventually turned away from the strait. Read more
December 9, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the conflict in eastern Ukraine in Donbass 'is very reminiscent of genocide'. Read more
December 9, 2021 - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated on Thursday that Russia and the United States could end up in a situation resembling the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 where the US and Russia had a standoff over the Soviets deploying missiles in Cuba. Read more
December 9, 2021 - After Biden dashed Ukrainian hopes of help by the US by saying that sending in U.S. troops to defend Ukraine against Russia is 'not on the table', Ukraine's generals now say they have no hope of defending against a Russian invasion without aid from the West. Read more
December 9, 2021 - Cooperation between Turkey and Russia is increasing as Turkey is set to receive another shipment of advanced S-400 anti-air missile systems from Russia according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Read more
December 9, 2021 - KYIV - The Ukrainian military says that Russia now has 120,000 troops on their border, including 98,000 soldiers on the ground and 22,000 air and naval forces as well as increased intelligence gathering. Read more
December 9, 2021 - MOSCOW - Russia has handed the U.S. Embassy a 'note of protest' underlining the 'perilous consequences' of alleged provocations from US and NATO forces near the Ukrainian/Russian border. Read more
December 8, 2021 - Just hours after Biden and Putin talked, Russia began rolling in electronic warfare vehicles into occupied Crimea. Read more
December 8, 2021 - The Russian Foreign Ministry has sent a note to the US Embassy in Moscow that warns of 'dangerous consequences' for 'provocations near Russia's borders'. Read more
December 8, 2021 - France has issued a warning to Russia: 'Strategic and massive' consequences if Ukraine is threatened. Read more
December 8, 2021 - India and Russia's defense partnership is increasing as the two countries proceed with an agreement to send a Russian missile system to India, despite threats of sanctions from the United States. Read more
December 8, 2021 - Senior White House Correspondent Ed O'Keefe reported that Biden said that sending U.S. troops in to defend Ukraine against Russia is 'not on the table' in the event of an attack when talking to reporters at the White House. Read more
December 8, 2021 - Russia has finished deploying the Bastion anti-missile system to an island North of Japan which is able to target and destroy entire carrier groups and landing craft around islands disputed with Japan. Read more
December 8, 2021 - Britain is considering giving more defensive support to the Ukraine due to the increasing buildup of Russian troops, tanks and artillery building up near their border. Read more
December 7, 2021 - Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov is warning there will be a 'bloody massacre' if Russia invades Ukraine, along with five million refugees fleeing into Europe and that Russians would come also back home in coffins. Read more
December 7, 2021 - Biden is looking into options to evacuate US citizens from Ukraine in the event that Russia initiates an invasion of the country. State Department says options to deter an invasion are limited. Read more
December 7, 2021 - CIA director William Burns said on Monday that US intelligence agencies haven't concluded that Russia will invade Ukraine, but stated that he wouldn't underestimate Putin's appetite for Ukraine and that Russia has put together forces that 'could act in a very sweeping way'. Read more
December 7, 2021 - A Russian train carrying BTR armored personnel carriers, howitzers, military trucks, MT-LBs and tanks have been spotted moving towards the Ukrainian border. Read more
December 7, 2021 - Ukrainian Defense Ministry says that Russia is sending tanks and snipers to the line of contact in eastern Ukraine in order to 'provoke return fire' hours before the video call between Biden and Putin occurred. Read more
December 7, 2021 - Russian state owned news agency has reported that the Russian Navy has carried out airstrike 'missile' drills involving 20 aircraft, and made it a point to highlight that the missile strikes against naval targets paralleled the US warship deployment to the Black Sea. Read more
December 7, 2021 - A senior administration official has hinted toward sending in additional US troops to flank NATO allies in the event of a Russian invasion on the country. Read more
December 7, 2021 - Ukraine is asking the United States for help to defend against Russia, including air and naval support, helicopters and forward deployed troops. Read more
December 7, 2021 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that during his phone call with Biden they agreed on joint and concerted action. Read more
December 7, 2021 - Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stated on Monday that conflict with the Ukraine is not 'inevitable' and that there is still time for diplomacy with Russia. Read more
December 6, 2021 - Russia continuing to build supply lines, hospitals, jamming equipment and modified MBTs (Defensive equipment against drones and javelins) as well as calling on reserves and positioning more forces near the Ukraine. Read more
December 6, 2021 - Russia is filing an official diplomatic protest due to an alleged 'increased' and 'unsafe' amount of US spy planes flying over the Black Sea and says that they threaten civilian flights. Read more
December 6, 2021 - US Officials say that the United States will send troops to eastern Europe and reinforce NATO's eastern flank if Russia invades the Ukraine as well as impose economic measures. Read more
December 6, 2021 - US troops have arrived in the Ukraine with the goal to send a message of support to the Ukraine in standing up to Russia. Read more
December 6, 2021 - Ukraine has invited the United States, United Kingdom and Canada to deploy soldiers to the East and South of the Ukraine despite the fact that Putin said that deploying foreign troops in the Ukraine is a 'red line' that would lead to provocation and consequences. Read more
December 6, 2021 - US intelligence sharing has convinced NATO allies that Russia may be preparing to attack the Ukraine as early as next year with 175,000 troops, moving troops in and out to confuse western intelligence of their intentions. Read more
December 5, 2021 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on air during the TV broadcast of Channel Russia 1 that if the Ukraine does not intend to follow the Minsk agreements of its own free will, then it must be forced. Read more
December 5, 2021 - Russian paratroopers are testing the use of heat traps to protect their ground facilities from heat-seeking missiles, according to Russian Major General Anatoly Kontsevoy, Deputy Commander of the Russian airborne forces. Read more
December 4, 2021 - Ukraine has drawn Ire from Russia by purchasing TB2 drones from Turkey which were used in October to destroy Russian mobile artillery in Donbass. Read more
December 4, 2021 - According to US intelligence Russia is planning on a multi-front offensive against the Ukraine with 175,000 troops by early 2022. Read more
December 3, 2021 - Russian state owned news agency, TASS says that Russia will 'certainly react' if the United States imposes sanctions against Russia over Ukraine. Read more
December 3, 2021 - The Ukrainian Defense Minister says that Russia might use 94,300 troops to invade the Ukraine by the end of January. Read more
December 3, 2021 - CNN has reported that Russia's military has capabilities in place to carry out a swift and immediate invasion, and has built supply lines, fuel and medical units that could 'sustain a drawn out conflict', but Russian news is reporting that there is no planned attack, Russia isn't preparing for an offensive operation and there is no heightened activity as reported by western media. Read more
December 2, 2021 - Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Says NATO Refusing To Consider Russian Proposals And Is Escalating Situation Read more
December 2, 2021 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the 'nightmare scenario of military confrontation is returning' in Europe and that the Ukraine's goal to take Crimea is a 'direct' threat. Read more
December 2, 2021 - Russia has deployed Bastion missile systems near the Kuril Islands on Matua, which is an uninhabited volcanic island located in the middle of the Pacific chain also claimed by Japan. Read more
December 2, 2021 - When Russian Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov was asked about how likely war is between Russia and the Ukraine, he replied saying that the probability of hostilities is high and Ukraine's goal to take Crimea is a 'direct threat'. Read more
December 1, 2021 - In a speech to ambassadors, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the buildup of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border is intended to force the United States to give up support for the Ukraine joining NATO. Read more
December 1, 2021 - U.S. Secretary of State Blinken says that the United States is extremely concerned by evidence that Russia has made plans for significant moves against the Ukraine Read more
December 1, 2021 - Russia said on Wednesday that they cannot de-escalate tensions due to the fact that half the Ukrainian army is stationed near the Russian border. Read more
December 1, 2021 - Russian news RT says that a total of over 100,000 Ukrainian troops, or well over half of the Ukrainian army along with large amounts of military hardware and weaponry are now stationed in Donbass according to the Russian Foreign Ministry amid rising tensions between Russia and the Ukraine. Read more
December 1, 2021 - Russia has told some of the US embassy workers who have worked at the US embassy in Moscow for the last three years to leave the country. The embassy workers are to be out of Russia by January 31st, 2022. Read more
December 1, 2021 - Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko said that Russian annexed Crimea was legally Russian territory and said that he plans to visit the peninsula with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read more
December 1, 2021 - Vice Admiral Karl Thomas is calling for more aircraft carriers in the Pacific to deter and intimidate China and Russia so that they understand that 'today is not the day' to initiate a conflict in the region. Read more
November 30, 2021 - Putin is not issuing a statement, reports circulating of this are false. False reports were originally circulated by Russian intelligence officer @wargonzoo via twitter. Read more
November 30, 2021 - The entire Belarusian 6th tank brigade is reportedly moving from Folush, near Grodno, where it is normally based toward the Ukrainian border in full force with a full compliment of weapons. Read more
November 30, 2021 - The entire Belarusian 6th tank brigade is reportedly moving from Folush, near Grodno, where it is normally based toward the Ukrainian border in full force with a full compliment of weapons. Read more
November 30, 2021 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has given a warning to NATO saying that it will act if NATO crosses any of its red lines with the Ukraine, such as deploying offensive missile systems on Ukrainian territory. Read more
November 30, 2021 - NATO Foreign Ministers are currently meeting in Riga, Latvia to discuss the situation in and around the Ukraine. They are also discussing the situation with Belarus as well as lessons learned from NATO's engagement in Afghanistan. Read more
November 30, 2021 - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Russia will pay a high price for any military aggression on the Ukraine when they met to discuss the Russian troop buildup on the Ukrainian border. Read more
November 30, 2021 - Russia has reportedly been converting its tanks with field modifications to defend against the Ukraine's new US supplied Javelin anti-tank guided missiles, along with TB2 Bayraktar drones that were supplied by Turkey.Read more
November 30, 2021 - Parts of the Krasukha-4 electronic warfare system has been spotted being transported by a Russian convoy in Rostov, Russia along with mobile radio stations. Read more
November 30, 2021 - Lukashenka, the president of Belarus has spoken with Russian media outlet RIA Novosti and stated that they will allow Russia to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus again, in case nuclear weapons are brought to Poland by NATO. Read more
November 30, 2021 - The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that NATO is moving a significant amount of military equipment to the Russian border. This, as Russian forces, artillery and military equipment continue to build up on the Russian side of the border. Read more
November 30, 2021 - The Ukrainian military stated on Tuesday that they will be carrying out 10 large military drills in 2022 along with the United States, Britain, Poland, Romania as well as other countries. Read more
November 30, 2021 - On November 30th, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported 8 ceasefire violations by Russian separatists, two of which used weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements. Read more
November 30, 2021 - Belarus has announced joint military drills with Russia along its southern border. Lukashenko has stated that if Ukraine starts another war in Donbass or anywhere near Russia's borders "Belarus will not stay aside. And it is clear whose side we will be on". Read more
November 30, 2021 - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported that Russian servicemen have arrived in non-government controlled areas in eastern Ukraine to "strengthen" 'sabotage' and 'sapper' units. Read more
November 30, 2021 - The Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kouleba says that Russia has accumulated about 115,000 troops near their border and in occupied Crimea as Russia continues to send forces, artillery and weapons to locations near the Ukraine border. Read more
November 29, 2021 - The US Defense Department says that they will be expanding deployments and bases in the Indo-Pacific to deal with Russian and Chinese threats while maintaining enough forces in the middle east to deal with Iran and Jihadist groups. Read more
November 29, 2021 - There is currently heavy shelling happening in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine as well as north of Donetsk. There was also shelling on November 18th which severely damaged a school in the town of Pervomaisk. Read more
November 27, 2021 - The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has reportedly stated that there will be no invasion on the Ukraine, and said that reports of an invasion by media and US state department is malicious propaganda. Read more
November 27, 2021 - The U.S. State Department says that all options are back on the table regarding responding to the Russian troop buildup near the Ukrainian border. Read more
November 24, 2021 - There is a new Advisory from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine regarding Russian military activity near the Ukrainian borders and in occupied Crimea. Read more
November 23, 2021 - The Ukrainian military held drills and practiced airstrikes on training grounds in southern Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. Read more
November 23, 2021 - Russia said on Tuesday that the United States is 'escalating' tensions by arming the Ukraine with weaponry and sending over military advisors. Read more
November 23, 2021 - Russian state TV has claimed that Russia's anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles have the capability of destroying 32 NATO satellites and 'blind all their missiles, planes and ships, not to mention the ground forces'. Read more
November 23, 2021 - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has warned that #Russia has increase its military readiness level for Russian occupation forces in Donbass. Read more
November 23, 2021 - Russia has allegedly stated that the U.S. State Department is using diplomatic channels to share false information about the number of Russian forces by the Ukrainian border. Whether this is misinformation on Russia's part remains unclear. Read more
November 22, 2021 - Russia and China flew nuclear capable strategic bombers together near Japan and South Korea on Friday in a joint patrol causing South Korea to quickly scramble their fighter jets. Read more
November 22, 2021 - The Ukrainian defense intelligence agency chief told Military Times that Russia is preparing for an attack on the country by the end of January, or the beginning of February. Read more
November 21, 2021 - Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that the West is artificially whipping up hysteria regarding tensions with the Ukraine and stated that 'a provocation' could not be ruled out due to the current U.S. Rhetoric. Read more
November 19, 2021 - Russia deployed 2 Tu-95MS long range nuclear bombers to international airspace near Alaska for hours on Friday. Read more
November 18, 2021 - Ukraine's parliament has approved a bill that allows guards on the Ukrainian border to use military equipment and firearms, as the Russian military buildup near the border continues. Read more
November 18, 2021 - The Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin, Andrij Melnyk says that Russia has about 114,000 troops stationed near the eastern Ukrainian border, and about 32,000 troops stationed in Occupied Crimea, with several thousand in Belarus. Read more
November 17, 2021 - The Ukrainian armed forces have carried out military drills close to the border of annexed Crimea according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry as tensions between the Ukraine and Russia continue to mount. Read more
November 17, 2021 - Russia is deploying a paratroop regiment on the annexed part of Crimea by the beginning of December and has objected to the new British deal to give the Ukrainian military a boost. Read more
November 14, 2021 - A group of 50 illegal migrants have broken through the defenses on the border between Belarus and Poland and entered Poland near Starzyna village. Read more
November 14, 2021 - Former head of U.S. Army Europe says that what we are seeing is nothing new, but a continuation of what started back in April regarding the military buildup of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border. Read more
November 13, 2021 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that there are currently almost 100,000 Russian troops stationed near the Ukrainian border and that the West has shared intel on troop movements by Russia. Read more
November 13, 2021 - The Belarus Defense Minister has also said that they are ready to ensure their safety and call on Russia for help if necessary. Read more
November 13, 2021 - The Belarus Defense Minister has stated that their armed forces are "ready to respond harshly to any attacks, we would like to warn hotheads against overestimating their capabilities." Read more
November 12, 2021 - Britain scrambled jets from two different bases to intercept and escort long range nuclear capable Russian bombers 'approaching the UK area of interest' according to the UK Royal Air Force. Read more
November 12, 2021 - Britain has sent troops to Poland to help the Polish army fortify its border with Belarus and provide engineering support Read more
November 12, 2021 - Russian paratroopers have been deployed to the border shared between Belarus, Poland and Lithuania as Poland puts its troops on high alert. Read more
November 12, 2021 - The Russian ambassador to the United Nations said on Thursday that Russia will never invade the Ukraine unless it is first provoked by the Ukraine, or someone else and then quoted threats from the Ukraine as well as actions by the United States naval forces in the Black Sea that Russia sees as provocative. Read more
November 12, 2021 - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has lost connection with a drone over the Ukraine near Perevalsk with probable signal jamming suspected. Read more
November 11, 2021 - Putin has held a second phone call in two days with German Chancellor Angela Merkel regarding the Belarusian-Polish border crisis. Read more
November 11, 2021 - The Ukrainian foreign minister stated that the Russian government is 'looking for an opportunity to move further' into Ukrainian territory. Read more
November 11, 2021 - The United States has warned European allies that Russia might be planning an invasion on the Ukraine after monitoring Russian troop movements on the Russia/Ukraine border. Read more
November 11, 2021 - The leader of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that he needs Russian nuclear capable bombers to monitor the border situation with Poland, after two Russian Tu-160 planes carried out bombing runs during a training exercise. Read more
November 8, 2021 - The Polish-Belarusian border fortifications are being destroyed by migrants as they chant "Germany, Germany" after Belarusian troops lead the migrants to the Polish border. Polish officers are also being attacked as tensions grow. Read more
November 8, 2021 - Pro-Russian separatists killed one Ukrainian soldier and injured two others in an attack in the country's eastern region on Sunday. Read more
November 5, 2021 - United States Republican representatives Mike Rogers and Mike Turner are urging Joe Biden to "deploy a U.S. military presence in the Black Sea" including weapons and troops in light of the threat from the growing number of Russian troops and artillery stationed near the Ukrainian border. Read more
November 5, 2021 - The United States is activating a European artillery command that hasn't been activated for the last 30 years, as Russia begins to amass troops and artillery at their border with the Ukraine. Read more
November 4, 2021 - Satellite photos show Russia moving military equipment 250 kilometers from their border with the Ukraine, who has deployed combat drones along the front lines in the Donbas region, raising renewed concerns of a possible coming conflict between the two countries. Read more
November 2, 2021 - The UK strike group, HMS Queen Elizabeth has intercepted over 30 Russian military aircraft as well as warships during its deployment in the Indo-Pacific over the last two weeks. Read more
October 28, 2021 - There are reports coming in of Russian tanks and artillery heading to the Ukrainian border via railroad after the Ukraine launched an airstrike on Russian artillery equipment with a TB-2 Drone for the first time. Read more
October 27, 2021 - Ukraine has launched an airstrike on Russian artillery equipment, sparking renewed fears of a military escalation between the two countries. Read more
October 22, 2021 - A Russian aircraft flew into the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone on Thursday but did not enter into US or Canadian airspace. Read more
October 20, 2021 - Russia scrambled two Sukhoi Su-30 fighters to escort two US B-1B strategic bombers over the Black Sea. Read more
October 19, 2021 - Russia and China joined forces to stage massive wargames during which Russia staged an invasion of the Ukraine in Russian controlled Crimea Read more
October 15, 2021 - Three Russian fighter jets have intercepted a United States B-52 bomber near Japan/Russia. Read more
September 30, 2021 - Three Russian fighter jets have intercepted a United States B-52 bomber near Japan/Russia. Read more
September 26, 2021 - Serbian tanks and fighter jets have been spotted near the their border with Kosovo after Kosovo banned Serbian license plates. Read more
September 26, 2021 - 3 Russian SU-35S fighter jets reportedly escorted a U.S. B-52H bomber away from the Russian border after the bomber approached the border in the Pacific Ocean. Read more
September 17, 2021 - Russia, China, North Korea and other countries have put out a statement to the UN Tuesday saying that the United States committed war crimes in Afghanistan and is calling on the United Nations to bring them to justice. Read more
September 13, 2021 - On September 12th Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelendsky warned Russia of a 'full scale war' indirectly while speaking at the Yalta security forum in Kyiv Read more
September 13, 2021 - A Kamaz truck owned by the Ukrainian 503rd Naval Infantry was hit by an ATGM (anti tank guided missile) by Russian separatists killing 1 Ukrainian and wounding 3 others. Read more
September 9, 2021 - Russia has deployed S-300 long range surface to air missile systems to Western Belarus, on Russia's border with Poland and Lithuania. Read more
September 3, 2021 - Russia has deployed S-300 long range surface to air missile systems to Western Belarus, on Russia's border with Poland and Lithuania. Read more
August 27, 2021 - An artillery strike by Russian backed separatists reportedly hit the Ukraine's 25th Airborne Brigade parking lot Read more
August 27, 2021 - A Ukrainian soldier, who was wounded in Donbas from shelling by Russian backed forces died on Friday according to the press service of the Skhid (east) task force. Read more
August 24, 2021 - A Ukrainian plane that was in Afghanistan to evacuate Ukrainian citizens has been hijacked by unknown armed hijackers. After the hijackers took over the plane, they flew it to Iran. Read more
August 21, 2021 - The United States is joining Britain in taking action against those responsible for poisoning Alexei Navalny, a critic to Russian President Vladimir Putin according to a joint statement by the US State Department. Read more
August 13, 2021 - August 13, 2021 - The Russians and Chinese are launching airstrikes together during joint military exercises on Chinese territory. Read more
August 3, 2021 - The Chinese and Russian military will be holding joint military exercises for the first time, on Chinese soil as ties between the two countries grow ever stronger in the face of growing tension with the West. Read more
August 3, 2021 - The United States has requested that 24 Russian diplomats leave the U.S. once their Visas expire on September 3rd. Read more
July 27, 2021 - During a parade for Russian Naval forces in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that their hypersonic missiles, capable of being fashioned with a nuclear warhead 'can locate and inflict inevitable strike' on their enemies. Read more
July 26, 2021 - Seven Ukrainian soldiers have been injured in Donbass when pro Russian separatists violated the ceasefire 10 times in a single day according to JFO headquarters. Read more
July 25, 2021 - Russia says it has upgraded its missile defenses in Syria to thwart missile attacks by Israel and has intercepted Israeli missiles in the latest Israeli airstrike on Syria.Read more
July 23, 2021 - In a TV interview, Russian ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov revealed that Russia has seen the United States as an enemy for the last 10 years, since the start of the Russian and Ukraine conflict. Read more
July 20, 2021 - Russia has successfully tested their new Zircon [Tsirkon] hypersonic cruise missile and hit a target 217 miles away on the Barents Sea coast at 7 times the speed of sound. Read more
July 20, 2021 - Russia has issued a warning to the United States from deploying hypersonic missiles in Europe, saying that it could lead to 'inadvertent conflict'. Read more
July 20, 2021 - Russia scrambled MiG-31 and Su-35 jets to intercept US B52-N strategic bombers over the Bearing Sea last week. Read more
July 10, 2021 - 1 Ukrainian has been killed and 3 wounded which amounts to 4 Ukrainians killed in the last week alone during rising tensions with Russia.Read more
July 7, 2021 A Russian SU-30 fighter jet has buzzed a US Poseidon spy plane over the Black Sea while a NATO ship was being tracked by the Russian navy late Tuesday. Read more
July 6, 2021 The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Ross is leading 28 ally live fire exercises in the Black Sea to send a clear and precise message to Russia as Russian jets circle above. Read more
July 5, 2021 A Ukrainian medic was killed and another person was injured during fighting in Donbas as Russian backed militants carried out an attack on July 4th. Read more
July 4, 2021 Biden has stated that the United States will respond if Russia is behind the cyberattack that struck more than 200 companies on Friday, just before the start of the Independence Day weekend. Read more
June 30, 2021 The Dutch defense minister said on Tuesday that Russian jets armed with air to surface missiles harassed one of their navy frigates in the Black Sea for over 5 hours. Read more
June 30, 2021 Putin has put out a statement saying that it's not likely that the "world would have been on the verge of World War Three" if Russia had decided to sink the British destroyer near Crimea and said, "Firstly, it was certainly a provocation, it is obvious that it is a provocation". Read more
June 28, 2021 Ukraine and United States are set to carry out military drills in the Black Sea in which 30 countries will be involved on June 28th, in spite of Russia's protests and calls to cancel the drills. Read more
June 27, 2021 The British HMS Defender, a destroyer that recently angered Russia by entering waters near Crimea has docked in the Batumi port in Georgia. Read more
June 27, 2021 Classified documents from the UK Ministry Of Defense have been found at a bus stop in Kent, England. The documents included sensitive data, including contact information and emails and information about the passage of the HMS Defender through waters near Crimea. Read more
June 27, 2021 Russia has sent fighter jets that are able to equip Kinzhal hypersonic missiles to the Hemeimeem airbase in Syria after claiming to fire warning shots and dropping bombs ahead of British destroyer in the Black Sea Read more
June 25, 2021 Russia says next time British ships enter the Black Sea it will bomb the British vessels, but the UK says that Russia's claims of previously firing warning shots and dropping bombs ahead of the missile destroyer didn't happen and is Russian fake news. Read more
June 24, 2021 Russia has fired warning shots at a UK missile destroyer and a Russian Su-24 dropped bombs in front of the British ship in the Black Sea to ward it away from Russian territory around Crimea. Read more
June 11, 2021 U.S. Navy's guided missile destroyer, the USS Laboon has has entered the Black Sea. Russia is closely monitoring the movements of the destroyer and their Black Sea Fleet has begun tactical exercises. Full story
June 5, 2021 Russia scrambled fighter jets to intercept a United States military plane over the Barents Sea according to EUCOM officials. Full story
May 27, 2021 China's main invasion force practices amphibious beach landings, presumably for a Taiwan invasion - The Chinese main invasion force, the 73rd Group Army have been practicing live fire exercises and beach landings with amphibious vehicles, firing off thousands of rounds of ordnance. Read more
May 26, 2021 Russia has stated that for the first time it can now operate nuclear capable bombers from an air base in Syria and has deployed three heavy bombers to a Syrian air base. Read more
May 18, 2021 9 Russian and Chinese navy warships have been spotted near Japanese waters: three Chinese vessels and 6 Russian vessels. Read more
May 16, 2021 Shelling by Russian backed separatists have increased. On May 15th there were 16 ceasefire violations in a single day with one Ukrainian soldier known to be wounded in the attacks. Read more
May 16, 2021 The Russian News Agency claims that the Ukrainian army has shelled the western part of Donetsk and violated the ceasefire 5 5 times. Read more
May 15, 2021 Russia is continuing to conscript residents of Crimea into its military. Some have been transferred to carry out orders in Donbass. Read more
May 15, 2021 Russia stopped six U.S. armored vehicles in Syria, forcing them to turn back and go the opposite direction. Read more
May 15, 2021 Russia has listed both the United States and the Czech Republic to their list of 'Unfriendly States' and said that U.S. diplomatic missions can no longer deploy local staff Read more
May 15, 2021 Russian president Vladimir Putin stated that the Ukraine is becoming 'anti-Russia' and says that Moscow is ready to act to threats to Russian security. Read more
May 11, 2021 Russia Still Has 100,000 Soldiers Near Ukrainian Border According To Ukraine - According to the Ukraine, Russia still has 100,000 soldiers stationed near the Ukrainian border and in Crimea. Read more
May 8, 2021 As Russia refuses to withdraw around 80,000 troops around the Ukrainian border, NATO is set to amass 28,000 of its own troops for war games next to the Ukraine. Read more
May 8, 2021 Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and one injured in eastern Ukraine while under fire from Russian separatists Read more
May 7, 2021: May 7, 2021: One Ukrainian soldier killed and another was wounded on May 6th during Russian ceasefire violations in Donbass, Eastern Ukraine. Read more
May 7, 2021: Despite claims by the Kremlin that they have ordered the Russian troops that had been stationed on the Ukrainian border last month to fall back to their normal stations in Russia, more Russian troops yet remain amassed on Ukraine's border than has been since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Read more
May 2, 2021: 500,000 Russian passports issued to eastern Ukraine in the last 2 years as Ukraine condemns naturalization of Ukrainian citizens into Russia and labels it "hybrid warfare". Read more
May 1, 2021: The U.S. Embassy in Russia stated that it was cutting its consular staff by 75% as well as putting a stop to processing Russian non immigrant visas for non diplomatic travel. Read more
April 29, 2021: Numerous U.S. officials have stated that Russian activity around Alaska have increased significantly as of late, and the head of Alaskan Command has just put out a statement saying that the recent increase has put a strain on U.S. assets. Read more
April 29, 2021: Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov said in an interview that was published on Wednesday that relations between the United States and Russia are worse now than even during the cold war. Read more
April 28, 2021: On April 28th there were 15 Russian ceasefire violations in Ukraine with one soldier reportedly wounded in action from Russian backed armed groups. The Joint Forces Operation (JFO) press center stated "In the past day, April 28, as many as 15 ceasefire violations were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) zone". Read more
April 28, 2021: Russia has issued an order to expel seven EU diplomats from Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in tit for tat expulsions over accusations of Czech spying.
April 28, 2021: Russia unveils a new upgraded anti-ballistic missile (ABM) at a Kazakhstan test site that they say can fly nearly 2 miles a second or roughly four times the speed of a bullet. Read more
April 28, 2021: Russia holds live fire drills in the Black Sea as U.S. Coast Guard vessel enters the region. The Russian Navy said that they are monitoring the U.S. Coast Guard vessel.
April 28, 2021: Russia has pulled back its military personnel from the Ukrainian border but has not pulled back its Navy forces from the Black Sea nor its heavy weaponry that Russia left sitting near the border. Read more
April 27, 2021: One Ukrainian soldier was killed and three others wounded in Donbass when an unknown explosive device was detonated in the Pivnich northern sector. Three other servicemen were also injured.
April 27, 2021: Ukraine To Expel Russian Diplomat In Tit For Tat Response To Russia Expelling Ukrainian Diplomat From Its Embassy.
April 26, 2021: There were a total of 9 Russian ceasefire violations in the Ukraine on April 26th Read more
April 26, 2021: Russia Expels Another Member Of The Ukrainian Embassy saying due to the "unfriendly actions taken by the Ukrainian side, an employee of the Ukrainian embassy in Russia was declared persona non grata". The Ukrainian Diplomat Has To Leave The Country By The End Of April.
April 26, 2021: There were 12 ceasefire violations in Donbass on April 25th from 120mm and 82mm mortars, heavy machine guns & Grenade Launchers. Civilian facilities In Vodiane were also shelled with 120mm mortars. No forces have attacked Ukrainian troops directly, And No casualties reported. Ukrainian military says situation is under full control.
April 26, 2021: Russia Says That Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Has Calmed Down With Fewer Ceasefire Violations, But Still Dangerous.
Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine -This authorization is the Biden Administration's thirty-ninth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. Subscribe To Full Alert
Department of Defense: “Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs.
This authorization is the Biden Administration's thirty-ninth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
It includes key capabilities to support Ukraine's air defenders as they bravely protect Ukraine's soldiers, civilians, and critical infrastructure amid Russia's continuing air strikes killing civilians across Ukraine.
This security assistance package also contains artillery, anti-armor capabilities, and ammunition, including tens of millions of rounds of small arms ammunition, valued at up to $300 million to help Ukraine continue to defend its sovereign territory.
The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements.”
KFOR Update On Zvecan Attacks May 30th, 2023 - NATO-led KFOR statement: “The number of peace-keepers wounded during yesterday's unprovoked violence in the municipality of Zvecan is 30. Read More On Defcon Alerts Platform.
11 soldiers from the Italian contingent and 19 from the Hungarian contingent sustained multiple injuries, including fractures and burns from improvised explosive incendiary devices.
Russia Calls Poland "Hostile", Warns Of Intervention In Belarus In Event Of Coup - MOSCOW - Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called Poland "hostile" and addressed claims by Polish media, Russian and Belarusian officials that Poland is planning a coup in Belarus, and says that if this happens, Russia will step in and intervene. Read On SJ (News) | Read On Patreon (Intel/Alerts).
The claim that Poland plans to initiate a coup in Belarus originated from a Polish media outlet Polsat, which cited the former commander of the Land Forces General Waldemar Skrzypczak as saying "Let's prepare for an uprising in Belarus because it will happen. The point is that we do not oversleep this moment”.
Russian state-run media has taken Polish media out of context, claimed Poland intends to carry out a coup in Belarus. Read our news report on either our intel platform, or news platform for more information on this. [Links provided above to both].
Belarusian President: Russian Tactical Nukes On On The Move To Belarus From Russia - MINSK - President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has said that Russia has begun its movement of tactical nuclear warheads into Belarus, saying that the nuclear weapons are currently in transit to the country. Read On Substack | Read On Patreon.
Lukashenko spoke to reporters and said, "The movement of the nuclear weapons has already begun". He was then asked whether the nuclear weapons have already arrived in Belarus, and he replied, "Possibly. When I get back I will check".
Russia: Two US B-1B Strategic Bombers Intercepted Over Black Sea Approaching Border - MOSCOW - The Russian Ministry of Defense has claimed that it intercepted two United States B-1B strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea approaching the Russian border. Sign Up For All Alerts And Intel
A statement released by the Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russia intercepted the bombers with Su-27 fighter jets in order to "prevent the violation of the Russian border".
Russian Ministry of Defense Statement
"On May 23, 2023, Russian airspace control measures detected two air targets approaching the state border of the Russian Federation over the Baltic Sea.
Su-27 fighter jet of the Baltic Fleet air defence forces on duty was taken into the air to prevent the violation of the Russian border.
The crew of the Russian fighter classified the aerial targets as two B-1B strategic bombers of the US Air Force and occupied the designated airborne duty zone.
After the removal of the foreign combat aircraft from the state border of the Russian Federation, the Russian fighter returned to the airfield of departure.
The flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict compliance with international airspace regulations.
There was no violation of the Russian Federation state border.
The National Defence Management Center".
NORAD detects Russian aircraft operating in Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone - Northern American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD): "COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked a Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 15, 2023. (Intel delayed, governments don't always release information to public right away). Sign Up For All Alerts
The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.
This flight occurred as several planned large-scale military training exercises are ongoing in and around Alaska. This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.
An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification, location and control of all aircraft in the interest of national security.
NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft to track and identify aircraft and inform appropriate actions.
NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America."
Russia Claims It Intercepted German And French Aircraft Approaching Its Border - MOSCOW - The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that it detected and intercepted two aircraft approaching the Russian border over the Baltic Sea and turned the military aircraft "away to its home airfield". See All Alerts
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that one of the aircraft was German and one French.
Russian Ministry of Defense statement: "On 15 May 2023, Russian airspace control systems detected two aerial targets approaching the State border of the Russian Federation over the Baltic Sea. The crew of the Russian fighter jet identified the aerial targets as an R-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft of the German Navy and an Atlantique-2 maritime patrol aircraft of the French Navy".
Russian Ministry of Defense: National Center for State Defense Control of the Russian Federation: "On 15 May 2023, Russian airspace control systems detected two aerial targets approaching the State border of the Russian Federation over the Baltic Sea.
A Su-27 fighter jet of the Baltic Fleet scrambled to identify the aerial targets and prevent violations of the State border of the Russian Federation.
The crew of the Russian fighter jet identified the aerial targets as an R-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft of the German Navy and an Atlantique-2 maritime patrol aircraft of the French Navy.
After turning the foreign military aircraft away from the State Border of the Russian Federation, the Russian fighter returned safely to its home airfield. There was no violation of the state border of the Russian Federation.
The flight of the Russian fighter aircraft was carried out in strict compliance with the international rules for the use of airspace over international waters without crossing any air routes or coming dangerously close to an aircraft of a foreign State."
NORAD Intercepts Six Russian Aircraft In And Near Alaska's ADIZ - NORTH AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Alaskan Region of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected, tracked, positively identified and intercepted six Russian aircraft operating in and near the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 11, 2023. See All Alerts
Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. These flights occurred as several planned large-scale U.S. military training exercises are ongoing within Alaska.
The Russian aircraft were TU-95 bombers, IL-78 tankers and SU-35 fighter aircraft. NORAD aircraft, including F-16 fighters, F-22 fighters, KC-135 Stratotankers, and E-3 AWACS, conducted the mission.
This Russian activity in the North American ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat. NORAD tracks and positively identifies all military aircraft that enter the ADIZ, routinely monitors aircraft movements and as necessary, escorts them from the ADIZ.
Since Russia resumed out of area Long Range Aviation activity in 2007, NORAD has seen a yearly average of approximately six to seven intercepts of Russian military aircraft in the ADIZ.
These numbers have varied each year from as high as 15 to as low as zero. NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based radars, airborne radar and fighter aircraft to track and identify aircraft and inform appropriate actions.
We remain ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America and Arctic sovereignty.
Energoatom: Russia continues To Turn The Temporarily Occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP Into A Military Base - The Energotom National Nuclear Power Company State Enterprise claims that Russia has "placed another batch of military equipment, weapons, and explosives in the premises of the turbine department of the 4th power unit of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant". See All Alerts
It also reported, "the storage of military equipment with ammunition, weapons and explosives in other production premises of the ZNPP, in particular in repair and mechanical workshops and on the roofs of power units".
The statement added, "We will remind you that earlier the occupiers placed such "treasures" in the engine rooms of the first, and later the second power units of the station".
Ukraine Claims Russia Placed Explosives On Turbine Section Of ZNPP Nuclear Power Plant - The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine has claimed that Russia loaded explosives "in the premise" of the turbine section of the power unit number 4 in the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) See All Alerts
The Ukrainian agency also said, "We will remind that at the end of July 2022, the Russian military placed heavy military equipment with ammunition, as well as weapons and explosives, in the engine room of power unit No. 1 of the ZANP," and added, "At the beginning of August 2022, information was received regarding the placement of military equipment also in the engine room of power unit No. 2 of the ZNPP".
The agency added that, "Also, through unofficial channels, the State Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission receives information about the storage of equipment, weapons and explosives in other production premises of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, including in repair and mechanical workshops and on the roofs of power units".
"We emphasize once again that in the event of an emergency situation at the ZNPP with a potentially possible release of radioactive substances into the environment, the consequences will be felt not only by Ukraine - they will have a cross-border nature," the statement added.
The Regulatory Inspectorate called on the international community for a "consolidated and decisive response to the actions of the aggressor country, the application of tough sanctions against Russian nuclear industry enterprises and persons affiliated with them".
They added, "We emphasize that the Russian Federation should be deprived of all rights and privileges in the IAEA and other international institutions in the field of nuclear energy use".
Newly Declassified Report On Havana Syndrome Contradicts Another Recent Report On The Illness - WASHINGTON - A newly declassified report on Havana Syndrome by the director of national intelligence has been released that contradicts another recent report saying that it was very unlikely that the illness was caused by an energy weapon. The new report said an energy weapon remains a plausible explanation. This Report And More | Read Declassified Report
International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Vladimir Putin And Maria Lvova-Belova - ICC - The International Criminal Court (ICC) released a statement on Friday that it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, including the abduction of children from Ukraine during Russia's war on the country. See More Alerts
The statement by Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan KC said that the ICC issued arrested warrants for both Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Maria Lvova-Belova, Commissioner for Children's Rights "in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation".
The statement said the arrest warrants were issued "on the basis of evidence and analyzed by my Office pursuant to its independent investigations".
It went on to say that "the Pre-Trial Chamber has confirmed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that President Putin and Ms Lvova-Belova bear criminal responsibility for the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, contrary to article 8(2)(a)(vii) and article 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute".
In response to the announcements of the arrest warrants, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and considers any decisions that the court makes null and void.
AP news cited Adil Ahmad Haque, who is "an expert" with international law as saying, "So Putin might go to China, Syria, Iran, his ... few allies, but he just won’t travel to the rest of the world and won’t travel to ICC member states who he believes would ... arrest him".
Russia: We View US Drone's Black Sea Flight As Provocation And It Had No Business Being Near Russia - MOSCOW - The Russian ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that Russia views the U.S. drone flight in the Black Sea as a "real provocation" and said that it was flying with its "transponders off" and "entered into the zone of the special military operation" which is the term Russia uses for its war in Ukraine. Get All Alerts
Antonov spoke to reporters after speaking to the U.S. Department of State, after being summoned regarding the incident, saying that the United States "provoked" Russia to "take a certain action" so that the US could accuse Moscow and Russia's military of being "non-professional".
"The aircraft was flying with its transponders off, and it entered the zone of the special military operation. It [the information about the zone] was made public via international channels. We, Russia, have warned everyone about it. I think this was a real provocation," he said.
He also added, "We consider this incident a provocation".
Russian aircraft collides into US unmanned system in international waters - "Two Russian Su-27 aircraft conducted an unsafe and unprofessional intercept with a U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 aircraft that was operating within international airspace over the Black Sea today. See All Alerts
At approximately 7:03 AM (CET), one of the Russian Su-27 aircraft struck the propeller of the MQ-9, causing U.S. forces to have to bring the MQ-9 down in international waters. Several times before the collision, the Su-27s dumped fuel on and flew in front of the MQ-9 in a reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional manner. This incident demonstrates a lack of competence in addition to being unsafe and unprofessional.
“Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa. “In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”
“U.S. and Allied aircraft will continue to operate in international airspace and we call on the Russians to conduct themselves professionally and safely,” Hecker added.
This incident follows a pattern of dangerous actions by Russian pilots while interacting with U.S. and Allied aircraft over international airspace, including over the Black Sea. These aggressive actions by Russian aircrew are dangerous and could lead to miscalculation and unintended escalation.
U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa routinely fly aircraft throughout Europe over sovereign territory and throughout international airspace in coordination with applicable host nation and international laws. In order to bolster collective European defense and security, these missions support Allied, partner, and U.S. national objectives."
DOD: Russia Reportedly Supplying Enriched Plutonium to China - Department of Defense: Various open-source outlets reported how Rosatom is providing highly enriched uranium for Chinese fast breeder reactors, said a U.S official during a posture hearing today at the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. See All Alerts
Fake Nuclear Strike Alert Went Out To Russians - There is a seemingly fake nuclear alert that went out alerting Russians about a nuclear strike. The alert looks to be a cyber-attack. The graphics are sleek, meant for visual effects, and have fabricated distortion. This is not something you'd likely find in a legitimate broadcast. See All Alerts
UPDATE - Russian Interfax has confirmed it was a "false air raid warning" due to "server hacking". The fake alert told Russians to take anti-radiation (potassium iodide) pills and head to the nearest bomb shelter.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry said that the message was due to a false alarm as a result of a cyberattack. This is the third cyberattack on Russian stations in the past month, but it is the first that gave instructions to Russians to take anti-radiation pills.
Ukraine: Currently 16 Russian Vessels In Black Sea - BLACK SEA - Ukrainian Defense Forces have reported that there are currently 16 Russian vessels in the Black Sea, including four missile carriers. See All Alerts
Natalya Gumenyuk, who is the spokeswoman for the Joint Coordinating Press Center of the Defense Forces of the South of Ukraine was cited by Ukrainian Interfax as saying that the number of missiles in the Black Sea are a powerful potential and that there could be a strike at "any moment".
"The enemy ship grouping consists of 16 ships, among which 4 missile carriers remain: 2 surface and 2 underwater. This means that more than 20 Caliber missiles can be ready for a salvo," Gumenyuk was cited as saying.
"As a rule, the readiness of such a number of launch vehicles on combat duty, including underwater ones, indicates preparation for a missile attack. What it will be depends on the tactics chosen by the enemy command. They have already understood that massive missile attacks give not the result they expect. These are high costs and low returns. Therefore, most likely they will use targeted missile attacks," she added.
"Missile launches can be at any moment"
Turkey, Syria Death Toll Exceeds 50,000 After Earthquakes - TURKEY/SYRIA - The death toll as a result of the earthquakes that shook Turkey and Syria has now exceeded 50,000, with 44,218 deaths in Turkey alone, and Syria: 5,914 deaths. See All Alerts
The first 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit on February 6th, 2023 in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria, along with a second 7.6 magnitude quake. Over 9,000 aftershocks were felt in the region since the initial earthquakes according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Turkey (AFAD).
Around 530,000 people have been evacuated from the region since the earthquakes occurred after more than 173,000 buildings (known so far) collapsed or were greatly damaged. 1.9 million people have been relocated to temporary shelters, hotels or other public facilities.
Russia Suspends START Nuclear Treaty With United States - MOSCOW - The Russian Foreign Ministry has released a statement declaring that the START nuclear treaty, which is the only nuclear treaty in effect between the United States and Russia, suspended, saying that the U.S. is "weakening" the security of the Russian Federation, and causing a political and economic "suffocation" of Russia. See All Alerts
The Foreign Ministry said however,, "At the same time, in order to maintain a sufficient degree of predictability and stability in the nuclear missile sphere, Russia intends to adhere to a responsible approach and will continue to strictly comply with the quantitative restrictions on strategic offensive arms stipulated by it within the life cycle of the Treaty".
"In addition, the Russian side will continue to participate in the exchange of notifications with the American side on launches of ICBMs and SLBMs on the basis of the relevant agreement between the USSR and the USA in 1988."
"The decision to suspend the START may be reversible. To do this, Washington must show political will, make conscientious efforts for a general de-escalation and create conditions for the resumption of the full functioning of the Treaty and, accordingly, comprehensively ensuring its viability. We urge the American side to do just that. Until then, any steps we take towards Washington in the context of START are absolutely out of the question".
Putin To Give Message To Federal Assembly On February 21st - [Posted in Patreon 4 days ago] MOSCOW - Russian Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Putin will be reading out a message to the Russian Federal Assembly on February 21st in Gostiny Dvor that will focus on "the current situation" - the "special operation" and the "economy", as well as "the social sphere". See All Alerts
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti [From translation] reported that the streets in the Gostiny Dvor "will be blocked" in the center of Moscow "on the day of the announcement of the message of Russian President Vladimir Putin".
The Telegram channel of the Moscow Department of Transport said: "On the twenty-first of February, from 00.01 until the end of the event, sections from Novaya Square to Red Square, from Kitaigorodsky Proyezd to Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge and from Ilyinka Street to Varvarka Street in the area of house 5 on Red Square will be unavailable for travel. Parking in the area will also be unavailable ceilings".
Novosti reported that Putin's message will be covering "security and defense", the economy in the "new military-political realities", and address what Moscow calls "gangster methods" to seize the hydrocarbon market and establish a "political and economic protectorate" overall of Europe.
RIA Novosti cited the first deputy head of the international committee of the Federation Council, FSB General Vladimir Dzhabarov as saying that the "first issue could be" to increase defense capabilities and, "The fight against terrorists, the fight against saboteurs, against agents of foreign special services".
Slutsky said that Putin's speech will "set priorities" that will "leave no hope for our enemies to defeat Russia, weaken or try to subdue it to its neo-colonial dictate."
Alexei Didenko, deputy head of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) faction in the Russian Duma said, "Surely the president will focus on the work of the military-industrial complex, which is now functioning on a forced basis, on combat capabilities and the latest weapons technologies".
The Russian news agency said that "Almost all parliamentarians" are also assuming that Putin will speak on the economy, sanctions, and "overcoming pressure from the West in one way or another".
Romanian Statement On Missile Launched By Russia, Crossing Into Moldova- Romania releases a statement regarding the Missile Launched By Russia, Crossing Into Moldova.
Romanian Ministry Of National Defense: "The Romanian Air Forces’ air surveillance system detected on Friday, February 10th, an aerial target launched by a Russian Federation’s ship, navigating in the Black Sea, nearby the Crimea Peninsula. The target is most likely a cruise missile, which flew over the air space of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and reentered the Ukrainian air space without ever infringing Romania’s air space.
The closest point of the aerial target’s trajectory from the Romanian air space was recorded by the radar systems to be at almost 35 kilometers North-East from the border.
The Romanian authorities have applied all standard procedures since the moment the target was detected until the complete clarification of this situation. Furthermore, at 10.38 a.m., two Romanian Air Forces’ MiG-21 LanceR Aircraft of the NATO-led Air Policing Service, which were executing a flight exercise at that moment, were redirected to the Northern area of Romania in order to increase the reaction options.
After approximately two minutes, the situation was clarified and the two aircraft resumed their initial mission.
The Romanian Air Forces are permanently monitoring, in cooperation with the Allied forces, the national air space and the immediate surrounding area."
Moldovan MOD Strongly Condemns Violation Of Its Airspace - MOLDOVA - The Moldovan Ministry of Defense released the following statement on their official Facebook account regarding the "rocket" that flew over its territory and "strongly condemned" the "violation" of its airspace.
Moldovan Ministry of Defense (translation): "In the context of the information about the rocket flying over the airspace of the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Defense communicates the following:
The responsible structures within the institution detected, at 10:18, a rocket, that crossed the airspace of the Republic of Moldova, above the locality of Mocra in the Transnistrian region and later over the locality of Cosauti in the Soroca district, with the direction to Ukraine.
We mention that the Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with the responsible structures in the country, closely monitors the situation in the region, and strongly condemns the violation of the airspace of the Republic of Moldova."
The statement comes after Ukraine claimed that Russian missiles flew into NATO-allied territory.
Ukraine Claims Russian Missile Crossed Into NATO-Allied Airspace - General Valery Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine put out a statement claiming that Russian missiles flew over Romania and Moldova during a missile strike on Ukraine, crossing into NATO-allied airspace. See Images
The General's statement said, "Today, Feb 10, at 10:18 a.m., two Russian Kalibr cruise missiles crossed the state border of [Ukraine] with [Moldova] At 10:33 a.m., these missiles crossed the airspace of [Romania]. After that, the missiles again entered the airspace of [Ukraine] at the crossing point of the borders of the three states".
Another 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake In Turkey Hits, Along With Aftershocks - TURKEY - There has been another 7.5 magnitude earthquake, this time in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. Many aftershocks also reported, along with internet outages in the country. 7.5 Magnitude Quake | Aftershocks & Internet Outages
A number of aftershock quakes have hit Turkey after the two big ones hit earlier. The death toll in Turkey and Syria continues to rise and the destruction that it has caused is widespread.
I won't give an estimate yet, it will be a while before a solid number is reached, but it looks to be quite substantial.
NetBlocks internet observatory is reporting that the 7.8 magnitude earthquake knocked out power in parts of southern Turkey, which may impact the country's ability to seek out assistance.
7.8 and 6.7 Magnitude Earthquake In Central Turkey - TURKEY - There has been a 7.8 and a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Turkey, the 6.7 magnitude earthquake looks to be an aftershock of the first 7.8 magnitude quake.
7.8 Magnitude Details: Timestamp: 2023-02-06 09:17:35 (UTC+08:00), Epicenter location: 37.174°N 37.032°E, Depth: 17.9 miles.
6.7 Magnitude Details: Timestamp: 2023-02-06 09:28:17 (UTC+08:00), Location: 37.414°N 36.831°E, Depth: 6.15 miles
Another $2.2 Billion In Aid To Ukraine Expected To Be Announced "Very Soon" - WASHINGTON - The United States is preparing a $2.2 billion package worth of military aid to Ukraine, and is expected to contain longer-range rockets than the United States has previously been willing to give to Ukraine, as well as other weapons and ammunition.
White House spokesperson Olivia Dalton said that the United States will be announcing additional security assistance to Ukraine "very soon".
"I expect we're going to have more security assistance to announce soon," Dalton told reporters.
From the start of Russia's war on Ukraine on February 24th, 2022 to January 19th, 2023 the total dollar amount of military equipment given to Ukraine adds up to $26.7 billion.
Part of the $2.2 billion would be allocated to purchase the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), which is manufactured by Boeing Co, according to a report by Reuters.
The Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb has a range of about 94 miles, which is longer-ranged than other weapons given by the United States thus far, but does not reach as far as the longer-ranged guided missile system (ATACMS) requested by Ukraine, but rejected by the United States capable of a range o 185 miles. Read More
Admiral Says NATO Ready For Direct Confrontation With Russia - NATO - An Admiral serving as the Chair of the NATO Military Committee says that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is ready for a direct confrontation with Russia.
Lieutenant admiral in the Royal Netherlands Navy Rob Bauer serving as the Chair of the NATO Military Committee since June 2021 was asked by the interviewer if we are ready for a direct confrontation with Russia, to which he responded, "We are" in an interview with DW.
During the video, he said, "They have shown us in a document, it was a concept treaty text in December 2021. They sent us a text which basically said we have to go back to the pre-1997 situation".
He added, "That's what they are aiming for, that's what is their strategic objective".
He continued, "It is about turning back to the old Soviet Union".
"Many nations in NATO thought for decades that we were owning the timelines. We were the ones that decided to go to Afghanistan, to go to Iraq, it was a decision from NATO, from the NATO nations".
"We owned the timelines, we were saying "when are we going, with how many troops, for how long, etc," and added, "Now, we are facing a threat, which is Russia that is coming to us uninvited at a moment of their choosing, so we have to be much more ready. We have no time to prepare because it is up to them when they come".
The interviewer asked, "We are ready for a direct confrontation with Russia?", to which he stated, "We are".
The interviewer then asked, "We are ready for a nuclear war, and do you believe in that possibility?"
The Admiral said, "I think that Vladimir Putin is not insane, so that's the good news. He has ideas that are not our ideas, but he's not insane. He's still a rational person, and I think that is important with regard to the use of nuclear weapons".
"I think it's extremely important that we all continue to agree on the effect that a nuclear war should not be fought, and can never be won".
U.S.-Albanian Leaders Discuss NATO, Bilateral Relations - U.S. and Albanian defense leaders met today at the Pentagon to make a strong bilateral alliance even stronger. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Defense Minister Niko Peleshi met as the two nations marked the 30th year of their nations' defense relationship.
The men last spoke during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Ramstein Air Base last week. Albania, a NATO ally, is providing aid to Ukraine as the country battles against Russian invaders.
"Over the past three decades, our relationship has only deepened," Austin said at the beginning of the meeting. "Our forces train and exercise together. They work alongside each other in coalition operations.”
Albanian troops have served alongside U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq and Latvia. "More recently, we appreciate Albania[‘s] support and hosting Defender Europe '21,"Austin said.
The secretary also said he appreciated that Albania has volunteered to host Defender Europe '23
"We're meeting at a critical time for European security,"the secretary said. "Last week's contact group underscored the importance of moving urgently to strengthen Ukraine against Russian aggression and to strengthen our shared security."
Austin thanked the Albanian minister for the lethal and humanitarian aid his country is providing Ukraine. Albania is also deploying forces to bolster NATO's defense in the East.
Peleshi told Austin his country is proud to be a member of NATO and an ally of the United States. He said his country wants to do what is needed. "We have been very active in international missions, NATO missions, U.N. missions and operations because we want to deserve being an ally of the great, most powerful political alliance," he said."
Russia Says Tanks Being Sent to Ukraine By NATO Allies A "New Level Of Confrontation" - MOSCOW - Russia’s Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev released a statement after the United States and Germany announced sending tanks to Ukraine that called the decision an "extremely dangerous decision" that "takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation".
While addressing Germany's decision to allow their Leopard 2 tanks to be sent to Ukraine, the ambassador said the following:
"On January 25, 2023, the German government approved the delivery of Leopard 2 heavy battle tanks to the Kyiv regime. Other countries that are armed with such equipment are allowed to re-export it to Ukraine.
This extremely dangerous decision takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation and contradicts the statements of German politicians about the unwillingness of the FRG to get involved in it. Unfortunately, this happens over and over again. Once again, we are convinced that Germany, like its closest allies, is not interested in a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis, it is set up for its permanent escalation and unlimited pumping of the Kyiv regime with more and more deadly weapons. "Red lines" are a thing of the past.
The choice of Berlin means the final refusal of the Federal Republic of Germany to recognize the historical responsibility to our people for the terrible, timeless crimes of Nazism during the Great Patriotic War, the consignment to the oblivion of the difficult path of post-war reconciliation between Russians and Germans. With the approval of the leadership of the FRG, battle tanks with German crosses will again be sent to the "eastern front", which will inevitably lead to the death of not only Russian soldiers, but also the civilian population.
Berlin adopted this decision on the 80th anniversary of the breaking of the blockade of Leningrad, in which hundreds of thousands of Soviet citizens died. It destroys the remnants of mutual trust, causes irreparable damage to the already deplorable state of Russian-German relations, and casts doubt on the possibility of their normalization in the foreseeable future."
British Challenger 2 Tanks To Be Delivered To Ukraine
British Challenger 2 tanks are also to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of March, according to British Deputy Defense Minister Alex Chuck.
“Our intention is that it will be at the end of March,” Chuck said (cited by TASS). Training of the Ukrainian military to manage and maintain British tanks should start on Monday, January 30," Chuck stated.
Russia: Shipments Will Be A Legitimate Target For Russian Aerospace Forces
Russian Foreign Minister has put out a warning and sent a note to members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that any shipments that contain military equipment will become a legitimate target for Russian Aerospace Forces.
Russia: Delivery Of Uranium Shells To Ukraine By US Will Be Considered The Use Of Dirty Bombs - MOSCOW - The delivery of Western-made uranium shells to Ukraine will be regarded by Russia as "the use of dirty nuclear bombs" and said that the depleted uranium shells used for the Leopard 2 tanks lead to "contamination of the area" and outbreaks of cancer.
At talks in Vienna on military security and arms control, Konstantin Gavrilov, head of the Russian delegation said, "We warn Western sponsors of the Kyiv military machine from encouraging nuclear provocations and blackmail".
The Russian diplomat went on to say, "We know that the Leopard 2 tank, as well as the Bradley and Marder infantry fighting vehicles, are armed with uranium-core armor-piercing projectiles, the use of which leads to contamination of the area, as happened in Yugoslavia and Iraq" .
"If Kyiv is supplied with such shells for NATO heavy military equipment, we will consider this as the use of dirty nuclear bombs against Russia, with all the ensuing consequences," the diplomat added.
Gavrilov claimed that Western countries "forced" Germany to make the decision to transfer "armored vehicles" to Ukraine.
Gavrilov said, “First, the allies threatened Berlin with international isolation in case of refusal to transfer the Leopards. Then none other than the representative of the US State Department, Ned Price, announced “imminent news” regarding the direction of the German “beast” to Kyiv. This is how transatlantic “solidarity” is forged, — said the head of the delegation".
Russian state-run news RIA Novosti cited the diplomat as saying that Germany made a "conscious" choice in favor of "German tanks with crosses on their armor again attacking Russian soldiers," and said that the Russian army will be destroying them.
Novosti stated that a "doctor of the military sciences" named Konstantin Sivkov told the Russian news agency that the Leopard 2 ammunition load includes armor-piercing sub-caliber depleted uranium shells, which it says leads to "contamination of the area" and "outbreaks of cancer".
Biden Announces Abrams Tanks to be Delivered to Ukraine - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "President Joe Biden announced today that the United States will provide Ukraine with 31 M1 Abrams tanks. That is the required number to equip an entire Ukraine tank battalion. View Fact Sheet
These tanks are needed, Biden said, because Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and will be better prepared for additional counter-offenses.
"They need to be able to counter Russia's evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term. They need to improve their ability to maneuver in open terrain. And, they need an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long term," the president said.
The Abrams tanks are the most capable tanks in the world. And, they're also extremely complex to operate and maintain. Along with the tanks, the U.S. will be giving Ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively repair and maintain these tanks on the battlefield, he said.
Ukrainian troops will be given training on logistics and maintenance as soon as possible, as actual delivery of these tanks will take some time, he said.
This morning, Biden said he had a long conversation with NATO allies, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding continued close coordination and support of Ukraine.
Biden mentioned strong allied support for Ukraine, which will include German Leopard 2 tanks, a German Patriot missile battery, Challenger 2 tanks from the United Kingdom, and AMX-10 armored fighting vehicles from France.
"This is about helping Ukraine defend and protect Ukrainian land. It is not an offensive threat to Russia," he said.
"The expectation on the part of Russia is we're going to break up, we're not going to stay united. But we are fully thoroughly totally united," Biden said, speaking of the 50 nations that are part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
Senior administration officials said earlier today that these Abrams tanks will be procured through Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funding.
Unlike the presidential drawdown authority, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry rather than delivering equipment that is drawn down from DOD stocks.
The officials also noted that eight M88 recovery vehicles will also be shipped to Ukraine, to accompany the 31 tanks.
Washington: $400 Million In Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine, Including Abrams Tanks - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: "The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the procurement of Abrams tanks for Ukraine via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), to support Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression. View Fact Sheet
This USAI package underscores the continued U.S. commitment to building the capacity of Ukraine's Armed Forces, now and into the future. Unlike Presidential Drawdown authority (PDA), which DoD has continued to leverage to deliver equipment to Ukraine from DoD stocks at a historic pace, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures new capabilities. This $400 million USAI package represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional capabilities to Ukraine.
The capabilities in this package include: 31 Abrams tanks with 120mm rounds and other ammunition; Eight Tactical Vehicles to recover equipment; Support vehicles and equipment; Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment.
Alongside the battalion of Abrams tanks provided by the United States, a European consortium is committing to provide two battalions of Leopard tanks to Ukraine in the near term. The United States will continue to work with our Allies and partners to meet Ukraine's battlefield needs to counter Russian aggression and ensure the continued freedom and independence of the Ukrainian people.
In total, the United States has now committed more than $27.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $29.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine and more than $27.1 billion since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24, 2022."
US And Germany Both Agree To Send Tanks To Ukraine - WASHINGTON/BERLIN - Both the United States and Germany have agreed to send tanks to Ukraine after Germany had said it wouldn't be allowing its Leopard 2 tanks to be sent to Ukraine by NATO allies unless the United States also agreed to send tanks of its own to the country.
U.S. President Joe Biden made a statement that said, "today I'm announcing the United States will be sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the equivalent of 1 Ukrainian battalion".
"Secretary Austin has recommended this step because it will enhance Ukraine's capacity to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objective".
The German government also confirmed that it will be sending 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine from the stocks of the German Armed Forces, and will, in addition, be allowing allies to send the German-made Leopard 2 tanks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz released a statement that said, "Ladies and gentlemen, that is the right principle. We are dealing with very effective weapons systems, and it is the right thing for us to never provide these weapons systems on their own, but always in close cooperation".
According to the German Defense Ministry, the German-made tanks could be delivered to Ukraine within the next three months.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius spoke on air on the Die Welt TV channel and said "This (deliveries of tanks - TASS note) will not happen earlier than in three or four months".
German Spokesman Steffen Hebestrait said, "The federal government has decided to provide the Ukrainian armed forces with Leopard 2A6 battle tanks. This is the result of intensive meetings that Germany has held with European and international partners".
"Germany will issue permits to partner countries that want to send Leopard 2A6 to Ukraine from their own stocks".
Russia's Response To The Announcements
Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov replied to the announcement of Abrams tanks being supplied to Ukraine by saying that it was "quite a failure" for "technological reasons," according to Russian state news agency TASS.
“I am convinced that many experts understand the absurdity of this idea too. It’s just that such a plan is quite a failure in terms of technological aspects, and most importantly, this is a clear overestimation of the potential that this will add to the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he said to reporters Wednesday.
He added that "so far there are a lot of mutually exclusive statements, media reports, leaks and so on from Germany and the United States." and said that "It is clear that not everything is going smoothly there, and in the [North Atlantic] alliance itself, not everything is so smooth, and not everything is going smoothly with the presence of tanks".
A report by TASS estimated that Ukraine can receive around 100 modern Western tanks, and had already received 350 to 400 Soviet-made tanks, which were mainly T-72s.
Allied Tanks Ukraine Will Be Receiving'
The following countries either are sending, or are considering sending tanks to Ukraine: Germany, Poland Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Britain, Denmark, and France.
Biden Announces Shipment Of 31 Abrams Tanks To Ukraine - WASHINGTON - U.S President Joe Biden has announced that the United States will be sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
During a speech, Biden said "and today, today I'm announcing the the United States will be sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the equivalent of 1 Ukrainian battalion".
"Secretary Austin has recommended this step because it will enhance Ukraine's capacity to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objective".
He added, "The Abrams tanks are the most capable tanks in the world. They are also extremely complex to operate and maintain. So we're also giving Ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively sustain these tanks on the battlefield".
Russian Frigate Admiral Gorshkov conducted hypersonic missile exercises in Atlantic - RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE: "The crew of Admiral Flota Sovetskogo Soyuza Gorshkov's frigate, operating in areas of the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, conducted computer simulation exercises with hypersonic missile weapons.
In accordance with the training situation, the frigate practiced arranging of Tsitkon hypersonic missile strike against a maritime target at a distance over 900 kilometers away.
A series of joint exercises with the South African Navy and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy is planned for February 2023 off the coast of the Republic of South Africa.
The Admiral Gorshkov frigate is a modern multi-purpose ship, equipped with guided missiles, and designed for operating in distant maritime and oceanic areas. Fitted with Tsirkon, the ship is capable of launching pinpoint and powerful strikes at any offshore and onshore targets. The feature of Tsirkon missiles is their ability to overcome any kinds of modern and promising air or missile defense systems."
Medvedev: Russia May Nationalize Property Of US And EU Citizens In Response To Sanctions - MOSCOW - Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman, and former president Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia may be nationalizing the property of people who are registered in the United States, European Union, and other "unfriendly" jurisdictions in the midst of new "anti-Russian" sanctions.
He said that Russia is being threatened with arrests of assets of Russian citizens, as well as companies located outside of Russia.
"just like that, without any sanctions," Medvedev said, adding "in a carpet fashion," and "out of spite," and went on to say that, "this must be responded to in a quite symmetric manner".
On his VK social media page on Saturday, he said, "With the arrest of assets of foreigners and foreign companies in Russia based on country principle. And maybe, with the nationalization of the property of people registered in unfriendly jurisdictions. Like the EU, EU member states and a number of singing-along states of the Anglo-Saxon world will take part in this".
"Thankfully, we have vast experience and we have a law on this issue. A harsh one," he said.
Russian state-run news agency TASS said that "a number of states" have announced "harsh" sanctions against Russia, including financial and technological sectorial restrictions against 64 Russian agencies enforced by the European Union.
Among the agencies were the "Presidential Administration, Russian Defense Ministry, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and other state structures, as well as companies of military-industrial, energy, plane building and financial sectors of Russia," the news report said.
It added that a number of Russian politicians which include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and other Russian citizens have also been "blacklisted".
KFOR Soldiers emergency response evaluated during Exercise Cavalry Guardian - US Military: "CAMP NOVO SELO, Kosovo — Kosovo Force, Regional Command-East recently conducted exercise Cavalry Guardian, an emergency response training exercise, geared toward testing team cohesion, resilience under stress and job proficiency, near Camp Novo Selo on Jan. 10, 2023.
During the training, Soldiers from Austria, the U.S., and Great Britain competed to provide the best reaction to an emergency scenario involving role players and emergency response personnel from KFOR.
“This training has helped us to spread awareness amongst even the lowest level of Soldiers how to deal with complex road traffic accidents, especially when they involve multiple casualties,” said British Army Capt. Hugo Hunter, exercise director and safety coordinator.
During the exercise scenario, Soldiers had to complete a very complex iteration with a combination of an unexploded ordnance scenario, a crime scene or weapons cache, a mass casualty event with four civilians and one KFOR Soldier.
On scene, the Soldiers had to coordinate with Film City Fire and Rescue to cut out a role-playing member of KFOR who was simulating they were trapped in the crashed vehicle. Once the victim was freed, competitors requested KFOR aviation unit support to provide medical evacuation.
“[This training] is important because these guys are out patrolling every day, so this is something that they would be likely to come across,” said U.S. Army Maj. Brendan Williams, KFOR Regional Command-East Operations Officer and logistics support for the exercise. “Not to this extreme, but accidents are probably the most common thing that they are going to deal with. So knowing how to treat casualties, knowing how to get those casualties follow-on care quickly, and reporting quickly, is very important.”
The joint exercise also enhanced the interoperability of several NATO partners and allies to include the U.S., the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy, Poland, the International Military Police, Film City Fire Services and the Joint Logistics Support Group. By working together, they enhanced the readiness of both their specialties and the competitors through training and developing best practices.
“We have a pretty unique situation in Kosovo where the threat to KFOR Soldiers is not as high as many other theaters and it gives us the best opportunity to practice our training, tactics and procedures, and really learn how to develop best practices,” Hunter said. “It's only through training that we better ourselves and perform to a higher standard.”
The plan is to continue to provide this vital training to Soldiers of future rotations of KFOR. The exercise director, Hunter hopes it will expand to include many other countries with further iterations.
KFOR RC-East comprises 10 contributing NATO partner nations. Its mission is to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, as mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999."
Army announces unit preparation for potential deployments in support of European allies and partners - WASHINGTON – The Department of the Army announced the preparation of Army units for potential deployment to backfill units currently in Europe. This potential deployment would not constitute a change to current force posture levels.
It would ensure the United States continues to be well positioned to provide a robust deterrent and defensive posture alongside our Allies across the European continent. The United States will continue to adjust its posture as needed in response to the dynamic security environment.
Elements from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters are preparing for a potential deployment to replace units currently in Europe. Preparation for this potential deployment provides flexibility to reassess conditions and respond to a dynamic security environment.
Former Special Agent In Charge Of The New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Charged With Violating U.S. Sanctions On Russia - Former Special Agent In Charge Of The New York FBI Counterintelligence Division Charged With Violating U.S. Sanctions On Russia. A Russian Court and Government Interpreter Is Also Charged with Violating U.S. Sanctions on Russia.
US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: "Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a five-count Indictment charging CHARLES MCGONIGAL and SERGEY SHESTAKOV with violating and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and with conspiring to commit money laundering and money laundering.
SHESTAKOV is also charged with making material misstatements to the FBI. The defendants were arrested on Saturday evening, and they will be presented this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave in Manhattan federal court. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Rearden.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Charles McGonigal, a former high-level FBI official, and Sergey Shestakov, a Court interpreter, violated U.S. sanctions by agreeing to provide services to Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch.
They both previously worked with Deripaska to attempt to have his sanctions removed, and, as public servants, they should have known better. This Office will continue to prosecute those who violate U.S. sanctions enacted in response to Russian belligerence in Ukraine in order to line their own pockets.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “The FBI is committed to the enforcement of economic sanctions designed to protect the United States and our allies, especially against hostile activities of a foreign government and its actors. Russian oligarchs like Oleg Deripaska perform global malign influence on behalf of the Kremlin and are associated with acts of bribery, extortion, and violence.
As alleged, Mr. McGonigal and Mr. Shestakov, both U.S. citizens, acted on behalf of Deripaska and fraudulently used a U.S. entity to obscure their activity in violation of U.S. sanctions.
After sanctions are imposed, they must be enforced equally against all U.S. citizens in order to be successful. There are no exceptions for anyone, including a former FBI official like Mr. McGonigal. Supporting a designated threat to the United States and our allies is a crime the FBI will continue to pursue aggressively.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
In 2014, the President issued Executive Order 13660, which declared a national emergency with respect to the situation in Ukraine.
To address this national emergency, the President blocked all property of individuals determined by the U.S. Treasury to be responsible for or complicit in actions or policies that threatened the security, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine, or who materially assist, sponsor, or provide support to individuals or entities engaging in such activities.
Executive Order 13660 and regulations issued pursuant to it prohibit making or receiving any funds, goods, or services by, to, from, or for the benefit of any person designated by the U.S. Treasury.
On April 6, 2018, the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) designated Oleg Deripaska as a Specially Designated National (“SDN”) in connection with its finding that the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation with respect to Ukraine constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy (the “OFAC Sanctions”).
According to the U.S. Treasury, Deripaska was sanctioned for having acted or purported to act on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a senior official of the Government of the Russian Federation and for operating in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy.
CHARLES MCGONIGAL is a former Special Agent in Charge (“SAC”) of FBI’s Counterintelligence Division in New York, who retired in 2018. While working at the FBI, MCGONIGAL supervised and participated in investigations of Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska. SERGEY SHESTAKOV is a former Soviet and Russian diplomat who later became a U.S. citizen and a Russian interpreter for courts and government offices.
In 2021, MCGONIGAL and SHESTAKOV conspired to provide services to Deripaska, in violation of U.S. sanctions imposed on Deripaska in 2018. Specifically, following their negotiations with an agent of Deripaska, MCGONIGAL and SHESTAKOV agreed to and did investigate a rival Russian oligarch in return for concealed payments from Deripaska.
As part of their negotiations with Deripaska’s agent, MCGONIGAL, SHESTAKOV, and the agent attempted to conceal Deripaska’s involvement by, among other means, not directly naming Deripaska in electronic communications, using shell companies as counterparties in the contract that outlined the services to be performed, using a forged signature on that contract, and using the same shell companies to send and receive payments from Deripaska.
MCGONIGAL and SHESTAKOV were aware that their actions violated U.S. sanctions because, among other reasons, while serving as SAC, MCGONIGAL received then-classified information that Deripaska would be added to a list of oligarchs considered for sanctions as part of the process that led to the imposition of sanctions against Deripaska.
In addition, in 2019, MCGONIGAL and SHESTAKOV worked on behalf of Deripaska in an unsuccessful effort to have the sanctions against Deripaska lifted.
In November 2021, when FBI agents questioned SHESTAKOV about the nature of his and MCGONIGAL’s relationship with Deripaska’s agent, SHESTAKOV made false statements in a recorded interview.
CHARLES MCGONIGAL, 54, of New York, New York, and SERGEY SHESTAKOV, 69, of Morris, Connecticut, are charged with one count of conspiring to violate and evade U.S. sanctions, in violation of the IEEPA, one count of violating the IEEPA, one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, and one count of money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
SHESTAKOV is also charged with one count of making false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI New York Field Office’s Counterintelligence Division and the valuable assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as the New York City Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hagan Scotten, Rebecca T. Dell, and Derek Wikstrom are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."
Norwegian Army: Russia Has 180,000 Solders Killed Or Wounded In Ukraine To Date - NORWAY - The Norwegian Defense Chief Eirik Kristoffersen said in an interview with Norwegian channel TV2 that Russia has approached nearly 180,000 dead or wounded soldiers in Ukraine since the start of the war, to date.
"Russian losses are beginning to approach around 180,000 dead or wounded soldiers," he stated.
"Ukrainian losses are probably over 100,000 dead or wounded. In addition Ukraine has about 30,000 civilians who died in this terrible war".
Both Ukraine and Russia give extremely low estimates regarding their own losses and possibly inflated estimates of their opponent's losses.
United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley had announced an estimate of 100,000 dead or wounded in November of last year for both Ukraine and Russia.
Kristoffersen said, "Russia is able to continue (this war) for quite a long time. What worries most is whether Ukraine is going to be able to keep the Russian air force out of the war," he said.
He added that they have been able to keep Russia's air force largely out of the war "thanks to Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses".
Most of Russia's attacks on Ukraine for the last few months have been using long-range missiles on Ukrainian targets.
Regarding tanks that the Norwegian General has called for the delivery of, which has been delayed by indecisiveness by Germany, Kristoffersen said "If they're going to go on the offensive in the winter, they (Ukrainians) need it fast".
Medvedev: Alliance Of Countries "Annoyed With US" Might Appear - MOSCOW - Former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that The United States is attempting to destroy Russia and that a new global military alliance may be emerging.
The statement was written on his Telegram channel on Sunday, where he said "The Ramstein meeting and heavy weapons supplies to Kyiv leave no doubt that our enemies will try to maul or even destroy us endlessly. And they have enough weapons for that. They could also start producing new ones if need be".
He continued saying that he came to two conclusions. First, it would be "very difficult," and second, "in the event of a prolonged conflict, a new military alliance may appear at a certain moment in time, comprising those countries who will be annoyed with the Americans," and added their allies as well.
Claiming that the world would be a stable place again when the United States abandons Europe and added, "what will be left from poor Ukrainians unless it is too late."
US To Announce Sending 30 M1 Abrams Tanks To Ukraine - WASHINGTON - The United States says that they will be making an announcement to send around 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as soon as Wednesday, but it could take a few months to deliver the tanks.
An AP report, as well as a report by Foreign Affairs and PBS Defense Correspondent Nick Schifrin says that U.S. officials have informed him that Washington will announce sending about 30 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, in coordination with an announcement by Germany that their Leopard 2 tanks can be sent to the country.
Germany had said they would not allow the German-made Leopard 2 tanks to be sent by NATO-allied forces to Ukraine unless the United States also made the decision to send its own tanks.
Poland has been asking Germany for authorization to send the German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. An official has said that they would approve the request if it is made.
U.S. officials are still working out the details, but said that it would be under the upcoming Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package providing "longer-range funding" for weapons and equipment to be purchased from commercial vendors, according to the AP report.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spoke to Russia's state-run news TASS and said, "Reflections about red lines are now in the past. The United States has unequivocally declared its intention to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. It is impossible not to notice this reality."
Regarding Germany allowing their tanks to be sent to Ukraine, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "Such shipments do not bode well for the future of [Russian-German] relations. They will, undoubtedly, leave and unavoidable mark for the future of these relations".
Peskov said that Russia's relations with Germany are "already at a rather low point," and added "We do not observe any substantial dialogue with Germany or other EU, NATO countries".
Russia Dispatches Yars Nuclear Missile Systems To "Combat Patrol Missions" - Tver - The Russian Bologoye strategic missile division in Tver dispatched the Yars mobile surface-to-surface nuclear missile systems to "combat patrol missions," according to the Russian MOD, which says that it is scheduled training.
Last Monday the Russian Ministry of Defense said, "The Bologoye missile division has dispatched autonomous launchers of the strategic mobile missile system Yars to combat patrol missions. The crews are performing assigned tasks and on-the-fly instructions, including intensive maneuvering on combat patrol routes".
Russian state news agency TASS reported that the Yars crews are carrying out 100-kilometer (62 mile) march and practicing in countering sabotage and reconnaissance groups along the way.
The report also said that the missile units are practicing stealth deployment in the forest while support units carry out extracting special equipment from zones of 'hypothetical' chemical contamination, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
TASS said that the scheduled combat training is to check the readiness of personnel, military equipment and weapons for long-term duty on combat patrol routes.
US Expecting To Support Netherlands In Transferring F-16 Jets To Ukraine - EUROPE - U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE Michael Carpenter said that he expects broad support in the United States to for the Netherlands to transfer allied F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, in an interview with Lithuanian news agency Delfi.
In an interview with Delfi, Carpenter was asked if Washington is ready to allow the Netherlands to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. He said , “We have long been of the opinion that what our allies supply is their business".
"And we support the countless contributions (to defense - delfi) that our allies have made for Ukraine. And this has been true from the very beginning of the war, when we discussed legacy Soviet systems, to the present period, when we discuss main battle tanks and more sophisticated air and missile defense capabilities and systems." he continued.
"And so I expect there will be broad support in the United States for our allies to continue to increase their contributions".
Netherlands news agency RTL reported that "like other Western countries", the Netherlands had "previously contributed" to "dozens" of old Soviet tanks that the Czech Republic has given over to Ukraine to help defend the country against Russia's ongoing invasion.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos,Switzerland defense minister Kajsa Ollongren spoke to Bloomberg and said "That is certainly something we are willing to do".
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra also said that there are "no taboos" in supplying Ukraine "regular equipment", RTL reported.
The German-Made Leopard Tanks Cannot Be Given Without Germany's Permission
Regarding Leopard 2 tanks, Ollongren said that it must take place within a coalition within Europe or NATO, as the Netherlands to not currently possess Leopard 2 tanks, they are renting 18 of them from Germany.
As Leopard-2 tanks are German made, authorization must be given by Germany before any NATO country will be allowed to supply them to Ukraine.
"We are waiting for Germany's position on this, but I am in favor of trying to find a solution and sending tanks to Ukraine," Ollongren said to Bloomberg at Davos.
The Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania, and Lavia have all posted the following statement on social media: "We, [Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania] Foreign Ministers, call on Germany to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine now. This is needed to stop Russian aggression, help Ukraine and restore peace in Europe quickly. Germany as the leading European power has special responsibility in this regard".
U.S. Declares Russian Wagner Group A Transnational Criminal Organization - WASHINGTON - The White House has declared the Russian private paramilitary organization PMC Wagner group as "transnational criminal organization". The Wagner group is known to be the private army of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The White House national security council spokesman, John Kirby announced the move on Friday that the Treasury Department will be applying the new designation in the coming days, which will place the Wagner group in the same category as international mafia and organized crime groups.
The move will allow the United States to apply a broader range of sanctions on the group worldwide, as well as affiliated companies in Africa and in other countries internationally.
During Kirby's statement he said, "Wagner “is a criminal organization that is committing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses".
“We will work relentlessly to identify, disrupt, expose and target those who are assisting Wagner,” he added.
The new designation comes as the White House released evidence, including images of Russia allegedly accepting a delivery of arms from North Korea that it stated was intended to aid Wagner forces on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Washington also released images dated November 18th that it says show Russian rail cars traveling back and forth from Russia and North Korea.
“The arms transfers from are in direct violation of United Nations security council resolution,” Kirby said.
“These actions recognize the transcontinental threat that Wagner poses, including through its ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity with these actions, and there’ll be more to come,” Kirby said.
According to Kirby's statement, around 50,000 Wagner soldiers are fighting in Ukraine along side Russian soldiers, including 40,000 convicts that were recruited from various prisons, and 10,000 contractors.
“We are seeing indications, including in intelligence, that tensions between Wagner and the Russian defense ministry are increasing,” Kirby said.
“Wagner is becoming a rival power center to the Russian military and other Russian ministries. Publicly, Prigozhin and his fighters have criticized Russian generals and defense officials for their performance in Ukraine," he added.
White House: "The White House announced Friday new sanctions to be put in place by the U.S. Treasury Department next week on the Wagner Group, designating the Russian private military company as a transnational criminal organization".
"The Biden administration urged other countries to join the U.S. in targeting the group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russian oligarch and confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has been playing a key role in Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine."
"The administration also released newly declassified photos taken in November of what it says are Russian rail cars delivering infantry rockets and missiles from North Korea for use by Wagner forces. It submitted the imagery to the U.N. Security Council panel charged with enforcing North Korea sanctions to push for action on what it believes is a violation of Security Council resolutions on arms transfers."
"VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara spoke Friday with John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, about the significance of the designation and possible further actions concerning the Wagner Group, which the administration says has recruited 40,000 convicts to fight in Ukraine."
Russia: Western Air Defense Systems And Tanks To Ukraine To Bring About Escalation - MOSCOW - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova said on Friday that the statements about supplying Ukraine with any weapons, including those that are able to hit Crimea will "inevitably" lead to "an escalation".
She drew attention to one report in particular in by the New York Times claiming that Washington is considering supplying Ukraine with additional weapons to be used to attack Crimea.
"We regard all this as an open, provocative instigation by the West and a raising of the stakes in the conflict, which will inevitably lead to greater casualties and a dangerous escalation," Zakharova stated.
She also said the West is "plunging ever deeper into the conflict in Ukraine," and said that Ukraine is using the Dnepropetrovsk tragedy to secure more weaponry from the United States.
"A freelance adviser to the office of the President of Ukraine, Alexey Arestovich, initially admitted that the Ukrainian air defense’s actions were the cause of the tragedy, but then he began to backtrack," she stated.
"Zelensky's regime is shamelessly trying to use this tragedy to press the West for tougher anti-Russian sanctions and new arms shipments," she added.
U.S. Declares Russian Wagner Group A Transnational Criminal Organization - WASHINGTON - The White House has declared the Russian private paramilitary organization PMC Wagner group as "transnational criminal organization". The Wagner group is known to be the private army of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The White House national security council spokesman, John Kirby announced the move on Friday that the Treasury Department will be applying the new designation in the coming days, which will place the Wagner group in the same category as international mafia and organized crime groups.
The move will allow the United States to apply a broader range of sanctions on the group worldwide, as well as affiliated companies in Africa and in other countries internationally.
During Kirby's statement he said, "Wagner “is a criminal organization that is committing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses".
“We will work relentlessly to identify, disrupt, expose and target those who are assisting Wagner,” he added.
The new designation comes as the White House released evidence, including images of Russia allegedly accepting a delivery of arms from North Korea that it stated was intended to aid Wagner forces on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Washington also released images dated November 18th that it says show Russian rail cars traveling back and forth from Russia and North Korea.
“The arms transfers from are in direct violation of United Nations security council resolution,” Kirby said.
“These actions recognize the transcontinental threat that Wagner poses, including through its ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity with these actions, and there’ll be more to come,” Kirby said.
According to Kirby's statement, around 50,000 Wagner soldiers are fighting in Ukraine along side Russian soldiers, including 40,000 convicts that were recruited from various prisons, and 10,000 contractors.
“We are seeing indications, including in intelligence, that tensions between Wagner and the Russian defense ministry are increasing,” Kirby said.
“Wagner is becoming a rival power center to the Russian military and other Russian ministries. Publicly, Prigozhin and his fighters have criticized Russian generals and defense officials for their performance in Ukraine," he added.
Pentagon Says If Ukraine Carries Out Strike On Crimea US Would Be With Ukraine - Pentagon's spokeswoman Sabrina Singh just said if Ukraine decides to carry out a military operation in Crimea, the United States would "be with Ukraine for as long as it takes".
"This department has said that we will be with Ukraine for as long as it takes. That includes an operation in Crimea. That is a sovereign part of their country and they have every right to take that back".
Note: This does not necessarily mean that the United States will set soldiers down on the ground in Crimea to aid Ukraine in the fighting, but it is one of the strongest messages than have been put out thus far in regards to US support for the country.
A NYT report claimed that "several anonymous US officials" spoke to the paper and told them that Washington is warming up to the idea of aiding Ukraine in strikes on Crimea, Ukrainian territory that was annexed by Russia.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev: Defeat Of A Nuclear Power In Conventional War May Trigger Nuclear War - MOSCOW - While speaking of Russia's war in Ukraine, Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the "defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger a nuclear war".
In his response, Medvedev, who is a deputy chairman of Russia's security council added that "Nuclear powers have never lost major conflicts on which their fate depends".
This, amidst a report that Washington is warming up to the idea of aiding Ukraine in strikes on Crimea, Ukrainian territory that was annexed by Russia.
When Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about the remarks by Medvedev and whether it means that Russia is escalating the crisis to another level, he said, "No, it absolutely does not mean that".
Then he added that the remarks by the former President were in line with Russia's nuclear doctrine, which states that a nuclear strike is acceptable in light of any "aggression against the Russian Federation with conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened".
US May Help Ukraine In Operations In Crimea - A report released by the New York Times claims that "several anonymous US officials" spoke to the paper and told them that Washington is warming up to the idea of aiding Ukraine in strikes on Crimea, Ukrainian territory that was annexed by Russia.
A U.S. Army Brigadier General, however, spoke to Insider and said that he believes if Ukraine continues to have success on the battlefield, Russian President Vladimir Putin would resort to using a nuclear weapon.
The paper cited the officials as saying that fears that Russia would retaliate to such an attack by using nuclear weapons have been assuaged and that the risk of assisting Ukraine in operations in Crimea might very well be worth attempting.
NATO: Extremely Important Putin Doesn't Win The War In Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland that it is "extremely important that Putin doesn't win this war" and said that if Russia does win, "it will be very dangerous for all of us".
He went on to say that if Russia were to win the war in Ukraine, it would send a message to all authoritarian leaders, "not only to Putin, but also other authoritarian leaders" that "when they use brutal force, when they violate international law, they achieve what they want".
"That would be a very bad and dangerous lesson," he added. "It would make the world more dangerous, and us more vulnerable".
Army Brig. General: Putin Would Use Nuclear Weapon If Ukraine Continues To Succeed On Battlefield
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Ryan said that he believes that if Ukraine continues to have successes on the battlefield, Russia, "would use a nuclear weapon before it allowed its military to be defeated in the field".
He continued by saying that, "If the Ukrainian military was having great success in the spring, and was chopping up the Russian military and was threatening taking back Crimea, then I think that the Russian military and leadership would use a nuclear weapon"
Ryan added that using a nuclear weapon would not only "destroy Ukrainian military targets," but also "convince Ukraine that continuing to fight this war would leave Ukraine as a nuclear holocaust".
"The level of deaths could approach Hiroshima, or it could be far less if they only intend to fire like a warning shot of a nuclear weapon," such as using it on a location that isn't heavily populated.
Germany Will Allow Export Of Tanks To Ukraine If US Also Sends Tanks - Germany says that they will be allowing the export of its tanks to Ukraine on the condition that the United States also sends tanks to the country. If Germany decides to do so, other NATO-allied countries say they will follow suit. Britain already plans to send them. The U.S. Coast Guard is tracking a Russian vessel off Hawaii. Read Full Article
NATO deploys AWACS surveillance jets to Romania - The following is a statement by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office: GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany - NATO prepares a deployment Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance planes to Bucharest, Romania.
The aircraft are scheduled to arrive on January 17, 2023 and are going to support the Alliance’s reinforced presence in the region and monitor Russian military activity.
The NATO AWACS will start reconnaissance flights, solely over Alliance territory, in the coming days. The mission is scheduled to last several weeks. The aircraft belong to a fleet of 14 NATO surveillance aircraft usually based in Geilenkirchen, Germany.
Around 180 military personnel will deploy the Romanian Air Force base at Otopeni near Bucharest in support of the aircraft.“
As Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine continues to threaten peace and security in Europe, there must be no doubt about NATO’s resolve to protect and defend every inch of Allied territory,” said NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu.
"I thank Romania for hosting the aircraft, which makes an important contribution to our early warning,” she added.
“Our AWACS can detect aircraft hundreds of kilometres away, making them a key capability for NATO’s deterrence and defence posture."
Our AWACS can detect aircraft hundreds of kilometres away, making them a key capability for NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.
In response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, NATO has increased its air presence in eastern Europe with additional fighters, surveillance aircraft, and tankers. Since February 2022, NATO AWACS have conducted regular patrols over eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea region to track Russian warplanes near NATO borders.
NATO AWACS planes will be deploying to Otopeni, Romania, conducting air surveillance missions until the end of the month.
The scheduled deployment showcases NATO’s ability to forward deploy air power reinforcing our posture along the eastern flank. Archive photo courtesy NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force.
China Responds To US-Japan Joint Statement On January 11th - BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin has put out a statement calling on the United States and Japan to "Abandon" their "Cold War" mentality and "ideological bias" against China.
A report by Russian Sputnik news cited the spokesperson as saying, “Countries in the region are for justice and against hegemonism. They hope to engage in cooperation, not confrontation. They aspire for true multilateralism and reject small circles that incite bloc confrontation".
He was cited as adding the the United States and Japan should “stop creating imaginary enemies and stop trying to sow the seeds of a new Cold War in the Asia-Pacific, and not become disrupters of a stable Asia-Pacific".
The spokesperson also addressed the joint statement hat the United States and Japan released on January 11th by the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee.
The joint statement claimed that China is attempting to “reshape the international order” and “unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East China Sea” which it says is a reason for concern.
Wang said, “The wording on China in this joint statement smacks heavily of a zero-sum Cold War mentality and contains groundless smears and attacks on China".
“The US and Japan claim to advance regional peace and security, but engage in finding pretexts for a military build-up and the willful use of force," he continued.
"They claim to champion a free and open Indo-Pacific, but put up various exclusionary blocs to create division and confrontation. They claim to uphold the rules-based international order, but trample on international law and the basic norms governing international relations and grossly interfere in other countries’ internal affairs".
Russian Official Told Japanese Prime Minister To Disembowel Himself - MOSCOW - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to disembowel himself after Kishida warned Russia any use of nuclear weapons would be an act of "hostility against humanity".
The Japanese Prime Minister said in a statement, "We state unequivocally that any use of a nuclear weapon by Russia in Ukraine would be an act of hostility against humanity and unjustifiable in any way. And we will continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's abhorrent attacks on critical infrastructure".
On a Telegram channel, Medvedev said that Kishida "betrayed the memory of hundreds of thousands of Japanese who burned in the nuclear fires of Hiroshima and Nagasaki," referring to the two nuclear bombs that the United States dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Medvedev continued by saying, "He should remind the US president about this and demand repentance, even if it was not brought by the American leadership for this act of war. But no, Kysida is just a service staff for the Americans. And servants cannot have courage".
He then said that Kishida should perform "seppuku" on himself, which is a ritualistic Japanese form of suicide once used by ancient Samarai warriors.
"It remains to feel sorry for the Japanese. "After all, such a shame can be washed away only after committing seppuku right at the meeting of their Cabinet. Although the concept of honor of this generation of Japanese vassals is not inherent," Medvedev added.
IAEA To Boost Presence In Ukraine To Prevent Nuclear Incident - IAEA - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a Statement saying it will be boosting its presence within Ukraine in order to aid in preventing a nuclear accident from occurring during ongoing battles between Russia and Ukraine.
IAEA Director Grossi said that he will be visiting Ukraine next week in order to establish a "continuous presence of nuclear safety and security experts at all the country’s nuclear power facilities, significantly stepping up the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to help prevent a nuclear accident during the current military conflict".
The Statement says the Director General will be traveling to the South Ukraine and Rivne Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site. It also said that the IAEA already has a presence of up to "four experts" at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is the largest in all of Europe.
“As this tragic war enters its second year, we must continue to do everything we can to avert the danger of a serious nuclear accident that would cause even more suffering and destruction for the people of Ukraine and beyond,” Director General Grossi said.
He added, "As this tragic war enters its second year, we must continue to do everything we can to avert the danger of a serious nuclear accident that would cause even more suffering and destruction for the people of Ukraine and beyond,” Director General Grossi said".
UK Prime Minister Pledges Battle Tanks To Ukraine - EUROPE - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Challenger 2 tanks and artillery systems to Ukraine. These are obviously "offensive" weapons now being supplied to Ukraine by NATO-allied countries.
US Sends Large Number Of Tanks To Europe, Allies To Send Tanks To Ukraine - EUROPE - The United States has begun sending a "large number" of tanks and other military vehicles to the port of Vlissingen in the Netherlands. on Wednesday, according to a report by Reuters, which has alarmed Russia.
NATO allied countries are also now voicing support to send battle tanks to Ukraine in order to aid the country in the ongoing war with Russia.
Reuters cited Col. Robert Kellam who is overseeing the operation as saying, "There's about 1,250 pieces of military equipment coming into this port".
Included in the equipment being sent to the Dutch port are: M-1 Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas.
Russian state news RIA Novosti, however, cited the report by Reuters saying that the United States has been to "massively transport tanks to Eastern Europe".
Both reports say that the transfer of weapons to Poland and Latvia is part of strengthening and reinforcing NATO's eastern flank.
RIA Novosti reported that in December the United States "had already transferred about 700 combat vehicles to Poland, including Abrams tanks" as part of the "Atlantic Resolve" program that began in 2014 in order to strengthen "American Presence in Europe" Novosti reported.
The Russian news agency claimed that Moscow has "repeatedly noted" that the NATO alliance is "aimed at confrontation".
Allied Countries Talk Of Sending Battle Tanks To Ukraine
Although Britain has moved towards sending battle tanks to Ukraine, a Politico report says that Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz is not likely going to be willing to send tanks to Ukraine "without taking his lead from Washington".
Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit spoke at a press conference in Berlin and said, “There is no change in the situation now because of the step that the British government has announced".
Britain has voiced their own willingness to send tanks to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak has told the UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to expand Britain's security assistance to Ukraine to "include the provision of tanks," according to a report by the Financial Times on January 11th.
The report said that the United Kingdom will "work with partners" and "go further and faster with our support for Ukraine including the provision of tanks.”
The Financial Times report said, “If a deal is made for the supply of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine by the British Army, this will be the first time that a Western country will supply Ukraine with modern heavy battle tanks".
A Downing Street spokesperson told the Financial Times, "“We are accelerating our support to Ukraine with the kind of next-generation military technology that will help to win this war".
The spokesperson said, “We are accelerating our support to Ukraine with the kind of next-generation military technology that will help to win this war".
The spokesperson added, “It is clear that battle tanks could provide a game-changing capability to the Ukrainians.”
Explosion On Pipeline Connecting Lithuania To Latvia - LITHUANIA - The pipeline connecting Lithuania to Latvia has exploded. Although sabotage is not being ruled out, the pipeline operator said that he does not "see any malign cause" or any "potential impact from outside".
The Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks said that the incident will be investigated and that sabotage on the pipeline is not being ruled out.
Natural gas transmission operator Amber Grid's chief executive Nemunas Biknius spoke to reporters and said, "According to the initial assessment, we do not see any malign cause, but the investigation will cover all possible options. We do not see the signs of any potential impact from outside".
Biknius said that the pipeline (constructed in 1978) has recently had maintenance work done on it, and that officials will be investigating whether the maintenance work on the pipeline had anything to do with the explosion.
"All reasons will be investigated and clarified in the coming days," Biknius stated.
Flames from the explosion rose at least 160 feet into the air, and the explosion was seen for up to 11 miles away, according to a report by BBC.
Panevėžys county Police said the pipeline caught fire at about 5pm local time on Friday, prompting an evacuation from the village Valakėliai located near the pipeline.
Firefighters were able to get the flames under control at 9:00pm local time. Customers fuel supply has been diverted to another pipeline for the time being.
The mayor of Pasvalys district posted photos of the explosion on Facebook and wrote (translated), "In Pasvalys district near Valakeliai, a high pressure gas pipeline exploded. This is next to the road Pasvalys - Šiauliai. Special services are at work".
Royal Navy frigate tracking the movements of a Russian warship in the North Sea Reportedly Carrying Zircon Hypersonic Missiles. - UK MINISTRY OF DEFENSE - "HMS Portland is monitoring the Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama as they sail in international waters close to the UK.
The Type 23 frigate joined the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel Bergen, as the Russian ships transited south through the Norwegian Sea.
Portland with her specialist Merlin helicopter embarked – both equipped with cutting-edge sonars, sensors and torpedoes for specialist operations – is tracking and reporting on the movements of the Russian ships through the North Sea.
Portland’s Commanding Officer Commander Ed Moss-Ward said: “Escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy.
“By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy ensures compliance with maritime law and deters malign activity to protect our nation’s interests.
“Escorting the Russian task group alongside forces from our NATO allies has demonstrated the UK’s commitment to the alliance and to maintaining maritime security.”
HMS Portland departed her home port of Plymouth on Saturday on her latest patrol. The frigate – which underwent a major refit in 2021 – is adept at surface warfare operations as well as hunting submarines.
HMS Portland spent much of last year patrolling waters close to the UK, with visits to Norway and Sweden, and operating with NATO allies on the alliance’s submarine hunting exercise – Dynamic Mongoose – in the North Atlantic."
British Royal Mail Has "Cyber Incident" Disrupting Services - BRITAIN - The British postal service company Royal mail says that it's facing a major disruption in international export services after a "cyber incident" occurred.
"We are temporarily unable to despatch items to overseas destinations. "Some customers may experience delay or disruption to items already shipped for export," Royal Mail stated.
It added, "Our import operations continue to perform a full service with some minor delays."
The "cyber incident" has occurred around the same time that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States released an alert saying that the Notice to Air Missions System (NOTAM) failed and caused an outage resulting in grounded flights.
It is not yet clear if that incident was related to a cyberattack.
NATO Says No To Serbia About Deploying Soldiers To Kosovo - KOSOVO - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday that NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) declined its request to send up to 1,000 police and military personnel into Kosovo in response to rising tensions between the Serbians and Kosovo authorities.
Vucic said, "They [NATO's KFOR] replied they consider that there is no need for the return of the Serbian army to Kosovo ... citing the United Nations resolution approving their mandate in Kosovo".
The Serbian government requested permission from NATO to deploy up to 1,000 army and police personnel to Kosovo, according to Serbian President President Aleksandar Vucic in December.
Vucic stated, "The government will ask for the return of hundreds and no more than 1,000 army and police troops".
He also said that Serbia emailed the request that evening, and physically handed it in to the NATO mission in Kosovo KFOR, at a border crossing
Vucic said, however, at the time that he did not "expect to get a positive answer".
After the request was put in, the Commander of KFOR said in a NATO released statement that he has the military personnel and capability to provide security.
Although he did not reply to the request directly, he said "We expect all actors to closely coordinate with KFOR and refrain from provocative shows of force to ensure the safety and security of all communities."
He added, "KFOR has full capability, including personnel, to provide a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities, everywhere in Kosovo."
"Since October, we have been reinforcing our presence, including with additional troops and patrols in northern Kosovo this week".
Tensions had Continued To Rise in December after shots were fired, and explosions were heard on the border between Serbia and Kosovo after a stun grenade was thrown. Serbia has asked NATO to deploy the Serbian army, as well as the police to Kosovo.
Two Arrested In Germany, One Iranian Suspected Of Planning Bio-Weapon Attack - BERLIN - Two men, one of which is Iranian were arrested in Germany on suspicion of planning to carry out a terrorist attack with a bio-weapon.
Authorities in Münster, Germany said that the 32-year-old Iranian man is suspected of "having procured cyanide and ricin" in order to carry out an "Islamic-motivated attack" according to a (translated) article by German news agency Bild.
The news agency said that the Federal Criminal Police Office had been investigating the Iranian man "for days" and that a "friend of the secret service" warned the German security authorities that there was a danger of a "chemical bomb attack".
On Sunday morning North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) said, "We had a serious tip that prompted the police to intervene that night".
Reul was cited as saying that police are investigating the matter "at high pressure" and that results of the investigating "have yet to be awaited," according to a translation of the article.
What Is Ricin, Where Does It Come From?
Ricin, which comes from the Latin word ricinus (meaning tick) due to its resemblance to ticks, is a poison naturally found in castor beans, which can be fatal if eaten. CDC Ricin Fact Sheet.
Although the hard coating on the outer shell of the bean prevents the ricin from releasing into the body if eaten, if they are chewed or crushed the ricin is released, making them toxic. Ricin Q&A
What Is Cyanide, Where Does It Come From?
Cyanide is also found in certain foods, such as cassava, lima beans, almonds, apricot seeds, apple seeds, peach seeds, and other fruit seeds. The chemicals can be metabolized into cyanide. CDC Fact Sheet On Cyanide.
Poland And Finland Supports Sending Leopard 2 Tanks To Ukraine - EUROPE - Poland and Finland voiced support for supplying Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks after the two countries agreed to start sending heavy weaponry to the country to fight against the ongoing Russian war.
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Saturday said that Poland could transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on the condition that a Leopard-coalition was formed, according to the European news channel Visegrad24.
The Polish Prime Minister's office said on Twitter "Poland has been trying for months to ensure that modern, heavy equipment, anti-aircraft, anti-missile equipment is delivered to Ukraine".
Polish news channel MTV cited Parliamentary Defense Committee chair Antti Häkkänen as saying that Finland should provide Ukraine with German-manufactured Leopard 2 battle tanks if other European countries also decide to do so.
Finnish news agency YLE also reported on this, and said that Germany must approve any deployment of Leopard 2 tanks by other countries.
YLE also cited the German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht as saying that no other countries were supplying such tanks to Ukraine, and that Germany will not be doing so "unilaterally".
Ukraine: Russia To Mobilize 500,000 more Conscripts - KYIV - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry says that Russia is planning to mobilize up to 500,000 more conscripts into its military in the middle of January, a larger mobilization than the previous 300,000 Russia called up in October, 2022.
Andriy Cherniak, an official within the Main Military Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry told Politico Saturday that the new mobilization will focus on large cities, as well as strategic industrial centers located within Russia.
“This time the Kremlin will mobilize residents of big cities, including the strategic industries centers all over Russia,” Cherniak stated.
The report contradicts a statements put out by Russia in December saying that talking about another mobilization would be "pointless" because only half of those that have already been mobilized have been actually sent to Ukraine thus far.
Vadym Skibitsky, Ukraine’s deputy military intelligence chief said "If Russia loses this time around, then Putin will collapse,” and said that Ukraine expects the next mobilization to be announced on January 15th, after the holiday period finishes in the country.
“They are putting their emphasis on numbers of men and equipment and hoping to overwhelm our side.” he said.
Wednesday, however, retired Russian colonel general and Duma deputy Andrey Gurulyov, said that there are "no reasons or conditions" for Russia to announce another mobilization in the next six month time period.
“Not everyone who was mobilized earlier has been sent to the battle,” he said.
In a video statement released on January 5th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “Russia will not be able to conceal in silence its preparations for a new wave of aggression against Ukraine and the whole of Europe. The world will know in all details — how and when the aggressor is preparing a new escalation in this war".
“And every new mobilization step of Russia will be known to the world even before Russia makes it. We will ensure this," Zelensky added.
US General: 200k Killed Or Wounded In Ukraine War - WASHINGTON - General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated that around 100,000 Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have either died or been injured in the start of the fighting in Ukraine on February 24th, 2022.
Milley said, "You're looking at well over 100,000 Russian soldiers killed and wounded. Same thing probably on the Ukrainian side," and added that about 40,000 civilians have been killed so far during the conflict.
Figures released by both Ukraine and Russia, however, tell a different story. In August Valeriy Zaluzhniy, the Ukrainian armed forces chief said that Ukraine had only lost 9,000 soldiers. Russia also reported that they had only lost 5,937 solders since the start of the conflict.
Ukraine also Claimed that it has killed over 110,740 Russian Soldiers, but neither country post many updates regarding their own losses, and the losses that are posted are quite conservative compared to the number estimated by General Milley.
Milley said, "There has been a tremendous amount of suffering, human suffering," and said that the number of resulting refugees due to the war is between 15 and 30 million.
A report by the United Nations puts the figure at 7.8 million, but that number does not include those who had to evacuate their homes due to the fighting but who are still in Ukraine.
Ukraine Claims Russian Losses At 110,740 Soldiers - KYIV - The Ukrainian armed forces claim that Russian losses since the beginning of its war on Ukraine stand at 110,740 soldiers as of January 7th, 2023, and also claim that 490 Russian soldiers were killed in the past day alone.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the following (I have translated the document from its original Ukrainian to English):
Total Russian losses according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and Ukraine's Ukrinform news agency are as follows: "3,066 tanks (+2 over the past day), 6,125 armored combat vehicles (+1), 2,062 artillery systems (+3), 431 multiple launch rocket systems, 217 air defense systems (+2), 285 aircraft 272 helicopters, 4,798 motor vehicles (+1), 16 warships/cutters, 1,844 unmanned aerial vehicles, 182 special equipment units. A total of 723 enemy cruise missiles were shot down."
Japan's Trade Minister Urges To Rebuild A "World Order" To Counter Authoritarian Regimes - JAPAN - The Japanese trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura is calling for the rebuilding of a "world order" in order to counter the rise of "authoritarian regimes".
During a speech made by Nishimura at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, he said "We must rebuild a world order based on the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law".
There has been a "growing concern" since the beginning of the Russian war on Ukraine that China and Russia will begin to use their energy supplies and manufacturing supply chains in order to stop the West from opposing their military and diplomatic goals, according to a report by Japan Today.
The report cited Nishimura as saying that leaders from the Group of Seven "industrialized nations" are likely to discuss how to respond to economic coercion when they hold their meeting in May in Hiroshima.
The Japanese Minister said that democracies need to protect their industrial power, and defend against the loss of technologies, in particular those technologies that can be used for military purposes.
He also pushed for more cooperation between the United States and Japan that go beyond semiconductors, to biotechnology, quantum science and artificial intelligence.
Nishimura said that Japan will be working more closely with the United States on export controls.
"It is ... absolutely imperative for us to reinforce our cooperation in the area of export controls. We will implement strict export controls grounded in international cooperation while engaging closely in the exchange of views with the United States and other relevant countries," he stated.
Russian Hacker Group Targeted Three US Nuclear Research Labs - WASHINGTON - A Russian hacker group called Cold River targeted three different nuclear research labs in the United States between the months of August and September of 2022.
During the months the attacks were carried out, Russian President Vladimir Putin had been voicing Russia's willingness to use nuclear weapons in response to threats to its territory.
The three nuclear research labs that were targeted were: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories (LLNL) according to a Reuters Report citing internet records.
The internet records that Reuters cited showed login pages that had been faked for each laboratory, as well as emails from hackers sent to nuclear scientists at each location attempting to get them to disclose their login passwords.
The report cites Adam Meyers, senior vice president of intelligence at the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike located in the United States that the Cold River hacking group is "directly involved in supporting Kremlin information operations".
A report posted on a blog by the European cybersecurity SAAS company Sekoia said that Calisto, which is another name for the Cold River group was showing interest in entities showing war support for Ukraine.
Sekoia said that the group is suspected to be a "Russian-nexus intrusion set" active since April of 2017 who's operations showed "objectives" and "victimology" closely in alignment with Russian strategic interests.
Cold River had also Hacked Into and then leaked emails from a Proton account belonging to the head of the British MI6 intelligence agency last year.
At the time Richard Dearlove had said, "I am well aware of a Russian operation against a Proton account which contained emails to and from me".
Methods Used To Harvest Victims Credentials
One of the methods that Sekoia says the hacker group uses to compromise systems is through the exploitation of an error in the PDF renderer engine.
The group sends "malicious" PDF files as attachments to their victims in which the first page of the PDF file "mimics an error in the PDF renderer engine", leading the victim to open a link that brings them to a malicious web page that harvests the users credentials using EvilGinx.
Norway Reports Position Of Russian Hypersonic Missile Boat - NORWAY - The Norwegian Armed Forces has posted a statement saying that the Russian hypersonic missile boat, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov is sailing south, along the coast of Norway, in international waters.
The Norwegian Armed Forces that said, "Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov is sailing southwards along the coast of Norway. She is legally in international waters – but as always, we are closely monitoring any movements and will do so as long as the frigate is in our areas. Photo taken from P-3 Orion today".
Norwegian Armed Forces Release 1
The Norwegian Defense Forces are well aware of the ship's movements and will follow the ship's sailing closely as long as it is in our immediate area. This happens, among other things, with the help of our maritime surveillance aircraft, the P-3 Orion, and vessels from the Norwegian Navy.
The Norwegian Defense Forces always have good control and follow closely what is happening in our immediate areas, also outside our coast.
The Russian frigate sails completely legally and in accordance with the "Incident at Sea Agreement". Also when the vessel sailed north at the beginning of December, the Norwegian Armed Forces followed the voyage closely .
Together with the Russian frigate, the tanker "Kama" also sails. This tends to be a normal way of operating, if a vessel is to be out for a period of time.
- Our P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, together with the Norwegian Navy and other operational departments in the Norwegian Armed Forces, contribute to daily operations. We have a good picture of the situation in our maritime vicinity, and we obtain information on an ongoing basis, so that our decision-makers will have an updated picture of the situation, says Lieutenant Colonel Lasse Andreas Vestli Berg, station group commander at Andøya air station.
Norwegian Armed Forces Release 2
Gorshkov" is probably on his way to his home base at Kola. The coast guard vessel KV "Sortland" and the frigate KNM "Fridtjof Nansen" follow the Russian voyage north.
- That the Russians sail in international waters is completely legitimate. We have a good picture of what is happening outside our coast, says flag commander Trond Gimmingsrud, head of the Navy.
The vessels accompanying the Russian frigate report a professional appearance in accordance with the bilateral "Incident at Sea Agreement". The agreement is to prevent misunderstandings, dangerous and unprofessional incidents at sea and in the air.
- We experience the Russians' behavior as professional and in accordance with our expectations. It's normal, and it's always like that, says ship commander at KNM "Fridtjof Nansen", Commander Captain Stian Schnelle.
Since "Navy Day" on 31 July, the frigate has been undergoing maintenance in St. Petersburg.
Former Russian President Says Russia Should Station Hypersonic Missiles Near Washington D.C. - MOSCOW - Former Russian President Medvedev posted a message on the Twitter account to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that Russia should send its Zircon hypersonic missiles close to the Potomac River, which flows through Washington D.C.
The former Russian President, and deputy chair of Russia's security council Dmitry Medvedev responded to a message of peace by the US Embassy in Moscow, saying that the main gift of the New Year was the Zircon missiles that went to the shore of NATO countries yesterday.
The comment was in reference to the Russian hypersonic missile boat that has been spotted sailing along the coast of Norway by the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The U.S. Embassy in Russia had released a statement that said, "Throughout history, our countries have been united by a common culture and our achievements. We believe that what is happening is not worthy of you, and we stand in solidarity with each of you who strive to create a more peaceful future".
Medvedev responded by saying, "The main gift of the New Year was the arsenal of Zircon missiles that went yesterday to the shores of NATO countries".
He then added that the missiles should be deployed "somewhere 100 miles from the coast [of the US], closer to the Potomac River," which is a river that flows through Washington D.C.
Zircon hypersonic missiles have a range of between 310 to 620 miles.
Russia Offers Christmas Truce, Ukraine Says It Should Not Be Taken Seriously - Russian state media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a "Christmas truce" ceasefire for 36 hours from 12:00 on January 6th to 24:00 on January 7th. The offer was rejected by Ukraine, which said that it "should not be taken seriously". Follow Our Investigative Journalist
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry replied saying, "We welcome the «ceasefire offer». russians should celebrate Christmas and all subsequent holidays together with their families. During the regrouping of the occupiers, we promise not to shoot them in the back".
The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs then put out a statement saying, "President @ZelenskyyUa has proposed a clear Peace Formula of ten steps. Russia has been ignoring it and instead shelling Kherson on Christmas Eve, launching mass missile and drone strikes on New Year. Their current “unilateral ceasefire” can not and should not be taken seriously",
British MI5 Addresses Threats From Iran, Russia, And China - The British MI5 Security Service addressed threats to the UK posed by Iran, Russia, and China and is expected to declare the Iranian IRGC a terrorist organization in the coming weeks. Read Full Article
Japan Expresses Outrage After One Of Its Reporters Injured in Russian New Year Attack On Ukraine - JAPAN - The Japanese embassy released a statement expressing "outrage" after Russia's New Year's Eve attack on Ukraine that it says resulted in the death and injuries of civilians, which included a Japanese journalist.
The statement said, “The Embassy of Japan is deeply outraged by the repeated massive attack on the civilian population and civilian objects in Ukraine on New Year’s Eve, which resulted in the death and injury of civilians, including a Japanese journalist".
The Japanese photo journalist, 36 year old Sekita, who works for the Asahi Shimbun which is a Japanese Newspaper was injured from falling debris after a missile hit the Alfavito Hotel in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The missile damaged multiple floors of the hotel, as well as residential buildings and 3 schools located near the hotel.
One person is reported to have been killed as a result of the attack. Sekita, who was one of the injured, was reported to have been injured in the leg but is expected to recover from the injury.
Belarus MOD Says It Shot Down Ukrainian Missile On Its Territory - BELARUS - The Belarusian Ministry of Defense say they intercepted and destroyed a Ukrainian S-300 anti-air missile on Thursday.
The Ministry of Defense put out a statement saying that parts of the missile fell on farmland near Gorbakha village, Ivanovo District in the southwestern region of Brest which borders Ukraine.
The Telegram channel Belarusian Silovik posted photos of the missile, along with the message "A Ukrainian S-300 fell on the territory of Belarus in the Brest region. The photos are dropped by local residents who saw the rocket in the field."
The Belarusian Defense Ministry said that they had shot down the missile at about 10:00 am on the 29th of December.
The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko gave orders for a team of specialists from the Investigative Committee, as well as the Defense Ministry to the scene.
No deaths or injuries have been reported as a result of the missile.
Russia Says It Hopes US Wise Enough To Prevent Confrontation - The Russian Foreign Ministry reportedly put out a statement to Russian State news agency TASS that Moscow hopes that Washington will show enough prudence and is wise enough to prevent the situation from escalating to the point of a direct confrontation. Read Full Article
Russia Warns US Against Decapitation Strike Against Putin - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has put out a warning to the United States against carrying out a decapitation strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read Full Article
Serbian Troops Put On Highest Level Combat Readiness - SERBIA - The Serbian armed forces were put on the highest combat alert due to an order from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, according to Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic who spoke to the Serbian news agency Tanjug.
The Defense Minister said, "The President of Serbia, as commander-in-chief, ordered tonight that the Serbian Armed Forces be at the highest level of combat readiness, i.e. preparedness to the level of the use of armed force, i.e. the armed potential of the Serbian Armed Forces".
The Serbian Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic stated: "In line with the order of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Alexandar Vucic, I have ordered to put on full combat alert all units of the Interior Ministry."
Ukraine Calls On Removal Of Russia From United Nations - KYIV - Ukraine called on the UN members states on Monday to remove Russia from the United Nations and to exclude it "as a whole" so that it no longer has the power veto UN Security Council resolutions.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry released a statement that said, "Ukraine calls on the member states of the UN ... to deprive the Russian Federation of its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and to exclude it from the UN as a whole".
The Ministry added that Russia "illegally occupies the seat of the USSR in the UN Security Council" since the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991.
"From a legal and political point of view, there can be only one conclusion: Russia is an usurper of the Soviet Union's seat in the UN Security Council," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated.
"Three decades of its illegal presence in the UN have been marked by wars and seizures of other countries' territories" the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry added.
Russia Ready To Resume Gas Flow To Europe Via Yamal Pipeline - MOSCOW - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that Russia is ready to resume the gas flow to Europe through the Yamal-Europe pipeline.
Russian state news TASS cited Novak as saying, "The European market remains relevant, as the gas shortage persists, and we have every opportunity to resume supplies".
He said "For example, the Yamal-Europe pipeline, shut down over political motives, remains unused," and added, "Right now, the implementation of additional gas supply volume through Turkey after a gas hub is created there is being discussed. We actively work with the countries that will take part in this project, as well as with the consumers that require gas from Russia".
Novak was then cited by TASS as saying, "Today, we can say with certainty that there si demand for our gas. So we continue to view Europe as a potential market for our produce. It is clear that a wide-scale campaign has been initiated against us, which ended with sabotage against the Nord Stream pipeline".
Russian Military Says It Shot Down Ukrainian Drone Deep Within Russian Territory - MOSCOW - The Russian military says that it shot down a Ukrainian drone that it detected was on approach to the Engels Air Base located deep within Russian territory, and reported that three servicemen were killed due to the resulting falling debris from the wreckage.
No damage was reported on the aircraft at the base, despite the personnel killed by the falling wreckage after it was shot down.
This is the second time the Engels air base has been targeted in the last month. The air base contains Tu-95 and Tu-160 nuclear capable strategic bombers that have been actively carrying out strikes within Ukraine.
RIA Novosti cited the Russian defense ministry as saying, “On the twenty-sixth of December, at about 01:35 Moscow time, a means of air defense of the Russian Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down at low altitude while approaching the Engels military airfield in the Saratov region by Aerospace Forces. As a result of the fall of the wreckage of the drone, three Russian servicemen of the technical staff who were at the airfield were fatally injured".
Governor of the Saratov Region Roman Busargin wrote on his Telegram channel that there were "no emergencies in residential areas of the city".
He also said that "There is absolutely no threat to residents. All stories about the evacuation from the city are blatant lies, created far beyond the borders of the country. Civil infrastructure facilities were not affected".
The Engels airbase is located about 450 miles southeast of Moscow, Russia.
Telegram Message By Saratov Regional Governor
The message said, "Dear fellow countrymen, information about the state of emergency in Engels is spreading on social networks and the media tonight. There were no emergencies in residential areas of the city.
There is absolutely no threat to residents. All stories about the evacuation from the city are blatant lies, created far beyond the borders of the country.
Civil infrastructure facilities were not damaged. Information about the incident at a military facility is being checked by law enforcement agencies.
Let me remind you that criminal liability is provided for the dissemination of knowingly false information. All data on websites, media and citizens involved in this are promptly sent to law enforcement agencies.
Russia Responds To Attack On Its Airfield By Targeting 17 Ukrainian Military Facilities
The Russian Ministry of Defense responded to the attack on the Engels Air Field by dealing a "massive blow" to Ukraine's "command and control system, and related defense facilities".
A statement by the Russian MOD said, “The military command and control system and related facilities of the defense complex, communication centers, energy and military units of Ukraine were dealt a massive blow with high-precision air and sea-based weapons. All 17 designated facilities were hit".
Russia Condemns Possible Patriot Air Defense Systems Shipment To Ukraine - MOSCOW - The Russian Embassy to the United States has condemned the possible shipment of long-range Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine by the US, saying that the move would be a provocative step. Read Full Article
Russia Loads The RS-24 Yars ICBM Into A Silo In Central Russia - MOSCOW - Russia has loaded its RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into a missile silo in the Kaluga Region in central Russia at the Kozelsk missile formation according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Read Full Article
US Deciding Whether To Send Patriot Missile System To Ukraine - The US is currently deciding on whether to send a Patriot long-range missile system to Ukraine, after receiving a request from Ukraine for more powerful and longer-range missile systems. Russia said in September that If Washington decides to supply longer-range missiles to Kyiv, it will be crossing a red line and will become a direct party to the conflict. Read Full Article
Poland To Deploy German Patriot Missile Systems On Border With Ukraine - Polish President Andrzej Duda announced on Monday that Poland will be working with Germany to deploy German Patriot missile systems on its border with Ukraine in the coming days. Read Full Article
Ukraine Requests Internationally Banned Cluster Munitions From US - Ukraine has requested cluster bombs from the United States. Both Russia and Ukraine have used cluster munitions in the war, mostly in populated areas, according to Multiple Reports, one of which is from the United Nations. Read Full Article
Russia: Norwegian P-3C Orion "Spy Plane" Intercepted By Russia Over Barents Sea - MOSCOW - According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, a Norwegian P-3C Orion "Spy Plane" was intercepted by Russia over the Barents Sea.
In response to spotting the P-3C reconnaissance plane over the Barents Sea, Russia scrambled a MiG-31 fighter jet of the Northern Fleet's air defense quick reaction alert forces to intercept the Norwegian aircraft.
Russia’s National Defense Operations Center reported, "The Russian fighter’s crew identified the aerial target as a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and shadowed it over the Barents Sea. No violations of the state border of the Russian Federation were allowed."
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that, "The crew of the Russian fighter identified the air target as the R-3C Orion base patrol aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force and escorted it over the Barents Sea. As a result of the professional actions of the fighter crew, tracking and control over the maneuvers of the foreign aircraft was ensured.”
Russian state news agency TASS cited the Center as saying that the Russian fighter jet "safely returned to its home airbase," after the Norwegian P-3C reconnaissance plane made a U-turn from Russia's state border.
"The Russian fighter’s flight proceeded in strict compliance with international airspace usage requirements over neutral waters without crossing air routes or flying dangerously close to foreign aircraft," TASS cited them as saying.
Turkey Threatens Greece With Missile Strike - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has threatened Greece with a missile strike on Athens. Both countries are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance. Read Full Article
Belarus Deploys Tactical Battalion Groups At Borders Where NATO Is Deployed - Belarusian army says that they have deployed tactical battalion groups on the borders between Belarus and the countries where NATO had deployed forces. Skies above Belarus Empty. Read Ongoing Report
Rising Tensions Between Serbia And Kosovo, Military Activity Spotted - Shots were fired, and explosions were heard on the border between Serbia and Kosovo after a stun grenade was thrown. Serbia has asked NATO to deploy the Serbian army and police force. Read Ongoing Report
Turkey Carries Out Airstrikes In Duhok, Iraq - IRAQ - Turkey has carried out airstrikes in the Duhok province in northern Iraq, according Lebanese news agency Al-Mayadeen, targeting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) elements in the region.
News sources of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) report that Turkey has established 58 military bases in the mountains within the region over the last couple of years.
Putin Says Russia Is Considering Adding Nuclear First Strike To Military Strategy - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin has put out a statement saying that any country that dares attack Russia with nuclear weapons will be wiped from the face of the earth, considers adding Russia to nuclear first strike strategy. Read Full Article
Putin: Ukraine Military Operation Taking Longer Than Expected - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the special military operation in Ukraine is taking longer than expected. He also addressed the conditions regarding the usage of nuclear weapons. Read Full Article
Russia Deploys Bastion Missile System On Island Also Claimed By Japan - Russia has deployed the Bastion coastal missile system on Kuril island of Paramushir, Russia which is an island also claimed by Japan, known by the Japanese as the Northern Territories. Read Full Article
Russia Claims Ukraine Hit Two Air Bases Located On Russian Soil - MOSCOW - Russia claims that Ukraine hit two of its air bases located on Russian soil before Russia carried out a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine.
The air bases that Russia says were hit were the Ryazan' and Engel's airbase. Ukraine, in turn claimed that it shot down 60 of the 70 missiles that Russia shot into its territory in response to the alleged attacks on its air bases.
Astra Telegram news Reported said that two people were killed, and at least two nuclear-capable bombers were damaged in the blasts at the Russian airfields. Two soldiers were also reported to have been hospitalized with injuries.
Two Tu-95 long-range strategic nuclear bombers were damaged as a result of a drone falling into the runway at the Engels airfield in Russia's Saratov region, according to Astra, citing "unnamed sources".
The Engels air base houses Tu-95 and Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers, and is about 310 miles away from the Ukrainian border.
A Maxar satellite image of the Engels-2 airfield in Russia's Saratov region posted by The New Voice of Ukraine on December 1st, 2022 showed around two dozen Tu-95 and T-160 bombers sitting in the airfield, "probably" in preparation for a massive missile strike on Ukraine, according to a report by Germany's Der Spiegel.
RIA Novosti reported that the airfield near Ryazan, which is located near Moscow, Russia had an explosion which resulted in three deaths due to a fuel tanker exploding.
The airfield in the Saratov region on the Engels-1 airbase had a drone fall on two of its Two Tu-95 nuclear-capable bombers, causing them to be damaged, where two servicemen were also injured.
U.S. Moving Air Defense Systems From Middle East To Ukraine - RAYTHEON - The United States is currently working with countries in the Middle East to move some of the U.S. air defense systems to Ukraine, according to a Report by POLITICO.
Raytheon Technologies CEO Greg Hayes said in an interview that the goal is to move National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems to Ukraine within three to six months from now, and then backfill the air defense systems with new NASAMS in the Middle East over the next 24 months time.
“There are NASAMS deployed across the Middle East, and some of our NATO allies and we [the U.S.] are actually working with a couple of Middle Eastern countries that currently employ NASAMS and trying to direct those back up to Ukraine,” he was cited by POLITICO as saying.
He said that moving them from the Middle East instead of building the systems in the United States is much faster, "“Just because it takes 24 months to build, it doesn’t mean it’s going to take 24 months to get in [the] country."
The newspaper said that it takes two years to build NASAMS due to the time it takes to purchase the components and motors for the rockets.
Europe Accuses US Of Profiting From Ukraine War While EU Suffers The Consequences - Top officials within the European Union are reportedly accusing the United States of making a fortune from the war in Ukraine, while EU countries suffer from the consequences of the ongoing war. Read Full Article
Turkey: We Will Continue To Respond To Attacks From Northern Syria - ANKARA - Turkey has told Russia that it will be continuing to respond to attacks coming from northern Syria, after Russia requested that Turkey not upgrade the conflict in Syria into a full-scale offensive.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in a statement that "Turkey’s priority is to prevent the terrorism threat (from northern Syria) permanently,” and said that agreements that had been agreed to prior to the conflict should be adhered to.
On Wednesday Senior Russian negotiator Alexander Lavrentyev said that the reason that Turkey should refrain from a full fledged offensive in Syria is because it could escalate the level of violence in the region.
Lukashenko: If Russia Collapses, CSTO Countries Will Be Under The Rubble - BELARUS - The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko attended a meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Yerevan, Armenia and announced priorities for 2023.
Lukashenko was cited by Russian state news RIA novosti as saying, "Recently, the thesis has been developing in the media: the fate of the CSTO from the operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. If Russia wins, the CSTO will live; if, God forbid, it does not win, the CSTO will not exist. And in our countries, too, many hotheads began to discuss I feel that we have come to a common opinion: if, God forbid, Russia collapses, then under these rubble is our place".
“We are not going to leave the political and military-political arena. The CSTO will exist, and no one will collapse anywhere. But we need unity,” he added.
The CSTO is the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which serves as an intergovernmental military alliance in Eurasia consisting of the following six post-soviet states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on Ukraine Power Outages from Russia’s Missile Strikes - WHITE HOUSE: "As Russia struggles on the battlefield, it is increasingly turning to horrific attacks against the Ukrainian people with punishing strikes damaging energy grid infrastructure, and deliberately doing so as winter approaches.
These strikes do not appear aimed at any military purpose and instead further the goal of the Putin regime to increase the suffering and death of Ukrainian men, women and children.
It also shows Russia is willing to increase the risk of a nuclear safety incident that could not only further harm Ukraine, but affect the entire region as well. The United States and our allies and partners will continue to provide Ukraine with what it needs to defend itself including air defense.
Today, we announced an additional $400 million security assistance package that includes additional munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and heavy machine guns to help Ukraine counter these urgent threats.
We are in constant touch with Ukraine on its energy infrastructure needs and are working with allies and partners to support Ukraine – including the United States’ provision of $1.5 billion in humanitarian assistance since February with more than $250 million for winterization efforts to distribute heating fuel, generators, shelter repair materials, and blankets.
Russia continues to underestimate the strength and resolve of the Ukrainian people and its attempt to demoralize them will fail yet again."
$400 Million in Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine - US DEPARTMENT OF STATE: "The United States continues to support Ukraine with additional military assistance to help defend itself, including from the Kremlin’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure.
Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, today I am authorizing our twenty-sixth drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021. This $400 million drawdown includes additional arms, munitions, and air defense equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories.
This drawdown will bring the total U.S. military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented level of approximately $19.7 billion, since the beginning of the Administration.
The United States will continue to stand with more than 40 allies and partners in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination. The artillery ammunition, precision fires, air defense missiles, and tactical vehicles that we are providing will best serve Ukraine on the battlefield.
We are joined in our efforts by France and the UK, including the £50 million in air defense systems offered by UK Prime Minister Sunak during his recent visit to Kyiv, and we note Sweden’s recent air defense commitment valued at nearly $300 million.
We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, so it can continue to defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table when the time comes. We stand United with Ukraine."
Kyiv: Russia Fired 70 Cruise Missiles Into Ukraine, Killing 6, Injuring 36 - Ukraine: Russia fired 70 cruise missiles into Ukraine on November 23rd, killing six people and injuring 36. The head of the Ukrainian police Ihor Klymenko said rockets hit 16 'objects' within Ukraine.
"In particular, I can confirm that a house in Vyshhorod was hit in the Kyiv region. Three people were killed and 20 were injured. In total, we have recorded the death of 6 of our citizens in Ukraine, and 36 citizens were injured. This applies only to the evening and midday shelling by Russia - by the enemy of our country," Klymenko stated.
Infrastructure Facility Hit In Kyiv Knocking Power Out In Ukraine, Moldova, Transnistria And Other Locations - UKRAINE - The Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine has reported that Russia has hit the capital's infrastructure facilities. He later reported that there were explosions in various districts in Kyiv, hitting the "residential sector" and "critical facilities".
The mayor said (translated), "A hit in one of the infrastructure facilities of the capital. Stay in shelters! The air raid continues,"
Pro-Russian Ukrainian media Strana then reported that the mayor later said "they hit the residential sector and critical facilities," and that there were interruptions in both electricity and water supply as a result.
Russian state news RIA Novosti has also reported that an infrastructure facility was hit in Kyiv and that the Russian military has been hitting "military and energy infrastructure" since October 10th, 2022, which was two days after the explosion took place on the Russian Crimean bridge.
RIA claimed that since the Crimean bridge explosion, air raid alerts have been sounded in Ukrainian regions every single day, at times throughout the country.
On November 1st, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that around 40% of the energy infrastructure in Ukraine had been knocked out, leading to widespread power outages across the country.
RIA Novosti reported that explosions were heard in Lviv, and said that the city is "de-energized", and that they were also heard in Ladyzhyn in the Vinnytsia region, where it says there is a thermal power plant stationed.
It also said that Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia were left partially without power and that emergency shutdowns had begun in the regions of Cherkasy and Sumy, adding that the region of Odesa has been "completely de-energized".
Moldova has also announced power outages in Chisinau, as well as other regions, as well as Transnistria, according to the Russian state news agency.
The current temperature in Kyiv, Ukraine is 30 degrees Fahrenheit with a low of 27 degrees Fahrenheit, which is below freezing, while Moldova is 42 degrees Fahrenheit which sits above freezing.
Ukrainian authorities are urging citizens to stock up on supplies in preparation for rolling blackouts as a result of Russia's continued attacks on the Ukrainian power grid throughout the winter.
Winter in Ukraine lasts from December through to March with the WHO citing average temperatures at 27 degrees Fahrenheit, and can reach -4 degrees Fahrenheit.
IAEA: Explosions At The Russian Controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Have Stopped - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a new report that the shelling has now stopped, and there are no radiation leaks detected as a result of the explosions.
The IAEA has put out a new statement saying, "Since this morning, shelling at the site of Ukraine’s #Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (#ZNPP) has stopped. There has been damage to parts of the site, but no radiation release or loss of power. IAEA experts will conduct an assessment tomorrow."
The IAEA said that repeated shelling damaged buildings at the site of Ukraine's Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) yesterday and this morning, but that the shelling, which IAEA Director General Grossi calls "one of the most intense such episodes in recent months" has stopped.
Radiation levels remain normal, and there are no reports of any casualties, the IAEA reports. The power plant's external power supplies also were not affected by the latest shelling.
“Once again, we were fortunate that a potentially serious nuclear incident did not happen. Next time, we may not be so lucky. We must do everything in our power to make sure there is no next time,” Director General Grossi said.
“Even though there was no direct impact on key nuclear safety and security systems at the plant, the shelling came dangerously close to them. We are talking metres, not kilometres. Whoever is shelling at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, is taking huge risks and gambling with many people’s lives,” he added.
Explosions At The Russian Controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Russia Blames Ukraine - UKRAINE - The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian control has taken fire, causing explosions. Russia has blamed Ukrainian attacks for the explosions, claiming that Ukraine has carried out 12 strikes against the nuclear power plant.
The IAEA acknowledged the explosions, but did not place blame on either side, and instead expressed outrage regarding the attacks on the plant and said that it was "unacceptable" and that "whoever is behind this, it must stop immediately".
IAEA's director general Rafael Grossi said “The news from our team yesterday and this morning is extremely disturbing. Explosions occurred at the site of this major nuclear power plant, which is completely unacceptable. Whoever is behind this, it must stop immediately."
Turkey Carries Out Airstrikes In Syria/Iraq, Strikes 89 Targets - SYRIA/IRAQ - Turkish air raids targeting Kobane, Syria, and two other villages in the region are reported by Kurdish-led forces as having killed multiple people, causing "deaths and injuries" after striking 89 targets just days after Turkey blamed the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) for a bombing in central Istanbul last Sunday.
Among the locations targeted by the Turkish airstrikes were ammo depots and shelters on Kurdish military bases in both northern Iraq and Syria.
The locations where targets were hit in Iraq: Asos, Qandil, Hakurk, and the locations where targets were hit in Northern Syria were Cizire, Tal Rifat, Kobani and Derik, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry.
The Defense Ministry also said that "so-called directors of the terrorist organization were among those neutralized".
The airstrikes were called "Operation Claw-Sword" and targeted People's Protection Units (YPG), the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), according to the Jerusalem Post.
Farhad Shami, who is a spokesperson for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) put out a statement saying, “Kobane, the city that defeated Isis, is subjected to bombardment by the aircraft of the Turkish occupation."
Shami also said that there were Turkish airstrikes on two heavily populated villages in Aleppo, as well as Hasakeh.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Turkey blanketed the two provinces with over 20 airstrikes in total.
The Turkish Defense Ministry had put out a tweet earlier Sunday saying that "“The hour of reckoning has come. The treacherous attacks of the scoundrels are being held accountable!"
Turkey's Defense Ministry said that the strikes that it carried out was in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations charter that allows attacks for self-defense purposes.
The Turkish Defense Ministry put out a tweet saying, "A PENÇE KILIÇ AIR OPERATION was carried out in the regions in the north of Iraq and Syria that were used as a base by terrorists in their attacks on our country."
Statement By Turkey's Ministry of Defense
"By neutralizing the PKK/KCK/YPG and other terrorist elements; In order to prevent terrorist attacks against our people and security forces from the north of Iraq and Syria, to ensure border security and to destroy terrorism at its source;
In line with our self-defense rights arising from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the PENCE KILIÇ AIR OPERATION was carried out in the regions in the north of Iraq and Syria, which are used as a base by terrorists in their attacks on our country."
Traces Of Explosives Found At Nord Stream Rupture Sites - SWEDEN - The Swedish Security Service Reported on November 18th that gross sabotage on the Nord Stream gas pipelines have been confirmed. The Swedish Prosecution Authority said that traces of explosives have been found at the sites of the Nord Stream pipeline ruptures. Read Full Article
Gas Pipeline Explosion In Saint Petersburg, Russia - RUSSIA - A gas pipeline explosion occurred in Saint Petersburg, Russia (formerly known as Leningrad). Saint Petersburg Governor (Leningrad Oblast) Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported the explosion on his Telegram channel.
The Telegram channel said, "Firefighters and rescuers extinguish a fire caused by a gas pipeline depressurization between Berngardovka and Kovalevo. There is no threat to the population and the spread of fire to residential areas. The causes of the incident are being established."
Drozdenko said that there is no threat to to the population, or a spread of fire to residential locations. RIA reported that there was one person injured in the explosion.
The news agency reported that the Ministry of Emergency Situations said that the fire was caused by a "depressurization of the gas pipeline".
RIA cited the governor as saying that the pipeline pressure has now been reduced, and that the "Vsevolozhsk thermal power plant has been switched to fuel oil to ensure uninterrupted heat supply".
Russian Aircraft Makes "Unprofessional Overflight" Of NATO Ships In Baltic Sea - BALTIC SEA - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has Reported that two Russian fighter aircraft made an "unsafe and unprofessional" approach toward the Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG1) that was carrying out "routine operations" in the Baltic Sea.
NATO allied forces attempted to communicate with the fighter aircraft, but the Russian aircraft "failed to respond" to Allied force's attempts at communicating.
The two Russian fighter aircraft flew at an altitude of 300 feet and a distance of 80 yards from the NATO allied fleet.
The report by NATO said that the "unsafe and unprofessional" actions occurred in a "known danger area" that had been activated for air defense training, as well as the fighter aircraft's altitude and proximity to the NATO allied fleet.
NATO reported that its forces "acted responsibly" and fulfilled its mission, "in full compliance with international air and maritime regulations", and said that NATO will respond appropriately to any interference with NATO's "lawful activity in the area" regarding any actions deemed to endanger the safety of Allied aircraft, ships or their crews.
The statement also said that "NATO does not seek confrontation and poses no threat".
Former Russian President Says Missile Strike In Poland Proves West Is "Approaching A World War" - MOSCOW - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the missile strike in Poland only proves that the West is "approaching a world war," and that the West wants to "wage war on Russia by all means against Russia", and that talking about Russian missiles falling into Poland is a "provocation" with the intent on escalating the conflict.
NATO, Poland Says Missile That Landed In Poland Likely Ukrainian Air Defense Missile - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that although the missile that landed in Poland and killed two people was "likely caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile" that it was "not Ukraine's fault".
"Russia bears ultimate responsibility" for the missile strike, not Ukraine, but that there is no indication that the missile strike was an intentional attack from Russia.
Polish President Andrzej Duda also said, “There is no indication that this could be qualified as an attack against Poland. It is highly probable that one of the missiles fired by the Ukrainian missile defense unfortunately fell on our territory."
Missile Blast In Poland Caused By Ukrainian Air Defense Missile - Reuters reported that U.S. President Joe Biden told the G7 and NATO partners that "a missile blast in Poland was caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile", according to a NATO source who reportedly spoke to Reuters.
On The Likelihood Of NATO's Article 5 Being Declared - Article 5 is not automatic, it needs to be agreed upon. It is unlikely alliance members will agree on article 5 if it was accidental, which thus far it looks to be. If it is found that it was intentional, however, the likelihood of article 5 will increase tremendously.
*Ongoing Report* Missile Believed To Be Russian Made Crosses Into NATO Member Poland, Killing Two People - The Associated Press reported that a Russian-made missile crossed into the eastern part of Poland on Wednesday, striking a grain facility near the Ukrainian border on the Polish side and killing two people. Poland is a member of the NATO alliance. Investigations have not yet concluded who manufactured the missile.
Investigations of the missile have not yet concluded who manufactured the missile, and Poland will likely request consultations with the other alliance members under NATO's article 4.
The Associated Press has reported that three U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter publicly "suggested" that the missile was fired by Ukrainian forces and was intended to target a Russian missile.
Polish President Polish President Andrzej Duda informed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US president Joe Biden that the Polish ambassador to NATO "will request to invoke article 4, that is consultations among allies".
If Russia was to blame for the missile being launched into Poland, it is possible that NATO article 5 could be triggered, which states that an attack on one NATO member is seen as an attack on all NATO members. Article 5 is not automatic, however and would require that the alliance is in agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky put out a statement saying that it was a "very significant escalation" in the war.
Although a statement was released by the Polish Foreign Ministry saying that the missile was most likely manufactured in Russia, Polish President Andrzej Duda's statement said that it "most probably" was Russian, but also said officials still haven't been able to confirm who fired the missile.
Duda's statement to reporters said, "We do not have any conclusive evidence at the moment as to who launched this missile. "It was most likely a Russian-made missile, but this is all still under investigation at the moment. We are acting with calm. This is a difficult situation."
The White House put out a statement that U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with President Duda and expressed condolences, also offering assistance with the Polish investigation.
The Pentagon says that they have no confirmation that a Russian-made missile crossed into Poland and killed two people. An urgent meeting of the Committee for National Security and Defense Affairs has been called by Polish prime minister.
Even if it was a Russian-made missile, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Article 5 is not 'automatically triggered'. Members of the NATO alliance must agree on any actions and responses that the alliance takes in relation to article 5 before taking action.
While speaking to reporters after the emergency meeting with G7 and NATO leaders in Bali, Indonesia, Biden said that preliminary information suggested that it's 'unlikely' that the missile was fired from Russian territory, but that the information is not conclusive until the investigation is completed.
This only addresses whether the missile was fired from Russian territory however, not whether it was fired by Russia from Ukrainian territory.
Biden said, "We agreed to support Poland’s investigation into the explosion … And I’m going to make sure we figure out exactly what happened.”
"Then we’re going to collectively determine our next step as we investigate and proceed. There was total unanimity among the folks at the table,” he added.
Russia denied any involvement in firing the missiles into Poland and called reports by the Polish media first reporting the explosion and deaths as "a deliberate provocation in order to escalate the situation".
The statement by the Kremlin said that the wreckage shown by Polish media "“from the scene in the village of Przewodow have nothing to do with Russian weapons.”
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that evidence suggests the missile that landed in Przewodów was a 'single act' and that there is no evidence that there will be any further missiles shot into Poland.
Poland is, however, increasing its military readiness in response, and is carrying out a careful analysis and consulting with NATO allies regarding the potential use of NATO's article 4, which allows for a NATO member to consult with the other alliance members.
11 Countries Placed On Travel Advisory Page In Last 30 Days - 11 countries have been placed on the travel advisory page in the last 30 days, including Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Ecuador, Moldova, Nigeria, China, Taiwan, Samoa, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.
China
Reconsider travel to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macau SAR, due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and COVID-19-related restrictions. See specific risks and conditions in each jurisdiction below. Exercise increased caution in the PRC due to wrongful detentions.
Taiwan
Reissued with updates to health information. Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.
Trinidad and Tobago
Reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to crime. Exercise increased caution in Trinidad and Tobago due to terrorism and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Tonga
Reissued with updates to health information and removal of natural disaster risk indicator. Exercise normal precautions in Tonga. Read the Country Information page.
Moldova
Exercise increased caution while traveling to Moldova due to unresolved conflict between the breakaway region of Transnistria and the central government. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Nigeria
Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Samoa
Reissued with updates to health information. Exercise normal precautions in Samoa.
Ukraine
Reissued from October 4, 2022 with updates to security information. Do not travel to Ukraine due to Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The Department of State continues to advise that U.S. citizens not travel to Ukraine due to active armed conflict. Those U.S citizens in Ukraine should depart if it is safe to do so using commercial or other privately available ground transportation options. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Afghanistan
Reissued with updates to relocation, citizen services, and safety and security information. Do not travel to Afghanistan due to armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
Travel to all areas of Afghanistan is unsafe and the risk of kidnapping or violence against U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is high. Given the serious risks, U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan to accompany eligible family members for relocation.
Israel
Summary: Terrorist groups, lone-wolf terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza without warning. There has been a marked increase in demonstrations throughout Israel, some with little or no warning.
Camerroon
Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information. Exercise increased caution in Cameroon due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Level 4 Do Not Travel List
The Level 4: Do Not Travel list includes: Afghanistan, Belarus, Faso, Burma, CAR, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tonga, Ukraine, and Venezuela.
The month of October saw a large number of travel advisory alerts being released. View Travel Advisories
British Defense Secretary On Russia's Withdrawal From Kherson - British Ministry of Defense: "Russia's announced withdrawal from Kherson marks another strategic failure for them. In February, Russia failed to take any of its major objectives except Kherson. Now with that also being surrendered, ordinary people of Russia must surely ask themselves "What was it all for?".
The Russian Army has suffered a huge loss of life as a result of their illegal invasion and have only achieved international isolationism and humiliation. Ukraine will press on.
The UK and the international community will continue to support them, and while the withdrawal is welcome, no one is going to underestimate the continuing threat posed by the Russian Federation.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, Ministry of Defense.
Russia Laments Sale Of Alaska To United States, Plans To Build Base On Island Ceded By US - Russia has been lamenting the sale of Alaska to the United States 155 years ago, saying that "if the Russian empire had not sold Alaska to the United States" the current "problems" in the Arctic would not be so acute. On July 6th, 2022 the chairman of the Russian State Duma said that Russia could reclaim Alaska. Read Full Article
Ties Between North Korea, Russia And China Deepening - Pyongyang - Ties between North Korea and both Russia and China have been deepening as Russia and China stand in the way of holding North Korea responsible for continued provocations at the U.N. Security Council. Read Full Article
$400 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine - DoD authorizes the Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $600 million to Ukraine. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s twenty-first drawdown since August 2021. Read Full Article
Russian Ambassador Accuses Britain Of Leading Attacks On Its Black Sea Fleet - Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrey Kelin spoke to Sky News and told them that Russia has "evidence" that the special forces in the UK was involved in the attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet, and claimed that he has proof, although as of yet no proof has surfaced. Read Full Article
Finland And Sweden To Decide Issues On Nuclear Weapons Only After Joining NATO - Both Finland and Sweden say they will be deciding issues on nuclear weapons only after they are officially accepted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but that they do not seek any opt-outs or preconditions for joining the alliance, they said at a press briefing in Helsinki. Read Full Article
US, UN Carry Out Inspections In Ukraine, Weapons Ending Up In Hands Of Criminals In Europe - The US military carried out onsite weapons inspections in Ukraine in order to make sure that weapons provided to Ukraine by the United States are not being diverted. Finnish news is reporting the weapons are ending up in the hands of criminals in European countries. Read Full Article
Russian Ambassador Accuses Britain Of Leading Attacks On Its Black Sea Fleet - MOSCOW - Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrey Kelin spoke to Sky News and told them that Russia has "evidence" that the special forces in the UK was involved in the attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet, and claimed that he has proof.
The ambassador told Sky News that he gave evidence of the alleged involvement to the British ambassador, and said that Britain is "too deep" in the Ukraine war.
"We perfectly know about [the] participation of British specialists in [the] training, preparation and execution of violence against the Russian infrastructure and the Russian fleet in the Black Sea. We know that it has been done," he told the Australian news agency.
He made claims that the attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet was orchestrated and carried out under the leadership and guidance of British Navy specialists, and after he said he had given the evidence over to the British ambassador, stated that "it will become public pretty soon".
"It is dangerous because it escalates the situation. It can bring us up to the line of I would say no return, return is always possible. But anyway, we should avoid escalation," Sky News cited him as saying.
"And this is a warning actually that Britain is too deep in this conflict. It means the situation is becoming more and more dangerous."
The news agency said that the British government has denied such claims and said they were false, with the purpose to distract people's attention away from Russia's own failures in their war on Ukraine. Read Article Here
Norway Raises Military Alert Level After Drone Sightings Near Norway's Airports, Oil and Gas Fields - Norway has reportedly raised its military alert level after unmanned aerial (UAV) drones were sighted over the last few weeks around Norway's oil and gas fields and airports, which has led to at least seven arrests of Russian citizens. Read Full Article
Nord Stream AG Releases Analysis Of Pipeline Damage - MOSCOW - Nord Stream AG has completed "initial data gathering" on the section of the Nord Stream pipeline that was damaged and concluded that there are 'technogenic craters' with a depth of 3 to 5 meters on the seabed located under the damaged section of the pipeline.
The distance of the craters are reported to be 248 meters (813 feet) from each other with the section of the pipe "between the craters" having been destroyed.
The report says that the fragment dispersion is 250 meters (820 feet). The Nord Stream AG stated, "According to preliminary results of the damage site inspection, technogenic craters with a depth of 3 to 5 meters were found on the seabed at a distance of about 248 meters from each other".
"The section of the pipe between the craters is destroyed, the radius of pipe fragments dispersion is at least 250 meters. Experts continue to analyze the survey data."
Poland Is, And Finland May Be Interested In Participating in NATO's Nuclear Sharing Program - Both Poland and Finland may be interested in participating in NATO's nuclear sharing program, which would give both countries access to deploying nuclear weapons in their territory, and allow NATO to establish bases within their borders. Poland interested, Finland more reserved on the matter. Read Full Article
2022 National Defense Strategy Of The United States Of America - WASHINGTON - The Pentagon said that although Russia is an "acute threat", China "is the only competitor out there with both the intent to reshape the international order, and increasingly the power to do so". Read Full Article
Russia Accuses Britain In Aiding Ukraine In Attack On Black Sea Fleet, Suspends Grain Deal - KYIV - The Russian Defense Ministry put out a statement on Saturday saying that they are suspending the grain deal brokered by the United Nations allowing grain to be exported out of Ukraine after accusing Britain of aiding Ukraine in attacking its vessels in the Black Sea with drones.
Russian state news RIA Novosti stated on Telegram (translated), "Moscow suspends participation in the implementation of the "grain deal" after the terrorist attack committed by the Kiev regime with the participation of British specialists against ships of the Black Sea Fleet and civilian ships - Russian Defense Ministry".
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said, "We have warned of Russia’s plans to ruin the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Now Moscow uses a false pretext to block the grain corridor which ensures food security for millions of people. I call on all states to demand Russia to stop its hunger games and recommit to its obligations."
Interfax reported that Russia requested a meeting of the UN Security Council for October 31st (translated) "in connection with Ukrainian drone attacks on ships of the Black Sea Fleet and with the suspension of Moscow's participation in the Istanbul grain initiative, Dmitry Polyansky, Deputy Representative of the Russian Federation to the Organization, said."
"In light of the attack by Ukraine on October 29 against ships of the Black Sea Fleet involved in ensuring the security of ships delivering Ukrainian grain as part of the so-called Black Sea Initiative, the permanent mission notified the UN Secretary General that Russia was suspending participation in it," Interfax cited Polyansky as saying on Telegram.
US, NATO Deploying B61-12 Thermonuclear "Gravity Bomb" To Europe - NATO - the United States said during a closed meeting with NATO that it will be accelerating the deployment of an upgraded version of the B61-12 air-dropped thermonuclear "gravity bomb" to European bases in December, which is a few months earlier than was originally planned. Read Full Article
Russia Claims British Navy Involved In Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions - MOSCOW - Russia is claiming that the British Navy was involved in what the country calls a "terrorist attack" on the Nord Stream pipeline. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed on Saturday that the British Navy had a part in orchestrating and staging a sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. The British Ministry of Defense released a statement saying that Russia is "resorting to peddling false claims of an epic scale". Read Full Article
International Space Station Forced To Use Thrusters To Avoid Debris From Russian Anti-Satellite Test - NASA - The International Space Station was forced to ignite a thruster in order to move the space station away from debris created from a Russian anti-missile test in 2021. The anti-satellite missile test involved Russia targeting and destroying one of its own non-functioning satellites, which then generated about 1,500 pieces of space Debris in outer space. Read Full Article
British MOD Intelligence Update On Ukraine For October 26th, 2022 - Intelligence update from the British Ministry of Defense for October 26th, 2022: "On 24 October 2022, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region announced that an explosive device had damaged the railway near the village of Novozybkovo, approximately 15km from the Russia-Belarus border. The line is the main rail link between Russia and southern Belarus.
The Russian anti-war group ‘Stop the Wagons’ (STW) claimed responsibility for the incident. This is at least the sixth incident of sabotage against Russian railway infrastructure claimed by STW since June,.
This is part of a wider trend of dissident attacks against railways in both Russian and Belarus. The Russian authorities have previously clamped down on STW’s online presence.
The Russia military primarily relies on rail transport for deploying forces to Ukraine, but with a network extending to over 33,000km, largely transiting isolated areas, the system is extremely challenging to secure against physical threats.
The Russian leadership will be increasingly concerned that even a small group of citizens has been sufficiently opposed to the conflict to resort to physical sabotage."
Russia, NATO Hold Simultaneous Nuclear Exercises As Tensions Escalate - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin monitored the launches of ballistic and cruise missiles on Wednesday as part of Russia's yearly "Grom" nuclear exercises, as NATO holds simultaneous nuclear exercises. Read Full Article
Norway Arrests Suspected Russian Spy In Tromsoe - Norwegian Police Security Service arrested a scientist in Tromsoe, Norway suspected of being a spy for a Russian intelligence service. The suspect was researching "hybrid threats" tied to "Arctic Norway", according to Deputy PST chief Hedvig Moe. Read Full Article
Iran Claims It Arrested 10 Israeli Agents, Israel Destroys Iranian Drone Factory - TEHRAN - Iran claims that it has arrested 10 agents allegedly working for Israel in West Azerbaijan province as part of an espionage network, according to Iranian state news agency Fars. Israeli officials claim to have struck 90% of Iran's military operations in Syria, targeting a drone assembly factory near Damascus on Friday. Read Full Article
*NEW* Russia Claims Ukraine Preparing To Use Dirty Bomb, US Says Claims Are False - *New Information* - Russia has claimed that Ukraine is preparing a possible 'provocation' involving the use of a 'dirty bomb', while the US and Ukraine claim that this might be a pretext for a Russian 'false flag' operation. Read Full Article
Russia Claims Ukraine Preparing To Use Dirty Bomb, US And Ukraine Claim It Is A False Flag Operation By Russia - MOSCOW - Russia has claimed that Ukraine is preparing a possible 'provocation' involving the use of a 'dirty bomb', while the United States and Ukraine claim that this might be a pretext for a Russian 'false flag' operation.
Russian Defense Ministry, Sergey Shoigu spoke on the phone to the Defense Minister for France discussing "the situation in Ukraine, which is consistently veering towards further uncontrolled escalation", according to Russian state news agency RT.
Shoigu voiced 'concerns' about a 'possible Ukrainian provocation' which may involve the use of a 'dirty bomb'.
The Russian state news agency then quoted RIA Novosti as citing "sources in different countries including Ukraine” as saying that Kiev is preparing to detonate “a dirty bomb or a low-yield nuclear weapon" and then RT added, "on its own territory".
The Russian state news agency said that the goal would be to 'accuse Moscow of using weapons of mass destruction in a ploy to launch a powerful anti-Russia campaign".
The report made claims that two Ukrainian institutions have already been "tasked with manufacturing a 'dirty bomb', with the work now at the 'final stages'.
The Russian news agency also claimed that Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelensky's administration has been engaged in behind-the-scenes' talks with British officials in order to secure the transfer of nuclear arms components to Kiv, Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba put out a statement saying, "I spoke to @SecBlinken. We both agreed Russia’s ‘ dirty bomb ’ disinformation campaign might be aimed at creating a pretext for a false flag operation. We also discussed further practical steps to boost Ukraine’s air defense. Secretary affirmed the US spares no effort to this end."
A 'dirty bomb' is an improvised weapon that uses a mixture of nuclear waste material, and conventional explosives. It does not tend to have the same yield as a nuclear bomb would, but such an explosion can still spread radioactive waste material into the atmosphere.
US Army's 101st Airborne Division Deploys To Border With Ukraine - EUROPE - The US Army's 101st Airborne Division which consists of about 4,700 soldiers has been deployed to Europe, on the border of Romania and Ukraine, for the first time since World War 2 (80 years ago).
They are now the closest stationed U.S. Soldiers to Ukraine/Russia. CBS News reports that "The US 101st Airborne is practicing for war with Russia just miles from Ukraine's border".
CBS reported that "The light infantry unit, nicknamed the "Screaming Eagles," is trained to deploy on any battlefield in the world within hours, ready to fight."
The news agency said that the troops were the 'closest American forces to the fighting in Ukraine," and said that they have been "closely watching" the Russian forces, "building objectives to practice against" and carrying out drills that "replicate exactly what's going on" in Russia's war on Ukraine.
They told CBS that they are always "ready to fight tonight", and if the fighting escalates, or there's an attack on NATO, they are fully prepared to cross the border into Ukraine and join the fight.
Ukraine Claims Russian Aircraft Capable Of Launching Hypersonic Missiles Spotted Over Belarus Capital - BELARUS - The Ukrainian National Resistance Center has claimed that three Russian aircraft capable of equipping and launching hypersonic missiles were spotted over Minsk, Belarus on Sunday.
"Three MiG-31 supersonic fighters were spotted over Minsk, which can carry Kh-47M2 'Kinzhal' missiles and are capable of launching them at a distance of 2,000 km," the Resistance Center claimed.
"Russia relocated its planes to the airfield in Machulyshchy. These are not standard MIG-31, but a special modification named MIG-31K. Unlike standard MIGs, this model has an increased fuel supply and special communication equipment," it added.
It also claimed that "three Il-76 military transport aircraft of the Russian Air Force flew to the airfield 'Machulyshchi' from the Russian Federation."
Russia's hypersonic missiles, such as the Kinzhal missile have a range of around 1,243 miles and can fly at 10 times the speed of sound, reaching targets within minutes after they are launched.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Advisory Advises Citizens To Leave Ukraine - TEHRAN - Iran has released an advisory to all of its citizens strongly advising them not to travel to Ukraine, and told Iranians currently living in the country to leave the country "for their own safety".
The Iranian Foreign Ministry statement read, "Due to the military escalation in Ukraine, all Iranians are strongly advised to refrain from traveling to Ukraine. Also, Iranians living in Ukraine are advised to leave the country for their own safety".
The statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry comes just one day after the United States claimed that Iranians were sent to Ukraine to instruct Russian soldiers how to target Ukrainian locations with the Iranian-made drones Russia has reportedly acquired from the country.
Advisory From Iranian Foreign Ministry (Translated): Travel advice of the General Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Ukraine
"Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notice on the travel advice of the General Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Ukraine.
It is emphasized in the travel advice of the General Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: due to the escalation of military conflicts and the increase in insecurity in Ukraine, all Iranian citizens are strongly advised to refrain from traveling to this country.
Also, in this announcement, all Iranian nationals living in Ukraine are advised to leave this country in order to save their lives and safety.
In the final part of this travel advice, compatriots living in Ukraine are asked to remain calm and, if needed, contact the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kyiv at 00380630449029
Russia Declares Martial Law In 4 Annexed Regions In Ukraine - UKRAINE - Russia has declared martial law in the four regions that it has annexed in Ukraine, which include: Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Read Full Article
White House: Iranian Troops Were Sent To Ukraine Help Russia Use Iranian Drones - According to the White House, Iranian troops were sent to Ukraine to help assist Russia in operating Iranian-made drones that Russia had reportedly purchased from the country. Read Full Article
Russia Declares Martial Law In 4 Annexed Regions In Ukraine - UKRAINE - Russia has declared martial law in the four regions that it has annexed in Ukraine, which include: Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia.
During a television address Putin said, "We are working to solve very difficult large-scale tasks to ensure Russia’s security and safe future, to protect our people. Those who are on the frontlines or undergoing training at firing ranges and training centers should feel our support and know that they have our big, great country and unified people behind their back."
Putin said, "I signed a decree to introduce martial law in these four subjects of the Russian Federation. The Kyiv regime, as you know, refused to recognize the will and choice of the people and rejected any proposals for negotiations."
Russian Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there are no plans at the moment to restrict the movement of people across Russia's borders, according to Russian state news RIA Novosti and RT.
When asked by RIA Novosti on Wednesday whether the Russian government was planning on closing the borders, Peskov reportedly said "No, [we are] not planning to."
Putin claims that this will not change much for the regions because martial law has already been in place after the regions had been annexed by Russia, but that the document signed Wednesday provides a 'legal basis' for martial law, RT cited Putin as saying.
RT also reported that Putin signed a ‘mid-level response' or 'medium action level' in a number of other regions 'adjacent to Ukraine', including Crimea, Sevastopol, and in Krasnodar, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, and Rostov regions.
First Underwater Drone Footage Of Nordstream Pipeline - EUROPE - Expressen has used an underwater drone to film the damage to the ruptured Nordstream pipeline 262 feet below the ocean's surface. The following report is based on a translation of Expressen's findings. View Expressen's Findings
The drone documented "long cracks in the seabed before it reaches the concrete-reinforced steel pipe," which Expressen says was 'ripped apart".
Expressen has reported that around 164 feet of the pipeline is missing. Video footage of the pipe also shows a 'gaping hole' in the pipe that is still there, though it's not clear how the previous investigation of the pipe affected the pipeline.
It's possible some of the piping was cut out in order to investigate the damage using above-water equipment.
The above footage appears to show that sections of the pipeline have been cut using tools, which would make sense since an investigation on damaged portions of the pipeline would have to be carried out above-water.
NORAD: US Launched Two F-16 Fighters To Block Two Russian Tu-95 Bombers In Alaska's ADIZ - NORAD - Russian Tu-95 bombers capable of being equipped with nuclear weapons were intercepted on October 18th (local time) after "entering and operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone", according to a statement by the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD).
The statement by NORAD said, "After detecting, tracking, and identifying two Russian Tu-95 bombers operating as they entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, two F-16 fighters urgently launched and blocked their approach. It didn't enter US or Canadian airspace, it stayed in international airspace."
The air defense identification zone consists of both Alaskan airspace, as well as additional airspace in which the United States uses for identifying, locating and controlling civil aircraft.
Although the air defense identification zone is not considered part of Alaskan airspace, it is closely monitored for the interest of national security.
NORAD stated that the Russian bomber did not pose a threat or provocation to the United States.
Russia is reportedly set to carry out its yearly nuclear exercises, though it is unclear whether this particular Tu-95 bomber flight is a part of any nuclear exercise.
Multiple Countries Urge Citizens To Leave Ukraine Immediately - The following countries have urged their citizens to leave Ukraine immediately: China, Egypt, Kazakhstan. There are alerts for other countries embassy's floating around social media, but many of those look to be older, previously issued embassy alerts.
China's Foreign Affairs agency called on citizens to leave Ukraine immediately due to a "serious security situation".
Kazakhstan began the evacuation of embassy staff from Ukraine on October 11th, 2022, on the same day that Poland advised its citizens to leave Belarus.
Russia Moving Nuclear Capable Missile Systems To Belarus, Converting Belarusian Jets To Carry Nukes, But Not Moving Nuclear Weapons To Belarus At This Time - Russia is transferring dual-equipped Iskander-M missile systems with conventional missiles to Belarus, and converting Belarusian SU-25 jets with the ability to carry nuclear weapons, but it is 'not planned' to equip Belarus with actual nuclear warheads.
Deputy head of the Russian delegation to the UN General Assembly Vorontsov said that nuclear technologies will not be moved from Russia to Belarus.
"In particular, in Poland, for several years now, they have been declaring their desire to become fully involved in joint nuclear missions. Recently, Warsaw's activity in this area has sharply increased. This, of course, was taken into account by Russia and Belarus when considering the issue of countermeasures," Vorontsov said according to Russian state news RIA Novosti.
"At this stage, we are talking exclusively about the transfer to the Republic of Belarus of dual-equipped Iskander-M complexes with conventional missiles, as well as giving some of the Belarusian Su-25 aircraft the technical ability to carry nuclear weapons. At the same time, transferring technology to Belarus for converting aircraft into nuclear weapons carriers not expected".
"It is also not planned to physically equip Belarusian systems with nuclear warheads, nor to move such warheads to Belarusian territory." he added.
NATO To Ship Jammers To Ukraine To Counter Iranian Drones Used By Russia - On Thursday NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance will be giving Ukraine "hundreds of drone jammers" to counter the Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drones that Russia is using to target Ukrainian cities with.
During a press conference Stoltenberg said, "Nato will deliver counter-drone equipment to Ukraine with hundreds of drone jammers which can help render ineffective Russian and Iranian-made drones".
Ukrainian officials have claimed that they have shot down Iranian kamikaze drones, and that the drones detonate themselves upon impact with their targets.
The Shahed-136 drones are capable of carrying an 80 pound warhead and have reportedly eliminated an M777 howitzer given to Ukraine by the United States, the New York Times reported.
On Thursday Ukrainian officials said that Russia had used Shahed-136 drones to attack the regions of Kyiv and Odesa. The drones are capable of air-to-surface attacks, as well as electronic warfare and targeting, according to AP news.
$725 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - "Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $725 million to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This authorization is the Biden Administration's 23rd drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
The United States has delivered unprecedented security assistance to Ukraine and will continue to work with allies and partners to ensure Ukraine has the support it needs. This new security assistance package includes:
Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 23,000 155mm artillery rounds; 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds; 5,000 155mm rounds of Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) Systems; 5,000 anti-tank weapons; High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs); More than 200 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs); Small arms and more than 2,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition; Medical supplies.
This announcement follows Secretary of Defense Austin's gathering of defense ministers of nearly 50 countries at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels this week, at which leaders committed to providing additional security assistance. Some examples of this additional support included:
Germany recently delivered the first of four IRIS-T air-defense systems committed to Ukraine. This critical donation will help Ukraine better defend its civilians from Russian airstrikes. Germany also recently announced that it will deliver more MARS rocket systems and howitzers. Spain announced it will provide four HAWK launchers to strengthen Ukraine's air defense. Norway, Germany, and Denmark invested into Slovakia's indigenous production of Howitzers.
To meet Ukraine's evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities.
In total, the United States has committed more than $18.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since January 2021. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $20.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine and approximately $17.6 billion since the beginning of Russia's unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24."
NATO Allies & Russia To Launch Annual Nuclear Exercises Amidst Tensions - EUROPE - NATO put out a statement on Friday saying that it would be launching its annual nuclear exercises "Steadfast Noon". NATO also said that it will be monitoring Russia's own upcoming nuclear exercise very closely.
Russia will be holding their annual Grom exercise in late October, where the country's military will be testing its nuclear-capable bombers, missiles and submarines.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke to reporters and said, "We have monitored Russian nuclear forces for decades and of course we will continue to monitor them very closely and we will stay vigilant - also when they now start a new exercise".
"What I can say is that this exercise, the Russian exercise, is an annual exercise. It's an exercise where they test and exercise their nuclear forces".
"We will monitor that as we always do. And of course we will remain vigilant, not least in light of the veiled nuclear threats and the dangerous rhetoric we have seen from the Russian side," Stoltenberg said.
NATO's yearly nuclear exercises normally run for around one week, and includes fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear missiles, though they do not carry live-nuclear weapons during the exercises.
The NATO jets will be testing the allies capability of carrying out nuclear strikes over Belgium, the North Sea and the United Kingdom.
"Training flights will take place over Belgium… as well as over the North Sea and the United Kingdom," NATO said in their statement about the exercise.
B-52 long-range nuclear-capable bombers will be flying from the Minot Air Base in North Dakota to take part in the exercise.
Sky News reports that the training this year will be hosted by Belgium, and run from Monday, October 17th to October 30th.
NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said: "This exercise helps ensure that the alliance's nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective."
A different NATO member country hosts the exercise each year, with last year the host being Italy.
The exercises, which were planned before Russia's invasion on Ukraine on February 24th, will include 14 out of 30 NATO member countries and be carried out about 625 miles from Russian territory, AP news cited a NATO official as saying.
Stoltenberg spoke to reporters and when asked if it would be a good idea to carry out nuclear exercises in light of the current situation, he said, "It would send a very wrong signal if we suddenly now cancelled a routine, long-time planned exercise because of the war in Ukraine. That would be absolutely the wrong signal to send".
"NATO’s firm, predictable behavior, our military strength, is the best way to prevent escalation,” he said. “If we now created the grounds for any misunderstandings, miscalculations in Moscow about our willingness to protect and defend all allies, we would increase the risk of escalation.”
Although NATO itself as an organization does not have nuclear weapons, some of its members such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France do have them.
The NATO Nuclear Planning Group, which includes defense ministers will be meeting on Thursday.
Stoltenberg said that Putin's latest nuclear rhetoric was "dangerous and reckless," and said that its members "have also conveyed clearly to Russia that it will have severe consequences if they use nuclear weapons in any way."
"We are closely monitoring Russia’s nuclear forces. We have not seen any changes in Russia’s posture, but we remain vigilant.” Stoltenberg said.
The United States' Permanent Representative to NATO, Julianne Smith also reportedly spoke to Euronews and said, "We've messaged the Russians quite directly that any use of nuclear weapons would be faced with unprecedented consequences".
"This is something we are monitoring closely and I think you've also heard colleagues back in Washington say that right now we do not see an indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons."
On Thursday Stoltenberg had said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be crossing a "very important line" if he were to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
When asked how NATO would respond to Russia using a nuclear weapon, Stoltenberg said, "We will not go into exactly how we will respond, but of course this will fundamentally change the nature of the conflict. It will mean that a very important line has been crossed."
"Even any use of a smaller nuclear weapon will be a very serious thing, fundamentally changing the nature of the war in Ukraine, and of course that would have consequences," the NATO chief added.
Addressing Russia's nuclear exercise, U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said, "Russia will also be conducting its annual exercise, I think, the week after or just after the annual exercise". He added, however that "what we don’t want is to do things out of routine."
"This is a routine exercise and it’s all about readiness," and added "NATO’s meeting is all about making sure we are ready for anything. I mean, that is the job of this alliance — to make sure that the 30 partners together are ready for what is thrown at us. And we have to continue to work at that."
During an interview with France 2 television, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that if Russia used nuclear weapons in Ukraine France would not respond with a nuclear strike, but put out a warning to leaders regarding nuclear rhetoric.
"We have a (nuclear) doctrine, which is clear. The dissuasion is working. But then, the less we talk about it, the less we brandish the threat, the more credible we are.”
Macron added, "Too many people are talking about it".
Readout of Secretary of Defense Meeting With Ministers of Defense for Finland and Sweden - Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Ministers of Defense for Finland and Sweden, Antti Kaikkonen and Peter Hultqvist. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
"Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with his counterparts this week, Ministers Kaikkonen and Hultqvist from Finland and Sweden. The leaders reaffirmed the strength of the trilateral relationship, enhanced by Finland and Sweden's ongoing accession process into NATO.
The leaders discussed key global security issues including Russia's recent escalations of its unprovoked war in Ukraine, affirming our unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty. The leaders also discussed the impact of the Nord Stream pipeline explosions and the importance of resilience, as well as other security issues in the Nordic region and the Arctic.
The progress towards Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO was also discussed, with all parties extending thanks to those nations that have already ratified the NATO accession protocols."
UK Government: British Air Strikes Against Daesh - UK Government: British Air Strikes Against Daesh: "The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria. From: Ministry of Defense and The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP Published 29 January 2016 Last updated - 13 October 2022.
Summary - Monday 10 October – a Reaper engaged a Daesh terrorist in northern Syria.
Detail: Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to conduct armed reconnaissance patrols against Daesh terrorists. On Monday 10 October, a Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, armed with Hellfire missiles, tracked and, when it was safe to do so without posing a risk to civilians, successfully engaged one such terrorist who was on a motorcycle in northern Syria, near Hamman At Turkumen.
Previous updates:
Iraqi security forces identified a number of Daesh terrorists attempting to re-establish a presence in an area to the north of Tikrit. A Royal Air Force Reaper remotely piloted aircraft joined coalition aircraft in supporting the Iraqi operation by tracking the group on Tuesday 14 June, and at an appropriate opportunity, when the terrorists were exposed in the open away from any civilians, conducted a successful attack alongside the other coalition aircraft; the RAF Reaper employed Hellfire missiles. The group was reported to be destroyed as a result of this Iraqi-led operation, and the terrorists eliminated before they could mount an active threat to the Iraqi people.
Royal Air Force aircraft have continued to fly missions over Iraq and Syria in support of the global coalition against the Daesh terrorist movement. On Tuesday 14 December 2021, hostile drone activity was detected around the At Tanf coalition base in Syria. A pair of Typhoon FGR4s from Royal Air Force Akrotiri were conducting one of their regular patrols over Syria and Iraq as part of the global coalition against Daesh, and were tasked to investigate. On arrival in the At Tanf area, the pilots were able to identify a small hostile drone, and despite the diminutive size of the target, succeeded in conducting an air to air engagement with an ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile) which eliminated the threat it posed to coalition forces."
Macron: France Will Not Respond With Nuclear Weapons If Russia Deploys Them Against Ukraine - FRANCE - During a live interview on France 2 Wednesday, France's President Emmanuel Macron said that if Russia chooses to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, France would not be responding with nuclear weapons.
"Our doctrine rests on the fundamental interests of the nation. They are defined clearly and wouldn’t be directly affected at all if, for example, there was a ballistic nuclear attack in Ukraine, in the region," Macron stated during the interview.
UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution Condemning Anexation Of Ukrainian Territories - UNITED NATIONS - The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution condemning Russia's annexation of the territories of Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, as well as the DPR and LPR regions.
143 out of 193 countries voted to support the resolution. 35 countries chose to abstain, and 5 were against the resolution.
The five countries that were against adopting the resolution were: Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria, and Nicaragua.
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky posted the results and said, "Grateful to 143 states that supported historic UNGA resolution "Territorial integrity of Ukraine: defending the principles of the UN Charter". The world had its say - RF’s attempt at annexation is worthless & will never be recognized by free nations. [Ukraine] will return all its lands".
Russia Accuses Ukrainian Spy Chief For Crimean Bridge Bombing, Makes Arrests - MOSCOW - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Ukraine's military spy Chief of being a part of carrying out the attack on the Crimean Bridge. Russia has taken eight out of twelve suspects of the bombing into custody according to the FSB.
Of the eight that Russia says that they took into custody, five were said to be Russian and three citizens of Ukraine and Armenia.
The FSB claimed that the Ukrainian military intelligence, as well as its director, Kyrylo Budanov had organized the attack, which Putin has called a "terrorist attack" on civilian infrastructure.
In their statement, the Russian Security Service said, "The organizer of the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge was the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, its head Kyrylo Budanov, its employees and agents".
The Russian Security Service stated that the explosives that were detonated on the bridge were transported from Odesa, Ukraine via Bulgaria, Georgia, and Armenia and hidden in rolls of construction-grade polyethylene plastic film sheets located on 22 pallets weighing 22.7 tons, which they then say was transported across the Crimean bridge in a truck.
The FSB statement said, "Control over the movement of the cargo along the entire route and contacts with participants in the criminal transportation scheme were carried out by an employee of HUR MO [Ukrainian military intelligence]".
Ukraine has not put out any confirmation that they were in any way involved in the bombing of the bridge, though many Ukrainians celebrated the fact that it had been damaged by an explosion.
DoD: Allies Are Unified in Support for Ukraine Ahead of NATO Meetings, Defense Official Says - Department of Defense: "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with allies at NATO headquarters in Belgium this week to discuss the continued support for the defense of Ukraine, amid Russia's unprovoked invasion and recent attacks against civilian targets and infrastructure, according to a defense official.
"The Russian invasion isn't over, the fighting isn't over, and neither is international support to Ukraine’s right and capability to defend itself," the official said.
Austin is leading the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Wednesday and attending a meeting of NATO defense ministers on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, he'll participate in a meeting of the Bucharest Nine to discuss areas of concern to the countries on NATO's eastern flank, according to the official, who spoke to reporters traveling with Austin to Brussels.
The nine are: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Austin will be joined at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley and defense officials from nearly 50 nations. Talks will include "a real practical manifestation of that ongoing support and unity" to provide Ukraine with the means necessary to defend itself, the official said.
The most important message is that "even in the context of events of the last week which are obviously horrific," the official said, these leaders are coming together to signal their enduring support and that they will not be dissuaded or deterred from supporting Ukraine. Spotlight: Support for Ukraine
The recent Russian attacks across Ukraine include the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles to attack "what are clearly not military targets," with Ukrainian citizens being killed and Russia seeking to instill fear in the population, the official said.
After the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Austin is attending the meeting of NATO defense ministers, which is focused on implementing the historic decisions made at the NATO Summit in Madrid earlier this year, according to the official.
The official said NATO defense ministers will review progress on strengthening NATO's deterrence and defense, the broader commitment of NATO to global security, and the specifics on implementation of some of the key decisions from Madrid, including recommitment to NATO’s nuclear deterrence.
The official said there is solidarity among the bloc.
The official noted Russian President Vladimir Putin's "irresponsible language" about nuclear weapons, saying such talk is contrary to Russia's obligations under international law as a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
"So, it is raising concerns, but what it is not doing is fracturing NATO unity," the official said, adding that in the coming days the "strength in unity" mindset will be evident among the defense ministers and will indicate that “Russia is not achieving what it hopes to achieve through these threats.”
Austin will also meet with representatives of Finland and Sweden, who are seeking to join the alliance and were invited to attend the defense ministers' meeting. Discussions will focus on the process for joining NATO and issues of regional concern." Read DoD Article
Ukraine: Russia Ordered 2,400 Iranian Drones - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Russia has ordered 2,400 Iranian-made Shahed drones from the Islamic Republic, and asked leaders of the G7 countries to give medium and long-range missile defense systems to protect against the them.
"For the second day now, Ukraine has been suffering from massive [Russian] missile strikes. And every 10 minutes I receive a message about the enemy's use of [Iranian] Shaheds," Zelensky said.
"An air shield for Ukraine. This is part of the security guarantees that are an element of our formula for peace. When Ukraine receives a sufficient number of modern and effective air defense systems, the key element of Russian terror – missile strikes – will stop working."
Zelensky also thanked countries that already gave air defense systems, and said that it "makes it possible to neutralize some of the Russian missiles and drones. But Russia has ordered 2,400 Shaheds in Iran alone, according to our intelligence."
"We are very much looking forward to the delivery of SAMP-T systems. And if possible, they are needed in the coming months." he said.
The new Iranian drones will be replacing Russia's diminishing stockpile. Zelensky said that Russia has been using up 20 to 30 drones per day.
"Every ten minutes I receive a message about the enemy’s use of Shaheds," Zelensky stated.
Ukrainian Intelligence Statement: Situation At Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant - Statement by Ukrainian intelligence regarding the current situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (translated). "All six units are disconnected at the ZNPP, the occupiers are forcing employees to sign contracts with Rosatom.
The occupiers continue to keep all six units of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in a "cold state". Currently, the power supply of the station, including security systems, is provided by the overhead line PL-750 kV "Dniprovska". Today, during the day, an attempt is planned to supply voltage to the ZaTES open switchgear.
It was also possible to maintain the supply of electricity to the city of Energodar. But the VRP 150/330 kV remains without voltage.
At the same time, representatives of the Soviet Union and the occupation administration continue to put pressure on the employees of the station. The movement of auxiliary units on the territory of the ZNPP is significantly limited. The occupiers apply so-called "filtering measures" to some of the personnel and their families. Workers are required to officially issue Russian passports and sign contracts with Rosatom."
Ukraine Intelligence: Russia Transferring Kamikaze Drones To Belarus, Says Belarus Supplying Russia - KYIV - Ukraine claims that Russia has been transferring Shahed-136 kamikaze drones to Belarus territory Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported.
The GUR MO posted a message in Telegram on Tuesday that said, "Iranian kamikaze drones Shahed-136 (renamed Geran-2 in the Russian army) are coming to Belarus. As of October 10, 32 UAVs were brought into the country, and 8 more are planned to be imported by October 14".
The Ukrainian intelligence agency has also reported that Belarus is providing Russia with "material and technical means," as well as ammunition from its warehouses, particularly, using the railway as a means of transporting ammunition to Kirovskaya, in Crimea.
The agency says that 12 wagons weighing 492 tons was sent from the 43rd missile and ammunition storage arsenal from the territory of Belarus (Dobrobush, Gomel region), according to Interfax.
The Ukrainian Intelligence Agency Statement (translated) said: "The occupiers continue to drop the "Shahed-136" kamikaze drones into the territory of Belarus".
Iranian kamikaze drones "Shahed-136" (renamed "Geran-2" in the Russian army) arrive in Belarus. As of October 10, 32 of the specified UAVs were imported into the country, and 8 more are planned to be imported by October 14.
Belarus also provides the occupying army with material and technical means and ammunition from its warehouses. In particular, a railway echelon with ammunition arrived at the "Kirovskaya" railway station in Crimea - 12 wagons/492 tons, which was sent from the 43rd missile and ammunition storage arsenal of Belarus (DOBRUSH, Gomel region).
In the near future, it is planned to move 13 echelons with weapons and military equipment (219 platforms), ammunition (28 wagons) and military-technical property from arsenals and storage bases of the Armed Forces of Belarus.
The main "suppliers" are: - 46 missile and ammunition storage arsenal (Bronna Gora, Brest Region); 43 missile and ammunition storage arsenal (Dubetsk, Gomel region); 391 artillery ammunition base (Beaver, Minsk Region); 969 tank reserve base (Uryche, Minsk Region); 288 car reserve base (Stari Dorogy, Minsk region).
Cargo must arrive at the railway stations "Kamenska" (Kamensk-Shakhtynsky) and "Marchevo" (Taganrog) of the Rostov region."
By NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Defense Ministers - NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg: "Stoltenberg: "hybrid and cyber attacks can trigger Article 5," and, "We are closely monitoring every incident that may constitute a hybrid or cyber attack against the NATO Allies and we are ready to take the necessary measures if needed."
We will also address the protection of our critical infrastructure. NATO has been working on this for many years. And following the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, we have further enhanced our vigilance across all domains.
Stoltenberg also said, "We have doubled our presence in the Baltic and North Seas. To over 30 ships. Supported by maritime patrol aircraft and undersea capabilities. These efforts are closely coordinated by NATO’s Maritime Command."
"Allies are also increasing security around key installations. And stepping up intelligence and intelligence sharing. We will take further steps to strengthen our resilience and protect our critical infrastructure. Any deliberate attack against Allies’ critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response."
Lorne Cook (Associated Press): "Yes, Lorne Cook from the Associated Press. I have a question on infrastructure. Germany was, how can I put it … Deutsche Bahn had its communications cables severed over the weekend in Germany, cut off transport in the north of the country. We've also seen the leaks to the pipelines, obviously Nord Stream going to Germany. At what point do these attacks… sorry, do these incidents then become acts of war? And how does NATO respond to that as a collective Alliance? You said the Allies would respond, but how do you do that in this kind of instance? Thank you."
NATO Secretary General: "Over the last years, NATO has implemented the biggest transformation of our collective defence since the end of the Cold War, and part of that is to take fully into account hybrid threats, cyber threats. And therefore we also stated a few years ago that hybrid and cyber attacks can trigger Article 5; it can constitute an armed attack against a NATO ally. And we have stepped up both our work on resilience, the protection of critical infrastructure, we are conducting more exercises both on hybrid threats and cyber threats. And we are exchanging best practices and have also agreed guidelines on the protection of critical infrastructure. All of this is about protecting, for instance, undersea capabilities for undersea infrastructure, pipelines, cables, but also of course, energy grids, energy production, transportation infrastructure. Of course, I cannot comment on those specific incidents because there are ongoing investigations, and I think we need to await the outcome of this investigation before we make any final judgement. But in general, I can say that of course we are closely monitoring every incident that may constitute a hybrid or cyber attack against the NATO Allies and we are ready to take the necessary measures if needed. Exactly what kind of measure, depends on the nature of the attack. And we will never give our potential adversaries the privilege of defining exactly where the threshold for Article 5 goes. That will be a decision we make as Allies, taking into account the precise context, the specific situation we will face, if there is a hybrid or cyber attack against a NATO Ally."
Iryna Somer (Interfax Ukraine): "Thank you. Thank you, Oana. Secretary General, according to Americans and Ukrainians yesterday’s strikes on Ukraine were planned in advance and nothing to do with Kerch Bridge as Russian claims. And moreover some analysts also said that Ukraine has nothing to do with Kerch Bridge, which was simply used as pretext for this strike. Does NATO share the same assessment? And do you think, is this a turning point of this war? What could it change on the battlefield? And some short follow up to Teri’s question, you said that ministers will discuss how to refill stocks only tomorrow. But war is going on already for seven months, why it was not done before? Thank you."
NATO Secretary General: "First, we have already of course started the dialogue with the industry and with the different Allies on how to ramp up production and refill or replenish our stocks. We had a meeting of the NATO Armament Directors a couple of weeks ago here in NATO. So this is an ongoing work, but when all the ministers meet tomorrow, of course, that provides an excellent opportunity to take stock of what we have achieved, how far we have been able to move on ramping up production. But also then to make new decisions on how to further ensure that we are not only digging into existing stocks to provide support to Ukraine, but actually also able to ramp up production. And we need to ramp up production of ammunitions and weapons to both ensure the deterrence and defence of our own Allies, NATO Allies, but also to have enough to continue for the long haul to provide support to Ukraine. But just to prevent any misunderstanding, this work doesn't start now. It has been going on for some time. But of course the longer the war in Ukraine continues, this work with the industry becomes more and more important, because then they need the decisions. They need the NATO defence planning process decisions, capability targets, to be sure that actually they can make the necessary investments to be able to produce more.
Then if the question was about how the attacks yesterday will change the situation on the battlefield, I think what we saw yesterday is actually a sign of weakness. Because the reality is that they're not able to make progress on the battlefield. Russia is actually losing the battlefield. They are giving up territory because they don't have the capabilities to stop the Ukrainian forces making advances. So the way they are able to then respond is by indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian cities, hitting civilians, critical infrastructure. And of course, this causes suffering, damage on Ukraine, but in many ways it actually reflects the lack of alternatives for President Putin. They are losing ground, they have lost the momentum, and then they had to revert to missile strikes and airstrikes in a way we saw yesterday and actually also today.
Then the first question… [inaudible] Well, Russia has conducted similar attacks earlier in the war, we have seen… Of course it has been some time since we have seen similar attacks against Kyiv and some of the cities in the western part of the country, but we have seen attacks against cities in Kherson, in Zaporizhzhia, and other parts of Ukraine actually quite regularly. So they had these capabilities exactly when these attacks were planned. I will not go into it but the reality is that it doesn't change the nature of the attack. These are attacks against cities, civilians are killed, civilian infrastructure is targeted, and this is unacceptable. And this is something which goes against international law."
Henry Foy (Financial Times): "Henry Foy, Financial Times. Thank you so much for the question. I want to ask about the nuclear exercises. Was there any discussion amongst the 30 Allies whether this was such a good idea to practice flying nuclear weapons around given the heightened threats from Russia and the potential for miscalculation or misunderstanding? And secondly, will this year's exercise be different to previous years given the context, which of course is incredibly important here. And I'm aware that it's an annual exercise, it's routine, so that's all understood, but I'm asking about whether or not there was a discussion inside the Alliance about whether now is really the right time to do this. Thank you".
NATO Secretary General: "Now is the right time to be firm and to be clear that NATO is there to protect and defend all Allies. And this is a long time planned exercise, actually planned before the invasion of Ukraine. It's a routine exercise, and it's an exercise to ensure that our nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective. I visited this exercise a few years ago. We have been open about the exercise and I think it would send a very wrong signal if we suddenly now cancelled a routine, long time planned exercise because of the war in Ukraine. That would be absolutely the wrong signal to send. And we need to understand that NATO's firm, predictable behavior, our military strength, is the best way to prevent escalation. We are there to preserve peace, to prevent escalation and prevent any attack on NATO Allied countries. So if we now created the grounds for any misunderstanding, miscalculation in Moscow about our willingness to protect and defend all Allies, we would increase the risk of escalation and that's the last thing we will do."
Beata Płomecka (Polish Radio): "Thank you. Beata Płomecka, Polish Radio, public broadcaster. Secretary General, there are some suggestions from various politicians from various member states that in the light of yesterday's and today's attacks on the critical infrastructure, civilian infrastructure, killing civilians, it's high time to call Russia as a terrorist state. Will you call Russia as a state that sponsored terrorism? And the second question is there are also suggestions to call the summit on the level of the leaders of NATO. Are you planning to do such a summit? Thank you."
NATO Secretary General: "We are constantly consulting among NATO Allies. We have already conducted three NATO Summits this year. We will convene a summit when needed, so we have the meetings we need, when we need them. And we are constantly assessing also the need to then convene yet another summit to ensure that we have consultations and the right messages from NATO at all levels. We will have a ministerial meeting this week, and that provides a good opportunity to send a clear message and then we'll make decisions on a potential summit when we think the right the time is right.
Then on the nature of the war. Well, this is an illegal invasion of another country. It is a clear violation of international law. Russia invaded a sovereign independent nation, violated its territorial integrity and sovereignty. That actually didn't start in 2022 or in February of this year. It started in 2014. But of course they scaled up their aggressive actions against Ukraine in February, and they have violated international law in a blatant way. And we have also seen horrendous and horrific attacks against civilians, we have seen the reports from Bucha, from many other places in Ukraine. And the important thing now is that all facts are made available, that we have thorough investigations, NATO Allies support the ongoing investigations, and that those responsible are held accountable for these atrocities."
Thomas Gutschker (FAZ): "Thanks a lot. Thomas Gutschker, Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung. Secretary General, two questions. The first one, is the bridge across the Strait of Kerch a legitimate military target, in your view, and does that include a terrorist attack? And the second question, when you speak about stepping up support to Ukraine you mentioned air defence systems. Which other systems or types of weapons does Ukraine need now that it has not received yet to cope with their situation? Thank you".
NATO Secretary General: "Ukraine needs a wide range of different systems and that is, of course, a lot of lethal weapons, artillery, armoured vehicles, air defence systems and many other anti-tank weapons. But also, of course, non-lethal support: fuel and winter clothing, and communications systems and a lot of different types of support. And that is the reason why it was also so useful to meet, because when we meet tomorrow in the U.S.-led Contact Group for Ukraine but also at the NATO Defence Ministerial Meeting, with Defence Minister Reznikov, we have the best possible opportunity to go into details to discuss different lists and match these lists of needs from Ukraine with what NATO Allies and partners are able to provide. And that is what has been going on in this framework for now several months and also the reason why we have been able to mobilise so much support from NATO Allies and partners. There's an urgent need for air defence, but of course also many other capabilities: precision guided ammunition, HIMARS and other advanced modern NATO-standard systems. And we see that they are making a difference and we see that Ukrainian soldiers are able to utilise these modern systems in a very effective way, making gains on the battlefield.
Then it's not only a question of, you know, adding more and different systems. It is also to ensure that we have the fuel or the ammunition to existing systems. So since the war is continuing, logistics, resupplies of spare parts, ammunition, fuel to systems that are already delivered becomes more and more important. So they need almost everything and Allies are providing unprecedented support because they understand that we have a moral, political and security interest in ensuring that Ukraine wins the war against President Putin."
NATO Secretary General: "Sorry. Well, I… First of all, I think that we have to remember the starting point of this discussion. Crimea is illegally annexed by Russia. Crimea belongs to Ukraine, and NATO Allies and NATO have made it clear that we will not recognise and never recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea. And it was Russia that started this war, President Putin started this war. And then I will not go into who was behind the attack against that bridge, I will leave that to the Ukrainians to comment on that".
Lili Bayer (Politico): "Thank you very much. Lili from Politico. I have two brief questions. Going back to the issue of air defence, in the coming weeks – so in the short term – do you believe that NATO Allies have the capacity to provide Ukraine with all the air defence systems that Kyiv is asking for? Are you expecting any further announcements in the coming days? And the second question is more looking toward the future, given the domestic pressures in Russia, what kind of planning is there at NATO for the possibility of President Putin leaving office and the destabilisation that might follow? Is this something you are discussing? Thank you".
NATO Secretary General: "Just over the last days we have had two new announcements from NATO Allies – from Germany and United States – to provide more advanced air defence systems. The Germans announced it yesterday, and we welcome of course that. And United States has announced further delivery and we know also that they have announced that they're also ready to provide and deliver NASAMS, which are actually one of the many advanced systems that Ukraine has received over the last months. And again, we need more and we need also more ammunition to these systems and I welcome that Allies are doing that.
These air defence systems are making a difference because many of the incoming missiles were actually shot down by the Ukrainian air defence systems provided by NATO Allies. But of course, as long as not all of them are shot down, of course there is a need for more. And therefore we are going to address at the meeting this week, tomorrow, with Defence Minister Reznikov how, what type, and how can we ensure not only the delivery of the systems as soon as possible, but also training, spare parts and ammunition to their air defence capabilities.
Then, it was one more question? […] So first of all, I think that we just have to be prepared for the long haul. I will be careful speculating too much about the domestic political situation in Russia. Regardless of what different analysis may indicate, I think what we need to do at NATO is to be prepared for all eventualities and when it comes to Ukraine, be prepared to continue to support them."
Dejan Sajinovic (Nezavisne): "Thank you very much. Dejan Sajinovic, Nezavisne from Bosnia-Herzegovina. So next month, there's an important vote in Security Council about the extending the European Union military mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina. After this year it was a routine, now maybe Russia could put a veto to the mission. What is your… Are you concerned about the situation, security situation, in Bosnia-Herzegovina? And maybe more broadly, what's your assessment of the situation in Western Balkans in security? Thank you."
NATO Secretary General: "We are of course following the situation in the Western Balkans very closely. We have several Allies who are Western Balkan countries and part of the successful NATO enlargement over the last years has been actually with countries from the Western Balkans, including most recently North Macedonia and Montenegro. NATO has a history in the Western Balkans; we helped to end the two brutal ethnic wars including the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We still have a presence in the Western Balkans with a KFOR mission in Kosovo and also our support for a NATO headquarters in Sarajevo and the support for the EU Operation Althea. I will not speculate about whether the mandate for Operation EUFOR Althea will be renewed or not. The only thing I will say is that it is in nobody's interest that the mandate is not renewed, because the EU presence there and with the support from NATO is helping to address the challenges Bosnia-Herzegovina faces. And of course, there are many concerns and many, many challenges we all face. But if we reduce the international presence of Althea, or our international presence in Bosnia, we're only making a difficult situation even more difficult."
Güldener Sonumut (NTV Turkey): "Güldener from NTV Turkey. Secretary General, there is a growing rhetoric, nuclear rhetoric, banalisation of the nuclear rhetoric in Moscow, and NATO is assessing the nuclear situation in Russia. So therefore, I have two short questions. The first is, what is your assessment about a nuclear risk? Is it true or not? And second, should this risk increase, are you ready to either warn the citizens and do the necessary to reassure the public opinion on that? Thank you."
NATO Secretary General: "NATO is prepared for any threat, any attack, against any NATO Ally. And that's the reason why we have NATO, to be able to deter also nuclear threats. And this was important before the invasion of Ukraine, it has become even more important after. Not least in light of the nuclear rhetoric from President Putin and from Russia. This nuclear rhetoric, or veiled threats, are dangerous and reckless. Russia knows that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. And we also conveyed clearly to Russia that they will have severe consequences if they use nuclear weapons in any way, including low yield nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Then, by ensuring that we have credible deterrence and defence, we are helping to reduce the risk of escalation. And therefore it is important that since 2014, we have implemented the biggest reinforcement of our collective defence since the end of the Cold War. So we were prepared when Russia invaded Ukraine in February. And since then, we have further stepped up, increased our presence in the eastern part of the Alliance. We activated our defence plans the morning of the invasion, and we made decisions in Madrid in June to further strengthen our collective defence. The purpose of this is to prevent war, preserve peace, and including prevent any use of nuclear weapons".
Gazprom: NATO Explosive Device Was Found By Nord Stream Pipeline In 2015 - Official spokesman for the Russian energy giant Gazprom Sergey Kupriyanov said Monday that a NATO mine destroyer, which is an explosive device was discovered near the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in 2015, according to the official Nord Stream company. Nord Stream Website.
Kupriyanov's on-air statement with Rossiya-24 TV channel said, "It is necessary to remind about developments at the Nord Stream gas pipeline that were already registered earlier. This case is well known.
On November 6, 2015, the NATO Seafox mine disposal unmanned underwater vehicle was found during the scheduled visual inspection of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline. It lay in space between gas pipelines, clearly near one of strings".
Russian state news agency TASS reports that the explosive device was deactivated by Swedish Armed Forces at the time, and that gas transport was halted due to the emergency. It was then later resumed.
The NATO device that was discovered was called a SeaFox, and was taken from the water at a depth of about 125 feet.
Statement by Sweden after an investigation was carried out regarding the leaks: "The crime scene investigation that the Security Police conducted at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines is now complete. The investigation has strengthened the suspicions of serious sabotage.
The security police have since this weekend carried out the crime scene investigation with the support of the Coast Guard, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Police Agency. It has been a very well-functioning collaboration.
After a crime scene investigation, the Security Police can state that there have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines.
During the crime scene investigation, certain seizures have been made. Within the framework of the preliminary investigation, the Security Police continuously undertakes various investigation measures. As part of the work, the seizures will now be reviewed and analyzed. The continued preliminary investigation must show whether someone can be served with suspicion and later prosecuted.
The security police are conducting the preliminary investigation into the incident at Nord Stream under the direction of prosecutors at the National Security Unit. After completing the crime scene investigation, the prosecutor has lifted the cordons at the scene.
The security police assess what happened in the Baltic Sea as very serious. The Security Police follows developments closely and takes the necessary measures based on the authority's mission to protect Sweden and Sweden's security. Swedish Prosecutor's Office's Press Release
Belarus Deploying Soldiers Along With Russian Forces Near Ukraine - The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has ordered Belarusian soldiers to deploy along with Russian forces near Ukraine as a response to what he called a clear threat from Ukraine and the West.
During a security meeting on Monday, Lukashenko said that "Strikes on the territory of Belarus are not just being discussed in Ukraine today, but are also being planned. Their owners are pushing them to start a war against Belarus to drag us there."
"We have been preparing for this for decades. If necessary, we will respond," he added, and said that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had spoken on the matter during their meeting in St Petersburg.
Lukashenko said that he and Putin had agreed to deploy a regional military group of Belarusian soldiers, and had already begun putting the forces together around two days ago after the attack on the Crimean bridge on Saturday.
"We launched this process, maybe a couple of days back," he said.
"In the wake of escalations on the western borders of the Union State, we agreed on deploying a regional group of forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. All these moves are consistent with our documents," he was quoted as saying by BelTA news agency.
"Now that the level of danger has reached this point, we will begin deploying a group of forces of the Union State".
He also reportedly said, "A second conflict is what we do not need. As you know, they have their own problems now. That is why, do not count on a large number [from the contingent] of the Russian Armed Forces but this group will number more than one thousand-strong."
"Be ready in the near future to take these people and put them where they need to be, according to our plan, without overdoing it and inflaming the situation".
He said that a warning had been given to Belarus about a planned "Crimean Bridge 2" through unofficial channels, and that he replied back with, "My answer was simple: 'Tell the president of Ukraine and the other lunatics: if they touch one meter of our territory then the Crimean Bridge will seem to them like a walk in the park'."
Yesterday, Ukrainian intelligence claimed that Russia was attempting to draw Belarus into an open war with Ukraine. The Ministry stated:
"On October 8th, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Belarus was handed a diplomatic note saying that Ukraine was planning strikes within Belarus territory.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry released a statement regarding the incident in which it said that it rejects the latest insinuations of the Belarusian regime.
"We do not rule out that the delivery of a diplomatic note may be part of the Russian Federation's plan to carry out a provocation and further accuse Ukraine," the statement said.
The move by Belarus comes as Poland put out an advisory recommending its citizens to leave Belarus territory as tensions increase between Poland and Belarus, accompanied by Poland carrying out checks on the condition of its own bomb shelters.
German Visa Office Damaged By Rocket Fire During Russia's Attack On Kyiv, Ukraine - Germany's Foreign Ministry has reported that the German visa office located in Ukraine was damaged by rocket fire during Russia's attack on Kyiv in the morning.
The German Foreign Ministry stated, "Residents fleeing from rockets during morning rush hour. An impact crater next to a playground in central Kyiv . It is despicable & unjustifiable that Putin is firing missiles at major cities & civilians in #Ukraine . We are doing everything to strengthen [Ukrainian] air defenses."
A second statement by the Foreign Ministry said, "A building in Kyiv , which also houses the German visa office, was damaged by rocket fire this morning. Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression, these offices have not been used by our embassy. Our colleagues at the Embassy in Kyiv are well."
Poland Advises Citizens To Leave Belarus - Poland has put out an advisory recommending its citizens to leave Belarus territory as tensions increase between the two countries due to the conflict in Ukraine.
The government website stated, "We recommend that Polish citizens staying on the territory of the Republic of Belarus leave its territory with available commercial and private means".
The new advisory comes as Poland undergoes efforts to check the condition of its bomb shelters and takes inventory according to a Polish deputy minister.
Poland Checking Condition Of Bomb Shelters, Member Of Russian State Duma Calls On Attacks On Roads From Poland - Poland is now checking the condition of its bomb shelters and taking inventory in light of recent developments, according to a Polish deputy minister Reuters reports.
Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Wasik spoke to Polsat News and said, "We have 62,000 such facilities across the country.
"Firefighters are checking their condition, whether they are equipped, and whether they are fit for use. If not, we will take steps to adapt them."
"These are routine activities," he said. "This action was planned some time ago".
Reuters has reported that the process for checking the condition of the bomb shelters will last around two months.
On October 9th, member of the Russian State Duma Petr Tolstoy called on Russia to attack "all roads from Poland", presumably due to the fact that NATO members are using those roads to deliver military supplies and weapons to Ukraine.
Member Of Russian State Duma Calls For Attacks On Roads Coming From Poland
Tolstoy's message (translated from Russian):
"Stop waiting!
The answer should be as tough as possible: bridges, power plants, all roads from Poland, headquarters and government shelters. We will have to drive Ukraine into the 18th century. Then, after the victory, we will restore everything.
Pity the Ukrainians. But you need to understand: the current state, when the operation is underway and our guys are fighting, and somewhere they are organizing holidays and fireworks, has already dragged on. We must get together and start. And don't care about the West, for us it is more important now to mobilize in the minds of the Russian people. Only in this way will victory be ours!"
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Kyiv, Ukraine - Event: Russia has launched attacks against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure as well as government facilities in Kyiv and elsewhere. Russia’s continued strikes in Ukraine pose a direct threat to civilians and civilian infrastructure. The U.S. Embassy urges US citizens to shelter in place and depart Ukraine now using privately available ground transportation options when it is safe to do so.
If you hear a loud explosion or if sirens are activated, immediately seek cover. If in a home or a building, go to the lowest level of the structure with the fewest exterior walls, windows, and openings; close any doors and sit near an interior wall, away from any windows or openings.
If you are outdoors, immediately seek cover in a hardened structure; if that is not possible, lie down and cover your head with your hands. Be aware that even if the incoming missile or drone is intercepted, falling debris represents a significant risk. After the attack, stay away from any debris, and monitor major news outlets for official guidance.
The security situation throughout Ukraine is highly volatile and conditions may deteriorate without warning. U.S. citizens should remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.
Actions to Take: Know the location of your closest shelter or protected space. Follow the instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately in the event of mortar and/or rocket fire. Regularly monitor local and international news and social media news channels. Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible. Read Full Security Alert
White House Press Secretary Clarifies Biden's Armageddon Comments - White House national security spokesman John Kirby addressed U.S. President Joe Biden's comments regarding the "prospect of Armageddon" on Sunday, saying that the President's statement reflects "the very high stakes that are in play”, in relation to Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats.
Kirby responded to Martha Raddatz on ABC's "This Week" and said, "The president was reflecting the very high stakes that are in play right now, Martha."
"When you have modern nuclear power and the leader of that modern nuclear power willing to use irresponsible rhetoric the way that Mr. Putin has several times in just the last week or two, as well as the high tension in Ukraine over just the course of the last few days,” he added.
"So the president, I think, was accurately reflecting the fact that the stakes are very high right now."
Kirby said that Biden's statements were not based on any new intelligence, and said that there is no indication that Putin "has made that kind of decision".
He also said that the United States has not "seen anything that would give us pause to reconsider our own strategic nuclear posture.”
"What the president was reflecting was that stakes are high right now, given what’s going on on the battlefield in Ukraine and given the very irresponsible and reckless comments made by Vladimir Putin in just the last few days," Kirby said.
French President Emmanuel Macron scolded Biden for using such rhetoric by saying, "We must speak with prudence when commenting on such matters."
Ukraine Claims To Have Killed 62,500 Russian Soldiers Since Beginning Of Invasion - The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has claimed that Russia has lost 62,500 Russian soldiers from the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022 to October 9th, 2022.
A statement put out by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Force said, "The enemy’s total combat losses from Feb 24 to Oct 09 amounted to approximately 62,500 (+440)".
Ukrinform claims Russia has lost the following assets on the battlefield as well: "Since the full-scale invasion, the enemy lost 2,486 (+14) tanks, 5,133 (+22) armored combat vehicles, 1,477 (+18) artillery systems, 348 (+3) MLR systems, 180 air defense systems, 266 warplanes, 235 helicopters, 1,086 (+7) UAVs, 247 (+1) cruise missiles, 15 warships/cutters, 3,890 (+15) trucks and tankers, and 136 units of specialized equipment."
Russia: Both Ukrainian Special Services And Citizens Of Russia and Foreign Countries Participated In Bridge Bombing - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin regarding the explosion on the Crimean bridge and said stated that the bombing, which he called a "terrorist attack" was staged by Ukrainian special services and that both the Ukrainian special services and citizens of Russia and foreign countries participated in the bombing.
Russian state news RIA Novosti reported that the head of the Investigative Committee announced the initiation of a criminal case under the article "terrorism", and has informed the head of state of the suspects allegedly involved in the preparation of the Crimean bridge bombing.
"We have already established the route of the truck where the explosion occurred. These are Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, North Ossetia, Krasnodar… Carriers have been identified. With the help of FSB operatives, we managed to identify suspects from among those who could prepare a terrorist attack,” Bastrykin reportedly stated.
The Russian chairman of the Investigative Committee said that "both the Ukrainian special services and citizens of Russia and foreign countries" participated in the bombing.
The Russian news report also said that although trains had been delayed due to the bombing, they are back on schedule, however trucks and buses have to use a ferry to get to mainland Russia.
IAEA: Power Has Been Restored To Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant After Overnight Shelling - UKRAINE - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has put out a statement saying that although recent shelling took out the power at Zaporizhzhya , Ukrainian engineers have restored the external power supply to the currently Russian-occupied nuclear power plant.
The IAEA stated that the nuclear power plant was forced to use back-up diesel generators for cooling the reactor blocks after the shelling.
"The resumption of shelling that damaged the station's only external power line is highly irresponsible," The IAEA sated yesterday.
It had also posted, "The renewed bombing of the plant at night led to the interruption of its connection to all external sources of electricity and its dependence on diesel generators to cool the reactors and in safety and security functions"
"The resumption of shelling, hitting the plant’s sole source of external power, is tremendously irresponsible.” A protection zone “is an absolute & urgent imperative” to prevent a nuclear accident," it said in another statement.
Energoatom stated on its official Telegram account after power had been restored, "After almost two days of operating the emergency cooling pumps of the active zones of the reactors with power from diesel generators, the operational staff are restoring the normal regimen of powering the plant's own needs from the energy system of Ukraine".
Armenia and Azerbaijan Trade Accusations Regarding Being Fired Upon By The Other - Statements from the Armenia and Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense pages are as follows (statements translated from original languages):
Armenian Ministry of Defense Statement October 9th, 2022: "On the evening of October 8, the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire from rifle weapons of different calibers in the direction of the Armenian positions located in the eastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The units of the RA Armed Forces silenced the enemy's fire with retaliatory actions. The message of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan that allegedly the units of the RA Armed Forces opened fire in the direction of the Azerbaijani positions is another misinformation."
Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense Statement October 9th, 2022: "In the evening of October 8, units of the Armenian armed forces fired from positions located in the direction of Yukhari Shorja of Basarkecher district, Khanazakh of Gorus district, Yellice settlement of Kalbajar district, and in the morning of October 9, the positions of Ordumuz located in the direction of Malibey settlement of Lachin district. caught. Adequate retaliatory measures were taken by the units of the Azerbaijani Army.
Ukrainian Intelligence Claims Russia Attempting To Draw Belarus Into War With Ukraine - Ukrainian intelligence claims that Russia is attempting to draw Belarus into an open war with Ukraine.
Ukraine, Vadim Skibitsky, a spokesman for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (GUR MO) spoke on the Ukrainian military television program "Under the Gun" said that Russia has been carrying out activities in order to "force the leadership of Belarus to enter an open war".
The press service of the Main Intelligence Directorate quoted Skibitsky as saying, "We see the activities carried out by the Russian Federation in order to force the leadership of Belarus to enter into an open war. Meetings between Putin and Lukashenka are constantly held, where this issue is discussed and Putin is trying to persuade Lukashenka to this decision.
To date, according to the military intelligence of Ukraine, 6 battalions are concentrated near our border. These are mechanized battalions, these are the battalions of the airborne troops of the so-called command of the special operations forces".
A representative of the military intelligence of Ukraine also said, "How long this situation will last will depend on how events develop at the front and, in general, how events develop in Russia’s war against our state".
On October 8th, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Belarus was handed a diplomatic note saying that Ukraine was planning strikes within Belarus territory.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry released a statement regarding the incident in which it said that it rejects "the latest insinuations of the Belarusian regime."
"We do not rule out that the delivery of a diplomatic note may be part of the Russian Federation's plan to carry out a provocation and further accuse Ukraine," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry added.
British Ministry of Defense Intelligence Update For Ukraine, October 9th, 2022 - British Ministry of Defense Intelligence update for Ukraine, October 9th, 2022: "Early on 08 October 2022, an explosion damaged the Kerch Strait Bridge, the road and rail crossing which links Russian-occupied Crimea and the Krasnodar region of Russia.
Two of the four carriageways of the roadway have collapsed in several places over a length of approximately 250m. It is almost certain that some vehicle transits via the other two carriageways have resumed, but capacity will be seriously degraded.
The extent of damage to the rail crossing is uncertain, but any serious disruption to its capacity will highly likely have a significant impact on Russia’s already strained ability to sustain its forces in southern Ukraine.
The rail crossing was only opened to freight in June 2020, but the line has played a key role in moving heavy military vehicles to the southern front during the invasion.
This incident will likely touch President Putin closely; it came hours after his 70th birthday, he personally sponsored and opened the bridge, and its construction contractor was his childhood friend, Arkady Rotenberg.
In recent months, Putin’s former bodyguard, now commander of the Russian National Guard, Viktor Zolatov, has provided public assurances about the security of the bridge."
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Regarding Provocation by Belarus - Statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding alleged provocation by Belarus (accusations by Belarus that Ukraine was planning an attack on Belarus territory):
"On the evening of October 8, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Minsk, Ihor Kyzym, was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, and he was presented with a diplomatic note.
In the note, the Belarusian side claims that Ukraine is allegedly planning an attack on the territory of Belarus.
This information is not true. We categorically reject the next insinuations of the Belarusian regime. We do not rule out that the handing over of the diplomatic note may be part of the Russian Federation's plan to provoke and further accuse Ukraine.
We call on the Belarusian people not to succumb to provocations. Ukraine has never encroached on foreign territories. We strictly adhere to the fundamental norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter.
The authorities in Belarus should stop following the whims of the Kremlin and immediately stop supporting Russia in its aggression against Ukraine."
US Navy Reconnaissance Plan Spotted In Baltic Hours After Pipeline Began Leaking - NORD STREAM PIPELINE - A U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane (P-8A Poseidon) was spotted flying across the Baltic Sea just hours after the Nord Stream pipeline began leaking into the ocean on September 26th, 2022.
Around the time the pipelines began leaking fuel into the Baltic Sea Seismologists registered two explosions in the same area.
Reuters cited a U.S. Navy spokesperson as saying, "The U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft shown in the tracking data conducted a routine Baltic Sea maritime reconnaissance flight, unrelated to the leaks from the Nord Stream pipelines".
When asked if any intelligence was collected that might aid investigators in understanding how the pipeline ruptures occurred, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa spokesperson, Capt. Tamara Lawrence said: "We do not have any additional information to provide at this time."
The crime scene survey by the Swedish Security Service (SAPO) reported in a press release that large explosions had occurred causing the damage to the pipelines.
"The crime scene investigation has shown that there have been detonations near Nord Stream 1 and 2, within the Swedish economic zone, resulting in extensive damage to the gas pipelines," SAPO's statement said.
"The investigation into the Nord Stream events is being conducted by the Swedish Security Service and is headed by a National Security Unit prosecutor. As the crime scene investigation has been completed, the prosecutor has lifted the cordons around the area," the Swedish security service added.
New Senior Commander Appointed For Russia's "Special Military Operation" In Ukraine - Sergei Sorobikin, former commander of Russia in Syria has reportedly been appointed the new senior commander of Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine.
Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashekov said, "Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu appointed Army General Sergey Surovikin to command the joint group of forces involved in a special military operation in Ukraine".
"Army General Sergey Surovikin has been appointed to command the joint group of forces in the area of the special military operation in Ukraine based on the Russian defense minister’s decision," he added.
HHS purchases drug for use in radiological and nuclear emergencies - According to the ASPR government website, The U.S. Government has purchased $290 million worth of Nplate, from Amgen USA Inc. "as part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies."
Nplate is used to treat radiation sickness during nuclear emergencies. It reduces bleeding during exposure to radiation.
"As part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is purchasing a supply of the drug Nplate from Amgen USA Inc; Nplate is approved to treat blood cell injuries that accompany acute radiation syndrome in adult and pediatric patients (ARS).
Amgen, based in Thousands Oaks, California, developed Nplate for ARS with support from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), as well as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.
BARDA is using its authority provided under the 2004 Project Bioshield Act and $290 million in Project BioShield designated funding to purchase this supply of the drug. Amgen will maintain this supply in vendor-managed inventory.
This approach decreases life-cycle management costs for taxpayers because doses that near expiration can be rotated into the commercial market for rapid use prior to expiry and new doses can be added to the government supply.
ARS, also known as radiation sickness, occurs when a person’s entire body is exposed to a high dose of penetrating radiation, reaching internal organs in a matter of seconds. Symptoms of ARS injuries include impaired blood clotting as a result of low platelet counts, which can lead to uncontrolled and life-threatening bleeding.
To reduce radiation-induced bleeding, Nplate stimulates the body’s production of platelets. The drug can be used to treat adults and children.
Nplate is also approved for adult and pediatric patients with immune thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder resulting in low platelet counts. Repurposing drugs for acute radiation syndrome that also are approved for a commercial indication helps to sustain availability of the product and improves healthcare provider familiarity with the drug.
About HHS, ASPR, and BARDA: HHS works to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. ASPR leads HHS in preparing the nation to respond to and recover from adverse health effects of emergencies, supporting communities’ ability to withstand adversity, strengthening health and response systems, and enhancing national health security.
Within ASPR, BARDA invests in the innovation, advanced research and development, acquisition, and manufacturing of medical countermeasures – vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products – needed to combat health security threats." Read Full Statement
US Navy Reconnaissance Plan Spotted In Baltic Hours After Pipeline Began Leaking - NORD STREAM PIPELINE - A U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane (P-8A Poseidon) was spotted flying across the Baltic Sea just hours after the Nord Stream pipeline began leaking into the ocean on September 26th, 2022.
Around the time the pipelines began leaking fuel into the Baltic Sea Seismologists registered two explosions in the same area.
Reuters cited a U.S. Navy spokesperson as saying, "The U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft shown in the tracking data conducted a routine Baltic Sea maritime reconnaissance flight, unrelated to the leaks from the Nord Stream pipelines".
When asked if any intelligence was collected that might aid investigators in understanding how the pipeline ruptures occurred, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa spokesperson, Capt. Tamara Lawrence said: "We do not have any additional information to provide at this time."
The crime scene survey by the Swedish Security Service (SAPO) reported in a press release that large explosions had occurred causing the damage to the pipelines.
"The crime scene investigation has shown that there have been detonations near Nord Stream 1 and 2, within the Swedish economic zone, resulting in extensive damage to the gas pipelines," SAPO's statement said.
"The investigation into the Nord Stream events is being conducted by the Swedish Security Service and is headed by a National Security Unit prosecutor. As the crime scene investigation has been completed, the prosecutor has lifted the cordons around the area," the Swedish security service added.
US Navy Reconnaissance Plan Spotted In Baltic Hours After Pipeline Began Leaking - NORD STREAM PIPELINE - A U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane (P-8A Poseidon) was spotted flying across the Baltic Sea just hours after the Nord Stream pipeline began leaking into the ocean on September 26th, 2022.
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Regarding Provocation by Belarus - Translated statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding alleged provocation by Belarus (accusations by Belarus that Ukraine was planning an attack on Belarus territory).
"On the evening of October 8, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Minsk, Ihor Kyzym, was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, and he was presented with a diplomatic note.
In the note, the Belarusian side claims that Ukraine is allegedly planning an attack on the territory of Belarus.
This information is not true. We categorically reject the next insinuations of the Belarusian regime. We do not rule out that the handing over of the diplomatic note may be part of the Russian Federation's plan to provoke and further accuse Ukraine.
We call on the Belarusian people not to succumb to provocations.
Ukraine has never encroached on foreign territories. We strictly adhere to the fundamental norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter.
The authorities in Belarus should stop following the whims of the Kremlin and immediately stop supporting Russia in its aggression against Ukraine."
Russia Reports 3 People Dead In Bridge Explosion - RIA Novosti has reported that three people died in the bridge explosion, according to Russia's investigative committee.
Novosti cited the committee as saying, "These are, presumably, the passengers of a car that was next to the blown up truck. At present, the bodies of two dead men and women have already been raised from the water, their identities are being established"
The Russian state news agency also reported that "according to the documents, the van was owned by a resident of the Kuban".
"Investigators are studying the route of his movement, and are also conducting searches at the place of residence," Novosti added.
Bomb Severely Damages Bridge Linking Crimea To Russia - A 12 mile long bridge linking Russia-annexed Crimea with Russia across the Kerch Strait has been severely damaged by a bomb.
Russia says that the damage was caused by a truck bomb that went on to ignite seven railway cars that had been carrying fuel, which resulted in "partial collapse of two sections of the bridge."
Damage to the bridge, however looks to be far more extensive than Russia has reported it to be.
RIA Novosti reports: (translated) "There are no forecasts for the timing of the restoration of the Crimean bridge yet, Peskov told RIA Novosti".
Zelensky Says Ukraine Has Liberated 940 Square Miles Of Land From Russia - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky put out a video address on Friday announcing that Ukraine has liberated 2,434 square kilometers (940 square miles), as well as 96 settlements in Ukraine's east in their recent offensive against Russian positions.
He also announced that last week Ukrainian forces took 776 square kilometers (300 square miles), as well as 29 settlements in Ukraine's east. Thursday, he stated that over 500 square kilometers (190 square miles) of land had been recaptured in Ukraine's south.
IAEA: Power Transmission Line To Zaporizhia Nuclear Reactor Shelled - Posted by official International Atomic Energy Agency account (IAEA): "Yesterday, an industrial zone outside the #Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine was shelled, damaging the power transmission line that supplies power to the No. 6 reactor unit, which had to temporarily rely on emergency diesel generators for power."
Five diesel generators at the #zaporozhye nuclear power plant powered the reactor for about an hour and a half, after which the unit was connected to alternative power sources at the other four reactors, keeping the core cool.
"I am very grateful to our two experts who have been working at the plant for over five weeks, as well as the four experts who are currently working there. This is what they have done in extremely challenging conditions. Extremely important work and we are proud of them." Today, IAEA experts replaced colleagues who previously worked at the #Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. Director General@rafaelmgrossi."
Lukashenko: Moscow, Minsk will think about Response To The Nuclear Threat In Poland - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko: Moscow and Minsk will think about the response to the nuclear threat in Poland. (translated)
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti quoted Lukashenko as saying, "You have heard statements that they allegedly have already agreed: we will move nuclear weapons arsenals to Poland. We will think. We have already decided, we will think again how to respond to this. Don’t worry, everything will be fine".
Biden: Threat Of Nuclear Armageddon Highest Since Cuban Missile Crisis In 1962 - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the threat of nuclear Armageddon is at the highest level since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated Tuesday amidst reports that nuclear weapons were being moved to the frontlines that, "We have not seen any reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture, nor do we have indication that Russia is preparing to imminently use nuclear weapons".
U.S. Strategic Command on September 28th also stated, "We haven’t seen any evidence at this time that Russia will use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. We take these threats very seriously, but we have not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture at this time."
Putin is "not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons, because his military is, you might say, significantly under performing," Biden said.
He also said, "we have not seen the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis" and said "we have a direct threat of the use of nuclear weapons if in fact things continue down the path they are going".
"We've got a guy I know fairly well..."
"We're trying to figure out what is Putin's off-ramp," Biden stated.
"I don't think there's any such thing as the ability to easily (use) a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon," Biden added.
"Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself in a position that he does not, not only lose face, but lose significant power within Russia?".
Putin has repeatedly pointed to Russia's vast nuclear capabilities, making a statement on September 21st that said, “I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction ... and when the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, to protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal".
"It’s not a bluff," He added.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said last week that the United States has been "clear" to Russia about the "consequences" of using nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
"This is something that we are attuned to, taking very seriously, and communicating directly with Russia about, including the kind of decisive responses the United States would have if they went down that dark road" Sullivan stated.
Swedish Security Service Concludes Investigations On Nord Stream Pipeline Leaks - Swedish security service concluded its investigation on the four Nord stream pipeline leaks and stated: "There have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines."
"The crime scene investigation that the Security Police conducted at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines is now complete. The investigation has strengthened the suspicions of serious sabotage."
"Chamber prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist has decided to lift the blockades around Nord Stream 1 and 2. The crime scene investigation is now finished and the suspicion has been strengthened."
"- We can confirm that there have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish economic zone, which have caused extensive damage to the gas pipelines. The crime scene investigation has strengthened the suspicions of serious sabotage. Seizures have been made at the crime scene and these will now be investigated. There is pre-trial confidentiality and the case is very sensitive."
"The cooperation between the Prosecutor's Office, the Security Police, the Coast Guard and the Armed Forces works very well. It is a serious incident and it is a message of strength that the authorities involved fulfill their respective tasks in the best possible way, says chamber prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist, who leads the preliminary investigation."
General Petraeus: US Would Destroy Russia's Troops And Equipment, Sink Black Sea Fleet If Putin Uses Nuclear Weapons - United States - If Russian President Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons, the US and its allies "would destroy Russia’s troops and equipment in Ukraine and will sink its Black Sea fleet," former CIA director and retired four-star general for the United States Army David Petraeus stated in an interview Sunday.
"Just to give you a hypothetical, we would respond by leading a NATO, a collective effort, that would take out every Russian conventional force that we can see and identify on the battlefield in Ukraine and also in Crimea and every ship in the Black Sea," he added.
When asked if Putin using nuclear weapons in Ukraine would draw America and NATO into the war, the General said that it would not trigger NATO's Article 5, which states that an attack on one member of the NATO alliance is an attack on all NATO members, due to the fact that Ukraine is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but he did say that there would be a NATO response to such an attack.
He said that radiation from such an attack would likely reach NATO member countries protected by Article 5, which could be seen as an attack on a NATO member.
"Perhaps you can make that case, the other case is that this is so horrific that there has to be a response – it cannot go unanswered.”
However, he also added "You don’t want to, again, get into a nuclear escalation here. But you have to show that this cannot be accepted in any way."
He said that he did not speak with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on what the response from the United States would be if Russia used nuclear weapons, but said that officials in the administration has been communicating the response to Russia in dedicated channels.
General Petraeus claimed that Putin is losing the war in Ukraine, and said that "the battlefield reality he [Putin] faces" is "irreversible".
Nord Stream 2 No Longer Leaking, Equalibrium Reached - EUROPE - The Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Baltic Sea is no longer leaking, according to a Nord Stream 2 spokesman who talked to the AFP news agency.
The Spokesman said that an equilibrium has been reached between the gas pressure, and water pressure.
Nord Stream 2 Spokesman Ulrich Lissek stated, "The water pressure has more or less closed the pipeline so that the gas which is inside can’t go out. The conclusion is that there is still gas in the pipeline."
When he was asked how much gas he believes is in the pipeline, he said "That is the one-million-dollar question."
An explosion, which is believed to have been an act of sabotage caused four leaks to appear in the pipeline in the Baltic Sea, off Bornholm, Denmark.
Two of the leaks are in the Swedish exclusive economic zone, while the other two are in the Danish exclusive economic zone.
Swedish and Danish reports say that they believe the pipeline was ruptured by hundreds of kilograms of explosives.
Danish news The Local cited a joint report by Denmark and Sweden to the United Nations Security Council that said, "The magnitude of the explosions was measured at 2.3 and 2.1 on the Richter Scale, respectively, probably corresponding to an explosive load of several hundred kilos".
The Danish and Swedish joint report said, "All available information indicates that those explosions are the result of a deliberate act".
White House National Security Advisor Says Reinforcements Have Been Sent To Europe To Bolster Forces - White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says the US military in Europe is ready for "any contingency" and says that multiple reinforcements have been sent to bolster US forces in Europe.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said "We feel we have in place right now the capacity to respond to any contingency".
Russian Nuclear Capable Bombers Spotted Near Finland - The Israeli intelligence firm called ImageSat International (ISI) has spotted an "irregular presence" of Russian TU-160 and TU-95 strategic bomber aircraft at the Olenya Airbase, which is located close to Finland on the Kola Peninsula near Murmansk.
The satellite images show four TU-160s on August 21st, and three TU-95s on September 25th.
“Through ongoing Patterns-of-Life, the system indicates that Engels Air Base is the possible departure point of the strategic bombers detected in Olenya airbase," the ISI report stated.
The Engels Air Base is the only Russian air base near Ukraine that contains strategic bombers, which are able to carry both cruise missiles and strategic nuclear warheads.
The bombers have been "active in the Ukrainian war" since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The reason for the strategic bombers being moved to the Olenya Airbase is unclear, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has been recently threatening that Russia could use nuclear weapons, and then saying "this is not a bluff".
Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Vadym Skibitsky had said that the threat of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine is "very high" during an interview with The Guardian Tuesday.
Skibitsky said that the tactical nuclear weapons would be likely used on the front lines where there is a large number of people, equipment and command centers, as well as critical infrastructure so as to inflict the most damage to Ukraine.
Ukraine Applies For NATO Membership - Ukraine has said that they are officially submitting an application for membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Ukrainian President Volodomir Zelensky said in a speech, "De facto, we have already become a NATO ally. We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other. This is the Alliance. Today Ukraine submits an application to make this de jure. (Our accession) would be a formal solidifying of the real state of things we've already achieved.."
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense stated, "Today Ukraine is submitting its application for NATO Membership."
"We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine's application for accelerated accession to NATO.
"It was our state that repeatedly offered Russia to agree on coexistence on equal, honest, dignified and fair terms. It is obvious that this is impossible with this Russian president. He does not know what dignity and honesty are. Therefore, we are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another president of Russia," he added.
Reports Of Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant Being On Fire False - Multiple reports that the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant was on fire and that power unit Number 6 was damaged. Energodar's official channel says that these reports are false. Official looking Telegram channel transcripts are being passed around social media, but Energodar has rejected the claims. Russian state media have also reported that the claims are false.
Energodar Official Statement
"!! As of 15:40 on 29 September 2022, no fires and ignitions were recorded at Zaporizhzhia NPP power units.
False information about a fire at the second power unit of ZNPP is being spread in Telegram channels. We officially inform that this is not true. As of 15:40 on September 29, 2022, no fires and ignitions were recorded at Zaporizhzhia NPP power units.
We assume that this false information appeared as a result of the following event. The perimeter around Zaporizhzhya NPP is mined by the Russian military, who are at the station. There have already been six cases when these mines exploded due to wild boars, dogs, foxes. Today, another explosion occurred on the perimeter - on the line supplying voltage to the nitrogen-oxygen station from power unit No. 6. As a result of the explosion, the line was damaged, due to a voltage surge, one of the voltage transformers at power unit No. 6 was short-circuited with a slight smoke. For safety reasons, a fire brigade was called, but it was not necessary to use it, because it was not necessary.
So, now the greatest danger is posed by the perimeter of the plant and approaches and entrances to it mined by the Rashists. There is only one way to guarantee complete safety of ZNPP and its surroundings - by creating a security zone, de-occupation of the plant and returning it under the control of the state of Ukraine."
Poland Issues New Travel Alert Advising Against Travel To Russia - Poland has issued a new travel alert advising against any travel to the Russian Federation in connection with the war in Ukraine and the recognition of Poland by the authorities of the Russian Federation as an "unfriendly state".
Although the alert was recently posted over Twitter by the Ministry, it appears to be an ongoing alert.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against any travel to the Russian Federation in connection with the war in Ukraine and the recognition of Poland by the authorities of the Russian Federation as an unfriendly state."
The readout of the alert on their website states: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against any travel to the Russian Federation in connection with the war in Ukraine and the recognition of Poland by the authorities of the Russian Federation as an unfriendly state.
We would like to draw your attention to the suspension of direct air connections between Poland and Russia and the very limited possibilities of travel to / from Poland, the lack or extremely limited access to funds allocated in Poland (e.g. the inability to use Polish payment cards), as well as the activities of local services, such as arbitrary detentions, cell phone searches and the potential impossibility of leaving Russia in the event of dual citizenship.
Due to the significantly reduced number of Polish diplomatic and consular staff in Russia, the possibility of providing direct consular assistance to Polish citizens is very limited.
In the event of a drastic deterioration of the security situation, the closure of borders or other unforeseen situations, evacuation may turn out to be significantly difficult or even impossible.
We recommend that you follow the announcements on the website of the Ministry and on the websites of Polish missions in Russia and report your stay in the " Odysseus " system.
We recommend Polish citizens staying on the territory of the Russian Federation to leave its territory with available commercial and private means."
Germany: Leaks On Nord Stream Look Like Targeted Attacks, Explosions Recorded - German authorities say that a pressure drop of both the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines look to be a "targeted attack". Explosions have been recorded in the area before the leaks were detected. Read Full Article
Russian Official Medvedev: Nuclear Weapon Threat "Not A Bluff - Russian official Medvedev said that the United States would not intervene even if Russia uses the "most formidable weapon," and said the country has the right to use nuclear weapons "if necessary," and said that it is "certainly not a bluff". Read Full Article
DOD: Conflict With Nuclear Peer Possible, As Russia Uses Dangerous Nuclear Rhetoric - RUSSIA/UKRAINE - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a "partial mobilization", as well as Putin's threats to use "all means" at Russia's disposal to protect the country, saying that Putin's speech used "dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric". Read Full Article
North Korean State News: Country Is Not And Will Not Be Exporting Weapons To Russia - North Korean state media has reported that the country is not exporting weapons to Russia, and does not have any plans at all to do so.
The North Korean military issued a 'rare' statement according to North Korea's state news agency KCNA, where it said, "We have never exported weapons or ammunition to Russia before and we will not plan to export them".
The statement also said, "We condemn the U.S. for thoughtlessly circulating the rumor against the DPRK to pursue its base political and military aim."
"Not only the development, production, possession of military equipment, but also their export and import are the lawful right peculiar to a sovereign state. We have never recognized the UNSC unlawful 'sanctions resolution' against the DPRK, which was cooked up by the U.S. and its vassal forces."
Russia Drafts 300,000 Reservists, Announces Number Of Combat Deaths - MOSCOW - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has announced that Russia will be drafting 300,000 reservists, and says that mobilization is necessary in order to "consolidate" Ukrainian territory that the country has occupied. Read Full Article
White House: Putin Appears To Be On Brink Of Potential Mobilization Measures - US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says that President Putin appears to be on the brink of proceeding with plans to hold "sham referenda" in areas of Ukraine and potentially preparing for potential mobilization measures. Russia says, "there will be no general mobilization" but may be martial law. Read Full Article
Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on Defense stated that "there will be no general mobilization," but said that martial law "could be introduced in some places".
This, after the White House released a statement saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be on the brink of proceeding with plans to hold "sham referenda" in areas of Ukraine and potentially preparing for potential mobilization measures.
Kartapolov said, "There will be no general mobilization. The president has spoken about this more than once and is directly speaking through his press secretary Dmitry Peskov and many other politicians at the federal level. "Law" is not the same as "mobilization." It is not adopted specifically for a special military operation, it is adopted, to perform it for a long time, at least until the time comes when the need for it disappears".
He also added, "The closest analogue is the counter-terrorist operation regime, which during the first and second Chechen wars was declared in the border areas. In Stavropol, for example. During martial law, all power in the region is completely transferred to the military administration, restrictions on the movement of citizens are introduced the same commandant hour, - a special mode of operation of critical infrastructure facilities, a ban on entry and exit, and so on. That, in fact, all this will happen".
Ukraine Accuses Russia Of Shelling Second Nuclear Power Plant - The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has accused Russia of attempting to shell a second nuclear power plant in the Mykolaiv region. The defense ministry posted a video allegedly showing the shelling taking place.
The shelling is said to have taken place 300 meters from the nuclear power plant, which caused a "powerful explosion".
The statement the ministry posted said, "Last night russian terrorists attempted to strike the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant in the Mykolaiv region. A missile fell 300 meters from the plant. kremlin’s nuclear terrorism continues. russia is the threat to the whole world."
A statement by Ukraine’s operator of the nuclear power stations Energoatom said, "The shock wave damaged the buildings of the nuclear power plant, more than 100 windows were broken. One of the hydraulic units of the Oleksandrivska Hydroelectric Power Plant, which is part of the South Ukrainian power complex, shut down. Three high-voltage power transmission lines also shut down".
Ceasefire Between Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Holding Up - After a ceasefire agreement was reached between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the countries Ministry of Defense is reporting no new activity, indicating that the ceasefire between the two countries is holding up thus far.
Germany Takes Control Of Three Russian Oil Refineries - Germany has taken control of three Russian oil refineries, it said on Friday, September 16th. Rosneft Deutschland GmbH and RN Refining & Marketing GmbH, it announced will be placed under Germany's Federal Network Agency. Read Full Article
CIA: No Concrete Evidence Russia Planning To Use Weapons Of Mass Destruction - CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said that although we should not underestimate Putin's adherence to his original plan to control Ukraine, the CIA has no concrete evidence that Russia is planning to use "weapons of mass destruction".
"I don't think we should underestimate Putin's adherence to his original plan to control Ukraine. I don't think we've seen any reason to believe he's given that up," he stated, after being asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin possibly using weapons of mass destruction if his progress in Ukraine is hindered by the Ukrainian military.
He said that although the United States shouldn't underestimate the Russian President's "risk appetite", "We have seen no concrete evidence of planning to use weapons of mass destruction," according to the Radio Free Europe news agency.
Intense Fighting Between Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan - Fighting has been reported between Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, in which both countries have blamed each other for violating the ceasefire agreement. Read Full Article
DOD: $600 Million Additional Aid To Ukraine - DoD authorizes the Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $600 million to Ukraine. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s twenty-first drawdown since August 2021. Read Full Article
Ongoing Report: Azerbaijan And Armenia Exchange Fire, And Blame - Ongoing Report: Azerbaijan and Armenia exchanged fire, with each side's Ministry of Defense putting out a version of events that conflicts with the other's. The below statements from each respective Ministry of Defense has been translated to English. Updated September 14th, 2022. Read Full Article
Greece Fires On Turkish Vessel, Says It Entered Territorial Waters - Greece has fired on a Turkish vessel and said that it entered territorial waters. Turkey, on the other hand, says that the incident happened in international waters, and that Greece shot at it with 'harassment fire'. Read Full Article
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Reestablished To Ukrainian Power Grid - UKRAINE - After the six-reactor Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor, the largest nuclear reactor in Europe, and one of the top 10 largest in the world had been disconnected from power for around a weeks time, it has now had its connection to Ukraine's power grid reestablished. Read Full Article
DOD: Biden Administration Announces Another $2.68 Billion Assistance To Ukraine - DOD - The Defense Department has put out a statement saying that the Biden administration has approved another assistance package valued at $675 million in "U.S. assistance to Ukraine", along with another $2 Billion in long-term military financing to "European countries threatened by Russia". Read Full Article
Russia: Gas Supplies To Europe Won't Be Resumed Until Western Sanctions Lifted - Gas supplies to Europe won't be resumed until the West lifts sanctions against Moscow, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who said that Western sanctions against Russia are to blame for the Nord Stream pipeline being taken offline. Read Full Article
Queen Elizabeth II Has Now Passed On - Queen Elizabeth II Has Now Passed On. The official Royal Family Twitter account has released a statement saying that the Queen Elizabeth II has now passed on. The statement said, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
Putin Confident Russia Hasn't Lost A Thing From Ukraine Conflict | Brief Conflict Overview - MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he is "confident" that Russia hasn't lost a thing during Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Brief overview on what started the conflict in 2014. Brief conflict overview.. Read Full Article
Invasion Of Taiwan Would Give Emboldened China Edge Over Microchip Industry - China has been increasingly aggressive about controlling the microchip industry and emboldened in its aggressive stance towards Taiwan since the U.S. pullout of Afghanistan, and the lack of direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict by the United States. Read Full Article
Gazprom Signs Deal With China To Pay For Gas In Yuan And Rubles Rather Than US Dollar - Russian energy giant Gazprom has said that it has signed a deal with China to pay for Russian gas in the Chinese yuan and Russian ruble, rather than paying with the U.S. dollar. Read Full Article
Declassified Intelligence: Russia Requested Ammunition From North Korea - According to a newly declassified U.S. Intelligence, Russia could be purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea. The White House has indicated that Moscow looking to purchase arms from North Korea and claims that it is further evidence that Russia is desperate, and that its ammunition supplies are running low as its "special operation" on Ukraine passes its six and a half month mark. Read Full Article
Zaporizhzhia Power Plant Forced Offline, As The IAEA Team Reports Risks - ZAPORIZHZHIA - One day after a visit by the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) team, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was forced offline after an artillery shell fell between two reactors, damaging the main power line on Saturday morning, September 3rd. Read Full Article
Siemens Energy Says Leak Not A Reason To Stop Nord Stream Pipeline - RUSSIA - Siemens Energy corporation has put out a statement saying that an engine oil leak is no reason to stop the Nord Stream gas pipeline, and said that the leak should have been able to be sealed on site. Read Full Article
IAEA Team Mission To Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Successful - ENERHODAR - The UN IAEA Team, led by Director-General Rafael Grossi, has arrived, conducted their intended safeguarding mission, and left the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Read Full Article
Russia Initiates Wargames With China And Others Amid Tensions With The Western World - KREMLIN - On Thursday, September 1st, Russia initiated the Vostok 2022 exercise. Being held in the far east of Russia and the Sea of Japan, The wargames are intended to demonstrate to western countries that Russia still has enough military to hold these massive exercises while it is still engaged in Ukraine. Read Full Article
As IAEA Proceeds To The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Tensions Mount - KYIV - On Wednesday, August 31st, The United Nations International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) dispatched its team to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), amid rising tensions between The Russian Federation and the sovereign state of Ukraine. Read Full Article
IAEA Team On It's Way To Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - Amid renewed shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the UN's IAEA has decided to go ahead and visit the plant and has dispatched a team of nuclear specialists. The facility, which has a total of six nuclear reactors, has already been taken completely offline during shelling the previous week, according to the IAEA website. Read Full Article
Security Alert – Montenegro, (Near Kosovo) - A security alert has been released by the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro, which is located near Kosovo. Event: A persistent and ongoing cyber-attack is in process in Montenegro. The attack may include disruptions to the public utility, transportation (including border crossings and airport), and telecommunication sectors. Actions to take: Be aware of your surroundings, Limit movement and travel to the necessities, Review your personal security plans, Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible, Monitor local media for updates. Read Full Article
BRICS: Russia & India No Longer Need U.S. Dollar - The president of the BRICS International Forum, Purnima Anand told reporters on Thursday that both Russia and India no longer need the U.S. dollar, as they have turned to national currencies to conduct mutual settlements. Read Full Article
Final Agreement At UN Nuclear Treaty Conference Blocked By Russia - Final review and agreement of the U.N. Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which is its foundation for nuclear disarmament, was blocked by Russia due to its critical statements regarding Russia's invasion in nation of Ukraine. Read Full Article
U.S. Threatens Sanctions on Turkey For Russia Connections - The United States Treasury Department has issued a letter that contains a threat of possible sanctions for Turkey's leading business organization on the grounds of Russian Collaboration. Read Full Article
Ukrainian Train Station Attacked By Russia On Ukraine's Independence Day - CHAPLYNE, UKRAINE - On Ukraine's Independence Day, Wednesday, August 24th, A Russian missile strike hit a civilian train station in the small town of Chaplyne, which is in the central Dnipropetrovsk region. Originally it was reported that 15 were deceased and 50 were wounded. The death toll has risen to 22. Read Full Article
Gazprom Announces Nord Stream Shutdown For 3 Days - Gas flow from Nord Stream will be stopped for three days, from August 31st to September 2nd, according to Russian state news agency TASS, who says that the downtime is needed in order to repair the only fuel compressor unit that currently remains in operation. Read Full Article
Russian And Ukrainian Nationals Arrested Trying to Enter Albanian Military Plant - Three foreign citizens, 2 from Russia and 1 from Ukraine, have been arrested while trying to enter an Albanian Military Plant, with 2 Albanian soldiers injured in the event. Read Full Article
Independence Day Gatherings Banned In Ukraine For Safety Concerns - KYIV - Wednesday, August 24th, will mark 31 years free from Soviet rule in Ukraine, but the date will come and go, without celebration, in fears of safety concerns, due to Russia's "special military operation." Read Full Article
US Embassy In North Macedonia: Flyover Of B-52s Today - The US Embassy in North Macedonia put out a message saying, "Look up! Today at 2:30 pm there will be a low-altitude flyover of two B-52s in Skopje. The purpose of the flyover is to demonstrate U.S. commitment and assurance to NATO Allies and Partners in the Balkans." Read Full Article
US Embassy In North Macedonia: Flyover Of B-52s Today - The US Embassy in North Macedonia put out a message saying, "Look up! Today at 2:30 pm there will be a low-altitude flyover of two B-52s in Skopje. The purpose of the flyover is to demonstrate U.S. commitment and assurance to NATO Allies and Partners in the Balkans." Read Full Article
US State Department Deeply Concerned About Turkish Military Activity In Syria - The U.S. State Department said on Thursday that they are deeply concerned about increasing tensions in Northeastern Syria regarding a suspected Turkish drone attack that killed four teenage girls and injured 11 other people who were playing volleyball at a girl's center in Hasakah, Syria. Read Full Article
Daughter Of Famous Russian Public Figure Alexander Dugin Killed In Car Explosion - The daughter of famous Russian public figure and political scientist Alexander Dugin was killed in a vehicle explosion on a highway near Moscow according to authorities and Russian state media.
The daughter of famous Russian public figure and political scientist Alexander Dugin was killed in a vehicle explosion near on a highway near Moscow according to authorities and Russian state media.
The vehicle that Darya Dugina was in at the time exploded on the Mozhayskoye highway at about 9:45 pm Saturday, with preliminary reports saying that she had died instantly in the blast, along with another woman who was the driver of the vehicle at the time the blast took place.
According to a Russian Investigation Committee, "The crime was planned in advance and committed on order, according to information received."
US Military B-52 Nuclear Capable Bombers Return To Base In United Kingdom - On August 18th US military B-52 nuclear-capable bombers returned to the 'RAF' Fairford US Air Force base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom from the Minot Air Base in North Dakota.
B-52 bombers can travel up to 8,800 miles without needing to refuel, up to 70,000 lbs of equipment and fly up to 50,000 feet. The RAF Fairford base is a forward operating base for the United States while carrying out missions with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies.
The United States Air Force stated that "Regularly integrating with our allies improves our cooperation and operational capacity, capability and interoperability. Occurring since 2018, bomber rotations through Europe maintain our readiness to execute a wide variety of missions across two continents, sustaining peace through deterrence."
Mykolaiv, Ukraine Puts Out Official Radiation Exposure Notice For Population - Ukraine's Mykolaiv Regional State Administration has put out a radiation exposure notice on its official Facebook page for the Ukrainian population outside of the NPP surveillance zone. Read Full Article
Major US Security Assistance Package Of $775 Million To Ukraine To Be Unveiled - The United States Department of Defense has released a statement regarding another major security assistance package to be sent to Ukraine valued at $775 million. View DOD Statement
China Holds Joint 2022 International Military Exercises Co-Hosted By 12 Countries - The Chinese Ministry of Defense has reported that their military is carrying out joint military exercises that are co-hosted by 12 countries, with 37 countries in total participating. Read Full Article
Gazprom Says Gas Prices In Europe Could Go Up Over $4,000 This Winter - Gazprom, Russia's state-owned energy corporation says that gas prices in Europe could go over $4,000 per 1,000 cubic meters for the first time in history on Tuesday. Read Full Article
United States at Edge of War With China and Russia, Weighs In Henry Kissinger - Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, in an analytical statement of world events, states that the U.S. is "Teetering on the brink of war" with China and Russia and owns some responsibility for its manifestation. Read Full Article
Market In The Capital of Armenia Hit With Huge Explosion - ARMENIA - A series of explosions hit the Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan, Armenia's capital, on August 14th, leaving 20 people injured and 1 person dead. Fires have now broken out and an unknown number of people are reportedly trapped under debris, according to the Yerevan Mayor's office. Read Full Article
Russian Federation Begins Using Out-Of-Date Aircraft As It Loses Fighters At An Alarming Rate - CRIMEA - Approximately 24 Su-35 aircraft have been lost during the special military operation in Ukraine, resulting in the Russian Federation resurrecting old and outdated fighter jets, according to a social media post from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Read Full Article
NORAD: Alaskan Defense Zone Breached By Russian Surveillance Aircraft - From the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), For the last two days, there have been two known incursions into the Alaskan Air Defense Zone, a buffer zone that sits between the airspace of Alaska and international air space, by Russian surveillance aircraft, which were detected, identified, and tracked off the coast. Read Full Article
Fighting Around Russia-Controlled Nuclear Plant In Ukraine Raising Concerns - SOUTHERN UKRAINE - Caught in crossfire, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, on the Dnieper River, near the town of Enerhodar, is being watched very closely by international eyes as the power plant receives heavy artillery rounds, causing fears of a Chernobyl-like nuclear incident. Read Full Article
Large Explosion At Russian Air Base In Russian-Controlled Crimea - NOVOFEDOROVKA, CRIMEA - On August 9th at 3:20 pm local time, a very powerful explosion shook Crimea, as the Saky Russian air base in the annexed region explodes into flames, marking a major escalation in the war in Ukraine. Plumes of smoke filled the sky, causing residents and tourists to flee the city as first responders raced towards the blast. Read Full Article
The Russian Federation Leaves the New START Nuclear Arms Control Treaty - Russia stated on Monday, August 8th that they would no longer allow inspection of weapons under the New START Nuclear Arms Control Treaty for an unspecified time due to restrictions on travel implemented by the United States and the west. Read Full Article
China Responds To G7 Joint Statement Regarding The Taiwan Strait - The Group of Seven (G7) Foreign ministers released a joint statement regarding Taiwan calling an end to China's provocative exercises around the island of Taiwan, after which the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) condemned the statement and called it scrap paper. Read Full Article
Putin and Erdogan Meet In Sochi, Russia For Negotiations On Food Crisis And Other Topics - SOCHI, RUSSIA - Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, met today to secure an end to the global food crisis and resume exporting Ukrainian grain. Read Full Article
14 Bulgarian Diplomats Kicked From Russia - Russia has kicked 14 Bulgarian diplomats from the country and declared them persona non grata, in what looks to be a response to Bulgaria expelling 70 Russian diplomats over the summer.
Bulgaria had expelled the Russian diplomats due to espionage concerns and set a limit on the amount of Russian diplomats are allowed to represent Russia in Bulgaria.
U.S. Department Of State: Worldwide Travel Alert - The U.S. Department of State has put out a worldwide travel alert, advising against traveling abroad after Sunday's drone strike where two R9X Hellfire missiles killed al-Qaeda leader, and Osama bin Laden successor, Ayman al-Zawahri.
R9X Hellfire are "kinetic kill" missiles, meaning rather than cause an explosion that kills the target, these missiles deploy six metal blades that do the job.
"Following al-Zawahri's death, supporters of al- Qa'ida, or its affiliated terrorist organizations, may seek to attack U.S. facilities, personnel, or citizens," the State Department said.
A second worldwide travel alert was also put out for a "Global Level 3 Health Advisory" that said that citizens should "reconsider travel" abroad due to COVID-19.
The statement put out by the State Department was as follows:
Caution: August 2nd, 2022 - Worldwide Caution: Worldwide Cautions provide U.S. citizens with general information regarding terrorist activities, political violence, and criminal activity that occur abroad, as well as specific recommendations on how to prepare for possible contingencies, receive information on breaking security events and ensure that travelers can be contacted in an emergency. This version replaces the Worldwide Caution dated January 15, 2019.
The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. The Department of State believes there is a higher potential for anti-American violence given the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri on July 31, 2022. Current information suggests that terrorist organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions across the globe. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.
As terrorist attacks, political violence (including demonstrations), criminal activities, and other security incidents often take place without any warning, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness when traveling abroad. U.S. government facilities worldwide actively monitor potential security threats and may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
When planning a trip and prior to departing the United States, U.S. citizens should consult country specific Travel Advisories and information pages on travel.state.gov. Travelers are also urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and to make it easier to locate them in an emergency. The Department uses these security messages to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc. In an emergency, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate or call the following numbers: 1 (888) 407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1 (202) 501-4444 from other countries.
Private U.S. citizens should not travel to any country to participate in armed conflict. U.S. citizens are reminded that fighting on behalf of, or providing other forms of support to, designated terrorist organizations can constitute the provision of material support for terrorism, which is a serious crime that can result in penalties, including prison time and large fines.
White House Statement On Senate Ratification of the NATO Accession Protocols for Sweden and Finland - White House: "Today, the Senate overwhelmingly endorsed our close partners Finland and Sweden joining NATO. This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, and to ensuring our Alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
I thank the members of the Senate – especially Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Senator Menendez and Senator Risch — for their leadership and for quickly advancing the ratification process, the fastest Senate process for a NATO protocol since 1981. Finland and Sweden joining the Alliance will further strengthen NATO’s collective security and deepen the transatlantic partnership.
As I told Prime Minister Andersson and President Niinistö when I hosted them at the White House in May, the United States remains committed to the security of Sweden and Finland. We will continue working to remain vigilant against any threats to our shared security, and to deter and confront aggression or the threat of aggression.
I look forward to signing the accession protocols and welcoming Sweden and Finland, two strong democracies with highly capable militaries, into the greatest defensive alliance in history."
Russia: US Directly Involved In Ukraine Conflict, Could Trigger Nuclear Response - At the United Nations, Russia said that although the conflict in Ukraine does not require the use of nuclear weapons, Moscow might decide to resort to a nuclear response as a result of what it says is direct involvement in its conflict with Ukraine by the United States. Read Full Article
Current Tensions At Boiling Point Between Serbia & Kosovo - On July 31st, Serbs blocked roads that were located close to high-level border crossings with its neighbor Kosovo. On August 1st, new regulations in Kosovo, regarding ID documentation and license plates issued in Serbia were to come into force. The mood on the border has increased ever since. There have also been reported sightings of NATO peacekeeping forces flying in northern Kosovo. Read Full Article
New Nuclear Power Plant Being Built in Turkey, Financed By Russia - The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which is being built near Mersin, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is being constructed by the Russian state-owned nuclear power company, Rosatom, and is set to come online with its first two reactors in 2023. Even though Russia has invaded Ukraine in a special military operation, and NATO is the official nation group to stand against Russia for its actions, Turkey is still on track with its Russian collaborated nuclear energy contract. Read Full Article
First Shipment of Grain Leaves Odessa, Ukraine Monday 5:30 GMT - The first shipment of grain left Odessa, Ukraine on Monday, August 1st, at 5:30 GMT, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Read Full Article
International Support For China's One-China Policy Amid Escalation With US Over Taiwan - As Pelosi is expected to arrive in the Asia Pacific, growing concerns come from other countries who are in support of China instead of the United States and an independent Taiwan. Read Full Article
Neutral Zurich No Longer Neutral, Sanctions Possible If China Invades Taiwan - In the event China invades Taiwan, the director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs expects Switzerland to adopt any measures that are implemented by the European Union against China. Read Full Article
Turkish Consulate In Mosul, Iraq Targeted By Missiles - The Turkish consulate in Mosul, Iraq was targeted by missiles on Wednesday, after the Iraqi government claimed that Turkey had carried out artillery strikes in the Zakho District, in the Duhok Governorate that killed eight people, which Turkey has denied involvement in.
Four mortar missiles were reported to have been used in the attack. There were no casualties reported from the missile attack on the Turkish consulate, but damages to cars that were parked on the street near the consulate were reported by lawmaker Shirwan Dobardani, who spoke to AFP.
Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that a group who calls itself "Ababil Brigades" claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said, "We condemn this attack, in which no casualties were reported, in the strongest terms. We firmly request from the Iraqi authorities to fulfill their responsibilities in protecting diplomatic and consular missions."
It was a "grave and noteworthy development that this attack was carried out during the UN Security Council meeting, which was held upon the call of the Iraqi authorities," the ministry added.
- Alert Put Out By Donald Standeford
USTRANSCOM Moves 2,700 Pieces Of Army Equipment In Europe - The U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has announced that they have offloaded 2,700 pieces of U.S. Army equipment at the port Antwep-Bruges, Belgium, for onward movement by rail, commercial line-haul and barge in "response to Russia's aggression" in Ukraine.
Russia Set To Withdraw From International Space Station After 2024 - Yuri Borisov, who is head of the Roskosmos, Russia's state space agency has said that Russia will be withdrawing from the International Space Station (ISS) project after the year 2024. Read Full Article
USTRANSCOM Moves 2,700 Pieces Of Army Equipment In Europe - The U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has announced that they have offloaded 2,700 pieces of U.S. Army equipment at the port Antwep-Bruges, Belgium, for onward movement by rail, commercial line-haul and barge in "response to Russia's aggression" in Ukraine.
Russia Set To Withdraw From International Space Station After 2024 - Yuri Borisov, who is head of the Roskosmos, Russia's state space agency has said that Russia will be withdrawing from the International Space Station (ISS) project after the year 2024. Read Full Article
Russian Gas Giant Gazprom To Cut Gas Flows To Europe Down To 20% - Russian state owned energy corporation Gazprom had stated that it will reduce gas flows through the Nord Stream to 20% of its normal capacity on July 27th, 2022, taking injection down to 33 mln cubic meters of gas per day. Read Full Article
92 Ukrainian Armed Forces Personnel Charged With Crimes Against Humanity by the Kremlin - MOSCOW - Alexander Bastrykin, Russian investigative committee head, has told the government news site Rossiiskaya Gazeta, that over 1,300 criminal investigations have begun, regarding war crimes in Ukraine. Ukraine also said it was examining more than 21,000 war crimes which it alleges were carried out by Russian forces. Read Full Article
The Ongoing Turkish Operation: Claw-Lock, In Syria & Iraq - SYRIA/IRAQ - IRAQ - An ongoing military operation by the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Iraq, against the Kurdistan Workers' Party ( PKK ) in the Duhok Governorate, is the next phase of many operations utilizing the code word 'claw' aimed at the PKK. Other operations, beginning in 2019, prior to Claw-Lock include the following: Claw-Eagle, Claw-Tiger, Claw-Lightening, & Claw-Thunderbolt. Read Full Article
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Off To Africa Seeking Non-Western Allies - Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister is setting out on a trip to Egypt where he will meet with officials and solidify their relationship with Russia. Rosatom, a Russian state-owned energy corporation began construction on Egypt's first nuclear power plant. Read Full Article
White House Announces $270 Million In Defense Aid To Ukraine - White House Spokesperson John Kirby has announced $270 million in defense aid to Ukraine, including rocket systems, which will bring the total of US military assistance to Ukraine to $8.2 billion USD. Read Full Article
DOD: $270 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine - DOD: $270 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine. Immediate release from the Department of Defense. Included: 20 Soviet designed Mi-17 helicopters originally purchased by the US military to aid the Afghan military. Read Full Article
Department Of State: On Resuming Ukrainian Exports Through Black Sea - U.S. Depeartment of State - Quadrilateral Deal for Safe Passage of Agricultural Goods on the Black Sea. The United Nations, the Republic of Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia have committed to a plan for resuming Ukrainian exports through the Black Sea.
The United Nations, the Republic of Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia have committed to a plan for resuming Ukrainian exports through the Black Sea and getting millions of tons of Ukrainian grain to those who need it around the world. The United States welcomes this deal and commends UN Secretary-General Guterres and Turkish President Erdoğan for their committed diplomatic efforts to mediate these discussions.
Today's UN-brokered deal is a positive step towards addressing the far-reaching impacts of Russia's war. The international community must now hold Russia accountable for this deal, ending its effective blockade of Ukraine's ports and ensuring Ukrainian agricultural goods -- including grain, oilseeds, and sunflower oil -- reach world markets. Russia has weaponized food since the beginning of this crisis.
An end to Russia's blockade of Ukraine's agricultural exports through the Black Sea is, therefore, only one of the many steps Russia needs to take to ensure that food from Ukraine makes it to global markets. Global food security will remain at risk for as long as Russia continues its unjustified and brutal aggression against Ukraine. The world's hungry cannot wait, and we expect the implementation of today's deal to commence swiftly and proceed without interruption or interference.
Russia Restarts Gas Supply To Europe Via Nord Stream At Limited Capacity - Russia restarted its gas supply to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline on Thursday after 10 days of being closed off, according to Nord Stream AG, the pipeline's operator, who said: "gas is flowing". Gas flow is well below full capacity, however, and expected to fall even further. Read Full Article
CIA Estimates 15,000 Russians Killed So Far In Ukraine - CIA Director William Burns stated on Wednesday that the United States intelligence community estimates that around 15,000 Russian forces have been killed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion on the country since the war began.
The latest estimates from the U.S. intelligence community would be something in the vicinity of 15,000 [Russian soldiers] killed and maybe three times that wounded. So a quite significant set of losses," he said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.
He also added that the "Ukrainians have suffered as well -- probably a little less than that. But, you know, significant casualties."
Presidents Putin, Erdogan, & Supreme Leader Khamenei, Meeting in Iran - TEHRAN - Today there was a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayhip Erdogan, and the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. The topics of discussion were Ukrainian grain exports as well as peace in Syria. Read Full Article
New York National Guard Deploying To Train Ukrainian Soldiers - The New York National Guard are deploying to train Ukrainian soldiers. 140 troops Syracuse-situated 27th Infantry Brigade Combat squad deployed to Germany on Friday to assist Ukrainian military members..
The service members will reconstitute 160 Army National Guard from Florida from the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Task Force Gator; who are included in the Joint Multinational Training Group mission in Ukraine.
These soldiers have been instructing Ukrainian personnel at the Combat Training Center Yavoriv near Lviv in westernmost Ukraine since November of 2021.
The troops from team Gator were ordered to exit Ukraine for Germany in February of 2022 before Russia's invasion. The Gator team is the primary instructor for Ukrainian forces in Germany and other locations.
The New York team will prepare at Fort Bliss in Texas before situating in Germany. It is anticipated they will relieve the Gator team in September, according to American Military News.
New York's National Guard delivered 220 soldiers to Ukraine in 2017 for a 10-month training cycle involving Ukrainian forces in Yavoriv. That squad was accompanied by the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry based at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station; but included service personnel from all over New York.
The Joint Multinational Training Group has continually provided instruction and consultation to Ukrainian armed forces since 2015. The Army National Guard unit conflict affiliates supply direct support to the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine operation in 9-month revolutions as a factor for the army’s rotational guideline.
Some of the other countries that have participated in the JMTG-U missions while at Yavoriv are the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark, and Poland.
- Alert Put Out By Matt Pepple
Ukrainian Antonov-12 Aircraft Crashes In Greece, Suspected Of Carrying Dangerous Material - A Ukrainian owned, soviet made Antonov-12 (An-12Bk) plane carrying 8 crew members is reported to have crashed in Kavala, Northern Greece while flying from Serbia to Jordan, carrying 12 tons of dangerous material. Read Full Article
Russian Offensive Intensifying Overnight Striking Odesa and Others - ODESA - The Russian offensive in Ukraine intensified overnight following instruction from Russian Defense Minister, Sergey Shoigu announcing an intensified effort on all fronts in Ukraine to shore up military groups in the south and center. Read Full Article
British Aid Worker Captured By DPR Separatists Dies In Their Custody - A British aid worker who was captured by Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Russian separatists in April and accused of being a mercenary has died while in detention, according to BBC News. Read Full Article
Security Alert For US Embassy In Ukraine – Missile Threat Awareness - Event: The security situation throughout Ukraine continues to be violent and unpredictable due to ongoing military attacks by Russia, with active fighting in country and uncertain safety conditions. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens not to enter Ukraine and those in Ukraine to depart immediately using privately available ground transportation options if it is safe to do so. Avoid large gatherings and organized events as they may serve as Russian military targets anywhere in Ukraine, including its western regions.
If you hear a loud explosion or if sirens are activated, immediately seek cover. If in a home or a building, go to the lowest level of the structure with the fewest exterior walls, windows, and openings; close any doors and sit near an interior wall, away from any windows or openings.
If you are outdoors, immediately seek cover in a hardened structure; if that is not possible, lie down and cover your head with your hands. Be aware that even if the incoming missile or drone is intercepted, falling debris represent a significant risk. After the attack, stay away from any debris, and monitor major news outlets for official guidance.
The security situation throughout Ukraine is highly volatile, and conditions may deteriorate without warning. U.S. citizens should remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. Know the location of your closest shelter or protected space. In the event of mortar and/or rocket fire, follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately. If you feel your current location is no longer safe, you should carefully assess the potential risks involved in moving to a different location.
Actions To Take: Visit the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv’s webpage to view the most recent safety and security alerts for U.S. citizens. Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible. Review your personal security plans and always have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website for current Travel Advisories. Read the Country Specific Information for Ukraine. For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website.
Please see information on What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis. Visit Website for US Embassy In Ukraine.
Russia Says It Can't Guarantee Nord Stream Will Go Back Online After Repairs - (Based on translation) The Russian state gas giant Gazprom says that it can't guarantee that the Nord Stream pipeline will go back online after the major maintenance that is currently being done on it, according to Dutch daily newspaper Trouw.
Gazprom says that they have not seen any documents that allow the gas turbine that had been maintained by Siemens industrial manufacturing company in Canada to be returned to Russia.
Russia's gas company says that the turbine is required for the safe operation of the pipeline. Germany, however says that Gazprom still has a spare turbine that it could use, and blamed Russia for playing political games.
Russia Says It Can't Guarantee Nord Stream Will Go Back Online After Repairs - (Based on translation) The Russian state gas giant Gazprom says that it can't guarantee that the Nord Stream pipeline will go back online after the major maintenance that is currently being done on it, according to Dutch daily newspaper Trouw. Read Full Article
Ukraine Cuts Diplomatic Ties With North Korea - Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says that they have cut ties with North Korea as a result of North Korea recognizing the "independence" of Ukrainian territories under the occupation of Russia.
The statement put out by Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said that they strongly condemn the decision by North Korea to recognize the "so-called "independence" of the territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine".
"We consider this decision as an attempt by Pyongyang to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a gross violation of the Constitution of Ukraine, the UN Charter and the fundamental norms and principles of the international law," it added.
The DPR, or Donetsk People's Republic pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk, Ukraine had stated that it was in discussions with Pyongyang regarding North Korea's recognition of its independence.
After the North Korean embassy in Moscow reportedly confirmed their recognition of the DPR and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had announced that they were cutting diplomatic relations with North Korea.
"In response to such an unfriendly act, Ukraine announces the severance of diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [North Korea's official name]".
EU Lifts Restrictions On Sanctions For Russian Goods Being Transported Through Lithuania - The European Commission has released new guidelines that state sanctions against Russia do not apply to rail transit through Lithuania to Kaliningrad, Russia and that rail transit can only be used for essential goods. Read Full Article
European Commission: Guidance to EU Member States - The European Commission has today published further guidance to Member States on the transit of goods from Russia. This is part of regular technical exchanges on the practical implementation of EU restrictive measures. Read Full Article
White House: Iran Providing Russia With "Hundreds" Of Drones - The White House has said that the U.S. has "information" that indicates Iran is preparing, or already has given Russia "hundreds" unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and said that Iran plans to train Russian forces on using the drones as early as this month.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said, "Our information indicates that the Iranian government is preparing to provide Russia with up to several hundred UAVs, including weapons-capable UAVs on an expedited timeline".
He added that this is proof that Russia's attack on Ukraine is "coming at a cost to the sustainment of its own weapons".
Sullivan also said that Iran has likewise given similar UAVs to the Houthi rebels in Yemen so that they could be used against Saudi Arabia, before the ceasefire was reached earlier this year.
- Alert Put Out By Donald Standeford
Russian Parliament to hold an uncommon session - LONDON - The lower tier of the Russian parliament will assemble on July 15 for an unaccustomed meeting, its convention decided on Monday, just days after President Vladimir Putin warned that he had not even started to get serious about the conflict in Ukraine. Read Full Article
Germany And Europe Worry Russian Gas Might Be Cut Off For Good - Russian gas to Germany from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline has been completely stopped for the next 10 days, and shipments from the pipeline to .Europe are due to stop today. The West fears the gas flow may never come back. Read Full Article
Boris Johnson Resigns His Post Along With Others In The UK - UNITED KINGDOM - Boris Johnson's most well-known achievement was uniting the Conservative Party and Brexit, where the United Kingdom exited the European Union, and he just made a speech at 10 Downing Street, posting his resignation, according to The Washington Post. Read Full Article
Pentagon Looking To Send Weapons Inspectors Into Ukraine - The Pentagon is considering sending weapons inspectors to Ukraine in order to monitor the U.S. weaponry being sent to the country, according to Jed Royal, deputy director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Read Full Article
Young Russian Men Are Avoiding Military Service - Increased number of young Russian men are looking to avoid nations' obligatory military service since the conflict began in February. Read Full Article
Belarus Gives Russia Full Control Of Zyabrovka Air Field Near Ukrainian Border - Belarus has given Russia full control of the Zyabrovka air field located about 19 miles from the Belarusian border with Ukraine in the Gomel region, according to Oleksiy Gromov, deputy chief of the Main Operative Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Just recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin had stated that "unprecedented sanctions" and "political pressure from the collective West" had pushed both Russia and Belarus toward unification.
Nexta reported that Gromov said there are currently "activities to equip [a] Russian military base" at the location.
Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk had said on June 21st that there were up to seven battalions from Belarus on the Belarusian and Ukrainian border in both the Brest and Gomel regions, according to Ukrainian Interfax.
(Translation) of what Motuzianyk had stated, "This is up to 4,000 personnel. But you must understand that there are also Russian troops there. Considering that today the Belarusian side provides Russia with all the logistics, it is quite possible that the Russians will be able to quickly transfer some additional reserves to the territory of Belarus and, possibly, prepare an offensive, but they need to prepare for this. As of this day, we do not see it yet".
Putin: "War In Ukraine Just Beginning", Hints That Peace talks Will Become More Difficult with Time - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the "special military operation" in Ukraine "has not started anything in earnest," and said that the "war in Ukraine just beginning; hints that peace talks will become more difficult with time."
Any chances for peace arrangements will grow darker the longer the war continues on, the Russian leader said in a disturbing speech to parliamentary leaders. Putin states, "Today we hear that they want to defeat us on the battlefield. What can you say, let them try. We have heard many times that the West wants to fight us to the last Ukrainian.
"This is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people, but it seems that everything is heading towards this," he said, and added "Everyone should know that, by and large, we haven’t started anything yet in earnest. At the same time, we don’t reject peace talks. But those who reject them should know that the further it goes, the harder it will be for them to negotiate with us."
It should be noted that this is the first reference to statecraft negotiations in several weeks after statements from Moscow saying that arbitration had completely collapsed.
UK Warship Seized Iranian Missiles Headed To Gulf Of Oman - A British Royal Navy vessel had seized a shipment of Iranian missiles in the Gulf of Oman earlier this year. British officials also said that the seizure is proof that Iran is supporting Yemen's Houthi rebels.
The British embassy to the United Arab Emirates said that the seizure of surface-to-air missiles, as well as cruise missile engines is "the first time a British naval warship has interdicted a vessel carrying such sophisticated weapons from Iran".
James Heappey, who is the minister for the British Armed Forces released a statement saying, "The UK will continue to work in support of an enduring peace in Yemen and is committed to international maritime security so that commercial shipping can transit safely without threat of disruption".
Ukraine Disappointed In Turkey's Decision To Release Russian Vessel - Ukraine cited an "unacceptable situation" as they summoned the ambassador of Turkey, after Turkish authorities released the Zhibek Zholy, a Russian vessel which Ukraine has accused of smuggling stolen Ukrainian grain.
After Turkey released the vessel, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry put out a statement saying that, "The Ukrainian side has received this information with deep disappointment" and called for an investigation and a "comprehensive answer" as to what transpired.
UK: Iranian Report Of Detained British Citizen 'Completely False' - The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that they arrested several foreigners, including the British deputy ambassador to Iran Giles Whitaker for spying. The UK says that the reports are "completely false".
Iranian state television said, "These spies were taking earth samples in Iran's central desert where the Revolutionary Guards' aerospace missile exercises were conducted" and said that "Whitaker was expelled from the city after apologizing".
Representative of the British Foreign Office, Samuel Heath said that "Reports of the arrest of a British diplomat in Iran are completely false. He is not even posted in Iran any more".
One of those that the IRGC says that they detained was claimed by Iranian state TV as being the huhsband of Austraia's cultural attache in Iran.
A third foreigner which was allegedly shown by Iranian state television was Maciej Walczak, who is a university professor in Poland, who the state TV said was visiting Iran as a tourist.
Iran's state TV allegedly showed Walczak and three of his colleagues collecting earth samples after they visited Iran during a scientific exchange program.
Iranian state television said that the collection of the earth samples coincided with a missile test that was carried out in the Kerman province in Iran.
Russia Starts Constant Nuclear Explosion Detection At Its New Facility - RUSSIA - A newly constructed nuclear facility in Russia, which opened on the 1st of June, 2022, has begun constant nuclear explosion detection, says The 12th Chief Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry as of the 1st of July 2022. Read Full Article
Russia Says It Could Destroy Half Of Lithuania's Economy - Kaliningrad's Region Governor said that Russia could take out "half of the Lithuanian economy" if Russia implements counter-sanctions on goods coming in and out of the Baltic states.
Anton Alikhanov, the regional Governor told Russian newspaper Vedomosti Monday that, "The transport sector of the Baltic states could be destroyed if Russia implements counter-sanctions on the goods coming in and out of the Baltic states".
"Russia could make half of the Lithuanian economy disappear. There’s an impression that Lithuania doesn’t understand that Kaliningrad Region is part of Russia, and that we have someone to come to the rescue. We’re not alone in the face of the problem." He stated.
Last month, Lithuania banned certain goods from transiting through its territory in order to comply with sanctions against Russia levied by the European Union, but the ban did not include food items.
Alikhanov, who called the ban a "blockade" said that although food items weren't banned, it still hurts the region which relies heavily on building materials and other non-food items.
"Yes, the ban doesn’t include food, but without concrete we can’t build schools or hospitals. So it’s an issue for the normal existence of more than a million people and for the economy of our region.” he said.
Russian state news RT says that Russia has re-routed the sanctioned goods to the Baltic Sea rather than transiting the goods via rail or road, but Alikhanov said that the dispute must be "resolved as quickly as possible".
Russia Announces Large Discovery Of Oil In Arctic - Russia's oil company, Rosneft has announced that they have discovered a 'huge oil deposit' in the Pechora sea, containing around 82 million tons of oil according to Russian state news RT.
Russia Announces Large Discovery Of Oil In Arctic - Russia's oil company, Rosneft has announced that they have discovered a 'huge oil deposit' in the Pechora sea, containing around 82 million tons of oil according to Russian state news RT.
The Russian news agency attributed the discovery to a drilling campaign in the Medynsko-Varandeysky region. Rosneft announced, "During the tests, a free flow of oil was obtained with a maximum flow rate of 220 cubic meters a day," and said that the oil is "oil is light, low-sulfur, low viscosity".
Rosneft also said that their exploration in the Pechora Sea proved that there are "significant oil potential of the Timan-Pechora province on the shelf and became the basis for continuing the study and development of the region.”
Russia Claims Full Control of Luhansk Region in Eastern Ukraine - MOSCOW - After fully capturing the city of Lysychansk, which was Ukraine's last stronghold, Russia is claiming full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, after intense fighting and resistance from Ukrainian forces. Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu has informed Russian President Vladimir Putin, that the Luhansk region has now been "liberated." Read Full Article
Western Stocks Of Soviet Era Military Equipment For Ukraine Depleting - EUROPE - The United States and Western allies have been giving Ukraine Soviet-era military equipment due to the fact that Ukraine's military was once part of the Soviet Union and Soviet-era weapons are not interchangeable with those of the West. Western stocks of Soviet-era weapons however are running out. Read Full Article
Russian State Media Talks Of WW3, Says Other Countries Will Be Invaded After Ukraine - Russian state media Channel 1 talks of world war 3 which it calls Russia's Second Great Patriotic War and said that countries that decided to play with Westernness neutrality are next, once the special military operation in Ukraine concludes. Read Full Article
Russia Responds To Explosions Heard In Belgorod, Russia - Russian state news Gazeta and the Russian Ministry of Defense have put out a statement regarding explosions captured on video from Belgorod saying that three people died and four were injured in the explosions.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has also put out a statement claiming that Ukraine had launched Tochka-U missiles with cluster munitions on residential areas of Belgorod and Kursk.
The Russian MOD however, claimed that all three Tochka-U missiles launched by Ukraine were intercepted and destroyed while they were still in the air and that the 'wreckage' of one of the missiles fell on a residential building in Belgorod.
The MOD also said that two Ukrainian Tu-143 flight drones were flying to Kursk and were packed with explosives and that they were shot down by air defense as they were approaching the city.
Russian state news TASS reported that "Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that three people were killed and four injured overnight. He added that 11 apartment buildings and at least 39 smaller houses were damaged".
"Gladkov later said that the death toll had grown to four. Three of the victims are Ukrainian nationals and one is a Russian citizen, he added".
TASS also reiterated that, "The Russian authorities have repeatedly accused Ukraine of shelling cities and villages close to the border. Moscow previously warned that it would hit Ukrainian “decision-making centers, including Kiev” if attacks on Russian territory did not stop".
Russian Vessels Turning Off Their Transponder Trackers - Russian and Syrian vessels have been turning off their transponders and have been accused of deceptive shipping practices in order to sell crude oil and stolen Ukrainian grain while evading the heavy sanctions placed on Russia due to its war on Ukraine. Read Full Article
Belarus Accuses Ukraine of Attempted Missile Strike After Claims of Missile Intercept - BELARUS - On Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that 3 days ago, Ukraine attempted a missile strike on Belarusian military installations, but said that the missiles had been intercepted, through the Belarusian state-run media Belta news. Read Full Article
Chip Shortage: New U.S. Vehicle Sales Drop But Demand Still Greater Than supply - UNITED STATES - Although new vehicle sales in the United States have dropped by over 21 percent in the second quarter, versus a year ago, demand is still greater than supply due to a global shortage of semiconductors in spite of rising inflation, fuel prices and interest rates.
Ukraine produces around 70% of the world's neon gas, which is used to operate the lasers used in manufacturing semiconductors. While Russia's invasion on Ukraine is greatly influencing the global microchip shortage, a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which we have covered extensively in the past would greatly exacerbate shortages. Read Full Article
Putin: Western Response To War Pushing Russia And Belarus Towards "Unification" - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that sanctions and political pressure on Russia from the West is pushing Russia and Belarus towards "unification".
Putin told a bilateral forum in Grodno, Belarus on Friday, "Unprecedented political and sanctions pressure from the collective West is pushing Russia and Belarus to speed up the unification process".
"After all, it is easier to minimize the damage from illegal sanctions, it is easier to master the production of demanded products, develop new competencies and expand cooperation with friendly countries," he added.
On March 14th, after a meeting with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said, "We are taking coordinated measures to protect our economic security and the technological sovereignty of Russia and Belarus. Above all, we consider it necessary to strengthen integration in the union state".
The day before, Put had spoke to Lukashenko and told him that Russia would be providing Belarus with Iskander missiles systems that "can use both ballistic and cruise missiles, both in conventional and nuclear versions".
Putin had also promised Lukashenko that Russia would retrofit Belarusian Su-25s in order to upgrade them to "carry nuclear charges".
Russia: Sanctions Could Be Justification For War - Russia's Deputy Security Council Chairman and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated on the Thursday that 'under certain circumstances' such 'hostile measures' as the sanctions placed on the country could be seen as an act of international aggression, or even as a casus belli [a provocation that is a justification for war] and said that Russia has a right to defend itself.
Medvedev said that Western restrictions were "boorish and cynical" and said they could border on "economic war". "I would like to point out once again that under certain circumstances such hostile measures can also qualify as an act of international aggression. And even as a casus belli (justification for war)," Medvedev stated.
"In response to them, a state receives the right for individual and collective defense," he added, and said that Western sanctions due to Russia's military actions in Ukraine "have a clear goal — to inflict as much pain as possible to as many citizens of our country as they can… to ordinary citizens, not the country’s leadership or business elites".
"The main aim is to punish the Russian people by trying to reduce economic activity and to provoke hyperinflation," he said.
Australian Bank Collapses, Urging Customers To Pull Their Funds - Australian bank, Volt has collapsed in the midst of rising inflation and the bank has urged their customers to pull their funds from their accounts before it closes them on Tuesday. Inflation in Australia and US on the rise. Read Full Article
Biden Announces Another $800 Million In Aid To Ukraine - U.S. President Joe Biden has announced another $800 million military aid package to Ukraine, which will be including modern air defense systems, HIMARS missile systems and ammunition, and other "offensive weapons".
"We plan to announce new advanced Western air defense systems for Ukraine, more artillery & ammunition, anti-battery radars, ammunition to HIMARS" Biden stated at the NATO summit in Madrid.
At the Summit, Biden said, "This summit was about strengthening our alliance, meeting the challenges of our world as it is today and the threats we’re going to face in the future".
"Putin thought he could break the transatlantic alliance. He tried to weaken us. He expected our resolve to fracture. But he’s getting exactly what he did not want," Biden stated.
He also pointed out the decision by Finland and Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and said, "He [Putin] wanted the Finland-ization of NATO. He got the NATO-ization of Finland".
When Biden was asked whether American citizens should be prepared for the United States to support Ukraine indefinitely, Biden replied, "We are going to support Ukraine as it takes" and added "As long as it takes to in fact make sure that they are not defeated by … Russia".
Putin: Operation In Ukraine Going As Planned, No Need For Deadlines - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the "special military operation" in Ukraine is going according to plan, and that there is no need to meet any deadlines to end it.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is claiming to have killed 35,450 Russian military personnel, destroyed 1,572 tanks, 3,720 armored personnel vehicles, 781 artillery systems, 246 MLRS, 103 anti-aircraft warfare systems, 217 aircraft, 185 helicopters, 640 UAVs, 142 cruise missiles, 14 warships/boats and 2,598 vehicles and fuel tanks.
Putin claimed that the goal of the special military operation is to "liberate Donbas" to "defend the people living there" and to "create conditions that will guarantee the security of Russia itself".
"The work is proceeding in a calm and rhythmic way. The troops are advancing and reaching those endpoints that are assigned as a task at a certain stage of this combat work. Everything is going according to plan", he said.
Russian state news agency TASS reported that when asked about a deadline for the "operation", Putin said, "There is no need to talk about any deadlines. I never talk about it, since this is life and these are real things. It is not right to squeeze that into any deadlines".
"It is linked to the intensity of combat operations, which is directly linked to potential casualties, and we must think above all things about protecting our guys’ lives," he said.
Russian And Chinese Vessels Working Together In Waters Near Japan - The Japanese defense ministry reported around 10 Russian Chinese navy vessels earlier this month in Waters Near Japan, leaving analysts to believe that the two countries are sending a message to Japan, the United States as well as Taiwan.
A high-ranking Defense Ministry official said that "It was a clear demonstration of cooperation between China and Russia".
What confused officials and analysts, however, is how both China and Russia staggered their voyages so that each country's voyages were slightly separated from one another. "China may have wanted to avoid openly working with Russia, especially at a time when it is facing international criticism for its invasion of Ukraine" the official stated.
The Defense Ministry official said that Japan must "view the situation calmly and not go beyond the limits of provocation," as there hasn't been any confirmation that their vessels or aircraft ever entered Japanese waters or airspace.
Russia Confirms Transfer Of Nuclear Capable Missile Systems To Belarus - Russian state news Izvestia, and TASS have confirmed reports that Russia plans to send Belarus nuclear capable Iskander-M missile systems, capable of carrying "a nuclear warhead" and promised to "retrofit Belarusian Su-25s in order to upgrade them to "carry nuclear charges". Read Full Article
China Expresses "Serious Concern" And "Resolute Protest" Regarding NATO's New Strategic Concept - Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday expressed "serious concern" and "resolute protest" on behalf of the CCP regarding the NATO's new 'Strategic Concept', saying that it ignores facts, distorts the truth and vilifies China's foreign policy.
"The so-called NATO’s new Strategic Concept ignores facts, distorts the truth, vilifies China's foreign policy, makes irresponsible statements about China’s natural military development and its national defense policy, promotes confrontation and conflict, it is filled with the Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices", he stated.
"China expresses serious concern and resolute protest over this", claiming that China has always strived for global peace, defended the international order and facilitated global development.
He also claimed that China has never invaded another country, or joined or formed any military blocs, always following the path of a peaceful development.
Wednesday, during the Madrid summit, NATO alliance leaders had approved the new Strategic Concept which declares that the Russian Federation is the most Significant Threat to the security of NATO Allies, and also gave China a mention for the first time in the history of the Alliance.
Putin: Multipolar World Order Evolving Globally, Process Irreversible - In an address to the 10th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (SPBILF), Putin stated that a multi polar world order is "evolving globally", and said that the process is "irreversible". He also said that it should be built upon "international law" and the "UN charter".
"A multipolar system of international relations has been actively evolving. The process is irreversible, it has been unfolding in front of our eyes and it is objective in its nature", Putin said.
"The position of Russia and many other countries is that this democratic, more just world order should be built on the basis of mutual respect and trust, and, of course, on the generally accepted principles of international law and the UN Charter" he added.
NATO Says Russian Federation Significant Direct Threat To Allies - EUROPE - NATO leaders have declared that the Russian Federation is the most significant "direct threat" to the security of North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies. According to the Lithuanian ministry of defense, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization leaders at the NATO summit agreed that "Russia is a direct threat to NATO", on "new strategic concept" being adopted, reinforcement of NATO's eastern flank with Forward Presence Brigades, increased support for Ukraine, as well as other "security enhancement" measures. Read Full Article
Putin: BRICS Countries Setting Up Global Reserve Currency To Cut Financial Reliance On West - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 21st that the BRICS countries, which include Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa (Iran and Argentina have applied but not yet accepted) are currently working on setting up a global reserve currency to cut their financial reliance on the West.
Putin stated at the BRICS business forum, "The issue of creating an international reserve currency based on a basket of currencies of our countries is being worked out". The Russian President also said that the BRICS member states are in the process of developing reliable alternative mechanisms for making international payments.
The BRICS group had previously stated that it was working on setting up a payment network that would cut financial reliance on the West, and have been increasing using local currencies in mutual trade with one another, according to the Economic Times.
Russia Warns Of Consequences From Finland And Sweden Joining NATO Alliance - Member of the Russian state Duma Leonid Slutsky said that while Sweden and Finland's choice to join NATO is their choice, it will have consequences on their relationship with Russia, and on the general security architecture in Europe which is already in deep crisis. Read Full Article
Ukraine Cuts All Diplomatic Ties With Syria After It Recognizes The Two Separatist Regions - Due to Syria's recognition of independence of the two separatist regions in Eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Lugansk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that all relations between Ukraine and Syria are now cut off.
After Syria publicly recognized the regions, Zelensky put out a video on Telegram saying, "There will no longer be relations between Ukraine and Syria" and stated that there will now be stronger sanctions put upon Syria.
Syria's foreign ministry had told the Syrian state news agency SANA, "The Syrian Arab Republic has decided to recognize the independence and sovereignty of both the Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic".
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also claimed the United States is under the charge of terrorists and neo-Nazis, and said that Syria and its ally Russia are "fighting the same enemy" and said "both terrorists and neo-Nazis are controlled by the same country: the US".
Assad continued to claim that, "the main and the biggest battle is being fought against the policy of [imposing its] hegemony, which is being implemented by the West, which considers itself the center and seeks to rule the world in accordance with its interests".
In addition, he called on "countries defending their sovereignty" to build "strong relations with each other in order to help to strengthen their own positions and realize the interests of their peoples".
Britain Adding 1,000 More Soldiers, Aircraft Carrier To NATO's Eastern Flank - Britain, who already has 2,000 soldiers stationed in Estonia has committed to add 1,000 more service members to the country, as well as sending one of its new aircraft carriers to defend NATO's eastern flank.
Britain has also announced another 1 billion British pounds ($1.2 billion USD) in additional aid to Ukraine, on top of the already 1.3 billion pounds in military aid that it pledged in May equaling to 3.8 billion in total support to Ukraine thus far since the start of Russia's invasion.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "UK weapons, equipment and training are transforming Ukraine's defenses against this onslaught. And we will continue to stand squarely behind the Ukrainian people to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine".
NATO's defense secretary Jens Stoltenberg said, "we are going to allocate a brigade" and "dedicate one of the carrier groups to it".
While speaking at a the NATO summit in Madrid, Ben Wallace said that Britain would "allocate a brigade" to Estonia, bringing the number of British troops 'available' to around 3,000.
He said that it would be more efficient to base some of the troops at home with their equipment being in Germany. Of the British commitment to the defense force that had been announced at the NATO summit, Wallace said "We will put in a huge amount of the Navy. I think we’ll dedicate one of the carrier groups to it".
Washington Supports Sale Of F-16 Jets To Turkey - Washington has shown support toward the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey just one day after Turkey withdrew its objections regarding Sweden and Finland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Read Full Article
British Intelligence Confirms Russian Strike On Ukrainian Shopping Center Possibly Accidental - In an intelligence update, the British Ministry of Defense has agreed that the strike on the Kremenchuk shopping center may have been an accident, and that the intended target may have been, as Russia says a nearby infrastructure target. Read Full Article
US Giving Metal Shark Patrol Boats To Ukraine - Metal Shark, an American company that developer and builder of aluminum-hull vessels have put out a statement saying that they are providing six maritime combat vessels to Ukraine.
The patrol boats will be part of the $450 million military aid package that the White House had announced last week which included 18 patrol boats. The type of patrol boats were not previously announced, however.
Metal Shark's Vice President of of International Business Development Henry Irizarry said in the statement, "Metal Shark has been working closely with the US Embassy in Kiev since 2019 to develop the strategy now being implemented to support Ukraine’s maritime capabilities, so it is fulfilling to see that the vessels will arrive when they are most needed".
"Metal Shark provides next-generation, proven platforms to partner nations, but most importantly, we create long term partnerships with end users to train boat crews and provide seamless technical support to assure 24/7 operational readiness" he added.
The manufacturer, and type of the other 12 patrol bothers have still not yet been revealed, however. A senior defense official said that the 18 patrol boats the U.S. is sending will be used for patrolling rivers, and for protection.
Russian Space Agency Publishes Satellite Photos And Coordinates Of Western Decision Making Centers - The Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos has Published Satellite Photos and coordinates of Western decision making centers, all publicly known locations in an apparent statement to the West.
"Today, the NATO summit opens in Madrid, at which Western countries will declare Russia their worst enemy. Roscosmos publishes satellite photographs of the summit venue and the very 'decision centers' that support Ukrainian nationalists".
The satellite photos included the location of the U.S. Pentagon, White House, British government buildings, German Chancellery, Reichstag parliament building in Berlin, and location of NATO's summit, as well as the place of residence of Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, along with French government buildings.
Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos, told the Russian RIA Novosti news agency: that Western satellite operators are working for Ukraine, Russia's enemy, "The entire conglomerate of private and state orbital groupings is now working exclusively for our enemy".
Rogozin said "At the same time, we are giving the coordinates of the objects, just in case".
Turkey Agrees To Support Finland And Sweden In Joining NATO Alliance - Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Jens Stoltenberg has announced that Turkey has agreed to support both Finland and Sweden in joining the NATO alliance.
A joint memorandum was reportedly signed on Tuesday regarding the matter by Turkey, Finland and Sweden.
Stoltenberg told reporters at the NATO summit in Madrid, "I am pleased to announce that we now have an agreement that paves the way for Finland and Sweden to join NATO"."Turkey, Finland and Sweden have signed a memorandum that addresses Turkey's concerns, including around arms exports and the fight against terrorism," he added.
Iran Applies To Become A Member Of BRICS - Iran has applied to become a member of the BRICS, a group of emerging world economies that include: Russia, China, South Africa, Brazil and India.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said that the move "would result in added values for both sides".
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Argentina has also applied to join the BRICS group. Zakharova stated in Telegram "While the White House was thinking about what else to turn off in the world, ban or spoil, Argentina and Iran applied to join the BRICS".
At the moment the BRICS group has a combined population of about 3.2 Billion. Iran has a population of around 85 to 86 million people, while Argentina has a population of around 45 million people.
If both Iran and Argentina join BRICS , it would bring the total combined population of the group to around 3.3 billion.
US Now Has Over 100,000 Troops Stationed In Europe - The United States now has over 100,000 troops stationed in Europe, which has increased from the 70,000 U.S. troops that were stationed in Europe when Russia's invasion on Ukraine began at the end of February.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that the United States "increased the number of U.S. troops in Europe from roughly 70,000 to more than 100,000 over these last months".
In May, during a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price had said that the US was planning to have an ongoing presence of around 100,000 troops in Europe. "Before that invasion, we were clear that we would do a few things if [Russian President Vladimir Putin’s] aggression went ahead," Price had stated.
"We made clear that we would provide unprecedented levels of security assistance to support our Ukrainian partners so that they could effectively defend their freedom, defend their democracy, defend their country from what was then the potential of Russian aggression. We made clear that we would impose severe consequences on the Russian economy, on the Russian financial system".
"We also said that we would reinforce and take steps to reassure the Alliance, the member states of the Alliance, and particularly those on the eastern flank of the NATO Alliance, and that’s what we’ve done."
"We have – there are now some 100,000 U.S. service members on the European continent. That number has risen in recent weeks precisely because we are fulfilling the pledge that we made prior to Russian – prior to Russia’s invasion".
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is also increasing the number of its NATO Response Force troops at high readiness from 40,000 to "well over 300,000", according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday.
NATO Increases Number Of Rapid Response Forces On High Readiness To Over 300,000 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is increasing the number of its NATO Response Force troops at high readiness from 40,000 to "well over 300,000", according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday.
NATO now says that Russia has walked away from dialogue, and has now become a direct threat, choosing "confrontation instead of dialogue". "Russia has walked away from the partnership and the dialogue that NATO has tried to establish with Russia for many years," he stated. "They have chosen confrontation instead of dialogue. We regret that - but of course, then we need to respond to that reality".
"I expect the allies will state clearly that Russia poses a direct threat to our security, to our values, to the rules-based international order" Stoltenberg said. "Together, this constitutes the biggest overhaul of our collective deterrence and defense since the Cold War".
Russian State Media Talks About Lithuania, NATO Article 5 - Russian state media Channel 1 talks about Lithuania, NATO Article 5, military presence being established on the Belarusian border and targeting oil tankers in the Netherlands.
Russian state media Channel 1 talks about Lithuania, NATO Article 5, military presence being established on the Belarusian border and targeting oil tankers in the Netherlands. Article 5 is the cornerstone of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) treaty signed in 1949 that states that if one member of the alliance is attacked, it is seen as an attack on all members of the NATO alliance.
Transcript from the Russian state media video: ""We understand perfectly well that when the Armed Forces achieve the goals set by the president, and reach the western borders of Ukraine, the rest will certainly not be about Ukraine.
And now about Europe and its survival. A military presence has to be established on the border with Belarus, in Kaliningrad, it already exists and is combat ready. It can potentially create a safe corridor for our supply chain to Kaliningrad. It has to be created, without a doubt.
Those who are waving their Article 5 in the air [NATO] should roll it up and shove it you-know-where. It's our territory and we'll decide what to bring in, regarding Europe, and appropriate measures that could be taken.
Yes, the taming of Lithuania is being considered, but it's really not about Lithuania. No one asks them, they are given commands. The issue is with their owners. No less than 40% of crude oil is imported and processed by Netherlands in its coastal areas. It's such a small spot that it would be hard to miss.
When we say that nuclear weapons might be used, maybe, maybe not from another side. I assure you that when a spigot closes from here, and crashes over there, the main supply chain is via oil tankers. We don't even need a Kalibr, a torpedo would do it. Especially if it's docked at a port. It will burn along with all of the port's infrastructure.
Europe will not only freeze, but totally croak. Go ahead and send an F-35 to Ukraine. We'll show you what our S-300, S-400 are capable of. Then, Lockheed Martin will be carried out feet first. We're ready to take you all down".
Russia Supplying Nuclear Capable Missile Systems To Belarus - Russian President Vladimir Putin told the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko that Russia will be providing Belarus nuclear capable Iskander missile systems in the "next few months".
The Iskander missile system is able to launch both cruise missiles, as well as short-range ballistic missiles with either conventional or nuclear warheads. According to the readout on the Russian presidential website, this is a response to concerns of "training flights of aircraft of the United States of America and NATO, which are trained to carry nuclear warheads".
Germany's BMWK Announced The Gas Emergency Plan On Alert - Germany's Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) has announced the second stage of the gas emergency plan, or alert stage, according to the ministry, putting the gas emergency plan 'on alert'. Read Full Article
China Ready To Supply Aircraft Components To Russia - Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui told Russian state news TASS that they are ready to supply aircraft components to Russia, noting that there are no restrictions from the Chinese side.
"We are ready to supply components to Russia, we are organizing such cooperation. [Airlines] are currently addressing [it], they have certain channels, there are no restrictions from the Chinese side".
TASS noted that the European Union had prohibited the sale and supply, including leasing of aircraft, as well as components for Russian air carriers over the situation in Ukraine, but said that Russian authorities responded by 'taking a number of actions' including allowing local carriers "to continue exploiting aircraft leased or rented from foreign companies".
Key Takeaways From Meeting Between Putin And Lukashenko - RUSSIA - Russian President Vladimir Putin and the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met at the Constantine Palace and talked about issues such as the economy, the situation with Poland and Lithuania, and NATO training and nuclear weapons in Europe. Read Full Article
Iran Expanding Nuclear Program While Expanding Cooperation With Russia - Iran’s top security official Ali Shamkhani stated during a meeting with a top diplomat from the European Union that Iran will continue developing its nuclear program until the West changes what it calls "illegal behavior" according to Iranian state news IRNA.
"Iran’s retaliatory actions in the nuclear sector are merely legal and rational responses to US unilateralism and European inaction and will continue as long as the West’s illegal practices are not changed" Shamkhani stated. Shamkhani did not however divulge what those "illegal practices" were.
Meanwhile, on June 22nd Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traveled to Iran in order to discuss a nuclear deal and cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Russia's Foreign Ministry had posted a clip of the meeting where he said "In all the countries experiencing the negative influence of the selfish line taken by the United States and its satellites, there arises the objective need to reconfigure their economic relations so they can avoid relying on the whims and vagaries of our Western partners".
The month before, Russia and Iran had spoken of exchanging supplies for oil and gas, as well as creating a logistics hub in the region. Regarding the visit, Iranian state media said "During Lavrov's visit, Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, boosting bilateral and energy cooperation, as well as international and regional issues will be discussed".
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Lavrov's visit was aimed at "expanding cooperation with the Eurasian region and the Caucasus".
China Says "We'll Take Taiwan By All Means", Says US Is Starting Wars - China says that they "can't leave Taiwan independent" and that they will "retake Taiwan by all means, including military ones" if they can't reunify the island using peaceful methods. They also said that the United States wants two wars, one in Europe and one in Asia.
Chinese ambassador to France Lu Shaye said "We can’t leave Taiwan independent. We’ll retake Taiwan by all means, including military ones. If we can’t reunify the country by peaceful means, what else are we left to do?"
"The Americans want to start two wars in the world: one in Europe, the other in Asia" he also said. "Taiwan is not a sovereign state. It has been an integral part of China since ancient times".
Meanwhile, Taiwan has been spotted by Alert 5 on Flight Radar flying a UAV around the island for 10 hours straight, likely on the lookout for activity around the island by Chinese forces.
Lukashenko Says Lithuania's "Blockade" Against Kaliningrad Declaration Of War On Russia - The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko said that what Russia calls the 'blockade' against Kaliningrad by Lithuania is akin to a declaration of war on Russia.
Lukashenko said, "We are very concerned by the situation and the policy being pursued by our neighbours. You know in general terms: this is the leadership of Poland and the leadership of Lithuania. The policy [is aimed - UP] at confrontation… And there is enough of that, especially in Ukraine.
These days most of the mercenaries are from Poland. I don’t understand why they need this confrontation. But it’s clear that they are behind this and pushing it, and so on. But the policy is abhorrent and the behaviour is aggressive.
It’s the same with Lithuania. There is a growing flow of information about their plan to suspend transit from Russia through Belarus to Kaliningrad, to isolate Kaliningrad. Well, listen, that’s akin to a declaration of war! That sort of thing is unacceptable in the current conditions."
Lithuania however, says that the restrictions that they placed against transporting certain goods through their country into Russian controlled Kaliningrad is not a blockade, but that they are simply complying with sanctions put upon Russia by the European Union.
Russia Fires Rockets Directly From Belarus Into Ukraine - Russia has fired rockets directly from Belarus into Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence, and the New York Times who says that over 40 missiles were launched from Belarus into Ukraine.
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine posted on their Facebook page, "Rocket strikes from the territory of Belarus - a large-scale provocation of Russia for the purpose of further dragging Belarus into the war against Ukraine".
"On the night of June 25, a mass rocket-bomb strike was launched across Ukraine. In particular, Russian bombers "worked" directly from the territory of Belarus. For this, six tu-22m3 aircraft were involved, which performed the launches of 12 winged missiles x-22. Rim of launch - area of the city of petrikov, which nearby mozyrâ, probably for 50-60 kilometers from the state border of Ukraine. Bombarduvalʹniki took off from the airport "Shaikkovka" of the Kaluz region of Russia. Further through the territory of Kaluz and Smolensʹkoí сі regions entered the airspace of Belarus. After the launch of the rockets returned to the airport "Shajkova" in the territory of Russia. The blow was carried out in Kiev, Chernihiv and Sumy regions.
This is the first case of an air strike across Ukraine directly from the territory of Belarus. Today's shelling is directly related to the efforts of the Kremlin authorities to drag Belarus into the war in Ukraine as a direct participant.
We remind you that yesterday it became known about the arrival of the Belarusian Mozyr of Russian sabotage groups planning to undermine the city of residential buildings, schools and hospitals. Possible provocations can be presented as Ukraine's response to the air strikes".
The Chief Directorate of Intelligence says that this is the first time Russia has launched airstrikes on Ukraine from Belarus, and said "Today’s attack is linked to the Kremlin’s attempts to drag Belarus into the war with Ukraine as a direct participant".
The New York Times has reported that Russia launched over 40 missiles from Belarusian airspace into Ukraine, hitting 'mostly military targets' just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin was set to meet with Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus.
Russian State Television Says There Will Be Other 'Special Operations' Elsewhere - A Russian state television Channel 1 speakers indicates that conflict in Europe will never end, and that the struggle is against the West, not just Ukraine, saying that there will be other 'special operations' elsewhere, aside from the one in Ukraine.
"Let's have a serious discussion. Not everyone amongst our people feels secure. Every day I hear the same phrase: 'When will all of this end?". And then I ask, "When will what end?", they say "All of this".
This will never end, the old live will never return. This is a long struggle that will determine the place of Russian civilization, the Russian world, among the new humanity. To the contrary, this is a long struggle that will answer the question as to how much of the West we'll allow to remain.
There is a special operation in Ukraine, and there will be other operations elsewhere, because the situation at our borders is worrisome. This is a confrontation between different systems; most importantly, against the united West".
Travel Advisories: June 1st - June 24th, 2022 - List of travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State from June 1st, 2022 to June 24th, 2022. KEY: Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | Level 4: Do Not Travel. For a clickable list visit the OSLINT Advisories post.
Cabo Verde Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 23, 2022
Hong Kong Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 22, 2022
Ecuador Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 22, 2022
Democratic Republic of the Congo Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 22, 2022
China Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 22, 2022
Republic of the Congo Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 22, 2022
Moldova Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 21, 2022
Ethiopia Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 21, 2022
El Salvador Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 21, 2022
Tanzania Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 21, 2022
Tanzania Travel Advisory Level 2 -June 21, 2022
Kenya Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 21, 2022
Guinea Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 21, 2022
Ghana Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 21, 2022
Bolivia Travel Advisory Level 2 -June 21, 2022
Sweden Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Sint Eustatius Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Romania Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Fiji Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Comoros Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Botswana Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Bhutan Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
United Arab Emirates Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 14, 2022
Mexico Travel Advisory Other -June 13, 2022
Iraq Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 13, 2022
Belarus Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 13, 2022
Honduras Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 13, 2022
Maldives Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 13, 2022
Cuba Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 13, 2022
Saba Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 13, 2022
Saba Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 13, 2022
Malawi Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 10, 2022
The Bahamas Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 8, 2022
Suriname Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 8, 2022
French Guiana Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 8, 2022
Denmark Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 7, 2022
Libya Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 6, 2022
Iran Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 6, 2022
Lebanon Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 6, 2022
Guyana Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 6, 2022
Guatemala Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 6, 2022
Zimbabwe Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 6, 2022
Saint Kitts and Nevis Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 6, 2022
Poland Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 6, 2022
Namibia Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 6, 2022
Mongolia Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 6, 2022
Russia Travel Advisory Level 4 -June 1, 2022
Russia: London Will Be Bombed First If World War 3 Breaks Out - Andrey Gurulyov, who is a member of the Russian defense committee spoke on Russian state television Channel 1, and said that if world war 3 breaks out, London will be the first city that Russia Will Bomb, and that all power sites in Western Europe will be destroyed.
First, he said "We'll destroy the entire group of enemy's space satellites during the first air operation. No one will care if they are American or British, we would see them all as NATO. Second we'll mitigate the entire system of anti-missile defense, everywhere and 100%. Third, we certainly won't start from Warsaw, Paris or Berlin. The first hit will be London.
It's crystal clear that the threat to the world comes from the Anglo-Saxons. As part of the operation to destroy critically important sites, Western Europe will be cut off power supply and immobilized. All power supply sites will be destroyed. And on the third stage I shall see what the USA will tell Western Europe on continuing their fight in the cold, without food and electricity.
I wonder how they [the United States] will manage to stay aside. This is the rough plan, and I deliberately leave out certain moments because they are not to be discussed on TV".
Ukraine And Moldova Recognized As Candidates For EU Membership, Russia Compares With Hitler - EUROPE - Ukraine and Moldova has now formally been recognized as candidates for EU membership, while the EU is ready to grant candidate status to Georgia "once priorities will be addressed". Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has compared the EU and NATO to Hitler, and said they are building a coalition to fight Russia. Read Full Article
Belarus Conducts Military Mobilization Exercises In The Gomel Region - Release from the Belarus ministry of defense regarding the pre-planned military mobilization exercises in the Gomel region that will last until July 1st, 2022.
"From June 22 to July 1, 2022, in accordance with the Training Plan of the Armed Forces in the 2021/2022 academic year, under the leadership of the Chief of the main organizational and mobilization department - Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, a mobilization exercise with the military commissariats of the Gomel region is held.
The exercise is held annually. Last year, a similar exercise was held with military commissariats of Mogilev region. The aim was to test the readiness of the military commissariats to carry out tasks.
During the exercise, the issues of recruitment of reserve conscripts to the military commissariats will be worked through. During their stay at the military training camp the military personnel will be trained.
In the course of the exercise, the military commissariats will carry out measures to notify and submit persons liable for military duty to the points of dispatch to military units. After the formation of appropriate teams, the draftees will be sent to their place of residence, thus the issue will be checked - controlling notification.
In order to carry out the notification and collection of persons liable for military service, appropriate points of notification and collection will be deployed at the points of dispatch.
In order to create a situation close to the real one, during the exercise the participation of units of special operations forces of the Armed Forces is planned.
The main feature of the upcoming mobilization exercise, in contrast to past mobilization exercises in the military commissariats of other regions, is that the supply of mobilization resources to military units is not planned, and the persons called up to military commissariats for training will participate in the mobilization exercise in the military commissariats
NATO Aims To Get Finland And Sweden Into Alliance But Cannot Guarantee It Will Be Swift - Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg says that he "aims" to get both Finland and Sweden into the alliance "soon" regardless of objections by Turkey, but said that he "cannot guarantee" that it will be done swiftly.
"My aim is still to make sure that they [Sweden and Finland] can join soon. I cannot guarantee, but I’m saying that’s still my aim".
While the vast majority of the alliance has supported the two countries joining the NATO organization, Turkey has objected on grounds that both countries support Kurdish groups that Turkey sees as terrorists.
"This is not the first time we see one or just a few allies is not agreeing with the rest," Stoltenberg said and added that NATO allies have the ability to continue providing Ukraine with weapons "as long as it takes," as NATO allies, Stoltenberg stated have a "political and moral obligation" to keep supplying Ukraine with arms.
"We should maintain support deliverables of modern weapons, heavy weapons, as NATO allies have now done for a long time, and also that NATO has a role to play in providing support", he stated.
He said that the ongoing war in Ukraine will be a "long-haul" effort, and said that the war was actually started in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea.
Finland: If Russia Attacks, We Are Ready To Fight - Finnish Armed Forces Chief of Defense, General Timo Kivinen says that Finland has been preparing for a Russian attack for decades and says that Finland would be a "tough bite to chew" for Russia if they decided to attack the country.
During an interview, Kivinen said "The most important line of defense is between one's ears, as the war in Ukraine proves at the moment. We have systematically developed our military defense precisely for this type of warfare that is being waged there (in Ukraine), with a massive use of firepower, armored forces and also air forces".
"Ukraine has been a tough bite to chew (for Russia) and so would be Finland" he declared. (Quoted as "Ukraine has proved to be a strong nut, so it will be the same with Finland", from the Ukrainian ministry of defense).
The General said that since the Second World War, Finland has developed a military sphere in order to resist the enemy using massive firepower, armored vehicles and aircraft.
The commander also approved of the decision for Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Finnish Defense Forces have 280,000 active troops and 870,000 people in the reserves.
In the end of June NATO will be holding a summit with member states in Madrid where they will be considering the application of both Finland and Sweden to join the alliance.
Governor Of Kaliningrad Says Retaliatory Steps For Transit Restrictions Down The Road - Russian state news TASS reported that the Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov stated restrictions put in place on freight transit by Lithuania "looked like a mistake at first" but then said, "it's now clear that it's deliberate policy".
TASS reported that during an interview the Governor said "Honestly, I was hoping they would say: ‘We made a mistake, let’s clarify.’ But no. In any case, the rhetoric that’s seen in the media suggests that this is a deliberate policy. ‘Sanctions are sanctions’ - that’s what it is".
He said that 'in this situation' Kaliningrad will be organizing a sea corridor and "offer tit-for-tat measures".
"I believe that this should be met with a response. Our country has not yet taken any retaliatory steps that are quite serious, in my opinion. But that’s down the road".
Russia Says They Have Received No Requests About US Mercenaries - The Russian embassy in Washington says that they have received no requests from the United States regarding two "US mercenaries" reported to have been captured in Ukraine.
Russian state news TASS reported that US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price had stated on Tuesday that the US administration has been "in touch with Russian authorities regarding U.S. citizens who may have been captured while fighting in Ukraine".
Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said that "There were no requests to the embassy. I do not confirm receiving a request of this kind from the US side".
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov spoke to journalists Tuesday and said that the two Americans that had been captured recently in Donbas are being accused of mercenarism and are, therefore "not subject to the Geneva Convention".
He also said that the captured Americans "should be investigated and they should be brought to justice". TASS noted that he did not count out the possibility that the court would sentence them to "capital punishment", also known as the death penalty.
Denmark MOD: Russia Behind Cyberattack On Satellite Equipment Leading Up To Ukrainian Invasion - Denmark's Ministry of Defense says that they have credible information that attributes a cyberattack on satellite equipment operated by the Viasat satellite company to Russia prior to the invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. Read Full Article
Three NATO Members Report Incursions By Russian Aircraft Into Territory - Estonia, Lithuania, and Denmark which are all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance have reported incursions into their airspace by Russian forces who filed no flight plan and turned off their transponder. Read Full Article
Russian Analyst: Lukashenko Will Never Give Order To Attack Ukraine - Russian scientist, political writer, and analyst Andrey Andreyevich Piontkovsky said that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko would never dare to give the order for his troops to go to war with Ukraine.
Piontkovsky said that "Lukashenka will never order the Belarusians to attack Ukraine. And he gathers the so-called militia just in case so that sometimes Russian troops do not enter Belarus and drive it out".
Lukashenko would only worry about staying in power, he said. Though, he added that the Belarusian president is even now in a very difficult situation.
24tv.ua newspaper has said that Lukashenko 'could not dare to order his troops to go to war against Ukraine" because he understands that it would be a catastrophe for him.
"Under the threat of execution, Lukashenko refuses to bring troops into Ukraine not because he is a 'friend of the Ukrainian people, but because he understands that this army will immediately turn into the Belarusian National Legion and will drop it" the paper quoted Piontkovsky as saying.
Lithuania Bans Goods From Transiting To Kaliningrad, Russia - NATO member, Lithuania has banned some goods from traveling to the Kaliningrad, Russia enclave from Lithuania which has angered Russia who said the move was unprecedented and unlawful as well as threatening to respond saying the situation is more than serious. Read Full Article
British MOD Defense Intelligence Update On Ukraine - June 19th, 2022 - British MOD intelligence update for June 19th, 2022 reports that entire Russian units are refusing orders and having armed standoffs with their own officers and troops.
"In recent days, both Russia and Ukraine have continued to conduct heavy artillery bombardments on axes to the north, east and south of the Sieverodonetsk pocket, but with little change in the front line.
Combat units from both sides are committed to intense combat in the Donbas and are likely experiencing variable morale.
Ukrainian forces have likely suffered desertions in recent weeks, however, Russian morale highly likely remains especially troubled. Cases of whole Russian units refusing orders and armed stand-offs between officers and their troops continue to occur.
The Russian authorities likely struggle to bring legal pressure to bear on military dissenters, hampered by the invasion’s official status as a ‘special military operation’ rather than as a war.
Drivers for low Russian morale include perceived poor leadership, limited opportunity for rotation of units out of combat, very heavy casualties, combat stress, continued poor logistics, and problems with pay.
Many Russian personnel of all ranks also likely remain confused about the war’s objectives. Morale problems in the Russian force are likely so significant that they are limiting Russia’s ability to achieve operational objectives".
NATO: War In Ukraine Could Last Years, British Army Prepares Troops To Fight - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a German newspaper that Russia's war on Ukraine could take years, but that 'we must not let up in supporting Ukraine' he said. Even if the costs are high. The head of the British army also told troops they must prepare to fight in Europe. Read Full Article
DOD: Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine - Department Of Defense: "The United States has committed approximately $6.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including approximately $5.6 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked invasion on February 24".
"On June 15, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced $1 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine. This includes an authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $350 million, as well as $650 million in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds. This authorization is the twelfth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021". List Of Items Included
Russia Launches 3 Cruise Missiles At Oil Depot In Novomoskovsk, Ukraine - Ukrainian Pravda has claimed that Russia launched three cruise missiles at an oil depot in the Novomoskovsk district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast which wounded 11 people, one of whom is reported to be in "serious condition" with seven others suffering "minor injuries".
The Ukrainian paper quoted Olena Lukash, Former Minister of Justice of Ukraine saying "In the evening we have several ‘arrivals’ [strikes] in the Novomoskovsk district. According to preliminary data, there are victims and large-scale destruction. All information is currently being clarified".
Pravda said that "around 20:45 Reznichenko said that three Russian missiles hit an oil depot in the Novomoskovsk region. Three people were hospitalized with burns".
The newspaper reported that Reznichenko said the oil depot was destroyed 'as a result of the attack' and that rescuers are putting out the flames.
Lukashenko Warns Ukraine Against Attacking Cities In Russia - The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has given a warning to Ukraine against any possible attacks on Russian cities and said that if Ukraine does this then Russia will use "brand-new weapons" according to Russian state news agency TASS.
"Ukrainians, Zelensky are asking for long-range weapons to hit Russian cities such as Kursk, Rostov, Orel, Belgorod, and neighboring cities. But I once said in public that under no circumstances must it be done" Lukashenko reportedly stated.
TASS reported that the Belarusian President referenced the $1.5 billion that U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to Ukraine on a monthly basis and said "What for? For war. So it is just the beginning. They, the powerful of this world, have loads of work to do - to re-divide the world. Americans feel they are losing, but they do not want to lose, since it is their wealth. They want to be on top and to rule the whole world".
Putin Says He Believes The US Sees Itself As A Messenger Of God On Earth - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he believes the United States sees itself as a "messenger of God on Earth", who has "no interests" but "no responsibility".
He went on to say "After claiming victory in the Cold War, the United States declared it was the messenger of God on Earth, who has no obligations, but only interests - and these interests are sacrosanct," he said during a speech at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
"The United States is ostensibly unaware that over the past decades new powerful centers have emerged around the globe and their voice is heard ever louder. Each of them is developing its own political system and public institutions and implements its own model of economic growth and, of course, has the right to protect them and to ensure national sovereignty," he added.
"we are witnessing objective processes and truly revolutionary tectonic changes," he added.
Belarus: We Will Have To React To Poland's Desire To Take Western Ukraine - The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko says that his country will have to react to Poland's "desire to take Western Ukraine" because it poses a "threat to the security of the republic" on Friday.
"We will have to react here. Because we cannot allow the Poles to surround us completely. It is a dangerous option. I said it back in the day: the Ukrainians and the Russians will ask us to help preserve the integrity. So that nobody would chop something off" Lukashenko stated at a meeting with workers in Bobruysk, according to TASS and BelTA.
TASS reports that Lukashenko sees a 'danger of escalation' of the situation due to the fact that he says 'Poland is being pushed to take action by the US.
"We see it. This is why I have to keep armed forces ready in the west and in the south. I deployed ten units along the border behind the border guard so that [enemies] could not infiltrate Belarus. And they had such ideas," he stated.
Russia: It Is No Longer Possible For Ukraine To Return To Previous Borders - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated that it is no longer possible for Ukraine to return to its previous borders, and added that "this is obvious".
"The Ukraine that you and I had known, within the borders that used to be, no longer exists, and will never exist again. This is evident" she stated.
Ivanovich Pasechnik, the leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that the country may hold a referendum on accession to Russia, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
TASS also stated that "The head of another Donbass republic, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), said the issue on joining Russia will "become the number one issue" once the republic restores its constitutional borders".
Two Russian Missile Frigates Patrolling Off Romania's EEZ - Two Russian Project 22160 missile frigates were spotted patrolling off of Romania's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the country's natural gas platforms around 140 km (87 miles) from Romania's coastline.
The frigates were loaded with an ASW helicopter and ground-based Tor-M2KM air defense system and around 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the Uranus and Ana platforms.
Gazprom Reduces Energy Supplies, Says 'Our Product, Our Rules' - After reducing energy output to Germany by over half the previous output, Russian energy giant Gazprom was accused of artificially pushing up energy prices by cutting off supplies.
Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller then stated "our product, our rules", but said that the reduced supply was a result of the delayed return of equipment serviced by Siemens Energy in Canada.
Germany isn't the only country reporting that Russia has cut gas supply, however. Italy and Australia have also reported large decreases in energy supply from Russia, though Russia says that the limited energy output was not premeditated.
Miller said "Our product, our rules. We don't play by rules we didn't create" but said that does not see a solution to the equipment issue at the Portovaya compressor station and blamed the equipment that had not been returned on the sanctions that have been placed on Russia by the West, but Germany has called this claim "unfounded".
The Eni energy corporation in Italy said that it would only be receiving 65% of the gas that it had requested from Gazprom on Thursday due to the issues at Portovaya. Italy says, however, that they have counter-measures in place if the supply of gas from Russia continues to be cut. "The gas situation is under control, we are monitoring flows day and night, damages are so far limited, Roberto Cingolani stated.
Germany on the other hand has had its energy supply from Russia cut down to 40% of its normal capacity.
Both Italy and Germany rely heavily on Russian energy. Poland, Finland, Bulgaria, Denmark and the Netherlands on the other hand refused Russia's demand for "unfriendly countries" to pay for their energy in Russian rubles and have already been completely cut off by the Kremlin.
Iranian Terror Cells Activated In Turkey "Looking For Israelis" - Iranian terror cells have been activated in Turkey and are roaming the streets of Istanbul "looking for Israelis" after having been given an order to carry out attacks against Israelis located in the country, according to an Israeli official who spoke to Ynet on Friday.
The official has put out an advisory to all Israelis vacationing in Turkey to leave the country immediately and return home from their vacations. They were also advised to lock their hotel rooms and not allow any strangers into their rooms, not even housekeeping.
The threat to Israelis in Turkey has been flagged as an 'ongoing incident' and Israeli security officials are concerned that Iranian cells in Turkey will carry out an immediate attack.
Earlier in the week Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid had called on Israelis to avoid traveling to Istanbul after the Israeli National Security Council had raised the threat level for trips to Turkey after reports had come out that both Israel and Turkey had botched an attempted terrorist attack on Israeli tourists in the city last month.
The Islamic Republic has vowed to retaliate against Israel after the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Colonel Hassan Sayad Khodayari in Tehran last month.
Russian Ships Spotted Transporting Grain From Ukraine To Syria - U.S. Satellite images have spotted Russian-flagged vessels Carrying Grain from Ukraine to Syria, according to the satellite imagery company Maxar, reported by Reuters.
The images by Maxar showed two vessels flying the Russian flag docked in the Russian-controlled port of Sevastopol in May loaded with grain, and then the same ships days later docked in Syria with the vessel's hatches open and semi-trucks waiting to haul the grain away, according to Maxar.
Another satellite image taken in June showed another vessel being loaded with grain in Sevastopol, corroborating reports by Ukraine that Russia had been transporting grain from occupied portions of the country out of the country.
Being one of the world's breadbaskets, the Russian war in Ukraine is contributing to the grain shortage being Reported worldwide.
Russia carries Out Airstrikes On U.S. Base Near Syria's Border With Jordan - Russia carried out airstrikes at the al-Tanf garrison U.S. military base on Wednesday after first notifying the United States of their intentions. The base is located near Syria's border with Jordan in southeast Syria. Read Full Article
Netherlands Accuses Russian Spy Of Infiltrating ICC Investigating War Crimes In Ukraine - According to the Dutch intelligence service, a Russian spy tried to infiltrate the International Criminal Court (ICC) that was investigating allegations of war crimes carried out in Ukraine by Russia using fake identification and spent over a decade building up his cover story.
Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, who is linked to the Russian military secret service was accused by the agency of creating an elaborate cover story that dated back years in an attempt to enter the Netherlands posing as a man with Brazilian nationality, the intelligence service told Reuters.
Dutch intelligence chief Erik Akerboom stated, "It clearly shows us what the Russians are up to - trying to gain illegal access to the information within the ICC. We classify this as a high-level threat".
Dutch intelligence agency chief Erik Akerboom said that "This was a long-term, multi-year GRU operation that cost a lot of time, energy, and money", using the acronym for the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (formerly known as the Main Intelligence Directorate).
The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) put out a statement that said the man, whose alias was Viktor Muller Ferreira was picked up at a dutch airport and was declared an undesirable alien. He was then put on a flight back to Brazil where he will be facing court proceedings.
Akerboom said that "It clearly shows us what the Russians are up to - trying to gain illegal access to the information within the ICC. We classify this as a high-level threat".
ICC spokesperson Sonia Robla said that "The ICC takes these threats very seriously and will continue to work and cooperate with The Netherlands".
The Dutch intelligence agency gave out a four-page document detailing Cherkasov's cover story, including details about their troubled family history and a club where he listened to trance music. It even included his favorite restaurant in Brasilia where it stated he would eat cheap brown bean stew.
"Cherkasov used a well-constructed cover identity by which he concealed all his ties with Russia in general, and the GRU in particular" according to the statement.
If Cherkasov had been able to succeed in infiltrating the ICC, he may have been able to access and even destroy or tamper with documents and emails related to the investigations of the alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
Russian State Television Talks Of NATO Sending Weapons To Ukraine And Nuclear Strike - Russian state television Channel 1 spoke of NATO sending weapons to Ukraine and a nuclear strike. Translation of the conversation: "If everything keeps progressing the way it is, only a couple of mutants in Lake Baikal will survive. The rest will be destroyed in a massive nuclear strike. [laughing]. Everything is moving in that direction, regardless of what either side wants. Because if NATO decides they can place whatever they want at our borders, they'll be sending more and more of American weapons to Ukraine. Everything is moving in that direction, regardless of what either side wants. Because if NATO decides they can place whatever they want at our borders, they'll be sending more and more of American weapons to Ukraine. Ukraine will fire and end up hitting one of our nuclear power plants, and here we go".
Urengoy, Russia's Largest And Main Gas Pipeline On Fire, Germany Accuses Russia Of Pushing Up Energy Prices - A fire has started at a 1400mm pipeline in Russia. The Urengoy is the largest gas extraction facility in the country, and the second-largest natural gas field in the world, after South Pars/North Dome Gas-Condensate field in the Persian Gulf which is shared between Iran and Qatar.
A fire has started at a 1400mm pipeline in Russia. The Urengoy is the largest gas extraction facility in the country, and the second-largest natural gas field in the world, after South Pars/North Dome Gas-Condensate field in the Persian Gulf which is shared between Iran and Qatar.
Germany has accused Russian state-controlled gas giant Gazprom of attempting to push up energy prices by cutting its gas supplies in half.
While Russia claims that the reason is due to service equipment in the Nord Stream pipeline, German economy minister Robert Habeck said that it's 'a political decision' not a technical decision. "It is obviously a strategy to unsettle and drive up prices," he said.
Gazprom had previously said it would be cutting the Nord Stream 1 gas flow from 167 cubic meters a day to 100 cubic meters. Then on Wednesday, it said that it would be cutting it again to 67 cubic meters.
Gazprom limited its gas to Italy by about 15% on Wednesday according to the ENI energy firm. About 40% of Italy's imports are from Russia.
Ukraine Reports Wheat Field Burned Down, Along With Houses And Warehouses - The Mikolavska District Administration of Ukraine has claimed that on June 15th the Russian military burned down a wheat field and destroyed houses and warehouses in Nikolaev, Ukraine.
The statement said "On June 15 the Russian occupiers fired at the residential quarter of Nikolaev from jet systems of volley fire, preliminary, the Hurricane system. Aimed at a four-story apartment building. The roof, floors from the fourth to the second floor were destroyed, the load-bearing wall was damaged and the windows were broken, 6 apartments were destroyed. According to preliminary information, five people were injured".
China To Russia: Beijing To Keep Backing Russia On Sovereignty And Security - Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Wednesday that Beijing will keep backing Moscow on "Sovereignty and security", according to Chinese state media.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported Xi Jinping ans saying that China is "willing to continue to offer mutual support (to Russia) on issues concerning core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security".
China has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine since Putin began his war on the country and has continued to criticize sanctions placed on Russia by the West, as well as weapons and arms sales to Ukraine from Western countries.
According to CCTV, the Chinese President applauded the "good momentum of development" in bilateral relations between the two countries since the beginning of the year "in the face of global turmoil and changes".
He also reportedly said that China is ready to "strengthen communication and coordination", as well as "push the international order and global governance towards more just and reasonable development".
He added that Bejing is willing to "intensify strategic coordination between the two countries" according to the report.
Two U.S. Veterans Suspected Captured In Ukraine, White House Urges Americans Not To Travel To Ukraine - Alexander Drueke, 39 years of age, and Andy Tai Huynh, 27 years of age, both Alabama residents have gone missing within the last few days near Kharkiv, Ukraine which is located near the Russian border, according to their families. U.S. State Department has reported that two Americans have been captured in Ukraine but did not identify who they were.
After reports of the soldiers being captured by Russian soldiers, the White House put out a statement advising Americans not to travel to Ukraine.
Drueke’s mother, whose name is Lois said that she received a phone call from another American citizen who had told her that intercepted communications suggested that the two Americans had been taken prisoner by Russian forces.
Before his disappearance, Drueke had told his family that he was in Ukraine teaching troops how to use American made weapons, according to his mother, who said "Alex felt very strongly that he had been trained in ways that he could help the Ukrainians be strong and push Putin back. He went over there not to fight but to train".
Huynh’s fiance, Joy Black said that Huynh had volunteered to fight along with Ukrainian forces and also received a phone call saying that Huynh had gone missing. She said "The response that we’ve gotten from our government has been very helpful. They have been taking it very seriously. We got the call on Monday morning, and this has just gone up so high, so quickly".
The U.S. State Department said "We are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with Ukrainian authorities. ... We also once again reiterate U.S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine due to the active armed conflict and the singling out of U.S. citizens in Ukraine by Russian government security official".
US Sending Another $1 Billion In Military Aid To Ukraine - Washington is sending another $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including howitzers, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) ammunition and harpoon coastal defense systems. Germany is also sending MLRS systems.
This will be the 12th shipment of military equipment from the United States Department of Defense to Ukraine since August 2021. The shipment will include 18 155mm Howitzers, 36,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition, 18 tactics vehicles capable of towing the 155mm Howitzers, more ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Four Tactical Vehicles that will be used to recover equipment, and spare parts.
Under the USAI, the Department of Defense will be providing Ukraine with near-term priority capabilities in order to defend against Russian attacks. The package includes two Harpoon coastal defense systems, thousands of secure radios, thousands of night vision devices, thermal sights and other optics, and funding for training, maintenance, sustainment, transportation, and administrative costs.
Germany will also be sending three Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) and Slovaks will be sending Mi-17s.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated during a press conference in Brussels that "General Milley and I have been in a number of fights. And when you’re in a fight, you can never get enough. I certainly understand where the Ukrainians are coming from, and we’re gonna fight hard to give them everything they need".
Ex Russian Prime Minister Says War In Ukraine Could Last Years, Baltic States Will Be Next - Mikhail Kasyanov, who served as Russia's Prime Minister from 2000 to 2004 stated during an interview with Agence France-Presse that the war in Ukraine could last two years, and if Ukraine falls, the Baltic states will be next. Read Full Article
50 Detained In Russia Due To Planned Protests Over Ukrainian War - 50 people were detained in Moscow, including activists, journalists and other citizens due to planned protests over the Ukrainian war on Sunday according to Russian Radio Svoboda.
The detention of the 50 Russians occurred after information circulating around various Telegram channels had been intercepted regarding a protest against the war in Ukraine which was allegedly supposed to take place on June 12th (Russia Day).
Iran Tests New Trade Route Linking Russia To Asian Export Markets - According to the Iranian state's shipping company, Iran has commenced its first shipment of Russian goods to India using a new trade route that uses Iran to link Russia to Asian export markets.
The first shipment, which consists of wood laminate sheets weighing about 41 tons which began its departure at Saint Petersburg, Russia to the port city of Astrakhan. From there, the shipment will cross the Caspian Sea to the Iranian port of Anzali, where it will be transported by road to the port of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf. After this it will be loaded back onto a ship and transported to the Indian port of Nhava Sheva, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA.
Dariush Jamali, director of a joint-owned Iranian-Russian terminal in Astrakhan said that the initial shipment is a 'pilot' transfer in order to test the corridor.
Jamali said that the transfer is being coordinated and managed by the Iranian state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines Group along with its regional offices in Russia and India, and expects that it will take 25 days.
After heavy sanctions were placed on Russia, Iran has been Iran has been wanting to revive the North-South Transit Corridor that had previously been stalled. The Times of India reports that eventually the plan will be to build a railroad that transfers goods "arriving at Iranian Caspian Sea ports to the southeastern port of Chabahar".
Russia And China Build First Bridge Between The Two Countries As Ties Grow - Russia and China have finished building and opening up a cross-border bridge that they stated in February will bring the two countries closer together in their "no limits' partnership, before Russian President Vladimir Putin began his invasion of Ukraine.
The bridge, which is a little over half a mile in length and costs about $342 million has two lanes and links Russia's Blagoveshchensk city to the Chinese city of Heihe together across the Amur river (also called Heilongjiang river in China) according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
In February, Russia said that the bridge, which had been started in 2016 and completed in May of 2020 would bring both China and Russia closer together by increasing trade. The construction had been delayed by COVID-19 restrictions, however, according to BTS-MOST, which is the construction firm that participated in building the bridge on the Russian side.
Deputy prime minister of Russia Yuri Trutnev said "In today's divided world, the Blagoveshchensk-Heihe bridge between Russia and China carries a special symbolic meaning".
During the opening ceremony for the bridge, Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua said that China seeks to deepen practical cooperation with Russia in all areas, while Russia's Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev said that the bridge will boost bilateral annual trade to over 1 million tons of goods.
According to BTS-MOST, the bridge should shorten the distance that Chinese goods have to travel to get to Russia by about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles). Vehicles traveling across the bridge have to pay a toll fee of 8,700 rubles ($150) but the fee should go down in price after the costs for constructing the bridge have been covered, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Turkey Announces Military Operation In Northern Syria After Russia Withdraws Troops - After Russia withdrew a large number of troops from Syria in order to re-focus them on its war in Ukraine, Turkey has announced that it will be carrying out a military operation in northern Syria. Read Full Article
U.S. Inflation At 40 Year High In May, Gas Prices Soaring - WASHINGTON - U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high of 8.6 percent in the month of May according to data given by the U.S. government on Friday. This makes it the 12th month in a row that the inflation percentage has been above 5%. Food and fuel prices are also soaring up, while China, India and other countries benefit from Cheap Russian Oil at discounted prices. Read Full Article
China And India Benefit From Cheap Russian Oil While Oil Prices Surge For West - Both India and China have drastically increased their imports of Russian oil at greatly discounted prices, with Indian purchases of Russian oil up by 400%, while countries buying from Russia benefit from discounted prices, the price for oil for the rest of the world is surging. Read Full Article
Lukashenko Says Belarus May Have To Fight In Western Ukraine - [Based on translation] Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus has said that he believes Belarus may have to fight for "Western Ukraine so that it is not cut off [or pulled away] by the West".
"They [the West] have not yet abandoned the goal of leveling the front so that it passes: SmolenskPskov, Smolensk-Bryansk-Kursk and there to Rostov. They need to level the front. And we, almost a thousand kilometers, this balcony, it must be cut off".
He also said "This is their goal - they [the West] will not stop before this, they will come from Western Ukraine or from somewhere else. Western Ukraine will have to fight in order not to be chopped off. Because it is like death for us, not only for Ukrainians. Terrible processes are taking place around".
NATO Conducts Live-Fire Exercises In Poland To Test Readiness - NATO forces conduct live-fire exercises in Poland in order to test their readiness and ability to respond to missile attacks from enemy drones and aircraft.
Russia Begins Naval Exercises In Baltic Sea With 60 Warships - Russia has begun naval exercises in the Baltic Sea with around 60 warships. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) said that the exercises are "planned operational exercise with groups of the Baltic".
The Russian MOD said that the exercises involved around "about 60 surface warships, boats and support vessels, over 40 aircraft and helicopters, as well as up to 2,000 units of weapons, military and special equipment of the Baltic Fleet".
In a Thursday statement, the MOD said "In the Baltic Sea and at the combat training ranges in the Kaliningrad region, a planned operational exercise with groups of the Baltic Fleet has started".
"As part of the exercise, naval tactical groups of the Baltic Fleet left their bases and deployed fleet groupings in designated areas" they stated. They added that they will be "will perform training tasks for the protection and defense of sea lanes and fleet bases".
Russian Banks Begin To Charge Service Fees For Foreign Currency Accounts - Russian banks, one after the other are beginning to implement service charges and service fees for accounts held in foreign currencies due to what the Russian banks are calling the unreliability of foreign currency partners for Russia. Read Full Article
U.S. Military Training Ukrainian Troops How To Use Multiple-Launch Rocket Artillery - The U.S. military is training one platoon of Ukrainian soldiers at a time how to use the multiple-launch rocket artillery systems, paving the way for possibly more of the systems to be sent to Ukraine.
An initial group of Ukrainian soldiers have been training and learning how to use the systems with U.S. soldiers stationed in Germany and are showing proficiency according to Army General Mark Milley.
"We’ve got to start this thing with a program that is rational and deliberate and gets them trained to a standard where they become effective. It will do no good to just throw this weapon system into the battle. You’ve got to be trained on it to get the maximum effective use out of the weapon as a precision system" Milley told reporters.
Washington had approved sending four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARs) to Ukraine shortly after the UK announced that it would be sending three M270 multiple-launch rocket systems which perform similarly, though the version that the British will be sending has a greater range.
Milley said that Russia has "demonstrated that they are outgunning and outranging Ukrainian artillery" in spite of the dozens of M777 howitzers the United States has already shipped to Ukraine. Milley said that although the Ukrainians have used the artillery to great effect, they need "some longer-range artillery system" that have more distance.
"The Ukrainians have very good artillerymen. Very good gunners. They’re excellent at artillery. But they have been using Soviet-era systems, and then transitioning to different [Western] systems" Milley stated.
Russian Senator Proposed Missile Strikes On U.S. Military Bases In Europe - A Russian senator has proposed that Russia carry out missile strikes on U.S. military bases located in Europe in response to the decision by the United States to go ahead and send longer ranged rocket systems to Ukraine. Read Full Article
Russia Suspends Fishing Deal With Japan As Japan Strengthens Ties With NATO - Russia's Foreign Ministry says that it is suspending a fishing agreement allowing Japan to have fishing rights near the disputed Kuril Islands, which are called the Northern Territories by Japan.
Russia says that Tokyo failed to make payments that were stipulated in the agreement, according to a statement by Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
While the failed payments were given by Russia as the reason for the suspension, many media reports blame the war in Ukraine for being the real reason behind the decision, due to the fact that Japan has been strengthening ties with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and has welcomed increased cooperation between Tokyo and NATO.
This comes as Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted naval exercises with NATO in the Mediterranean Sea, and also conducted joint flight drills with the United States over the Sea of Japan with fighter jets.
Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said that "The security of Europe and Asia are closely intertwined, especially now with the international community facing serious challenges".
World Bank: Less Developed Countries Facing Major Recession - The World Bank put out a statement saying that less developed countries in the world face a major recession as a result of the war in Ukraine, as well as the consequences of the COVID-19 lockdowns as the cost of energy and food continue to rise globally.
David Malpass, the President of the World Bank says that there is also a major risk of high inflation and small growth, which is also called 'stagflation'.
Malpass said that "The war in Ukraine, lockdowns in China, supply-chain disruptions, and the risk of stagflation are hammering growth. For many countries, recession will be hard to avoid".
"Subdued growth will likely persist throughout the decade because of weak investment in most of the world. With inflation now running at multi-decade highs in many countries and supply expected to grow slowly, there is a risk that inflation will remain higher for longer".
Although the countries that will be immediately affected in 2022, according to a World Bank forecast are Russia and Ukraine, it warned of long term effects [from the war and COVID lockdowns] that will likely have much wider effects.
Malpass said "Even if a global recession is averted, the pain of stagflation could persist for several years - unless major supply increases are set in motion".
Turkey To Russia: We Will Respond To Destabilizing Actions In Syria - Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar spoke to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in a phone call, and said that Turkey would be responding to actions meant to destabilize northern Syria.
A couple of weeks ago Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had stated that the country would be carrying out new offensives within northern Syria against the Kurdish YPG militia. Turkey considers YPG a terrorist organization.
Akar informed Shoigu that "the necessary response will be given to actions aimed at disrupting the stability achieved in the region and the presence of terrorists in the region is not acceptable", according to a statement released by Turkey's defense ministry.
The statement also said that Turkey "reminded that previous agreements on this issue need to be adhered to".
Russia Continues Effort To Revert Back To Gold Standard - Russia is continuing its efforts to revert back to the 'gold standard' for the first time in over a hundred years, purchasing gold at a fixed price of 5,000 rubles ($59) per gram until June 30th. Read Full Article
UK Sending Long-Range M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems To Ukraine - Britain is sending Ukraine M270 multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine a week after U.S. President Joe Biden authorized sending M142 High Mobility Artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) after Kyiv gave assurances that they would not be used to strike Russian territory.
The missiles used with the M270 multiple-launch rocket systems Britain plans to send to Ukraine have a range of about 50 miles, while the missiles given with the M142 HMARS that the United States agreed to send have a range about about 40 miles.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said that British support for Ukraine will change as Russia's tactics change, when he explained the reasoning behind giving the M270 multiple-launch rocket systems.
"These highly capable multiple-launch rocket systems will enable our Ukrainian friends to better protect themselves against the brutal use of long-range artillery, which (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's forces have used indiscriminately to flatten cities" he stated.
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin had said that the shipments of the M142 HMARS from the United States was "nothing new", he had warned that there would be a response of the United States gave longer-range missiles for the HIMARS systems that will be given to Ukraine.
Britain said that Ukrainian soldiers will be trained how to use the new systems in Britain.
Russia: If US Missiles In Ukraine Strike Russia, Moscow Will Strike Outside Ukraine - MOSCOW - Former Russian President and current head of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has warned that if Ukraine uses any of the missiles given to them by the United States to strike Russian territory, Russia will have 'no choice' but to strike 'decision making centers' which are 'not even located on the territory of Kyiv'. Read Full Article
U.S. Adds 71 More Russian, Belarusian Companies To Trade Blacklist - The United States, on Thursday blacklisted 71 more Russian and Belarusian companies, which included institutes for ship building and research, and aircraft plants along with other sanctions and restrictions in response to Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine.
Among those blacklisted were the Russian Academy of Sciences. The wave of new sanctions and restrictions is meant to restrict Russia's access to technology.
U.S. Intelligence Report: Putin Was Treated For Cancer In April - According to a classified U.S. intelligence report, Russian President Vladimir Putin was treated for advanced cancer in April 2022, Newsweek said that they were privy to the information given by U.S. intelligence leaders reported. Read Full Article
Russian Official Threatens US With Satan-2 Nuclear Missiles - Alexei Zhuravlev, who is a lawmaker and a member of the Russian parliament has threatened the United States with Satan-2 nuclear missiles over U.S. support for Ukraine. Read Full Article
Biden Authorizes 700M To Ukraine, Including MQ-1C Gray Eagle Drones - The Biden administration has authorized another $700 million to go to Ukraine, along with MQ-1C Gray Eagle Drones. Read Full Article
Russia Carries Out Nuclear Drills After the US Announces Sending Rockets To Ukraine - RUSSIA - Around 1,000 servicemen of the Russian nuclear forces began exercises with over 100 vehicles in the Ivanovo province northeast of Moscow, Russia, according to the Russian defense ministry. Read Full Article
Russian State TV: World War 3 Has Started, Ukraine Was A Rehearsal - Russian state television Channel 1 said that world war 3 has already started, and that the war in Ukraine, which was a rehearsal for a 'bigger conflict' in the future. Read Full Article
Biden Will Not Send Long-Range Rocket Systems To Ukraine - The U.S. will not be giving long-range rocket systems to Ukraine that can be used to target locations within Russia, according to U.S. President Joe Biden.
"We’re not going to send to Ukraine rocket systems that can strike into Russia" Biden stated on May 30th while talking to reporters, prompting Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev to state that Washington's decision not to send the long-range rocket systems to Ukraine is a 'rational' one.
EU Agrees To Reduce Oil From Russia By 90% By End Of 2022 - The European Union has agree to cut about 90% of Russian oil imports by the end of 2022, according to the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
The ban on Russian oil exempts oil from pipelines and allows dependent states such as Hungary to continue to import Russian oil, but ban oil shipped from the sea.
Both Germany and Poland will be stopping their oil imports from the Druzhba oil pipeline by the end of 2022 as well.
Russian Lawmakers Branded As Traitors For Demanding Putin End Ukraine Invasion - Two Russian lawmakers who acted as regional officials have been branded as traitors and ordered out of a legislation meeting after they called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion on Ukraine. Read Full Article
Israel Says No To US About Transferring Missiles To Ukraine - Israel has said no to a request by the United States to allow Germany to supply Ukraine with anti-tank missiles manufactured in Germany using Israeli technology, according to an Israeli official, and two U.S. officials. Read Full Article
Russia Extends Military Service Age To 65 Years Of Age - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law that abolishes the age limit of those allowed to join its military. The age limit to serve in the Russian military has now been extended to up to 65 years of age for men and 60 years of age for women, which is the age of retirement. Read Full Article
Russia Successfully Tests Hypersonic Nuclear Capable Zircon Cruise Missile - Russia has successfully tested a hypersonic nuclear capable Zircon cruise missile which was fired from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense on Saturday.
The missile, which was launched from the Barents Sea hit a target in the White Sea from a distance of about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). The ministry released a video showing a missile being launched from a vessel.
The Zircon hypseronic missile can travel at 9 times the speed of sound, or mach 9 and travels at a maximum speed of 11,000 km/h, or roughly 6835 miles per hour.
Russian state news agency TASS reported "Today, the lead frigate of Project 22350 Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov fired a Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile at a sea target position in the White Sea from the Barents Sea".
Russia Loads Caliber Cruise Missiles Onto Two Submarines - Russia loaded two of their six Varshavyanka submarines anchored in the South Bay of Sevastopol with Kaliber class cruise missiles. Ukraine says they will be used to strike targets within Ukrainian territory. Read Full Article
World Only Has 10-Week Supply Of Wheat Left, Expert Tells UN - A food insecurity expert has told the United Nations Security Council that the world only has a 10-week supply of wheat left stored, and that global food insecurity has now reached levels that hasn't been seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Read Full Article
DAVOS: Soros Says Russian Invasion May Have Been Beginning Of World War 3 - DAVOS, SWITZERLAND - Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros said on Tuesday that the Russian invasion on Ukraine may have been the beginning of World War Three, and that the best way to preserve free civilization was for the West to defeat Russia. Read Full Article
Lavrov: Russia To Focus On Ties With China And Cease Being Dependent Upon The West - On Monday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia must cease being dependent upon the West, and that the 'dictator's position' of the West will lead economic ties with China to grow 'even faster'.
On Monday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia must cease being dependent upon the West, and that the 'dictator's position' of the West will lead economic ties with China to grow 'even faster'.
Lavrov said that Russia is working to replace goods imported by Western countries, and that the country would only rely on 'reliable' countries that aren't beholden to the West.
"If they (the West) want to offer something in terms of resuming relations, then we will seriously consider whether we will need it or not" he stated, according to Russia's foreign ministry.
"We must cease being dependent in any way on supplies of absolutely everything from the West for ensuring the development of critically important sectors for security, the economy or our homeland's social sphere" he said.
"Now that the West has taken a 'dictator's position', our economic ties with China will grow even faster. In addition to direct revenue for the state budget, this is a chance to develop (Russia's) far east and eastern Siberia".
Lavrov said that China has information and communications technology that is "in no way inferior to the West. A great deal here will ensure mutual benefits" and said that Russia would count on "only ourselves and on countries which have proved themselves reliable and do not 'dance to some other piper's music'. If Western countries change their minds and propose some form of cooperation, we can then decide".
Japan Scrambles Jets After Russian And Chinese Warplanes Approach Airspace - Japan scrambled fighter jets after warplanes from both Russia and China approached its airspace on Tuesday. Japan called the action a "provocation" that was likely planned while it hosted an informal gathering of Quad nations.
The informal meeting consisted of leaders of four nations, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Anthony Albanese and Narendra Modi. Japanese defense minister Nobuo Kishi expressed Japan's 'grave concerns' to both Russia and China regarding their actions and threatening its airspace, according to AFP.
Kishi said that two Chinese bombers had joined two Russian bombers in the Sea of Japan and "made a joint flight to the East China Sea". "After that, a total of four aircraft, two presumed (new) Chinese bombers – which replaced the two Chinese bombers – and two Russian bombers, conducted a joint flight from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean" he stated.
He also said that the aircraft hovered over Northern Hokkaido to the Noto Peninsula in central Japan.
Kishi said that Japan has lodged its concerns to both Russia and China through diplomatic channels. "As the international community responds to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the fact that China took such action in collaboration with Russia, which is the aggressor, is cause for concern. It cannot be overlooked" he said.
South Korea Scramble Jets As Russian Warplanes Enter Air Defense Zone - South Korea has scrambled fighter jets after at least four Russian warplanes and four Chinese warplanes entered the country's Air Defense Identification Zone without giving notice.
The Russian and Chinese aircraft entered and left the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (Korea ADIZ) in the Sea of Japan, or East Sea several times throughout the day, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
The aircraft that entered into South Korea's ADIZ included fighter jets and bombers from both the Russian side and Chinese side, but they did not violate South Korea's airspace, according toe the JCS.
South Korea deployed fighter jets to "implement tactical measures" in order to brace for a potential contingency.
Russia does not recognize the Korean ADIZ, and China says that the airspace is not territorial and that all countries should enjoy freedom of movement in the region.
Russia And China Hold Joint Aerial Patrol Over Japanese And East China Seas - Russia and China have held the first joint exercise since Russia's war on Ukraine began as a part of the two countries "annual military cooperation plan" over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and Western Pacific, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry.
Both country's Air Force held 'regular joint strategic patrols' on Tuesday, with the Chinese Defense Ministry saying, "Air forces of China and Russia held regular joint strategic patrols above the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the West Pacific Ocean on Tuesday according to the two sides’ yearly military cooperative plan".
In addition to the joint aerial patrols, the Chinese Navy also sent warships through both of the strategically important straits in Northwestern and Southwestern Japan simultaneously, according to Chinese state media, Global Times.
Global Times claims that the move comes as US and Japanese leaders made, what they call "provocative" remarks to China.
Russia had also confirmed that there would be a joint patrol with China. The patrol lasted for 13 hours and involved Russian Tu-95 and Chinese Xian H-6 strategic bombers over the Japanese and East China seas.
A senior US administration official said that the joint exercise shows the depth of the two countries alignment. "We think it shows that China continues to be willing to closely align themselves with Russia, including through military cooperation" the official stated.
"China is not walking away from Russia. Instead, the exercise shows that China is ready to help Russia defend its east while Russia fights in its west".
Milley: US Still A Ways Away From Reintroducing Troops Into Ukraine - General Mark Milley, who is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated on Monday that although there is low-level planning currently underway, the United States is still "a ways away" from re-introducing U.S. troops back into Ukraine, but that the decision ultimately lies with U.S. president Joe Biden.
The United States withdrew troops from Ukraine on February 24th, just before Russia's invasion on the country in order to avoid direct conflict with Russia.
The re-opening of the U.S. embassy in Ukraine has caused some to question whether the United States should also be bringing its troops back into the country in order to ensure the security and safety of the diplomats within Ukraine.
Milley said that to some extent staff is planning ahead of a possible decision to send American troops back into the country, but that the planning hasn't made it to his level for review, or to the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
"At the end of the day, any reintroduction of U.S. forces into Ukraine would require a presidential decision. So we're a ways away from anything like that. We're still developing courses of action, and none of that's been presented yet to the Secretary [of defense]" Milley stated.
U.S. officials did tell the Wall Street Journal however, on Monday that the Biden administration is currently considering sending special forces to Ukraine in order to guard the embassy in Kyiv.
Pentagon: Ukrainian Official's Claim That US Has Plans To Attack Russian Fleet Untrue - The Pentagon has said that the claim by a Ukrainian official that the United States has plans to attack the Russian naval fleet in the Black Sea is not true and said that there has been no change in maritime posture in the Black Sea. Read Full Article
Russia Adds 963 Americans On Russian Travel Ban, Including Biden And Blinken - The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that they have declared a Russian travel ban on 963 Americans, including U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in retaliation for what it calls hostile US actions.
The Foreign Ministry also said that they have added 26 new names to their list of Canadians that it has banned from traveling to Russia, including Canadian defense chiefs, defense industry executives and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau.
Russia had already previously banned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and hundreds of others from entering the country.
The Russian Foreign Ministry published the list of banned Americans publicly for the first time and stated, "We emphasize that the hostile actions taken by Washington, which boomerang against the United States itself, will continue to receive a proper rebuff".
It also said that Russian counter-sanctions were a necessary response that is aimed at "forcing the ruling American regime, which is trying to impose a neo-colonial 'rules-based world order' on the rest of the world, to change its behavior, recognizing new geopolitical realities".
Russia To Establish New Military Bases In Western Regions In Response To NATO Expansion - Russia will be establishing new military bases in western regions of the country in response to the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as both Finland and Sweden apply to join the NATO alliance, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
In addition to the new military bases, Shoigu says that Russia will also be establishing 12 new units and divisions in response to the move by the Nordic countries to join NATO.
"Tension continues to grow in the zone of responsibility of the Western Military District. We are taking adequate countermeasures" Shoigu said. "By the end of the year, 12 military units and divisions will be established in there".
On May 18th, both Finland and Sweden formally applied to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as concerns grew in both countries that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be eying them for invasion next.
Putin had stated on May 16th that Finland and Sweden joining NATO was no threat to Russia, but said that Moscow would respond if NATO began to bolster military infrastructure within the two countries.
Ukrainian Parliament Extends Martial Law For Another 90 Days - The Ukrainian parliament has extended martial law, which was initiated on February 24th of this year, in Ukraine for another 90 days as a result of the continued Russian invasion of the country.
The Verkhovna Rada made a statement on May 22nd saying that the decision to extend martial law for another three months, until at least August 23rd, had been requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The parliament received the bill seeking to extend martial law from Zelenksy on May 18th. A general mobilization order was also given. On May 10th, AFP and Kyiv Independent reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is also likely to declare martial law in Russia.
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines had said, "We assess President Putin is preparing for a prolonged conflict in Ukraine during which he still intends to achieve goals beyond the Donbas".
Lithuania Declares It Is Now Independent From Russian Energy - The government of Lithuania has put out a statement saying that the country is now completely independent from Russian gas, oil and electricity.
The Lithuanian government stated this, while quoting the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania, Dainius Kreivys, who said "As of Sunday, Lithuania will have completely cut import of Russian energy supplies, i.e. oil, electricity or natural gas, due to Nord Pool's decision to stop trading Russian electricity from its only importer in the Baltic States, Inter RAO".
Biden Signs $40 Billion Aid Package To Ukraine While U.S. Inflation At 40 Year High - WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $40 billion dollar aid package to Ukraine during his visit to Seoul, the capital of South Korea after the Senate passed the package with an 86-11 vote, while inflation in the United States sits at a 40-year high. Read Full Article
Italy And Germany Agree To Approve Payments For Russian Gas In Rubles - EUROPE - Both Italy and Germany have authorized companies to open ruble accounts in order to purchase gasoline from Russia without violating the current sanctions that have been placed on Russia, according to Reuters and Radio Free Europe. Read Full Article
Russia Says It's Not Ukraine They Are Fighting, But The West - Russia said that it is not Ukraine Russia is fighting, but the West fighting Russia on Ukrainian territory and said that their opponent is not Ukraine, but a united West through the hands of the Ukrainians. Read Full Article
Russia Takes Key Port City Of Mariupol, Ukraine - After 3 months of fighting, Russia has now captured the port city of Mariupol, Ukraine which not only gives Russia a land bridge corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, it also takes a key port away from Ukraine.
Ukraine formally declared that its combat mission in Mariupol has ended on Monday. Evacuations of Ukrainian soldiers from the Azovstal steel plant began being carried out that day.
The Russian Defense Ministry has stated that almost 1,000 soldiers have surrendered since. It is not clear how many Ukrainians are now left in the port city of Mariupol.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Wednesday, "The evacuation mission continues, it is overseen by our military and intelligence. The most influential international mediators are involved".
Ukrainian officials have expressed their desire for the evacuated soldiers to be exchanged in prisoner swaps, but Russian politicians have voiced that they are against this and called the soldiers that were defending Mariupol "Nazi criminals".
US Reopens Its Embassy In Kyiv, Ukraine After 3 Month Closure - After a three month closure as a result of the Russian war on Ukraine, the United States has reopened its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Russia Responds To Finland's Decision To Join The NATO Alliance - Maria Zakharova, the director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the response of the Russian Federation to Finland's decision to join NATO will be a "surprise" and will be taken primarily by the military.
She also said that a whole range of factors and features will be taken into account that will accompany the country's membership in the NATO alliance.
NATO Chief: Finland, Sweden Have Officially Applied For Alliance Membership - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that both Finland and Sweden have officially handed in their applications for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
On May 18th, after receiving both applications Stoltenberg told reporters, "I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners. The applications you have made today are an historic step. Allies will now consider the next steps on your path to NATO".
The application process should take around two weeks, although membership requires that all NATO alliance members are in agreement.
Turkey however has expressed the desire to block the bid due to their belief that both Finland and Sweden are supporting the PKK and YPG Kurdish groups which Turkey considers terrorist organizations.
Russian MOD Announces Russia Is Shutting Down Moscow Bureau Of CBC Broadcaster - The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that Russia is shutting down the Moscow Bureau of Canadian broadcaster CBC. They are also withdrawing their journalist's accreditations and Visas.
The Russian MOD put out a statement saying, "In response to the Canadian authorities' ban on the broadcasting of Russian TV channels @RT_com and @RTenfrancais, a decision was made to close the Moscow office of the Canadian State Broadcasting Corporation @CBC, including the cancellation of accreditations and visas of its journalists".
Russia Expels 34 French Diplomats In Retaliation For Russian Diplomats Expelled From France In April - Russia has expelled 34 French diplomats. The diplomats have been declared non grata and have been told to leave the country within two weeks time according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The expulsion by Russia was in retaliation for the Russian diplomats that were expelled from France back in April for security reasons. The French Foreign Ministry says that France condemns Russia's decision to expel the diplomats and staff from the country.
USS Harry S. Truman Under NATO Command Once Again - The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier strike group, along with other United States naval vessels have come under NATO command once again for Neptune Shield Drills in the Baltic, Adriatic, and Mediterranean Seas.
The drills were announced by Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on May 17th and places the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in the Mediterranean Sea, the USS Kearsarge amphibious ready group in the Baltic Sea, and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit under NATO operational control to the end of May.
Neptune Shield is the third exercise, in a series of exercises involving the United States and NATO allies.
Kirby stated that "This activity increases the pace and flexibility of command and control of US naval and amphibious forces between Sixth Fleet the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, operating in the Mediterranean Sea, USS Kearsarge amphibious ready group that’s operating in the Baltic Sea, along with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit".
Switzerland Considers Joining Military Exercises With NATO Countries - Switzerland's Defense Ministry is drawing up a report on security options which include joint military exercises with NATO countries. It also includes "backfilling" munitions to countries sending Ukraine aid. Read Full Article
Russia Says US Has Become A Hostile State To Russia - Dmitry Peskov, who is a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the Western countries, including the United States which it says is currently conducting a hybrid war against Russia, have become hostile states to the country. Read Full Article
Russia: NATO Has Long Taken Finland And Sweden Into Account For Plans Of Expansion - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has, for many years taken Finland and Sweden into account for its plans for eastward expansion. Read Full Article
Four NATO Warships Spotted Through English Channel - Four NATO warships that had departed from Hamburg, Germany were spotted traveling through the English Channel just off the Kent coast on May 17th.
The four vessels included A833, F802, 330, and F262. A833 and F802 flew the Netherlands flag, 330 flew the Canadian flag, and F262 flew the flag of Germany with F802 and F262 leading the other two vessels.
The two vessels leading are headed south-west, having passed Deal and currently nearing the coast of Dover, while the two trailing vessels are near the coast of Margate and Ramsgate.
All of the ships are military vessels, though the reason for the voyage is currently unknown, as is their destination which is not listed on the Marine Vessel Traffic website.
The Marine Vessel Traffic website does list a number of the ship's ports, however, which include Poland, Sweden, Latvia, and Estonia.
Sweden Formally Signs Request To Join NATO, Turkey Moves To Block Bid - On Tuesday Sweden formally signed their request to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), one day after they had announced the intention to join the alliance.
Finnish lawmakers are expected to also formally endorse the decision by the leaders in Finland to join the NATO alliance.
The majority of the members of the NATO alliance have openly supported the two countries joining the alliance, but Turkey has thrown a wrench in the process by saying that they will not be allowing them to join.
Turkey has blocked the bid due to their belief that both Finland and Sweden are supporting the PKK and YPG Kurdish groups which Turkey considers terrorist organizations.
For a country to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, all NATO members must be in agreement so that the requesting country may be allowed into the alliance.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Finland and Sweden are refusing to extradite what it calls 'terrorists' that are currently wanted by Turkey.
Russian Air Defenses Fire On Israeli Planes In Syria - SYRIA - Syria, Channel 13 news has reported that Russia , for the first time fired on Israeli aircraft in Syria using S-300 anti-aircraft missiles last week citing 'foreign publications'. Read Full Article
Russia Moving Nuclear-Capable Iskander Missiles Toward Their Border With Finland - There have been reports that Russia is moving nuclear capable missiles toward their border with Finland, after Finland and Sweden stated that they have decided to seek NATO membership. Read Full Article
U.S. Senator Delegation Visits Kyiv, Ukraine And Meets With Zelensky - U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, as well as a delegation of Republican senators traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine unannounced and met with Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine in order to show bipartisan support for Ukraine from the U.S. Congress.
The senators who traveled to Ukraine included Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, John Barrasso and John Cornyn and called the visit a "strong signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the United States Congress and the American people".
Sweden Officially Announces It Will Apply For NATO Membership With Finland - EUROPE - Sweden's president and government have officially announced on Sunday that it will be joining Finland in applying for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Turkey however has raised objections and has threatened to veto the request. Read Full Article
Reports That Ukrainian Troops Reached Russian Border Confirmed - Reports that have been circulating that Ukrainian troops have reached the Russian state border to the North-East of the Kharkiv Oblast have now been confirmed.
On May 14th a Ukrainian journalist had posted a photo showing that the Ukrainian military had taken control of the territory north of Kharkiv all the way up to the Russian border.
US Strongly Supports NATO Application By Sweden And Finland - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States would "strongly support a NATO application by either Sweden or Finland, should they choose to formally apply to the alliance. We'll respect whatever decision they make".
Russian State TV Says Finland Joining NATO Means Russia Will Have No Choice But To Deploy Tactical Nuclear Weapons - Russian Channel 1 state TV said that the reason Finland is joining NATO is fear, but that when NATO bases begin popping up in Sweden and Finland, Russia will have no choice but to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.
Russian state television stated, "Their official reason is fear. But they’ll have more fear in Nato. When Nato bases appear in Sweden & Finland, Russia will have no choice but to neutralize the imbalance & new threat by deploying tactical nuclear weapons".
Finnish Government Agrees Finland Will Apply For Membership Of NATO - The President of the Finnish Ministerial Committee has agreed that Finland would apply for membership for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after the Parliament has been heard, according to the Finnish Government.
The Finnish Government stated that "The report on Finland’s accession to NATO will proceed to Parliament once the government has endorsed it".
The Finnish government website stated, "On Sunday 15 May, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy finalized a report on Finland’s Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The report will be submitted to Parliament once it has been endorsed in the government plenary session".
"In the meeting, the President and the Ministerial Committee agreed that Finland would apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after Parliament has been heard" it added.
Russian Lawmaker Says Poland Should Be Next For 'Denazification' After Ukraine - MOSCOW - Top member of Russia's Kremlin party "United Russia's Superior Council" and Duma deputy Oleg Morozov stated that "Poland should be the next in the line for denazification process after Ukraine". Read Full Article
Russia Carries Out Drills With Fighter Jets After Finland Announced Plans To Join NATO - Russia carried out drills with fighter jets repelling a mock airstrike against Kaliningrad, Russia which sits between Poland and Lithuania along the Baltic Coast after Finland announced plans to join NATO, with Sweden likely to follow suit.
The drills, which included Su-27 fighter jets took place just two days after Finland announced its plans to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The jets simulated destroying mock enemy aircraft during the drills according to Interfax, which said that over 10 crews of the Baltic Sea fleet's Su-27 were included in the exercises.
US Intelligence Director: Putin Preparing For Prolonged Conflict In Ukraine - WASHINGTON - U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers on May 10th that the U.S. believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Read Full Article
Russia: We Did Our Best To Avoid Direct Confrontation, But If Challenged We Certainly Accept - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that the consequences of the "total hybrid war against Russia declared by the West" will be felt by everyone without exception, and said that Russia did its best to avoid direct confrontation, but that if the challenge has been posed, they certainly accept it.
During a meeting of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, Interfax quoted Lavrov as saying that "the collective West has declared a total, hybrid war on us (Russia), and it is difficult to predict how long it will be, but it is clear that the consequences will be felt by all without exception".
"we did everything to avoid a direct confrontation, but since the challenge has been thrown, we, of course, accept it. We are used to sanctions, in one form or another they have almost always been around" he added.
France Calls For New 'Community' Of Non-EU European Democracies - EUROPE - French President Emmanuel Macron stated that it would take years for Ukraine to join the European Union, and called for a new 'community' of non-EU European democracies which would not only include Ukraine, but other countries in Europe, including Britain to join the "European core values". Read Full Article
Pentagon Says It Will Not Define Russia's Fighting In Ukraine's East As Stalemate - The Pentagon says that they will not define Russia's fighting in East Ukraine as a stalemate, as they are still making progress, though incremental.
The Pentagon has also stated that the United States has seen indications of Ukrainians being moved into Russia from Ukraine against their will.
As far as the second Russian ship that is said to have been hit by Ukraine, a U.S. official has said that U.S. intelligence does not have any evidence that a second ship was actually struck by Ukraine.
Russian battalion tactical groups within Ukraine have also increased from 92 last week, to 97 according to a U.S. official.
Russia Redirecting Soldiers From Syria To Ukraine - Russia is redirecting its troops located in Syria, in the Middle East to eastern and southern Ukraine according to a report by The Moscow Times.
On April 16th, Russia signaled that they were going to be moving troops from Syria to Ukraine after Russia had suffered heavy losses during their invasion of the country which reportedly forced Russia not to rotate its 'Syrian' units.
The Moscow Times also notes that Turkey had barred Russia from flying aircraft to Syria from Turkish airspace until April 23rd which restricted Russia's options and forced Russia to relocate its forces in Donbas, Ukraine.
Pentagon: No Information To Corroborate That Russian Ship Admiral Makarov Was Hit - The Pentagon says that they have seen no information to corroborate the reports that the Russian ship Admiral Makarov was in fact hit in the Black Sea.
Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby stated, "We’ve seen the reports [about the Admiral Makarov]…we’ve been looking at this all day and we have no information to corroborate on these reports".
There has been many reports and claims that have stated that the Russian Frigate Admiral Makarov had been hit by a Ukrainian anti-ship missile and was sinking near Odessa.
U.S Intelligence Helped Sink Russian Ship Moskva - According to U.S. officials intelligence from the United States given to Ukraine aided in sinking the Russian ship, the Moskva which sank after being hit with two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles.
The Moskva vessel sank on April 14th, making it the largest Russian warship sunk during a combat situation since the world war 2 era.
While officials stated that there were significant Russian casualties after the Moskva was hit by the missiles, officials did not know what the exact death toll was.
Officials stressed however that they were not aware that Ukraine was going to target the Moskva when they passed the intelligence along and was in no way involved in the decision to carry out the strike against the Russian ship.
U.S. To Provide Security Assurances To Sweden And Finland On Road To Joining NATO - The United States has stated that they are ready to provide various forms of security assurances to both Finland and Sweden on their road to joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Read Full Article
Russia Preparing To Evacuate Families Of Officers From Transnistria, Moldova - A report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that Russia is now preparing to evacuate the families of Russian officers from Transnistria, Moldova after a string of attacks that sparked fears that Moldova could be dragged into the conflict. Read Full Article
Belarus Carries Out Snap Drills For Combat Readiness - Belarus has begun large-scale snap drills to test combat readiness, according to the Belarusian defense ministry.
The Belarus defense ministry put out a statement regarding the drills that stated, "It is planned that the (combat readiness) test will involve the movement of significant numbers of military vehicles, which can slow down traffic on public roads".
The defense ministry said that the drills do not pose a threat to the country's neighbors, or to the European community.
U.S. Embassy Hopes To Return To Kyiv By End Of May - According to the U.S. Embassy In Kyiv, Ukraine U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Kristina Kvien returned to Ukraine for the first time since the beginning of Russia's invasion of the country. She stated "We are thrilled to be back!" at a press conference in Lviv.
She also said that the embassy hopes to return to Kyiv, Ukraine by the end of May.
U.S. Congressman Announces Resolution To Defend Ukraine If Russia Escalates Conflict - U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger has announced the introduction of a joint resolution that would authorize the United States Armed Forces to defend Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin escalates the war on Ukraine by using chemical, biological or nuclear weapons against the country Read Full Article
U.S. Has Given A Third Of Its Javelin Missiles To Ukraine - The United States has depleted about a third of its Javelin missiles due to donations of its stock of missiles to Ukraine to aid in its war with Russia, leaving lawmakers concerned that it leaves the United States vulnerable. Read Full Article
Russia Threatens "Lightning Fast" Strikes On Anyone Interfering In War On Ukraine - Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened "lightning-fast" retaliatory strikes on any country that intervenes in what Russia calls their "special military operation' in Ukraine. Read Full Article
During a speech before Russia's Federal Assembly Putin said, "What I would like to note and say now, I already spoke about this at the very beginning of the special military operation. Let me stress again: if someone intends to intervene in the ongoing events from the outside and creates strategic threats for Russia that are unacceptable to us, they should know that our retaliatory strikes will be lightning-fast".
"We have all the tools for this, such that no one can boast now. And we will not brag, we will use them if necessary,” Putin continued. “And I want everyone to know about it, we have made all the decisions on this matter" he added.
Transnistria Accuses Ukraine Of Attacks - The Interior Ministry of Transnistria, an unrecognized breakaway state that is internationally recognized as part of Moldova, has accused Ukraine of an attack in Kolbasna this morning, and claimed that drones flew from Ukraine into Transnistria last night.
The statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs Of The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic stated (translation) was as follows, "Shooting in the village Sausage".
"Information at 10:00. Last night, several drones were seen in the sky above the village of Kolbasna, Rybnitsa region. Aircraft on the territory of Transnistria were launched from Ukraine".
"On the morning of April 27, at 8:45, shots were fired from the Ukrainian side in the direction of the Pridnestrovian settlement of Kolbasna. Information about the victims at the moment has not been received".
"Recall that in the village of Kolbasna there is a warehouse with weapons. According to experts, this is the largest ammunition depot in Europe".
Russian And Belarusian Arrested In Poland On Suspicion Of Espionage - Two men, one Russian citizen, and one Belarusian citizen have been arrested by the Polish military police on suspicion of espionage, according to the leading radio station in Poland, RMF 24. Both men had lived in Poland for 'many years' according to the station.
The Military Counterintelligence Service findings state that the Russian and Belarusian men had been gathering intelligence on military units of allied forces and acted on behalf of the intelligence services of the Russian Federation.
The two men were arrested in Bialystok, Poland, and the Polish court has ordered the men to be detained for three months.
Germany Sends Anti-Aircraft Tanks To Ukraine - In a major policy shift, Germany has reportedly now allowed the transfer of Gepard anti-aircraft cannon tanks to Ukraine to aid in their efforts to fight the Russian invasion of the country.
German defense minister Christine Lambrecht announced on Tuesday that the country will be sending the anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, saying that it's 'exactly what Ukraine needs right now in order to secure the airspace from the ground.
Germany has up to this point been hesitant to send arms to Ukraine, but said "We decided yesterday that we will support Ukraine with anti-aircraft systems ... which is exactly what Ukraine needs now to secure the airspace from the ground".
US Says They Gave Ukraine Coordinates To Fire On Russian Targets - US officials say they have given coordinates to Russian targets to the Ukrainian military which has aided Ukraine not only in moving their forces out of the way from Russian strikes but also allegedly led to Ukraine shooting down a transport plane. Read Full Article
Russia Issues Warning To Britain For Provoking Ukraine - Russia has issued a warning to Britain for allegedly provoking Ukraine, and said that if it continues to do so, there will be an immediate and 'proportional response'. Read Full Article
Lavrov Says Risk Of Nuclear War Considerable And Blames The West - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the West Monday not to underestimate the risk of a nuclear conflict over Ukraine and also stated that he views the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as currently being 'in essence' engaged in a proxy war with Russia because it is supplying Ukraine with weapons.
Lavrov said that Russia is doing a great deal to prevent nuclear war at all costs, and said "This is our key position on which we base everything. The risks now are considerable. I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it".
Lavrov also blamed the United States for ceasing dialogue with Russia and said, "The United States has practically ceased all contacts simply because we were obliged to defend Russians in Ukraine".
Regarding the weapons the West has been sending to Ukraine, such as Javelin anti-tank missiles, armored vehicles and drones, he said were provocative measures which were calculated in order to prolong the conflict rather than to bringing it to an end.
"These weapons will be a legitimate target for Russia's military acting within the context of the special operation. Storage facilities in western Ukraine have been targeted more than once (by Russian forces). How can it be otherwise?" he added. "NATO, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war" he said.
Large Explosions And Fires At The Oil Depot In Bryansk, Russia - There have been large explosions and multiple fires at an oil depot in Russian city of Bryansk, Russia. A smoke plume is visible from over six miles away.
Putin Loses Interest In Diplomacy With Ukraine, Who Calls For Peace Talks - Russian President Vladimir Putin has 'lost interest in diplomatic efforts' in order to end the war with Ukraine and 'appears' set on taking as much Ukrainian territory as possible, according to the Financial Times who were referencing three people who they said were briefed on conversations with Vladimir Putin.
The Financial Times stated that while Putin had been considering a peace deal with Ukraine has now reportedly told people that he 'sees no prospects for a settlement' according to the FT, who quoted one source as saying "Putin sincerely believes in the nonsense he hears on [Russian] television and he wants to win big".
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a meeting with Putin in an effort to 'put an end to the war' and said, "I think that whoever started this war will be able to end it" at a news conference at a metro station in Kyiv.
Zelensky stated that he was "not afraid to meet" Putin if it would lead to a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. "From the beginning, I have insisted on talks with the Russian president" he stated.
"It's not that I want (to meet him), it's that I have to meet him so as to settle this conflict by diplomatic means. We have confidence in our partners, but we have no confidence in Russia" he added.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has planned to visit Moscow, Russia on Tuesday before he visits Kyiv, Ukraine but Zelensky has denounced this saying "It is simply wrong to go first to Russia and then to Ukraine," he said. "There is no justice and no logic in this order".
Zelensky did however say that Ukraine would break off all talks with Russia if the Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol are killed, saying "If our men are killed in Mariupol and if these pseudo-referendums are organized in the (southern) region of Kherson, then Ukraine will withdraw from any negotiation process".
He stated that he was willing to exchange Ukraine's soldiers defending Mariupol "in whatever format" in order to save "these people who find themselves in a horrible situation, surrounded".
UN Says There Is Growing Evidence That Russia Committed War Crimes In Ukraine - The United Nations says that there is a growing amount of evidence that Russia committed war crimes as a result of actions that they have carried out during their 'special operation' or invasion of Ukraine since the war started on February 24th, 2021.
On April 22nd, Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the "Russian armed forces have indiscriminately shelled and bombed populated areas, killing civilians and wrecking hospitals, schools, and other civilian infrastructure, actions that may amount to war crimes".
A United Nations mission in the town of Bucha, Ukraine says that they have documented 50 civilians that had been killed in that city and said that they documented those that had allegedly been killed by summary execution.
Russia however, has denied that any civilians were killed in Bucha, and accused Ukraine of staging the atrocities.
Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated on April 22nd that "over these eight weeks [since the start of war], international humanitarian law has not merely been ignored but seemingly tossed aside".
She went on to say that the UN mission "has also documented what appears to be the use of weapons with indiscriminate effects, causing civilian casualties and damage to civilian objects, by Ukrainian armed forces in the east of the country".
The UN mission stated that between February 24th to April 20th it had documented 2,345 civilians that had been killed, as well as 2,919 that had been wounded.
"We know the actual numbers are going to be much higher, as the horrors inflicted in areas of intense fighting, such as Mariupol, come to light," Bachelet stated.
Russia Investigates Reports Of British SAS Sabotage In Ukraine - The Russian Investigative Committee, Russia's main investigative authority said on Saturday that it is now looking into a report by Russian state media that alleged that British SAS special forces, or 'sabotage' experts have been deployed in the western region of Lviv, Ukraine.
The Investigative Committee says that it will be looking into whether the media report by RIA Novosti alleging that the British SAS has been sent into Ukraine to "assist the Ukrainian special services in organizing sabotage on the territory of Ukraine" is true.
RIA had stated that a security source said that 20 members of the British SAS Special Forces had been deployed in the western Lviv region, close to the border with Poland.
Sky news quoted a British defense source who reportedly said, "We don't comment on stories around special forces, especially ones that are being pushed out by the Russian news agencies, because inaccurate speculation can put people's lives at risk, which is why we neither confirm nor deny reports."
Britain Considers Sending Tanks To Poland - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a press conference in India that Britain is considering sending tanks to Poland in order to intensify pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read Full Article
Russian Military Accuses US Of Provocation To Accuse Russia Of Using WMD - MOSCOW - Russian military official has claimed that the United States is preparing 'provocations' so that it can accuse Russia of using weapons of mass destruction.Russian state news TASS said that Igor Kirlov alleged that the U.S. plan was in response to the "successes" that Russian troops have had during their 'special operation' in Ukraine. Read Full Article
Russian General: Second Phase Of Ukraine War - Invasion Of Moldova - According to Russian state news, TASS on Friday, Russian Major General Rustam Minnekaev, Deputy Commander of the Central Military District said that the 'second phase' of the war on Ukraine will be centered around establishing a 'land corridor' between Russia, the Russian-occupied portion of Crimea, and Transnistria, a pro-Russian area of Moldova. Read Full Article
Turkey Closes Airspace To Aircraft Carrying Soldiers From Russia To Syria - Turkey has reportedly closed their air space to civilian aircraft that carries military personnel from Russia to Syria after speaking with Moscow, according to Turkish broadcaster TRT Haber, who cited Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Saturday.
Turkey is currently a NATO member, but has been attempting to remain relatively neutral throughout the war between Russia and Ukraine.
"We closed airspace to Russia's military planes and even to civilian planes going to Syria and carrying soldiers" Cavusoglu told reporters while he was on his way to Uruguay.
Washington Says Ukrainian Missile Strike Took Out Russian Vessel Moskva, Russia Admits Some Crew Were Killed - The Pentagon has confirmed that a Ukrainian missile strike did lead to the sinking of the Russian missile cruiser Moskva. Russian state news RIA Novosti, as well as the Russian Ministry of Defense, have also put out a new report admitting that some crew onboard the Moskva was indeed killed.
According to the Pentagon, a Ukrainian missile strike caused explosions, as well as a fire aboard the Moskva missile cruiser, and said that it had sunk as it was being towed to port in order to receive repairs.
Ukrainian officials had earlier claimed that they launched two Neptune missiles at the Moskva but Russia denied this and said that a fire had erupted and ignited ammunition on board the ship. Russian officials did not address how the fire had started, however.
A U.S. official had told reporters that they believed that the missile strikes had caused casualties. Russia has now confirmed that there were in fact some casualties on board.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a Russian serviceman that had been aboard the missile cruiser died while attempting to put the fire out and that 27 crew members had gone missing.
The Russian Ministry of Defense report stated, "The remaining 396 crew members were evacuated from the cruiser to the ships of the Black Sea Fleet in the area and taken to Sevastopol".
RIA Novosti reported that interviews were carried out with the living crew members, "during which a vast majority of officers, midshipmen, and contract service sailors wanted to continue serving on the ships of the Black Sea Fleet".
The Russian account of what happened as per RIA Novosti was as follows, "On the night of April 14, the Ministry of Defense reported that a fire had started on the Moskva cruiser, causing the ammunition to detonate. The crew was completely evacuated. At the same time, the main missile armament was not damaged, the source of ignition was localized, and the ship remained buoyant. However, she then sank while being towed in a storm to her destination port".
US To Ba Russian Affiliated Vessels From Entering American Ports - U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that the United States will be banning all Russian-affiliated ships from entering American ports.
"That means no ship, no ship that sails under the Russian flag or that is owned or operated by a Russian entity, will be allowed to dock in a United States port or access our shores. None", Biden said Thursday. The move follows the banning of Russian-affiliated ships by both Canada as well as nations located within Europe.
"The policies and actions of the government of the Russian Federation to continue the premeditated, unjustified, unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine" Biden stated.
The order by the Biden administration will give the Homeland Security Department the authority to enact rules "to regulate the anchorage and movement of Russian-affiliated vessels, and delegate to the secretary my authority to approve such rules and regulations".
The order will bar Russian vessels from entering into the United States regardless of whether or not they are reflagged at sea and includes Russian-flagged, Russian operated or Russian owned vessels but does not ban all Russian cargo in order to make sure the order does not seriously hurt supply chains for the United States.
Putin Has Declared Mariupol 'Liberated', Ukrainians Continue To Resist - Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared the city of Mariupol "liberated" and fully under the control of the Russian Federation, as Ukraine claims that Ukrainians continue to defend the city from the Russian military according to Ukrainian news, The Kyiv Independent.
During a televised meeting with Russian Defense Minister Segei Shoigu, he thanked Shoigu for "liberating" the Sea port city of Mariupol and stated that combat activity in the city is an a practical end.
"They (the Ukrainian defenders) are effectively sealed up" Shoigu reported to Putin during the meeting. "Block off this industrial area so that not even a fly can escape" Putin told Shoigu.
Meanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that "Without additional weaponry, this war will become an endless bloodbath, spreading misery, suffering, and destruction. Mariupol, Bucha, Kramatorsk – the list will be continued. Nobody will stop Russia except Ukraine with Heavy Weapons".
A video released by one of the Ukrainian defenders in Mariupol appealed to the world to get them and civilians out and said that they have days, if not only hours to live.
In the video, the defender says "This is our appeal to the world. This could be the last appeal of our lives. We are probably facing our last days if not hours. The enemy is outnumbering us 10 to 1. They have advantage in the air, in artillery, in their forces on land, in equipment and in tanks".
We are only defending on object, the Azovstal plant, where in addition to military personnel, there are also civilians who have fallen victim to this war. We appeal and plead to all the world leaders to help us.
We ask them to use the procedure of 'extraction' and take us to the territory of a third party state. All of us - Mariupol military battalion of soldiers, more than 500 wounded, and hundreds of civilians including women and children. We plead to take us to safety on the territory of a third party state. Thank you".
Pentagon: Russian Test Of RS-28 ICBM Missile Routine And Not A Threat To U.S. Or Allies - Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby stated that the test of the Russian RS-28 ICBM missile was 'routine' and that the Russians had 'properly notified' the United States under its new START treaty obligations.
Kirby stated, "Such testing is routine, and it was not a surprise. It was not deemed be a threat to the United States or its allies". The Pentagon said that the Russian Defense Ministry had reported that the long-range missile was launched from western Russia, north of Moscow, and 'landed on the Kamchatka Peninsula' in the country's far east.
Russia Test-Fires: RS-28 Sarmat (Satan II) ICBM - Russia has test-fired the RS-28 Sarmat (SATAN II) intercontinental ballistic missile, a liquid-fueled MIRV-equipped ICBM capable of carrying 10 to 15 18-25 megaton nuclear warheads that can each target a different location within the United States and is believed to have the ability to evade missile defense systems.
Russia has test-fired the RS-28 Sarmat (SATAN II) intercontinental ballistic missile, a liquid-fueled MIRV-equipped ICBM capable of carrying 10 to 15 18-25 megaton nuclear warheads that can each target a different location within the United States and is believed to have the ability to evade missile defense systems.
A report by the EurAsian times stated, "Individual warheads would strike distinct targets within a very limited ballistic ‘footprint,’ or many warheads from the same missile would strike the same target, increasing the likelihood of destroying that target completely".
The missile can be shot into orbit and each of the 10 to 15 hypersonic glide missiles that the missile releases can each target separate locations. Being hypersonic, they would be able to avoid detection by modern missile defense systems.
Each missile released by the RS-28 is said to have enough nuclear payload to completely wipe out an area the size of Texas for France, thus making the Satan II potentially the most powerful ICBM in the world. More About The Satan II
British Defense Intelligence Update For April 20th, 2022 - "Russia's military presence on Ukraine's eastern border continues to build, while fighting in the Donbas is intensifying as Russian forces seek to break through Ukrainian Defenses.
Russian air activity in northern Ukraine is likely to remain low since its withdrawal from north of Kyiv. However, there is still a risk of precision strikes against priority targets throughout Ukraine.
Russian attacks on cities across Ukraine show their intent to try and disrupt the movement of Ukrainian reinforcements and weaponry to the east of the country".
Lavrov Denies Possibility Of Nuclear Strike And Says Next Phase Of Their "Special Operation" Started - Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia is not considering the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine and that they are considering 'conventional weapons only".
RIA Novosti quoted Lavrov as saying, "At this stage, we are considering the option of conventional weapons. This operation will continue, the next phase of this operation is now beginning. I am confident that it will be a very important moment in the whole special operation. The operation is aimed at the complete liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics".
Lavrov also claimed that Russia is not going to try to carry out a regime change in Ukraine and said that "the people should have freedom of choice". Lavrov insists that the United States allegedly "pumped weapons into Ukraine" to create a "bridgehead" against Russia near its borders.
Ukrainian President Says Russia Has Begun Assault On Eastern Ukraine - The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Russian forces have now begun their assault on Eastern Ukraine, and Donbas.
Zelensky stated in a video address to the people of Ukraine, "Now we can state that the Russian forces have begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time. No matter how many Russian troops are driven there, we will fight"
Novosti: Russia Not Going To Demilitarize Ukraine For Ten Years - (Based on translated information) Russian state-run news RIA Novosti has reported that Russian Crimean political expert Ruslan Balbek stated that Russia is not going to demilitarize Ukraine for ten years.
"Unlike Zelensky, we are not going to demilitarize Ukraine for 10 years" he reportedly told RIA Novosti.
The Russian news agency said that European countries have significantly increased in giving financial support to Ukraine, saying that the European Union is providing 600 million euros in support of Ukrainian troops.
After Russia's Warship Is Sunk, Russia Says Their Attacks On Kyiv, Ukraine Will Increase - Russia has said that attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine will increase and claimed that Ukraine carried out airstrikes on Bryansk, Russia after Russia's warship was sunk and Ukraine claimed to have blown it up with two missiles while Russia claimed a fire blew up ammunition on board.
The ramping up of attacks on Ukraine by Russia is claimed to be because Ukraine carried out 'diversions on the Russian territory' and alleged that Ukraine damaged around 100 residential buildings and wounded seven people in Bryansk, Russia which borders Ukraine.
Ukraine has not confirmed carrying out an airstrike within Russian territory and the reports regarding the alleged attack in Bryansk, Russia has not yet been able to be verified. Ukrainian officials have, however claimed responsibility for the attack on the Russian warship Moskva with two Neptun anti-ship missiles on Thursday.
Russia Claims Moskva Cruiser Sank Will being Towed In A Storm - The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that the Moskva cruiser that Ukraine says they hit with two Neptun anti-ship missiles has sank while being towed in a storm.
"During the towing of the Moskva cruiser to the designation port, the ship lost stability due to hull damage, sustained during the detonation of ammunition because of a fire. Amid the heavy storm, the ship sank" the Russian Defense Ministry stated.
The Defense Ministry said that the Moskva cruiser sank "while being towed amid storm because of hull damage sustained during the detonation of ammunition" and said "During the towing of the Moskva cruiser to the designation port, the ship lost stability due to hull damage, sustained during the detonation of ammunition because of a fire. Amid the heavy storm, the ship sank".
The Ministry also said that the crew of the Moskva were all evacuated to nearby Black Sea Fleet ships.
Russia Issues Threat To Deploy Nuclear Weapons In Baltic If Sweden Or Finland Joins NATO - MOSCOW - Russia has put out a threat to deploy nuclear weapons in the Baltic if Sweden or Finland joins NATO after the two countries expressed the intention to apply to join the alliance. Read Full Article
Ukraine Claims They Have Sunk Russian Moskva Missile Cruiser - The Ukrainian military has claimed that they struck the Russian Flag-Ship, Slava-Class Project 1164 missile cruiser "Moskva" with two Neptun anti-ship missiles off of the coast of Odessa in the Black Sea.
Although Ukraine did not give any evidence, Russia's Defense Ministry did put out a statement saying that the Moskva missile cruiser had been badly damaged after ammunition that had was on board was blown up by a fire.
Russian state news TASS reported, "As the result of a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser, ammunition detonated. The ship was seriously damaged". The statement did not however say what caused the fire in the first place, but said that it was under investigation.
The ship, which is believed to have a crew of over 500, all of which were evacuated according to Russian reports. The Moskva, which was commissioned in 1983, and armed with "Vulkan" cruise missiles with a range of at least 440 miles had been reportedly broadcasting Morse code and Cipher signals, but those have now stopped which could indicate the ship is now completely sunk.
Presidents Of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia And Estonia Headed To Ukraine To Meet With Zelensky - The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are all headed to Kyiv, Ukraine to meet President Zelensky. The German President said he was ready to go also, but Zelensky refuses to meet with him and Ukrainian authorities considered his presence undesirable.
Zelenskyy Suggests A Trade Of Viktor Medvedchuk For Ukrainian POWs - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put out an address suggesting to trade recently captured Viktor Medvedchuk, a high-profile pro-Kremlin lawmaker in Ukraine for Ukrainian Prisoners of War (POWs) currently being held in Russian captivity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that his secret service has captured Putin's best friend, Viktor Medvedchuk who was under house arrest due to an investigation for treason and had been on the run after he escaped in February.
Medvedchuk is a lawmaker with Ukraine's pro-Kremlin Opposition Platform. Putin is Medvedchuk's daughter's godfather.
US Cannot Confirm Use Of Chemical Agents In Mariupol, Ukraine - The Pentagon says that it cannot confirm the use of chemical weapons by Russian forces in Ukraine "at this time", according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity.
The official said that the United States has no information to support the movement of chemical agents by Russia in or near Ukraine. Under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, the production, use, and stockpiling of chemical weapons are banned. White phosphorous, however, which Russia has been accused of using recently is not banned under the convention.
"We're looking into this the best we can, but we're not in a position to confirm those reports" the official stated when asked about the use of chemical weapons in Mariupol, Ukraine.
"The biggest challenge is we're not there, and we don't know if anything was used. These are difficult things to prove even when you are more proximate" the official stated.
Russia Claims Special Operation Meant To End Alleged U.S. Quest For World Domination - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed on Monday that the 'Special Military Operation' by Russia was meant to put an end to the United States quest for world domination and the expansion of NATO. Read Full Article
Slovakia Says MiG-29 Transfer To Ukraine Back On The Table - Slovakia's Prime Minister now says that the MiG-29 transfer over to Ukraine is back on the table. Eduard Heger said that discussions regarding NATO providing Ukraine with the MiG-29 jets have been renewed due to "how Russia behaves". Read Full Article
Pentagon Monitoring Reports Of Russian Chemical Weapons Used By Russia - Pentagon says they are monitoring unconfirmed reports Russia used chemical weapons in Mariupol, Ukraine, and said that they reflect concerns about Russia's "potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents." Read Full Article
Russia Gives Warning To Finland And Sweden About Joining NATO - Spokesman for the Kremlin Dmitry Peskov spoke to reporters and said that the NATO "alliance remains a tool geared towards confrontation" as US officials have stated that they expect both Finland and Sweden will apply for membership of the alliance as early as June, which would increase NATO membership to 32 members.
US Defense officials had called Russia's invasion on Ukraine a 'massive strategic blunder' and said that it would likely result in an enlarging of the alliance, which directly opposes Russia's demands that the US and NATO agree to halt expansion in Eastern Europe and withdraw all forces from the region.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused unease among some non NATO members bordering Russia, which has garnered support from Finland and Sweden for joining the alliance.
Finland shares about 830 miles of border with Russia. Prime Minister Sanna Marin said that she expects her government will "end the discussion before midsummer" regarding whether an application for membership will be made.
The Swedish Social Democratic party had, in the past been against joining the NATO alliance, but it also says that it is now rethinking its position on the matter after Russia's invasion on Ukraine.
The Swedish Social Democratic party secretary Tobias Baudin spoke to the media and said that the NATO review should be completed within the next couple of months.
"When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden's security position changed fundamentally" the party said in a statement they put out on Monday. Peskov however warned that NATO "is not that kind of alliance which ensures peace and stability, and its further expansion will not bring additional security to the European continent".
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was originally formed in 1949 by the United States, Canada and a few other European nations in order "to provide collective security against the Soviet Union" according to a government website and has since grown and expanded.
Russia Warns Of Direct Conflict With US, Which It Says Is Provoking It - Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov has warned that the West giving Ukraine weapons and ammunition may lead to direct military confrontation between Russia and the United States and claimed that the invasion was a result of Ukraine carrying out genocide of Russians.
Antonov told Newsweek, "The special operation in Ukraine is the result of the unwillingness of the Kiev regime to stop the genocide of Russians by fulfilling its obligations under the international commitments".
"The desire of the NATO member states to use the territory of a neighboring state to establish a foothold in the struggle against Russia is also obvious" he continued.
Antonov said that in Russia's eyes the war on Ukraine that started on February 24th was actually instigated 8 years prior, when the Euromaidan uprising toppled the Ukrainian government, which at the time had close ties with Russia.
According to Antonov, the uprising put a pro-Western administration in its place which sought close ties with NATO and the European Union, rather than with Russia.
In Russia's eyes, this was a "bloody coup d'état instigated by the West" in which "ultranationalist ideas came to power in Kiev", he stated.
Then, Antonov said that the removal of the Russian as the national language in Ukraine, and other policies that he said Moscow views as hostile were implemented.
He said that Russia seized Crimea with the goal of protecting the ethnic Russian majority in the region, at which time pro-Russian separatists rose up, which lead to 14,000 deaths which included civilians that each side blamed the other for.
He then accused NATO of carrying out a military exploration of Ukraine, and Ukraine of having plans of acquiring nuclear weapons. Both Ukraine and the head of the UN atomic agency IAEA has denied these allegations.
"The NATO member countries have commenced a military exploration of Ukraine It was flooded with Western weaponry while President Vladimir Zelensky announced Kiev's plans to acquire nuclear weapons which would threaten not only neighboring countries, but also the entire world", he stated.
Antonov also told Newsweek that he rejected claims by Ukraine that Russia had killed civilians in places such as Bucha where civilians were reportedly executed, some with their hands tied behind their backs, and instead claimed that Ukraine had faked the entire massacre.
"The Russian Federation is taking the necessary measures to preserve life and safety of civilians. We do everything to maintain the normal functioning of critical infrastructure facilities, to ensure law and order and the security of people. The strikes are made only on military targets and exclusively with high-precision weapons" he said.
Another strike that recently hit the Kramatorsk train station full of Ukrainian civilians attempting to flee, killed at least 57 civilians. The missile had the words "For Children" written on it in Russian.
While Ukraine accuses Russia of carrying out this attack, Russia in return accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack.
Meanwhile, Washington has supported Ukraine's assessment of the attack on the Kramatorsk train station and promised to send more military aid to Ukraine.
Antonov, however warned that such aid could lead to a direct conflict between the United States and Russia.
He stated, "The NATO member countries have commenced a military exploration of Ukraine It was flooded with Western weaponry while President Vladimir Zelensky announced Kyiv's plans to acquire nuclear weapons which would threaten not only neighboring countries, but also the entire world", he stated.
Antonov, however warned that such aid could lead to a direct conflict between the United States and Russia. "Western states are directly involved in the current events as they continue to pump Ukraine with weapons and ammunitions, thereby inciting further bloodshed" he stated.
"We warn that such actions are dangerous and provocative as they are directed against our state. They can lead the U.S. and the Russian Federation onto the path of direct military confrontation. Any supply of weapons and military equipment from the West, performed by transport convoys through the territory of Ukraine, is a legitimate military target for our Armed Forces".
Missile Strike Kills 50 People At Train Station In Ukraine - A train station in Ukraine that was crowded with thousands of people trying to escape eastern Ukraine was reportedly hit by a missile, killing 50 people on Friday according to Ukrainian authorities.
Photos at the Kramatorsk show bodies lying covered in tarp and also show what was left of the rocket with the words 'For children" painted on it in Russian. The station had about 4,000 civilians in and around it at the time according to Ukraine's prosecutor-general, saying that most of them were women and children trying to leave before Russia carried out a full-scale invasion of eastern Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry however has said that they did not attack the Kramatorsk station in Donbas, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with other Ukrainian leaders claiming that Russia purposefully attacked a place where only civilians were present.
British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said that "the striking of civilians and critical infrastructure is a war crime. These were precision missiles aimed at people trying to seek humanitarian shelter".
Intel Added To List Of Companies Suspending All Operations In Russia - Intel, which has 1,200 people employed in Russia has decided to pull out of the country and suspend all operations due to the Russian war on Ukraine.
Intel had stopped sales within Russia a month ago in order to comply with U.S. sanctions on the country, and publicly condemned Russia's invasion on Ukraine.
The statement put out by intel on Wednesday regarding their pullout said, "Our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by this war, particularly the people of Ukraine and the surrounding countries and all those around the world with family, friends and loved ones in the region".
The company has a large software development company in Russia and said that it's "working to support all of our employees through this difficult situation" and has put forth measures in order to minimize disruption to the company's operations.
Intel isn't the only one to have suspended operations within Russia. Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, FEDEX, McDonald's, Starbucks, Pepsi, American Express, IBM, Visa, MasterCard, Netflix, Microsoft, Samsung, TikTok, Electronic arts, Adobe, Airbnb, IKEA, Volkswagen, Universal Studios, YouTube, Sony Pictures, Disney, UPS and a great many other companies have also suspended operations in Russia.
NATO Has Intercepted Russian Jets Over Black Sea Four Times In Last 20 Days - NATO jets have been scrambled from the Mihail Kogalnicanu Air Base in Romania four times over the last 20 days in order to intercept Russian fighter jets over the Black Sea toward NATO territory.
Each time NATO jets were scrambled to intercept, the Russian fighter jets turned back away from NATO territory without incident, however.
Spanish Lt. Gen. Fernando De La Cruz Caravaca, commander of the NATO Combined Air Operations Center, spoke to Air Force Magazine and said, "You have more Russian aircraft flying around the Black Sea".
"We react to them anytime any Russian aircraft flies in the Black Sea,” he added. “We need to be sure that we are there, ready, in front of them, just in case".
Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force Lt. Gen. Luca Goretti told Air Force Magazine, "When they take off from Crimea protecting their vessels on the Black Sea, they [Russian jets] might … fly over us".
"They might fly next to the boundaries and then turn back when they see us in the air. That gives a good indication that they can no longer move everywhere they want."
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William Parks, 480th Fighter Squadron detachment commander also told the Magazine, "We’re executing 24/7 CAPs with all the NATO partners across the entire eastern front. It gives a chance for us to show that we are integrated completely with our NATO partners, and that includes in tight formations".
Russia Addresses Possibility Of Finland And Sweden Joining NATO - Russia has put out a statement regarding the possibility of Finland and Sweden joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, saying that they would have to re-balance and make Russia's western flank more sophisticated to ensure security.
Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told Sky News, "We'll have to make our western flank more sophisticated in terms of ensuring our security".
Possible Plans By Finland To Join NATO In The Works - Finland is set to announce possible plans to apply for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance membership as early as this spring according to reports by the local Finnish media.
The Finnish news site Italehti said (based on translation) that Finland is preparing to apply for NATO membership with an additional registration issued by TP-Utva. Italehti stated that the additional entry is brief and only states that the state leadership has decided to apply for NATO membership.
It also states that Prime Minister Sanna Marin will publish a 'supplement' to its foreign and security policy report on April 14th, and that the Parliamentary committees will begin discussing it after Easter. "The supplement does not directly express the NATO position of the Finnish state leadership" it states.
The paper said, "Finland is preparing to apply for NATO membership through an additional registration, which may be reported by the Committee on Foreign and Security Policy (TP-Utva) of the President of the Republic and the Government during parliamentary proceedings".
Italehti said that their sources estimate that the decision will be made in TP-Utva to apply for NATO membership in the first few weeks of May, but said that the decision route built by the government will allow TP-Utva to apply for NATO membership before May Day, in April.
US Imposing Sanctions On Two Largest Russian Financial Institutions And Putin's Adult Children - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that the U.S. is imposing sanctions on two of the largest financial institutions in Russia, Putin's adult children, Lavrov's wife and adult child, 21 members of Russia's National Security Council and former President.
Blinken stated, "We are implementing sanctions on two of the largest Russian financial institutions, designating the adult children of President Putin, the wife and adult child of Foreign Minister Lavrov, and 21 members of Russia’s National Security Council, including former President Medvedev".
Expert Says China Preparing For War With US And Asia - Expert says he believes China is preparing for a war with the United States, as well as its neighboring Asian countries. NATO to expand cooperation with partners in Indo-Pacific. Read Full Article
Advisory Alert: Nitric Acid Tank In Ukraine Reportedly Hit - There many are reports coming out saying that Russia blew up a nitric acid tank in Rubizhna, Luhansk Oblast in Ukraine. Pro-Russian media outlets however say that Ukraine was behind the attack.
Ukrainian residents have been advised to stay indoors, close all windows and doors and wear wet face masks in order to protect themselves from the resulting toxic nitric acid cloud.
Federal Agents From U.S. And Spain Captures Yacht Owned By Russian Billionaire - SPAIN - Federal agents from the United States, along with law enforcement from Spain has boarded a $90 million dollar yacht owned by Russian billionaire Victor Vekselberg Monday and seized the property as per a court order. Read Full Article
Biden Calls Putin War Criminal, Says He Needs To Stand Trial As One - U.S. President Joe Biden has again called Russian President a 'war criminal' and says that Putin must stand trial for the slaughter of civilians in Bucha. When he was asked whether he believed that the slaughter of civilians in Bucha was genocide, he stated "No, I think it is a war crime". Read Full Article
Top Polish Official Says Poland Is Ready To Deploy US Nuclear Weapons In The Country - Jaroslaw Kaczynski, a top Polish official has stated that Poland is ready to deploy United States nuclear weapons in the country to deter Russian aggression.
Kaczynski, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party stated, "If the Americans asked us to store U.S. nuclear weapons in Poland, we would be open to it" and has urged the United States to 'do more' in Ukraine.
Kaczynski also said that "The eastern flank must be much better protected in the future than before" and asked the United States to deploy 50,000 more troops, which would be a 50% troop increase into the Baltics and Poland.
"Let's face it: The soldiers of the U.S. nuclear power are the strongest stopping Russia from attacking NATO countries and provide us with the greatest security" he stated.
When he was asked whether he thought that the United States should deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe, he said he had discussed the idea with Senators in the U.S. in the past. "Back then, they thought it was possible. If the Americans asked us to store American nuclear weapons in Poland, we would be open to it".
"This would significantly strengthen Moscow's deterrence. At the moment, this issue does not arise, but it may change soon. The initiative would have to come from the Americans. In principle, however, it makes sense to extend nuclear weapons sharing to the eastern flank" he stated.
Mass Grave Of 280 People Found In Bucha, Ukraine - A mass grave filled with around 280 people has been found according to the head of Bucha, Ukraine. The bodies of around 20 civilians have also been found all over the Zhytomyr highway. Bodies have also reportedly been found in Motzhyn and other towns and villages in Ukraine.
Many of the civilians that were found dead had their hands tied behind their backs and executed with a shot to the back of the head. Many of the victims were also missing clothing, including the bodies of naked women who had been murdered.
Three people were also found to be killed while riding bicycles with their bodies tangled up in their bikes. Photos also show what appears to be the following: Village head of Motyzhyn-Olha Sukhenko, Her husband-Ihor Sukhenko and son Oleksandr Sukhenko.
Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk told AFP that "All of these people were shot, killed, in the back of the head".
Reports Say Putin Surrounded By Doctors, Including Thyroid Cancer Specialist - Reports are coming out that Russian President Vladimir Putin is surrounded by doctors, including a thyroid cancer specialist. Thyroid cancer is known to affect a person's mood and cause mood swings, anxiety and depression.
The report stated that Putin traveled to five doctors on average in 2016-2017, even being interested in alternative medicine. Thyroid cancer is highly treatable, with a long term survival rate of about 90% overall.
An investigation by Proekt, a Russian opposition journal that was released on Friday stated that Putin constantly has a doctor who specializes in thyroid cancer accompanying him where he goes.
Surgeon Yevgeny Selivanov of the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow, who had written his thesis on thyroid cancer has also reportedly flown in to Putin's Sochi resort around 35 times.
Proekt stated, "We promised to reveal to you the main secret of the Kremlin. Of course, we are talking about the health of Vladimir Putin", and then said "In July 2020, he [Putin] met with the head of the National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Ivan Dedov, who is the boss of Putin's eldest daughter, Maria".
"Dedov told the president about the high prevalence of thyroid cancer and spoke about the new hormonal drug Tyrogin, which fights metastasis after surgery" the journal said. "Recovery of 95-98%?' Putin asked, and heard an affirmative answer".
The report also said that Putin bathes in blood extracts taken from severed deer antlers and expressed interest in alternative medicines.
Ukraine Denies Hitting Fuel Depot In Russia - Ukraine has denied hitting the fuel depot in Russia, after Russia accused Ukraine of sending two helicopters over the border and shooting missiles at the depot.
Oleksiy Danilov, who is the secretary of Ukraine's national security council stated on Ukrainian television, "For some reason they say that we did it, but in fact this does not correspond with reality".
The Russian governor of Belgorod had earlier stated that "The fire at the oil depot occurred as a result of an airstrike from two helicopters of the armed forces of Ukraine, which entered the territory of Russia at a low altitude".
Russian Forces Using Banned Antipersonnel Mines In Ukraine - Russian forces are using banned antipersonnel mines in Kharkiv, Ukraine that "can indiscriminately kill and maim people" according to a report from Human Rights Watch who has verified that these mines, which includes POM-3 antipersonnel mines have been used.
Other reports say that POM-3 landmines are being found in Kharkiv, Ukraine along with photos of the mines that were allegedly found. The POM-3 mine detects approaching footsteps using a seismic detector and then shoots a warhead into the air that explodes and sends fragments in every direction within a 50 foot radius.
Using landmines is prohibited by the 1997 international Mine Ban Treaty due to the fact that "These weapons do not differentiate between combatants and civilians and leave a deadly legacy" according to Stephen Goose, director of the Human Rights Watch arms division.
Civilian Massacre In Bucha, Ukraine Reported - There are reports coming out of Bucha, along with videos showing that a civilian massacre took place. We have not been able to solidly determine who the victims were, or who carried out the attack but the reports show a great many bodies laying in the streets and in different areas.
At least two of the bodies had their hands tied behind their back, and some of the killings look to have been execution style murders, all in civilian clothing.
Ukrainian Photographer Who Went Missing During Battle Of Kyiv Found Dead - Ukrainian photographer Maks Levin, who went missing during the battle of Kyiv on March 13th was found dead on April 1st near Huta village in Kyiv, Ukraine. He was said by RSF (Reporters Without Borders) to be wearing a press jacket and unarmed at the time of his disappearance.
US Cancels Testing Of LGM-30G Minuteman III Missile - The United States has canceled testing the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that it originally had intended only to delay testing amid tensions with Russia.
According to Reuters, the Pentagon first announced that it intended to delay testing of the LGM-30G ICBM on March 2nd after Russia had announced that it had put its nuclear forces on high alert. Washington had stated that the United States and Russia should both "bear in mind the risk of miscalculation and take steps to reduce those risks".
Although Washington had originally decided to delay the Minuteman III ICBM test "a little bit" rather than completely cancel the test, the eventual cancellation was said to be for the same reasons it was originally delayed.
Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek said, "The Air Force is confident in the readiness of the strategic forces of the United States".
Jeffrey Lewis, who is a missile researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) stated, "There's a value to doing the tests but I don't think missing one test in the grand scheme of things is a really big deal" and said that the Minuteman III missile is an extremely reliable missile.
British MOD Intelligence Update For April 1st, 2022 - "A fire has destroyed several oil tanks at a depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, close to the Ukrainian border. On 30 March, explosions were also reported at an ammunition depot in the vicinity of the city.
The probable loss of fuel and ammunition supplies from these depots will likely add additional short-term strain to Russia’s already stretched logistic chains. Supplies to Russian forces encircling Kharkhiv (60 km from Belgorod) may be particularly affected."
Ukraine Crosses Russian Border To Target Belgorod Fuel Depot - Ukrainian helicopters reportedly crossed the Russian border at low altitude in order to carry out strikes on a fuel depot in Belgorod, Russia. Two workers were reportedly injured in the fire resulting from the strikes.
The strikes were carried out by two Ukrainian military helicopters which fired missiles at low altitude, followed by an explosion according to the regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
President of the European Parliament Announces She Is Traveling To Kyiv - The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola has announced that she is traveling to Kyiv, Ukraine. She tweeted "on the way to Kyiv" on Thursday night but did not say when she is expected to arrive.
U.S. Embassy In Russia: Citizens Should Depart Russia Immediately - The U.S Embassy in Russia has put out another Alert saying that U.S. citizens currently located in Russia "should depart Russia immediately" via commercial options still available.
"If you are in Russia and your U.S. passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, you may be able to use your expired passport to return directly to the United States until June 30, 2022".
"While you may only travel directly back to the U.S. on your expired passport, you may seek emergency consular services in a different country as needed".
Russian Foreign Minister Says US Declared 'Total War' On Russia - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated last Friday that the United States and the West have declared total war, stating "a real hybrid war, total war has been declared on us" by the West.
Hybrid warfare is a military strategy that consists of political warfare and blends conventional warfare in with irregular warfare, such as cyberwarfare, circulating propaganda and fake news and other, more indirect tactics rather than full on confrontational warfare.
Lavrov stated during a meeting that "a real hybrid war, total war was declared on us to destroy, break, annihilate, strangle the Russian economy, and Russia on the whole".
In response to sanctions imposed on Russia by the West and reports that Russia has been isolated on the world stage Lavrov stated, "We have many friends, allies, partners in the world".
British MOD Intelligence Update March 31st, 2022 - "Russia is redeploying elements of its forces from Georgia to reinforce its invasion of Ukraine. Between 1,200 and 2,000 of these Russian troops are being reorganized into 3 x Battalion Tactical Groups.
It is highly unlikely that Russia planned to generate reinforcements in this manner and it is indicative of the unexpected losses it has sustained during the invasion.
Putin Signs Decree To Pay Russian Gas In Rubles For 'Unfriendly Countries' - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to pay for Russian gas in rubles for 'unfriendly countries' starting on April 1st.
Russian Soldiers Poisoned By Radiation In Chernobyl's Red Forest - Two workers that were on duty at the Chernobyl site when Russian soldiers took control of it have stated that Russian soldiers, who wore no radiation suits drove through the 'Red Forest' located near the reactor kicking up clouds of radioactive dust. 500 soldiers are now reportedly being admitted to a hospital in Belarus for radiation poisoning. Read Full Article
Ammunition Depot Explodes In Belgorod, Russia - An ammunition depot exploded in Belgorod, Russia for a reason that is not yet known. There is a possibility of mishandling of explosives within the depot. Some have alleged that it was a missile strike on the ammunition depot, but that has not been confirmed to be true.
Ukraine Claims Russia Has Used Phosphorous Munitions In Marinka, Donetsk - Ukraine has claimed that Russia used phosphorous munitions in the town of Marinka, Donetsk region. Our intel team suspected this after seeing many videos showing what looked like phosphorous being dropped from the sky in Ukraine.
Head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko stated, "The Russians used phosphorous munitions again – today in Marinka. Dozens of fires were detected in the town, they were put out by State Emergency Service staff".
Ukrainian news Ukrinform said that Heorhiyivka, Novokalynove, and Ocheretyne also came under fire leaving several houses damaged. No civilian casualties have been reported however, according to the news site which also said that Avdiivka was cut off from power as a result of the shelling.
Ukrainian Army Says They Shot Down Two Missiles Launched From Belarus - The Ukrainian army says that they have destroyed two missiles that were launched from territory within Belarus at the city of Lviv, Ukraine. The missiles were reportedly destroyed about 30 kilometers away from the city.
The Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine put out a statement over Telegram saying, "“In the evening of March 28, 2022, from the territory of Belarus, the occupiers’ fighter launched two X-type missiles towards the city of Lviv. The targets were timely detected by the radio-technical forces and destroyed by the anti-aircraft missile units about 30 kilometers away from the city".
The Ukrainian news site Ukrinform also said that two enemy operational and techincal unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft units.
US Official Says Russian Troops Redeploying And Not Withdrawing From Kyiv - A US official has said that Russian troops are redeploying and not withdrawing from Kyiv and that the world should be prepared for a major offensive against other areas of Ukraine according to Fox News reporter Mark Meredith on Tuesday.
"No one should be fooled by Russia’s announcements" the official reportedly told Meredith. "It also does not mean the threat to Kyiv is over. Russia has failed in its objective of capturing Kyiv, and failed in its objective of subjugating all of Ukraine, but it can still inflict massive brutality on the country, including Kyiv".
Russian MOD Agrees To Drastically Reduce Military Activity In Kyiv And Chernihiv - The Russian Ministry of Defense says that they have agreed to 'drastically reduce' military activity in Chernihiv and Kyiv in order to increase trust in peace talks. Read Full Article
Hundred Of Unexploded Mines Discovered In Kyiv, Ukraine Removed - Hundreds of unexploded mines have been discovered in Kyiv, Ukraine and have been removed. The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs has called on residents to be careful and inform the police if they see an object that resembles a mine or other explosive device.
Russian Ministry Of Defense claims Ukraine Making Fake Calls To Male Citizens - The Russian Ministry of Defense has put out a statement claiming that Russian male citizens are receiving fake phone calls which the 'answer-back unit informs them of a call to the military commissariat". After 12 hours of the statement we have seen no rebuttal from Ukraine regarding the claim.
The Russian MOD statement says, "In recent days, many Russian male citizens have received fake phone calls in which an answer-back unit informs them of a call to the military commissariat".
"All such fake calls are made from the territory of Ukraine, are completely untrue and are a provocation by the Ukrainian special services. We declare that the Russian Defence Ministry does not plan to call any citizens in reserve to military commissariats".
U.S. President Joe Biden Calls For Russian President To Be Deposed - U.S. President Joe Biden has called for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be removed from office, saying 'For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power' during a speech at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland. Read Full Article
Russian Defense Minister Seen In Public During Security Council Meeting - The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has been seen in public at a Security Council meeting after having been missing from public view since March 11th amidst rumors and speculation that he had died.
Moscow claims that Shoigu had a heart attack and 'has had a lot on his plate' and that now is not a time for media appearances. Dmitry Peskov stated, "The Defense Minister has a lot on his plate at the moment ... now is not exactly the time for media activity".
Biden: If Russia Used Chemical Weapons We Would Respond - U.S. President Joe Biden said that if Russia uses chemical weapons then the United States would respond, saying "We would respond if he uses it, the nature of the response would depend on the nature of the use".
The response could range anywhere from verbal condemnation of the attack, to sanctions or even a military response but since Biden did not specifically state what type of response the United States would be willing to take, there is no way of knowing which of those actions it would be.
NATO: 40,000 Russian Troops Killed, Wounded, Taken Prisoner Or Missing - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has estimated that there have been up to 15,000 troops killed since Russia's invasion on Ukraine began last month, with as many as 40,000 troops either killed, wounded, taken prisoner or gone missing, including Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Read Full Article
Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant Current Situation March 22, 2022 - The following is a report put out by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine about the current situation regarding the current situation at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine Read Full Article
Russia Continues To Talk About Using Chemical And Biological Weapons - A senior U.S. Defense official says that Russia is continuing to talk about using chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine but that the United States has no indications of an imminent attack.
The United States is currently monitoring stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons for movements into Ukraine according to the official.
US And NATO Officials Say Belarus Could Soon Join Russia In Its War On Ukraine - US and NATO officials say that Belarus could soon join Russia in its war on Ukraine and is already taking steps in that direction.
Officials say it is increasingly likely Belarus will join the fighting in Ukraine and said that 'Putin needs support' and 'anything would help'.
Russian Warships Navigate Japanese Strait As They Halt Peace Treaty Talks - Russian warships were spotted going through the Japanese strait on March 15th and 16th, as the Kremlin has halted peace treaty talks with Japan after Japan placed heavy sanctions on Russia over the invasion on Ukraine. Read Full Article
Ukrainian President Says He Is Ready To Discuss Deal With Russia - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Monday that he was prepared to discuss a deal not to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in order to reach a ceasefire with Russia, along with the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and a guarantee of Ukraine's security.
"It’s a compromise for everyone: for the West, which doesn’t know what to do with us with regard to NATO, for Ukraine, which wants security guarantees, and for Russia, which doesn’t want further NATO expansion", Zelenskyy stated during an interview on Ukrainian television.
Zelenskyy reiterated that he wants talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and said that it's impossible to know whether Russia wants to end the war unless he meets with Putin.
He said that Ukraine will be ready to talk about the status of Crimea and eastern Donbas after a ceasefire agreement is reached, along with security guarantees from Russia for Ukraine.
Pentagon Can Neither Confirm Nor Refute Russia's Claim That It Fired Hypersonic Missiles In Ukraine - The Pentagon says that it can neither confirm nor refute Russia's claims that it had fired hypersonic missiles in Ukraine and at Ukrainian targets. U.S. President Joe Biden however has stated that hypersonic missiles were used.
Russia had announced that it used Kinzhal (nicknamed Dagger) missiles to destroy a large weapons depot in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. After the Pentagon stated that they could not confirm or deny it however, Biden announced that Russia has employed hypersonic missiles in its invasion on Ukraine.
One U.S. Official reportedly told reporters, "It's a bit of a head-scratcher, to be honest with you, because it's not exactly clear why -- if it's true - why would you need a hypersonic missile fired from not that far away to hit a building".
The official said that Russia may be attempting to send a message to Ukraine and the West in order to build leverage for negotiating, or has turned to higher end weaponry due to constraints on Russia's guided munition supplies.
The official said that Russia has been having failures with its guided missiles. "They're failing to launch or they're failing to hit the targets or they're failing to explode on contact" they stated.
Biden stated on Tuesday however that Russia used a hypersonic missile and that it's "the only thing that they can get through with absolute certainty".
"It doesn't make that much difference, except it's almost impossible to stop it. There's a reason they’re using it" he stated.
British Defense Intelligence Update On Ukraine March 21st, 2022 - British intelligence update for March 21st, 2022: "Heavy fighting continues north of Kyiv. Russian forces advancing on the city from the north-east have stalled. Forces advancing from the direction of Hostomel to the north-west have been repulsed by fierce Ukrainian resistance".
"The bulk of Russian forces remain more than 25 kilometers from the center of the city. Despite the continued lack of progress, Kyiv remains Russia's primary military objective and they are likely to prioritize attempting to encircle the city over the coming weeks".
Ukrainian Media Says Poland Preparing For Possible Invasion By Russia - Poland is allegedly preparing for a possible invasion by Russia, according to local Ukrainian media who reportedly quoted Ukraine's Warsaw envoy, Andriy Deshchytsia.
Andriy Deshchytsia was quoted on Monday as saying, "Poland understands all the threats from the Russian Federation and is preparing for a possible attack by the state".
The statement was first reported by Priamyi kanal, Ukrainian television. The ambassador has not yet confirmed or denied statement was made, however and we could not find a direct quote from him anywhere.
A member of the Ukrainian Parliament Lesia Vasylenko made a statement on Twitter saying, "144 Session. Instead I’m speaking from a field along Ukraine-Poland border, unable to cross at usual crossing because apparently Belarus army is preparing to invade Ukraine from Volyn region new reality".
There have been reports over the last few days of troops from Belarus moving toward the Polish border ahead of a 'possible' attack on western Ukraine as well as satellite images from @Maxar showing that Russia has deployed more ground forces in Southern Belarus about 18 miles from the Ukrainian border along with tents and equipment in the city of Dublin, Belarus.
White House: Russia Exploring Options For Cyberattacks Against United States - Washington says that the Kremlin is 'exploring options' for carrying out cyberattacks against the United States, Joe Biden said on Monday urging to strengthen the cybersecurity of America's private sector.
The White House statement, according to Biden spoke of 'evolving intelligence' on potential cyberattacks by Russia as Biden reiterated previous warnings from Washington about potential cyberattacks coming from Russia.
"I have previously warned about the potential that Russia could conduct malicious cyber activity against the United States. It is part of Russia’s playbook", he stated.
"Today, my administration is reiterating those warnings based on evolving intelligence that the Russian government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks".
Biden called on America's private sector to harden its security defenses 'immediately' and said that the federal government "cannot defend against this threat alone".
He also said that "vigilance and urgency today can prevent or mitigate attacks tomorrow".
Railway From Belarus To Ukraine Cut Due To Belarusian Sabotage - The head of the Ukrainian Railways Alexander Kamyshin has confirmed that there is no longer any railway connection between Ukraine and Belarus, "thanks to Belarusian railway workers" who decided to launch what they have called a "railway war" by sabotaging Russian equipment in various ways. Read Full Article
Russia: Russia-China Cooperation Is Only Going To Get Stronger - Cooperation between Russia and China is only going to get stronger in the current circumstances, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday.
"This cooperation will get stronger, because at a time when the West is blatantly undermining all the foundations on which the international system is based, of course we – as two great powers – need to think how to carry on in this world" Lavrov stated.
Death Toll From Overnight Attack On Kyiv Mall Rises To 6 - The death toll from the overnight attack on the mall in Kyiv, Ukraine has risen to six people. Rescuers are searching the rubble for more people.
The 10-story building located at the Retroville shopping mall in Northwest Kyiv was still smoking on Monday morning and the entire South side has been destroyed, along with the fitness center.
Ukraine Says Russia Stole Five Grain Carriers FRom Berdyansk Port - Oleksandr Starukh, governor of Zaporizhzhia Oblast has reported that Russia has used tugboats to steal five grain carriers from the Berdyansk port.
Ukrainian newspaper Kyiv Independent reported that on March 21st Russian tugboats stole 5 grain carriers that were carrying 'tens of thousands of tons of grain' and said that eyewitnesses stated that the ships were stolen by Russian tugboats.
Ammonia Leak At Chemical Plant In Sumy, Ukraine - There has been an ammonia leak reported at a chemical plant in Sumy, Ukraine according to the Sumy regional governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyy on Monday.
Zhyvytskyy did not say what caused the leak, but that a five kilometer (1.5 mile) radius around the plant was hazardous. "For the center of Sumy, there is no threat now, since the wind does not blow on the city" Zhyvytskyy stated.
On March 19th, Russian state news agencies claimed Ukraine was planning to blow up ammonia storage tanks at the same chemical plant, without providing any evidence as to why they believed this.
Reports by Ukraine however say that the chemical plant had been under Russian shelling, which caused a slight ammonia leak. There have been no reported injuries, and the Ukraine State Emergency Service says that there has been "no threat to the city population".
Retroville Shopping Mall In Kyiv, Ukraine Hit By Missile - One person was reported to have been killed and several residential and business areas were hit by the missile earlier in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Retroville shopping mall area is reported to have been the likely target.
Four US Troops Die In Plane Crash In Norway - Four U.S. Marines have died in a plane crash in Norway in the Arctic Circle during a NATO exercise that was reportedly not in any way related to the war in Ukraine according to Norway's Prime Minister. Read Full Article
Russia Uses Hypersonic Missiles In Ukraine For First Time - US officials have confirmed Russia's first use of hypersonic missiles in western Ivano-Frankivsk Ukraine last week, destroying an underground missile and ammunition depot.
The US tracked the precision "Kinzhal" hypersonic missile launches in real time.
The British Defense Intelligence Update On Ukraine 19 March 2022 - The British Defense Intelligence update on Ukraine 19 March 2022: "The Kremlin has so far failed to achieve its original objectives. It has been surprised by the scale and ferocity of Ukrainian Resistance".
"Russian has been forced to change its operational approach and is now pursuing a strategy of attrition".
"This is likely to involve the indiscriminate use of firepower resulting in increased civilian casualties, destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure, and intensify the humanitarian crisis. Putin has reinforced his control over Russian domestic media".
"The Kremlin is attempting to control the narrative, detract from operational problems and obscure high Russian casualty numbers from the Russian people".
National Guard refutes Russian state media reports that falsely claim Tennessee National Guard members killed in Ukraine - This afternoon the Russian media outlet “Pravda” falsely reported that three members of the Tennessee National Guard, which it labeled as “mercenaries” were killed while fighting in Ukraine.
This afternoon the Russian media outlet “Pravda” falsely reported that three members of the Tennessee National Guard, which it labeled as “mercenaries” were killed while fighting in Ukraine.
The reporting by “Pravda” is patently false. “The three soldiers identified in the article are either current or former members of the Tennessee National Guard,” according to the Office of the Tennessee Adjutant General. “They are accounted for, safe and not, as the article headline erroneously states, US mercenaries killed in Donetsk People’s Republic.”
It is believed that the individuals were targeted by Russian media due to articles that appeared on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service related to a 2018 deployment as part of the Multinational Training Group-Ukraine which included members of the Tennessee National Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
During the 2018 mission, more than 200 soldiers assisted the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the continued development of the Yavoriv Combat Training Center. This effort included the development of cadre, ranges and training areas; equipment and instrumentation requirements, and a realistic operational training environment.
All members of the Tennessee National Guard returned safely to their home state in 2019 after a successful mission.
American Killed In Bread Line By Russian Soldiers In Ukraine - An American named Jim Hill was among around nine other civilians who were reportedly standing in the bread line in Chernihiv, Ukraine when they were gunned down by Russian soldiers according to his sister. Read Full Article
Belarusian Politician and Journalist Says Explosions Heard On March 16th In Belarus - Both Belarus politician Pavel Latushka and Belarusian journalist Franak Viačorka posted this map saying that popping sounds (explosions) were heard in these Belarusian cities in the evening on March 16th.
Franak Viačorka stated, "Today, the residents of 8 Belarusian cities have heard the noises of explosions. Still, there is no information on what it was. At the same time, there are reports of the missile shelling of the Ukrainian city of Sarny, right across the border with the Brest region of Belarus".
Ukraine Says It Needs To Make Defensive Alliance With Nuclear Armed Country Such As UK - The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine stated on their Facebook page that Ukraine needs to make a defensive alliance with a nuclear armed country, such as the United Kingdom.
Secretary of the Republic of Ukraine O. Danilova speech posted on The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Facebook page (translated text): "Statement O. Lukashenko, who around his country allegedly hit with a rocket "Point-U" from the territory of Ukraine, is a complete nonsense. We are a civilized nation, we don't kill children and women, we protect our land.
According to the data at our disposal, the vast majority of Belarusian military refuse to go to war on the side of the racists. Belarusians see that today the spirit of our army, our society, is huge. In addition, they see how many corpses of Russians and wounded are brought from Ukraine.
The whole world already understands what is happening in Ukraine. Unfortunately, not all countries react appropriately. But we will win. Remember how some countries behaved before the Second World. It's not democratic values that matter to them, but money. At first, they closed their eyes to the occupation of Crimea, later - to the occupation of parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
Without the use of the force of the enemy, it is impossible to overcome, and we are very grateful to the countries that help us. But there are those who threw us in a difficult minute. They will also be famous.
A bunch of international organizations created after the Second World War do not influence anything, but express concern. Almost a hundred children have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, who will be responsible for this?
Ukraine needs to establish a new defense union, in which there must be a nuclear weapon-owned country. This is the UK today.
We have been preparing for a possible war since November last year, negotiating with partners about the supply of weapons, putting into effect the law on national resistance. And this help was very useful, especially in the first days of the war.
Victory will be ours, because the truth is behind us. President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky will not take a step back, will not surrender national interests.
The actions of the Russian army in Ukraine are beyond common sense. They don't even care about their dead. To them, human life is worth nothing. Such a country, such a kermanichí".
British Intelligence Update About Ukraine March 16th, 2022 - British Defense Intelligence update on situation in Ukraine for March 16th, 2022: "Given the delays in achieving their objectives and failure to control Ukrainian airspace, Russia has probably expanded far more stand-off air launched weapons than originally planned.
As a result it is likely Russia is resorting to the use of older, less precise weapons which are less militarily effective and more likely to result in civilian casualties.
Latest UN reporting indicates that 1,900 civilian casualties, including 726 deaths, have already occurred in the conflict to date. The true casualty figure is likely to be significantly greater and will continue to rise as long as the conflict continues.
Explosions Reported In Belarus - We Believe May Be Sonic Booms From Aircraft - Explosions were reported in Baranavichy, Luninets, Stolin, Hantsavichy, Slutsk & Kletsk cities of Belarus.
Our intel team has examined the audio and concluded that it does not sound like artillery, but it does sound like sonic booms.
There has also been reports that "aviation is "active" at the moment" and people who reported the explosions indicated that they happened in the sky somewhere, not on the ground which may explain the sound of sonic booms.
Ukrainian President Says International Court Of Justice Ordered Russia To Stop The War Immediately - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that the International Court of Justice in the Hague has ordered Russia to stop the war on Ukraine immediately and says that the order is binding under international law.
Zelensky stated, "Ukraine gained a complete victory in its case against Russia at the International Court of Justice. The ICJ ordered to immediately stop the invasion. The order is binding under international law. Russia must comply immediately. Ignoring the order will isolate Russia even further".
Ukraine And Russia Draw Up Plans To End War - Kyiv Rejects Russia's Proposal - Ukraine, Russia were reportedly drawing up plans to end the war, providing Ukraine agrees not to join NATO and promises not to host foreign military weapons or bases on its territory. Kyiv rejected Russia's offer after 10 reportedly killed in bread line by Russian military. Read Full Article
Fox News Drew Ire For Not Reporting On Death From Ukrainian Woman, But Here's Why - There are reports going around that @FoxNews reported the death of the American news crew that worked for them, but not the Ukrainian woman who worked for them that was killed, which has drawn ire from some. Fox did report this, but not initially because they wanted to wait to notify the woman's family first.
Fox News Cameraman Killed After Vehicle Hit With Incoming Fire Outside Of Kyiv, Ukraine - A Fox News cameraman, and long-time photojournalist was killed after his vehicle was hit with 'incoming fire' outside of Kyiv, Ukraine. The correspondent that he was with inside the vehicle that took fire was also injured.
NATO Carries Out Large Military Exercises Near Russian Border - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance has sent 35,000 troops, 50 ships, including a nuclear attack submarine and 200 aircraft to Norway, which borders Russia for military drills. Read Full Article
Drone Crosses Into Poland And Turns Back, Another In Romania - The Ukrainian Air Force has claimed that a Russian drone crossed into Poland, then turned back into Ukrainian airspace before being shot down by Ukrainian air defenses.
We have not been able to find a response from Poland to verify the claims of the Ukrainian Air Forces and at the time of writing this it is in the middle of the night in Poland.
The information was published on the Telegram account of the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and allegedly happened on March 14th (The 19th day of the war according to Ukrainian news 24tv.ua).
The Ukrainian Air Force posted "Radar means of the Air Force recorded the fact of crossing the state border of Ukraine in the direction of Poland of the previously Russian unmanned aerial vehicle complex type 'Outpost'".
They also said, "As we can see, the occupiers continue to carry out their provocative actions without hesitation, flying into the airspace of NATO member states".
Ukrainian news 24tv.ua also alleged that an 'unknown' Russian drone equipped with cameras landed in Romania 100 kilometers south of the border with Ukraine and that it is being investigated by local police.
There are many reports, including Ukrainian national news agency Ukrinform which states that an Orlan-10 drone crashed in Romania.
Russia Legalizes Piracy From List Of Unfriendly Nations In Response To Sanctions - Russia is reportedly legalizing piracy by issuing a decree this week allowing businesses to steal patents from anyone in its list of 'unfriendly nations' and stating that unauthorized use of the patents will not be compensated. Read Full Article
Estonia Becomes First NATO Member To Officially Endorse No Fly Zone Over Ukraine - The Estonian Parliament has formally called for the implementation of a no-fly zone in Ukraine and a total trade embargo against Russia, becoming the first NATO member to officially endorse a no-fly zone in the war-torn country. Read Full Article
Military Drone Carrying Air Bomb Flies Across NATO Member States Into Croatia - A Soviet-era Tu-141 military drone carrying a bomb flew across three NATO member states before finally crashing down in Croatia, in an urban area according to the Croatian defense minister on Sunday. Read Full Article
US Says Russia Requested Military Aid From China Since Beginning Of Ukraine Invasion - According to the Financial Times, US officials stated that Russia has requested military aid from China since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in the form of military equipment and other assistance, but declined to give any further details. Read Full Article
Russian Airstrike Hits Training Base In Ukraine Near Polish Border, Killing 35 - A Russian airstrike that targeted a military training base in Western Ukraine near the Polish border has killed 35 people according to Ukrainian authorities on Sunday.
Russia reportedly fired over 30 cruise missiles at the military training facility, which is around 15 miles from the Polish border.
1 Journalist Killed And Two Injured In Irpin, Ukraine - One journalist was killed and two were injured in Irpin, Ukraine when Russian troops reportedly opened fire on their vehicle.
A New York Times video operator was shot and killed while reporting in a suburb of Kyiv, filming refugees.
Russia Bringing In 16,000 Middle Eastern Volunteers To Fight In Ukraine - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that there are 16,000 volunteers from the Middle East who are ready and willing to join Russian backed rebels fighting in Donbas, Eastern Ukraine.
Shoigu stated, "We know many of [these volunteers], they helped in the fight against ISIS during the last 10 years".
Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "If you see that there are these people who want of their own accord, not for money, to come to help the people living in Donbas, then we need to give them what they want and help them get to the conflict zone".
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv put out a statement saying, "We urge U.S. citizens to depart Ukraine now via ground transport if safe. Border crossings are open. Consider routes & risks; roads may be crowded, exposed to combat or have damaged infrastructure. Sheltering in place may be the best option for some".
"The security situation throughout Ukraine continues to be violent and unpredictable due to ongoing military attacks by Russia, with active fighting in country and uncertain safety conditions" it continued.
"The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens in Ukraine to depart now using privately available ground transportation options if it is safe to do so. Carefully consider routes and the risks of travel, because Ukraine’s roads may be crowded, exposed to combat operations, or have deteriorated infrastructure due to damage to bridges, roads, and facilities. Sheltering in place may remain the best option for some".
"U.S. citizens wishing to depart Ukraine by land have several options. We understand that border crossings into neighboring countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova) remain open".
"For U.S. citizens traveling into Poland by land from Ukraine at the Korczowa-Krakovets or Medyka-Shehyni border crossings, the U.S. Embassy in Poland has opened a Welcome Center near these border crossing points to provide assistance to U.S. citizens entering Poland from Ukraine. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of assistance, please visit our Welcome Center in the second-floor conference room of the SPA Gloria Hotel, Sybiraków 31, 37-700 Przemyśl, Poland. The Welcome Center is open to assist U.S. citizens 24 hours a day. The Welcome Center can assist with onward travel and provide information on needed consular services".
"Local authorities in neighboring countries have been assisting at most border crossings with reception centers, where you can find food, temporary lodging, clothes, and transportation to onward destinations".
Russia Threatens To Target Foreign Supply Lines To Ukraine - Russia threatens to target foreign aid convoys to Ukraine after NATO Chief said targeting supply lines of allied nations would be 'a dangerous escalation of the war'. Read Full Article
Russia: Space Station Could Crash Into Sea If Sanctions Continue - Russia says that sanctions on the country could cause the International Space Station to crash into the ocean. The head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos called on Saturday for the sanctions against Russia to be lifted. Read Full Article
Ukraine Invasion Could Worsen Microchip Shortage, Taiwan Invasion Would Make It Worse - The Russian invasion of Ukraine could worsen microchip shortages due to the fact that Ukraine produces around 70% of the world's neon. Neon gas is used to run the lasers necessary for manufacturing semiconductors. There is also a looming threat of a Chinese invasion on Taiwan. If China were to invade Taiwan, it could worsen microchip Shortages even further. Read Full Article
Ukrainian Network Provider Triolan Having A Major Outage Attributed To Cyberattacks - The Ukrainian network provider Triolan is having a major outage that is being attributed by Triolan as a cyberattack according to the Internet Observatory NetBlocks. It had also been hit with a cyberattack on the morning of February 24th when the Russian invasion on Ukraine started.
Top US General In Europe Says Anti-Tank And Anti-Aircraft Weapons More Effective For Ukraine Than MiG-29s - After the United States rejected Poland's offer to put all of its MiG-29 fighter at the disposal of the US, a top US general has explained in more detail why the decision was made.
Top US general in Europe Tod Wolters said that anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons are more effective tools for Ukraine than MiG-29s would be and stated that Ukraine is 'making excellent use of these weapons now". He also said that more aircraft would only have a marginal benefit and potentially even escalate the war. "Therefore, we assess that the overall gain is low".
Russia has refrained from using most of its Air Force over Ukraine, presumably due to the fact that they know that Ukraine possesses anti-aircraft capabilities and have instead focused their efforts on ground forces and artillery. We have seen quite a lot of footage of Russian tanks being destroyed by Javelins and Stingers.
Anti-tank and anti-aircraft weaponry are seen as 'defensive' weapons, whereas MiG-29 fighter jets would be seen by Russia as more 'offensive'.
One point to be made however, regarding a possible Ukrainian perspective is that fighter jets would be able to eliminate long range-targets such as artillery and strike at targets before they are in firing range. Fighter jets would also be able to destroy multiple targets at one time and respond to fighting zones providing quicker response times.
MiG-29s however would allow Ukraine the ability to travel into Russian territory or over the border into Belarus and carry out offensive attacks on their equipment which is clearly the reason that Russia and Belarus would both see them as 'offensive weapons' and not merely defensive.
Over Two Million Ukrainian Refugees Have Left The country To Date - According to the United Nations, there are now more than 2.3 million Ukrainian war refugees who have left the country since the beginning of the Russian invasion. 161,700 have left the country in the last 24 hours according to the UN report. Read Full Article
Russia Says US Experimenting With COVID In Ukraine Bio-labs, US Says Labs Peaceful - The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that the United States has been carrying out experimentation on bat coronavirus samples in U.S. established and U.S. funded bio-labs in Ukraine and that it was first revealed during Russia's 'special operation' in Ukraine. According to Turkish news, China has 'demanded answers' from the United States regarding the '26 bio-labs in Ukraine'. Read Full Article
US Deploying Patriot Missile Batteries In Poland - The United States is deploying two Patriot missile batteries to Poland in order to bolster defenses, after having sent thousands of U.S. troops to the country.
Captain Christina Judd, who is a EUCOM spokeswoman stated, "This defensive deployment is being conducted proactively to counter any potential threat to U.S. and Allied forces and NATO territory"
Judd stated, "This is a prudent force protection measure that underpins our commitment to Article Five and will in no way support any offensive operations. Every step we take is intended to deter aggression and reassure our allies.".
Article 5 of the NATO treaty states that an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all NATO members.
Just one day before it was decided to send air batteries to Poland, the United States had rejected a proposal from Poland to send its MiG-29 fighter jets to the Ramstein Air Base to be put at the disposal of the U.S.
Power Outage In Vicinity Of Chernobyl And Slavutych But IAEA Says Water Cooling Without Electricity Supply Enough To Maintain Cooling - NetBlocks real-time network data shows evidence of a blackout in the vicinity of Chernobyl and Slavutych. The IAEA says however that nuclear experts say it does not present a threat due to the fact that the fuel is "so old that it's no longer hot enough to rely on active pool cooling".
The IAEA website stated "Due to time elapsed since the 1986 Chornobyl accident, the heat load of the spent fuel storage pool and the volume of cooling water contained in the pool is sufficient to maintain effective heat removal without the need for electrical supply".
It also stated "Furthermore, the site has back-up emergency diesel generators available should there be a total loss of power".
US Rejected Poland's Offer To Puts All Of Its MiG-29 Jets At US Disposal - The U.S. has rejected Poland's offer to put all of its MiG-29 fighter jets at the disposal of the United States, which according to a U.S. diplomat was a 'surprise move' after Ukraine requested aircraft from countries in Eastern Europe to aid in their fight against Russia. Read Full Article
Biden Announces Ban On Russian Oil And Other Energy Imports - U.S. President Biden has announced that the United States is banning oil, gas and energy imports from Russia, saying that it has strong bipartisan support in the congress.
Biden stated that the United States would not be apart of subsidizing Putin's war, and said that the decision was made in "close consultation with our allies and partners around the world, particularly in Europe".
The U.S. ban includes Russian oil, liquefied natural gas and coal according to Bloomberg.
Up to this point the United States was importing around 700,000 barrels per day of Russian crude and petroleum products, including fuel oil according to the Energy Information Administration.
Ukrainian President Says NATO Is Afraid Of Confrontation With Russia - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he agrees to seek compromises, including on NATO, but is not going to surrender. Regarding NATO he said he cooled down to the issue after realizing that NATO was not ready to accept Ukraine and said NATO is afraid of confrontation with Russia. Read Full Article
Russia Publishes An Official List Of Foreign States It Deems Has Committed 'Unfriendly Actions' Against It - Russia has published an official list of foreign states that it deems has committed 'unfriendly actions' against Russia.
The countries that Russia has officially deemed committed unfriendly actions toward it are: "unfriendly" include "Australia, Albania, Andorra, United Kingdom, including Jersey, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, San Marino, North Macedonia, Singapore, USA, Taiwan, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, Japan".
It was pointed out to us that one of the 'unfriendly states' that Russia has listed is the nation of Taiwan. Our intel community obtained a direct quote of the list of countries from the Russian state news agency TASS.
The direct quote from TASS says "The list includes the United States and Canada, the EU states, the UK (including Jersey, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar), Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, Albania, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, North Macedonia, and also Japan, South Korea, Australia, Micronesia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan (considered a territory of China, but ruled by its own administration since 1949)".
Furthermore, Russian legislation on Sunday stated that Russian citizens and companies have to apply for a special permit to deal with 'unfriendly' foreign entities, which seems to indicate that the permit would have to be applied for dealings with anyone on their 'unfriendly' list above.
The list of unfriendly states was published along with a number of new laws regarding the decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin for 'temporary economic measures to ensure the financial stability of the Russian Federation' including enforcing a law that allows for Russian citizens, companies and state bodies to pay back foreign creditors in Russian rubles.
The Jerusalem Post pointed out however, that they are not currently on the list of 'unfriendly' states toward Russia due to the fact that Israel has taken on a 'mediation role' during the conflict.
Red Cross Says The Evacuation Route Out Of Mariupol Was Mined - Dominik Stillhart, director of operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told BBC Radio that the evacuation route out of Mariupol was mined.
When Stillhart was asked what was wrong with the 'humanitarian corridors' he said that they have been talking to both sides 'for days' but issued have remained when trying to confirm the details of ceasefire agreement talks that would allow civilians to leave the cities currently being bombarded and surrounded by Russian troops.
He said that getting the two parties to agree on terms that is 'concrete, actionable and precise' has been a challenge and said that there have only been agreements 'in principal', that immediately fell apart because the agreements lacked precision in relation to routes and who are able to use them.
Stillhart said that some ICRC staff attempted to get out of Mariupol along a route that had been agreed upon on Sunday but then realized that 'the road indicated to them was actually mined'. We do not yet know which side mined the evacuation route, but we are currently looking into it. If we find any more information on this we will report on it.
"That is why it is so important that the two parties have a precise agreement for us then to be able to facilitate it on the ground" he said.
Russia Claims Ukrainian Military Plans To Blow Up Experimental Nuclear Reactor At Kharkov Institute - The Russian Defense Ministry claimed, without providing any evidence, that the Ukrainian military plans to blow up the 'experimental nuclear reactor' at the Kharkov institute and then blame the Russians for doing it.
The Russian Defense Ministry said "on March 6, foreign journalists arrived in Kharkov to register the consequences of the provocation, followed by accusing Russia of creating an environmental disaster".
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the Azov battalion is planning to blow up a reactor at the National Research Center of the Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology and then accuse the Russian Armed Forces of launching projectiles at the nuclear reactor.
The statement by the Russian Defense Ministry said "The Security Forces of Ukraine along with the militants of the Azov battalion are plotting a provocation with possible radioactive contamination of the area near the city of Kharkov. Nationalists mined a reactor at an experimental nuclear system located at the [National Research Center of] Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology. The Ukrainian military and the Azov battalion militants are planning to blow up the reactor and accuse the Russian Armed Forces of allegedly launching a missile strike on an experimental nuclear system".
"on March 6, foreign journalists arrived in Kharkov to register the consequences of the provocation, followed by accusing Russia of creating an environmental disaster" the defense ministry added.
Russian Troops Reportedly Target And Kill Civilians Attempting To Leave The City Of Irpin, Ukraine - Many sources have reported that Russian troops targeted and killed civilians that were attempting to leave the city of Irpin, Ukraine. Video footage also shows this. Four civilians are reported to have died from the attack.
Video footage shows families attempting to leave Irpin when they came under fire from Russian troops. The photos of the aftermath show the bodies of the civilians that were attempting to leave. One body laying on the curb has a suitcase sitting next to it.
Netflix Suspends All Services In Russia - Netflix has announced that it is suspending its services in Russia saying “Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service”. Netflix currently has about 1 million subscribers in Russia. It is not yet known what will happen to the accounts of current subscribers, but Netflix will not be allowing any more sign ups or subscription extensions on existing accounts from Russia.
Netflix isn't the only one cutting services to Russia. Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Visa, MasterCard and many other services have also announced that they will no longer be offering their services to Russia, citing the Kremlin's war on Ukraine as the reason.
International Atomic Energy Agency Can No Longer Get Reliable Information On Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that they can no longer get reliable information on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant due to the fact that the internet and telecommunications to the area have been disconnected.
NetBlocks put out a statement, along with a graph showing the internet connectivity to the network serving Vodafone in Energodar, southeast Ukraine where users reported disruption to mobile services as Russian forces moved in to occupy the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
NetBlocks earlier stated "Confirmed: Network data show a loss a connectivity to the network serving Vodafone in #Energodar, southeast #Ukraine, where users report disruption to mobile services as Russian forces move to occupy #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant".
Not long after that they posted a new update saying "Update: The International Atomic Energy Agency says it can no longer get "reliable information" about #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following the disconnection of internet and telecommunications networks at the location, per reporter @ErinBurnett (h/t @Osinttechnical)".
British Defense Intelligence Update For March 6th 2022 - The British Defense Intelligence update for March 6th, 2022 says that the ceasefire agreement to enable the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol was violated within hours of the planned implementation and has failed for the second day in a row. Russian artillery strikes have also likely remained at high levels.
The British Intelligence Defense Update stated "For the second day in a row, a ceasefire agreement to enable the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol failed. The ceasefire was scheduled between 10:00 and 21:00 local time, but the agreement was violated within hours of its planned implementation.
Russian artillery strikes on the city have likely remained at the high levels seen in recent days. As with yesterday, Russia has accused Ukraine of breaking the ceasefire agreement.
This is probably an additional attempt to diminish responsibility for civilian casualties caused by continued Russian strikes on the city".
Putin Says Ukraine Might Lose Statehood 'If They Continue What They Are Doing' - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine might lose statehood 'if they continue what they are doing' according to a New York Times report.
"The current leadership needs to understand that if they continue doing what they are doing, they risk the future of Ukrainian statehood" the NYT quoted Putin saying. "If that happens, they will have to be blamed for that".
It was during the same meeting that Putin called sanctions from the West "akin to a declaration of war".
U.S. lawmakers, such as Senate Intelligence Vice Chairman Marco Rubio commented on Putin's words saying "Weaponizing migration & attacks on nuke plants are akin to a declaration of war too".
"The problem is NATO would quickly annihilate Russia’s conventional forces & Putin would then use chemical, biological & non-strategic nukes to freeze the conflict" he stated.
Blinken: U.S. Has Given "Green Light" To NATO Countries To Give Fighter Jets To Ukraine - A day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested fighter jets from NATO, the United States has given the 'green light' to NATO countries to provide fighter jets to Ukraine. Russia, however says that countries that use their airfields to supply Ukraine with fighter jets may be regarded as participating in the conflict.
Russia Fires Rockets At Institute With Nuclear Reactor Inside - Russian troops have reportedly fired rockets at a Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology that houses a nuclear reactor according to Ukraine's national security service.
The security service claimed that Russian forces were firing missiles from truck-mounted Grad launchers that do not have precise targeting systems which increases the risk that a missile could miss their intended targets and hit the nuclear reactor inside of the institute building.
The Kharkiv (Kharkov) Institute of Physics and Technology houses a nuclear research facility that is called Neutron Source in which 37 nuclear fuel cells are reported to be loaded.
Video footage was posted by the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs on Facebook that shows blasts from missiles launched by Grand launchers hitting a building that was claimed to be the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology.
There have been no reports as of yet of any damage to the nuclear fuel cells inside of the institute, but we will keep you posted if any new information comes out regarding this.
Many Major Companies And Countries Cutting The Cord With Russia - Many major companies, as well as entire countries continue to cut the cord with Russia. A growing number of companies have stopped shipping and selling products and services to the country citing Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine. Read more
Russia Says Ukraine Making Nuclear Dirty Bomb But Does Not Provide Any Evidence - Russian state media has announced that Ukraine is close to building a nuclear 'dirty bomb' but cited an unnamed source that did not provide any evidence to speak of to back up the claims.
Russian state news TASS quoted 'a representative of a competent body' in Russia saying that Ukraine is developing nuclear weapon capability at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Russia has been insisting that Ukraine is seeking to obtain nuclear weapons and says that it will continue the war on Ukraine Until The End. Ukrainian officials however claim that they have no plans to seek nuclear weapon technology.
Mariupol, Ukraine Says Evacuation Under Ceasefire To Start Noon Local Time - The city council of Mariupol, Ukraine says that an evacuation of around 400,000 people currently trapped in the city will start around noon local time on Sunday according to a temporary ceasefire that will reportedly last until 9:00 p.m.
Russia reportedly now has forces surrounding the city. There was a plan yesterday to carry out a similar evacuation but the ceasefire was not fully enacted due to both sides claiming that the other was not following the ceasefire terms.
Russia: Flow Of Gas From Russia To Germany And Europe Now Halted Indefinitely - The Yamal-Europe gas pipeline has halted all westbound gas supplies on Thursday. This means, according to Russian state news that the flow of gas from Russia to Germany has been 'suspended indefinitely'. This will likely mean that oil and gas prices will be jumping significantly higher in the coming days.
The pipeline between Poland and Germany totals around 15% of Russia's supply of gas to the countries to the west which includes Europe and Turkey. In December Russia began reversing the flow of gas however which has driven gas prices higher since.
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin had stated that Russia would continue to supply gas to the West, sanctions placed on Russia from the United States and NATO allies due to Russia's war on Ukraine is in turn causing the Kremlin to retaliate by putting the squeeze on the West and shutting off its supply of gas to Europe.
MasterCard Suspends All Russian Operations - MasterCard has also announced that they are suspending all Russian operations after having operated within Russia for the last 25 years.
MasterCard put out a statement saying "For more than a week, the world has watched the shocking and devastating events resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our colleagues, our customers and our partners have been affected in ways that most of us could not imagine.
We have previously shared the steps we have taken in response to these events, with the well-being and safety of our employees being our first and foremost priority. And as we have navigated and complied with our regulatory commitments, we have been in constant dialogue with our customers, partners and governments.
We've received perspectives from our employees, in addition to people across the industry, consumers and our shareholders. We have also considered what would be most important to support the continued availability of services, if possible, to impacted people in the region.
It's with all of this in mind - and noting the unprecedented nature of the current conflict and the uncertain economic environment - we have decided to suspend our network services in Russia".
Visa Suspends All Russian Operations - Visa has announced that they are suspending all Russian operations "effective immediately". Visa will be working with its clients and partners in Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days.
Visa says that once complete, all transactions initiated with Visa cards issued in Russia will no longer work outside the country and any Visa cards issued by financial institutions outside of Russia will no longer work within the Russian Federation.
Visa's statement said "We are compelled to act following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the unacceptable events that we have witnessed,” said Al Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of Visa Inc. “We regret the impact this will have on our valued colleagues, and on the clients, partners, merchants and cardholders we serve in Russia. This war and the ongoing threat to peace and stability demand we respond in line with our values".
Sky News Ambushed By Russian Troops While Covering War In Ukraine - A journalist for Sky News was wounded during an ambush by Russian soldiers while they were reporting on the war in Ukraine. The cameraman for the news crew took two bullets to the body armor he was wearing at the time.
Sky News Chief Correspondent Stuart Ramsay, along with his news team were near Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine on Monday when they were attacked by a saboteur Russian reconnaissance squad.
Ramsay wrote about the incident on Sky News saying "The first round cracked the windscreen. Camera operator Richie Mockler huddled into the front passenger footwell. Then we were under full attack. Bullets cascaded through the whole of the car, tracers, bullet flashes, windscreen glass, plastic seats, the steering wheel, and dashboard had disintegrated".
British Defense Intelligence Update For Russia-Ukraine March 5th 2022 - The British Defense Intelligence Update for March 5th, 2022 states: "Russia's proposed ceasefire in Mariupol was likely an attempt to deflect international condemnation while resetting its forces for renewed offensive activity.
"By accusing Ukraine of breaking the agreement, Russia is likely seeking to shift responsibility for current and future civilian casualties in the city".
U.S. State Department Reissues Advisory Urging Americans To Leave Russia 'immediately' - The U.S. State Department has reissued its advisory urging all Americans to leave Russia 'immediately'.
The advisory reads "Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law. U.S. citizens should depart Russia immediately.
U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately. Limited commercial flight options are still available. Overland routes by car and bus are also still open. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make arrangements on your own as soon as possible. If you plan to stay in Russia, understand the U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may change suddenly. U.S. citizens who are able to depart Russia for another country and are in need of emergency assistance upon arrival may contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in that country.
U.S. citizens should note that some credit and debit cards may be declined as a result of sanctions imposed on Russian banks. Also, there are some reports of cash shortages within Russia. U.S. citizens should make an alternative plan for access to money and finances if remaining in Russia.
Due to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, an increasing number of airlines are cancelling flights into and out of Russia, and numerous countries have closed their airspace to Russian airlines. In addition, airspace around southern Russia is restricted, and a number of airports in the area have closed. U.S. citizens located in, or considering travel to, the districts of the Russian Federation immediately bordering Ukraine should be aware that the situation along the border is dangerous and unpredictable.
Given the ongoing armed conflict, U.S. citizens are strongly advised against traveling by land from Russia to Ukraine. In addition, there is the potential throughout Russia of harassment of foreigners, including through regulations targeted specifically against foreigners. Given the ongoing armed conflict and the potentially significant impact on international travel options, U.S. citizens should depart Russia immediately via the limited commercial options still available.
The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow due to Russian government limitations on travel, the number of U.S. staff, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates.
On February 28, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of eligible family members and non-emergency personnel from U.S. Embassy Moscow.
Do Not Travel to: The North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, due to terrorism, kidnapping, and risk of civil unrest. Crimea, due to Russia’s occupation of the Ukrainian territory and abuses by its occupying authorities.
Country Summary: U.S. citizens, including former and current U.S. government and military personnel and private citizens engaged in business, who are visiting or residing in Russia have been interrogated without cause and threatened by Russian officials, and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion. All U.S. government personnel should carefully consider their need to travel to Russia.
Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and have convicted them in secret trials and/or without presenting credible evidence. Russian officials may unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance to detained U.S. citizens. Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against U.S. citizen religious workers and open questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity. Russian security services are increasing the arbitrary enforcement of local laws to target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable,” and U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia to perform work for or volunteer with non-governmental organizations. Russian authorities may not notify the U.S. Embassy of the detention of a U.S. citizen, and consular access to detainees may be denied or severely delayed.
Russia enforces special restrictions on dual U.S.-Russian nationals and may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, including denying access to U.S. consular assistance and preventing their departure from Russia.
The rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not guaranteed in Russia, and U.S. citizens should avoid all political or social protests.
Terrorist groups, transnational and local terrorist organizations, and individuals inspired by extremist ideology continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.
North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus) – Do Not Travel. Terrorist attacks and risk of civil unrest continue throughout the North Caucasus region, including in Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. Local gangs have kidnapped U.S. citizens and other foreigners for ransom. There have been credible reports of arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killing of LGBTI persons in Chechnya allegedly conducted by Chechen regional authorities.
Crimea – Do Not Travel. The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in Crimea. Russia staged its further invasion of Ukraine from occupied Crimea, and Russia is likely to take further military actions in Crimea as part of its occupation of this part of Ukraine. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in Crimea, particularly against those who are seen as challenging their authority on the peninsula.
The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in Crimea, as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Crimea".
Major Disruptions In Ukraine's Telecoms Provider Ukrtelecom - There are now major disruptions in Ukraine's national telecoms operator Ukrtelecom. The provider reports combat damage impacting service to: Chernihiv, Sumy, Kherson, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Volyn, Khmelnytsia, Lviv, Ternopil according to NetBlocks Internet Observatory monitoring service.
Putin Says Sanctions Are Like A Declaration Of War - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Saturday that sanctions put on Russia from the West are 'akin to a declaration of war' but also said 'thank God it has not come to that'.
Putin also said that any attempt to impose a no-fly zone in Ukraine would be seen as the same thing as entering the conflict.
"These sanctions that are being imposed are akin to a declaration of war but thank God it has not come to that" Putin stated as he spoke to a group of flight attendants at an Aeroflot training center near Moscow.
Putin said that if there is any attempt by another power to impose a no-fly zone in Ukraine, Russia would consider it to be a step into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukraine has requested that NATO impose a no-fly zone over the country but NATO has rejected the request saying that it would escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine's borders and into Europe.
Putin Says He Has No Plans To Introduce Martial Law In Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he has no plans to introduce martial law in Russia, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
RIA Novosti quoted Putin saying "martial law is introduced in case of external aggression, including in specific areas of combat operations, but we have no such situation, and I hope we will not".
In another news update, they quoted Putin as saying "There are no plans to impose a special state and state of emergency in Russia".
Mariupol Evacuation Postponed Due To Continued Russian Shelling - The Mariupol City Council has stated that the Mariupol evacuation has been postponed due to continued Russian shelling. DPR however, claims 'Ukrainian nationalists' refuse to allow the population of Mariupol to use the humanitarian corridor.
The translated message from the Mariupol City Council ('delivered' looks to be badly translated and probably should be 'postponed') is as follows:
"Urgently! EVACUATION OF PEACEFUL POPULATION IS (POSTPONED)! Due to the fact that the Russian side does not adhere to the regime of silence and continued shelling of both Mariupol itself and its environs, for security reasons, THE EVACUATION OF THE POPULATION IS (POSTPONED)!! We ask all Mariupol residents to disperse and follow the places of shelters.
More information about the evacuation will be posted soon. At the moment negotiations are underway with the Russian Federation to establish a regime of silence and ensure a safe humanitarian corridor. The police will also inform the residents of the city with the help of loudspeakers. Mariupol residents, hold on!
Ukrainian Military Radio Claims Russia Fired On An Empty Train Meant To Evacuate Civilians - Ukrainian Military Radio 'Army FM' @Armia_fm has claimed that the Russian military fired on an empty train that was meant to evacuate civilians from Irpen. We are still investigating these claims and will report on it when/if we find out whether these claims are true.
Over 200,000 People Planned For Evacuation From Mariupol - Over 200,000 people are planned for evacuation from Mariupol, Ukraine. We don't know how many have already left the city, but the original population was around 446,000 people, which suggests that a few hundred thousand may be staying, if they have not already left the city thus far.
RT America Ceasing Production And Closing Its Doors - U.S. Based Russian state news channel RT America is now closing its doors, 'ceasing production' at every location and laying off nearly all of its staff members due to 'unforeseen business interruption events'.
UN Says 1,200,000 Ukrainians Have Fled The Country Since War Started - The United Nations says that more than 1,200,000 refugees have fled Ukraine in total thus far since the war with Russia started.
PayPal Shuts Down Services In Russia Citing Aggression Against Ukraine - PayPal has reportedly officially stopped working in Russia after PayPal shut down its services in the country citing aggression against Ukraine.
Ukraine Confirms Russia Is Opening A Humanitarian Corridor At Mariupol And Volnovakha Today - Ukrainian presidential advisor, Mykhaylo Podolyak has reportedly confirmed that Russia will open a humanitarian corridor at Mariupol and Volnovakha today.
British Defense Intelligence Update For March 5th, 2022 - British Defense Intelligence update for March 5th, 2022: The overall rate of Russian air and artillery strikes observed over the past 24 hours has been lower than previous days. Ukraine still holds key cities such as Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol. Reports of street fighting in Sumy. Russian forces probably advancing on port city of Mykolaiv.
"Full report as follows: "The overall rate of Russian air and artillery strikes observed over the past 24 hours has been lower than in previous days. Ukraine continues to hold the key cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol. There have been reports of street fighting in Sumy. It is highly likely that all four cities are encircled by Russian forces".
"Russian forces are probably advancing on southern port city of Mykolaiv. There is a realistic possibility that some forces will attempt to circumvent the city to prioritize progression towards Odesa".
Russia Claims Ministry Of Defense Will Declare Ceasefire At 10:00 Moscow Time To Allow Evacuation Of Civilians - Russian state news claims that the Russian Ministry of Defense will be declaring a ceasefire at 10:00 Moscow time, in Mariupol and Volnovakha in Donbas to open 'humanitarian corridors' in order to evacuate civilians.
Russian Foreign Minister Says Third World War Would Be Destructive And Involve Nuclear Weapons - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Wednesday that if there is a third world war, it will be destructive and involve nuclear weapons according to a report by Russian state news RIA Novosti. Read more
Russian Troops Fire On Each Other And Destroy Nine Of Their Own Tanks And Four Armored Vehicles - Russian troops reportedly fired on each other, destroying nine of their own tanks and four of their own armored vehicles according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other sources.
Ground forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted, "Just now in the Kiev region, near Severinovka, Russian occupation troops started a fight with… Russian occupation forces. As a result, 9 tanks and 4 BTR were destroyed thanks to ‘friendly fire,’ That saved us 13 Javelin accordingly".
Putin Bans Russians From Leaving The Country With More Than $10,000 Of Foreign Currency - Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly banned Russians from leaving the country with more than $10,000 of foreign currency in their possession.
The Kyiv Independent stated "Russian President Vladimir Putin has now signed a decree prohibiting Russians from leaving the country with more than USD 10,000 in foreign currency".
Senator Lindsey Graham's Indirect Call For Putin To Be Assassinated Under Ire From Lawmakers - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham's indirect call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be assassinated is now drawing ire from lawmakers on both political sides.
Graham had stated "The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country — and the world — a great service" among other statements alluding to calling on Russians to kill the Russian President.
Among the lawmakers who spoke out against the statement were Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Democratic representative Ilhan Omar.
Omar tweeted "I really wish our members of Congress would cool it and regulate their remarks as the administration works to avoid WWIII. As the world pays attention to how the US and it's leaders are responding, Lindsey's remarks and remarks made by some House members aren't helpful".
Cruz stated "This is an exceptionally bad idea. Use massive economic sanctions; BOYCOTT Russian oil & gas; and provide military aid so the Ukrainians can defend themselves. But we should not be calling for the assassination of heads of state".
NATO Secretary General Says Russia Is Using Cluster Bombs In Ukraine - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says that Russia is using cluster bombs in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels, "We have seen the use of cluster bombs and we have seen reports of use of other types of weapons which would be in violation of international law".
Russian Spy Posing As Spanish Journalist Detained In Poland - A Russian spy who was allegedly posing as a journalist was doing intelligence work in Przemysl, Poland near the Ukrainian border when he was apprehended. He now faces up to 10 years in prison.
Over 8,000 Anti-War Protesters Arrested In Russia - Over 8,100 anti-war protesters have been arrested by authorities in Russia as protests broke out across Russia regarding the war in Ukraine.
4,000 anti-war protesters were arrested in Moscow and 2,700 were arrested in Saint Petersburg. The other arrests came from the other 124 cities in Russia.
Marina Litvinovich, who is a human rights activist had called out for mass protests last week in a video on Facebook that said "We don't support this war". She also stated "We, the Russian people, are against the war Putin has unleashed. We don’t support this war, it is being waged not on our behalf. I know that right now many of you feel desperation, helplessness, shame over Vladimir Putin’s attack on the friendly nation of Ukraine. But I urge you not to despair".
Shortly after putting out the video on Facebook Litvinovich was arrested.
Massive NATO Airlift Effort Underway To 'Reinforce Europe' - A massive airlift effort by NATO is underway to 'reinforce Europe' according to NATO Allied Air Command. "Strategic and tactical air transport aircraft including C-17s, C-5s, A330 MRTTs and C-130s from multiple nations have been busy moving units from the NATO Response Force along with national contributions to locations across NATO's Eastern Flank".
NATO Air Command tweeted "Strategic and tactical air transport aircraft including C-17s🇬🇧, C-5s 🇺🇸, A330 🇫🇷 MRTTs and C-130s 🇵🇱 from multiple Allied nations have been busy moving units from the @NATO Response Force along with national contributions to locations across NATO's Eastern Flank".
The NATO Allied Air Command website stated: "In a combined effort, Allied air transport aircraft working alongside charter aircraft have been moving Allied troops from across the Euro-Atlantic area towards their new locations in Eastern Europe. This augments NATO's presence in the region enhancing the speed, responsiveness and flexibility of the Alliance's defence".
"Allied Air transport aircraft are key in enabling the rapid movement of troops and supplies, allowing NATO to position its forces effectively during the evolving crisis".
"Allied Air transport aircraft are key in enabling the rapid movement of troops and supplies, allowing NATO to position its forces effectively during the evolving crisis," said Lieutenant General Pascal Delerce, Deputy Commander, Allied Air Command. "These movements underscore the Alliance's cohesion and readiness to ensure the security of all member States".
"These moves contribute to around 22,000 Allied land forces which are now under NATO command and control. Many of these forces are already deployed along the eastern flank of the Alliance, including: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Having forces in these eight nations under Supreme Allied Commander Europe's command ensures a robust and integrated shielding of NATO's eastern borders".
Mariupol, Ukraine Under Siege, Cut Off From Electricity, Water And Faltering Telecoms - Mariupol, Ukraine is currently under siege. Citizens are reporting there is no electricity, no water and faltering telecoms. NetBlocks real time network data shows a collapse in internet activity.
Russian Parliament Drafting Law To Punish What They Call Fake Information With Up To 15 Years In Prison - The Russian Parliament has reportedly drafted a law that would punish what they call 'fake' information about the war in Ukraine with up to 15 years in prison and will be debating on it tomorrow.
The law would apply to anyone who knowingly "distort the purpose, role and tasks of Russian Armed Forces, during special military and other operations".
Kyiv Independent Publishes What They Claim Are Russian Losses - The Kyiv Independent has posted what they claim are Russian losses. Remember, we likely won't know the real number until the war is over.
The Kyiv Independent claims that Russia has lost the following: 9,166 troops, 33 planes, 37 helicopters, 251 tanks, 105 artillery pieces, 939 armored personnel carriers, 50 MLRS, 2 boats, 404 cars, 60 fuel tanks, 3 UAV and 18 anti-aircraft warfare.
Latest Report From Ukrainian Operators On ZNPP Nuclear Site To The IAEA - CBS reportedly obtained the latest status report from Ukrainian operators on Zaporizhzhia nuclear site to the IAEA: "at present, no changes in the radiation situation have been registered".
The report also states that the power units remain intact, auxiliary buildings are damaged but that it does not impact safety. State of the power units: Unit 1 is outage, Unit 2,3 have been disconnected from the grid and the cool down of the nuclear installations being carried out, Unit 4 is in operation at 690 MW power, Units 5,6 are being cooled down.
Russia Returns To Gold Standard - Russia is reportedly returning to the gold standard. The government will abolish the VAT (tax) on bullion when purchasing gold bars or other precious metals from a bank. The 20% current tax on top of its value will not apply.
According to Money Week China 'almost certainly' owns more gold than the United States and both Russia and China have been expecting that they must separate from the U.S. dollar and have been increasing their gold holdings so that they will be prepared for such a time.
Maxime Bernier said that China and Russia have both accumulated a lot of gold and are dumping their dollar assets. "By escalating the Ukraine conflict and imposing financial sanctions, we are pushing them to establish an alternative global monetary system, likely based on gold" he stated.
"When this happens the US$ will crash and our massively indebted economies will suffer. This is a big geopolitical blunder. And btw Canada has no gold reserve. We won’t have anything to support the CAN$. Almost nobody sees this coming". he added.
Maxime Bernier said that he supports the return to sound money and a gold standard, but not in an 'unprepared and destabilizing fashion as the one we are facing now'.
Russian State News RT Says US Senator Lindsey Graham Is Calling For Assassination On Putin - Russian state news RT says that US senator Lindsey Graham is calling for an assassination on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
RT stated that Lindsey Graham urged 'somebody in Russia to do the world a great service' and 'take this guy out' or they will spend the rest of their lives in isolation and darkness.
RT reportedly quoted Lindsey Graham as stating "Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military?" and "Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in abject poverty, and live in darkness you need to step up to the plate".
RT said that Graham did not mention Putin by name, or specify exactly how he expects the Russian people to 'take him out' RT stated that 'his historical parallels leave little room for interpretation'.
Russian Stock Exchange Remains Closed For Fourth Day In a Row On Friday - The Russian stock exchange remains closed on Friday for the fourth day in a row as Russian authorities reportedly rolled out additional measures to limit the economic impact from the 'severe sanctions imposed by the West' according to The Moscow Times.
Advisory For U.S. Citizens In Ukraine From The Department Of State - The following is an advisory from the U.S. Department of State to U.S. citizens currently located within Ukraine. Read Advisory
"U.S. citizens in Ukraine should complete this Online Form so that the State Department can communicate with you. U.S. citizens seeking to depart Ukraine can also call 1-833-741-2777 (in the United States) or 1-606-260-4379 (from overseas) for immediate assistance.
We encourage U.S. citizens to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency.
Read alerts and message on security and border crossing issues from the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine".
Secretary Of Energy Jennifer Granholm Says U.S. Department Of Energy Activated Its Nuclear Incident Response Team - The Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said that the U.S. Department of Energy activated its Nuclear Incident Response Team and is 'monitoring events in consultation with the DOD, NRC and White House but sees no elevated radiation readings near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility.
Granholm tweeted "@ENERGY has activated its Nuclear Incident Response Team and is monitoring events in consultation with @DeptofDefense, @NRCgov and the White House. We have seen no elevated radiation readings near the facility. 2/".
U.S. Energy Secretary Said The Reactors At Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Are Being Safely Shut Down - U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has stated that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station "are protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down. We have seen no elevated radiation readings near the facility".
According To IAEA The Fire At The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Has Not Affected Essential Equipment (yet) - According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ukraine has reported that the fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has not affected 'essential' equipment.. yet...
The IAEA statement on Twitter says "#Ukraine tells IAEA that fire at site of #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has not affected “essential” equipment, plant personnel taking mitigatory actions".
Readout of President Biden's Calls With President Zelenskyy of Ukraine And NNSA Administrator Huruby - White House readout of President Biden's calls with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and NNSA Administrator Hruby regarding the fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
"President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine this evening to receive an update on the fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. President Biden joined President Zelenskyy in urging Russia to cease its military activities in the area and allow firefighters and emergency responders access to the site.
President Biden also spoke this evening with Under Secretary for Nuclear Security of the U.S. Department of Energy and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to receive an update on the situation at the plant. The President will continue to be briefed regularly.
Ukrainian Minister Of Foreign Affairs Says Russian Army Firing On All Sides Of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba put out a statement earlier saying that the Russian army was firing 'on all sides upon Zaporizhzhia' nuclear power plant and said if it blows up it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl was.
Kuleba stated "Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broke out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone!".
The live stream of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has gone offline.
Fire Breaks Out In Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant In Ukraine - A fire has reportedly broken out at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine according to Dmytro Orlov who is the mayor of Energodar, a town close to the power plant. Video footage also shows problems at the nuclear power plant.
"A threat to world security!!! As a result of relentless shelling by the enemy of the buildings and blocks of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is on fire!!!" Orlov stated on Facebook.
Firefighters have been unable to reach the fire according to Orlov, who posted "The Zaporizhzhia Power Plant is notifying of a threat at the first block of the power plant! The fire at the plant is continuing. The firefighters cannot reach the location of the fire".
Before the incident happened, Orlov had stated "Intense fighting is ongoing on approach routes to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Our National Guard fighters are defending. There are victims, but the exact number and condition so far cannot be determined under the circumstances".
Ukrainian Armed Forces Announces They Have Eliminated A Spetsnaz Commander - The Ukrainian Armed Forces have announced that they have killed Spetsnaz commander and deputy chief of the 41 Army in Novosibirsk Andrey Sukhovetskiy.
There are reports that the Russian online social media Vkontakte account of Sergei Chipilev from Kirov, where it was allegedly originally posted was hacked. Some pro Russian sources believe that this means the report is fake, but we don't believe even if it was hacked as has been stated that it necessarily means that the information was faked. We believe more information needs to be obtained on this before any solid conclusions are reached either way.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Said Russia Will Continue War On Ukraine Until The End - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that he believed some foreign leaders were preparing for war against Russia and that Russia will continue its war and military operations on Ukraine until the end, also mentioning bio-labs in Ukraine. Read more
Turkey Says Russia Will Comply With Request Not To Send Warships Into Black Sea - After Turkey asked Russia not to send their warships into the Black Sea 'in a friendly way', Turkey says that Russia has withdrawn their request to do so. Turkey has made it clear it will be restricting access to warships from both sides of the war.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told broadcaster Haber Turk "We, in a friendly way, told Russia not to send the vessels. And Russia told us that the vessels would not pass through the straits".
Cavusoglu made it clear however that it would be applying the treaty's rules for both sides of the conflict and restricting access to warships from Ukraine as well.
"Right now there are two parties to the war, Ukraine and Russia. Neither Russia nor others should be offended here. We will apply Montreux today, tomorrow, as long as it stands" he stated.
Four Russian Fighter Jets Violate Swedish Airspace - The Swedish armed forces have announced that four Russian jets have violated Swedish airspace over the Baltic Sea. Two Russian SU-27 jets and two Russian SU-24 jets were involved in the violation. The Swedish defense minister has called the violation 'unacceptable'. Read more
Turkey Rejects Russian Warships From Entering Black Sea Through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits - Turkey has rejected Russian warships from entering the Black Sea through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, according to Turkish foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on March 1st. Read more
Romanian Military Helicopter Searching For Missing Fighter Jet Crashed Close To Ukrainian Border Killing All Onboard - A Romanian military helicopter along with the MiG-21 fighter jet the helicopter was searching for has crashed close to the Ukrainian border killing 8 people in total. The reason for the crash is not yet known but harsh weather conditions were reported.
The MiG-21 fighter jet that the Romanian military helicopter had been looking for has also been found and 8 people in total reportedly died from the two crashes according to the Romanian Ministry of Defense: the 5 crew from the Air Force along with two divers from the Navy along with the pilot of the MiG-21 jet who reportedly did not have time to eject before crashing.
The Ministry of National Defense press release reported adverse weather conditions and that the MiG-21 LanceR aircraft 'lost its radio connection with the control tower and disappeared from radar. It also reported that it had been ordered to return to base due to adverse weather conditions.
Russia Holds Drills With Nuclear Submarines And Mobile Missile Launchers - Russia's Northern Fleet put out a statement saying that a number of its nuclear submarines were carrying out exercises in order to "train maneuvering in stormy conditions" with several warships that were protecting the Kola Peninsula also joining the exercises.
Russia Holds Drills With Nuclear Submarines And Mobile Missile Launchers - Russia's Northern Fleet put out a statement saying that a number of its nuclear submarines were carrying out exercises in order to "train maneuvering in stormy conditions" with several warships that were protecting the Kola Peninsula also joining the exercises.
In Irkutsk, eastern Siberia Strategic Missile Forces units placed Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers in the forests in order to practice secretly deploying them according to a Russian Defense Ministry statement.
The exercises were carried out after Putin had ordered the country's nuclear deterrence forces on high alert, but the statement did not indicate in any way whether or not the drills had anything to do with the order.
Several Russian Ships Leave Crimea And Head For Odesa - Several Russian vessels have left Crimea and are now heading to Odesa according to correspondent Lucas Tomlinson who stated "An amphibious assault on Ukraine’s third largest city could come as soon as Thursday: U.S. officials".
Several Russian Ships Leave Crimea And Head For Odesa - Several Russian vessels have left Crimea and are now heading to Odesa according to correspondent Lucas Tomlinson who stated "An amphibious assault on Ukraine’s third largest city could come as soon as Thursday: U.S. officials".
Over 1 Million Ukrainians Have Fled The Country Since Last Week - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) figures state that over one million Ukrainians have now fled the country of Ukraine since the large-scale invasion by Russia began last week.
The UN agency says it's too early to start resettling Ukrainian refugees and estimates that there could be up to 4 million Ukrainian refugees if current trends continue.
Minuteman III ICBM Test Launch By DOD Postponed - The Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby has made a statement to reporters saying that the Department of Defense has postponed the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch in order 'to demonstrate we are a responsible nuclear power'.
US Closes Embassy In Belarus And Authorizes Voluntary departures For Russian Embassy - The US State Department has said that they have closed the U.S. Embassy in Belarus and have authorized the voluntary departure of nonessential staff at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow due to Russia's invasion on Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken put out a statement on February 28th saying "we took these steps due to security and safety issues stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine"
Russia: We Will Treat Any Hacking Of Our Satellites As Justification For War - The head of Russia's space agency has stated that Russia will be treating any hacking of its satellites as justification for war, after an alleged hack of their systems was claimed by a 'non-state' hacker group on Tuesday according to media reports.
Head of the Russian State Space Corporation "Roscosmos" Dmiry Rogozin denied media reports however that Russian satellite control centers had been hacked during Russia's campaign against Ukraine while at the same time warned against any attempt to hack their systems saying that it would be treated as justification for war.
Interfax quoted Rogozin saying "Off-lining the satellites of any country is actually a casus belli, a cause for war" after the hacker group Network Battalion 65 had claimed responsibility for hacking Russia's satellite systems.
The claim by Network Battalion 65 came out on March 1st, with a Twitter post saying "we won't stop until you stop" and a message saying "The Russian Space Agency sure does love their satellite imaging. Better yet, they sure do love their Vehicle Monitoring System. The WS02 was deleted, credentials were rotated and the server is shut down".
The message continues to read "Network Battalion isn't going to give you the IP, that would be too easy, now wouldn't it? Have a nice Monday fixing your spying tech. Glory to Ukraine. We won't stop until you stop dropping bombs, killing civilians and trying to invade" (we left out the colorful part at the end).
Another message by the hacking group says "Anonymous is not alone. NB65 has officially declared cyber war on Russia as well. You want to invade Ukraine? Good. Face resistance from the entire world" and then "All of us are watching. All of us are fighting".
Ukraine's Deputy Minister Of Interior: Russia Attempting To Storm Nuclear Power Plants In Southern Ukraine - Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Interior says that Russia is attempting to storm two nuclear power plants in Southern Ukraine. Olga Tokariuk, a freelance correspondent in Kyiv says that there are fears of a potential disaster, should they succeed in storming the nuclear plants. She also warns that this is not only a threat to Ukraine, but to all of Europe.
Reports All Over British News Agencies Putin Has Moved His Family To Siberian Underground City With Putin Suffering From Secret Illness - There are reports circulating around British news agencies that appear to be from one source, that Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved his family members to a Siberian 'underground city' designed to 'survive nuclear war', as well as claims that Putin is suffering from a secret illness.
Our intel team tracked the circulating reports down to one person, a political scientist and former professor in Moscow Valery Solovey, who claims that Putin has sent his family to a nuclear bunker in the Altai Mountains. The man has recently allegedly undergone an interrogation for 'claims he made about Putin' according to the British Daily Mail news agency.
Solovey is a former professor at the State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). He alleges that Putin suffers from medical problems hidden from the Russian public and has taken part in 'secret shamanic rituals' along with his defense minister Sergey Shoigu.
As the reports originate from one person, one must be careful about believing such claims wholeheartedly as there are not multiple sources to back up the man's claims that we can see thus far. We will continue monitoring the story and post any further findings if we come upon new information regarding the matter.
US Defense Official Rejects No Fly Zone In Ukraine - A US Defense official has rejected a no fly zone in Ukraine and said "There's no discussion about it here. There's no debating about it here. It's not something that we have to take to NATO".
The Defense official added "The president of the United States, the commander in chief, said we're not going to be fighting in Ukraine and certainly if you were to enact a no fly zone that puts you in the fight, it's just not gonna happen".
Ukrainian MOD: Russia Preparing Deliberate Provocation To Justify Introduction Of Belarus Troops - The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has put out a statement claiming that Russia is preparing a deliberate 'provocation' to justify the introduction of Belarusian troops. They also stated that according to available intelligence, there are now 300 Belarusian tanks near the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.
In another post by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense today, they said "The convoy has not yet crossed the border and is waiting on the route Pinsk - Ivanovo - Drahichyn (approximately 30 km from the State Border of Ukraine)" and then added "Russia is expected to carry out a deliberate provocation to justify the planned attack by Belarusian troops".
Mariupol, Ukraine City Of Nearly 500k Has Lost Power After Attacks From Advancing Russian Forces - Mariupol, Ukraine which is a city of nearly 500,000 people has lost power after attacks from advancing Russian forces. The Mayor of Mariupol says that the enemy is attacking 'from all fronts' and that it is being 'pounded' by Russian attacks.
The Mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boychenko put out a video message saying "the enemy is attacking us from all fronts. They are cynics who have left us with no power and no heating. But we know what to do - with first daylight we will fix the power, start the boilers and bake bread".
Correspondent Christopher Miller also says that the Southeastern Azov Sea city of Mariupol is nearly surrounded by Russian forces with 'practically no electricity supply and centralized heating in the city' according to Mayor Vadim Boychenko.
Looking at the weather in the city of Mariupol right now, the highs at the moment are 43 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows are 37 degrees Fahrenheit but temperatures in the lows will be getting below freezing in the city by Saturday according to weather.com. At that time it will be dire for residents in the city without a boiler to have centralized heating again.
Russian Foreign Minister Says Ukraine Still Has Soviet Nuclear Tech And Time For US Nuclear Weapons In Europe To Return Home - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed that Ukraine still has 'Soviet nuclear tech' and that Russia cannot fail to respond to this danger despite there being no credible evidence that Ukraine has nuclear capability at all. He also said that it's 'time for US nuclear weapons in Europe to return home'.
Lavrov said that Moscow will take all possible measures to prevent the appearance of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, according to RIA Novosti. He also said that the fact that some European nations host nuclear weapons from the United States is unacceptable to Russia and that it's "time for U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe to be returned home", according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Lavrov said that the West must not build up military facilities in former Soviet Union countries, but that Russia is ready for joint work with the United States on obtaining strategic stability in the region.
Google Europe Blocks YouTube channels Connected To RT And Sputnik Across Europe - Google Europe has put out an official message saying that they are blocking YouTube channels connected to RT and Sputnik across Europe. The official message Google Europe put out was "Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, we’re blocking YouTube channels connected to RT and Sputnik across Europe, effective immediately. It’ll take time for our systems to fully ramp up. Our teams continue to monitor the situation around the clock to take swift action".
British Ministry Of Defense Intelligence Update March 01, 2022 - The British Ministry of Defense intelligence update for March 01, 2022 says that the Russian advance in Ukraine has made little progress in the last 24 hours. Russian artillery is hitting densely populated urban areas and Russia still does not have air superiority.
The intelligence update says "The Russian advance on Kyiv has made little progress over the past 24 hours, probably as the result of continuing logistical difficulties".
"Russian forces have increased their use of artillery north of Kyiv and in vicinities of Kharkiv and Chernihiv. The use of heavy artillery in densely populated urban areas greatly increases the risk of civilian casualties".
"Russia has failed to gain control of the airspace over Ukraine prompting a shift to night operations in an attempt to reduce their losses".
U.S. Officials Say It Has Intelligence That Putin Is Expressing Peculiar Bursts Of Anger At People In His Inner Circle - Current (as well as former) U.S. officials who have been briefed on the matter have reportedly told NBC News that Russian President Vladimir Putin is growing 'increasingly frustrated' and has had outbursts of anger at the people in his inner circle regarding the current progress of his military 'campaign' on Ukraine so far. Read more
Ukraine Says Putin Sent Wagnerians To Kill Zelensky - Ukrainian Pravda news site (based on Ukrainian translation) claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Wagnerians to Ukraine with a special mission to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and 'prepare the ground for Russia's seizure of power. Read more
Exchange Rate For Russian Rouble At Record Low - The exchange rate for the Russian rouble is now at a record high, at around 117 to 125 rouble per every one US dollar. The Central Bank has also lifted the borrowing rate to 20%, from yesterday's 9.5% borrowing rate.
Britain To Send 40 Million Pounds More In Aid To Ukraine - The British Prime Minister has stated that the United Kingdom will be sending 40 million more pounds in aid to Ukraine for medical supplies and assistance to the country.
The notice from the UK Government says, "The UK has stepped up its support to the people of Ukraine again today with the announcement of 40 million [pounds] of further humanitarian aid to the country. The funding will help aid agencies respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation, creating a lifeline for Ukrainians with access to basic necessities and medical supplies such as medicines, syringes, dressings and wound care packs.
"UK Government humanitarian experts have also deployed to the region to support those fleeing the violence in Ukraine".
British Defense Ministry Intelligence Updates - The British Defense Ministry has put out an intelligence update that says that Russia's ground forces remain 30km from North of Kyiv, slowed by Ukrainian forces, heavy fighting continues near Chernihiv and Kharkov but remain under Ukrainian control, logistical failures and Ukrainian resistance continue to frustrate the Russian advance and Russia has been forced to admit casualties despite suppressing details since the start of the conflict.
The British intelligence update says "The bulk of Putin's ground forces remain more than 30km to the North of Kyiv, their advance having been slowed by Ukrainian forces defending Hostomel airfield, a key Russian objective for day one of the conflict".
"Heavy fighting continues around Chernihiv and Kharkiv (Kharkov), however both cities remain under Ukrainian control. Logistical failures and staunch Ukrainian resistance continue to frustrate the Russian advance".
"Despite continued attempts to suppress details of the conflict from the Russian population, the Russian Armed Forces has for the first time been forced to acknowledge suffering casualties.
Russian Citizens Take To Streets In Protests, Arrests Made - Russian citizens are now taking to the streets in protest of the Kremlin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Over 1,500 people have been arrested so far in relation to the protests as of sundown on Sunday, which are considered illegal in Russia.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham Says He Believes Putin May Be Ready To Level A Ukrainian City With A Nuke To Break Their Will - Speaking to Fox News, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stated that he believes that Russia may be ready to level a Ukrainian city with a nuke and kill thousands of civilians to 'break their will and to break our will".
US Embassy: All US Nationals Should Leave Russia Immediately - The US embassy in Moscow has put out an announcement telling all US nationals to leave Russia 'immediately'.
The statement put out by the U.S. Embassy says "An increasing number of airlines are canceling flights into and out of Russia, and numerous countries have closed their airspace to Russian airlines. U.S. citizens should consider departing Russia immediately via commercial options still available".
This alert was put out after Russian President Vladimir Putin put its nuclear deterrence forces and arsenal at the ready, on a heightened alert status while referencing sanctions that have been put upon by both Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin himself, as well as what Russia calls 'aggression' from NATO countries.
Andrei Illarionov, who is a senior fellow at the Center for Security Policy in Washington D.C. stated on News Max's "Wake Up America" that "This particular decision is not in response to the situation in Ukraine, not even what is going on in Ukraine right now, but as a response to American readiness to apply to sanctions. The situation now is unbelievably grave" and 'incomparable' to any nuclear threat the world has faced to date.
Illarionov said that the United States must respond in kind immediately. "If the United States will not respond with adequate reaction to this decision, it means not only Ukraine but the whole Europe and at some point the United States will be under nuclear threat, direct nuclear threat" he warned.
"That is why United States and NATO countries need to respond immediately, right now, to this nuclear blackmail of Putin" he stated, while saying that the Biden administration should also activate the U.S. nuclear deterrence arsenal.
"That should be exactly the same" he stated. "It should be putting all nuclear arsenal of the United States and NATO on the highest alert – at least equal response to what Putin has done".
Overall Alert Level Back To Three - After assessing the situation with Russia and their forces being set to a higher nuclear deterrence level, we have set our overall alert level back to three for the time being. We don't believe the current situation warrants a two quite yet.
Belarus To Join Russia's War On Ukraine Within Hours - Russia's war on Ukraine has failed to provide Russia a quick and decisive victory after four days of fighting, so Russia has reportedly pulled their ally Belarus in on the conflict according to Ukrainian news. Read more
Former U.S. Defense Intelligence Analyst Says Putin Is Escalating Conflict To Nuclear Domain To Topple Kyiv Quickly - A former U.S. defense intelligence analyst says that Putin is "is escalating the conflict into the nuclear domain in order to de-escalate – that is topple Kiev’s regime quickly" due to the fact that his forces aren't getting the job done. Russian President Vladimir Putin has now ordered Russia's nuclear deterrent forces on alert in response to Western sanctions and rising tensions over Putin's invasion on Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin Orders Russia's Nuclear Deterrent Forces On Alert In Response To Sanctions And Tensions - Russian President Vladimir Putin has now ordered Russia's nuclear deterrent forces on alert in response to Western sanctions and rising tensions over Putin's invasion on Ukraine.
At a meeting with the Kremlin's top officials, Putin made statements that NATO had made 'aggressive statements' along with heavy financial sanctions against Russia, as well as on Vladimir Putin.
Putin has given the orders to the Russian Defense Minister and Chief of the Russian military's General Staff to put the nuclear deterrent forces in a "special regime of combat duty".
Much Needed Coming Into Ukraine From Belgium, Slovakia And Netherlands - Much needed Aid coming into Ukraine now from Belgium, Slovakia and the Netherlands. Belgium is giving 2,000 machine guns to Ukraine and 3,800 tons of fuel, Slovakia is giving 12,000 rounds of 12mm ammunition and 2.64 million gallons of diesel, Netherlands is giving 400 rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
French President Says Russia May Be Able To Deploy Nuclear Weapons In Belarus - French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Lukashenko, the President of Belarus to demand that Russian troops leave the country, claiming that Russia has been given the green light to deploy nuclear weapons in the country. Belarus borders Ukraine, giving Russia a strategic reason to deploy nuclear warheads in the country if they so choose to do so.
During a phone conversation, Macron denounced the 'gravity of a decision that would authorize Russia to deploy nuclear arms on Belarus soil' according to a statement by the Presidential palace.
Macron told Alexander Lukashenko that the fraternity between the people of Belarus and Ukraine should cause Belarus to "refuse to be a vassal and an accomplice to Russia in the war against Ukraine" according to the statement.
Russian Forces Fire At Radioactive Waste Disposal Site In Kyiv - Russian forces have reportedly fired at a radioactive waste disposal site in Kyiv, Ukraine according to The Kyiv Independent.
The Kyiv paper stated "According to preliminary assessment of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, there is no threat to people outside the sanitary protection zone".
YouTube Blocks Russian State News RT From Receiving Advertising Revenue- YouTube has blocked Russian state news RT, as well as other Russian channels from receiving money from advertisements. This includes videos that run videos from these state run news and media channels.
Facebook made the same move after Russia began their invasion on Ukraine. YouTube cited 'extraordinary circumstances' and stated that it is 'pausing a number of channels' and their ability to monetize (or make money) with their affiliate programs.
YouTube is actually a Google owned product. Google also runs the Adsense affiliate program in addition to their YouTube allowing websites to generate revenue via ads placed on their website.
Dmytro Kuleba Responds To Apparent Russian Propaganda That Ukraine Plans To Launch Dirty Bomb Into Russia - Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba has responded to apparent propaganda that Ukraine has plans to launch a 'dirty bomb' into Russian territory.
Kuleba stated "Russian propaganda has gone off the rails and speculates Ukraine might be preparing to drop a ‘dirty bomb’ on the Russian territory. This is a sick fake. Ukraine doesn’t have nuclear weapons, doesn’t conduct any work to create/acquire them. We are a responsible member of the NPT".
Our chief intel analyst Donald Standeford put out a tweet regarding the issue saying "If what Russia is allegedly saying about Ukraine seeking to launch a dirty bomb into Russia is in fact propaganda, one must wonder why Russia would be spreading such a rumor. There is a possibility it is to justify launching one of their own. This is merely speculation".
Zelensky Seems To Hint At Turkey Having Closed Straits, But Reports Say Turkey Hasn't Decided Yet - Ukrainian President Zelensky seemed to hint that Turkey had closed its straits leading to many reports that they have done done, but reports by Reuters say that Turkey has not yet decided to close the straits.
Zelensky's statement said "I thank my friend Mr. President of Turkey @RTErdogan and the people of Turkey for their strong support. The ban on the passage of Russian warships to the Black Sea and significant military and humanitarian support for Ukraine are extremely important today. The people of Ukraine will never forget that!"
A Turkish official however reportedly told Reuters on Saturday that Turkey has not yet made a decision to close the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits to Russian vessels.
Ukraine Ministry Of Interior Asks People In Ukraine To Turn Off Geolocation - Ukraine's Ministry of Interior has asked all people in the country to turn off the geolocation on their cell phones, as Russia is beginning to track gatherings of people. As locations may possibly be tracked even with geolocation (GPS and data) turned off, it's best to completely remove the battery on your cellphone if possible to ensure your location cannot be tracked.
UK Intelligence Update On Russia/Ukraine - Britain's Ministry of Defense has put out a new intelligence update on the Russia/Ukraine war. They say Russian forces have continued their advance on Kyiv with the bulk of their forces and are now 30km away from the city.
The British intelligence update also says Russia has yet to gain control of the airspace over Ukraine, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the Russian Air Force.
Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to put up 'staunch resistance' across the country, and Russian casualties are likely to be very heavy and greater than anticipated or acknowledged by the Kremlin.
Russian State News Says 12,000 Chechens Are Being Deployed To Ukraine - Russian state news RT has announced that Russia is deploying 12,000 Chechens to Ukraine. We had been hearing about Russia having plans to do that earlier today but it has now been posted out by Russian state news.
Ramzan Kadrov has pledged, to offer assistance to Russia's armed forces with 12,000 volunteers who RT shows being amassed on the cental square in the regional capital, Grozny.
Kadrov said "These are volunteers who are ready to leave for any special operation at any time in order to secure our state and our people" and said that no troops would be deployed until the 'Supreme Commander in Chief" Putin gave the go-ahead..
In the speech he gave to the servicemen, he said "Taking this opportunity, I want to give advice to the current President Zelensky so that he calls our President, Supreme Commander Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, and apologizes for not doing so sooner. Do it in order to save Ukraine. Ask for forgiveness and agree to all the conditions that Russia puts forward. This will be the most correct and patriotic step for him".
NATO Will Be Deploying Thousands Of Commandos To Nations Near Ukraine - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that the alliance sending thousands of commanders to nations in Eastern Europe near Ukraine, and will be beefing up arms support and continuing to send weapons and air defenses to Ukraine and reinforcing defenses on allied territory (territory of NATO members in Eastern Europe). Read more
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Rejects US Offer To Evacuate Him From Kyiv - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the offer by the United States to evacuate him from Kyiv, Ukraine. He had told NATO leaders earlier in the day that he may be killed.
Putin Tells Finland And Sweden There Will Be 'Military Consequences" If They Join NATO - Russian President Vladimir Putin has told both Finland and Sweden that if they join NATO there will be 'military military-political repercussions'.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that "Finland and Sweden should not base their security on damaging the security of other countries and their accession to NATO can have detrimental consequences and face some military and political consequences"
After that message by Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Minister put out another message over Twitter saying "We regard the Finnish government's commitment to a military non-alignment policy as an important factor in ensuring security and stability in northern Europe,' the department wrote. 'Finland's accession to @NATO would have serious military and political repercussions".
Both Sweden and Finland share a border with Russia in the Arctic Circle. Putin has made it very clear that he does not want bordering countries to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization due to the fact that it could put NATO missiles at Russia's doorstep.
Biden Administration: Russia Plans To Threaten To Kill Families Of Ukrainian Soldiers Who Don't Surrender - The Biden administration has said that they believe that Russia plans to threaten to kill the families of Ukrainian soldiers if they don't surrender to Russia according to a top official. We don't know how the Biden administration got this information, or why Russia would allow it to be announced beforehand but we'll keep you posted.
Major Disruption In Ukraine's Backbone Internet Provider GigaTrans - There has been a major disruption in Ukraine's internet provider GigaTrans that feeds internet connectivity to many of Ukraine's networks amidst heavy fighting in Vasylkiv and Kyiv, Ukraine according to Netblocks Internet Observatory.
NATO Now Activates Part Of Its Response Force - The North Atlantic Treaty Agreement (NATO) has now activated parts of its multinational response force. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated "We are deploying elements of the NATO Response Force. On land, at sea, and in the air. We will do what it takes to protect and defend every Ally, and every inch of NATO territory".
Ukraine: Russian Warships Bombed Moldovan Chemical Tanker And Panamanian Cargo Ship - Ukraine stated that Russian warships have shelled a Moldovan chemical tanker and Panamanian cargo ship headed for the load grain near Odessa port in the Black Sea Friday, just one day after Russia began invading Ukraine. Japanese Bulk carrier MV Namura Queen was also reportedly hit by a rocket at anchor off Yuzhne.
Ukraine's Infrastructure ministry stated that the vessel flying the Moldovan flag was called the Millennial Spirit and had been carrying 600 tons of diesel. According to Reuters, Moldova's naval agency reported that the crew of the Millennial Spirit were Russian and that two of them were seriously hurt.
"We just heard 10 minutes ago that all the crew were saved but two were seriously injured and are on the way to hospital" Pavalachi stated.
The Ukrainian ministry also reported that the cargo ship called Namura was also hit by Russian missiles on Friday. A Ukrainian shipping agent Stark Shipping that is based in Odessa stated "According to the information of the traffic control and the service of the Harbor Master at 12:55 at anchorage point No.358 a rocket hit the stern of the mv 'NAMURA QUEEN'".
"The ship flying the flag of Panama was heading to the Pivdennyi port (ex. Yuzhny) to load grain ... There was a fire on the ship, the P&O STAR tug moved to the rescue. The situation is under control".
First 36 Hours Of Fighting Ukraine Claims To Have Killed 2,800 Russian Troops And Destroyed Hundreds Of Russian Military Vehicles - In the first 36 hours of fighting between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has claimed to destroy 2,800 Russian troops, 80 Russian tanks, 10 aircraft, 7 helicopters and 516 armored combat vehicles while claiming that they have lost 137 of its citizens in the fighting.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskyy had put out an announcement that he will be arming 'anyone who wants to defend the country' saying "We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country,” Zelenskyy tweeted. “Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities".
Ukrainian reporter for Kyiv Independent Illia Ponomarenko said that up to 18,000 rifles have been handed out so far to civilians as of Friday, tweeting "18,000 rifles delivered to volunteering street fighters in Kyiv now #BattleofKyiv".
Ukraine Reportedly Retakes Kyiv Airport From Russian Special Forces - Ukraine forces claim they have reportedly re-taken Kyiv airport from the control of Russian special forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered a full mobilization of troops.
Antonov Airport, which was being guarded by Russian airborne troops on Thursday would have been an invaluable asset to Russia, allowing them to ship more troops and military equipment to Kyiv.
Kyiv, Ukraine Bombarded By Russian Rockets - Kyiv, Ukraine has been bombarded by Russian rockets. Photos from Kyiv's local news show an entire skyrise apartment complex nearly demolished by rocket fire (join us on social media or telegram to see photos and videos). Some rockets fired by Russia at Kyiv were reportedly intercepted, but many hit their marks (or missed their intended targets).
Three people were reportedly injured in the rocket fire on Kyiv. The building was damaged so badly that there have been reports that it entire complex may fall in on itself at any time. According to the Pentagon Russia fired 160 missiles into Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Says 137 Ukrainian Soldiers And Civilians Killed, 316 Injured In Fighting With Russia So Far - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 137 Ukrainian military and civilians have been killed in the fighting with Russia thus far. 10 officers and 316 injuries have also been reported elsewhere.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Says 800 Russians Have Been Killed In The Fighting So Far - Ukrainian Defense Minister Ukrainian Defense Minister Hanna Maliar put out a report claiming alleged Russian military losses (as of 03:00 24.02.2022): 7 planes, 6 helicopters, over 30 tanks, 130 BBM. The Ukrainian Defense Minister says that about 800 Russians have been killed in the fighting so far.
Regarding The Alleged Russian 'Misfire' On Turkish Ship - (Regarding Russian alleged 'misfire' on Turkey ship) NATO's Article 5 also states an armed attack, all resulting measures are reported to the security council and terminated when Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.
Article 5 Of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization - "The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defense recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.
Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.
Turkish Ship Near Odessa Allegedly Hit By Russian Missile - A Turkish ship off Odessa is reported to have been hit by a Russian missile (some reports say bomb) which was 'misfired'. There weren't any reported casualties, but the incident according to Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2 on Twitter), could put pressure on Turkey to block Russian vessels from entering its straits.
The 'misfire' incident with Turkey is not a good situation. If a NATO member gets involved in the war, NATO and the United States will all be pulled into it as they are required as per the North Atlantic Treaty Organization article 5 agreement to defend other NATO members, which would likely lead to an all-out World War.
Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization states that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all NATO members. Article 5 has only been invoked once in the history of the organization in response to the terrorist attacks in September 11th, 2001.
Decentralized International Hacker Group 'Anonymous' Declares Cyber War On Russia - The Decentralized international hacker group 'anonymous' has declared cyber war on Russia via Twitter, seemingly over Russia's war declaration on Ukraine.
The group tweeted on February 25th saying "The Anonymous collective is officially in cyber war against the Russian government. #Anonymous #Ukraine".
Entire Known Portion Of Russian Navy Moved To Syria While Other Forces Attacked Ukraine - It appears 'the whole Russian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea (that we know of) sailed to Syria this morning while the invasion of Ukraine was unfolding'. Information provided by well known Defense analyst H I Sutton, writer for Naval News. Read more
US To Deploy 7,000 More Troops To Europe - The United States is set to deploy 7,000 more troops to Europe, including an armored Brigade combat team with enablers. These will be deployed to Germany in order to reassure NATO allies and deter aggression from Russia. Stars and Stripes reporter Caitlin Doornbos says that they will be 'prepared to support a range of requirements in the region'.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Condemns Russia's Attack On Ukraine - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that allies condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine in the 'strongest possible terms'.
Stoltenberg said "NATO Allies condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s horrifying attack on Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified & unprovoked. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. Russia's actions pose a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security.
Russia Attacks Ukraine By Air, Land And Sea - Russia attacked Ukraine by air, land and sea on Thursday, in what Reuters calls 'the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War Two'.
Russian Artillery Shell Reportedly Hits Uman City Center, Killing 1 And Wounding 5 Others - *Translation From Ukrainian* A Russian artillery shell has reportedly hit the Uman city center and killed one person, injuring five others according to the Head of the Cherkasy Regional State Administration Oleksandr Skichko.
An evacuation of the Uman district has been announced within a radius of 30 kilometers from Rossoshki. Residents of the city who do not own their own vehicles have been asked to arrive at the WOG gas station at the exit from the city near the Stryi-Uzvarino highway and wait there for the evacuation busses.
Those who use their own transport: go along the H-16 highway to the roundabout, and then turn at the turn towards Talnoye (near the bus station). Representatives of the RGA will coordinate there.
According to Ukrainian Pravda news, Skitchko left contact numbers on his facebook page for citizens to coordinate their actions.
Russia Says It's Closing Shipping In Azov Sea Between Ukraine And Russia - Russia has reportedly announced that they are closing down all of the shipping lanes in the Sea of Azov between Russia and Ukraine.
The LNR Is Claiming They Shot Down Two Ukrainian Sukoi Su-24s Near Stepove And Smile - According to Russian state news RIA Navosti, the LPR has stated that they shot down two Ukrainian Su-24s near Stepove and Smile, Ukraine.
Hundreds Of Casualties Being Reported Already - Ukraine's Interior Ministry says that there are already hundreds of casualties as a result of the Russian invasion (missile bombardment) on Ukraine. How many are dead, or injured is not yet known.
Leader Of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko Is Meeting With The Military - A Russian news outlet has reported that the leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko is meeting with the military.
Ukrainian Defense Ministry Says They Have Shot Down Five Russian Planes And A Helicopter - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has put out a statement saying that they have shot down five Russian warplanes and a helicopter. Russia has claimed to have 'neutralized' Ukrainian air defenses. We do not know if this is propaganda or not yet but we are looking into it.
The message stated "Message from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine According to the Joint Forces Command, 5 planes and a helicopter of the aggressors were shot down in the area of the Armed Forces today. The combined forces give a worthy rebuff to the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Military units in their positions. The enemy suffers losses. Keep calm!
Russian State News Says Russian Backed LPR Separatists Now Carrying Out Mission To 'Liberate Temporarily Occupied Territory' - According to RIA Novosti (Russian state news) Russian backed LPR separatists are now carrying out their mission to 'liberate the temporarily occupied territory'.
Russian Troops Seen By CNN Through Livestream Entering Ukraine Through Belarus Border - CNN has just reported that they have spotted Russian troops through a livestream video atop a column of military vehicles entering into Ukraine from the Ukraine's border with Belarus.
Unconfirmed Reports All Over That Russia Has Also Begun Attacking Country Of Moldova - There have been many unconfirmed reports that the country of Moldova is under attack as well. We believe that these reports originated from the fact that people in Moldova are reporting explosions. We have found that it is likely they are hearing the explosions across the border of their neighbor, Ukraine as Ukraine gets bombarded with strikes from Russia. We do not believe that Moldova is currently under attack.
Ukraine Has Declared Martial Law According To Local Ukrainian News Reports - The Ukrainian government has now imposed martial law according to local Ukrainian news reports.
Russia Launches Full-Scale Attack On The Entire Country Of Ukraine - Russian President Vladimir Putin is launching full-scale attacks on the entire country of Ukraine, not just the separatist locations.
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba stated "Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.
"Journalist Yuri Butusov writes that military installations throughout the country have been attacked. First of all, strikes are made against air defense units, air bases, and control systems"
Message Broadcasted To All Channels: Pray For Ukraine - Pray for the people of Ukraine under those explosions. There are around 500,000 people in that city that those bombs are raining down on, and they are most certainly living in a great deal of fear for their lives right now.
Putin Declares War On Ukraine And Issues Warning To Anyone Who Attempts To Intervene - During the live broadcast by Russian President Vladimir Putin he both officially declared war on Ukraine, and added a warning to anyone who might get involved saying that they will have 'consequences that you never have had before in your history'.
Putin stated during the speech "A couple of words for those who would be tempted to intervene. Russia will respond immediately and you will have consequences that you never have had before in your history".
Russian President Vladimir Putin Officially Declares War On Ukraine - Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly officially declared war on Ukraine in a live speech that is currently being broadcast. We will report more on what was said in the live speech as the information comes in, he's still speaking and he sounds very resolute.
Mariupol Camera Down, Either Hacked Or Overloaded With Requests - The Mariupol live feed camera we were monitoring has been cut. Either it has been hacked or the live feed had too many requests from heavy site traffic due to the current situation. Pray hard for Ukraine and all of the people that are currently in danger!
Mariupol Ukraine Under Suspected Missile Attack - There is currently a suspected missile attack in Mariupol, Ukraine happening. Live feed cameras of the city show heavy explosions and smoke billowing from the city. Check our social media for photos and a link to the live feed. Location point on map "Hranitna St, 121, Mariupol', Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, 87500. Be careful with the camera live feed pages, they could be targeted as well.
Grad missiles have reportedly been fired at the city of Mariupol, Ukraine. The city is home to roughly 500,000 people. Smoke can be seen in camera live feed channels billowing from the city and what looks to be explosions and fires across the city.
Official Ukrainian Government Websites Have Been Hacked, DO NOT Click On Any Links On The Official Ukrainian Government Websites! - I should point out, the official Ukrainian government websites have a virus. Confirmed by our intel team. DO NOT click on the link at the bottom of the page if you try to visit. I repeat the official Ukrainian websites have been compromised, don't click on any links on it.
Russia Closes Airspace Along Northeastern Ukrainian Border For Civil Aviation - Russia has closed the airspace along the northeast Ukrainian border for civil aviation according to NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) NOTAM Website.
Social Media Users In Ukraine Have Put Out A Warning - Social media users in #Ukraine have put out a warning: “Everyone who has an active public anti-Russian position in Ukraine must take measures for personal security. Be extra careful. Pay attention at home, work, any place you visit often. Inspect your car, do not move alone.”
Pentagon: Additional Russian Military Forces Moving Into Donetsk And Luhansk Ukraine - The Pentagon reportedly says that they believe “additional Russian military forces” are rolling into the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, according to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.
Kirby stated "I hope, we all hope that we're wrong about this. But every indication we have is that he's poised to attack Ukraine again and this time with what could be significant military force".
Entire Night Shift Of Titan Chemical Plant In Armyansk, Russia Evacuated - According to Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, there are "Worrying reports from Crimea on the entire night shift of Titan chemicals plant in Armyansk evacuated from the facility. This might be a preparation for another staged provocation by Russia. Moscow seems to have no limits in attempts to falsify pretexts for further aggression".
Ukraine Has Declared A State Of Emergency - The Ukrainian Parliament has now declared a state of emergency. Decree green lights on the following measures: Document checks, ban on protests, evacuation of people from dangerous areas, ban on producing or spreading information that may 'destabilize the situation'. Other measures that may be implemented if necessary: curfew, special regime of entry and exit, ban on producing and spreading (misinformation?), special rules for spreading information online.
Latvian Prime Minister Says Russia Is Moving Some Forces And Tanks Into Eastern Ukraine - The Latvian Prime Minister says that Russia is moving some forces and tanks into Eastern Ukraine, which would confirm previously unconfirmed videos that we have seen of Russia moving tanks into Eastern Ukraine.
80% of Russia's forces are now poised around the Ukrainian border and in a forward position according to National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin. "80% of Russian forces "in forward position ready to go" w/some within 5km of Ukraine border. They are literally ready to go now if they get the order to go" per sr US defense official".
Seldin also quoted a senior US defense official saying "He is near 100% of all the forces we anticipated he would [move] in...He is dang near it".
Seldin also said that the US defense official stated Russia has over 10 landing ships in the Black Sea. "those ships exist for 1 reason-that's to put boots on the ground".
Seldin also stated that the official said "It is our assessment that he is fully prepared to conduct a large-scale invasion & that is a likely option" and also said "We'll continue to look for ways to provide lethal & non-lethal assistance".
The defense official also reportedly said "We'll continue to look for ways to provide lethal & non-lethal assistance".
Russian Tanks And Field Hospital In And Near Belgorod - We continue to see large convoys of tanks allegedly rolling into Belgorod, Russia, and a new field hospital at a garrison near Belgorod around 12 miles from the Ukrainian border which indicates that something is going on there. Putin said last week he planned on ending drills as planned on February 20th.
Also there have been numerous reports of blood being transported to locations near the Ukrainian border. Biden stated "You don't need blood unless you plan on starting a war."
Reports From DPR and LPR About An Alleged Explosion - There are many reports coming out from sources regarding an explosion that allegedly happened in Donetsk at a TV center. So far the root sources we've been able to track down all seem to be coming from the DPR and LPR which could be Russian propaganda. We will keep you informed as we get more information.
DPR reports are saying that it was allegedly an IED that exploded near the TV station and is accusing Ukrainian Special Forces of planning the IED in order to intimidate journalists from Donetsk.
An alert however by the DIU of the State Security Service says that the military intelligence of Ukraine has information about the mining of a number of social infrastructure facilities in Donetsk by Russian special services in order to further undermine them.
"These measures are aimed at destabilizing the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of our state and creating grounds for accusing Ukraine of terrorist acts".
"The Defense Intelligence of the State Security Service of Ukraine urges Donetsk residents not to leave their homes and not to use public transport".
White House Officially Calls Russian 'Peacekeeping Mission' In Ukraine An Invasion - The White House has officially called the so called Russian 'peace keeping' mission in Ukraine to the separatist regions Donetsk and Luhansk an invasion.
On Tuesday the White House called Putin's actions an invasion, saying "We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia’s latest invasion into Ukraine,” Jon Finer, a top national security adviser, told reporters. “An invasion is an invasion and that is what is underway".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a televised address "We are committed to peace and diplomacy. We are on our land, we are not afraid of anyone or anything. we will not give anything to anyone, and we are sure of that.
Russia: Meeting With France's Foreign Affairs Minister And Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Canceled - Russian state news RIA Novosti has announced that the meeting between France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that was scheduled for February 25th has now been canceled in the midst of ever increasing tensions between Russia and the West.
Putin Address To The Nation To Russia February 21st 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin Address To The Nation February 21st, 2022 regarding recognizing the independence of Donbas (DPR) and Luhansk (LPR) separatist regions. Read more
Russian Security Council Meeting February 21 2022 - Transcript - The Russian President held a meeting of the Russian Federation Security Council at the Kremlin. Read more
Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin says he supports making LPR DPR Part Of Russia. - The following is a conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin, who says he supports making the LPR and DPR part of the Russian Federation.
Putin: Are you suggesting to start negotiations? *Smiling*
Sergey: No… I.. Em…. Mmm. *Scared/confused*
Putin: *Interrupts* Or do you suggest recognizing the sovereignty?
Sergey: I supp.. *Something similar to support*
Putin: *interrupting* Speak directly.
Sergey: I’m gonna support the proposal about recognition…
Putin: *Interrupting* you’re GONNA support or you ARE supporting?
Sergey: I’m supporting the proposal to…
Putin: Then say so *That is, you are supporting or not gonna support*. *Smiling*
Sergey: *Uncertainly* Yes, yes, that’s what I say. I am supporting the proposal about LPR and DPR joining into the Russian Federation.
Putin: *Laughing* That’s not what we are talking about. We are talking about recognition of their sovereignty.
Sergey: *Uncertainly* Yes, I’m supporting the recognition of their sovereignty.
Withdrawal Of Russian Troops From Belarus Primarily Depends On NATO Pulling Back Its Forces Says Russia - The head of the Belarusian Army, Viktor Vulevich stated that the withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus primarily depends on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pulling back its own forces from the region.
"The Russian Armed Forces' units will return to their permanent bases only when an objective need for that arises and when we decide" Viktor said.
"In no small measure this will also depend on our Western counterparts. The forces and equipment deployed in the eastern European region, including near Belarus ... are one of the factors that influence the development of the situation" he added.
Statement By Blinken On Moving Department Of State Personnel In Lviv To Poland - The U.S. Department of State has released a statement regarding the move of Department of State personnel to Poland for the night.
Today the Department of State is again taking action for the safety and security of U.S. citizens, including our personnel. For security reasons, Department of State personnel currently in Lviv will spend the night in Poland. Our personnel will regularly return to continue their diplomatic work in Ukraine and provide emergency consular services.
They will continue to support the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian government, coordinating on diplomatic efforts. The United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia's aggression is unwavering.
The fact that we are taking prudent precautions for the sake of the safety of U.S. government personnel and U.S. citizens, as we do regularly worldwide, in no way undermines our support for, or our commitment to, Ukraine. Our commitment to Ukraine transcends any one location.
We strongly reiterate our recommendation to U.S. citizens to depart Ukraine immediately. The security situation in Ukraine continues to be unpredictable throughout the country and may deteriorate with little notice.
There is a strong likelihood that any Russian military operations would severely restrict commercial air travel. Russian troops have continued to move closer to the border in what looks like plans for an invasion at any moment.
There have been reports of increased ceasefire violations in Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk in recent days. And Russia has ordered troops to deploy into the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.
U.S. citizens who choose to remain in these areas despite our advice to depart Ukraine immediately should remain vigilant and alert to their surroundings.
In the event of an attack, U.S. citizens should seek shelter in a hardened structure and monitor major news outlets for guidance on when it is safe to move.
Tanks And Military Vehicles Spotted On The Outskirts Of Donetsk - Tanks and military vehicles were reportedly spotted on the outskirts of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine by a Reuters reporter, according to Reuters.
The reporter allegedly saw around five tanks on the edge of the city of Dontesk, and two more tanks in 'another part of the town'. They said they did not spot any insignia on the tanks but that they were spotted just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties declaring Donetsk and Luhansk independence.
Jamming in Ukraine Reported, And Defcon Level Website Seems To Be Under Attack - *Defcon Site No Longer Under Attack Due To Our Restrictive Firewall* Reports coming out that various services are being jammed in Ukraine's occupied "LDPR" territories. We're also seeing attempted attacks on our own web server, with thousands of new requests hitting it and increasing rapidly. We have never seen an increase like this before. If you have issues with anything loading on our website please message us on social media and let us know.
Ukraine's formal request for the meeting. - The Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations put out a letter from Sergiy Kyslytsya requesting an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council and requested to be allowed to 'participate in the meeting and make a statement".
Excellency, "In light of the decision by the President of the Russian Federation to recognize the "independence” of the temporarily occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk peoples' republics” as well as ongoing aggravation of the security situation around Ukraine on the recent days that further violates Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity - the fundamental principles, enshrined in the Article 2 of the UN Charter and recalled in the UN General Assembly 68/262 "Territorial integrity of Ukraine" of 27 March 2014 - and endangers international peace and security and upon the instruction of my Government, I have the honor to request an urgent meeting of the Security Council in accordance with Articles 34 and 35 of the United Nations Charter under the agenda item "Letter dated 28 February 2014 from the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2014/136)".
"I also have the honor to request that, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and Rule 37 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security Council, a representative of the Government of Ukraine be allowed to participate in the meeting and make a statement. Also, I kindly request to invite the Secretary-General, the Chief Monitor of the OSCE SMM to Ukraine and the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the TCG at this urgent meeting of the Security Council to brief the Council on the matter".
Biden To Issue Executive Order Prohibiting New Investment Trade, And Financing By U.S. Persons To, From Or In DNR And LNR In response to the recent decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize Donetsk (DNR) and Luhansk (LNR) as independent states, Biden will issue an executive order that prohibits new investment trade and financing by U.S. persons to, from or in DNR and LNR.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated: “President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.”
The White House put out this announcement on Ukraine: "We have anticipated a move like this from Russia and are ready to respond immediately. President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.
This E.O. will also provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine. The Departments of State and Treasury will have additional details shortly. We will also soon announce additional measures related to today's blatant violation of Russia's international commitments.
To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine.
We are continuing to closely consult with Allies and partners, including Ukraine, on next steps and on Russia's ongoing escalation along the border with Ukraine.
Biden Administration Orders Out All Remaining State Department Personnel From Ukraine The Biden Administration has ordered out all remaining State Department personnel out of Ukraine. The U.S. Embassy had been moved from Kyiv, Ukraine to the western Ukraine city of Lviv but now they are moving out of Ukraine completely and into Poland.
Russian President Vladimir Putin Orders Troops To Donetsk And Luhansk, Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops to carry out 'peacekeeping functions' only hours after officially recognizing the two separatist regions as independent. The forces are reportedly to maintain peace in the separatist held regions.
According to AP, Putin stated, "I consider it necessary to take a long-overdue decision: To immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic".
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Says Putin's Recognition Of Donetsk And Luhansk Independence Requires Swift Response U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated "Kremlin recognition of the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” as “independent” requires a swift and firm response, and we will take appropriate steps in coordination with partners".
Ukrainian Commander Tells Reporter They've Been Under Shelling All Day Today And Yesterday A Ukrainian commander that is currently operating on the front lines in Donbas sent Buzzfeednews correspondent Christopher Miller a text message saying "We’ve been under shelling all day and yesterday. We watched Putin’s speech and now we are waiting... No new orders from military leadership except be covered with armor and watch for drones".
White House Responds To Putin's 'Live' Address The White House has responded to Putin's 'Live' address recognizing two Russian backed separatist locations in Eastern Ukraine as independent states. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also ordered a 'peacekeeping operation' in eastern Ukraine's two breakaway regions, Donetsk and Luhansk.
A Kremlin statement put out regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's address said "Today, the leadership of the DPR and LPR received appeals to recognize their sovereignty in connection with the military aggression of the Ukrainian authorities, massive shelling of the territory of Donbas, as a result of which the civilian population suffers".
"With all this in mind, the President of Russia said that he intended to sign a corresponding decree in the near future” and said that the "President of France and the Federal Chancellor of Germany expressed their disappointment with this development."
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated "We have anticipated a move like this from Russia and are ready to respond immediately. President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine. This E.O. will also provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine. The Departments of State and Treasury will have additional details shortly. We will also soon announce additional measures related to today’s blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.
To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine.
We are continuing to closely consult with Allies and partners, including Ukraine, on next steps and on Russia’s ongoing escalation along the border with Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin Now Urging Lawmakers To Sign Treaties With Ukraine's Rebel Regions To Enable Moscow Military Support Russian President Vladimir Putin is now urging lawmakers to sign treaties with Ukraine's rebel regions so that Moscow can begin to supply military support to those regions. Fox News reporterJennifer Griffin says that the "Pentagon is expecting Putin to move into Ukraine tonight, on to those just recognized independent areas".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Discusses Events Unfolding With POTUS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "Discussed the events of the last hours with @POTUS. We begin the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council. A conversation with @BorisJohnson is also planned".
Putin Says Ukraine Is Capable Of Creating Nuclear Weapons Using Heritage From Soviet Era - Putin says Ukraine is capable of creating nuclear weapons using heritage from Soviet era and Western technological support. This could be used as a pretext (or excuse) to move in on Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin Signs The Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic As Sovereign States - Russian President Vladimir Putin has now officially singed the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic as sovereign states. The papers are now officially signed, and the Russian stock market futures are now crashing. As of 26 minutes ago at the time of writing this, the futures had plummeted 21% as Putin was speaking on Ukraine during the live address.
White House: Russia Planning Extremely Violent Operation To Crush Ukraine - White House National Security advisor Jake Sullivan said on Monday that Russia is planning an 'extremely violent' invasion of Ukraine and that Russia seeks to 'crush' the Ukrainian people.
During an appearance on NBC's 'Today' Sullivan stated "We believe that any military operation of the size, scope and magnitude of what we believe the Russians are planning will be extremely violent. It will cost the lives of Ukrainians and Russians, civilians and military personnel alike".
"But we also have intelligence to suggest that there will be an even greater form of brutality because this will not simply be some conventional war between two armies" he added. ""It will be a war waged by Russia on the Ukrainian people to repress them, to crush them, to harm them".
Sullivan also said "We're prepared to respond decisively if Russia moves on Ukraine and we're prepared for diplomacy to settle this peacefully, including at the highest level".
"So [French President Emmanuel Macron] asked President Biden yesterday if he was prepared in principle to meet with President Putin if Russia did not invade, of course President Biden said yes. But every indication we see on the ground right now in terms of the disposition of Russian forces is that they are in fact getting prepared for a major attack on Ukraine".
What Recognizing Donetsk And Luhansk Means - The recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to do, if he so chooses, is roll his troops, tanks and artillery through the Ukrainian border and into those two regions. This would put Russian troops and tanks within Ukraine while under the pretext that it is Russian territory since it will now be 'officially' recognized as Russian territory the moment he signs the decree.
Putin Says He Will Sign Decree Recognizing Independence Of Donetsk And Luhansk - Putin has reportedly told Macron and Scholz that he will be signing the decree recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk 'People Republics'. He will reportedly be speaking about it in the live address about to take place. It was supposed to be taking place now, but he is not always on time.
Russian state news RT reported "In a statement released on Monday, the Kremlin revealed that Putin had notified French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that he intends to sign a decree recognizing the two separatist Donbass regions 'in the near future'".
Car Explosion From Suspected Car Bomb In Lugansk - There has allegedly been a car bomb explosion in the city of Lugansk in front of the JCC center that contains Russians who monitor the 'ceasefire'. There are many reports of an explosion that rocked Lugansk city center, and videos out purportedly showing the explosion released by Russian state news, RIA Novosti.
Putin Set To Make Televised Live Address On February 21st - Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to make a televised address to the Russian people on February 21st according to Russian state news agency TASS.
The address is set to begin at 9 PM local time according to RT. At the time of posting this it is now 8:40PM. The message on the TASS website reads: "Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday will make a televised address to the citizens of the country".
Putin Asking Top Officials If Russia Should Recognize Russian Controlled Separatist Regions In Eastern Ukraine - Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly 'going around the room asking his top officials if Russia should recognize the Russian-controlled separatist regions in Eastern Ukraine according to Moscow reporter Patrick Reevell. Watching the live now, they are debating on it (news stream is live, they are showing footage from earlier debating on the issue).
Russian news RT reporter is claiming that there is a very large escalation and claim that Ukraine has over 100,000 troops built up on the Ukrainian side of the border. Putin is reportedly set to make a final decision regarding recognizing separatist regions today. Putin said that Russia has done all it could to resolve things peacefully, but that the situation continues to escalate and that the authorities in Kyiv 'have no intention of recognizing the Minks accord'.
Russian State News RIA Novosti reported that the Grand Security Council discussed the recognition of Donbass: (They claim 70% of the Russian people allegedly support recognizing the separatist regions):
• Lavrov - recognize
• Bortnikov - recognize
• Shoigu - recognize
• Medvedev - if there is no improvement, recognize
• Volodin - recognize
• Matvienko - recognize
• Patrushev - give Biden 2-3 days, if it doesn't help - admit
• Mishustin - if there is no improvement, recognize
• Naryshkin - recognize
• Bells - recognize
• Shchegolev - recognize
• Zolotov - recognize
U.S. Press Secretary Jen Psaki Says Biden Accepted Meeting With Putin - U.S. Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated "President Biden accepted in principle a meeting w/ President Putin following that engagement, again, if an invasion hasn’t happened. We are always ready for diplomacy. We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war".
“And currently, Russia appears to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon,” Psaki added.
LPR Claims Ukraine Forces Killed Two Civilians - The LPR and Russian state media are claiming that Ukraine allegedly shelled a position along the Line Of Control and killed two civilians.
RIA Novosti claimed "Two people were killed as a result of shelling of the LPR by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Sunday evening, according to the representative office of the LPR in the JCCC".
Netblocks: Internet Provider Lugacom Supplying Connectivity To Luhansk Reporting Possible Disruptions To Mobile Service - Internet provider Lugacom, an ISP that supplies internet connectivity to Luhansk in eastern Ukraine from Russia, has announced potential disruptions in their mobile services in the region in the last day.
The provider put out a statement saying "Dear subscribers and partners! In pursuance of the Decree of the Head of the LPR on the announcement of general mobilization and the decision of the Headquarters of Territorial Defense, employees of the State Unitary Enterprise LPR 'Lugansk Communications' arrived at the military commissariats of the LPR. Due to the current circumstances, in the near future, there may be a lack of mobile communication with Lugak and the internet throughout the Republic".
The provider pulled the statement off of their website after connection status was restored and back to normal. We'll update you on any other outages if they occur.
CONFIRMED: Internet Disruptions In PArts Of Ukraine - It has been confirmed by multiple credible sources that there were internet disruptions in parts of Ukraine over the last 24 hours. Outages so far are reportedly "associated with the civilian evacuation from parts of eastern Ukraine" according to the founder and director of Netblocks internet outage monitoring service, Alp Toker.
Fox News Confirms Reports By New York Times And Washington Post That Putin Has Made Up His Mind To Invade Ukraine - Fox news has confirmed reports by the New York Times and Washington Post that US allegedly has intelligence that Russian troops were given orders to proceed with an invasion. On NBC's Face The Nation CBS David Martin had stated "The commanders on the ground are making specific plans for how they would maneuver in their sector of the battlefield".
As always, question everything. All humans are fallible and can sometimes be prone to either lie or be fooled by misinformation. (Yes, we are human too, though we try our best to report what is happening (the truth) as accurately as humanly possible). That is why we have a new OSINT intel analysis team so that we can weed out the bad information to the best of our ability.
U.S. Vice President Says Washington Believes Putin Has Made His Decision - Natasha Bertrand, reporter for the White House and national security stated that she talked to Vice President Kamala Harris and asked if the U.S. has evidence that Putin has given his subordinates the order to invade Ukraine. Kamala replied with "We believe he has made his decision. Period".
U.S. Embassy In Russia Issues Warning About Possible Terror Attacks - The U.S. Embassy in Russia has put out a statement regarding possible terror attacks in Russia. They have warned American citizens to stay away from crowds, carry proper identification and have an evacuation plan ready. Embassy says that their assessment is based on 'media reports' of threats. They did not specify which media reports they were referring to. It's possible it could have been Russian media reports.
The security alert stated "According to media sources, there have been threats of attacks against shopping centers, railway and metro stations and other public gathering places in major urban areas, including Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as in areas of heightened tension along the Russian border with Ukraine.
Actions to take (according to the U.S. Embassy in Russia): Monitor local and international media for updates, avoid crowds, notify friends and family of your safety, be aware of your surroundings, stay alert in locations frequented by tourists/Westerners, review your personal security plans, carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Russian visa, have evacuation plans that do not reply on U.S. government assistance.
Large Number Of Tanks Rolling Into Belgorod - Russian tanks have been rolling into Belgorod, Russia. Our intel team has noticed many videos of tanks rolling into Belgorod the last few days. Check us out on social media to see our video and photo updates. We are not able to keep up with posting videos and photos on the website, the website is hand coded and it takes too much time, it would take away from the time we spend obtaining the latest intelligence and analyzing it.
10 Russian Ships Enter Kerch Strait Bridge And Navigate Into Sea Of Azov - Over 10 Russian ships have now reportedly passed under the Crimean Bridge (Kerch Strait Bridge) and entered the Sea of Azov. The ships include: Project 775, the Saratov Project 1171 large landing ships, and Pavel #Derzhavin Project 22160 patrol ship
CNN Now Reporting Russia Has 75% Of Its Forces Deployed Near Ukraine - CNN has now reported that Russia has around 75% of its 'conventional forces' positioned around the Ukrainian border, including 120 Battalion Tactical Groups that are within 60km of Ukraine, 35 air defense battalions, 500 fighters and bomber aircraft and 50 medium to heavy bombers. (as always, question everything)
As always, take everything with a grain of salt, especially during wartime situations, or when wartime is near. I don't think we have to tell you that there is a lot of propaganda flying around right now. We inform you what we know and what our intel team has come up with after analyzing the data, it's up to you to decide what you want to believe.
Chief Analyst for our intel teams, Donald Standeford says "The conflicting information in the media could be bad intel fed to the media in order to obfuscate a planned attack. Can't know for sure at this point, it's just a possibility. We're deliberating on these things in our intel channels".
"I say this a lot when it comes to the media "Question everything". It's very important that we do this. It becomes second nature to us, OSINT analysts. This doesn't mean we don't consider everything. It means we question everything. As it should be" he added.
CBS News Says U.S. Intelligence Indicates Russia Has Given Orders To Proceed With Invasion On Ukraine - CBS News has reported that the U.S. has intelligence that Russia has given the orders to proceed with an invasion of Ukraine. “The commanders on the ground are making specific plans". (Regarding posting CBS news: I'm not saying they are a credible news source, I'm reporting what they claim which is why I named the source right there where you can see it. Make up your own mind whether to believe it or not).
CBS News: "The U.S. has intelligence that Russian commanders have received orders to proceed with an invasion of Ukraine...The intelligence indicates that they're doing everything that American commanders would do once they got the order to proceed."
We are currently investigating whether CBS claims are true, and yes, we have been talking about the meeting between Macron, Biden, and Scholz on Ukraine in our intel channels. We will let you know our findings when we figure out what's really going on.
Russian News Reports DPR Forces Have Carried Out ATGM Attack On Ukrainian Positions In Donbass - A video released by Russian state news TV Vezda allegedly shows DPR forces carrying out an anti-tank guided missile attack on Ukrainian positions in Donbass.
Anti-tank guided missiles are set up on a tripod. Once it's set up a soldier looks through the optical sight searching for a target, usually anti-tank guided missiles are used to target and destroy heavily armored vehicles.
Once the target has been acquired, the person manning the launcher shines a laser onto the target and launches the missile. For video footage of the alleged incident, check our social media channels where we share photos and videos of our news coverage.
Russian State News Says Zelensky Decided To Make A Nuclear Bomb - Russian state news RIA Novosti has put out an article that says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he has decided to make a nuclear bomb. We decided to get to the bottom of this claim and find out what was really said.
The Kyiv Independent newspaper stated that Zelensky said that if Ukraine does not receive any new security guarantees from the Budapest Memorandum signatories, all articles of the 1994 agreement where Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear arsenal for security guarantees is considered null and void.
Essentially this indicates that Ukraine may be thinking about restarting its own nuclear program once again if Ukraine does not receive any new security guarantees from the Budapest Memorandum signatories.
During Zelensky's speech at the Munich Security Conference, he stated "Ukraine has received security guarantees for abandoning the world’s third nuclear capability. We don’t have that weapon. We also have no security. We also do not have part of the territory of our state that is larger in area than Switzerland, the Netherlands or Belgium. And most importantly – we don’t have millions of our citizens. We don’t have all this".
"Therefore, we have something. The right to demand a shift from a policy of appeasement to ensuring security and peace guarantees".
Belarus Announces Russian Troops Will Be Stationed In Country Indefinitely - Belarus has now reportedly announced that Russian troops will be stationed in the country 'indefinitely' and won't be going anywhere after 'exercises' are completed due to tensions in the Donbas region after fears that Russia had plans to occupy the region.
Belarus Defense Ministry Khrenin made an official announcement saying "Due to increased military activity near the borders and escalation in Donbas, Belarus and Russia decided to continue joint inspections of response forces".
British Prime Minister: Europe Planning Largest War In Europe Since 1945 - The British Prime Minister suggested that Russia may be planning the largest war in Europe since 1945. "All the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun" he stated.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated during an interview with BBC that "All the signs are that the plan has already in some senses begun" and said that he believes Russia may intend on carrying out an invasion that will encircle Kyiv, Ukraine's capital. .
"People need to understand the sheer cost in human life that could entail" he stated in the interview with BBC's Sophie Raworth in Munich where world leaders met for the annual security conference.
"I'm afraid to say that the plan we are seeing is for something that could be really the biggest war in Europe since 1945 just in terms of sheer scale" he stated, saying that people need to not only consider the losses of young Ukrainian's, but 'young Russians' as well.
The number of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border now up to 200,000, or over 50% of Russia's entire military forces.
Russian T-72 Tanks Spotted In Tomarovka, Belgrod Oblast - Russian T-72 tanks have been spotted in Tomarovka, Belgrod Oblast, which is less than 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Our intel team has pulled up a large number of video footage of tanks in and around that location.
The movement of armor into Belgrod Oblast during the night is believed to be one of the final staging positions before entering into Ukraine for an invasion, if that is what Russia intends on doing.
Large Escalation Of Fighting Near Line Of Control In Donbass - We're starting to see a large escalation of fighting near the line of control in Donbass, Ukraine over the last hour. What sounds like gunfire and artillery rounds are reportedly being fired near the Kievsky district. Some reports are saying large explosions have been heard around major population centers and that firefights are escalating.
The Ukrainian military has reported that two soldiers have been killed and four more have been injured today during a large escalation in fighting on the frontline. Heavy 120mm and 82mm mortars were used, 122mm artillery and automatic machine grenade launchers. Some reports also indicate that a tank has been allegedly used and tank fire was reported.
Ukrainian President Says He Was Told By A Leader Of One Of The Leading Countries War Will Start In A Few Days - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "I had a conversation with the leader of one of the leading countries. I was told the war would start in a few days. I said - impose sanctions today. They answered me, we will introduce when the war starts".
Zelensky said that if the consultations of the participants in the Budapest Memorandum do not take place or there are no guarantees of Ukraine's security based on their results, Kiev will have the right to consider that the Budapest Memorandum does not work, and all package decisions of 1994 (assuming a non-nuclear status of Ukraine) will be called into question.
OSCE Reports 222 Ceasefire Violations For Donetsk Region On Thursday - The OSCE has reported that there have been 222 ceasefire violations in the Donetsk region on Thursday including 135 explosions. That increased from 189 ceasefire violations the day before that, and just 24 on Tuesday before tensions started hitting a boiling point.
In Luhansk, there were reportedly 648 ceasefire violations by separatists, including 519 explosions, increased from 402 violations the day before that and 129 violations on Tuesday.
Donetsk Separatist Authorities Put Out Message Declaring General Mobilization - Al Jazeera put out a statement saying "Urgent | Donetsk separatist authorities: Declaration of general mobilization as a result of the expansion of the bombing of the Ukrainian army".
The leader of the Unrecognized DPR Denis Pushilin has announced a general mobilization saying "I urge fellow countrymen who are in reserve to come to the military commissariats. Today I signed a decree on general mobilization".
"I appeal to all the men of the Republic who are able to hold weapons in their hands, stand up for their families, their children, wives, mothers. Together we will achieve the desired and necessary victory for all of us. We will protect Donbass and all Russian people".
Russian State News Says Donetsk Believes Kyiv Is Ready For A Forceful Solution To The Conflict - Russian state news has claimed that Ukrainian security forces have opened fire on DPR positions, and that in Donetsk they believe Kyiv is ready for a forceful solution to the conflict.
The statement by the Russian state news outlet said "Representatives of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics said that the Ukrainian security forces opened fire on their positions. In Donetsk, they believe that Kiev is ready for a forceful solution to the conflict".
OSCE Says Between 169,000 And 190,000 Russian Soldiers Near Ukrainian Border - The OSCE says that there are between 169,000 and 190,000 Russian troops on the Ukrainian border, "This is the most significant military mobilization in Europe since the Second World War". They said that Russia now has around 50% of its forces stationed near the Ukrainian border.
The beginning of January there were only around between 100,000 and 130,000 Russian soldiers near the Ukrainian border. US Ambassador to OSCE Michael Carpenter stated "We assess that Russia probably has massed between 169,000-190,000 personnel in and near Ukraine as compared with about 100,000 on January 30".
Ukraine Says Russia Is Trying To Provoke Ukraine's Military To Attack - Ukrainian security official Oleksiy Danilov stated on Friday that Russia is attempting to stage provocations in eastern Ukraine and trying to provoke a response out of Kyiv. Danilov stated that Ukraine will remain peaceful despite this in order to diffuse the current tensions with Russia. Read more
US Intel Says Russia May Target Political Opponents And Activists - U.S. intelligence indicates that Russia may target political opponents, activists and Belarusian 'dissidents' currently living in exile if it does carry out a large-scale invasion on Ukraine according to Foreign Policy.
FP says that four sources that are familiar with U.S. intelligence have compiled a list of Ukrainian political figures and other 'prominent' individuals that they believe will likely be targeted by either assassination attempts or arrests if Russia decides to carry out a large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia Carries Out Strategic Nuclear Force Exercises During Heightened Tensions With Ukraine - During heightened tensions with Ukraine, Russia has decided to carry out nuclear force exercises on February 19th where they will test launch ICBMs, SLBMs and bombers.
Russian state news agency TASS said that Russian is holding planned exercises of the 'strategic deterrence forces' on Saturday under the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"On February 19, 2022, under the leadership of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, a planned exercise of the strategic deterrence forces will be held, during which ballistic and cruise missiles will be launched" the Russian military department stated.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that "the exercise of the strategic deterrence forces was planned earlier to check the readiness of military command and control agencies, launch combat crews, crews of warships and strategic missile carriers to carry out assigned tasks, as well as the reliability of weapons of strategic nuclear and non-nuclear forces".
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the "Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation, the Southern Military District, the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Black Sea Fleets will be involved in the planned exercises".
TASS stated that Strategic command and staff exercises involving all three components of the strategic nuclear forces are held annually at the end of the 'military' academic year.
The start of the exercises will include "a Northern Fleet submarine missile carrier fires an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the Kura test site in Kamchatka, a nuclear submarine of the Pacific Fleet launches an ICBM at a target at the Chizh test site in northern Russia".
Combat training launch of ICBMs from the Strategic Missile Forces is also being carried out, cruise missiles will be launched by aircraft of the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
British Intelligence Says Russia Has 50% Of Its Ground Combat Units On Ukrainian Border - The British Ministry of Defense stated Thursday that Russia has 50% of its ground combat units on the Ukrainian border.
"It is the largest gathering of Russian troops since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991" the British Ministry of Defense stated. "The scale of this is far beyond that needed for a large scale training exercise".
U.S. officials now say that Russia has about 150,000 troops on the ground near the Ukrainian border and 125 tactical battalion groups. This is far more than reported even a few days ago which means Russia has been adding troops and battalion tactical groups at a high rate over the last few days.
Massive Pipeline Explosion In Ukraine - There has been a massive pipeline explosion in Ukraine. We are still investigating but Russian state news, Reuters and other news agencies say that it was near Luhansk, one of the main cities in Ukraine's breakaway region of the People's Republic of Luhansk. The pipeline caught fire after the blast. We have heard reports there were multiple explosions as well as one report that it may not have been in Luhansk but in a different location. We will let you know when we have more details on what really happened.
Many who we have spoken to, as well as in our intel channel who have experience with pipelines and explosives say that according to the video we showed them explosives were detonated on the pipeline in what appears to be multiple places.
DPR Organizes Mass Evacuation Of Russians-In-Ukraine-To-Russia - The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic has announced an agreement with the Russian leadership to evacuate Russian citizens in the Rostov region into Russia. The evacuation is claimed to be carried out due to alleged 'increased shelling by Ukraine' and what they say is an 'impending Ukrainian attack' on Russian separatist locations within Ukraine. Read more
Luhansk Internet Is Now Down As Well As Mobile Service Vodafone- *UPDATE* Luhansk, Ukraine internet and main mobile service operator Vodafone went down. The cause has not yet been determined. One report says that Kyivstar is also down or having disruptions. *UPDATE* The internet is back up now. It was reportedly down for over an hour and impacted 'near the border with Russia' according to NetBlocks monitoring service.
Evacuation Of Local Population Planned For Occupied Territory In Ukraine - (Based On Translation) The CinC AF of Ukraine has put out a statement declaring an evacuation of the local population in some settlements in the 'temporarily occupied territory' especially by Donetsk.
The CinC AF of Ukraine stated on Facebook "Official statement of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Valery Zaluzhnogo According to the information coming from the Ordo, in some settlements in the temporarily occupied territory, especially in Donetsk, the evacuation of the local population is planned in connection with the possible extinction.
Officially announce: The Armed Forces of Ukraine are unavoidable to comply with the Minsk agreements and the rules of international humanitarian law, do not plan any offensive operations or shelling of civilians. Our actions have an exceptional defensive character. The responsibility for the situation on the temporarily occupied territories is carried by the state-occupant of the Russian Federation.
Any harm that may be caused to people or objects of infrastructure in temporarily occupied territories is provocation. The Ukrainian side informs international organizations about the preparation of such provocations. As of 19 hours of the current day, 47 ceasefire violations have been recorded by the Russian occupation forces, 38 of which were using the application of the forbidden Minsk Arms Agreement.
The opponent carried out targeted shelling of social infrastructure objects, two civilians were injured. At the same time, using misinformation and propaganda, the Russian occupation administrations are accusing the armed forces of Ukraine of shooting civilians. Gross violations of the Minsk agreements by Russian occupation troops, which had place during the current day, should be investigated.
This will enable us to act more effectively in the future to maintain a ceasefire regime. The Ukrainian delegation in the Trilateral Contact Group addressed the TKG coordinator from OSCE regarding the emergency convening of the preliminary meeting of the Security Working Group, followed by the TKG meeting on ceasefire violations, which took place during February 17".
Military Technical Response Likely Refers To Moving Weapon Systems Closer To NATO Members - Russian military expert Rob Lee has stated that when Russia said that they will be taking 'military technical response' they likely meant moving weapon systems closer to NATO members such as 9M729 (SSC-8) cruise missile systems.
Rob Lee said that this doesn't necessarily imply that there will be a full on military invasion or attack, though he says he certainly thinks that is a possibility.
Russia Says US Twisted Proposals On Security Guarantees, Russia Wants Withdrawal Of All US Forces And Weapons From Eastern Europe - Russian state news RIA Novosti reported saying that the United States allegedly "twisted" Russia's proposals on security guarantees in the direction of creating advantages for Washington and its allies. Russia says they expect a full withdrawal of US and NATO forces from eastern Europe.
According to RIA Novosti, the 'US "twisted" Russia's proposals on security guarantees in the direction of creating advantages for Washington and its allies, ignored the package nature of the proposals, choosing topics convenient for itself".
Novosti also reported that Russia's 'response emphasized the unacceptability of demands to withdraw troops from certain areas in Russia' and that 'de-escalation around Ukraine requires Kyiv's fulfillment to the Minsk agreements, cessation of arms supplies to Ukraine and withdrawal of those already supplied, recall of all Western advisers and instructors and NATO's refusal to exercise with Ukraine.
Novosti also said that Russia "insists on the withdrawal of all US forces and weapons from Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States" and expects concrete proposals from the United States and NATO on the content and forms of the alliance's legal refusal to expand to the east".
Russia Says Moscow Will Be Forced To Respond Due To Washington's Unwillingness To Agree On Security Guarantees - Russia says that Moscow will be forced to respond due to Washington's unwillingness to agree on security guarantees, according to Russian state news TASS.
Special correspondent at the Kommersant daily newspaper, Moscow Elena Chernenko reported that Russia's reaction to the way Washington responded to Russia's security demands was that the “US side did not give a constructive response to the basic elements of the draft treaty…on security guarantees. Russia will be forced to respond, including through military-technical measures".
TASS quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry (Who's website is currently inoperable) and stated "In the absence of the American side's readiness to negotiate firm, legally binding guarantees of ensuring our security on the part of the United States and its allies, Russia will be forced to respond, including by implementing measures of a military and technical nature," the Russian Foreign Ministry said".
Biden Says Putin Likely To Attack In The Matter Of Days - When Biden was asked is it "your sense Putin is going to go thru with it" Biden responded with, “Yes… not now, in a matter of days.”
Russian Foreign Ministry Website Now Fully Down - Russian Foreign Ministry website seems to be under DDOS attack at the moment. Website now shows no errors except default 'site took too long to be reached' error which indicates the server has been taken down.
Russian Foreign Ministry Website Currently Down - The Russian Foreign Ministry website is currently down, with a database error "DB query error. Please try later".
State Department Confirms Russia Expelled U.S. Deputy Chief Of Mission To Russia - The US State Department has confirmed that Russia expelled U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission to Russia Bart Gorman and stated "Russia’s action against our DCM was unprovoked and we consider this an escalatory step and are considering our response".
Russia Expels U.S. Ambassador In Moscow, US Promises Response - Russian state news has reported that Russia has expelled United States Deputy Ambassador in Moscow Bart Gorman. The United States has allegedly promised a 'response'. There have now been reports from Forex that the U.S. State Department has fired the Russian Deputy ambassador to Washington and ordered his return to Russia.
Shelling On Kindergarten In Stanystia Luhanska, Ukraine - There has reportedly been shelling on a kindergarten in Stanytsia Luhanska, Ukraine. Russian state news agencies claim that the artillery fire came from the Ukrainian front and that Ukraine targeted a kindergarten within its own territory. Ukraine says that the artillery fire came from Russia and that it is 'a big provocation'.
Ukraine military reported that Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine opened fire with artillery and mortar fire along much of the front line with 82mm and 120mm mortars, 152mm heavy artillery, 122mm, AGS and anti-tank missile systems.
So far 5 people are reported to have been wounded when artillery shells hit the kindergarten and the building was damaged from the artillery fire. 'half the settlement' was reported to be without electricity.
The Ukrainian military stated that preliminary data shows three employees of the kindergarten received injuries. The children in the building and caregivers were 'promptly evacuated' from the building.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated "The shelling of a kindergarten in Stanytsia Luhanska by pro-Russian forces is a big provocation. It's important that diplomats & the @OSCE remain in 🇺🇦, their monitoring activities are an additional deterrent. We need an effective mechanism for recording all ceasefire violations".
Earlier he had posted "Had a phone conversation with @eucopresident Charles Michel in Mariupol. Informed about the security situation and today's provocative shelling, in particular in Stanytsia Luhanska. Thanked for the initiative of the donors' conference in support of Ukraine".
Ukrainian Joint Forces government Facebook page stated (statement is a translation): "Operational information on the situation in the area of the operation of the United Forces as of 14:00 February 17, 2022".
"Today, from heavy artillery armament 122 mm caliber the opponent released 32 shells on the Lugansʹkíj station. Damaged to the institution of the kindergarten, where at this time children and educators were. Also, the damage was suffered and the utility infrastructure - half of the settlement was left without electricity. According to preliminary data, as a result of the shelling, three kindergarten workers received injuries".
"In addition to this, the armed forces of the Russian Federation fired from the artillery systems in the settlement of Vrubivka. The building of a local secondary school where students and teachers were at the time was damaged. Luckily no one was hurt. In addition to this, the gas was damaged from the shelling - 70 apartments and about 100 private houses were left without gas supply".
"In total, as of 14 o'clock of the current day by the Russian-Occupacíjnih troops, 34 violations of ceasefire regime were recorded, 28 of which with the application of the forbidden Minsk arms agreements".
"Russian-Occupacíjní troops fired: NOVOTOSKIVSKOVSKE - from artillery 122 mm caliber, 120 mm caliber and machine anti-tank grenatometives. WATER - made of 120 mm caliber mortometers, machine anti-tank grenatometers and automatic machine grenatomets. TRUDIVSKE - made of mortem of 82 mm caliber. ANTIQUES - made of 120 and 82 mm caliber mortars, automatic machine grenades, large caliber machine guns and shooting weapons"
OLD AIDAR and MARYINKU - made of 120 mm caliber mortem. SOUTHERN and MAJORSK - from 82 mm caliber mortars and automatic machine grenatomets. LOBACHEVE - from the mortem of 82 mm caliber. NOVOSELIVKU FRIEND - from anti-tank missile complexes. LUGANSKKE - from caliber artillery 122 mm, caliber mortem 120mm.
"MARYINKU - made of 120 mm caliber, 82 mm, manual anti-tank grenades, large caliber guns and shooting weapons. Svitlodarsʹk - from 120 mm caliber mortem and large-scale kulemetív".
"TROITCKE - with armament tank, 120 mm and 82 mm caliber mortars. DANGEROUS - from machine anti-tank grenades. ZAYTSEVE - from automatic machine grenatometives. AVDIEVKU, NOISE, TRAVNEVE, NEVELSKE and DONETSKIJ - from 120 mm caliber mortem".
"NOVOZVANIVKU - made of 152 mm artillery. LUGANSKU STATION - from 122 mm caliber artillery, 120 and 82 mm caliber mortars, as well as automatic machine grenatomets. Sands - from 82 mm caliber mortometives and machine anti-tank grenatometives".
"Golmivsky - made of 120 mm caliber mortars and automatic machine grenatomets. KRY ЩIVKU - from 122 mm caliber artillery".
"From the actions of the enemy two soldiers of the United Forces were injured. The soldiers are in a medical facility. The state of their health is of average gravity".
"According to preliminary information, two civilians were injured as a result of the Russian-occupation forces shooting".
"It should be noted that the opponent continues to use his propaganda methods of conducting an information war to accuse the Armed Forces of Ukraine of shelling civilians, hiding their own sneaky actions".
"Ukrainian defenders opened fire in response to stop the activity of the opponent only in case of threatening the lives of soldiers".
Smoke Billowing Out Of Russia's Embassy In Kyiv, Ukraine - There is currently smoke billowing out of the Russian embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. The smoke is coming out of the chimney so it is controlled and does not seem to be accidental. This may indicate that Russia is burning sensitive documents within the embassy as a precaution to safeguard against another country obtaining them.
Urgent Message Reported From Russian Separatists 'Lugansk Republic' - Al Jazeera reported the following message "Urgent | President of the separatist Lugansk Republic: We call on international observers to take urgent measures to prevent bloodshed in Donbass".
Russian State Media Claims Ukraine Fired Mortar Shells At Four LPR Locations Without Proof - Russian state news has accused Ukraine of firing mortar shells and grenades at four LPR locations. This may or may not be true, but as always never treat a story as fact until it's verified by multiple credible sources.
Some news agency's which shall not be named parroted the Russian state news without even stating that the allegations were alleged. This is irresponsible reporting. Thus far many news agencies reporting on this are parroting Russian news and Russia's findings, which are highly likely to be propaganda in order to justify so called 'retaliation' on Ukraine.
Ukrainian Soldiers On Edge And Taking Concrete Actions For Russian Attack - Nolan Peterson, a reporter on the ground in Ukraine who spoke with Ukrainian soldiers said that they were 'on edge last night' and are now taking 'concrete actions' to prepare for a Russian attack.
Nolan stated "Measures are being taken. Finally…I think people finally realized the seriousness of the situation".
U.S. Officials Say Russia's Claim To Pull Forces Back From Ukraine False, Russia Has Added Up To 7,000 Troops - U.S. officials state that Russia's claim that they pulled some forces back from the Ukrainian border are false, and that Russia has actually increased it's troops, adding as many as 7,000 more troops to locations near the border with some arriving today.
The large pontoon bridge has been recently updated via satellite imagery. Heightened military activity has also been reported by Russian forces near the Ukrainian border, as well as a new pontoon bridge and large field hospital.
"We now know it was false. In fact in the last several days Russia has increased its troop presence along the border by as many as 7000 troops, with more arriving today" a U.S. official reportedly stated.
Reason U.S. Black Hawk Helicopter Landed On Highway At Ukrainian Polish Border - Reuters has confirmed the reason a U.S. Black Hawk helicopter landed on a highway at the border of Ukraine and Poland. A U.S. official tells Reuters a service member assigned to the U.S. Embassy Kiev experienced a "non-injury medical condition" and was transported to the Polish border where a U.S. Army MEDEVAC helicopter transported the service member to a local medical facility.
This is the story Reuters gives out anyway. If we learn more about what happened (or what really happened, if this story is not true) we'll post it on the site. The audio clip we posted from the cockpit of the Black Hawk was deleted, presumably by someone who didn't want people to see it. One of our intel members saved a copy of the transcript from the Black Hawk helicopter.
As follows: "From MIKE we would like to transition through the airspace southeastbound to our pickup location if possible".
"EVAC01 so proceed MIKE maintain 1500 ft and say again what after MIKE?"
"Tower, EVAC01 Roger, maintain 1500 and after MIKE we are gonna go direct to our patient pickup location which is somewhere close to the border of Poland and Ukraine, but we will need to just transition trough the northeastern sector of your airspace"
"EVAC01, Tower ROGER, so report MIKE point continue after MIKE to your location"
Washington: We Continue To See Russian Forces Moving Toward Ukrainian Border, Not Away From It. Russia Also Builds A Bridge In Under A day To Access Ukraine - Despite suspected propaganda coming from the Russian media, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that Washington continues to see Russian forces in mass moving toward the Ukrainian border, not away from it, and Russia is building a bridge over the Pripyat river from Belarus to Ukraine.
Satellite photos also show our intel team that Russia has also deployed a pontoon bridge in Belarus over the Pripyat river, 6km from Ukraine (photos shared on our Social Media accounts).
In Blinken's statement he said "We continue to see not only these forces mass, we continue to see critical units moving toward the border, not away from the border. So, what we need to see is exactly the opposite".
The findings of our intel team correspond with Blinken's statement. We have seen a large increase in Russian forces and equipment gathering near the border, and are seeing them move forward towards Ukraine, not receding as their propaganda videos suggest. We have also analyzed the videos put out by Russian media and have concluded that they are most likely staged by the Russian state according to our findings.
We also witnessed a U.S. Black Hawk Helicopter land in the middle of a freeway between the Ukrainian and Polish border. The helicopter turned off its tracker before entering Ukrainian airspace and then traffic cam footage showed it landing in the middle of a freeway. What appeared to be CIA agents drove up in a black van and seemed to be helping a few people to the Black Hawk helicopter before the helicopter took off again. It was a quick in and out operation.
We had audio footage of the communications by the pilot shared on social media talking about the pickup at the Ukrainian/Polish border but it was quickly taken down after we posted it.
Putin: Forcible Containment Of Russia Is Perceived As A direct Threat To National Security - *TRANSLATION* Russian Ministry of Defense: President of Russia Vladimir Putin: "based on the results of Russian-German negotiations with the Federal Chancellor of Germany @olafscholz: Forcible containment of Russia is perceived by us as a direct threat to national security".
US And Allies Ready To Respond To Russian Cyberattacks - U.S. and European officials reportedly stated on Tuesday that the United States and Allies are ready to respond to Russian cyberattacks as Ukrainian government and bank websites continue to be subjected to heavy DDOS attacks and are still down.
Biden stated that Washington is coordinating with NATO allies and other partners to increase defenses against cyberattack threats. Western security experts believe that Russia is responsible for these attacks on the Ukrainian government sites and Ukrainian banks but expected such an attack to occur.
Reuters reported one U.S. official saying "The president has said we will respond to Russian actions short of a military invasion. But what is decided depends on the extent of the cyberattacks. There are so many ranges, it's hard to go into specifics" then added "It's part of their [the Russians] playbook" and was expected.
Biden Says Russia Has More Than 150,000 Troops Circling Ukraine Border And Has Not Verified Russian Troops Returning To bases - Biden says that Washington has not verified that Russian troops have returned to their bases, and that Russia now has 'more than 150,000 troops circling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine's border".
"We have not yet verified that Russian military units are returning to their own bases. They remained very much in a threatening position. Russia has more than 150,000 troops in circling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine's border" Biden stated during a press release.
Another report from Estonia's foreign intel service says "Russia mobilized 150,000 men...deploying units & capabilities from all its military districts, including the Far East, & all 12 armies"
US Evaluating Whether Russia Is Behind The Cyber Attack On Ukrainian MOD And Banks - The United States is reportedly currently evaluating whether or not Russia is in fact behind the cyberattack on the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense website, as well as a few Ukrainian banks.
The United States has worked over the last few weeks to harden Ukraine's critical infrastructure. It is not currently known whether the cyberattacks were intended to have a larger impact than it did, or whether there will be heavier cyberattacks following this one.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense website is still down. None of our intelligence team have been able to access the website from any location in the world. They have also attempted to use a VPN to access the site with no luck.
U.S. Secretary Of State Call With Russian Foreign Minister - Department Of State: "Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Secretary reiterated the U.S. commitment to continue to pursue a diplomatic solution to the crisis Moscow has precipitated".
"He stated that the United States looks forward to receiving Russia’s written response to the U.S. and NATO papers shared with Moscow last month proposing concrete areas for discussion regarding European security in coordination with our Allies and partners".
"He noted the Foreign Minister’s statement that it would be transmitted within the coming days. Secretary Blinken reiterated our ongoing concerns that Russia has the capacity to launch an invasion of Ukraine at any moment and emphasized the need to see verifiable, credible, meaningful de-escalation".
"He underscored that, while further Russian aggression against Ukraine would result in a swift, severe, and united Transatlantic response, we remain committed to the diplomatic path and believe that a window remains to resolve the crisis peacefully".
Putin Stated Russia Can't Turn Away From The Fact That US And NATO Are Interpreting The Key Principles Of Indivisibility Of Security - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated During joint press conference with German Chancellor that "Russia can't turn away from the fact that US and NATO are interpreting the key principles of indivisibility of security that is stipulated in many pan-European documents".
"This principal stipulates that there is not only a freedom to choose ways to enhance security and to join any military alliances which our counterparts are talking a lot, but also the obligation not to enhance the state security at the expense of the others. NATO is talking about the policy of open doors and we know about Article 10 of the treaty and I've mentioned it already during my previous press conferences after we held talks with our European partners and there is nothing of the kind in Article 10, they can invite someone but they don't have to" Putin stated.
Ukrainian Ministry Of Defense Website Still Under Suspected DDOS Attack - Our intel channels confirm that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense website is still down. It is now not showing any custom error message at all, just the white default connection timeout message, indicating the server is completely shut down.
Netblocks Confirms Loss Of Connectivity To Ukraine's Banks and ATM Services As Well As Ukrainian MOD - Netblocks monitoring service confirms that the Ukrainian ministry of defense website is down, along with Ukraine's State Savings Bank which is impacting ATM and banking services in Ukraine. Suspected ongoing DDOS attack on the servers.
Ukrainian Ministry Of Defense Says Probably Hit With DDOS Attack - Ukrainian Ministry of Defense: "The MOD website was probably attacked by DDoS: an excessive number of requests per second was recorded. Technical works on restoration of regular functioning are carried out. Communication via FB and Twitter pages"
Large-Scale Cyber Attack On Ukrainian Banks And Defense Website Currently Underway - Ukrainian media reports say there are issues with some Ukrainian banks, in addition with the Defense Ministry site being down. Privat and Oschad apps are not working and people can't pay with their cards.
Ukrainian Ministry of Defense website is currently down. None of the members in our intel channel can open it. When I finally was able to get in, the site was not operational but a message displayed about the site being under maintenance. The time it took for the page to load indicated a DDOS attack on the server.
The fact that the Ukrainian banks and Defense Ministry site would not be hosted on the same server indicates it's a large-scale attack hitting a number of Ukrainian servers. DDOS attack suspected.
Russian State News Says LPR Prevented Terrorist Attack In Luhansk - Russian State news TASS claimed that the LPR prevented a terrorist attack in Luhansk. TASS said the department announced 'possible' involvement in the attempted attack of 'sabotage'. Remember to always read Russian state news with a grain of salt. The report may be part of Russia's pretext for justifying an invasion on Ukraine.
The TASS report says that the The Ministry of State Security (MGB) of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) prevented a terrorist attack on Tuesday at a rally in honor of the Internationalist Soldiers Memorial day and was reported by the agency Luganskinformtsentr (LIC) with reference to the press service of the agency.
The report allegedly says "On February 15 this year at 06:30 am, the duty unit of the MGB of the LPR received a message from a resident of the city of Luhansk about the discovery in the square of Friendship of Peoples in a trash can of an object that looks like an improvised explosive device".
TASS claimed that the employees of the Ministry of State Security 'neutralized' the device, which was allegedly a home-made bomb planted in a trash can with a mobile home, electronic detonator, two blocks of TNT with a weight of 400 grams and striking elements inside.
TASS also said that the Ministry of STate Security of the LPR reported there were pieces of metal reinforcement from 5 to 20cm long used as striking elements.
"The Ministry of State Security of the LPR has reason to believe that the detonation of an improvised explosive device should have been carried out during a rally dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of combatants who performed their duty outside the Fatherland, which was scheduled for 10:00 on February 15" the statement allegedly said.
"The department announced the possible involvement in the attempted terrorist attack of sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the main intelligence department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and Ukrainian special services, with the goal of destabilizing the socio-political situation in the LPR. The ministry emphasized that the detonation of an explosive device at the time of a mass gathering of people in the center of Lugansk could have resulted in civilian casualties" they added.
U.S. Embassy In Kyiv Says Duma Vote Another Attempt To Violate Ukraine's Sovereignty And Violates Minsk Agreements - The United States Embassy in Kyiv says "Today’s Duma vote on the “LPR/DPR” is yet another odious attempt to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty and a clear violation of the Minsk agreements, which commit signatories to reintegrate these regions. We Stand With Ukraine".
Russian State Duma Passes Resolution Appealing To Putin To Recognize Independence Of DNR and LNR - Russian State Duma reportedly passed resolution appealing to Putin to recognize independence of the DNR and LNR (Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republic), the pro-Russian separatist regions of eastern Ukraine known as Donbass. Resolution is now set to be passed on to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine: Russia's Recognition Of So Called L/DPR Will Cause Blow To Politco-Diplomatic Settlement - Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs put out a statement saying "Russia's recognition of the so-called "L/DPR" will be tantamount to its deliberate withdrawal from the Minsk Agreements. Such a move will cause a blow to the politico-diplomatic settlement that Ukraine and its partners have been actively engaged to promote".
RIA Novosti Says Putin Ready To Negotiate On Situation Around Ukraine - Russian state news RIA Novosti says that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate on the situation around Ukraine and security guarantees. Novosti said that the spokesman for the head of state Dmitry Peskov said this to CNN.
Peskov reportedly stated that Ukraine is only part of a 'more serious problem' of security guarantees for Russia.
Ukraine Says They Don't Believe What They Hear, But What They See - Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba says regarding statements of withdrawal of Russian forces from the Ukrainian border, they have a rule that they don't believe what they hear, they believe what they see, and that if a real withdrawal follows Russia's statements of withdrawal then they believe in the beginning of a real de-escalation.
"On Russian statements regarding withdrawal of some forces from the Ukrainian border. We in Ukraine have a rule: we don’t believe what we hear, we believe what we see. If a real withdrawal follows these statements, we will believe in the beginning of a real de-escalation".
Russian Defense Ministry Says Troops Are Withdrawing - The Russian Defense Ministry says that they are withdrawing troops and have shown video footage of tanks moving back to their bases. They say Southern and Western Military District troops have completed their exercises and will return to their permanent bases.
The Russian Ministry of Defense put out the following statement "February 15, 200 will go into history as the day western war propaganda failed. They have been disgraced and destroyed without a single shot being fired".
This could mean one of two things. Either they are pulling out early, as the games were set to end on February 20th not February 15th... or they are putting out false information so they can carry out a surprise attack on Ukraine after making the world believe that they are withdrawing their troops. More information as it comes in.
Senior Ukrainian Official Denied That President Zelensky Was Being Literal When He Said He Had Been Told An Attack Would Be On February 16th - Senior CNN producer Vaughn Sterling stated "A senior Ukrainian official has denied that President Zelensky was being literal when he said in an address to the nation that he'd been told a Russian attack would begin on February 16th. Mykhailo Podoliak, a Presidential adviser, that Zelensky was being ironic".
US Embassy In Kyiv Fully Closing Down Temporarily - The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv is now reportedly closing down temporarily and relocating to Lviv, western Ukraine "due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces". The State Department says there will be 'profound consequences' for Russia if it decides to make the move to attack Ukraine. Defense Department Spokesperson John Kirby stated that the Department of Defense believes CCP China gave tacit support to Russia for an invasion of Ukraine.
A statement by the Department of State Secretary Antony J. Blinken stated: "Operations at U.S. Embassy Kyiv. I have no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans around the world, and that, of course includes our colleagues serving at our posts overseas. My team and I constantly review the security situation to determine when prudence dictates a change in posture.
With that in mind, we are in the process of temporarily relocating our Embassy operations in Ukraine from our Embassy in Kyiv to Lviv due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces. The Embassy will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government, coordinating diplomatic engagement in Ukraine. We are also continuing our intensive diplomatic efforts to deescalate the crisis.
These prudent precautions in no way undermine our support for our commitment to Ukraine. Our commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. We also continue our sincere efforts to reach a diplomatic solution, and we remain engaged with the Russian government following President Biden's call with President Putin and my discussion with Foreign Minister Lavrov.
The path for diplomacy remains available if Russia chooses to engage in good faith. We look forward to returning our staff to the Embassy as soon as conditions permit. In the meantime, I have ordered these measures for one reason -- the safety of our staff -- and we strongly urge any remaining U.S. citizens in Ukraine to leave the country immediately. U.S. citizens seeking emergency assistance in Ukraine should complete [the online form provided in the statement], and the State Department will follow-up, as appropriate".
Russia Moves Long Range Artillery And Rocket Launchers Into Firing Position - A U.S. official claims that Russia has 'moved some long-range artillery and rocket launchers into firing position' according to CBS. Satellite photos do not look to have been released yet to the public, we have been unable to get ahold of them.
CBS reported that according to satellite photos, Russia has left assembly areas which had been shown in older satellite photos and are now beginning to move into 'attack positions' allegedly according to the U.S. official.
Russia Is Now Believed To Have 100 Battalion Tactical Groups (BTGs) - Russia is now believed to have 100 battalion tactical groups (BTGs) near the Ukrainian border, which is increased from 83 last week. U.S. intel back in December had revealed that the United States government had accurately predicted Russia would obtain 100 battalion battle groups before carrying out a multi-front offensive, along with up to 175,000 solders near the Ukrainian border. So far reports have only stated Russia has at most 130,000 soldiers stationed near the Ukrainian border.
In early December according to the Washington Post, the United States had put out a statement saying that "U.S. intelligence has found the Kremlin is planning a multi-front offensive as soon as early next year involving up to 175,000 troops. The plans involve extensive movement of 100 battalion tactical groups with an estimated 175,000 personnel".
The amount of tactical groups now being reported match the number that United States intelligence had stated Russia would have around the time they expected Russia to carry out its 'multi-front' offensive. 100 battalions are enough to carry out large-scale offensive operations.
No Flights Cancellations At Ukraine's Capital Airports - *From Translated Article* Ukraine's news agency Ukrayinska Pravda has reported that there are currently no flight cancellations at Ukraine's capital airports Boryspil and Zhulyany and that all flights in those airports are currently on schedule.
Pravda stated that Boryspil and Kyiv airports (Zhulyany) reported that all flights are on schedule and operating normally and that all flights are taking place. They said that 'only KLM canceled its flights from 13 to 17 of February'.
Pravda stated however that international insurance companies that insure air transport, as of Monday February 14th will stop insuring aircraft for flights over Ukraine due to 'high risk of hostilities' so some airlines have been forced to suspend flights.
Pravda said that UkSATSE warned airlines about a potentially dangerous area in the airspace over the Black Sea. A number of airlines have either stopped selling tickets or canceled flights, such as: KLM, SkyUp and Ryanair.
On February 13th the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers at an extraordinary meeting reallocated UAE 16.6 billion to 'ensure flight safety during the Russian military exercises in the Black Sea'.
News Reports Say Ukraine May Be Willing To Drop Plans to Join NATO To Avoid War, But Conversation Transcript Says Otherwise - There are many reports that Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom told BBC that Ukraine may be willing to drop plans of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in order to avoid a possible war with Russia. However, they only said they had contemplated the possibility, not that they actually were actually considering doing such a thing now.
During the interview with the Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom that was aired on BBC radio 5, he actually denies that Ukraine will actually drop its plans for joining NATO.
Stephen Noland asked during the interview "If you are going to offer to withdraw the goal of joining NATO, maybe you should do that before Wednesday when it's speculated that's when the invasion will start, so might that announcement come within days?".
The Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom replied "No, I do not believe we will do that, you were asking whether we contemplated the possibility. I don't believe we will do it, not because we are stupid and stubborn, that's the difference. I told you we don't know what we will have to sacrifice".
It seems that many reporters and news agencies took the bit during the interview where the ambassador said that they had contemplated the possibility and ran away with it, putting out reports that Ukraine 'is now' thinking about abandoning plans to join NATO when that just isn't the case.
Israel To Israelis In Ukraine: Come Home Before It's Too Late! - Israel has put out an announcement telling Israelis currently in Ukraine to 'take responsibility for your lives' and 'come home before it's too late' and while they still can.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett put out the announcement on Sunday and said "Like the rest of the world, we are hoping that the tension will end without an escalation. But our first responsibility is to take care of our citizens, Israeli citizens".
"Come home. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Don’t wait till you badly want to come home but it has become impossible. Take responsibility for your lives. Leave Ukraine as fast as possible and come home.” he added.
Biden Administration Preparing To Evacuate All Troops And Government Personnel From Ukraine - The Biden administration is now preparing the complete evacuation of all U.S. troops and U.S. government personnel from Ukraine within the next 24-48 hours, and has urged all Americans to get out of the country on multiple occasions according to CBS news.
White House Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Sunday that Russia has been ramping up the increase its forces near the Ukrainian border over the last few days and could give an order for military action on Ukraine 'essentially any time'.
Sullivan stated during an interview on "Face The Nation" that "We have seen over the course of the past 10 days a dramatic acceleration in the build-up of Russian forces and the disposition of those forces in such a way that they could launch a military action essentially at any time. They could do so this coming week, but of course, it still awaits the go-order".
Despite there being a myriad of media reports that Biden had stated Putin had made a decision and given the order to carry out an invasion on Ukraine on Wednesday, February 16th, Biden stated on Face The Nation that he "cannot predict the precise day or time" that Russia might take action.
Sullivan stated "If Russia wants to continue engaging diplomatically to find a way forward to address their security concerns and our security concerns, we're prepared to do that. If Russia decides instead to take major military action against Ukraine, we're prepared to respond decisively".
Washington has been warning Americans to get out of Ukraine, saying that if they are caught in the crossfire then America will not be able to help them. He said for those people there will be "no prospect of a U.S. military evacuation".
"If there is military action, if there is a war between Russia and Ukraine started by a Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Biden is not intending to send in American forces to fight Russia in that war" Biden stated.
Ukraine Is Putting Up $590 Million To Insure Its Airspace - After reports began to come out of insurance agencies for airlines and aircraft refusing to allow their carriers over Ukrainian airspace, Ukraine has now reportedly put up $590 million to insure its airspace according to The Kyiv Independent.
The move from the insurance companies refusing to allow carriers to fly over Ukraine would have effectively halted Ukraine's international air travel. Ukraine has been playing down the situation with Russia presumably so that tourism and their economy doesn't go into a tailspin due to the fear of war in the region.
Ukrainian Oligarchs And Businessmen Leaving Ukraine On Charter Flights - *TRANSLATED FROM UKRAINIAN* Ukrayinska Pravda is reporting that Ukrainian oligarchs and businessmen are leaving Ukraine on charter flights and that about 20 charters and private jets departed from Kyiv on Sunday alone.
Ukrainian Pravda reports that there has not been that many charters in six years according to their observations. Rinat Akhmetov and Borys Kolesnikov are reported to be among those who left Ukraine on charters Sunday.
Ukrainian Pravda stated that Kolesnikov later commented to the UE that he was in Kyiv and was not going anywhere and that his plane flew to Prague for maintenance.
Ukrainian Pravda says that the private board for 50 people was ordered by the deputy of OPZZH, the millionaire Igor Abramovich. According to two sources from OPZZ (All-Poland Alliance Of Trade Unions?) and two people who were offered to leave, Pravda stated "this board is to take relatives of fellow party members and Abramovich's business partners from Kyiv to Vienna".
According to the UE (Acronym Not Known), although one of Akhmetov's planes took off from Ukraine on Sunday, the oligarch himself left the country on January 30 on a flight to Zurich.
Businessman, People's Deputy Vadym Novynsky left Ukraine on February 10 on a Kiev-Munich flight and went to Yaroslavskyi, where his motorcade 'knocked him to death' (Assumed he got into an accident?)
On February 13th, businessman Andriy Stavnitser and Vadym Nesterenko left Ukraine and on February 12th Vadym Stolar and Vasyl Khmelnytskyi left. "Stavnitzer's press service told the UE that he had flown on a business trip and would return to Ukraine one of these days".
Pravda stated that the Khmelnytsky press service told the UE that he had flown with the team to study and would be returning to Ukraine February 20th. They added that this tour was planned for three months and Khmelnytsky's children remain in Ukraine.
Canada Pulls Troops From Ukraine As A Result Of Russia's Unwarranted Aggression Against Ukraine - Canada is reportedly pulling its troops out of Ukraine 'as a result of complex operational aggression against Ukraine' according to the Canadian Armed Forces, who are in the process of relocating components of their Joint Task Force from Ukraine to somewhere else in Europe.
A news release from the Ottawa, Canada National Defense and Canadian Armed Forces states "As a result of complex operational environment linked to Russia's unwarranted aggression against Ukraine, the Canadian Armed Forces is in the process of temporarily relocating components of Joint Task Force - Ukraine (JTF-U) to elsewhere in Europe.
The Temporary repositioning of JTF-U personnel does not signal the end of the mission, but rather allows us to refocus our efforts while ensuring the safety and security of CAF members.
Force protection is the top priority of our training mission, of which operational security is key".
US Officials Won't Confirm Reports That Biden Said Russian Attack Will Be Wednesday - Senior U.S. officials stated on Sunday that they can't confirm reports by mainstream sources that Russia is planning on invading Ukraine on Wednesday. They did however say that they will attempt to prevent any 'surprise attack' that might happen by sharing what they know about Russia's plans.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated that an invasion could begin any day but stated "We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in a window, and an invasion could begin -- a major military action could begin -- by Russia in Ukraine any day now. That includes this coming week before the end of the Olympics".
Sullivan stated in a different interview with CBS "Face The Nation" that "we will defend every inch of NATO territory, every inch of Article Five territory and Russia we think fully understands that message".
Ukraine is not currently a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This means that Sullivan is making it very clear that if Russia attacks Ukraine, the United States will protect NATO members, but Ukraine will be on its own against Russian forces.
Ukraine Sees No Point In Closing Airspace Amid Russian Tension - Ukraine has reportedly stated that they see no point in closing airspace amid Russian tensions. But, "If particular air carriers decide to reconfigure the flight schedule, this certainly has nothing to do with the decisions or policies of our state".
Mykhailo Podolyak, who is an adviser to Zelensky's Chief of Staff spoke to Reuters and said "The most important point is that Ukraine itself sees no point in closing the sky. This is nonsense. And, in my opinion, it somewhat resembles a kind of partial blockade".
"If particular air carriers decide to reconfigure the flight schedule, this certainly has nothing to do with the decisions or policies of our state" he added.
Dutch carrier KLM said that it is going to s top flying to Ukraine. Germany's Lufthansa said it also is considering suspending flights over Ukraine. Ukraine's SkyUp stated on Sunday that it needed to divert one flight after the person who was leasing the aircraft stated that it was not allowed to enter Ukrainian airspace due to the ongoing crisis in the region.
Brazil's President Visiting Russia, Says Brazil Wants To Cooperate With Russia In Sphere Of Defense - Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro is set to visit Russia in the midst of the crisis with Ukraine and there are reports that say that he say he allegedly wants to cooperate with Russia on the 'sphere of defense.
Russia Has Begun The Process Of Evacuating Diplomats From Ukraine - Russia has reportedly begun the process of evacuating diplomats from Ukraine according to RIA Novosti which stated (translation): "Russian Diplomats begin to leave Ukraine, a source said".
RIA Novosti said that an 'informed source' tells them "According to the statements of Ukrainian citizens, Russian diplomats and consular employees in Ukraine have begun to leave for Russia. This, in particular, is evidenced by the difficulties that have arisen when making an appointment with the consulates and the embassy".
RIA reported "According to the interlocutor of the agency, against the background of the evacuation officially announced by some Western countries, this "suggests that Moscow decided to go the same way"."
"Sergei Lavrov hinted at the possibility of such a scenario during a press conference following negotiations with British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss” the informed source recalled. The meeting between Lavrov and Truss took place on February 10th.
Ukraine: Avoid Flights Over Black Sea "Potentially Dangerous Zone" - *Based On Translated Ukrainian News* Ukraine has reportedly classified the airspace over the Black Sea as dangerous and has put out a warning telling airlines not to fly over airspace above the Black Sea.
The information came from the Ukrainian news agency biz.nv.ua. Ragıp Soylu who is the Turkey Bureau Chief for @MiddleEastEye has also said that Ukrainian air traffic management has recommended that all airlines not operate flights over the 'potential dangerous zone' over the Black Sea from February 14th to February 19th.
U.S. National Security Advisor: US Won't Send Military To Battle The Russians - U.S. National Security Advisor has reiterated Washington's stance that the United States won't be sending any forces to battle the Russians in the event that Russia invades Ukraine.
Ukrainian News Site Ukrayinska Pravda: International Insurance Companies Stop Insuring Aircraft flights - Ukrainian news site Ukrayinska Pravda (Pravda Sources Are Reportedly Mixed) says that international insurance companies will stop insuring aircraft for flights over Ukraine on Monday, February 14th due to 'high risks of hostilities'.
International insurance companies who insure air transportation will allegedly stop insuring on that date and airlines will be forced to suspend flights. The news site also says that it's 'not a question of closing the airspace'.
Ukrayinska Pravda says that the source for this information is "interlocutors of Ukrainian Pravda in the aviation sphere". They say that the insurance companies made this decision due to the 'unprecedented information tension in the world media' regarding the 'potential' threat to Ukraine from Russia.
The news site says that all planes of Ukrainian and international airlines will be 'forced to suspend flights due to the requirements of lessors (aircraft owners), to base aircraft outside Ukraine during the crisis.
On February 12th, the Dutch airline KLM announced that they are temporarily suspending flights around Kyiv. On February 13th the SkyUp flight Funchal - Kyiv was reportedly forced to land in Chisinau due to the requirements of the lessor and international insurance companies. The insurance company that owned the aircraft forbid the pilot to fly over Ukrainian airspace due to the heightened tensions in the region.
Pravda says "Probably" from "February 14, 2022, all Ukrainian airlines will not be able to fly in the airspace of Ukraine". The use of the word 'probably' seems concerning but remember, this is a translation. Pravda says that the exception may apply to Russian airlines that are insured in Russia, for example Azure Air Ukraine, a subsidiary of Russia's Azur Air.
Pravda says that a government meeting is being held on Sunday and the details of the flights over ukraine are to be made public at that time. It also says the situation may be affected by the decisions of the international partners, which 'may contribute to the rapid resumption of flights over Ukraine'.
*Note* About Ukrayinska Pravda - Just a note regarding Pravda. We have been calling it a propaganda paper due to the fact that the paper used to be used to be a Soviet propaganda machine used by Russia. It seems however that the Pravda that was existed has been long shut down. The paper Ukrayinska Pravda looks to be of no affiliation with the old propaganda machine called Pravda during the Soviet Union.
The Pravda that exists now is a Ukrainian news outlet with the domain extension .ua (pravda.com.ua). It is now apparently called Ukrayinska Pravda and was founded by Georgiy Gongadze, a Ukrainian journalist and along with Olena Prytula, another Ukrainian journalist in the year 2000, long after the Soviet Union had collapsed.
For this reason, we will no longer be calling Pravda a propaganda paper, unless we find in the future that it is in fact associated with propaganda.
Ukraine Sees No Point In Closing Airspace Amid Russian Tension - Ukraine has reportedly stated that they see no point in closing airspace amid Russian tensions.
Mykhailo Podolyak, who is an adviser to Zelensky's Chief of Staff spoke to Reuters and said "The most important point is that Ukraine itself sees no point in closing the sky. This is nonsense. And, in my opinion, it somewhat resembles a kind of partial blockade".
"If particular air carriers decide to reconfigure the flight schedule, this certainly has nothing to do with the decisions or policies of our state" he added.
Dutch carrier KLM said that it is going to s top flying to Ukraine. Germany's Lufthansa said it also is considering suspending flights over Ukraine. Ukraine's SkyUp stated on Sunday that it needed to divert one flight after the person who was leasing the aircraft stated that it was not allowed to enter Ukrainian airspace due to the ongoing crisis in the region.
Brazil's President Visiting Russia, Says Brazil Wants To Cooperate With Russia In Sphere Of Defense - Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro is set to visit Russia in the midst of the crisis with Ukraine and there are reports that say that he say he allegedly wants to cooperate with Russia on the 'sphere of defense.
U.S. Pulls Out Most Of Its Diplomats From Kyiv, Ukraine While Tensions Continue To Boil - The United States has reportedly pulled out most of its diplomats from its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine as Russia also pulls out its diplomats from its own embassy in Ukraine. Russia continues to reject the idea that it wants to go to war, but as the old adage goes "actions speak louder than words".
Russia Has Begun The Process Of Evacuating Diplomats From Ukraine - Russia has reportedly begun the process of evacuating diplomats from Ukraine according to RIA Novosti which stated (translation): "Russian Diplomats begin to leave Ukraine, a source said".
RIA Novosti said that an 'informed source' tells them "According to the statements of Ukrainian citizens, Russian diplomats and consular employees in Ukraine have begun to leave for Russia. This, in particular, is evidenced by the difficulties that have arisen when making an appointment with the consulates and the embassy".
RIA reported "According to the interlocutor of the agency, against the background of the evacuation officially announced by some Western countries, this "suggests that Moscow decided to go the same way"."
"Sergei Lavrov hinted at the possibility of such a scenario during a press conference following negotiations with British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss” the informed source recalled. The meeting between Lavrov and Truss took place on February 10th.
Russians Say They Chased US Submarine Out Of Russian Waters - *NEW INFORMATION* Russia claimed that the U.S. submarine refused orders to leave their territorial waters, but then left back into international waters after the Russian Navy used 'appropriate means'. The US has rejected Russia's claims that Russia warned off the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine.
Russia claimed that the U.S. submarine refused orders to leave their territorial waters, but then left back into international waters after the Russian Navy used 'appropriate means'. They did not specify what 'appropriate means' meant or go into further detail on the matter however.
The U.S. submarine had been navigating near where the Russian Navy has been conducting their military exercises in Russian waters near the island of Urup in the Kuril archipelago at around 10:40AM local time in Russia according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that they contacted the crew of the submarine via underwater sonar communication systems using both Russian and English languages and stated "You are in the Russian territorial waters right now! Surface immediately!" to which the U.S. submarine crew allegedly ignored the communication.
The US has rejected Russia's claims that Russia warned off the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine. Indo-Pacific Captain Kyle Ralnes stated "There is no truth to the Russian claims of our operations in their territorial waters. I will not comment on the precise location of our submarines".
Israel Issues New Travel Warning And Calls Upon Citizens To Evacuate Ukraine Immediately - Israel has declared a new travel warning and is calling on its citizens in Ukraine to evacuate the country immediately.
Israeli Prime Minister Bennett and Foreign Minister Lapid decided to issue a new travel warning for Ukraine as well as call upon Israeli citizens to leave the country immediately according to Israeli officials.
Russian Foreign Minister Says After Russian Troops Finish Drills And Return To Barracks The West Will Declare Diplomatic Victory - The Russian Embassy for the United Kingdom quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating "After Russian troops finish drills and return to barracks, West will declare 'diplomatic victory' by having 'secured' Russian 'de-escalation'. Predictable scenario and cheap domestic political points".
Freelance reporter Donald Standeford stated "Russia says they don't understand why the U.S. is whipping up hysteria while they amass a greater number of troops than has been seen in decades near Ukraine. Russia is either dull-witted and unintelligent or they know exactly what they are doing. I assume the latter".
Biden Reportedly Told Allies On Phone Call Putin Could Launch Attack On February 16th - Biden reportedly told the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, Poland, Romania and France as well as NATO Secretary General and President of the European Commission that Putin may launch an attack on Ukraine on Wednesday, February 16th according to a POLITICO Report but many seem to have different views on the intel.
Pentagon Orders U.S. Troops In Ukraine To Leave And Reposition In Europe - The Pentagon has reportedly ordered U.S. troops to leave Ukraine and reposition in Europe. U.S. Military troops currently in Ukraine include 160 personnel stationed at the embassy in Kyiv and trainers in western Ukraine. According to reporter Christopher Miller, they were training Ukrainians on using bunker busters last week.
Powerful Blast In Suburbs Of Donetsk Reported By Russian News - There have been reports on Russian news of a 'powerful blast' in the suburbs of Donetsk (Russian occupied portion of Ukraine), 'capital of DNR' according to Russian news BFM.ru. The Russian news site says that the explosion was heard 'all over the city' with some reports saying it took place on Ukraine-controlled territory. Always take Russian sources with a grain of salt, especially with all of the disinformation going around.
*UPDATE* The Ukrainian Armed Forces put out a statement regarding the reports of the alleged blasts saying (translation): "Due to the fact that some information resources contain information about explosions in the uncontrolled 🇺🇦 territory, we report that the Armed Forces adhere to the ceasefire, did not plan and did not carry out any shelling, including in the direction of Donetsk".
U.S. State Department Orders Evacuation Of Most Staff In Ukraine Embassy - The U.S. State Department has ordered the evacuation of 'most' of the embassy staff in Ukraine, reducing the staff to a 'bare minimum' according to a state department official.
Ukrainian President Asks US To Share Why They Are Certain Of An Impending Invasion - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated in a live broadcast on the intel from Washington that there is an impending invasion from Russia: “If you have additional, 100 percent-certain information about a Russian invasion of Ukraine, please share it with us. I cannot agree or disagree with what hasn’t happened yet. Right now there is no full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
Here Is A List Of All Countries Currently Asking Their Citizens To Evacuate Ukraine - *UPDATED* Countries that have asked their citizens to evacuate #Ukraine: United States, Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Iraq, Montenegro, Norway, Latvia, Great Britain, Estonia, North Macedonia, Finland, Canada, New Zealand, Kuwait, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Sweden, Spain, KSA, Lithuania, UAE, New Zealand, Australia, Czech Republic
Netherlands Asks All Of Its Citizens To Leave Ukraine - The Netherlands have also asked all of its citizens currently located in Ukraine to leave the country due to the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia and the possibility of a Russian invasion on the country.
Iraq Asks All Of Its Citizens To Leave Ukraine - Iraq has now reportedly asked all of its citizens currently located in Ukraine to leave the country due to the 'exceptional circumstances' and has issued a warning to its citizens against traveling to Ukraine until further notice for their safety.
7,000 Americans Registered With US Embassy In Ukraine, 25,000 Dual Citizens - There are reportedly 7,000 American citizens currently in Ukraine with another 25,000 dual citizens with U.S. citizenship, all of which will have no help from the U.S. government to evacuate from the country if Russia carries out an invasion of Ukraine.
German Foreign Ministry Asks All Germans To Evacuate Ukraine - The German Foreign Ministry has reportedly asked all Germans to leave Ukraine saying that a military conflict cannot be ruled out. The Consulate in the eastern part of Ukraine will be closed as soon as possible.
U.S. To Send 3,000 More Troops To Poland For A Total Of 14,500 Either On Standby, - The Polish Defense Minister stated on Friday that the United States is sending 3,000 more troops to Poland. Adding up the total for all troops that are reported to be either on standby alert, or set to be deployed the number of troops comes to around 14,500.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak stated "The U.S. administration will send additional 3,000 troops to Poland due to the tense situation in Ukraine. I spoke today about this issue with (U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd) Austin. We are ready at any time to welcome U.S. soldiers to Poland".
Officials who reportedly spoke to Reuters told them that the deployment will be coming from the 82nd Airborne Division which is based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and not from forces within Europe and are due to be in Poland by next week.
The 3,000 soldiers are in addition to the 8,500 U.S. troops that are already on standby alert for deployment to Europe as well as the around 3,000 troops that Washington said that it would deploy to Poland and Romania earlier this month.
Adding up the total for all troops that are reported to be either on standby alert, or set to be deployed the number of troops comes to around 14,500 now.
U.S. Says Russia Looking To Attack On A Wednesday - Russia is looking to attack on Wednesday as a target date a U.S. official reportedly told AP. Why Wednesday? We don't know. The mainstream media has been in a state of confusion, and it only seems to be getting worse the closer the world gets to a possible war. Read more
Russia: We Condemn Policy Of The US And Allies To Relocate Their Military To Eastern Europe Which May Provoke A Crisis - The Russian Mission To the United Nations put out a statement quoting Polyanskiy saying "We codemn the policy of the #UnitedStates and its allies that relocate their military to #EasternEurope. Those are steps in a wrong direction. Instead of bringing de-escalation, it may provoke crises that all of us would want to avoid".
Russia: More Than 30 Ships Of The Black Sea Fleet Moved Out For Exercises - *Based On Translation* More than 30 ships from the Russian Black Sea Fleet moved out for exercises From from Novorossiysk and Sevastopol with subdivisions of the coastal troops of the fleet 'also entering combat training grounds' according to Russian state news Zvezda by Russia's Ministry of Defense. Read more
Russian State News: US To Announce Almost Total Evacuation Of Kyiv Embassy Early Saturday - Russian state news RT has reported that the US is allegedly going to announce an 'almost total' evacuation of the Kyiv embassy in Ukraine. It's Russian state controlled media, so take it for what it is.
White House Correspondent Gives Clues As To What Happened Regarding The Media Confusion - White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich stated "On WH denying reports Putin has decided to attack, diplomatic source tells me “There are some worrying signals that could lead you to believe a go-order has been given –but it cannot be confirmed. I would be a bit cautious because the information is imperfect, incomplete".
Belarus Journalist" Only Part Of The Russian Troops Were Involved In The Exercise, The Rest Operating Outside The Drill Locations Near Ukrainian Border - According to Belarus Journalist Franak Viačorka, only part of the Russian troops were actually involved in the 'exercise' while some were deployed outside of the location where the drills were taking place, near the Ukrainian border.
Viačorka stated, "According to our sources, only part of the troops is involved in actual “exercise”. Some Russian troops were deployed outside the places of drills, near the border with 🇺🇦, in the regime of secrecy. We demand full transparency and their immediate withdrawal from Belarus territory".
Ukrainian Minister Of Foreign Affairs Says EU Package Of Severe Sanctions On Russia Is Ready - Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs put out a statement saying that in a conversation with EU the Foreign Minister, they discussed the security situation and he confirmed that a package of 'severe sanctions' for Russia is ready.
Kuleba stated, "In a conversation with EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, they discussed the current security situation. He confirmed that a package of severe sanctions for Russia is ready. The EU will make additional efforts to provide political and financial support to Ukraine. I am grateful to the EU for its firm position and readiness for decisive action".
Israel Now Evacuating The Families Of Diplomats From Ukraine And US Continues To Urge Americans To Evacuate - Israel is now evacuating the families of its diplomats from Kyiv, Ukraine in light of the escalating tensions in the region. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan now says that Russia has amassed enough troops to launch a major invasion on Ukraine and is also urging any Americans in Ukraine to leave within 48 hours time as U.S. soldiers will not be helping them to evacuate if Russia invades.
White House: Get Out Now Because US Military Won't Rescue You If Russia Invades - The White House has put out another warning telling Americans in Ukraine to get out of the country, saying get out now because the U.S. Military won't help rescue you if Russia invades and that the President will not be putting the lives of soldiers at risk by sending them in a war zone to rescue people who could have gotten out but chose not to.
White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to the press during a briefing and said, "We obviously cannot predict the future. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen. But the risk is now high".
"There is no prospect of a U.S. military evacuation in the event of a Russian invasion … The president will not be putting the lives of our men and women in uniform at risk by sending them into a war zone to rescue people who could have left now but chose not to" he added.
Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Urges Latvian Nationals To Evacuate Ukraine - The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged all Latvian nationals in Ukraine to evacuate the country due to 'serious threat to security posed by Russia near the Ukrainian border' and a 'credible' threat of escalation of the situation.
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs put out the following statement, "In view of a serious threat to security posed by Russia near the Ukrainian border and a credible threat of escalation of the situation, the @Latvian_MFA urges Latvian nationals to depart from Ukraine in the near term".
Great Confusion Happening Right Now Regarding Whether Putin Has Decided To Invade - There is currently a lot of confusion going on regarding whether Putin has decided to invade Ukraine. Jake Sullivan pushed back on the report, but said he did not watch the PBS piece regarding Putin having made up his mind to invade.
Host of PBS's Nightly Global Affairs program Christiane Amanpour stated "Official from a NATO ally tells me Pres Biden told them today the US does believe Vladimir Putin has decided to attack Ukraine. Next week".
Jake Sullivan Pushes Back On Reporting That Final Decision Has Been Given By Putin - National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin stated "Jake Sullivan: pushes back on reporting that “final decision has been taken” “a final go order has been given” by Putin to his generals to invade Ukraine; while also saying it is a “distinct possibility.” “But we are not saying the order has been given. The invasion is on".
Ukraine Warns Russia The Land Will Be Flooded With Their Blood If They Invade - Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrskyi spoke to Australia's Sky News and stated they are ready and capable and we will not give up a single meter of Ukrainian land without a fight, and that if Russia were to invade Ukraine each meter of the land will be flooded with their blood. Read more
Russian Landing Ships Arrive In Sevastopol, Crimea - The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Russian Navy's detachment of six landing ships which includes the Minsk, Kaliningrad, Georgy Pobedonosets, Pyotr Morgunov, and Olenegorsk Miner has reached the naval base of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea.
- After the Russian Foreign Minister called British Foreign Minister A Dumb And Deaf Person and left her standing at the podium all alone, the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated that Russia's ties with Britain are at a low point while meeting with UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace for talks, saying that Russia's level of cooperation is "close to zero and about to cross the zero meridian and go into negative'.
Segei Shoigu said "Unfortunately, the level of our cooperation is close to zero and about to cross the zero meridian and go into the negative, which is undesirable".
Shoigu said he had hoped for talks "without any escalation and raising the temperature even higher" regarding relations between Russia and NATO, but he accused the West of 'gorging' Ukraine with weapons. "It is coming from all sides and it is done publicly. It is done demonstrably. Not entirely clear why" he stated.
Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Plays Down Biden's Statement Ordering Americans To Leave Ukraine - After US officials stated that Russia was planning on creating a pretext for an invasion on Ukraine, Russia has conveniently come out with a report that they have found more than 130 mass graves of civilians on the territory of the so called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), who they claim died from Ukrainian aggression. Read more
Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Plays Down Biden's Statement Ordering Americans To Leave Ukraine - Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba played down Biden's statement ordering Americans to leave Ukraine saying that the statement "is not evidence of some radical change of the situation".
Many have questioned why Ukraine seems to have such contrasting views on the severity of the situation than Washington. It has been suggested that Ukraine may be attempting to play the severity of the situation down in order to stabilize the Ukrainian economy that has been already shaken by COVID-19.
Talk of war tends to cause a country's economy to take a nosedive, as recently seen with the markets and Ruble in Russia taking a huge hit due to the worldwide fear of an impending invasion.
Russia And Ukraine Say No Success In Talks With French And German Officials - Both Ukraine and Russia have said that they have failed to reach any breakthrough at all during talks with French and German officials.
Russian envoy Dmitry Kozak stated that it was not possible to reconcile the very different interpretations that both Russia and Ukraine have on the 2015 Minsk agreement. "We did not manage to overcome this" he stated.
Ukraine's envoy Andriy Yermak also said there had been no breakthrough in talks but that both Russia and Ukraine agreed to further talks. He said "I hope that we will meet again very soon and continue these negotiations. Everyone is determined to achieve a result".
Yermak said "The Ukrainian side is set on constructive dialogue. Everyone confirmed today that we have the Minsk agreements and they need to be fulfilled".
According to Reuters, Ukraine rejects Russia's assertion that it is innocent in the conflict and says that Russia has fighters fighting right along side the separatists in spite of the fact that Russia says they do not provide aid or forces to the separatists fighting in Donbass.
Russia Has Announced Lifting The Blockade Of The Sea Of Azov - *Based On Translated Ukrainian News* Ukraine says that Russia has reportedly stated that they are lifting the blockade of the Black and Azov Seas according to Ukrainian news site RBC.ua. Ship spotter @YorukIsik however says that two regions of the Black Sea are still closed.
The news site RBC.ua stated that the Ukrainian side has confirmed from Russia that they are lifting the blockade of the Sea of Azov. This was reported to RBC-Ukraine 'in the press service of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine'.
"When asked whether Russia is expected to cancel the blockade of the Azov Sea area, the GPSU said, "Yes. We have received confirmation" the site stated, but stated that there is no information regarding the Black Sea.
The news site said "Russia has declared large areas of the Azov and Black Seas dangerous by "coastal warnings" and has closed to navigation for the period from February 13 to 19, allegedly in connection that involves rocket and artillery fire".
The site says that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had expressed a 'strong protest' to Russia saying that the 'unprecedented area' for maneuvers make it almost impossible for navigating both seas.
US Mission To NATO: An ATtack On One Is An Attack On All - The US Mission to NATO put out a statement on Twitter saying that Russia continues its military buildup and that NATO allies continue calling for diplomacy and said that Counselor of the Department of State Derek Chollet told Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Mircea Geoana that an attack on one is an attack on all.
The tweet by the US Mission to NATO stated: "As Russia continues its military buildup, @NATO Allies continue calling for diplomacy. In his meeting with Deputy Secretary General @Mircea_Geoana @CounselorDOS Chollet reaffirmed that the Flag of United States commitment to NATO’s Article 5 is ironclad: an attack on one is an attack on all".
United States Deploys B-52 Bombers To The United Kingdom - The United States has deployed B-52 Stratofortress nuclear bombers belonging to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota to the United Kingdom. Read more
Secretary Of State Antony Blinken: Invasion On Ukraine Could Begin At Any Time, Including During Olympics - Secretary of State Antony Blinken has put out a statement saying that an invasion on Ukraine by Russia could happen 'at any time', including during the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Lithuania Seeking Permanent US Troop Deployment To Its Country As Russian Forces Build Up Near Ukraine - The President of Lithuania has voiced the intent to request that the United States leave troops in the country on a permanent basis.
Gitanas Nauseda, the President of Lithuania spoke after Lithuania welcomed a new rotation of international NATO battle group led by Germany which was deployed in 2017. 300 additional German troops are being added in response to Russian troops, tanks and artillery being amassed near the Ukrainian borders.
In 2019 the United States first deployed non-overlapping troop rotations of its own which included about 500 troops and equipment to Lithuania to help Lithuania protect Lithuania vulnerable flank from Russia and aid in deterrence.
Nauseda spoke at a news conference in Rukla military base and said "Of course we will be talking to the U.S. to make sure that the rotational U.S. forces would be in Lithuania permanently. That would be the best boost to security and deterrence that NATO could provide not only to Lithuania but to the whole region".
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana stated at the Rukla ceremony "Strong deterrence and defense, combined with dialog and diplomacy, is key to keeping our nations safe in a more contested world, as we again face Russia's aggressive rhetoric and force posture".
Biden Says Sending Troops To Evacuate Ukraine Would Be World War 3 - Biden has told NBC that sending troops in to evacuate Ukraine would be world war, essentially saying that it would result in world war 3 where Americans and Russians would be shooting at each other.
During an interview with NBC's Lester Holt, Holt asked what Biden's plans are toward American citizens who are in Ukraine and might be there during an invasion. He asked "What scenarios would you put American troops to rescue and get Americans out of there".
Biden replied "There's not, that's a world war where Russians and Americans start shooting at one another we're in a very different world then we've ever been in".
Holten asked "not even on behalf of simply evacuating Americans", and Biden responded with "No, how, how, how do you even do that. How do you even find them? This is not like, I'm hoping that if in fact he's foolish enough to go in, he's smart enough not to in fact do anything that would negatively impact on American citizens".
US Urges Americans To Leave Ukraine Immediately Due To Increased Threats From Action By Russia - The United States has urged Americans in Ukraine to leave the country immediately due to the 'increased threats of Russian military action".
"Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action, those in Ukraine should depart now via commercial or private means" the U.S. State Department recently stated in a travel advisory.
Russian Foreign Minister Calls British Foreign Minister A Dumb And Deaf Person - Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called British Foreign Minister Liz Truss "dumb and deaf" and walked away, leaving her standing at the podium alone during talks.
Before walking away and leaving her at the podium during a joint news conference with Liz Truss, he stated "I'm honestly disappointed that what we have is a conversation between a dumb and a deaf person...Our most detailed explanations fell on unprepared soil".
"They say Russia is waiting until the ground freezes like a stone so its tanks can easily cross into Ukrainian territory. I think the ground was like that today with our British colleagues, from which numerous facts that we produced bounced off".
Lavrov's response was to Truss challenging his claims that Russia is not threatening anyone with the build up of its troops, tanks and artillery near the Ukrainian borders.
Truss had stated "I can't see any other reason for having 100,000 troops stationed on the border, apart from to threaten Ukraine. And if Russia is serious about diplomacy, they need to remove those troops and desist from the threats".
"No one is undermining Russia's security - that is simply not true" Truss stated, saying that it was 'perfectly proper' for Ukraine to defend itself by seeking alliances.
Lavrov said that Truss had not varied her tone during the meeting that lasted two hours, and said that she ignored his explanations the entire meeting while repeating statements and demands that the UK had made before already.
NATO Secretary General Warns Of A 'Dangerous Moment', Says Time For Possible Attack Going Down - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned on Thursday of a 'dangerous moment' for Europe as Russia continues to add more troops, tanks and artillery near the Ukrainian border and said that while the number of Russian forces is going up, the warning time for a possible attack is going down.
Stoltenberg said that he sent a letter to Russian Foreign Minnister Sergey Lavrov offering to discuss more transparency around military exercises, and also talk about arms control.
"This is a dangerous moment for European security" he stated at a news conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. "The number of Russian forces is going up. The warning time for a possible attack is going down".
"NATO is not a threat to Russia, but we must be prepared for the worst while remaining strongly committed to finding a political solution" he stated, and said that Russia needs to choose between a diplomatic solution, or an increased presence of NATO forces in eastern Europe.
"Russia has a choice: they can either choose a diplomatic solution – and we're ready to sit down – but if they choose confrontation, they will pay a higher price" he stated. "There will be economic sanctions. There will be an increased NATO military presence in the eastern part of the alliance, and the UK is really an important part of that".
Russia And Belarus Kick Off Allied Resolve Military Drills Despite Worries It's Actually An Invasion Plot - Russia has kicked off its joint military drills with Belarus called "Allied Resolve 2022" despite fears from the West that the military drills are actually plot to carry out an invasion on Ukraine.
The Allied Resolve exercises are scheduled to continue until February 20th in the country of Belarus and will center around "suppressing and repelling external aggression" according to Russia's Defense Ministry.
The soldiers will be practicing reinforcing the Belarus border in order to block weapon and ammunition deliveries into the country and other scenarios. The United States says that Russia is planning to deploy 30,000 troops to several regions within Belarus.
Russia says that it has no intention of leaving troops in Belarus on a permanent basis and says that they plan on withdrawing their troops back to their normal stations in Russia after Allied Resolve 2020 is completed.
Russian Ministry Of Foreign Affairs To Advise Partial Evacuation Of Ukrainian Embassy - According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, Russia will be advising all 'non-essential personnel' of the 'diplomatic mission' in Ukraine to leave the country 'for a while'.
"When embassy employees are evacuated, when citizens of Anglo-Saxon countries are called in to leave the country faster ... By the way, we have already thought ourselves, maybe the Anglo-Saxons are preparing something if they evacuate their employees? We also looked at their actions and, probably, we will also advise non-essential personnel of our diplomatic institutions to go home for a while" Lavrov stated at a joint press conference with British Foreign Minister Liz Truss in Moscow, Russia.
There Are Indications Russia May Be Planning A Naval Blockade Of Ukrainian Ports - *Based On Translated Version Of Ukrainian News* Ukrainian news site ZN.UA reported that Russia is closing off areas of the Black and Azov Seas for 'missile training' which, the project manager at the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies Andriy Klimenko said indicates that Russia may be planning to carry out a naval blockade of Ukrainian ports.
"We do not want any punishment, but it is very similar to the preparation for something like a "naval blockade" of Ukrainian ports. We have been talking about it for two years... This must be stopped. At the highest international level. And there is no need for punishment because the ship owners will be the first to change their plans when they hear the word "blockade" he wrote on Facebook.
He also stated that there are no corridors provided for the passage of murchant ships. "The Black Sea in the north-western part overlaps to the territorial sea of Ukraine (12 miles, sea border), in Azov - from the coast of the occupied Crimea to the coast of the Krasnodar Territory" he stated.
In April of 2021 ZN.UA stated that sources stated that Putin carried out a meeting to discuss how to (translation): 'achieve Ukraine' by economic means. ZN.UA reports "We decided to go two ways. One of these routes is Nord Stream 2, which has already been completed but has not yet been certified in the EU. The second is the establishment of an economic blockade of Ukrainian ports, which should worsen the economic and socio-political situation in the Ukrainian part of the Azov-Black Sea basin. (We will remind, in these areas of Ukraine strong pro-Russian moods.)"
U.S. Senate Select Committee On Intelligence Asks Biden To Share Intel With Ukraine - A group of members of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has reportedly asked Biden in an open letter to share as much intelligence as possible with Ukraine.
The letter stated: "We are writing to you concerning the increasing Russian military build-up on Ukraine’s border and the urgent need to provide our Ukrainian partners with the tools required to help them repel or defend against further Russian aggression, or to impose costs on invading Russian forces. Vladimir Putin is threatening the freedom and security of the Ukrainian people, and they have shown their eagerness to take action to defend their sovereignty, freedom, and democratically elected government".
"To this end, we request that the United States share intelligence with Ukraine to the fullest extent possible. Russia is the aggressor, and we need to arm Ukraine with critical information needed to defend their country".
"This is in the interest of U.S. national security, as well as that of our allies and partners in the region. Russia’s threats to Ukraine are a threat to democracies around the world, and we urge you to do as much as possible to support Ukraine at this critical moment"
Signers of the letter: Mark R. Warner: Chairman, Marco Rubio: Vice Chairman, Dianne Feinstein: United States Senator, Richard Burr: United States Senator, Ron Wyden: United States Senator, James E. Risch: United States Senator, Martin Heinrich: United States Senator, Susan M. Collins: United States Senator, Angus S. King, Jr.: United States Senator, Roy Blunt: United States Senator, Michael F. Bennet: United States Senator, Tom Cotton: United States Senator, Robert P. Casey, Jr.: United States Senator, John Cornyn: United States Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand: United States Senator, Ben Sasse: United States Senator.
Russia Travel Advisory Now Level 4: Do Not Travel - The U.S. Embassy in Russia has put out a travel advisory for Russia saying that the advisory level is at: Level 4: Do Not Travel, for reasons including 'harassment against U.S. citizens, harassment by Russian government security officials as well as the 'arbitrary enforcement of local law' and 'increased tensions along the border of Ukraine'.
The U.S. Embassy says that Russian officials have "unreasonably delayed U.S. consular assistance to detained U.S. citizens and have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and have convicted them in secret trials and/or without presenting evidence. Click here for the full text of the Travel Advisory, for Russia".
If you do decide to visit Russia anyway, the U.S. Embassy advises to "Read the country information page. Familiarize yourself with information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you overseas".
Additionally, it advises Americans to "Carry proper Identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Russian visa. If you are detained, ask the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately".
For assistance: U.S. Embassy Moscow: Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8 Moscow 121099, Russian Federation. Telephone: +(7) (495) 728-5000 or +(7) (495) 728-5577. Email: [email protected].
U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs: Tel.: +1 (888)-407-4747 or +1 (202)-501-4444.
80 Tons Of 7.62mm Ammunition Arrives In Kyiv, Ukraine From The US - Around 80 tons of 7.62mm ammunition has arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine from the United States.
Russia Says Ukrainian Request For THAAD Missile Defense Systems From US Is 'A Provocation' - Russia stated on Wednesday that a Ukrainian request for THAAD missile defense systems from the United States are a 'provocation' and that seriously considering approving the request to Ukraine would deal a setback for the current crisis in Ukraine according to Russian RIA news agency.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had made the statement after reading a Russian media report that Kyiv had put in the request to the United States. RIA quoted him as saying that if Washington seriously considered such supplies, it would reduce the odds of a political diplomatic resolution in regards to the conflict in Ukraine.
Latvian Air Force Accused By Belarus Of Breaching Its Airspace - Latvian Air Force has been accused by Belarus Border Guard with breaching its airspace. To prevent illegal border crossings that are being coordinated authorities in Belarus since last August, the Latvia Air Force plane An-2 made a planned flight along the Latvian-Belarus border, but allegedly didn't cross it.
Russia's 203mm Self Propelled Nuclear Capable 'Soviet Atomic Cannons' Spotted 10 Miles FRom Ukrainian Border - Russia's 203mm self propelled nuclear capable 'Soviet atomic cannons' have been spotted having been deployed 10 miles from the Ukrainian border.
Soviet atomic cannons can use up to 203mm nuclear shells that can travel up to a distance of 37.5 kilometers, or roughly 23 miles. The main purpose of this weapon is to suppress rear enemy lines, farthest away from the front lines which is possible due to the sheer range of the shells.
Russia Deploys Hypersonic Missile To Baltic Near NATO Capitals - A new video in Russian that was posted on Telegram show what looks to be a Russian MiG-31K Foxhound (MiG-31I) carrying what appears to be a Kinzhal hypersonic missile to the Chkalovsk air base near Kaliningrad, which is a Russian territory that closely borders both Poland and Lithuania, both which are members of NATO. Read more
Canadian Government Warns Citizens In Ukraine To Leave Immediately - The Canadian government is reportedly telling its citizens in the country to leave Ukraine immediately in the 'anticipation of a Russian invasion'. The department of Global Affairs told Canadian citizens to get out of the country on the first available flight and to avoid travel to Ukraine. Read more
Six Russian Warships And Submarine Now Entering Black Sea Towards Ukraine - Six Russian Warships and a submarine, part of Russia's amphibious landing ship force which carries troops, tanks and supplies have now entered the Dardanelles which connects the Mediterranean to the Black Sea moving towards Ukraine.
The amphibious landing ships include one Evan Gren class, Pyotr Morgunov (017) and six Ropucha class ships. The Ivan Gren class is 6,600 tons and can transport up to 13 tanks or 40 armored vehicles according to Naval News. Additionally it can carry up to two helicopters for airborne assault or logistics.
The 4080 ton Ropucha class vessels can carry 10 tanks and a few thousand soldiers. The Kilo class submarine, Rostov-na-Donu (B-237) will be traveling independently on February 11th. Naval News says that the timing of her arrival in the Black Sea after her operations in the Mediterranean is looked at as due to the situation with Ukraine.
Russia's nuclear submarine locations have not been reported but are also likely currently active. Nuclear submarines are extremely stealthy, can stay submerged for months at a time and are invisible to radar.
Russia Says Europe Will Be Dragged Into Military Conflict If Ukraine Joins NATO - French President Macron travels to Russia for talks with Putin. While Putin stated that a number of Macron's proposals "are possible as a basis for further steps" and said "we will do everything to find compromises that suit everyone" which the media jumped on as saying that Putin was ready to agree to compromises, Russian news RIA Novosti reported that Peskov reportedly denied the 'deal' between Putin and Macron saying that Moscow and Paris could not do this, the leadership of NATO does not belong to France. Read more
Separatists In Eastern Ukraine Ask Russia To Send 30,000 Troops And Military Equipment To Aid Separatist Forces Against Ukraine - RIA Novosti stated that Peskov said he had not heard reports that Putin had agreed in talks with Macron not to hold new exercises near Ukraine. Furthermore, the Belarusian Security Council stated that if NATO activity near the borders of Belarus intensifies, it is planned to increase the measures of strategic deterrence. Read more
Russian News RIA Novosti Reported Peskov Has Not Heard Reports Putin Had Agreed In Talks With Macron Not to Hold New Exercises Near Ukraine - RIA Novosti stated that Peskov said he had not heard reports that Putin had agreed in talks with Macron not to hold new exercises near Ukraine. Furthermore, the Belarusian Security Council stated that if NATO activity near the borders of Belarus intensifies, it is planned to increase the measures of strategic deterrence. Read more
Separatists In Eastern Ukraine Ask Russia To Send 30,000 Troops And Military Equipment To Aid Separatist Forces Against Ukraine - A separatist commander in separatist controlled Eastern Ukraine has asked Russia to send 30,000 troops and military equipment to help the separatist forces fight against 'a potential Ukrainian offensive' which was originally claimed by Andrey Turchak without providing any evidence according to both The Moscow Times and Reuters. Read more
Russia Begins Pre-Fire Training Before Major Exercises Launching S-400 Triumph Anti-Aircraft Guided Missiles - Russian combat crews of the S-400 Triumph Anti-aircraft guided missile systems have begun pre-fire training before carrying out major live fire exercises of the anti-aircraft systems according to Russian state news agency TASS.
"Specialists of the air defense forces, based on the results of control tests with the reflection of air raids of especially difficult targets of a mock enemy, will be allowed to launch combat launches of S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft guided missiles. The military personnel will undergo enhanced theoretical and practical training on the basis of the Military Academy of Aerospace Defense with using modern training complexes".
During the training, Russian forces will be "countering highly maneuverable, ultra-high-speed, ballistic targets and targets flying at extremely low altitudes". More than 100 military personnel 'of air defense formations' from among command and control officers, combat crews and command posts will be involved in the training, which will be completed by the end of the month.
TASS reports that at the end of March, they will be carrying out combat launches of anti-aircraft guided missiles at a training ground in the Astrakhan region. TASS also reported that tactical exercises with the use of 'armored vehicles, missiles and artillery has already begun in the South of Russia.
TASS stated "The exercises are taking place in the Volgograd region, Stavropol territory, Adygea, Chechnya, Dagestan, Karachay, Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Ingushetia and at Russian military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
STRATCOM On Facing Nuclear China And Russia: 'We Have No History Of This' - Air Force Major General Ferdinand B. Stoss, STRATCOM director of plans and policy issued a warning at the 2022 virtual Nuclear Deterrence Summit saying that the US and allies have not 'faced this type of threat in over 30 years' and that 'we have no history of this' regarding a nuclear China and Russia and a 'three-party nuclear peer dynamic'. Read more
DOD: Russian Forces Increased More Over The Weekend - The Department of Defense has stated that the number of Russian forces stationed near the Ukrainian border has increased over the weekend to 'well north of 100,000' troops. Some reports estimate around 130,000.
"He is really putting in place robust, what we would call combined arms capabilities, in Belarus and along that border with Ukraine in Russia. That means not just infantry or tracked vehicles, but artillery and long range fires and air and missile defense, as well as special operations".
"He has a full suite available to him. And it continues to grow every day, including just over the last two days". Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said that Russia has been adding 'logistics and sustainment capability' in order to have the capability of sustaining a deployment "for longer and longer periods of time”, but stated that there is still 'nothing specific'.
"We don’t have anything specific that we can point to as an a-ha moment and say, well, that’s it, now we know that he’s definitely going in and he’s definitely going in on such and such a date" Kirby stated.
Biden: If Russia Invades Ukraine 'All Of NATO Will Be Ready' - Biden stated that the meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was 'very productive' and that discussing 'deterring Russia's threats against Ukraine' was at the top of the agenda for the countries.
Biden Says He Promises Nordstream 2 Will Be Able To Be Shut Down If Russia Invades Ukraine - Biden has stated that he promises that Nordstream 2 will be able to be shut down if Russia invades Ukraine saying, "I promise you we will be able to do it" after being asked how that is possible since the United States doesn't control the project.
"Germany with the United States together with our allies and partners are working closely together to pursue diplomatic resolutions to this situation and diplomacy is the very best way forward for all sides and we both agree, including [what's] best for Russia in our view" he said.
"And we have made it very clear that we're ready to continue important talks in good faith with Russia. Germany has also been a leader pushing de-escalation of tensions and encouraging dialogue through the Normandy Format. But if Russia makes a choice to further invade Ukraine, we are jointly ready and all of NATO is ready"
Biden said that they have discussed maintaining a close alliance and developing "a strong package of sanctions that clearly demonstrate international resolve and impose swift and severe consequences if Russia violates Ukraine's sovereignty and it's territorial integrity' and said that he would like to "I thank Germany and all of our other partners in eastern Europe and the European Union for their work in this united effort".
"If Russia invades, that means tanks or troops crossing the border of Ukraine again, then there will be – there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it" Biden stated at Monday's news conference.
When Biden was asked how that would be possible for the United States to do, given the fact that the US doesn't control the project he said "I promise you we will be able to do it".
Meanwhile Germany says that 'there will be a high price for Russia' if they invade Ukraine. 'We are in a very difficult situation' Germany's chancellor Scholz stated. "There is a military threat against Ukraine, we cannot remain silent on that. We see a number of troops along the Ukrainian border and that is a serious threat to European security and this is why it is important that we act together, stand together and do what it necessary together".
"We're one voice, and do things together and we made it very clear if there was military aggression against Ukraine, this will entail severe consequences that we agreed upon together. What is important is that we also intensively worked on preparing possible sanctions together. We don't want to start once there is a military aggression against Ukraine."
Biden says that Germany is 'completely reliable' and that the partnership with Germany is a partnership of 'complete trust' - Biden says that Germany is 'completely reliable' and that the partnership with Germany is a partnership of 'complete trust' despite how reluctant Germany has been to give aid to Ukraine, including the fact that Germany sent Ukraine 5,000 combat helmets instead of lethal weapons.
"There’s no need to win back trust. He has the complete trust of the United States. Germany is one of our most important allies in the world. There is no doubt about Germany’s partnership with the United States, none". He also said that Germany has been "one of the largest contributors financially to Ukraine".
"Germany is completely reliable. Completely, totally, thoroughly reliable. I have no doubt about Germany". despite how reluctant Germany has been to give aid to Ukraine, including the fact that Germany sent Ukraine 5,000 combat helmets instead of lethal weapons.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel however stated on Monday that Germany should increase their efforts to counter the Russian threat to Ukraine, including spending more on its military.
McConnell stated "There is no question Germany could do more given its influential role, including within the EU and NATO, to advance our shared foreign policy and security interest. Factor in the Cold War, the West German military was truly a capable fighting force. But Germany military has been allowed to atrophy and it suffers from shortfalls in readiness and maintenance. They committed 2% of their GDP to defense and 20% of that defense spending toward modernization. But it has taken very few credible steps to meet that pledge".
"Our friends are too powerful and too prosperous not to contribute more militarily to our alliance" he said. "It would be a powerful demonstration of German leadership for Chancellor Scholz to declare firmly and simply that Russian escalation in Europe will result in the termination of Nord Stream 2. Not another pause, the end of the pipeline period".
"First of all, we are looking at opportunities to make up for lost gas, LNG, from Russia. We're underway and trying to see what we can do to do that, dealing with our friends around the world as well" Biden stated during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Sholz.
"We think we could make up a significant portion of it that would be lost. But what everybody forgets here is Russia needs to be able to sell that gas and sell that oil. Russia relies – it’s a significant part of Russia budget. It’s the only thing they really have export. And if in fact it's cut off, then they're going to be hurt very badly as well. And it’s of consequence to them as well".
"This is not just a one way street. And so, we are looking at what we could do to help compensate for loss of, immediate loss of gas in Europe if it occurs. And that's what we've been working on for some time now".
Biden Makes Assessment On Putin's Ability To Invade Ukraine - Biden has made an assessment on Putin's ability to invade Ukraine during a press conference on Monday. He stated (word for word): "I don't know that he knows what he's going to do, I know that he's in a position now to be able to invade almost assuming that the ground is frozen above Kyiv. He has the capacity to do that. What he's going to do, I don't know. And I don't think anybody knows but him".
"I have been very, very straightforward and blunt with President Putin, both on the phone and in person. We will impose the most severe sanctions that have ever been imposed economic sanctions, and there'll be a lot to pay for that down the road" he stated.
Biden also said that it would be wise for Americans in Ukraine to leave the country. "I think it’d be wise to leave the country. I don't mean our, I don't mean, not talking about our diplomatic corps, I'm talking about Americans who are there. I’d hate to see them get caught in the crossfire if in fact they did invade, and there's no need for that. And I would if I were they, anyone there, I'd say leave".
Russia Claims Ukraine Requested Several Divisions Of U.S. THAAD Anti-Missile Systems - Russian state news TASS has reported that Ukraine has requested several divisions of the U.S. THAAD anti-missile system to be deployed near Kharkov. This has reportedly upset Russia, as the THAAD system's radar is capable of tracking up to 1,000 km (621 miles) into Russian territory. U.S. not likely to grant such a request.
A diplomatic source reportedly told TASS "Ukraine has asked the United States to deploy on Ukrainian territory near Kharkiv several divisions of THAAD mobile launch anti-missile systems, which also include the corresponding radar equipment. The AN / TPY-2 radar station, which is part of the THAAD complex, is capable of tracking the aerospace situation over a significant part of Russian territory and may allow Kiev and its NATO allies to "look" deep into Russian territory at a distance of up to 1,000 km".
While the United States is not likely to grant Ukraine's request by deploying the THAAD systems near Kharkov, if the request were to be granted it would likely cause a huge roil within the Kremlin.
Britain Sending 350 More Troops To Polish border Amid Heightened Tensions In Eastern Europe - Jens Stoltenberg says NATO is 'considering the deployment of additional battlegroups to the south-eastern part of the Alliance' and says that they have over 100k troops near the Ukrainian border (Some reports say over 130,000), and 30,000 Russian soldiers are headed to Belarus.
Stoltenberg said that it's the "the biggest Russian deployment since the Cold War". He also said new combat ready units with advanced weapon systems, medical units, spetsnaz (special forces), command and controls, Iskander nuclear capable missiles, advanced air defense systems and special forces sent in almost daily.
Stoltenberg said that all of these things together is of course 'a great concern' and that's why there's a 'real danger for a Russian invasion' which makes it even more important to look for a 'political way forward'.
Britain Sending 350 More Troops To Polish border Amid Heightened Tensions In Eastern Europe - British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has announced that Britain is sending 350 more troops to the Polish border amid heightened tensions in Eastern Europe.
The additional 300 troops will be joining the 100 British troops that have already been stationed in Poland. The decision is a "bilateral deployment to show that we can work together and send a strong signal that Britain and Poland stand side by side" he stated during a joint press conference .
"Based on historical experience only decisive deterrence can stop any potential Russian aggression. But also based on very recent experience, we do see that the policy of appeasement only encourages the potential enemy to do something" he stated.
Ukraine Military Spots Russian Ship 20 Miles Off Coast Of Odessa - The Russian reconnaissance ship "Ivan Hurs" was spotted by the Ukraine military approaching the coast of Odessa at a distance of 20 miles on February 6th, 2022.
The Ukrainian Marine Guard of the State Border Guard Service monitored the vessel and put out the following statement: "We monitor their [Russian warships] in the exclusive maritime economic zone, monitor maneuvers and violations of international maritime law. "The ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet" Ivan Hurs "did not enter the territorial sea of Ukraine".
The Ukrainian military says that the purpose of the ship is to "provide communication and control of the fleet, conducting radio reconnaissance and combat both in the Black Sea and in remote corners of the world's oceans".
Displacement : 2500 tons (standard) 4000 tons (full), Length: 95 m, Width: 16 m, Draft: 4 m, Power plant: two-shaft, 2 5DRA diesels of 2720 hp, Speed: up to 20 knots, Range: 8000 miles at 16 knots, Crew: up to 131 people, Armament: 2x1 14.5-mm ICCP with CPV, 32 sets of MANPADS.
US Intercepts Russian Communications Stating Officers Have Doubts About Cost And Difficulty Of A Full Scale Invasion - A CNN report says that the U.S. allegedly has intercepted communications that Russian officers have had doubts about the costs and difficulty of a full-scale invasion on Ukraine which would be costlier than even Putin realized.
The officers also allegedly grumbled about their plans being found out and exposed to the public by western nations, though CNN says that there is no evidence that the officials were against the plan, or would go against Putin's orders.
CNN said that a source familiar with the intel commented saying "In the assessments we see it is clear some people on the [Russian] defense side are not really understanding what the game plan is. It's a very difficult game plan to stand up."
The news agency also said that another source familiar with the intel stated that Russia's planning has evolved over the last two months which suggests that their officers concerns have been heard by senior Russian officials.
Russia Has Around 130,000 Troops Near Ukrainian Border, 70% Of Forces Needed For Full-Scale Invasion - Russia has around 130,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, 70% of the forces it needs to carry out a full-scale invasion on Ukraine according to both U.S. and Ukrainian officials.
Another Russian Slava-Class Cruiser Spotted Entering Mediterranean Sea - Another Russian Slava-class cruiser Ustinov has been spotted entering the Mediterranean Sea on February 6th, bringing the number of Slava-class cruisers in the Mediterranean to 2 now.
Naval News reported that the AIS data indicates that the ship is a Marshal Ustinov (055) which is the Russian Northern Fleet flagship. Naval news stated "As reported by regular Naval News contributor H I Sutton on his famous blog Covert Shores:
This is based on AIS (Automated Information System) transmissions. There is some suspicion that these makers have been faked (see below) and have not been verified with other sources. However, I am currently treating this as credible based on the balance of judgment".
OSINT (open source intelligence) indicates Russian tanker Vyazma entered the Strait of Gibraltar a couple of hours before the Ustinov. According to Naval news, likely in support of the other vessel.
The move is notable because the Marshal Ustinov (055) is of the Northern Fleet which normally focuses on the North Atlantic region but is currently flanking Europe to the west, and in the last few weeks it's been spotted sailing off the UK, Norway and Ireland.
Russia Carries Out More Joint Patrols With Belarus - Su-30SM fighters from Russia and Belarus carry out more joint patrols over Belarus at an altitude of about 8,000 meters and speed of 750 km/h. Patrols will continue until Feb 9th, after which 'Allied Resolve - 2022' exercises set for February 10th through 20th.
Ukraine Urges People To Ignore 'apocalyptic predictions' - The Ukrainian Foreign Minister has Dmytro Kuleba Sunday warned people to ignore 'apocalyptic predictions' regarding an 'imminent' Russian invasion on Ukraine and said that Ukraine is tough and has an unprecedented amount of international support.
Kuleba stated in a tweet "Today, Ukraine has a strong army, unprecedented international support and Ukrainians' faith in their country. The enemy should be afraid of us, not us of them."
Kuleba's statements came a day after the White House stated that Russia may be ready to carry out a full-scale invasion on Ukraine by mid-February and that Moscow already had around 70% of the forces in place that it needed to carry out a full invasion on the country and that an invasion could happen 'any day now'.
Kuleba stated "Different capitals have different scenarios, but Ukraine is ready for any development".
Ukraine's outlook on the situation with Russia is such a stark contrast to the United States own outlook that many have been left to wonder what's going on. Some have conjectured that officials in Ukraine are playing the situation down because they don't want to destabilize a Ukrainian economy already shaken by the 'pandemic'.
US Troops Arrive In Poland To Reinforce European Allies - US troops have arrived in Poland to reinforce Eastern European allies on Sunday as Russia continues to bolster its forces near the Ukrainian border in both Russia and Belarus. Read more
US Official: Based On A Government Assessment Russia At Full Operational Capability Around February 15th - A US official has stated that based on a government assessment, Russia should be at full operational capacity at around February 15th and have now already moved ground troops near Ukraine from nearly every part of their military.
February 15th would coincide with the end of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, which is when Russia carried out its first attack on Ukraine in 2014 when it annexed Crimea.
Maine National Guard Deploying To Europe This Spring - Around 80 members of the Main National Guard is set to be deployed to Eastern Europe in the Spring for a one year deployment to Poland. 120th Regional Support Group will be one of two brigade units in Maine that will be carrying out base support operations for American allies in Europe for 'Operation Atlantic Resolve' under the United States European Command. Read more
US Military Creates 300 Member 'Task Force Dragon' In Germany In The Midst Of Ongoing Crisis In Europe - The US Military's XVIII Airborne Corps from Fort Bragg has established a 300 member headquarters unit in Wiesbaden, Germany dubbed 'Task Force Dragon' in the midst of the current developing crisis in Europe between Russia and Ukraine.
Lieutenant General Erik Kurilla will be commanding 'Task Force Dragon' but he will reportedly not be deploying straight away and will be under U.S. Army Europe, and Africa.
Major General Christ Donahue who is the commanding general of @82ndABNDiv has also arrived in Poland with a Headquarters unit.
Russian SU-25SM Attack Aircraft Relocated To Belarus - Russian SU-25SM attack aircraft of the Eastern Military District have been moved from Russia to Belarus for what Russia and Belarus are calling 'exercises' but the West suspects may be an ever growing invasion force near Ukrainian borders. SU-25SM aircraft would be paramount to carrying out an attack on the ground in the event of an invasion taking place. Read more
Russian Nuclear Capable Bombers Fly Over Belarus - Russia sent a couple of nuclear-capable bombers to patrol Belarus on Saturday as tensions mount between Russia, Belarus and the West over Russian troops being stationed near the Ukrainian border within Russian territory, as well as within Belarus.
Two Tu-22M3 nuclear-capable bombers practiced interacting with the Belarusian air force during a mission which lasted four hours. This comes not long after Russia moved soldiers from Siberia and the Far East to Belarus for what Russia and Belarus are calling joint military drills, but the West suspects to be a possible military buildup for a possible invasion on Ukraine from the Belarus, in the North, which Russia has repeatedly denied.
Belarus Alters Constitution To Allow Nuclear Weapons From Foreign Country To Be Hosted In Its Region - BELARUS - Belarus has quietly altered its constitution to allow the country to host nuclear missiles within its region, which comes into effect on February 27th, 2022 and gives Belarus the ability to legally offer Russia to host its own nuclear missiles within Belarusian territory. Read more
US Military Believes Putin Planning To Hold A Large Nuclear Weapons Exercise This Month As Warning To NATO - The US Military and US intelligence officials reportedly believe that Russia is planning to hold a large nuclear weapons exercise this month to warn NATO not to intervene if Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to invade Ukraine.
Chair of the joint chiefs General Mark Milley and director of national intelligence Avril Haines told the House of Representatives Thursday that Putin is planning to start the exercises in the middle of February. The nuclear exercises however,are a yearly event, but normally carried out in the fall.
The United States believes that Putin has altered the date to earlier, from fall to winter as a display of strength in case he decides to carry out a further invasion on Ukraine, according to the Financial Times.
The United States has conveyed that the the most likely time for a Russian invasion on Ukraine would be between the middle of February to the end of March.
Number Of Russian Battalion Tactical Groups Near Ukraine Increased From 60 To 83 In Two Weeks - National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin has reported: "Putin has in place 70 percent of the military forces he would need for a full invasion. The number of Russian battalion tactical groups (BTG) on the border has increased to 83 up from 60 battalions just two weeks ago. 14 more are in transit".
US And NATO Aircraft Intercept Russian Military Planes Over North Atlantic - United States and NATO fighter jets, which included British and Norwegian aircraft intercepted Russian planes over the North Atlantic on Thursday according to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
A day before the interception on Thursday, Norwegian planes identified and intercepted Russian aircraft in the High North which was announced in a different NATO release. CNN says that the interceptions show that Russia is testing its boundaries with Europe in the air, one the land and in the sea.
Wednesday, and alert from the Norwegian Control and Reporting Center at Sørreisa stated that Russian planes "were detected flying out of the Kola Peninsula". The Kola Peninsula shares land mass with Finland.
Norwegian F-35 jets then "launched over the Finnmark coast," the release said. They identified "and shadowed a Russian A-50 Mainstay aircraft" and then returned to their base.
After the incident "the Russian group of aircraft divided up, some returning to Russian airspace while others continued south into the North Atlantic" the release stated.
Provda Claims Russian Nuclear Submarines Stationed Off US Coasts - Russian state propaganda machine and Kremlin mouthpiece Provda news claims that Russian nuclear submarines are currently on duty off the U.S. coasts, citing two 'unconfirmed' reports which included one submarine located near the east coast of the United States and one off the west coast, and also another 'presumably' in the Arctic.
Pravda says that the Russian submarines on active duty off the coasts of the United States 'can respond to to any act of aggression immediately' and then cited the Sina Military publication saying "The Russian submarines can presumably be located off both the western and the eastern coasts of the United States. Given their stealthiness, the Pentagon may not even be aware of their whereabouts. It is more than likely that another Russian submarine is staying in the Arctic, deep under the ice".
Pravda stated that it is 'impossible to either confirm or deny these reports today' and says that Russian nuclear powered submarines loaded with nuclear weapons are indeed on duty both in the Pacific and 'probably' located a thousand kilometers off the US coast, citing Avia.pro publication reports..
The excessive use of 'probably' and 'unconfirmed' and 'presumably' indicates that this is either attempts by Russia to spread misinformation, or possibly leaking out legitimate information on purpose to fulfill an agenda, such as convey a thinly veiled threat to the United States.
If there are in fact Russian nuclear submarines off the coast, the United States military most certainly knows not only that they are there, but also their precise locations at any given time and silently watching their movements.
Russia Agrees To To Supply Gas To China, Pays With Euro To Separate Themselves From Dollar - Russia has agreed on a 30 year contract to supply gas to China which will be fed to China through a new pipeline. China will be paying Russia for the gas in Euros in order to separate themselves from the US dollar. Read more
Bloomberg Accidentally Reports That Russia Invaded Ukraine - Bloomberg has accidentally reported on their website that Russia has invaded Ukraine, but then quickly removed the article saying that they prepare for many scenarios and one of those scenarios was accidentally published at about 4pm Eastern Time on their website.
Bloombergs statement said "Russia Invaded Ukraine" & then removes the article. "We prepare headlines for many scenarios and one of those headlines was inadvertently published at around 4 PM ET today on our website".
Russia And China Joint Statement On International Relations Entering A New Era - The following is the "Joint Statement of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on the International Relations Entering a New Era and the Global Sustainable Development" given by the leaders of both Russia and China. Read more
Russia Has 83 Battlegroups Near Ukraine With 14 Battlegroups Currently In Transit - Russia now has 83 battlegroups stationed near Ukraine, which according to Russian defense policy expert Rob Lee is equal to half the total number of Russia's ground combat power with 14 additional battlegroups currently in transit which would bring the number to around 100 battlegroups as was earlier predicted by U.S. intelligence, around 60% of their total ground forces.
In early December according to the Washington Post, the United States had put out a statement saying that "U.S. intelligence has found the Kremlin is planning a multi-front offensive as soon as early next year involving up to 175,000 troops. The plans involve extensive movement of 100 battalion tactical groups with an estimated 175,000 personnel".
Russian Foreign Minister: China Reformed Support For Russia's Stand On Security Guarantees in Europe - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov put out a statement over Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Twitter account saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated Russia's position on security guarantees in Europe and that China's President has 'reaffirmed' support for Russia's stand on the issue.
Lavrov stated "Russia's President yet again stated our position on the need to work out clear security guarantees in Europe. China’s President reaffirmed support for Russia’s stand on this problem".
Oil Facilities In Europe hit With Cyber Attacks - Multiple oil transport and storage facilities in Europe have been hit with cyber attacks. Oiltanking in Germany, SEA-Invest in Belgium and Evos in the Netherlands have all had cyberattacks carried out against them, including 'dozens of terminals with oil storage and transport' across the world having been affected over the weekend according to BBC News.
All of the companies listed either went completely down or were 'severely' disrupted, though security experts are reportedly cautioning against making assumptions that the attacks were all coordinated.
Oiltanking Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG stated that it had been hacked Monday and said they were forced to operate a 'limited capacity'. The company is currently investigating the incident.
Threat Analyst Berett Callow at cyber-security company Emsisoft said that the reason we need to be careful about jumping to conclusions that multiple cyberattacks are related is that "Some types of malware scoop up emails and contact lists and use them to automatically spam malicious attachments or links, so companies with shared connections can sometimes be hit in quick succession".
"This is why you sometimes see sector-based or geographic-based clusters of incidents" he stated. Another possibility, according to BBC is that all of the companies that were affected may be using the same software for their operations which could have been compromised by hackers who found a vulnerability in the software's code.
Russia Backs China On Taiwan, China Backs Russia On US, NATO Demands - The Russian President has met face to face with Chinese President during the kickoff of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, where Russia backed China's stance on Taiwan, and China backed Russia's stance on 'security guarantees' from the United States and NATO. Read more
Russia Denies Leaking US Written Response To El Pais - Russia has denied leaking the U.S. written response to the Spanish daily newspaper El Pais, who somehow allegedly obtained the documents and leaked them out on social media.
To see a copy of the alleged written response to Russia from the United States follow us on any of our Social Media Accounts where we add frequent news and alert updates, including images and videos.
U.S. Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland had pointed her finger at Moscow after the documents were found to be leaked to social media and blamed Russia for the leak.
In response, Russia called the accusations 'bewildering' and said "instead of focusing on the essence of Russian concerns, the American side is engaging in conspiracy theories".
GOP Lawmaker: Americans Should Get Out Of Ukraine And Also Said We Should Be Focused On America's Southern Border - After a classified congressional briefing on the situation between Russia and Ukraine a GOP lawmaker stated the briefing is 'top secret' but what he can say is "Americans need to get out of Ukraine". He also stated the importance of focusing on America's southern border.
Representative Lee Zeldin told Martha MaCallum on 'The Story' that Americans should 'get out' of Ukraine and stated "What happened inside of that briefing was top secret. So there's a lot that I can't share. But what I would tell any Americans who are in Ukraine, they need to get out. It is an important [and] serious moment for their safety".
"Right now, there's commercial air traffic that is going to be capable now, and there's no way to guarantee the safety for them if this escalates" he said.
Zeldin also addressed issues on the Southern Border, saying that there are many people who are currently focused on the situation in Ukraine and their border and who aren't focused on the southern border of the United States.
"We have to make sure that we are putting the highest priority on our own border. And there's a whole lot of people that need to do some reflection because they're caring a lot more about Ukraine's border right now".
Russia: We Would Be Absolutely Justified In Responding To The Pentagon's Troop Deployment - Russia stated on Thursday that it would be "absolutely justified" in responding to the Pentagon's deployment of 3,000 troops to Poland, Romania and Germany. Meanwhile the leader of Belarus stated "I will do everything so that Ukraine becomes ours. She is our Ukraine". Read more
NATO: Russian Forces In Belarus Could Reach 30,000 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has stated that Russian troop numbers stationed in Belarus which lies close to the Ukrainian border could reach 30,000, the largest since the cold war.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Russian forces located in Belarus could increase to 30,000 this month which includes special forces, short ranged ballistic missiles and advanced fighter jets.
"Over the last days, we have seen a significant movement of Russian military forces into Belarus. This is the biggest Russian deployment there since the Cold War" Stoltenberg said to reporters Thursday according to AP news.
"So, we speak about a wide range of modern military capabilities. All this will be combined with Russia's annual nuclear forces exercise, expected to take place this month" he said.
Russian, US, French Warships Have Been Spotted Off Irish Coast - Russian, US and French warships have been spotted off the Irish coast by the Irish Air Corps and Navy ahead of Russian Naval and live fire missile exercises set to take place on Thursday. Read more
As Footage Of Alleged Ukrainian Drone Spreads, Ukraine Says It's False - As footage of an alleged Ukrainian drone spreads on social media claiming Belarus had shot down a Ukrainian drone over Belarus, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it's a false story spread by Russian controlled media.
Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Oleg Nikolenko stated (and was retweeted by the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, "The intensity with which Russian-state controlled media is spreading a false story about a fake UA drone allegedly ‘violating Belarusian airspace’ is a crystal clear example drawn straight from the pages of Russia’s disinformation playbook. Do not be misled".
Social media posts noted that the drone featured in the footage looked to be a modded Orlan, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Special Technology Center in Saint Petersburg, Russia for the Russian armed forces.
Users speculated that Ukraine somehow got a hold of a Russian made drone and flew it over Belarus in order to take pictures of Russian troops and military camps.
It could just as easily be speculated however that the drone is Russian made because it was was a false flag event setup by Russia in the first place.
Multiple Reports Stating Belarus Shot Down Ukrainian Drone - There are multiple reports, one from ATN News stating that Belarus has shot down a Ukrainian drone over Brest as it was doing recon and taking footage of Russian troops training in Belarus.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry however reportedly says that they have not used drones at the border between Belarus and Ukraine and says that it's another provocation by Russian authorities.
Belarus Leader Says Things Are Unpredictable And May Turn Into A Hot Phase At Any Moment - The leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has stated that things are currently unpredictable and can turn into a 'hot phase' at any moment, such as in the 1930s and 1940s around the time of World War 2.
At a ceremony for presenting credentials to foreign ambassadors, Lukashenko said "We remember well the horrors of that war (World War II - note by BelTA) and today we are watching with concern the escalation of tensions in the world. And the peculiarity is that those who escalate this situation, those who bring new factors of escalation, are trying to blame others. The situation today is very reminiscent of the late 1930s and early 1940s. It is dangerous in terms of unpredictability and it can turn into a hot phase at any time."
Lukashenko added that the current situation has been triggered by a systemic destruction of international security architecture and increasing militarization of the European region, "And for us it is obvious who is the initiator of this process" he stated.
Russia And China, A Future Oriented Strategic Partnership, By Putin - KREMLIN - Article written by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the Chinese News Agency Xinhua on the strategic partnership between Russia and China. Read more
Satellite Photos Suggest Russia Is On Increased Readiness - WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has stated that the United States is on high alert, waiting for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make his next move as Satellite photos taken by Maxar suggests that Russian troops are on an increased level of readiness compared to earlier satellite photos taken. Read more
Pentagon: US On High Alert Waiting For Putin's Next Step - The Pentagon has stated that the United States is on high alert, waiting for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make his next move. EUCOM alert level has been raised to level 2.
The Pentagon has confirmed troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are being sent to Poland in the next few days while others are on high alert for deployment to Germany and Romania.
Russia also made an announcement stating that a squadron of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets completed a 5,000 mile trip across 11 time zones from their base in the Sea of Japan to Belarus.
While Russia claims that their forces stationed in Belarus are for military exercises only, the date on which the 'exercises' end is suspiciously February 20th, the same day that the Winter Olympic Games end, a date that the Pentagon is closely watching.
The Pentagon is watching February 20th due to the fact that Russia's first invasion of Ukraine in 2014 happened on February 20th, during the finishing of the Winter Olympic games that were held that year.
Russia Responds To Germany's Ban Of Russian State News RT DE - Russia has responded to Germany's ban of Russian state news broadcaster RT DE.
The German broadcasting regular has banned the broadcast and transmission of the German language version of Russia's state news broadcaster RT amid tensions with NATO and the West.
Germany's regulator stated that the channel "RT DE" was "prohibited because it does not have the necessary broadcasting license". The RT DE was blocked from Europe's satellite network December 22nd after a request was put in by the German authorities.
The Russian Mission OSCE Twitter account responded saying "!! !! We are seriously concerned about the decision of the German broadcasting regulator to ban transmission of RT DE".
The Twitter account then posted an image stating "We are seriously concerned about the decision of the German broadcasting regulator to ban transmission of RT DE. We consider this step to be a logical continuation of the systematic campaign to discredit the journalists of this TV channel. We call on the @OSCE_RFoM to assess the situation around RT DE and to remind Berlin of necessity to fulfill its obligations on freedom of the media and access to information".
Russian President To Visit China At Opening Ceremony Of Olympic Games - Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has put out a statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be visiting China on the invitation of the Chinese to attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
"The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement says "On February 4, President Vladimir #Putin will visit China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and will attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games @Beijing2022. The two leaders to hold bilateral talks".
The President of Russia's website also put out a statement saying, "On February 4, Vladimir Putin will visit China and attend XXIV Olympic Winter Games’ opening ceremony. On February 4, Vladimir Putin will visit China at the invitation of President of People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and will attend the opening ceremony of the XXIV Olympic Winter Games".
"During his visit, Vladimir Putin will have top level talks to discuss the current state and development prospects of Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. A wide range of issues related to practical cooperation in the areas of trade, the economy, energy, finance, investment, science and culture will be discussed".
"The two leaders will also review topical international and regional matters. Following the visit, they are expected to adopt a joint statement that sets out Russia and China’s shared approaches to addressing key global issues".
Royal Air Force Intercepts Four Russian Strategic Bombers Approaching UK Area Of Interest - Britain's Royal Air Force has intercepted four Russian strategic bombers approaching UK's area of interest but did not enter sovereign airspace. The UK scrambled quick reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft in response.
A spokesman from the UK Royal Air Force put out a statement saying "The Russian aircraft types were two Tu-95 Bear H and two Tu-142 Bear F. Our Typhoon fighters escorted the Russian aircraft out of the UK’s area of interest. At no time did the Russian bombers enter UK sovereign airspace".
US Embassy In Ukraine: Contact If You Need Financial Assistance To Purchase Ticket To Get Out Of Ukraine - A new email alert that has been issued by the US embassy in Ukraine has advised Americans to contact the U.S. Embassy if they need financial assistance to purchase an airplane ticket out of the country.
The email sent out by the US embassy stated "If you need financial assistance to purchase a ticket to the United States or if no seats are available on departing flights".
New Satellite Photos From Maxar Show Increased Level Of Activity - New satellite photos taken by Maxar show an increased level of activity by Russian troops surrounding the Ukrainian border in Belarus, Crimea and Western Russia. Sign up for one or more of our Social Media accounts to receive alerts and see the photo.
Foreign Ministers Of Germany, France, Austria, Czech Republic And Slovakia To Visit Ukraine Next Week - The Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Austria, Czech Republic And Slovakia are set to visit Ukraine next week according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko.
Nikolenko announced the visits in an online briefing on February 1st, and also stated that the Prime Ministers of Great Britain, Poland and the Netherlands were also visiting Ukraine officially on February 1st.
"On February 7-8, the foreign ministers of Germany and France will pay a joint visit to Ukraine, including to Donbas. Next week, Dmytro Kuleba will also hold talks in Kyiv with the foreign ministers of Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia" Nikolenko stated.
Nikolenko said that the Ukrainian government is currently working with international partners to deter any further Russian escalation.
"No one knows what is going on in the head of Russia's leadership, but we know for sure that with such an intensive presence of foreign top officials in Ukraine, the risks of further aggression are decreasing" he stated according to Ukrainian national news outlet Ukrinform.
Thousands Of Russians Urge Kremlin To Avoid 'Immoral' War With Ukraine - Thousands of Russians, including intellectuals and activists are urging the Kremlin to avoid an 'immoral, irresponsible, and criminal' war with Ukraine.
Over 2,000 Russians which include well known rights activists and intellectuals have urged the Kremlin to avoid starting an 'immoral, irresponsible, and criminal' war on Ukraine in the midst of rising tensions in the region as Russia continues to build up forces, tanks and artillery near the Ukrainian border.
The Congress of Russian Intellectuals made a statement public during the weekend that said "The flow of disturbing information about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine is intensifying".
The statement also added "Russia does not need a war with Ukraine and the West. Nobody is threatening us, nobody is attacking us. The policy based on promoting the idea of such a war is immoral, irresponsible, and criminal, and cannot be implemented on behalf of Russia's peoples. Such a war cannot have either legal or moral goals.... Russian citizens are actually becoming hostages of a criminal adventurism into which Russia's foreign policy is being turned".
Russia Responds To US And NATO Written Message - Russia has responded to the US and NATO's written message saying that the message 'demonstrate serious differences in the understanding of the principle of equal and indivisible security'. Read more
Ukrainian President Warns Of Full Fledged European War If Russia Invades Ukraine - The Ukrainian President has warned that there will be a 'full fledged' European war if Russia decides to carry out an invasion on Ukraine despite his recent comments admonishing the US for creating a 'big hype' regarding an 'imminent' invasion.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a Russian conflict with Ukraine would turn into a 'fully fledged' European war.
Zelensky met with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and stated at a press conference that "we have to be prepared for bad things" as fears continue to grow of an invasion by Russia, despite Zelensky's recent comments admonishing the United States for creating a 'big hype' by saying that an invasion is 'imminent'.
Zelensky stated "there will be a tragedy in case of powerful escalation against our state. Therefore I’m being very open – this is not going to be a war of Ukraine and Russia, this is going to be a European war, a full-fledged war. Because no one is going to give away territory any longer".
US, NATO, UK: We Will Not Likely Send Troops To Ukraine If Russia Invades - The United States, NATO and Britain have now stated that they will not likely be sending troops to Ukraine if Russia decides to invade the country. Read more
Italy's Defense Ministry Spots Six Russian Warships In Mediterranean Sea - Italy's defense ministry has spotted and confirmed six Russian warships in the Mediterranean Sea but said that Russia is not showing 'escalatory behavior'.
Russian State News: Ukraine Killed Military Personnel With Drone Strike - Russian state news RT has claimed that Ukraine has carried out a drone strike on the front line in Eastern Ukraine that killed 'military personnel'. Other reports state that the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) claims the person killed was a DPR soldier.
Russian State News: Ukraine Killed Military Personnel With Drone Strike - Russian state news RT has claimed that Ukraine has carried out a drone strike on the front line in Eastern Ukraine that killed 'military personnel'. Other reports state that the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) claims the person killed was a DPR soldier.
The statement by RT says "Military personnel 'killed' after Ukrainian drone strike on the frontline in Eastern Ukraine. One person has been killed Tuesday, according to the head of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic (DPR)".
Russia Says They Won't Back Down To U.S. Sanctions - The Russian Embassy has stated that Russia will not be backing down to U.S. sanctions and 'stand at attention'.
The Russian embassy in Washington stated that "the generator of tension is not Moscow but Washington" and said "we are not going to back away and stand at attention, heeding the threat of U.S. sanctions".
Russian state news agency TASS said that the embassy was angered by the tweet made by the U.S. State Department on Monday which stated as a 'fact' that Russia had 'invaded Ukraine in 2014 and occupied Crimea' as well as stated that Russia had 'massed more than 100,000 troops at the [Ukrainian] border'.
Russia said instead that what happened in 2014 followed a 'coup' in Kyiv and that the people of Crimea 'voted for reunification with Russia', though the referendum Russia referred to in that statement was not generally accepted as valid or legitimate globally.
The Russian embassy stated that "it is the United States that supplies the Ukrainian authorities with modern offensive weapons" and put out claims that the United States wants to 'solve the problem of Donbass by force'.
Russia also reiterated their stance that the Russian troops are on Russian soil and claimed that the United States is violating 'the principle of the indivisibility of security' by placing 'military infrastructure close to Russian borders'.
Russia also denied reports by the Washington Post saying that the Kremlin had put out a formal response to the written proposal by the U.S. in order to de-escalate tensions.
Russia's Foreign Ministry stated that the letter referred had never been sent, and stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin would decide on his own when to respond.
Russia Assumes Presidency Of United Nations For One Month - Russia has now assumed the presidency of the United Nations for one month, until the end of February.
The UN has a rotating presidency where each of the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council have a chance to lead for one month rotations. The UN put out a statement on February 1st saying "Russia assumes the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of February".
State Department Orders Evacuation Of Family Members Of US Embassy In Belarus - The U.S. State Department has ordered the evacuation of family members of the US Embassy in Belarus and warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Belarus amid 'unusual and concerning Russian military buildup along Belarus’ border with Ukraine'.
Australian Embassy To Australians: Leave Ukraine As Soon As Possible - The Australian Embassy to Ukraine has called upon its citizens to leave the country immediately due to the threat of a new Russian invasion on the country. Australia has also advised citizens not to travel to Ukraine.
Bruce Edwards, Ambassador of Australia to Ukraine advised citizens to use commercial or other private transport out of the country and leave Ukraine as soon as possible.
"We advise Australians not to travel to Ukraine due to the risk of armed conflict. Dependents of our embassy staff have departed. We urge Australians in Ukraine to depart now by commercial or other privately available transport options.
U.S. Senators Close To Agreeing On Russia Sanctions That Could Incur Penalties Even If Putin Doesn't Invade Ukraine - U.S. Senators are close to passing a sanctions bill that may include penalties on Russia even if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not decide to invade Ukraine.
Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez stated on Sunday that the draft legislation puts forward sanctions 'up front' to punish Russia for cyberattacks that it allegedly carried out on Ukraine, as well as 'false flag operations' and efforts to undermine the Ukrainian government.
If Russia decides to invade Ukraine 'later on' then it would trigger 'devastating sanctions that ultimately would crush Russia's economy' he stated on CNN's "State of the Union".
The White House hasn't officially stated support for the bill however and said that deterrence works best when there's an element of surprise.
"one of the things about sanctions is once you trip that, then the deterrent effect is lost" Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby stated on "Fox News Sunday".
"So we’ve said financial measures, we’ve said export controls, we’ve said new sanctions on Russian elites" Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland stated on the CBS program "Face The Nation". "But if we put them on the table now, then Russia will be able to start mitigating and that doesn’t make any sense to us".
"We are working intensively with the Congress on this piece of legislation that we expect will be very well aligned with what we are also building with our NATO allies and partners" she stated.
Pentagon: There Will Be No U.S. Troops On The Ground In Ukraine - The Pentagon has put out a statement saying that there will be no American troops on the ground in combat with the Russians in Ukraine.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby stated "The President has been very clear, we're not going to see American troops on the ground in combat with the Russians in Ukraine".
Russian Army Disrupts GPS Systems In Israeli Airspace - The Russian army is reportedly disrupting GPS signals with electromagnetic waves in Latakia as well as Ben Gurion Airport, the main airport in Israel according to KAAN news. (This report is based on a translation of the KAAN article originally published in Hebrew). Read more
Russia Claims They Want Mutually Respectful Relationship With U.S. - On Sunday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia wants "mutually respectful" relations with the United States but said that they don't want their 'security infringed daily' and said that Ukraine is not ready to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and would make no contribution to it.
"We want good, equal, mutually respectful relations with the United States, like with every country in the world" Lavrov said, speaking to Russia's Channel One.
"Learning from bitter experience, we do not want to remain in a position where our security is infringed daily" he stated, in spite of the fact that Russia currently has Ukraine surrounded by troops, tanks and artillery close to its borders.
Russia maintains its demands that the United States and NATO withdraw all forces from Eastern Europe and close the doors to Ukrainian membership into the NATO alliance.
Lavrov said that Ukraine is 'not ready' to join the alliance and "would make no contribution to strengthening NATO security".
Global Affairs Canada Withdraws Non-Essential Personnel From Canadian Embassy To Ukraine - Global Affairs Canada has temporarily withdrawn non-essential personnel from the Canadian embassy to Ukraine.
Global Affairs Canada is a government department that manages Canada's diplomatic and consular relations, also promoting trade and leading Canada's international development and humanitarian assistance.
Global Affairs Canada issued the following statement:
"Canada has made the decision to temporarily withdraw non-essential Canadian employees and remaining dependents from the Canadian embassy in Ukraine.
As announced earlier this week, Canada will be reinforcing the team at the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, with officials with expertise in areas such as security sector reform, conflict management, democratic reform, consular services and diplomacy. Together, they will increase our diplomatic capacity and allow us to continue to assess and respond to the evolving situation in support of Ukraine.
As we continue to closely monitor the situation, our highest priority remains the safety and security of Canadians. Our officials stand ready to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens, as required.
The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine remains open. Canadians in need of assistance can contact the embassy by telephone at 380 (44) 590 3100 or by email at [email protected]".
Pentagon Says Russia Could Invade Ukraine At Any Time - PENTAGON - The Pentagon stated Sunday that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time and says that Putin 'has a lot of options available to him' and 'could execute some of those options imminently'. Visit Full Article
Britain Puts Aircraft Carrier On Standby Preparing For Tensions With Russia - Britain is putting the aircraft carrier HMS Wales, a command ship for the NATO Response Force (NRF) on standby to move within hours if tensions with Russia further increase. Visit Full Article
Britain is offering a 'major military deployment' to NATO in order to strengthen Europe's borders in light of increasing aggression from Russia.
This comes after a British intelligence briefing this week where the Prime Minister asked defense and security chiefs to increase efforts in Europe.
The following is a statement put out by the UK:
"The Prime Minister remains seized of the importance of pursuing diplomatic efforts in tandem, and last week joined a call with President Biden, European leaders and NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. In that call leaders agreed on the importance of international unity in the face of growing Russian hostility and stressed that diplomatic discussions with Russia remain the first priority.
The Defense Secretary is also expected to travel to meet with Allies this week in Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia on behalf of the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has also asked the Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, to attend Cabinet this Tuesday to brief Ministers on the situation in Ukraine. The UK already has more than 900 British military personnel based in Estonia, more than 100 in Ukraine as part of Operation Orbital, and a Light Cavalry Squadron of around 150 people, is deployed to Poland
Op Orbital has trained 22,000 Ukrainian troops since 2015, and further military trainers were sent to the country earlier this month to support the training of Ukrainian forces to use 2000 missiles sent from the UK. Meanwhile, HMS Prince of Wales is in the High North leading the NATO Maritime High Readiness Force. It is on standby to move within hours should tensions rise further.”
The Royal Navy took command of NATO's Response Force from the French Marine Nationale January 1st, 2022. The Nato Response Force is a high readiness force that consists of land, air, sea and special forces units that are able to be deployed quickly for operations around the world.
A Royal Navy statement was released earlier in January that stated:
“The Royal Navy today took charge of NATO’s most important task force with a ceremony aboard aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in Portsmouth. For the next 12 months it is responsible for leading the alliance’s Maritime High Readiness Force – an international task group formed to deal with major global events.
The most senior sea-going staff in the Royal Navy – Commander UK Strike Force, headed by Rear Admiral Mike Utley – takes charge of the force, with HMS Prince of Wales serving as NATO Command Ship, ready to deploy in support of NATO exercises and operations throughout the year. Those will include major workouts for British and allied forces in the Arctic at the end of the winter, Baltic in the summer, and an extensive deployment to the Mediterranean in the autumn.
To mark the formal transfer of command from the French Navy, the NATO flag was raised aboard the carrier today during a 30-minute ceremony – shifted to the carrier’s aft hangar rather than the flight deck due to thick fog in Portsmouth – attended by defence attachés and military representatives from across the alliance.”
Pentagon: Russian Adding More Troops Near Ukrainian Border - The Pentagon has stated that Russia is still adding more troops near the Ukrainian border, further increasing troop numbers near Ukraine over the weekend.
Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby spoke on 'Fox News Sunday' and said that Russian President Vladimir Putin boosted troop levels on the Ukrainian border over the weekend, adding to his options should he decide on a military incursion into Ukraine.
"He can execute some of those options imminently" Kirby stated. "Imminent means it could happen really, honestly, at any time. It depends on what Vladimir Putin might want to do".
According to Kirby, Putin "could something on a small scale, he could do something on a fairly large scale. And he continues to add troops to that border with Ukraine. We’re watching that even over the course of this weekend".
Top Russian Politician Says New World Order Needed For Peace Between Russia And US - A top Russian diplomat has stated that 2022 will be a year of crisis between the United States and Russia, and a new world order is needed that weakens the U.S. on the world stage for peace between the two countries to be possible. Visit Full Article
Ukraine Thanks Britain For Resolute Stance On Russian Aggression - The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs has put out a statement thanking Britain for its 'resolute stance' on Russian aggression and says that Britain 'continues to demonstrate leadership in global efforts to deter Russia from further aggression".
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign affairs Dmytro Kuleba stated "Grateful to my British counterpart and friend @trussliz for her resolute stance. The UK continues to demonstrate leadership in global efforts to deter Russia from further aggression. Measures such as sanctioning Russian financial interests in the UK can hit Russia where it hurts".
Russia Challenging NATO On Written Security Response - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia plans on asking NATO to make it more clear whether it intends on implementing Russia's security demands after Russia stated that The U.S. and NATO's written response did not address Moscow's key concerns.
Russia's key concerns in its demands included pulling out U.S. and NATO troops from Eastern Europe and withdrawing its pledge to Ukraine that it will be able to join the alliance in the future, both of which the U.S. and NATO have already made it clear that they will not compromise on and that NATO's What Is NATO's Open Door Policy? will stand.
Lavrov went on live television and stated, "Today, through the Foreign Ministry, we are sending an official request to our colleagues in the Alliance and the OSCE, urging them to explain how they intend to implement (their) commitment not to strengthen their security at the expense of the security of others".
"If they do not intend to do so, then they should explain why. This will be a key question in determining our future proposals, which we will report to the Russian President Vladimir Putin".
Lavrov said that Russia does not just want promises from the West, but binding legal security guarantees to its demands "that would ensure security on the entire European continent, with full, equal regard to Russia's legitimate interests".
White House: Ukrainian President Downplaying Risk Of Invasion - According to the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is 'downplaying' the risk of invasion on the country and pointed out that Zelensky has paid 'hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of weapons 'to defend against one'.
White House reporter, Natasha Bertrand reported that a White House official stated "We understand the difficult position President Zelensky is in and the pressure he's under. But at the same time he's downplaying the risk of invasion, he's asking for hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons to defend against one".
Britain Considering Major NATO Deployment Across Europe - The British government says that they are considering making a major NATO deployment across Europe in response to Russia amassing troops, tanks and artillery near the Ukrainian border in order to "send a clear message to the Kremlin".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to travel to the region this next week and will be speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone.
Johnson's office stated that he will be considering the largest offer possible to members of the NATO defense pact in the Nordics and Baltics which should double the number of troops. He also wants to send defensive weapons to Estonia.
"This package would send a clear message to the Kremlin – we will not tolerate their destabilising activity, and we will always stand with our NATO allies in the face of Russian hostility" Johnson stated.
"I have ordered our Armed Forces to prepare to deploy across Europe next week, ensuring we are able to support our NATO allies".
Does Russia Want War? Verbal Indications Say No, Actions Say Yes - Does Russia want war? Verbal indications may say no, but actions indicate yes.
A map of the region shows that Russia has surrounded Ukraine with forces, tanks and artillery. Russia is now transporting blood supplies to locations near the Ukrainian border which have a limited shelf life, Russians have begun conscripting soldiers and Belarus has stated that they will fight alongside Russia if they attack Ukraine or get into a conflict with another country.
we may not know for certain what Russia's plans are until the Kremlin makes their move. We do not even know if Putin himself has made up his own mind on what actions he will, or will not be taking regarding the Ukrainian conflict, but as they say... "actions speak louder than words".
Make sure to check out the latest News Articles for even more information on the latest developments between the United States, Russia and Ukraine.
Russian Military Conscripting, Belarus Says Will Fight Alongside Russia - Russia says that they are now conscripting 'Russians permanently residing in the Donetsk and Luhansk people's Republics' (DNR and LNR) into the Russian military 'if they so wish' while Belarus also says that if Russia invades #Ukraine or gets attacked it 'will fight alongside Russia'. Visit Full Article
Russia Now Moving Supplies Of Blood Near Ukrainian Border - Russia is now reportedly moving supplies of blood near the Ukrainian border, along with other medical materials.
The movement of blood supplies was reported by Reuters who stated that the source for the information was U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Ukrainian President Warns Of Destabilization Amid Fears Of Russian Invasion - Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned of destabilization amid fears of a new Russian invasion.
In stark contrast to Washington, which has stated that a Russian invasion is 'imminent', Zelenskiy stated "I don't consider the situation now more tense than before. There is a feeling abroad that there is war here. That's not the case".
"Are there tanks driving on our streets? No. But if you are not here, that's the sense you are getting in England, Germany, France, in Lithuania…. The impression you are getting from the media is that there is a war going on here, that soldiers are marching down our streets, that a mobilization has been declared, that people are going somewhere. That's not the case. We don't need this panic" Zelenskiy said.
"Everyone is saying that there will be a war tomorrow, a large-scale one. Why all this talk about sanctions afterwards?"
"Such sanctions are definitely not designed [to help] our country. It speaks of an effort to restrain a large-scale aggression away from EU member states. But it cannot be done at the expense of our country" he stated.
"You are talking of the need to come up with some preemptive sanctions -- NATO is one such sanction. If it's not NATO, then be so kind and show us your security guarantees".
Zelenskiy blasted the U.S. for embassy evacuations in Kyiv saying "'Americans are safer in Kiev than LA' and that there was 'imminent threat' to Ukraine from Russia.
"Quite frankly these Americans are safer in Kievthan they are in Los Angeles … or any other crime-ridden city in the U.S." he stated.
Zelensky spoke to reporters saying that he's not ruling out a 'horrible war' that could break out, but the escalation 'has happened already' and Ukraine has been under occupation for eight years.
Russia Deploys Triumph Missile Battalion After Claiming NATO Practicing Sorties With Nuclear Missiles - Russia replies to the written response by US and NATO. Russia activates a Triumph missile battalion for combat duty after claiming NATO Air Force is practicing sorties with nuclear missiles. Visit Full Article
CNN Removes Conflicting Report On Zelensky Biden Phone Call - CNN has now removed Jake Tapper's report on the Zelensky Biden phone call from social media after conflicting reports calling it out as fake news began coming out by both Ukrainian officials and U.S. government officials.
Russia To Assume Presidency Of U.N. Security Council - Russia is set to assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council on February 1st for one month.
The United Nations rotates leadership so that each of the council members get to lead the council for a 30 day period of time. The current president for the month of January is Norway, which will be handed off to Russia for the month of February.
The UN site states "The presidency of the Council is held by each of the members in turn for one month, following the English alphabetical order of the Member States names".
Ukrainian Embassy Says Some Reports Regarding Biden Zelensky Conversation Are False - Ukrainian Embassy: President of Ukraine’s spokesperson stated that some reports regarding today’s conversation of President Zelenskyy and President Biden are completely false. He also encouraged to carefully treat all information in this troubled time especially from the unconfirmed sources.
Conflicting Information Regarding Biden And Zelensky Phone Conversation - There have been conflicting reports regarding Biden and Zelensky's phone conversation coming out. Some reports saying that the conversation leaked to White House reporter Natasha Bertrand and other established reporters at CNN is false.
Senior National Security correspondent Alexander Marquardt at CNN also put out a statement saying "A Russian invasion is now virtually certain once the ground freezes, Biden said to Zelensky, a senior Ukrainian official told @mchancecnn. Kyiv could be "sacked," Russian forces may attempt to occupy it, "prepare for impact", Biden said, according to this official".
White House official Emily Horne responded to the report saying "This is not true. President Biden said that there is a distinct possibility that the Russians could invade Ukraine in February. He has previously said this publicly & we have been warning about this for months. Reports of anything more or different than that are completely false".
Jack Posobiec, Vetran Navy intel officer and host of Human Events is demanding for a full transcript saying that the "American people deserve the truth".
U.S. Urges China To Use Its Influence With Russia To Discourage Invasion On Ukraine - The United States is now urging China to use its influence with Russia to urge diplomacy and discourage an invasion on Ukraine.
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States Victoria Nuland spoke to the media saying, "We are calling on Beijing to use its influence with Moscow to urge diplomacy because if there is a conflict in Ukraine, it is not going to be good for China either".
United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had stated on Wednesday that the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics might postpone a Russian invasion if that is what Putin decides to do.
"We all are aware that the Beijing Olympics are beginning on February 4th, the opening ceremony, and President Putin expects to be there,” the official said, adding “I think that probably President Xi Jinping would not be ecstatic if Putin chose that moment to invade Ukraine" Sherman stated.
If Russia Invades Ukraine Nordstream 2 Will Not Move Forward - U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price has stated "I want to be clear…if Russia invades Ukraine, one way or another, Nord Stream 2 will not move forward".
US And NATO's Written Response To Russian Demands - "The document we’ve delivered includes concerns of the United States and our allies and partners about Russia’s actions that undermine security, a principled and pragmatic evaluation of the concerns that Russia has raised, and our own proposals for areas where we may be able to find common ground". Visit Full Article | What Is NATO's Open Door Policy?
DHS Warns Of Russian Cyberattacks On U.S. Homeland - WASHINGTON - The Department Of Homeland Security has released an intelligence bulletin stating that Russia would consider carrying out a cyberattack on the United States homeland if Moscow deems that the written response given by the U.S. and NATO threatens Russia's 'long-term national security'. Full Article
Russia Says They See Some Room For Dialog After Receiving US and NATO Written Security Response - Russia has said that they see some room for dialog after receiving the written security guarantee responses from both the United States and NATO but that it was clear that Russia's demands had not been taken into account in the response.
Russian Spokesman Dimitry Peskov stated that Moscow would not be rushing to draw conclusions with the written response from the United States and NATO.
Peskov stated that it is in both Moscow and Washington's best interest to continue dialog, though he also stated that the response from the U.S. and NATO did not leave a lot of room for optimism.
"Based on what our colleagues said yesterday it’s absolutely clear that on the main categories outlined in those draft documents… we cannot say that our thoughts have been taken into account or that a willingness has been shown to take our concerns into account" Peskov stated. "But we won’t rush with our assessments".
Russia Says They Will Leave Belarus Once Drills Over - The Belarusian Ministry of Defense has stated that once the joint military exercises with Russia are over on February 20th, Russian forces will be leaving Belarus.
Russia's deployment in Belarus sparked fears that Russia was using the country as a staging point for an invasion on Ukraine, as Belarus shares a border with Ukraine.
Russia responded to Western fears that the Kremlin was staging an attack by saying that Russia has no has intention on invading Ukraine.
"At the end of the inspection, military units and sub-units of the Russian Federation's Armed Forces will leave the territory of the Republic of Belarus" Russia's Foreign Ministry stated.
After Russia's statement about pulling out of Belarus after drills were complete the Russian rouble jumped up 1.1% after it had taken a dive in response to the Russian troop buildup both in Belarus and near Ukrainian borders within Russia.
Ukrainian National Guard Member Opens Fire At Missile Factory - A Ukrainian National Guard member has opened fire on a missile factory in Ukraine, killing five people.
After the shooting the gunman fled the scene of the shooting which resulted in a manhunt for the shooter that lasted for a few hours. The shooter was then apprehended and taken into custody by police according to a police statement.
The shooter had entered the production site for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) which was heavily guarded and opened fire at around 4 a.m. while soldiers were busy collecting weapons at a guard house according to authorities.
There were 22 people in the room at the time of the shooting. Four killed were soldiers and one was a factory employee. Five others were wounded in the attack.
The name of the shooter is Artemiy Ryabchuk, who was born in 2001. No other details have been released about the man except that he fired 'for undetermined reasons'.
There is currently no sign that the shooting had anything to do with the tensions between Russia and Ukraine or the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border.
There is a worry however that Russia might use the incident as a 'pretext' for carrying out a military intervention on Ukraine.
Ukraine: We Have Seen U.S. Written Response And Have No Objections To It - Ukraine says that they have seen the U.S. written response to Russia before it was passed onto the Kremlin and see no objections to its contents and emphasized the "No decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine" Golden rule.
Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ukraine stated, "We had seen the written response of the U.S. before it was handed over to Russia. No objections on the Ukrainian side. Important that the U.S. remains in close contact with Ukraine before and after all contacts with Russia. No decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine. Golden rule".
Russia Says Demands Not Taken Into Account - Warns Nuclear Missile Crisis Unavoidable If Measures Not Taken - Russia has responded to the written response by the United States and NATO saying that its demands main demands have 'not been taken into account' and warned of an unavoidable nuclear missile crisis if measures aren't taken. Visit Full Article | What Is NATO's Open Door Policy?
Blinken: Our Message Now For Any America In Ukraine Is To Strongly Consider Leaving - Secretary of State Antony Blinken has again strongly warned Americans currently in Ukraine to 'strongly consider leaving'.
Regarding the evacuations that have been carried out so far he stated, "Given the continued massive buildup of Russian forces on Ukraine's borders, which has many indications of preparations for an invasion, these steps were the appropriate ones to take".
If Russia invades, civilians, including Americans still in Ukraine could be caught in a conflict zone between combatant forces. The U.S. government may not be in the position to aid individuals in these circumstances" Blinken stated.
"I want to be clear that our embassy in Kyiv will remain open, & we continue to maintain a robust presence to provide diplomatic, economic & security support to Ukraine" he stated.
Blinken: US Will Not Make Written Response Public - Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reportedly stated that the US will not be making the written response public, "because we think that diplomacy has the best chance to succeed if we provide space for confidential talks".
Blinken also stated "We hope and expect that Russia will have the same view and will take our proposal seriously" according to State Department corespondent Jennifer Hansler.
Blinken: There Is No Change Regarding Letting Ukraine Into NATO - Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly stated that "there is no change, there will be no change" regarding the open door policy and that the door is open and 'remains open'.
Blinken said that the document the United States gave Russia today lays out the US core principles and areas where they think security can be advanced together.
Britain In Talks To Send Thousands More Troops To Eastern Europe - Britain is in talks to send thousands of extra troops to Eastern Europe before any potential Russian invasion of Ukraine happens according to a CNN report.
US Delivers Written Response To Russia - *Update* US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan has reportedly delivered the U.S. written response to Russia.
*Update* US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan has reportedly delivered the U.S. response to Russia.
NBC News Correspondent Richard Engel reported, "Re written responses to Russia on Ukraine. I’m told they do not go beyond what the US and NATO allies have already said and that Russia’s all or nothing demands about NATO expansion and contraction are unacceptable".
Russia: We Will Take Measures If West Provides No Response To Security Guarantees - Moscow has stated that Russia will take 'necessary response measures' and said that Russia and its citizens are 'absolute priority'.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated while speaking at the Russian state Duma stated, "Should there be no constructive response, should the West continue its aggressive course, then, as [Russian President Vladimir Putin] said repeatedly, Moscow will take necessary response measures".
"In any case, everyone must consider the security of Russia and its citizens an absolute priority, and it will be ensured under any circumstances".
Department Of State: We See Every Indication Putin Is Going To Use Military Force - U.S. Department of State has stated that they see every indication that Putin is going to use military force in Ukraine. They have stated that they believe that it will happen between now and the middle of February.
US Department Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman stated, "I have no idea whether he's made the ultimate decision, but we certainly see every indication that he is going to use military force sometime perhaps (between) now and the middle of February".
Russian Troops & Jets Stage Drills Near Ukrainian Border - Russia's Defense Ministry has reported that they will be carrying out large-scale exercises in Russia near the Ukrainian border, including Crimea.
There will be a test of combat readiness for formations and military units that will be taking place in Vologorad, Rostov, Kransnodar and annexed Crimea involving 60 combat vehicles.
"Aviation formations and military units of the Air Force and Air Defense Army of the Southern Military District, as well as naval aviation of the Black Sea Fleet will practice interaction when carrying out missile strikes at maximum target distance in squadrons of Su-27SM and Su-30SM2 fighters, as well as Su-34 multirole fighter bombers" the Russian press service stated.
The Defense Ministry stated that in addition to the 60 warplanes, 6,000 troops will be taking part in the 'readiness drills' stretching across the multiple regions.
The Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet also stated that T-72B3 battle tank crews staged shooting drills at a firing range in Crimea.
Number Of US Troops Deployed To Europe Could Increase Even More - WASHINGTON - Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby has said that the United States may send more troops to Eastern Europe than the 8,500 soldiers that have already been placed on high alert in response to heightened tensions due to Russia's military buildup near Ukraine. The U.S. supercarrier Harry S. Truman carrier group has also been placed under NATO command. Full Article
US Warns Belarus Against Helping Russia Invade Ukraine - The United States has warned Belarus against helping Russia invade Ukraine saying that it would face a 'decisive response' if the country helps Russia carry out an invasion on Ukraine.
U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price spoke to reporters on January 25th and said "We've also made clear to Belarus that if it allows its territory to be used for an attack on Ukraine, it would face a swift and decisive response from the United States and our allies and partners".
"If an invasion were to proceed from Belarus, if Russian troops were to permanently station on their territory, NATO could well have to reassess our own force posture in the countries that border Belarus" he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka have agreed upon joint military drills scheduled for February that will be held in Belarus, close to Ukraine's borders and eastern NATO member-states.
Lukashenka stated earlier in the month that the joint Russian and Belarusian military drills will be focused on a scenario where the country is forced to 'resist forces coming from the West".
US: Invasion Imminent, Ukraine: Invasion Not Imminent - While the United States maintains that an invasion on Ukraine by Russia is imminent, Ukraine leaders say "Stay calm, a Russian invasion is not imminent" but says that the threat is real. If invasion isn't imminent however, what does Ukraine need with German weapons and military equipment? Full Article
Irish Fishing Boats Planning To Thwart Russian Military Exercises Off Irish Coast - Angered by Russian military live fire exercises being announced off the coast of Ireland, Irish fishing boats say that they plan to thwart the Russian military excessive by maintaining a presence in the area that they will be carrying out the drills. Full Article
Cyberattack On Belarus Rail System To Stop Russian Military Buildup - There has reportedly been a cyber attack on the Belarus railway system by hacktivists who say they hacked the rail system to stop the Russian military buildup near the Ukrainian borders. Full Article
DHS: Imminent Cyber Threat Against America From Russia - The Department of Homeland Security is warning of an 'imminent cyber threat' against both American companies and government agencies from Russia, a national security source reportedly informed Fox News.
The source says that Russia 'may soon launch attacks against critical U.S infrastructure" after the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) put out a statement last week saying that every organization within the United States is 'at risk from cyber threats'.
CISA stated "[e]very organization in the United States is at risk from cyber threats that can disrupt essential services and potentially result in impacts to public safety".
CISA also warned companies and organizations in the United States to take immediate steps to guard against a cyberattack and referred to the recent attacks against Ukrainian government websites which Ukraine intelligence says Russia and Belarus had a hand in carrying out.
Russia's Business Elites Dumping Rouble And Bracing For War - Russian business elites are dumping the rouble and bracing for war as fears of an invasion on Ukraine grow. Many are 'bracing for heavy losses' but are unable to speak out or influence events. Full Article
Six Russian Landing Ships On Their Way To Mediterranean - Six Russian landing ships are currently on their way to the Mediterranean Sea according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Three from the Northern Fleet and three from the Baltic Fleet.
The Russian Ministry of Defense says that the landing ships are for naval exercises.
The ships from the Northern Fleet reportedly include: 012 Olenegorskiy | Gornyak 016 Georgiy Pobedonosets | 017 Pyotr Morgunov.
The ships from the Baltic Fleet reportedly include: 102 Kaliningrad | 127 Minsk | 130 Korolev.
4 Embassies In Ukraine Have Announced Evacuations - Three embassies in Ukraine have now reportedly announced evacuations including: US, UK and Australia and Germany. There are conflicting reports on Germany however.
There have been many reports that Germany has also announced plans for evacuations, but there are also reports that Germany has offered assistance the family of staff members and some civilians who are wanting to leave but stopped short of saying that they were actually carrying out an evacuation.
The EU, OSCE, CoE, NATO and UN have not reportedly expressed any indication that they are currently looking into carrying out evacuations.
Ukraine says that the evacuations are 'premature' and stated that the other 125 diplomatic missions in Ukraine have taken no such evacuation steps. They called it "a display of excessive caution".
The U.S. Press Secretary has put out a statement to Americans currently in Ukraine saying "We are conveying very clearly, now is the time to leave" and said that the US government typically does not do large scale evacuations, but uses these warnings to tell Americans to get out of harms way.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated "NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all Allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the Alliance. We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defence".
U.S. Navy's Supercarrier Now Under NATO Command - The U.S. Navy has put their supercarrier USS Harry S. Truman under NATO command as U.S., NATO and Russian ships converge in the Mediterranean.
The USS Harry S. Truman, as well as its strike group is now under NATO control as the U.S. and NATO carry out an exercise called Neptune Strike 22 in the Mediterranean Sea.
The exercise comes as Russia prepares to carry out large-scale drills with its navy in locations around the world, including where the U.S. and NATO are carrying out exercises in the Mediterranean.
The U.S. Sixth Fleet have turned over operational control of the Truman and its strike group to
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg put out a statement saying that the exercise is a 'strong sign of transatlantic unity'.
U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Gene Black, commander of the Sixth Fleet and STRIKEFORNATO said, "The capability of SIXTHFLT [Sixth Fleet] and STRIKFORNATO combined staffs to enable a handover of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group demonstrates the power and cohesiveness of our maritime forces and the NATO Alliance".
"NATO’s command and control of a CSG [carrier strike group] is the result of decades of Alliance maritime interoperability."
U.S. Press Secretary John Kirby stated during a press conference on January 21st, "It's designed to demonstrate NATO's ability to integrate the high-end maritime strike capabilities of an aircraft carrier strike group to support the deterrence and defense of the alliance".
"The strike group along with several other NATO allies will participate in coordinated maritime maneuvers, anti-submarine warfare training, and long-range strike training."
Department Of Defense: Range Of Units Placed On Heightened Preparedness - The Department of Defense has put out an alert saying the Secretary Of Defense "has placed a range of units in the United States on heightened preparedness to deploy, which increases our readiness to provide forces if NATO should activate the NATO Response Force".
U.S. Press Secretary: US Has Committed To Provide Troops To NRF - U.S. Press Secretary says U.S. committed to provide troops to the NATO Response Forces (NRF) of 40,000 troops and has put 8,500 troops on 'heightened alert'.
According to Pentagon corespondent Carla Babb, the bulk of the 8,500 troops are for the NATO response force which is comprised of 40,000 multinational troops.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued the prepare for deploy orders but has said that there has been no final decision to deploy the troops yet.
US And Russian Stocks Crash Over Tensions And Fear Of War In Europe - Both US and Russian stocks are crashing over tensions in Europe and fears of a Russian invasion on Ukraine.
On Monday the rouble fell to its lowest point in over a year against the dollar at 78 rubles. Russian stocks also did a free fall by 8 percent to a 14 month low after two weeks of steady decline.
US stocks also plunged with the DOW falling 1,000 points by 3.15% in a single day. The S&P fell by 3.8% and the Nasdaq Composite fell by 4.48%.
Russia Warns US Troop Deployments In Baltic States Escalating Tension - Russia says that US troop deployments in the Baltic states are escalating tensions in the region.
Head of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee Andrey Kartapolov stated on Monday that US troop deployments to the Baltic states and Eastern Europe may escalate tension in the region.
Kartapolov was referring to a New York Times article on January 23rd that cited the Biden Administration saying that Washington is considering sending U.S. troops, combat aircraft and warships to the Baltic states and Eastern Europe, noting that the article said that the U.S. would be sending 'several thousand' U.S. soldiers.
Kartapolov said about the article, "It is this troop redeployment and the military build-up that will be a cause for escalation and tension in the region. Now it is clear who is interested in escalating the situation and who continues destabilizing it - it is the United States. For us, this is alarming information, of course".
Kartapolov said that Russia "ill not leave these actions unanswered and will take adequate measures to respond to mounting threats".
UK Prime Minister To Russia: Invading Ukraine Would Be A Disastrous Step - The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a warning to Russia saying that invading Ukraine would be a 'disastrous step'. The warning comes as NATO sends more fighter jets and ships to eastern Europe in response to Russian military buildup near Ukraine's borders.
While the Prime Minister stated that the intelligence that the UK has on the situation is 'gloomy', he says that he believes a Russian invasion is not inevitable.
"The intelligence is very clear that there are 60 Russian battle groups on the borders of Ukraine, the plan for a lightning war that could take out Kiev is one that everybody can see. We need to make it very clear to the Kremlin, to Russia, that that would be a disastrous step" he said.
"We also need to get a message that invading Ukraine, from a Russian perspective, is going to be a painful, violent and bloody business" he added.
Ireland: Russian War games Off Our Coast Not Welcome - NATO Sending Extra Forces - Ireland has warned that Russian war games, including live fire missile drills off their coast are not welcome and NATO says they are sending more troops and fighter jets to eastern Europe.
On Monday NATO stated that they are putting extra forces on standby, as well as sending more warships and fighter aircraft to eastern Europe as tensions rise in the region over whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about attacking Ukraine.
NATO says that its beefing up its 'deterrence' presence in the Baltic sea region. Denmark is sending a frigate and F-15 fighter jets to Lithuania. Spain will also be sending warships and maybe fighter jets to Bulgaria. France is also ready to send soldiers to Romania
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that NATO will be taking "all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies.” He said: "We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defense".
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says the European Union has also stepped up their support for Ukraine saying "We are showing unprecedented unity about the situation in Ukraine, with the strong coordination with the U.S.".
When Borrell was asked however if the EU would follow the U.S. move to order families out of the European embassy he said "We are not going to do the same thing".
Germany says they are monitoring the situation but German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that "we must not contribute to unsettling the situation further; we need to continue to support the Ukrainian government very clearly and above all maintain the stability of the country."
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney stated that he is going to inform his counterparts that Russia is planning to hold war games 150 miles off of Ireland's southwest coast within Irelands economic zone.
Coveney also stated, "This isn’t a time to increase military activity and tension in the context of what’s happening with and in Ukraine. The fact that they are choosing to do it on the western borders, if you like, of the EU, off the Irish coast, is something that in our view is simply not welcome and not wanted right now, particularly in the coming weeks".
State Department: Military Action By Russia Could Come At Any Time, Cannot Evacuate US Citizens - According to the state department, there will be no evacuation of Americans if Russia invades Ukraine and an invasion could come at any time.
The U.S. State Department said "Given that the President has said military action by Russia could come at any time. The US government will not be in a position to evacuate US citizens. So US citizens, currently present in Ukraine should plan accordingly" and has suggested that U.S. citizens arrange commercial flights out of the country.
Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Minsk, Belarus (January 23, 2022) - The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to exercise increased awareness and vigilance regarding political and military tensions in the region. Concerning reports of further unusual Russian military activity near Ukraine’s borders, including the border with Belarus, continue. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid public demonstrations and to regularly reevaluate possible departure plans in the event of an emergency. Full Article
Authorized Departure of U.S. Government Employees, Ordered Departure for Eligible Family Members, from U.S. Embassy Kyiv - STATE DEPARTMENT - U.S. Embassy in Ukraine: Authorized departure of U.S. government employees, ordered departure for eligible family members, from U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. Full Article
Biden Considering Deploying Troops, Warships And Aircraft To Eastern Europe - Biden is considering sending thousands of troops along with warships and aircraft to the Baltics and Eastern Europe according to the New York Times.
The NYT reported that during a meeting Saturday at Camp David at the presidential retreat in Maryland, officials in the Pentagon presented Biden with a few options that would move military assets a lot closer to Russia.
The options presented included sending between 1,000 and 5,000 U.S. troops to Eastern European countries, with a potential to add more troops if the tensions in the region deteriorates further.
The NYT said that Biden is expected to make a final decision on the plan 'as early as' next week.
UK Deputy Prime Minister: Very Significant Risk Russia Will Invade Ukraine - The Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, Dominic Raab says that there is a 'very significant' risk that Russia will invade Ukraine.
On BBC's Sunday morning program when Raab was asked whether Russia is going to invade Ukraine he stated "I think there is a very significant risk of it".
"The world needs to keep its eye on this and be very clear with President Putin that it would not do this cost-free, that there would be a price" he said.
"A price in terms of the strenuous defence that we would expect the Ukrainians to put up, but also the economic cost through sanctions, which are of course more effective if the international community speaks as one or at least with a broad consensus".
Liz Truss stated that Russia's plotting reveals their intentions stating, "The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking"
State Department Orders Diplomats' Families To Leave Kyiv - The U.S. State Department has ordered the families of diplomats in Kyiv, Ukraine to leave the country. Non essential staff have also been told they can leave the country at government expense.
U.S. citizens currently in Ukraine are also being urged by the State Department to leave the country using commercial flights.
The State Department says that the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine will stay open and said that the announcement does not constitute a full evacuation.
The Department put out a statement saying that Russia is planning a significant military action against Ukraine, but the statement was rebuffed by the Russian Foreign Ministry who called it disinformation.
The statement also said, "The security conditions, particularly along Ukraine’s borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea, and in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine, are unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice. Demonstrations, which have turned violent at times, regularly occur throughout Ukraine, including in Kyiv".
Russia Gives Warning To Japan: Stay Out Of Ukraine Crisis - The Russian Foreign Minister's office has warned Japan to stay out of the Ukraine crisis after Japan warned that it was ready to take 'strong actions' regarding Russia's actions in Ukraine, as well as after U.S. officials stated the U.S. has a 'close alignment' with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Full Article
White House: UK Report Of Russia's Purported Plan To Install Pro-Kremlin Leadership In Ukraine 'Deeply Concerning' - The White House has stated that the report from the UK on Russia's purported plan to install pro-Kremlin leadership in Ukraine is 'deeply concerning' White House National Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horn told Fox News.
Russian Ambassador Says Deployment Of Russian Bases In Venezuela Impossible - A Russian Ambassador to Caracas, Venezuela says that deployment of Russian bases in Venezuela is impossible under its constitution.
Russia’s Ambassador to Caracas Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov stated, "As far as Russian military bases are concerned, it is obvious. Just look at Venezuela’s constitution, which unambiguously states that there cannot and must not be any military bases on its territory".
"Why were the Americans frightened by this answer [of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov that Russian military infrastructure could be deployed to Venezuela or Cuba] is not surprising"
The Russian Ambassador said that the biggest threat for the US is "to have independent countries here, close by, to the south of the Mexican border, which have the right to choose who they will cooperate with and how".
"The fact is that the Americans want to see here just those governments, and not only here, that obey them, but not those that make decisions on their own" he stated.
Russia Set To Test Missiles Off Coast Of Ireland - Russia is set to test missiles off the coast of Ireland during an 'exercise'. The 'range practice' is scheduled to take place in early February in the Eastern Atlantic.
The tests are scheduled to be carried out 240 kilometers off the Irish coast and include living firing missiles for 'range practice' in the first week of February.
Russian bomber aircraft and naval ships will be launching the missiles. Ireland is re-routing air traffic and telling them to avoid the area due to the missile tests.
A warning was given to the Irish government by the Russian Navy regarding the 'major exercise' and 'range practice' missile tests.
The area Russia is set to be carrying out the range practice is part of Ireland's Economic Zone, patrolled by Irish ships and Aircraft.
Russian Foreign Ministry Blasts UK- The Russian Foreign Ministry has reportedly put out a statement blasting the UK, saying that their claim that Moscow sought a puppet government in Ukraine is 'nonsense'.
UK Government: Kremlin Plan To Install Pro-Russian Leadership In Ukraine Has Been Exposed - The UK Government has put out a statement on their official website that they have exposed a plan by Russia to install pro-Russian leadership in Ukraine as it considers whether to invade and occupy the country.
The government statement reads "We have information that indicates the Russian Government is looking to install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv as it considers whether to invade and occupy Ukraine. The former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev is being considered as a potential candidate".
"We have information that the Russian intelligence services maintain links with numerous former Ukrainian politicians including:
-- Arbuzov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2012-2014, and acting Prime Minister in 2014
-- Andriy Kluyev, First Deputy Prime Minister from 2010-2012 and Chief of Staff to former Ukrainian President Yanukovich
-- Vladimir Sivkovich, former Deputy Head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council (RNBO)
-- Mykola Azarov, Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2010-2014"
"Some of these have contact with Russian intelligence officers currently involved in the planning for an attack on Ukraine".
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: "The information being released today shines a light on the extent of Russian activity designed to subvert Ukraine, and is an insight into Kremlin thinking".
"Russia must de-escalate, end its campaigns of aggression and disinformation, and pursue a path of diplomacy. As the UK and our partners have said repeatedly, any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake with severe costs".
Kyiv Intel Says Russia Increasing Involvement In Eastern Ukraine - Ukraine's military intel says that Russia has increased its military support for separatists in eastern Ukraine in the recent weeks as well as increasing its 'active recruitment of mercenaries'.
On January 21st the agency said that over 7,000 tons of fuel, tanks, self-propelled artillery and other weapons and ordinance had been sent to Ukraine from Russia in the recent weeks.
While Russia denies aiding the separatists in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv intelligence says that they have evidence that Russia has provided military, economic as well as political support to the separatists since the conflict started in 2014.
The report by Ukrainian military intelligence states that recruitment centers in Russia have increased their efforts to recruit mercenaries to fight in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's Ambassador To Caracas: Venezuela Is To Offer Military Help To Moscow If Relations With US Exacerbate - Russia's ambassador to Caracas, Venezuela says that Venezuela is ready to offer military help to Moscow if relations with the United States exacerbate.
Russia’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov on the YouTube channel Soloviev.Live on Saturday was asked whether Caracas would be able to provide 'military and technical' assistance to Russia if relations between the United States and Russia exacerbate sharply.
"Absolutely" he stated. "From the very first minutes of the hysteria, which was sparked by the words of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Alexeyevich Ryabkov [about the potential deployment of Russian military infrastructure to Venezuela or Cuba], in the West and the United States" he stated.
"I have been receiving calls from Venezuelan politicians and cabinet members. I have held meetings with them, and they pledged their unequivocal and, in general, unhesitating support, since they have gone through that and are going through it together with us" he added.
"It is this form of unprecedented pressure involving illegal restrictive measures, slander and persecution in the international arena, along with all the means of pressure available to our Western counterparts," the ambassador added. "They face it all in full, so they are well aware that the relations between our countries have the possibility of strengthening further on".
"Our specialists, who repair and maintain military hardware, are carrying on with their work here. We strenuously bolster Venezuela’s defense capabilities".
"Venezuela has quite a developed infrastructure of ports. It has deep-water ports and civilian ports. There is a wide range of the Venezuelan Navy’s bases. Another thing is that this is quite a sensitive topic, what is more, our aircraft carriers, guided missile cruisers have called here. And we see absolutely nothing extraordinary in that" he concluded.
Commander Of German Navy Resigns Over Putin Comments - Commander of the German Navy has resigned over comments saying that Putin deserved respect, that Kyiv would never be returned to Ukraine and that they would never meet NATO's criteria for membership.
comments made by the Commander of the German Navy, Kai-Achim Schönbach angered Kyiv after he stated that Crimea will never be returned to Ukraine and that the country will never Meet NATO's criteria for membership to into the alliance.
The Vice-Admiral made a statement saying "I have asked Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht to relieve me from my duties with immediate effect".
NATO Allies Increase Lethal Weaponry To Ukraine - Estonia and Lithuania have green lit sending Javelin anti-tank weapons and Stinger air-defense systems to Ukraine. The U.S. has approved the transfer of light anti-tank weapons from the UK and Russian made helicopters.
The U.S. State Department calls the transfer of weapons the "fastest transfer ever" for the United States government.
The Biden administration is also transferring five Russian made Mi-17 transport helicopters that were already located in the Ukraine for servicing.
The Russian made helicopters were originally purchased by the United States to be used for forces in Afghanistan but since the Afghan military does not exist anymore they are being transferred to Ukraine under the Excess Defense Articles program.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated "And so the idea that the provision by the United States, by European countries, by NATO of defensive military equipment to Ukraine is somehow provocative or cause for Russia's actions has the world upside down"
"All that we are trying to do is to make sure to the best of our ability that, as I said, Ukraine has the means to defend itself, and that might perhaps deter further aggression by Russia" he added.
US Ships 90 Tons Of Military Aid To Ukraine - The United States has shipped 90 tons of military equipment to Ukraine, 'lethal aid' that is worth around $200 million.
The shipment is apart of the additional $200 million of 'lethal aid' that had been approved by the Biden administration in December and includes ammunition for Ukrainian front line soldiers.
In the past year the United States has shipped Ukraine $650 million worth of military equipment and services which is more than the United States has ever given to Ukraine according to the State Department.
"The United States and its allies and partners are standing together to expedite security assistance to Ukraine" Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted Friday.
"We are utilizing all available security cooperation tools to help Ukraine bolster its defenses in the face of Russian aggression" he added.
UN Chief Convinced Russia Won't Invade Ukraine But Hopes He's Right - The United Nations Secretary General said that he's convinced that Russia will not be invading Ukraine, but that he hopes he's right.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to reporters and said, "There should not be any military intervention. In this context, I think that diplomacy is the way to solve problems"
"I'm convinced it will not happen and I strongly hope to be right" he added. "Any invasion by one country to another country is against international law".
"I simply believe that we have to find a diplomatic solution" to avoid a conflict he said.
Russia Says They Expect Provocations From US And Kyiv On Eve Of Olympics - The Russian Foreign Ministry says that they are expecting military and information provocations from the U.S. and Kyiv on the eve of the Olympics.
*NOTE* - Russian sources required translation.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that Bloomberg cited that the Chinese President Xi Jinping asked Russian President Vladimir Putin 'not to attack Ukraine' during the Olympics that will be held from February 4th to February 20th.
Zakharova reportedly said "It is no longer a fake, but already a special information operation by US respective agencies through Bloomberg," the diplomat said.
"a diplomat in China" is actually Americans Zakharova stated.
"No one who was supposed or who was likely to have this information was approached by ‘Bloomberg undercover journalists’ for confirmation. Although Bloomberg used to abide by a 'golden rule’ in the old and not so evil days that at least two, or even three, verified sources should confirm the information obtained" Zakharova added.
RIA Novosti reported Zakharova claimed that the U.S. will support companies that refuse to sponsor the Olympics in Bejing and said that according to Zakharova the Russian side expects provocations from the 'United States' and 'Kyiv' that will be led by both countries, and will be informational and that Russia can't rule out 'military' provocations.
"They will do their best, especially since they have a lot of experience" RIA Novosti reported Zakharova as saying.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote "I understand that, judging by the American media, Russia should have attacked a long time ago. But we never "attacked"
State Department Orders Families Of US Embassy Personnel Evacuation - The State Department has ordered the families of US embassy personnel in Ukraine to begin evacuating the country as early as Monday, according to a tweet by Fox News Reporter Lucas Tomlinson.
Scott Anderson, a former legal adviser for the US Embassy in Baghdad said "This is not a good sign" but told people to be cautious about drawing grand conclusions from what little information is available currently.
Anderston stated "The basic logic here is to do whatever you can to reduce the number of people you will have to evacuate if/when hostilities really start in earnest".
"If something was clearly imminent, they probably wouldn't wait until Monday or limit themselves to family members" he added.
Germany Continues To Break With NATO Allies Regarding Ukraine - Germany continues to break with NATO allies and reject calls to ship weapons to Ukraine, calling it 'currently not helpful'. This has angered Ukraine, as well as comments by Germany Navy that Crimea will never be returned and Ukraine will never be allowed into NATO.
German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht told Welt am Sonntag saying that while it's the 'consensus in the federal government' not to ship arms to Ukraine' Berlin is still 'standing on Kyiv's side' and says that "we must do everything to de-escalate the situation".
The refusal to ship weapons to Ukraine has angered the country as well as comments made by the Commander of the German Navy, Kai-Achim Schönbach who stated that Crimea will never be returned to Ukraine and that the country will never Meet NATO's criteria for membership to into the alliance.
Kyiv replied that there is a 'deep disappointment with the German government's position on not providing Ukraine with defense weapons".
"Today, more than ever, the firmness and solidarity of Ukraine and its partners are important to curb Russia's destructive intentions".
The U.S. embassy in Kyiv however put out a statement saying "The United States and its allies and partners are standing together to expedite security assistance to Ukraine" and added that Washington and its NATO allies are committed to "bolster its defenses in the face of growing Russian aggression".
Washington To Russia: Keep U.S. Response To Security Guarantees A Secret - Washington has asked Russia not to publish their written response to Russia's security guarantees proposal and keep it a secret, according to the Washington Post.
According to the Washington Post however, a senior State Department official acknowledged that the Kremlin may decide to publish it after the United States sends it next week.
Sources in the U.S. Department of State told the Washington Post that a written response will include US proposals in the security domain and will demonstrate the country's interest in continuing talks with Russia.
They also stated that the written response will not be containing any commitments when it comes to NATO's open-door policy and accession of new members.
The Washington Post stated that a Biden administration official said "There‘s one decision-maker in Russia and it’s President Putin. If this then allows the ultimate decision-maker in Russia to looks at these ideas and decide whether to move forward, it’s in our interest".
"We don’t want to be the ones who foreclose a potential diplomatic solution" he also stated.
U.S. To Send More Troops To Poland And Romania If Russia Invades Ukraine - Biden stated on Wednesday that if Russia invades Ukraine, the U.S. will be sending more troops to Poland and Romania, boosting its number of troops in eastern NATO countries.
Biden said that the U.S. would not be withdrawing troops from eastern Europe in order to de-escalate tensions with Russia and said "There’s not space for that".
"We’re going to actually increase troop presence in Poland or Romania, et cetera, if in fact he moves, because we have a sacred obligation with Article 5 to defend those countries because they’re part of NATO" Biden added, clarifying however that the U.S. will not be stationing permanent troops in former Soviet states.
Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa however does not believe Biden's threats will be taken seriously after the world watched America's botched Afghanistan withdrawal which left behind civilians trapped behind Taliban checkpoints.
"“Putin doesn’t take this president, they don’t take his threats and they certainly don’t take his leadership seriously" Earnst stated.
"What I haven’t heard from this administration is what are we doing for Americans that live in Ukraine? Again, have we not learned our lessons from Afghanistan?" he asked.
Germany Blocks NATO Ally From Giving Weapons To Ukraine - Germany has blocked North Atlantic Treaty (NATO) ally Estonia from getting weapons to Ukraine by saying that they won't issue permits for German-origin weapons for export to Ukraine according to the Wall Street Journal.
The U.S., Britain and Poland as well as other NATO allies have all opted to export 'lethal weapons' to Ukraine, but Germany refuses to do so.
Estonian and German officials have said that Germany has refused to allow a third country to send artillery to Ukraine because the weapons originated in Germany.
A German government spokesman stated "The principle governing arms exports is always the same—whether they come directly from Germany or from third countries—and no permission has been issued at this stage. It is not possible to estimate the outcome of the process at this moment".
A government official from Estonia says that Estonia is still attempting to talk Germany into allowing the weapons to be sent to Ukraine.
Kristo Enn Vaga who is the advisor to the Estonian defense minister stated "Hopefully we will get the approval from Germany. Estonia has shown that we want to help Ukraine in practical terms in any way we can".
Germany's refusal to issue permits for the weapons may not make a huge difference on the battlefield, but it may signal to Russia that there is disunity in the NATO alliance which could be read as a sign of weakness to Moscow.
U.S. Considering Evacuating Family Members Of Diplomats Out Of Ukraine - The U.S. is considering evacuating family members of diplomats out of Ukraine in light of rising tensions in the region according to Bloomberg.
Bloomberg reported that non essential staff would be given the option to voluntarily leave and that the move is prudent as tensions with Russia rise.
The plan includes an order to return home for family members and the option to stay or leave voluntarily for non essential employees.
UK Ministry Of Defense: Royal Navy Ships Escort 3 Russian Warships - The UK Ministry of Defense reported that the Royal Navy ships HMS Tyne and HMS Dragon have escorted three Russian warships through the North Sea and English Channel.
The UK Ministry of Defense stated that the escort was part of a 'unified response with allies'.
The UK MOD added that they took over from Kon Marine and will pass onto the Marine Nationale to continue the escort.
Blinken: We Will Share With Russia Our Concerns And Ideas In More Detail In Writing Next Week - U.S. Defense Secretary Antony Blinken has said that the U.S. will share with Russia its concerns and ideas in more detail in writing next week after Russia issued demands that the U.S. give a written response to its security proposals as soon as possible.
U.S. Defense Secretary Antony Blinken stated "We anticipate that we will be able to share with Russia our concerns and ideas in more detail and in writing next week".
Russian Embassy: Russia Is Not Going To Attack Anyone - The Russian embassy put out a tweet calling for an end to the 'hysteria' and stating that Russia is not going to attack anyone but failed to explain the over 100,000 Russian troops stationed near the Ukrainian border.
"We stress once again: [Russia] is not going to attack anyone" the Russian embassy tweeted, also stating "The practice of moving troops on our own soil is a sovereign right" and "We call to end the hysteria and not to pile on tension around the Donbass problem.
The Russian embassy however failed to address the over 100,000 Russian troops, heavy artillery and Russian tanks that have been stationed near their shared border with Ukraine. Many also believe the Russian deployment of troops and Iskander ballistic missile launchers in Belarus that they claim are there for drills may actually be intended for an invasion on Ukraine.
Russia Says Their Demand For NATO Pullout Includes Bulgaria And Romania - The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that their demands for a NATO pullout also applies to both Bulgaria and Romania.
Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov stated at a press conference "It is about withdrawing foreign troops, equipment and weapons, as well as about other steps aimed at restoring the 1997 configuration of those countries who weren’t NATO members at that time and that includes both Bulgaria and Romania".
Russian Embassy To USA: Nothing New At Negotiations - The Russian embassy to the United States tweeted that within a few hours the State Department published 3 documents 'designed to incriminate Russian authorities' and 'state media' but that Russia didn't see anything new and claimed that Washington keeps replicating propaganda and allegations.
Russian ambassador Anatoly Antonov stated that "Within a few hours @StateDept published three documents designed to incriminate Russian authorities and state media. We didn't see anything new. Washington keeps replicating unfounded allegations and continues to call current developments in Flag of Ukraine 'myths of Flag of Russia propaganda'".
Blinken And Lavrov Both Say They Do Not Expect Breakthrough At Negotiations - Blinken stated "We don't expect to resolve our differences today" at the negotiations. Lavrov replied that he heard Blinken's statement and that Russia also doesn't expect a breakthrough.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's reply to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, "I heard one of your last statements when you said you do not expect a breakthrough at these negotiations. We do not expect a breakthrough either. What we do expect is complete answers to our proposals"
Lavrov States Russia Is Very Patient, But Our Patience Is Exhausted - During a news conference on Russia's foreign policy performance in 2021, on January 14th Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had stated "Our patience has been exhausted. We are very patient. You know what they say about how long Russians take to harness their horses? We harness them slowly but then it’s time to ride".
"Our patience has been exhausted. We are very patient. You know what they say about how long Russians take to harness their horses? We harness them slowly but then it’s time to ride. Now we are waiting for the coachman over there to give specific answers to our proposals." Lavrov stated. Full Article
Russian Duma Chairman Calls To Recognize Donbass Independence From Ukraine - Vyacheslav Volodin, Russian State Duma chairman has called upon the parliamentary to discuss recognizing the independence of Donbass as well as its separation from Ukraine according to Maariv.
The Russian parliament will be holding consultations next week to appeak to Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize two pro-Russian breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent states according to a statement from the chamber's speaker on Friday.
Volodin said that United Russia party was worried about the security of Russians living in the two breakaway areas.
"The question submitted for our examination is a very serious and responsible one" Volodin stated.
"We see that (Ukrainian) President Zelenskiy is ignoring the Minsk (peace) agreements. NATO wants to occupy Ukraine. Both things can result in tragedy. We must not let this happen", Volodin added.
6 Russian Landing Ships Pass Through English Channel - Six Russian landing ships from the Russian Northern Fleet and Baltic Fleet have passed through the English channel to enter the Mediterranean and join a group of Russian Pacific Fleet ships on maneuvers with Iran and China to 'conduct exercises'.
The six landing ships sailed past Britain in the North Sea under the guise of conducting exercises, but sparking fear that they are actually bound for an invasion on Ukraine.
The warships Korolev, Minsk and Kaliningrad are a part of the Baltic Fleet while the Olenegorsky Gornyak, Pyotr Morgunov, and Georgii Pobedonosets are a part of the Northern Fleet
Britain Warns Russia And China: West Will Stand Together To Fight Dictatorship - Britain on Friday gave a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping saying that the West will stand together to fight for democracy against dictatorships which have been emboldened more than any time since the Cold War.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss spoke in Australia and said that the West must respond together to the current global threats and deepen ties with democracies in the Indo-Pacific to 'face down global aggressors'.
Truss stated that Global aggressors "are emboldened in a way we haven’t seen since the Cold War" during a speech at the Lowy Institude in Sydney, Australia.
"They seek to export dictatorship as a service around the world. That is why regimes like Belarus, North Korea and Myanmar find their closest allies in Moscow and Beijing".
Truss stated that the West should work with allies such as Australia, Israel, India, Japan and Indonesia to 'face down global aggressors, specially in the Pacific'.
"It's time for the free world to stand its ground" Truss said and warned Putin to "desist and step back from Ukraine before he makes a massive strategic mistake".
"Kremlin has not learned the lessons of history. invasion will only lead to a terrible quagmire and loss of life, as we know from the Soviet-Afghan war and conflict in Chechnya." truss stated.
Biden Clarifies Any Russian Units Moving Across The Border Is An Invasion - Biden has clarified that any Russian units moving across the Ukrainian border is an invasion and will be met with a 'severe and coordinated economic response'.
Biden said that this has been dicussed with allies and stated "let there be no doubt at all that if Putin makes this choice [to further invade Ukraine] Russia will pay a heavy price".
Russia Moves S-400 Triumph Surface To Air Missile Systems To Belarus - Russia has announced that they are moving their S-400 Triumph surface to air missile systems from Russia to Belarus.
Russian state news agency TASS reported that after arriving to 'the places of training tasks' Russian servicemen will equip their positions and 'go on alert'.
The Russian Defense Ministry told reporters "Two divisions of anti-aircraft missile systems S-400 "Triumph" of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Eastern Military District, involved in the testing of reaction forces of the Union State, made a march to the loading station in Khabarovsk Territory <...> The air defense units will perform a combined march by rail and on their own to the unfamiliar ranges of the Republic of Belarus".
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that upon arrival at the training locations the Russian servicemen will 'assume the alert duty as part of the joint regional air defense system of Belarus and Russia'.
The ministry stated that the first stage will be 'redeployment and establishment of groupings of troops in Belarus as soon as possible' and by February 9th the 'protection and defense of important state and military facilities' and then the 'protection of the state border' in the airspace.
During the second stage of 'testing' from February 10th to 10th a joint exercise 'Union Resolve - 2022' will be carried out which 'issues a suppression and repulsion of external aggression' and 'counter-terrorism' and protection of interests of the 'Union State'.
Moscow: Russia, Belarus Forced To Respond To NATO Buildup At Shared Borders - Moscow says that Russia and Belarus are forced to respond to NATO military buildup at their shared borders.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Friday that Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine have all been stepping up their military presence along the 'Union State's borders' which is 'forcing Russia and Belarus to respond appropriately to such incendiary acts'.
"We share the concerns of [our] Belarusian colleagues and allies that NATO has been beefing up its military presence along the external borders of Belarus. This is, after all, the common border of the Union State and the CSTO" Zakharova stated.
"Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine are demonstratively concentrating their armed security forces and military equipment near the border, and [military] infrastructure is being built up. In this regard, Russia and Belarus are compelled to counteract adequately, and this includes combined policing of the airspace, regular joint training, drills and so on" she added.
Zakharova also referred to the upcoming snap inspection of Russia's rapid reaction forces and the Union Resolve 2022 exercises scheduled for February 10th through 20th.
"Unlike [our] Western colleagues, we do not hide our plans, [we] act openly, clarify and respond to questions and, in the framework of voluntary transparency, report on the implementation of activities to strengthen the joint defense of the Union State" she stated.
Russia, China And Iran Warships Navigating To Middle East For Drills - Warships from Russia, China and Iran are all navigating to the Middle East for joint naval drills in the Persian Gulf. Syria, India and Venezuela will also be participating in the drills.
The Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet put out an announcement that Russian warships had arrived at the Iranian port of Chahnbehar, where they said they would 'take part in a planned conference on conducting a joint naval exercise of warships of Russia, Iran and China'.
The Russian warships include: Slava class guided missile cruiser Varyag, destroyer and anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Tributs and the sea tanker Boris Butoma.
The three countries have dubbed the drills CHIRU. According to the Russian ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan, Syria, India and Venezuela would also be participating in the drills.
Dzhagaryan told Russian State news Sputnik that the drills would be focusing on 'ensuring international shipping safety' and 'combating piracy'.
'Piracy' is no doubt meant as an ambiguous term in light of the fact that Iran sees American seizures of Iranian cargo ships as an act of 'piracy', along with sabotage attacks by Israel.
Russia Staging Massive Cross Country Military Drills & Live Fire Iskander-M Missile Systems - Russia is staging massive cross country military drills where they will be live firing Iskander-M missile systems.
The drills will include every body of water that borders Russia and include over 140 warships, 1,000 pieces of equipment, 10,000 troops and 60 aircraft.
"The main focus of the exercises is to refine the Navy and Aerospace Forces’ actions to protect Russian national interests in the World Ocean, as well as to counter military threats to Russia from the sea and ocean," the Russian defense ministry stated.
The combat teams of Iskander-M tactical missile systems will be holding live-fire exercises at the Kapustin-Yar training ground in the Astrakhan region account to the press office of the Russian Southern Military District on Thursday.
The press office stated "A missile formation armed with Iskander-M tactical missile systems has gone on training alert. Over 400 personnel of the Southern Military District units are conducting a multi-kilometer combined march from their permanent bases to the Kapustin Yar practice range in the Astrakhan Region where they will take part in a tactical exercise with missile combat launches".
White House Clarifies Any Russian Military Incursion Into Ukraine Will Be Met With Severe Response - After Biden indicated that a small scale invasion into Ukraine would be met with a less severe response, the White House has put out a statement clarifying that any incursion into Ukraine will be met with a 'severe' response.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated "President Biden has been clear with the Russian President: If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that's a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our Allies".
"President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramilitary tactics. And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response" she continued.
Biden Predicts Russian Invasion But Suggests Minor Invasion Would Have a Lesser Response To Russia Than Full Scale Invasion - Biden stated on Wednesday that he believes Russia will further invade Ukraine, but says that a small scale invasion will have a lesser response than a full scale invasion would and unlike Britain, which believes Putin wants a full-scale invasion, Biden does not believe Putin is seeking a full blown war but does want some kind of confrontation.
Biden stated "I'm not so sure he is certain what he is going to do. My guess is he will move in. He has to do something".
Regarding sanctions, Biden said of Putin "He's never seen sanctions like the ones I promised will be imposed if he moves, number one".
Biden also made the comment that "It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and not do, et cetera".
"But if they actually do what they're capable of doing with the forces amassed on the border, it is going to be a disaster for Russia if they further invade Ukraine. And that our allies and partners are ready to impose severe cost and significant harm on Russia and the Russian economy" Biden said.
Ukraine has indicated that they found the comments made by the President offensive when a Ukrainian official told CNN that they were "shocked that the US President Biden would distinguish between incursion and invasion".
"This gives the green light to Putin to enter Ukraine at his pleasure" the official told CNN. "Kyiv is stunned" he added.
Biden explained the difference between a minor incursion and a full scale invasion by saying "If there is something that is where there's Russian forces crossing the border, killing Ukrainian fighters, et cetera, I think that changes everything".
"But it depends on what he does, to what extent we'll get total unity on the NATO front" Biden added. "It's very important that we keep everyone in NATO on the same page. That's what I'm spending a lot of time doing, and there are differences. There are differences in NATO as to what countries are willing to do, depending on what happens".
"The cost of going into Ukraine in terms of physical loss of life for the Russians -- they'll be able to prevail over time but it's going to be heavy," he said. "It's going to be real. It's going to be consequential. Putin has a stark choice. Either de-escalation or diplomacy. Confrontation and consequences" Biden said.
"This is not all just a cake walk for Russia. Militarily, they have overwhelming superiority. And as it relates to Ukraine, they'll pay a stiff price immediately, near term, medium term and long term if they do it".
Unlike Britain, who says that they believe Russia is preparing for a full-scale invasion on Ukraine, Biden stated that he believes Russia is not seeking 'any full-blown war' but does believe that Russia is looking for some type of confrontation.
He doesn't think now will cost him what it's going to cost him," Biden said. "And I think he'll regret having done it."
"The only thing I am confident of is that decision is totally, solely, completely Putin's decision. Nobody else is going to make that decision. No one else is going to impact that decision. He's making that decision. And I suspect it matters which side of the bed he gets up on in the morning as to exactly what he's going to do" Biden stated.
"I believe he's calculating what the immediate short-term and the near-term and the long-term consequences of Russia will be. And I don't think he's made up his mind yet".
Russian State News: DPR Militia Says Ukrainian Army Preparing Sabotage Actions In Donbass - Russian State News Agency TASS has reported that the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Militia says that the Ukrainian Army is preparing sabotage actions on the 'contact line' in Donbass.
People's Militia Deputy Head Eduard Basurin stated "We have obtained reliable information that the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) command is preparing sabotage actions in Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics near the contact line. Commander of UAF Special Forces Major Grigory Galagan ordered the 8th Special Forces Regiment to prepare and carry out these terror attacks" according to the Donetsk News Agency.
The report states that acts of sabotage might occur in life support facilities in Donetsk, Gorlokva, Yasinovataya, Dokuchayevsk and other settlements in proximity with the contact line.
Russian Embassy: Stop Providing Weapons To Ukraine - The Russian Embassy has called on Washington to stop providing weapons to Ukraine and instead convince them to 'stop sabotaging the Minsk Agreements' according to a statement.
"If the United States is truly committed to diplomatic efforts to resolve the intra-Ukrainian conflict, they should abandon plans to supply new batches of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Instead, Washington should use its influence on the Ukrainian authorities to convince them to stop sabotaging the Minsk Agreements" the statement read.
The Russian Embassy has also called on Washington to 'end hysteria' regarding the situation in Donbass.
"We stress once again: Russia is not going to attack anyone. The practice of moving troops on our own soil is a sovereign right. We call to end the hysteria and not to pile on tension around the Donbass problem. And most importantly - not to push ‘hotheads’ in Kiev towards new provocations" the statement said.
GOP Senators Call On Biden And NATO To Bloody Putin's Nose - GOP Senators have called on the Biden Administration and NATO to take decisive action against Russia and bloody Putin's nose.
Senator Roger Wicker told reporters on Wednesday "As of yet no one has given Vladimir Putin a bloody nose".
"I think the alliance, our friends in NATO and a bipartisan majority are prepared to assist Ukraine in making sure that if it happens this time Vladimir Putin will get a bloody nose" he added.
Wicker spoke the comments accompanied by Senator Rick Scott, Senator Rob Portman and Senator Jim Inhofe during the Senate Armed Services and Senate Foreign Relations GOP news conference on Capital Hill in Washington.
Canada Says It Fears Armed Conflict Could Break Out In Ukraine - Canada says that it fears that armed conflict could break out in Ukraine and is currently working with allies to make it clear to Russia that more aggression towards Ukraine is not acceptable according to Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"We do fear an armed conflict in Ukraine. We're very worried about the position of the Russian government ... and the fact that they're sending soldiers to the Ukrainian border" Trudeau stated at a news conference.
"We're working with our international partners and colleagues to make it very, very clear that Russian aggression and further incursion into Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable" he stated.
"We are standing there with diplomatic responses, with sanctions, with a full press on the international stage."
Canada currently has troops stationed in Latvia taking part in a NATO mission. Trudeau has said that they would "continue the important work that NATO is doing to protect its eastern front".
Russia: Start Of Countdown For Security Guarantees Has Begun - Russian Delegation says that the start of the countdown for security guarantees has begun.
Konstantin Gavrilov, head of the Russian delegation at the Vienna Negotiations on Military Security and Arms Control stated on Wednesday that the West 'faces a moment of truth' which 'has started the countdown in wait for the adoption of Russian proposals on security guarantees addressed to the United Nations and NATO".
Russia has been demanding that NATO withdraw its forces from eastern Europe and pledge not to expand further into the region, and also demanded that NATO go back on its promise to allow Ukraine into the alliance in the future.
These demands have already been rejected by both the United States and NATO as unacceptable, yet Russia continues to press them anyway.
Gavrilov stated "There arrives a moment of truth when the West either accepts our proposals or other ways will be found to safeguard Russia’s security".
"I am convinced that with goodwill and a willingness to compromise in any situation, it is possible to find a way out to mutually acceptable solutions. We are running out of time. The countdown begins" he said.
Ukrainian Official: A Russian Attack Could Come At Any Minute - A new invasion of Ukraine could happen 'at any minute' a Ukrainian official told Military Times on Wednesday, a similar statement that was just recently put out by Jen Psaki.
In relation to Ukraine's current alert status the official stated, "If you put it in terms of green, yellow and red, I would say we are at yellow-plus".
UK Defense Official: We Strongly Believe Russia Is Preferring Full Scale Invasion Rather Than Limited Offensive - A UK Senior Defense Official has stated that they strongly believe that Russia is preferring a full scale invasion of Ukraine rather than a limited offensive, according to the UK's Daily Mail.
The UK Senior defense official stated "We strongly believe [Putin's] preference is for a full invasion rather than a limited offensive. In a sense he might as well go for as much of Ukraine as he can get hold of because the penalties are just the same".
"Also, if he just occupies the eastern regions he will never be able to take back the whole of Ukraine because of the inevitable strengthening of Ukrainian forces in the remainder of the country in the aftermath" they said, calling it the 'nightmare scenario'.
Ukrainian Defense Ministry Says Russia Now Has 127,000 Troops Near Border -The latest intelligence assessment by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry states that Russia has more than 127,000 soldiers near the Ukrainian border now and has 'almost completed' its build up in the region according to a CNN report.
"The full strength of RF AF (Russian Federation's Armed Forces) land group at the Ukrainian direction -- (is) over 106,000 personnel. Together with the sea and air component, the total number of personnel is over 127,000 servicemen" the report stated.
The report also stated that Russia is attempting to "trying to split and weaken the European Union and NATO" and aimed at "limiting the capabilities of the United States".
It has also now been confirmed that Russia has 36 Iskander mobile short range ballistic missile launchers near the Ukrainian border capable of hitting targets between 310 to 430 miles away.
The document also stated that a new 'front line' has revealed itself along Ukraine's northern border with Belarus.
"The territory of Belarus should be considered as a full-fledged theater of operations that Russia can use to expand aggression against Ukraine" it stated.
The U.S. State Department stated that Belarus has become an "increasingly destabilizing actor in the region".
Russia And Belarus Set To Rehearse Repelling An External Attack Next Month - Russia and Belarus have announced drills next month where they will practice repelling an external attack in Belarus which they say is necessary as Ukraine has built up troops near Belarus.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin stated that 12 Russian fighter jets, two units of an anti-aircraft missile system and a Russian Pantsir missile system will be deployed to Belarus for the drills next month.
U.S. Secretary Of State Blinken On Way To Meet Russian Foreign Minister - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is departing Washington D.C. to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for talks in an attempt to prevent a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
UK Officials Told To Be Ready For 'Crisis Mode' Regarding Russia - Officials at the U.K. Foreign Office are being told to get ready to move into 'crisis mode' at very short notice in light of heightened tensions with Russia regarding Ukraine.
According to Bloomberg this is not an indication that the U.K. government believes a Russian invasion on Ukraine is imminent or happening for sure, it is merely 'putting precautionary plans in place' to shuffle staff into higher priority areas and allow the FCDO to quickly move if crisis mode is triggered.
U.S. Ambassador To The UN: Belarus Deployment Suggests Russia Has Plans To Invade Ukraine - The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield has stated "The Belarus deployment shows Russia is making moves that would suggest that they have plans to invade".
Washington: Russia Could Attack Ukraine At Any Time - WASHINGTON - The White House has put out a statement saying that Russia could launch an attack on Ukraine at any time and that it would support an anti-Russian insurgency if Russia decides to further invade Ukraine. Full Article
US Worried Russia May Deploy Nuclear Warheads In Belarus - A Senior State Department official has said that Belarus could play a part in a Russian invasion on Ukraine and Washington is worried about the potential that Russia could deploy conventional weapons, or even nuclear warheads in Belarus.
"These movements are supposedly under the auspices of regularly scheduled joint military exercises" the official said. "The timing is notable and, of course, raises concerns that Russia could intend to station troops… in order potentially to attack Ukraine".
Germany May Halt Pipeline If Russia Invades Ukraine - Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Germany may consider halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia decides to invade Ukraine.
Scholz says that Germany is open to sanctions on Russia if they decide to attack Ukraine and said that everything is on the table, including halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline which runs from Russia to Germany.
Scholz told reporters that it was "clear that there will be a high price to pay and that everything will have to be discussed should there be a military intervention in Ukraine".
Some U.S. Officials Believe Intelligence Indicates Russia Planning To Take Ukraine's Capital - According to a report by CNN, although Washington is still unsure what Putin's plans are, 'some U.S. officials who have seen the intelligence say there is evidence Russia is planning to try to take Ukraine's capital, Kyiv'.
Other officials believe that it's 'more likely that Russia will launch a more limited operation' in the eastern part of Ukraine.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated "Let's be clear. Our view is this is an extremely dangerous situation. We're now at a stage where Russia could at any point launch an attack in Ukraine".
"And what Secretary Blinken is going to go do is highlight very clearly there's a diplomatic path forward. It is the choice of President Putin and the Russians to make whether they're going to suffer severe economic consequences or not" she stated.
Regarding the military buildup near the Ukrainian borders as well as the increase of Russian troops in Belarus, a Ukrainian official official stated "We see that it's not de-escalating, it's ongoing. Still not enough to do a full-scale invasion and sustain it but it's still a lot".
White House: We're Now At A Stage Where Russia Could Attack At Any Time - The White House Press Secretary has told reporters "We're now at a time where Russia at any time could launch an attack on Ukraine".
The White House Press Secretary also stated that 'No option is off the table" if Russia "further invades Ukraine".
U.S. And NATO To Support Anti-Russian Insurgency If Russia Invades Ukraine - The United States has indicated that it would strongly support an anti-Russian insurgency if Russia invaded Ukraine according to the New York Times.
The New York Times article stated that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and General Mark A. Milley the chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff both have warned Russia in telephone calls that if Russia invades Ukraine it would likely be followed by a bloody insurgency that would be supported by the United States.
It also says that the Biden administration has stated that a Ukrainian insurgency would involve the CIA as well as the Pentagon.
James Stavridis, a retired four-star Navy admiral who was the supreme allied commander at NATO stated "If Putin invades Ukraine with a major military force, U.S. and NATO military assistance — intelligence, cyber, anti-armor and anti-air weapons, offensive naval missiles — would ratchet up significantly"
"And if it turned into a Ukrainian insurgency, Putin should realize that after fighting insurgencies ourselves for two decades, we know how to arm, train and energize them" the Admiral stated.
Russia: We Cannot Tolerate NATO's 'Gradual Invasion' of Ukraine - Spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin Dimitry Peskov says that the reason Russia began building up troops near the Ukrainian border is because it could no longer 'tolerate' NATO's eastward expansion and 'gradual invasion' of Ukraine.
Peskov appeared on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS and said that the stage for the current crisis on the border was set decades ago, back in the 90's.
"When Germany was reunited and when the then-Soviet Union and the Soviet Union leader Mr. [Mikhail] Gorbachev said OK to that, there was a promise by American side" Peskov said.
"Unfortunately, not fixed in a juridical, in a legally binding guaranteeing document, but it — there was a guarantee that NATO would never .. expand its military infrastructure or political infrastructure eastwards".
"Unfortunately, the opposite thing started to happen since then, and NATO's military infrastructure started to get closer and closer to the borders of the Russian Federation".
He said that recent actions by the United States military made Russia feel that its national security was 'endangered'.
Peskov said that NATO is being a 'weapon of confrontation' and not a 'dove of peace'.
"I'm a spokesperson to Kremlin, and I officially can tell you that there are no Russian troops on Donbas and on Ukrainian soil" he stated.
Peskov was asked if there is any room for a potential compromise in the event that Ukraine becomes a NATO member in the future.
Peskov replied "Well, there is also space for compromise. Excluding some principal concerns, and here we're talking about principal concerns. Russia has never had a deficit of political will for negotiations".
"But in general, in principle, we can now say that we are staying on different tracks, on totally different tracks, and this is not good, and this is disturbing".
"At first, they were just words, but with the time being, we have seen the gradual invasion of NATO into Ukrainian territory, with its infrastructure, with its instructors, with supplies of defensive and offensive weapons, teaching Ukrainian military, and so on and so forth. And that brought us to the red line. That brought us to the situation when we — when we couldn't tolerate it anymore" Peskov said.
Russia Begins Evacuating Diplomats From Ukraine - Russia has begun evacuating its diplomats from Ukraine. Russian consulates have also been told to prepare to leave Ukraine according to the New York Times.
Iskander-M Ballistic Missile Launchers Seen Heading Towards Ukraine On Russian Trains, Russia Denies It - Iskander-M ballistic missile launchers have been spotted by Moscow-based Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) and captured on video being transported through Russia on trains toward Ukraine, but Russia has denied that it plans to invade Ukraine.
CIT stated that some of the Iskander-M launchers were seen as far west as the Ural mountains which divides Europe and Asia.
Rail car tracking shows the launchers began being transported from Ulan-Ude and Birobidzhan which is close to military bases.
Russian Troops Begin Arriving In Belarus - According to Belarus Secretary of Security Council, Russian troops have begun arriving in Belarus. Russian military vehicles have been spotted all over the country.
The arrival of Russian troops in Belarus indicates that Russia may be preparing to launch an offensive into Ukraine within the next few weeks.
Former US Ambassador To Ukraine Says 50% Chance Of Major War In Europe - Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor has stated that he believes there is a "50 percent" chance that a 'major war' will break out in Europe amid fears that Russia will invade Ukraine.
Taylor told CNN on Sunday "There's a 50 percent chance that there will be a major war in Europe today, with tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides, both sides, dying".
"A nearly 50 percent chance of that kind of outcome is troubling, is very troubling" he said.
"The reason, if there is reason, if Mr. Putin is thinking about the cost and benefits, he won't do it. Because the costs are are very, very high. The cost in soldier's lives, the cost in civilian lives. The cost in sanctions that he knows are coming".
Taylor told CNN that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has an 'obsession' with Ukraine and "He wants to be sure Ukraine doesn't join NATO".
"Mr. Putin thinks that Ukraine is not a sovereign country...he thinks Ukraine and is really just part of Russia" he stated.
Canada Sends Special Forces To Ukraine Amid Fear Of Invasion - Canada has reportedly sent special forces to Ukraine amid fears of a Russian invasion.
Canada's globalnews.ca reported that sources told them that "the Canadian special operations presence is part of an attempt by NATO allies to deter Russian aggression in Ukraine, and to identify ways to assist the Ukrainian government".
Global News stated that the special forces unit is tasked with developing evacuation plans for Canadian diplomatic personnel in the event of a 'full scale invasion' on Ukraine.
British Sends Troops To Ukraine Amid Fears Of Russian Invasion - The British have reportedly sent troops to Ukraine amid fears that a Russian invasion could be only days away.
The British Defense Secretary is warning of a 'very, very bloody war'.
Washington Says We're Ready For Diplomacy With Russia Or Invasion, Either Way - U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has stated that Washington is ready whether Russia decides to take the path of diplomacy, or to invade Ukraine.
During an interview with CBS, Sullivan said "ready either way. We’re in close touch with our allies and partners, including the Ukrainians".
"We’re coordinating closely on next steps. And we’ll have more to share in terms of the next steps into the diplomacy early next week" he stated.
"But the key point here is that we’re ready either way. If Russia wants to move forward with diplomacy, we are absolutely ready to do that in lockstep with our allies and partners".
"If Russia wants to go down the path of invasion and escalation, we’re ready for that, too, with a robust response".
Russia And Belarus Holding Joint Military Exercise In February - Belarus President Lukashenko stated on Monday that Russia and Belarus will be holding a joint military exercise in February with the date yet to be determined.
"We had made plans for a military exercise in February long ago. Go ahead to set a specific date and announce it so as nobody can reproach us that we have massed up troops all of a sudden and are almost ready to go to war" Lukashenko said.
"Today we can see that we need to hold a major exercise in this western and southern region, sometimes called the ‘Belarusian balcony’" Lukashenko stated.
He said that there should be a "normal exercise to practice a certain scenario to resist these forces: in the west (Baltic countries and Poland) and in the south (Ukraine)".
UK Supplying Ukraine With Defensive Weapons Systems - Britain says they are supplying Ukraine with defensive weapon systems to face threats posed by Russia according to Britain's defense minister Ben Wallace on Monday.
Wallace told Britain's parliament on Monday "We have taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light anti-armor defensive weapon systems. They are not strategic weapons and pose no threat to Russia. They are to use in self-defense".
Belarus President Says Over 30,000 U.S. Troops Amassed In Poland And Baltic States - The President of Belarus, Lukashenko says that there are over 30,000 U.S. allied troops amassed in Poland and the Baltic States near Belarusian borders according to Russian News Agency TASS.
"According to the data as of now, over 30,000 troops with military hardware, armaments and so on are amassed in Poland on the border with Belarus and in the Baltic states" Lukashenko stated.
Lukashenko also said that Poland has turned to NATO's leadership and requested to deploy a multilayered logistic support system in the region.
He also said that NATO is trying to put talks with Russia about security guarantees "on the back burner" and 'talk down all these negotiations and ideas and pretend as if nothing is happening".
"And we see what is happening" Lukashenko stated. "Warsaw has turned to the North Atlantic bloc’s leadership … with a request to deploy a multilayered logistics and maintenance support system in that region. As persons familiar with military affairs, we immediately ask: Why?".
"From 8,000 to 10,000 US troops are deployed on the territory of Poland and the Baltic states on a rotating basis. What do the Americans have to do there? Why do they reproach us and Russia that we hold maneuvers, drills and so on while they have come here from far away? What will you be doing here?" he stated.
White House Repeats Warnings Of Severe Economic Consequences If Russia Invades Ukraine - The White House has repeated its warning of 'severe economic consequences' from both the United States and Western allies if Russia decides to invade Ukraine.
"In terms of sanctions, what we have laid out is a very clear message to the Russians, and we've done so in concert and in unison with our allies that if they do further invade Ukraine, there will be severe economic consequences and a price to pay". White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Sunday during an interview with 'Face The Nation'.
"If it turns out that Russia is pummeling Ukraine with cyberattacks, and if that continues over the period ahead, we will work with our allies on the appropriate response" he stated.
Sullivan said that if Russia does invade Ukraine the United States will 'take measures that go at their economy, that go at their strategic position in Europe, that strengthen the solidarity of NATO.
"We're ready either way. If Russia wants to move forward with diplomacy, we are absolutely ready to do that in lockstep with our allies and partners. If Russia wants to go down the path of invasion and escalation, we're ready for that too, with a robust response that will cut off their strategic position" he stated.
"So, from our perspective, we are pursuing simultaneously deterrence and diplomacy, and we've been clear and steadfast in that again, fully united with the transatlantic community".
Russia Says U.S. Claims That Russia Is Preparing Provocation Against Ukraine Disinformation - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at a press conference that the United States have disseminated a batch of 'total disinformation' about Russia preparing a provocation in order to justify an invasion on Ukraine.
Sullivan stated that the administration has been warning for months that cyberattacks could be part of a "broad-based Russian effort to escalate in Ukraine" and that the United States has been working with the government of Ukraine to increase their defenses.
"That's part of their playbook. They've done it in the past in other contexts" he stated.
"Let’s not forget what the American officials said about the very subject of the so-called Russian invasion of Ukraine. For instance, by spreading complete disinformation that we are preparing a provocation all but attacking the Russian-speaking population in Donbass in order to obtain the pretext for that very invasion" Lavrov said to Russian News Agency TASS.
Lavrov stated that the current 'tragedy of modern Ukraine' did indeed begin in 2014, but that it was not the result of a provocation on the part of Russia but the result of a state coup that was 'supported and even to a substantial degree organized' by the United States.
"And nowadays, undoubtedly, Ukraine is being externally governed by the US" Lavrov said. "Washington is quite capable of simply forcing the Kiev regime to finally implement the Minsk Accords. This subject was also discussed during the Putin-Biden summit last June in Geneva. There we saw and heard the US’ understanding of the essence of the Minsk Accords. Above all, [it lies] in Donbass’ special status. And I hope that our American colleagues will occupy themselves with this".
NATO Signs Deal With Ukraine To Deepen Cyber Cooperation - NATO has signed a deal with Ukraine to 'deepen' cyber cooperation after the latest cyber attack on Ukrainian government websites, and worries about a coming full scale Russian invasion on the country.
Ukraine says that it has evidence that Russia was behind the cyber attacks on its government websites, something that Russia has denied involvement in.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated on Friday that cyber experts from NATO are already on the ground in Ukraine working with them regarding the latest cyber attack.
Stoltenberg said that the new cyber agreement with Ukraine will 'enhanced cyber cooperation, including Ukrainian access to NATO’s malware information sharing platform'.
Canada Puts Out Travel Alert Telling Citizens To Avoid Ukraine - Canada has put out a travel alert advisory telling its citizens to avoid air travel to Ukraine due to ongoing Russian aggression and military buildup.
The advisory Canada put out to its citizens says "Ukraine - avoid non essential travel to Ukraine due to ongoing Russian aggression and military buildup in and around the country".
Russian News Reports US Wants To Move Troops Closer To Border - Russian news agency TASS has pointed out that Slovakia's former Prime Minister Robert Fico stated on Sunday that the only goal of a military cooperation agreement between the United States and Slovakia which was approved by the Slovakian government January 12th would be to deploy US troops closer to the Russian border.
The Russian news agency quoted Fico saying "This agreement [on military cooperation with the United States] betrays Slovakia’s national interests. It only goal is to move the US military closer to the Russian borders."
Slovakia's Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok however supports the agreement, saying that the opposition is only trying to picture the United States as an aggressor.
Peskov: Russia Will Never Discuss Withdrawal Of Missiles From Kaliningrad With Anyone - Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that Russia will never discuss the withdrawal of weapons and missiles from Kaliningrad with anyone.
In an interview with CNN Peskov said "Russia will never discuss with anyone withdrawal of nay missiles and any weapons from Kaliningrad because Kaliningrad is the territory of Russia".
"And with all due respect we will not tolerate any demands for us to do this or that on our own territory. None of the countries will tolerate" he stated.
Lavrov: Reaching An Agreement Depends On US, We Won't Wait Forever - The Russian Embassy has put out a tweet quoting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating that Reaching an agreement depends on the United States and that Russia will not wait forever.
Lavrov stated "Reaching an agreement on security guarantees depends on #US. We know there are plans to drag out this process, incl Washington’s excuses of the need to consult with allies and involve all #OSCE members in talks. #Russia will not wait forever".
Russia Hints If Demands Aren't Met It Could Move Nuclear Missiles Closer To U.S. - The New York Times has reported that Russia has hinted that if its demands are not met then it may take 'military-technical' steps, including moving nuclear missiles closer to the United States.
This after Russia warned that if tensions continue to mount Russia would not rule out deploying its military to Cuba and Venezuela and Russian news, Pravda suggested that Russia may decide to build a naval base in Cuba or Venezuela' after claiming it surfaced a nuclear submarine off of the U.S. coast.
UK Says There Will Be Consequences If Russia Invades Ukraine - The UK Defense Secretary has stated that there will be consequences if Russia invades Ukraine and that Britain would 'stand up to bullies' no matter how far away the conflict is.
The UK defense secretary stated that an incursion by Russia into Ukraine would violate the 'most basic freedoms and sovereignty'.
The UK defense Secretary said he met with ministers in Sweden, Finland and Norway to discuss Russia's continued aggression and military build-up on the Ukrainian border.
"The UK and our Nordic partners are united in our approach to upholding European security. My discussions this week have been directly about deepening bilateral relations, shared security and the consequences of Russian aggression towards Ukraine" he said.
"Our discussions were clear that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a strategic mistake, violating the most basic freedoms and sovereignty. Britain and the Nordic countries have a long and shared history".
"Our European neighbors and allies remain vital partners as we work together to defend our common values, counter shared threats and build resilience in our neighborhood. The UK will always stand with them".
Defense Intelligence Of Ukraine Says Militants In Donetsk Released Toxic Ammonia Gas Into Atmosphere January 14th - A report by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine stated that militants in Horlivka in Donetsk Oblast eastern Ukraine released toxic ammonia gas into the atmosphere on January 14th.
The intelligence stated that the release of chemicals could be part of a red-flag operation, or a 'pretense for a further Russian invasion of Ukraine'.
The Defense Intelligence Of Ukraine reported that Russian backed militants had released chemicals into the occupied territories of Ukraine and that the containers of ammonia gas on the site of the former Stirol (Styrene) factory in Horlivka have been 'depressurized' which lead to gas leakage.
The statement said that "Chemical pollution could lead to an environmental catastrophe in the east of our country".
The Stirol factory had reportedly been shut down since 2014 when Horlivka became occupied by Russian-led forces.
Ukraine Suspects Belarus Intelligence Hacker Group Hit Government Websites - Ukraine says that they suspect a hacker group linked to Belarus intelligence hacked into its government websites and shut them down.
Serhiy Demedyuk, Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council spoke to Reuters and said that they blamed the attacks that occurred on a group called UNC1151 using malware similar to that used by a group linked to Russian intelligence. Demedyuk stated that it was a cover for more destructive actions.
"The defacement of the sites was just a cover for more destructive actions that were taking place behind the scenes and the consequences of which we will feel in the near future" Demedyuk stated.
Regarding the hacker group UNC1151, he stated "This is a cyber-espionage group affiliated with the special services of the Republic of Belarus".
The message that the hackers had placed on the websites were in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish and had used Google translate for the Polish version.
Demedyuk stated "It is obvious that they did not succeed in misleading anyone with this primitive method, but still this is evidence that the attackers 'played' on the Polish-Ukrainian relations (which are only getting stronger every day)"
Russian Embassy: Accusations Against Russia About Invasion Pretext Unfounded - The Russian Embassy in the United States put out a tweet saying that the 'continuous accusations' against Russia on preparation for invasion pretext are unfounded.
The Russian Embassy tweeted "Once again, we declare: the continous accusations against Russia on preparation of some kind of pretext for the invasion of Ukraine (Both at the U.S. official level and in the media) are unfounded and cannot have any confirmation".
Lavrov: Offensive Weapons A Red Line Even If Ukraine Does Not Become NATO Member - Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov stated "Even if Ukraine does not become a member of NATO, deployment of the alliance's offensive weapons on Ukrainian territory is also a 'red line' for Russia".
Sweden Rolls Out Tanks Onto Streets Of Gotland In Response To Russian Activity - Sweden has reportedly rolled out tanks onto the streets of Gotland on Friday in response to "Russian Activity" that had been observed by the Swedish military.
Sweden rolled out about 10 armored combat vehicles along with dozens of armed soldiers in the small port town of Visby on the island.
Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist told AFP news "The armed forces are taking the necessary measures to safeguard Sweden’s integrity and to demonstrate our ability to protect Sweden and Swedish interests".
The Swedish military put out a statement on Thursday saying that their troops would be deployed "to reinforce operations in multiple locations” due to “increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea".
Russian Nuclear Submarine Carrying 160 Nukes Surfaces Off US Coast - Russian news, Pravda has claimed that a Russian nuclear submarine with 160 nuclear warheads on board appeared off the U.S. coast and went unnoticed.
Pravda stated that the Russian nuclear submarine was of the Borey project which carries 16 Bulava ballistic missiles, each capable of carrying up to 10 nuclear warheads.
Pravda claimed that the nuclear submarine approached the U.S. coast unnoticed before starting back to its base, and that Russian nuclear submarines will be able to 'constantly patrol the waters near the US coast in the event that Russia decides to build a naval base in Cuba or Venezuela'.
Pravda released this questionable information just one day after a Russian official spoke of sending military assets to Cuba and Venezuela.
Russia: No Western Sanctions Can Heavily Affect Russia's Economy - Russian News Agency TASS reported that no Western sanctions can heavily affect Russia's economy.
Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky stated in an online briefing on Friday that the Russian economy is resilient to any external impact and that sanctions cannot seriously affect it according to TASS.
"We are going to respond adequately. We have diversified our economy, today it can resist any external influences. And, of course, I cannot say that there are no sanctions that are sensitive" Slutsky stated.
He also stated that Russia has 'appropriate' and if necessary, 'symmetrical' methods of countering any kind of sanctions from the West.
Slutsky said that "sanctions and other restrictive measures were not the right tools to be used, although they likely can exist somewhere as an exception. But there is no need to use them in modern world politics. It is unjustified".
"As for the actions directed against us, we are aware of our capabilities, no restrictive measures can entail catastrophic consequences for the Russian economy" he stated.
US Has Information Indicating Russia Is Planning False Flag Operation- Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby says Russia has 'pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct a false-flag operation in eastern Ukraine' in order to create a pretext to invade Ukraine.
An official told CNN that the U.S. has evidence that the operatives are trained in urban warfare and the use of explosives in order to carry out acts of sabotage against Russian proxy forces in order to frame Ukraine as a pre-text for an invasion.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Thursday "Our intelligence community has developed information, which has now been downgraded, that Russia is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating the pretext for an invasion".
"We saw this playbook in 2014. They are preparing this playbook again and we will have, the administration will have, further details on what we see as this potential laying of the pretext to share with the press over the course of the next 24 hours" Sullivan said.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on Friday that "the military units of the aggressor country and its satellites receive orders to prepare for such provocations".
The official told CNN that the Biden administration believes Russia could be preparing to invade Ukraine and that it 'may result in widespread human rights violations and war crimes should diplomacy fail to meet their objectives'.
"The Russian military plans to begin these activities several weeks before a military invasion, which could begin between mid-January and mid-February. We saw this playbook in 2014 with Crimea" the official stated.
Ukraine: Data Suggests Cyberattack Carried Out By Russian Federation - The Ukrainian Information Ministry said that 'the first data suggests' today's cyberattack on Ukrainian websites was 'carried out by the Russian Federation'.
"Contrary to the allegations of the attackers, the leakage of data, including personal data, did not occur" the Ministry stated.
Swedish Military Raises Preparedness Due To Russian Activity In Baltic - The Swedish military has raised military preparedness due to increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea, which 'deviates from the normal picture' according to Sweden's military.
Lieutenant General Leif Michael Claesson told the Associated Press, "We have decided to reposition our troops. It does not have to mean an increased threat, but we always want to adapt to the prevailing situation"
Sweden is not currently a NATO member but has observed that landing craft from Russia's northern navy have been entering the Baltic Sea.
Claesson stated that some actions by the Swedish military will be visible and other actions will not be.
"We will act in different locations in Sweden, in different manners" he stated, saying that they would be visible on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland which is around 186 miles away from the Russian Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad.
"We will operate in the air, at sea, below the surface and on the ground in different ways and in different geographical locations" he stated.
Russia Demands Response From US And NATO Next Week Regarding Ukraine - On Friday Russia repeated its demands that NATO will not allow Ukraine to join the alliance and agree not to expand its forces into Eastern Europe.
Russia has demanded a response from the United States and NATO by next week and said that it would not wait for a response indefinitely.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that Russia has 'run out of patience'. "The West has been driven by hubris and has exacerbated tensions in violation of its obligations and common sense" he stated.
Lavrov stated that Russia is expecting a written response from Washington and NATO to its demands by next week.
U.S. Department Of State: It Is Russia That Has To Make A Stark Choice - "It is Russia that has to make a stark choice: de-escalation and diplomacy or confrontation and consequences. We expect and had expected that the Russian delegations…will have to report back to President Putin, who we all hope will choose peace and security".
Russia Says Their Patience With The West Has Come To An End - Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov reportedly stated that Russia's patience with the West has come to an end and said 'now is the time to go'.
Lavrov stated "Russia's patience with the actions of the West has come to an end, we have been harnessing for a long time - now is the time to go".
Ukrainian Government Sites Hacked In A Massive Cyberattack - Ukrainian government websites have been hacked in a massive cyberattack and are temporarily down.
A Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman stated "Our specialists are already working on restoring the work of IT systems & the cyber police opened an investigation".
The hacked message on the websites include the following text written in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish: "Ukrainian! All your personal data has been uploaded to the public network. All data on the computer is destroyed, it is impossible to recover them. All information about you has become public, be afraid and expect the worst".
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense websites, e-government services website and education ministry are also temporarily down.
U.S. National Security Advisor Says Russia Creating Pretext To Invade Ukraine - U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says that the administration will be sharing within the next 24 hours what US officials have seen Russia doing regarding creating disinformation as a pretext to invade Ukraine according to CNN reporter Natasha Bertrand.
British MI5 Says Chinese Agent Has Been Active In UK Parliament- British intelligence agency MI5 has said that a Chinese agent has been active in the UK Parliament and engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.
UK Speaker Sir Lindsey Hoyle stated MI5 warned him that a woman named Christine Lee has been "engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging with members here at parliament".
MI5 sent out an 'interference alert' warning that Lee has "facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China...done covertly to mask the origins of the payments".
The alert stated "Lee has acted covertly in coordination with the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party (UFWD) and is judged to be involved in political interference activities in the UK".
Lee had made over 700,000 pounds in donations to parliamentarians.
US Enforces Sanctions On North Korean Officials After Missile Test - The United States has hit officials in North Korea with sanctions in response to North Korea's latest missile tests.
The U.S. Treasury Department stated that it is imposing penalties on five North Korean officials for obtaining equipment and tech used in North Korea's missile programs.
Sanctions have also been ordered for another North Korean, A Russian as well as a Russian company for their support of North Korea's development of weapons of mass destruction.
US Secretary Of Defense Call With Ukraine - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin says he had a productive call with his counterpart in Ukraine discussing Russia's 'unprovoked military build-up'.
The Secretary of Defense stated "I had a productive call today with my Ukrainian counterpart @oleksiireznikov to discuss Russia’s unprovoked military build-up & our support for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate. We remain committed to supporting Ukraine, including thru ongoing provision of defensive assistance".
He also posted a readout stating "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Minister of Defence Oleksii Rezinov to discuss Russia's ongoing and unprovoked military buildup in and around Ukraine. Secretary Austin reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including ongoing efforts to build the capacity of Ukraine's forces through the provision of defensive assistance. The leaders expressed support for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and committed to continuing their close coordination".
Russia Says It Will Sever Ties With US If It Sanctions Putin Over Ukraine - Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated Thursday that there would be a complete rupture of ties between the United States and Russia if the US sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine.
Peskov stated "The imposition of sanctions against the head of state and against the head of Russia, I repeat once again, is an outrageous measure that is comparable to a break in relations".
Peskov was replying to U.S. Senate Democrats who on Wednesday introduced a sanctions bill that would penalize Russia with sanctions in the event of a Russian invasion on Ukraine.
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Bob Menendez said "This legislation makes it absolutely clear that the US Senate will not stand idly by as the Kremlin threatens a re-invasion of Ukraine".
"As the Biden administration seeks a diplomatic path forward this week in Europe to avoid another bloody escalation in Ukraine, I find little reason to believe that Putin is negotiating in good faith nor do I believe he has any newfound respect for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity" Menendez stated.
"Putin need not collapse his entire economy nor does he need to sacrifice the lives of his own people in a futile attempt to rewrite the map of Europe".
The bill was backed by the White House which would impose sanctions on top officials in Russia, including Putin himself.
The New York Times reported that National Security Council Spokesperson Emily Horne said "We support Senator Menendez's legislation, which would trigger severe costs to Russia's economy and support additional security assistance to Ukraine should Russia further invade. We will keep working with Congress on maximizing potential costs to Russia".
Russia Won't Rule Out Military Deployments To Cuba And Venezuela If Tensions Continue To Mount - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said that Russia will not rule out deploying its military to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the United States continue to mount.
Ryabkov said that he could 'neither confirm nor exclude' the possibility that Russia may send military assets to South America if the United States persist their military activities near Russian borders.
"It all depends on the action by our U.S. counterparts" Ryabkov stated during an interview on the Russian television network RTVI.
Havana Syndrome Baffling Washington After New Cases In Europe- A mysterious illness called 'Havana Syndrome' is baffling Washington after four more diplomats in Geneva and Paris have been sickened with the suspected neurological illness.
Over the last five years around 200 people have become sickened with this mysterious illness with some believing that U.S. enemies may be targeting diplomats with microwaves.
The illness began showing in 2016 and has affected diplomats, spies and government officials, as well as their family members and even Canadian diplomatic staff in Cuba, some feeling fatigue and dizzy spells for months after allegedly being exposed.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the government is working to get to the bottom of this mystery illness and said that he met with State Department employees around the globe who had experienced symptoms to describe what they experienced.
Blinken said during an interview with MSNBC that people had been "directly and powerfully affected".
"To date, we don't know exactly what's happened and we don't know exactly who is responsible" he stated during the interview.
"We are working overtime across the entire government to get to the bottom of what happened, who's responsible".
Russia: No Reason For Round Of Talks In Near Future - After talks between Russia and NATO failed to come up with a resolution, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov stated that there is 'no reason for a new round of talks in the near future'.
Ryabkov said that the U.S. and NATO allies are not prepared to meet Russia's key demands for security guarantees and are only ready to talk on topics of security assurances that are 'convenient for them'.
NATO: There Is A Real Risk Of A New Armed Conflict In Europe - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that there is a 'real risk of a new armed conflict in Europe' and that the alliance is ready to send troop reinforcements into Eastern Europe if Russia invades Ukraine after talks with Russia failed to find a resolution.
As expected, NATO allies unanimously rejected Russia's demands for guarantees that Ukraine would never be allowed into the alliance.
Stoltenberg said "It is only Ukraine and 30 allies that can decide when Ukraine can become a NATO member. No one else can, and of course Russia does not have a veto".
Despite the fact that there were many hours of dialogue, talks were fruitless as Russia would not back down on their demands that NATO withdraw forces from Eastern Europe and pull out of post Soviet states.
Russia has military forces in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova and they are unwanted and uninvited there.
Stoltenberg said that NATO allies have called on Russia to withdraw its own forces from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
Poland: Europe At Greatest Risk Of War In 30 Years - Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau has stated that Europe is closer to war than it has been any time in the last 30 years.
During his address to envoys from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, he spoke of tensions in Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova, all countries in which have some sort of conflict with Russia.
"It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years" he stated. "For several weeks we have been faced with the prospect of a major military escalation in Eastern Europe".
Russia Moving Helicopters Into Place For Possible Attack - U.S. Officials say that Russia is currently moving its military helicopters into place, a sign that Russia continues to plan for an invasion on Ukraine despite talks being carried out according to the New York Times.
U.S. Officials had predicted that Russia would bolster its troops from between 100,000-120,000 to about 175,000, though currently the number still stands at about 100,000 military personnel near the Ukrainian border.
Despite the slowing of Russian troops arriving at locations near the border, Russia has positioned new attack aircraft and put transport helicopters in place there.
U.S. Officials say that Russia's attack window is limited to the next few months, during the peak winter when the ground is frozen, allowing for Russia to roll tanks and heavy equipment over.
After the ground begins to thaw by around March the ground would no longer be frozen, and the tanks and heavy equipment would end up getting stuck in the resulting mud.
So far the ground yet remains muddy as it has been a relatively mild winter and there hasn't been the usual 'hard freeze' that causes the ground to become hard enough to roll heavy equipment through.
According to the New York Post, as a result Putin may be forced to wait until February to carry out any offensive against Ukraine.
Ukraine Says It Has Arrested Russian Agent Planning Odessa Attacks - Ukraine has stated that they have arrested a Russian agent that was planning attacks in Odessa, Ukraine's largest Black Sea port.
Ukraine's SBU Security Service stated on Monday that they have detained a Russian military intelligence agent who's "main task was to shake up the political situation in the Odessa region through sabotage and terrorist acts".
Russia To US: Playing With Fire Is No Longer Acceptable - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Russia tried to explain to the United States that playing with fire is no longer acceptable.
"We came to Geneva to avoid entering into an impasse. We spent a lot of effort trying to explain to our American counterparts why playing with fire is not in their interests, why the potential disregard for our absolutely justified presentation of the problem that things cannot any longer go the way they were in the past decades, cannot continue in relations with NATO. We need drastic changes in the narrative or our relations, its matrix, its framework" he stated.
Ryabkov said that dialogue between Russia and the United States on security guarantees should not be postponed or dragged out for months or years.
"There are various levels of predictability in such formats and we need to evaluate them to see if there is a perspective for a next step, which can be taken as soon as possible".
Russian Led Troops Leaving Kazakhstan In 2 Days - The CSTO Russian led troops are set to leave Kazakhstan in 2 days time.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that the more than 2,000 Russian led CSTO forces would begin to leave the country in two days and that the pullout would take no more than 10 days time to complete.
""The main mission of the CSTO peacekeeping forces has been successfully completed" Tokayev stated.
"In two days a phased withdrawal of the CSTO united peacekeeping contingent will begin. The withdrawal process of the contingent will take no more than 10 days".
Ukraine: We Will Defend Ourselves Until The Last Drop Of Blood - As talks between Russia, the United States and NATO reveal no breakthrough, Ukraine says that they will defend themselves against Russia 'to the last drop of blood'.
Ukraine's military chief, Lieutenant General Valeri Zaluzhnyi is also urging people to calm down regarding the threats of a new invasion by Russia telling Sky News in an interview that it is 'absolutely no news to us'.
"I want to calm the people down so that they sleep calmly in their home" he said. "So I will repeat that our armed forces have been at war for eight years. They carry out military operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and they are ready to conduct them in other regions".
"I can also add that we are not going to attack anyone at all. But we will protect our land until the last drop of blood" he stated.
"It is absolutely no news to us." he said. "Today [Monday] two servicemen died in the operation zone, yesterday one was wounded. The war goes on for us. And the fact that its scale can be bigger, well it used to be smaller, but became bigger. We are just doing our job".
He said that he knew Ukraine would have to face further aggression from Russia without the help of NATO forces.
"I, as the commander-in-chief, am responsible for my country and my armed forces in particular. I don't have any illusions and don't wait for a gift from God. I fought and I have been preparing my armed forces".
Russia: Failure To Reach Agreements Will Force Us To Deter Opponents - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated in an interview with Russian News Agency TASS that failure to reach agreements will mean that Russia will be forced to ensure a necessary balance and deter opponents.
"NATO declares indivisibility [of security] only in the format of its 'gathering', being vain of this fact - just listen to the statements made by NATO representatives, read their documents". Ryabkov stated.
"But we have not committed ourselves to all this, with another line and the basic agreement being obvious to us. This means that in a situation similar to the current one the misinterpreted strengthening of the west’s own security will turn into the weakening of this security because we will be forced to turn to other means of ensuring the necessary balance, of deterring the opponent, if you will, in the event of the lack of required and urgent agreement on legal guarantees" he continued.
"There is a subject for conversation here from the viewpoint of explaining the logic of approaches and, probably, specifying what the colleagues in Washington and in NATO overall are driven by. But it would be na·ve to expect progress, given the revised public presentation of the position that we see today, right before the start of contacts".
"Before the talks the position of the American side leaves little reason for optimism" he stated.
"I would first of all hear during the upcoming contacts something clearer on NATO’s non-expansion, on recall of the decision of the Bucharest summit of 2008, on unacceptability for the US and NATO nations to continue the geopolitical exploration, in fact, of the whole space controlled by this group of states to the west, north-west, south-west of our borders. This is crucial for us, not the aspects the American side is focused on now".
NATO Prepares For Worst, Fearing Talks With Russia Will Fail - Amid calls by the West for deescalation, Putin continues to make demands that he knows that NATO will not accept as NATO prepares for the worst fearing talks with Russia will fail.
Many believe that Russia is not serious about talks with NATO and the U.S. as over 100,000 Russian troops, artillery, jamming equipment and medical supplies and facilities remain stationed near the Ukrainian border, seemingly ready for an invasion.
Putin: The CSTO Has Proven Its Potential - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has proven its potential and ability to act swiftly and efficiently in the case of Kazakhstan.
"Our organization has proven it potential, its ability to act swiftly, decisively and efficiently" Putin stated during a CSTO meeting on Monday.
"every ally contributed to completion of missions within the CSTO forces group" he stated. "It includes forces from every member state without exception, who are already actively carrying out the operational activities".
"this indicates that the long-lasting, meticulous work on establishment of a comprehensive system of CSTO member states’ security, including the collective peacekeeping forces, bears its fruit" he added.
Internet Connectivity Significantly Restored In Kazakhstan - It has been confirmed that internet connectivity has been restored significantly in Kazakhastan as of Monday morning for the first time since the almost total internet blackout. Unclear whether it will remain restored.
Blinken: NATO Did Not Invade Ukraine Or Georgia, That Was Russia - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken: "Let’s be very, very clear about this: NATO did not invade Ukraine; NATO did not invade Georgia; NATO did not position forces in Moldova against the will of its people. Those are all things, among many others, that Russia has done in recent years".
"Over the past two decades, it is Russia that has invaded neighboring countries; interfered in other countries' elections; used chemical weapons to attempt to assassinate opponents of the government, and done so on foreign soil; violated international arms control agreements; pulled back from confidence-building and transparency measures long agreed".
"And so we and our allies will absolutely be raising these and other issues with Russia in the days and weeks ahead. Russia has concerns. We will listen. We have concerns and it's imperative that Russia listen".
Kazakhstan U.S. Embassy Security Alert: Voluntary Evacuation - Kazakhstan U.S. Embassy Security Alert: Voluntary Evacuation. "The U.S. government has authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency personnel and family members at the U.S. Consulate General in Almaty."
"A nationwide state of emergency and curfew is in place between the hours of 11pm and 7am and will remain in effect until January 19. Expect security checkpoints controlling access to population centers, public transport disruptions, and limitations on movement throughout the country. Overland border crossing to neighboring countries may not be possible or safe at this time, and access to fuel may be limited".
"Unrest in Almaty continues, and there were reports of gunfire overnight and ongoing direct conflict between armed groups and Kazakhstani government forces. Widespread flight and train disruptions continue, and there are cancellations on both domestic and international routes. Almaty airport and railway stations are currently closed. You are advised to check with your airline to confirm your flight and reminded to avoid travel during curfew hours".
"Communications services countrywide have been limited and internet restrictions continue. However, the government of Kazakhstan reports that access to limited news outlets has been restored. Disruptions to internet access may continue to impact other services such as banking, credit card transactions, and COVID-19 testing. Coordinate with your medical provider to determine testing availability".
"U.S. citizens in Kazakhstan should be aware that violent protests may severely impact the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including assistance to U.S. citizens departing Kazakhstan".
To read more regarding this notice and what steps to take if you are currently located within the country visit the Kazakhstan U.S. Embassy page.
NATO: We Won't Create 2nd-Class Allies To Sooth Russia - NATO: We won't create 2nd-class allies to sooth Russia. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says that the troop buildup continues and says that NATO supports Ukraine and that it won't compromise on letting it choose its own course toward membership.
"We are ready to engage in arms control with Russia, conventional and nuclear, but that has to be reciprocal. We can't end up in a situation where we have second-class NATO members where NATO as an alliance is not allowed to protect them" Stoltenberg stated.
"The risk of conflict is real. Russia's aggressive actions seriously undermine the security order in Europe" he added.
NATO: The Risk Of Conflict Over Ukraine Is Real - NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has stated that the 'risk of conflict is real' regarding Russia's buildup of soldiers, tanks and artillery near the Ukrainian border and said that NATO must be prepared for possibility that talks may fail.
Stoltenberg referred to the buildup of troops saying "Russian military build up has not stopped. It continues" with "armoured units, artillery, combat-ready troops, electronic warfare equipment and a lot of different military capabilities".
Tokayev Says Constitutional Order Mostly Restored - A day after Russia began shipping in troops, the president of Kazakhstan says that constitutional order has mostly been restored in the country with security forces maintaining an appearance of control over the streets.
Kazakh Media Claims Rioter Terrorists Foreign Trained By Single Command - Kazakh media is reportedly claiming that rioters are 'foreign trained terrorists' that speak Arabic and have all been trained by a single command.
The media claimed they speak Arabic, Tokayev has made no such claims but did claim that they are terrorists that were trained by a single command.
Russian Airborne Troops With Law Enforcement Takes Control Of Almaty Airport - The Russian Ministry of Defense has stated that Russian airborne troops along with law enforcement have taken over full control of the Almaty airport in Kazakhstan.
Russian MPs Calling For Permanent Russian Troop Deployment In Kazakhstan - Russian MPs are reportedly calling for Russian troop deployment in Kazakhstan to be permanent "to combat undesirable phenomena in the country and protect the Russian speaking population".
Kazakhstan Troops Ordered To Fire On Rioting Citizens Without Warning - Kazakhstan's leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has told security forces to 'fire without warning' on rioting citizens.
Tokayev has said that foreign trained 'terrorists' are responsible for the rioting and blamed '20,000 bandits' for attacking the city of Almaty but did not give any evidence to that affect.
So far the interior ministry has said that 26 'armed criminals' and 18 security officers are known to have been killed.
2,500 soldiers from the Russian led CSTO have arrived in Kazakhstan. Tokayev gave 'special thanks' to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the assistance.
Kazakhstan has reportedly shut down all its borders with Kyrgyzstan, presumably for mutual security as Almaty is located near the shared border.
Russia has sent in paratroopers to help put down the uprising in Kazakhstan as violence continues in its main city of Almaty on Thursday
Two members of Kazakhstan's security forces have been found decapitated. Tokayev has stated that the 'terrorists' must be destroyed.
President Of Kazakhstan Requests Help From Russia And CSTO - The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has reportedly requested help from Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO which consists of post-Soviet states to help restore order.
The CSTO consists of the following countries: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Tokaev called the rioters trained terrorists. Russia is reportedly ready and willing to help on the condition that Kazakhstan recognize Crimea, switch back to Cyrillic and make Russian the second national language in Kazakhstan.
A convoy of Belarusian troops and military vehicles are reportedly on their way to Kazakhstan. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered assistance to Kazakhstan immediately.
Dozens of rioters are reported to have been killed after security forces began firing at rioters in Almaty..
State Of Emergency Declared In Kazakhstan - The President of Kazakhstan has declared a two week state of emergency in two of the countries regions after thousands took the streets over the price of gas doubling. Night curfew has been put into place and rioters were hit with tear gas after the President vowed 'maximum toughness'.
President Of Kazakhstan Announces He Is Taking Over - President of Kazakhstan Tokayev has reportedly announced that he is taking over as chairman of the Security Council and will be staying in the Capital. Kazakhstan President Tokayev has vowed 'maximum toughness' in an address to the nation and announced that Nazarbayev is no longer the chairman of the Security Council.
Revolt Against Government In Kazakhstan Which Borders Russia - The President of Kazakhstan has reportedly accepted the government's resignation after reports that its people demanded the government resign over hiking fuel prices as #Russia reversed the flow of gas to Europe.
The government reportedly offered to lower fuel prices but after demands that the government resign the President reportedly accepted his resignation.
Gas prices in Europe skyrocketed to more than 30% due to low supplies from Russia after Russian President Vladimir Putin altered the flow of fuel from where it was flowing from Siberia to Europe and instead changed its flow eastward.
Three days before Christmas the flow of gas from Yamal, Russia to Europe reversed direction in a move that puts pressure on Europe.
Rioters have stormed the government building in the largest city of Almaty
Russia and Belarus are now putting out propaganda blaming the West and social media influence for the instability in Kazakhstan.
A Russian spokesperson said that Kazakhstan authorities have not requested aid from Russia.
There are currently reports from all over Kazakhstan that users are no longer able to upload files or send messages over the internet.
Explosions have been heard at the administrative City Hall building in Aktau, Kazakhstan as rioters lay siege to the building.
Kazakhstan forces are using stun grenades on the rioters.
Reports coming in that several fighters of the Kazakhstan National Guard joined the rioters and took several armored vehicles over with them in Aktau.
Professor: Russia Has Made It Clear That Imposing Sanctions Will Be Seen As An 'Act Of War' - Curtin University Political analyst Joe Siracusa stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear to Biden that imposing sanctions would be seen as an 'act of war' after Biden threatened Putin with sanctions over Ukraine.
Biden warned Putin that the United States could impose sanctions against Russia if they continue to invade Ukraine. Putin responded saying that a US move could lead to a complete collapse of ties between the US and Russia.
Professor Siracusa told Sky News Australia "Putin’s made it very clear – drastic sanctions will be considered an act of war".
"He even told the president I hope our descendants don’t judge us badly by it. This is probably the most serious crisis we’re going to have in early 2022." he stated.
US General Wants To Add Battle Groups In Romania And Bulgaria - The top U.S. General in Europe is seeking to reinforce NATO's eastern flank by adding battle groups in Romania and Bulgaria ahead of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.
General Tod Wolters proposed the additional battle groups with a total of 1,500 personnel to allied military chiefs in a video call according to German news Der Spiegel.
Wolters also suggested that allies use satellites and sensors to monitor threats in eastern Europe and immediately share the data with the alliance according to Der Spiegel.
This move would defy Russian demands that NATO withdraw all forces from eastern Europe.
Ukraine Enacts Law That Prohibits Russian Vessels From Accessing Ukrainian Waters - Ukraine has enacted a new law that prohibits Russian vessels from entering internal waters within Ukraine.
Ukrinform stated that the the relevant document was posting on the Supreme Council of Ukraine website and prohibits any vessels under the authority of the 'aggressor state' from transporting passengers and cargo between river ports. Cabotage voyages of registered Russian vessels are also prohibited.
Ukrinform also said that "In particular, the registration of Russian vessels in the State Vessel Register of Ukraine is prohibited" and that "the internal waters of the country include such rivers as the Dniester, Danube and Dnieper".
Intel Shows Russia Still Sending Troops To Ukrainian Border - New intel shows that Russia is still sending troops to the Ukrainian border as of December 30th, 2021.
The Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), a group of independent Russian investigators as well as Ukriniform, a Ukrainian multimedia broadcasting company reported on December 30th, 2021 that Russia continues to send troops to the Ukrainian border and setting up new camps, joined with more tanks, howitzers and sophisticated air defense systems.
The intelligence article stated "As new virtual summits and talks with the U.S., NATO and OSCE are being announced, Russian forces keep arriving into border regions. Open-source data shows how the earlier discovered camps are growing, new camps are set up, while tanks and howitzers are joined by sophisticated air defense systems".
The CIT report stated that over the past month troops and vehicles are being actively transported to the north-east and south-east regions of Ukraine, regions that do not border the 'rebel' territories in Eastern Ukraine which is outside government control.
The report stated that Russian forces are currently being concentrated in different areas, including Klintsy and Klimovo in Bryansk region which is less than 50km and 10km from the Ukrainian border.
An increased concentration in vehicles was also reported near Valuyki Belgrod about 10km from the Ukrainian border as well as an increase in Russian forces in Crimea.
Lavrov: If Constructive Response Does Not Come From West We Will Take All Necessary Measures - Minister of Russian Foreign Affairs, Lavrov said that if the West does not have a constructive response and continues with its 'aggressive line' then all necessary measures will be taken to eliminate unacceptable threats to Russia's security.
Sergeĭ Viktorovich Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation stated, "If a constructive response does not follow within a reasonable time and the West continues its aggressive line, then Russia will be forced to take all necessary measures to ensure a strategic balance and eliminate unacceptable threats to our security".
Press Secretary Statement On Biden's Phone Call With Putin - In a statement put out by Press secretary Jen Psaki regarding Biden's phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden urged Russia to de-escalate tensions and said the U.S. will 'respond decisively' if Russia 'further invades Ukraine'.
The statement read "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. President Biden urged Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine.
He made clear that the United States and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine. President Biden also expressed support for diplomacy, starting early next year with the bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue, at NATO through the NATO-Russia Council, and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
President Biden reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de-escalation rather than escalation".
Russia Welcomes More Joint Military Drills With Belarus - Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcoming more joint military drills with Belarus.
Putin stated that the new round of joint military drills between the two countries will be held in February or March in Belarus.
US Embassy In Ukraine Making Evacuation Preparations - The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine is making emergency evacuation preparations in case it has to evacuate non-emergency personnel or families of diplomats according to internal emails obtained by ABC News.
The U.S. embassy in Kyiv is also seeking to add additional security staff to fill in temporarily next month as "permanent staff continue Emergency Preparations in case of Authorized or Ordered Departure".
According to ABC News the State Department confirmed on Wednesday that they are "conducting normal contingency planning, as we always do, in the event the security situation severely deteriorates".
U.S. And Russia Set To Hold Security Talks On January 10th - The U.S. and Russia are set to hold security talks on January 10th. Each will address concerns each has about the other's military activity and address tensions over Ukraine.
The European Union has also voiced that they demand to be included in the security deal.
European Union foreign affairs chief Joseph Borrell said "saying "Any discussion about European security must happen in coordination with and participation of EU".
The Biden administration also announced the January 10th meeting and said that Russia and NATO are likely going to hold talks on January 12th.
Another meeting on January 13th was also announced that would include Russia, Washington and European countries.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that he hopes talks with the U.S. in Geneva will start the process to give Russia security guarantees.
Russia Claims Ukraine May Attack Crimea Early 2022- Russian State Duma deputy Mikhail Delyagin claims that Ukraine aims to attack Crimea in early 2022 due to Ukraine's 'bad internal situation of absolute hopelessness'.
"There is a real threat of an attack on Russia, they (Ukrainians. - Ed. note) are being prepared for this, but they don't really want it. <...> They are pushed to it very strongly by the West" Delyagin stated.
"We will enter the risk zone, I'm afraid, somewhere at the beginning of February and we will sit in this risk zone until the middle of March, maybe until the end of March" he added.
Moscow repeatedly denies claims that Russia is planning to attack Ukraine despite Russia having amassed a great number of forces, military equipment and artillery near their shared border with Ukraine.
Russia: NATO Refusing To Speak To Us On Equal Basis - Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin stated on Monday that NATO is refusing to speak to Russia on an equal basis and maintain an 'equal' dialogue.
"The alliance has been ignoring Russia’s interests and avoiding an equal discussion of the existing problems. For instance, in 2009, it turned down Russia’s proposal to sign a new comprehensive agreement on mutual security guarantees amid a chill in bilateral relations following the developments in Georgia in 2008" he stated.
He spoke of proposals the Russian Armed Forces General Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov allegedly gave over to the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Petr Pavel in 2017 with proposals on the normalization of relations.
"One of these proposals was to maintain high-level contacts. However, talks held in a period from 2016 to 2021 demonstrated that the alliance is not ready for substantive talks between the military and is seeking to avoid concrete de-escalation solutions, and hence, is turning down all Russian initiatives".
Fomin also stated that the proposals that were given over included the exchange of information on known terrorist threats.
Ukraine Begins Conscription Of Women Into Military Amid Threat Of Russian Invasion - On December 17th Ukraine began mandatory conscription of women into their military of ages between 18 and 60 who are 'fit for military service' amid a looming threat of a Russian invasion.
Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of Ukraine's national parliament stated "This is not about conscription after reaching some age, as it is for men. It is about conscription in the wartime. And considering more than 122,000 Russian troops are at our borders, the decision seems logical, timely, and sensible".
"This sends a powerful signal to Moscow that Ukrainians are ready to resist", Ustinova said to Coffee or Die Magazine. "Although we strive for introduction of the contract army, in current situation, the decision to educate as many people as possible to hold arms and to be ready to serve seems a good one".
Ukraine Intelligence Says Russia Continues To Increase Forces Near Its Border - Ukrainian intelligence says that Russia continues to increase forces, combat equipment, artillery and armored vehicles near the Ukrainian border.
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated "The command of the Russian Federation's Defense Ministry continued to increase the operational capabilities of the Russian occupying forces on the temporarily occupied territory in Donetsk and Luhansk regions during the course of the current year".
The statement continued, "In particular, the occupants transported by rail and automobile transport from the Russian territory to the units of the 1st (Donetsk) and 2nd (Luhansk) Army Corps with munitions, combat equipment, ammunition and ammunition, radioelectronic warfare equipment, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The occupants also used the so-called "humanitarian convoys" for the supply of military materiel".
"Currently, Russia has significantly increased deliveries of armored combat vehicles, both new and refurbished or upgraded at Russian repair facilities, to units and units of the occupying forces".
"In addition, to the enemy's units for the staffing of troops for specific military specialties, especially for riflemen, snipers, artillerymen, Russian military servicemen and mercenaries from the Russian Federation are sent to the occupation with specific military specialties, especially the rogue soldiers, snipers, artillerymen and radio-electronic warfare".
Russia Forms New Airborne Assault Regiment In Crimea - A Russian Commander of the Russian Airborne Troop has announced that Russia has formed a new airborne assault regiment in Crimea.
Russian Armed Forces Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov said "Two airborne assault regiments have been formed in Pskov and Crimea as part of airborne assault divisions, which have strengthened the combat potential of our Armed Forces in the west and in the south of the country".
U.S. Navy Orders Warships To Stay in Mediterranean Sea Amid Tensions With Russia - The U.S. Navy has ordered its warships to stay in the Mediterranean Sea amid tensions with Russia regarding Ukraine.
The warships, which include the USS Harry S. Truman and five accompanying vessels were set to navigate to the Middle East region but were ordered to stay in the Mediterranean Sea due to renewed tensions and Russian military buildup near the Ukrainian border.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to the Associated Press on Tuesday and said that the Navy felt the need for a 'persistent presence' in Europe after many intelligence reports that Russia intends on invading Ukraine by the end of January or early February of 2022.
The continued pretense of U.S. forces in Europe defy Russian demands that the United States and NATO withdraw all troops and forces out of eastern Europe.
The Harry Truman strike group consists of five ships, including the USS San Jacinto cruiser, three guided missile destroyers USS Cole, USS Brainbridge, USS Gravely and USS Jason Dunham. The Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen is also with them.
The Harry S. Truman left Norfolk, Virginia, its home port on December 1st and began navigating in the Mediterranean Sea on December 14th. It was scheduled to navigate from there to the Middle Eastern Gulf Region before it was commanded to remain in the Mediterranean.
Russian Defense Ministry Warns High Risk Of Armed Conflict Over Ukraine - MOSCOW - Russia's Foreign Ministry warned foreign ambassadors that there is a 'high risk' of conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Full Article
Russia Says We're Close To A Situation Where Diplomacy Will Play A Subordinate Role - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told International Affairs magazine that we are close to a point where diplomacy will play a subordinate role and where 'we will be unable to reconcile ourselves with current events'.
"I would not like to discuss an escalation scenario. I believe that we are close to a point where diplomacy, however crucial and effective, will be playing a subordinate role" he stated.
"We are not putting forward any ultimatums," he said. "But the logic is pushing us towards a situation where will be unable to reconcile ourselves with the current events, to swallow all this and to pretend that nothing is happening".
"Political and diplomatic means must be employed for settling the situation. We have already said how it is to be settled. We are calling upon one and all to take the most serious attitude to this and to avoid looking for something far-fetched or excessive in our proposals".
Russia however continues to build up troops and artillery on the Ukrainian border and reiterating its demands to the U.S. and NATO.
Russia Says They Do Not Rule Out That West Is Planning A 'Small War' In Ukraine - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that he does not rule out that the West is planning a 'small war' in ukraine so that they can accuse Moscow of it and then impose sanctions to restrict Russia's capabilities.
"I do not rule out that there is a desire to fuel militaristic sentiments in Ukraine, to make 'a little war,' then blame us and impose another sanctions to suppress our competitive capabilities" Lavrov stated. He also said that if sanctions are imposed then 'they will never be lifted'.
Despite accusations and propaganda by Russia that the United States wants a war, Russia continues to send heavy artillery, tanks and soldiers to positions near the Ukrainian border and threatens the US and NATO consequences for not meeting their demands not to allow Ukraine into NATO and to withdraw all forces from Eastern Europe.
Russia Says They Are Not Bluffing With Their Demands To U.S. And NATO - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Foreign Affairs magazine on Monday that Russia is not bluffing with their demands to the United States and NATO.
"When we say loud and clear that we demand an official withdrawal of the decision made at the 2008 Bucharest summit relating to Ukraine and Georgia’s [intentions] to join NATO, <...> when we say that further expansion of NATO needs to be prevented, when we say that NATO facilities and all kinds of activities that are provocative for Russia need to be rolled back to the positions that existed in 1997 when the NATO-Russia Founding Act was signed, we are not bluffing" Ryabkov stated.
"These are our real proposals. The West’s awareness of this needs to be facilitated and we are going to make every effort to achieve it" he added.
German And Russian Envoys To Meet Regarding Ukraine - German and Russian Envoys have agreed to meet in person in January to attempt to ease tensions between Russia and Ukraine according to Reuters.
While the United States believes that Russia intends to invade Ukraine, Germany has doubts about this being the case and wants to de-escalate tensions through diplomacy. Some believe however that Germany is being soft on Russia due to its dependency on Russian gas.
Putin Boasts About Latest Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile Test - At a joint meeting of the State Council and Council for Science and Education Putin boasted about the latest successful Tsirkon hypersonic missile test Russia carried out on December 24th.
"Last night or, to be more exact, this morning, the Tsirkon hypersonic system was salvo-launched. This is our advanced missile that can hit both seaborne and ground targets. The tests were successful and smooth. This is a big event in the country’s life and a considerable step towards enhancing Russia’s security and its defense capability" Putin stated.
Putin also addressed Denis Manturov, the Industry and Trade Minister and asked him to "convey the best regards and congratulations to the staffs that worked on this system and thank all for the result and express the sincerest words of gratitude to all the developers, designers, engineers and workers — all those who were involved in this work".
Russia: Accepting Finland And Sweden Into NATO Will Trigger Response -Accepting Sweden and Finland into NATO will have 'serious' military and political consequences that won't be left unanswered by Russia according to Russia's Foreign Ministry.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said that NATO's attempts to "draw those countries into the orbit of its interests and opportunistic policies".
"It’s quite obvious that Finland and Sweden joining NATO … would have serious military and political consequences that would require an adequate response from the Russian side" she stated.
At a June summit, NATO vowed to bolster ties saying "n support of our common security, including by crisis management preparation, exercises, and exchanging information and analysis".
Zakharova also addressed the documents that Russia issued to NATO and the United States addressing their demands, saying "ruling out the expansion of NATO and the deployment of weapon systems that threaten our security near the Russian borders are going to be the main, key issues at the upcoming talks with the US and NATO".
British Ready To Pull Their Troops In Ukraine In Event Of Invasion - British Commanders have drawn up contingency plans to evacuate all of the British troops from Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion.
Britain has over 100 troops in training and advisory roles with US, Polish and Canadian forces in Ukraine.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace says that it is 'highly unlikely' that British forces will be fighting Russian troops on Ukrainian soil.
U.S. Intelligence Did Say Russia Would Obfuscate Intel By Moving Troops Back And Forth - Regarding the 10,000 troops Russia has reportedly moved away from the border, U.S. intelligence did say that Russia would likely move battalion and tactical groups to and from the border 'to obfuscate intentions and to create uncertainty'.
All forces necessary to invade Ukraine are present. It is likely that the 10,000 troops pulled from the border were done with the intention to obfuscate intentions and create uncertainty, just as what was predicted by US intelligence in the beginning of December.
NATO Invites Russia To Council Meeting On January 12th - NATO has invited Russia to a council meeting on January 12th between both NATO and Russia, and Russia is reportedly 'considering it' but insits it wants its demands met.
"The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has decided to convene a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on 12 January 2022 in his capacity as the Chair of the NATO-Russia Council. We are in contact with Russia as regards the meeting" NATO's press service stated.
"As the North Atlantic Council made clear in its December 16 statement on the situation in and around Ukraine, "any dialogue with Russia would have to proceed on the basis of reciprocity, address NATO’s concerns about Russia’s actions, be based on the core principles and foundational documents of European security, and take place in consultation with NATO’s European Partners"
The Russian news agency TASS said that a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman told them "We have already received this proposal. We are considering it".
TASS also reported that Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said "Russia is ready for direct dialogue with NATO on Russia’s draft agreements on security guarantees that would exclude NATO’s further eastwards expansion and deployment of its weapons in the exact proximity to the Russian borders".
Russia To Take Military Measures If NATO Rejects Its Demands - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he is pondering a slew of options if the West fails to meet his demands for security guarantees, including military measures.
Putin has urged the West to move quickly to meet Russia's demands and said that if the West continues its 'aggressive' course they will take adequate military measures.
When Putin was asked what Russia's response would be in particular, he said 'it could be diverse. It will depend on what proposals our military experts submit to me'.
Russia had submitted their demands that NATO and the US withdraw forces from Eastern Europe as well as withdraw their promise to Ukraine about future membership which the US and NATO have already rejected.
"We didn’t do it just to see it blocked ... but for the purpose of reaching a negotiated diplomatic result that would be fixed in legally binding documents" Putin stated.
Russia continues to claim that their recent aggressive moves are because NATO membership for Ukraine is a red line for Russia.
"We have nowhere to retreat" Putin stated, saying that it would take only 4 to 5 minutes for NATO missiles deployed in Ukraine to reach Russia. "They have pushed us to a line that we can’t cross. They have taken it to the point where we simply must tell them; ‘Stop!’".
"We have just one goal — to reach agreements that would ensure the security of Russia and its citizens now and in a long-term perspective" Putin stated.
A senior Biden official said that "there are some things in those documents that the Russians know will be unacceptable" that the Biden administration will not likely agree on.
Russia Test Fires Cruise Missile From Sea Of Japan - Russia has reportedly test fired a cruise missile from a submarine in the Sea of Japan, hitting a target on land about 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) away.
The Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a diesel-electric submarine fired the cruise missile at a training ground located on the Russian shore according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The training operation also included covert movement and navy vessel support, along with drones and aircraft.
Russia - No Discussion For Next Meeting Between US And Russia Underway - Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov says there is no discussion currently underway regarding a meeting between Biden and Putin.
"No discussion on it is underway, not by a long shot" Peskov stated, saying that a meeting between the United States and Russia will only be possible after security guarantees are provided to Russia.
"We have said that it will probably occur in January. And we will expect particular answers to questions raised" he stated.
Over 10,000 Russian Troops Returning To Base After Drills - Over 10,000 Russian troops are returning to their permanent bases after drills near the Ukrainian border according to the Russian military.
Interfax, quoting the Russian military stated "A stage of combat coordination of divisions, combat crews, squads at motorized units... has been completed. More than 10,000 military servicemen... will march to their permanent deployment from the territory of the combined arms' area of drills".
Ukraine estimates there are still between 100,000 and 120,000 Russian troops stationed near its border.
Russia: US Sending Thousands Of Military Personnel To Ukrainian Front Lines - Russian state run news RT has reported that the US is sending 'thousands of military personnel' to Ukrainian front lines. Full Article
UN Delegations Joint Statement: Russia Has Used a UN Security Council Event To Proclaim False Narratives - A joint statement of 36 delegations to the United Nations states that Russia has used a UN Security Council event to proclaim false narratives against other states.
Russia organized an event at the UN Security Council against the glorification of Nazism to voice false accusations against the Baltic states and Ukraine.
The statement said that Russia used the event "to make cynical and unfounded accusations against Member States, to distort history for its own political purposes, and to promote a false narrative and disinformation on neighboring countries".
The document stated that the timing of the event was 'especially troubling, coming against the backdrop of Russian military build-up on the Crimean peninsula and on Ukraine's borders'.
According to the authors of the statement, the UN charter prohibits threats or use of force against the territorial integrity or political Independence of any state.
The document states "Any further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and a severe cost in response".
The 36 Western Delegations involved in authoring the statement calls on Russia to stop its hostile disinformation campaign against Ukraine, to de-escalate tensions and "withdraw without delay the forces and equipment it has stationed in the country without Ukraine's consent".
Russia Threatens That Accepting Ukraine Into NATO Could Lead To Military Conflict In Europe - Russian Foreign Minister Sergeĭ Viktorovich Lavrov threatened that accepting Ukraine into NATO and deploying missiles near Russia's borders could lead to a large military conflict in Europe.
Sputnik news reported Lavrov saying "The policy to draw Ukraine into NATO and deploy missiles near Russia's borders provokes serious military risks, up to a large-scale conflict in Europe".
Lavrov stated "The line of drawing Kiev into NATO with the prospect of the appearance of attack missile systems near our borders creates unacceptable threats to the security of Russia, provoking serious military risks for all parties involved, up to a large-scale conflict in Europe".
Lavrov also said: "Speaking about the Russian-US relations, I would like to note the following. An unhealthy situation has developed in interaction with Washington. A lot of 'irritants' have accumulated. The Americans are following an openly unfriendly line: they are imposing sanctions, making unsubstantiated accusations against us, taking other hostile steps".
Russia Says They Won't Accept Preconditions For Talks - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says that Russia will not be accepting any 'preconditions' from Washington on security guarantees. Full Article
Russian Buildup Gaining Steam According To Satellite Images - New satellite images that have been released show that the Russian buildup near Ukraine's border is picking up steam, with more tanks, mobile rocket artillery systems and advanced short-range ballistic missile batteries according to POLITICO.
The satellite images, which were taken by the Maxar Technologies satellite company on December 13th were released just hours after Russia and the US issued warnings to each other in regards to what will come next in the current standoff between Russia and the West.
Despite the fact that Russia and the United States are working to setup a meeting in January to address issues and alleviate tensions, Russia continues to build up troops, tanks and artillery near their border with Ukraine.
Russia Claims US Has 150 Mercenaries In Eastern Ukraine - On Tuesday Russia claimed that the United States has 150 mercenaries in Eastern Ukraine where Russian militants have been fighting with Ukraine forces.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Americans in Eastern Ukraine were wearing Sokol uniforms. Sokol is the Police force of Ukraine. Russia said that this was 'of particular concern'.
The U.S. State Department said that the United States 'do not have any U.S. military units in Ukraine' currently.
Washington Wants To Warn Ukraine Of Invasion In Real Time - Washington is working on a system that will issue battlefield intelligence to Ukraine that may give the country an early warning to respond to invading Russian forces.
The system has not been approved yet, but would likely anger Russia further which sees military aid given by the United States to Ukraine as an aggressive move.
Washington: Moscow Stepping Up Disinformation In Possible Prelude To Invading Ukraine - A senior White House official told reporters that Moscow has stepped up their disinformation campaign in a possible prelude to invading Ukraine.
The White House was responding to numerous statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed to alter the world's perception of the current situation in Ukraine.
In one statement Putin said "How would the Americans react if on their frontier with Canada we deployed our missiles. It's a question of security and you know our red lines".
The White House official said "To be clear, we see no evidence of that escalation on the Ukrainian side. And we have tried to be very clear to partners and allies that this is a Russian disinformation effort that's underway. It's not unexpected; it fits a standard playbook".
There are currently over 120,000 Russian troops stationed near Ukraine's borders and in Russian annexed Crimea that Russia illegally annexed which is something that is often ignored in the midst of Russia's disinformation campaigns.
"It's clear to us that if Russia goes ahead with what may be underway, we and our allies are prepared to impose severe costs that would damage Russia's economy and bring about exactly what it says it does not want: more NATO capabilities, not less; closer to Russia, not further away" the Washington official stated.
Ukraine Says Military Ready To Respond To Enemy Fire - Ukrainian top commander Lieutenant General Valeriy Zaluzhniy says that while they support the state of the ceasefire in Donbass with the Russian militants, Ukraine will give an appropriate response to any enemy attack.
"Our military keep serving their duties. They guard their homeland, protect civilians and themselves. Or course, if there’s a threat to the life and health of military personnel or civilians, the military must act the same way as they did before" he stated.
He also clarified that under the ceasefire terms with the militants, Ukrainian soldiers are not banned from opening fire in response to attacks by Russian-led militants.
"But then again, we are the military, we absolutely support the state of ceasefire that would, of course, give us a chance to avoid possible fatalities".
US Ready To Act If And When We Need To Regarding Russia And Ukraine - The United States "is ready to act if and when we need to” if Russia invades Ukraine" a senior administration official stated according to White House reporter Natasha Bertrand.
The official said that the penalties, coordinated closely with U.S. Allies would severely damage Russia's economy and result in NATO capabilities being moved closer to Russia's borders.
Russia To Carry Out Paratrooper Drills Near Ukraine's Border - Russia is set to carry out paratrooper drills near the Ukrainian border this week according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Around 1,200 troops and 250 vehicles and aircraft is reported to be involved in the drills that will be carried out in Russian annexed Crimea and the Krasnodar Province.
One of the drills that will be practiced will be simulating capturing areas as part of an offensive operation.
Putin: One Gets The Impression That Maybe They Are Preparing A Third Military Operation - Putin regarding threats of sanctions "if Ukraine is attacked": We are told "war, war, war. One gets the impression that maybe they are preparing a third military operation [in Donbass], and they warn us in advance "don't interfere, don't protect these people. And maybe they are preparing for this?"
Russia Says Ukraine Believes Russia Planning Nuclear Attack - Russian controlled media says that Ukraine believes Russia is planning a nuclear attack on Ukraine.
RT claims that the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk stated that 'as of 1991, Ukraine had the third largest nuclear capability in the world' due to nuclear warheads it obtained after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Then, he noted that Kyiv "voluntarily gave this up to become a non-nuclear state” just a few years later. However, the politician alleged that Russia, which “was the guarantor of such disarmament, hints that if we continue our democratic development, it may even launch a nuclear strike against us".
The Russian State media then pointed at a remark said by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who said "In recent weeks, we have seen a stream of consciousness from the Ukrainian leadership – especially when it comes to the military – that is excessively inflamed and dangerous".
Putin Says West Must Provide Unconditional Security Guarantees - Putin spoke at an annual news conference and said that the "ball is in the West's court".
When asked by Sky News whether Putin can guarantee that Russia will not invade Ukraine or any other sovereign country, Putin stated "Our actions will not depend on the negotiations, they will depend on the unconditional compliance with the Russian security demands today and in an historical context".
"In this sense we have made it clear that any further NATO movement to the East is unacceptable, there is nothing unclear about this." he said.
"We are not deploying our missiles over at the border of the US. On the other hand, the US is deploying its missiles close to our home, on the doorstep of our house".
"What would the Americans think if we decided to come to the border between Canada and the United States, or Mexico, and simply deploy our own missiles over there?".
Putin said that in 1990 NATO 'fooled' Russia by promising not to expand eastward across Europe but then carried out 'five waves of expansion' going against that guarantee.
"And you keep demanding some guarantees from us. You must give us the guarantees. It is up to you, and you must do this immediately, right now, instead of talking about this for decades" he said while waving his finger.
"Using this small talk, soft talk, about the need for guarantees of the security for everyone. We are not threatening anybody".
"You say you will not expand and then you keep expanding. You say we will have equal guarantees for everyone on a number of international agreements, and then we see there is no equality or no equal security" he said.
Russia Urges West To Act Quickly To Respond To Its Demands For Security Guarantees - Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the United States to act quickly to respond to its demands for security guarantees and to sign an agreement that NATO will withdraw forces from Eastern Europe and not expand further.
"We want to ensure our security" Putin stated. “We put it straight: there must be no further expansion of NATO eastward."
Withdrawing US and NATO troops from Eastern Europe and agreeing not to expand further was not the only 'security guarantee' that Russia put on the table however.
Russia also wants the United States and NATO to withdraw its promise to the Ukraine that it would one day be able to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) but the US and NATO has made it clear that isn't going to happen.
Russia Believes Ukraine Preparing For New Military Operation In Donbas - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that he believes Ukraine is preparing for a new military operation in Donbas and that the West is calling on Russia not to interfere.
"We have the impression that they are, perhaps, preparing a third military operation and are warning us in advance, ‘not to interfere, not to defend these people [the Donbass population] and if you interfere and defend them, new sanctions will follow.’ This is the first scenario that we must react to" Putin stated.
"The second scenario involves generally creating an ‘anti-Russia’ on this territory [Ukraine] with the constant pumping of advanced weapons into it and with the brainwashing of the population" he added.
Russian News Agency TASS said that under the cover of new weapon systems supplied by the West, 'Ukrainian radicals' may be 'pushed' and 'provoked' to attempt to return Crimea to Ukraine militarily.
It is for this reason, Putin said, that Russia 'must think about ensuring its security in the short-term perspective'.
40,000 NATO Rapid Reaction Force Put On High Alert - 40,000 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Rapid Reaction Force Soldiers have been put on high alert due to threat of a Russian invasion on Ukraine according to Die Welt News.
The NATO High Rediness Joint Task Force, part of the NRF should be ready to deploy to the area of crisis in 5 days time. Special forces and military logistics are also on high alert.
US Alarms Russia By Selling Lithuania Anti-Tank Missiles - Washington has alarmed Russia by approving the sale of anti-tank Javelin missiles to Lithuania. Full Article
Batch Of Russian Su-34 Bombers Delivered To Lipetsk - A batch of nuclear capable Russian Su-34 bombers was delivered to a Lipetsk based State Aviation Personnel Training and Troop Testing Center of the Russian Defense Ministry according to the Russian Ministry of Defense website.
"Crews of the Aerospace Forces flew from Novosibirsk Region to the permanent airfield. They covered about four thousand kilometers. The redeployment was carried out without intermediate stops" the MOD stated.
"In the near future, the aircraft will be used for their intended purpose as part of the winter training period" the MOD site added.
Ukraine Updates Number Of Russian Troops Near Its Border - The Ukrainian Secretary of the National Security And SE Council (NSDC) now says there are 122,000 Russian troops within 200km of its borders and another 143,500 stationed within 400km of its borders.
NSDC secretary Oleksiy Danilov stated "As for the number of troops… To date, what we see is 122,000 Russian troops located at 200 km and 143,500 at 400 km within this radius of our border".
"We understand what is happening there, and in the event of an escalation - which can’t happen instantly, relatively speaking within a today, we need to prepare for this – we are monitoring all this".
He also noted that a new law on national resistance will come into effect on January 1st, 2021 which will strengthen the countries defenses.
"We have additional resources, and the territorial defense, if necessary, will repel the aggressor. Weapons must remain lubricated. I wish it’s we don’t have to use them, but if necessary, all citizens know what to do".
Russia Calls NATO's Response To Russia's Demands Inappropriate - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's response to Russia's security guarantee proposals 'inappropriate'.
"Mr. Stoltenberg - NATO’s Secretary-General - keeps making some not very appropriate statements. He is about to step down, though. His term of office is expiring this year" he stated.
"When Mr. Stoltenberg says loudly and rather arrogantly that nobody is in the position to violate the principle of the Washington treaty, which keeps the door open to any potential aspirant eager to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, he should remember that we are not a participant in that organization, that we are not signatory to that treaty, but that we are signatories to a broader regional Euro-Atlantic document, which contains the principle of the indivisibility of security".
"If Mr. Stoltenberg thinks that NATO is free to discard this principle, which is enshrined in documents adopted at the summit level, then possibly the time is ripe for him to seek new employment, because he is certainly no good for his current job" Lavrov said.
Russia Claims Of US and Ukraine Threatening Chemical Attack Disinformation - WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department has accused Russia of spreading 'dangerous misinformation' for claiming that U.S. Mercenaries are preparing to use chemical weapons in the eastern Ukrainian conflict zone in Donbas. Full Article
Washington: Russia Responsible For Tensions Not United States Or Ukraine - US State Department Spokesman Ned Price put out a tweet saying contrary to statements from Moscow, Russia and its proxies are responsible for tensions, not Ukraine or United States.
"We call on Russia to stop using false, inflammatory rhetoric and take meaningful steps to de-escalate tensions to provide a positive atmosphere for discussions" Price stated.
Putin Says Russia Has No Room To Retreat In Standoff With US On Ukraine - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia has no room to retreat in a standoff with the US over Ukraine and will be forced into a tough response unless the West drops what he calls its 'aggressive line'.
Putin stated "What the U.S. is doing in Ukraine is at our doorstep... And they should understand that we have nowhere further to retreat to. Do they think we’ll just watch idly?".
"If the aggressive line of our Western colleagues continues, we will take adequate military-technical response measures and react harshly to unfriendly steps".
NATO Again Rejects Russia's Demand Regarding Ukraine's Membership - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has once again rejected Russia's demands that NATO back out of their promise that Ukraine would gain NATO membership in the future.
Jens Stoltenberg says that the alliance stands with 'Ukraine's right to choose its own path' regarding NATO membership and refused to compromise regardless of any threats of consequences by Russia.
"We have made clear that any further aggression against Ukraine would carry a very high price" Stoltenberg stated.
"We will also continue to support our close partner Ukraine, politically and practically. And we stand up for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and we stand also for Ukraine’s right to choose its own path."
Kremlin Mouthpiece Warns NATO To Back Off Or Everyone Will Be Turned To Radioactive Ash - Dmitry Kiselyov who is known to be Putin's mouthpiece has stated that Russia is putting a 'gun to America's head' and that if NATO forces don't back off 'everyone will be turned to radioactive ash'.
NATO: The Buildup of Russian Forces Near Ukraine's Border Continues - NATO Secretary General Gens Stoltenberg gave an update regarding the status of the Russian forces, tanks and heavy artillery near the Ukrainian border saying "The buildup continues".
Russia: US Is Building Up Forward Military Presence Near Borders - The Russian Defense Ministry says that the US is building up a forward military presence with 8,000 troops near Russia's border in Eastern Europe.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated during a Defense Ministry meeting on Tuesday "The US is scaling up its forward military presence near the Russian borders. In Eastern Europe, some 8,000 US troops have been deployed. As for the grouping of US troops in Germany, the Command Theater Engagement has been recreated there. Until 1991, it was responsible for using medium-range missiles".
He also said that it's necessary to have strike missile weapons.
Russia Says It's Prepared To Take Military Steps To Respond To 'Unfriendly' Actions By West - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said today that Russia is prepared to take 'military-technical measures' in response to what he calls 'unfriendly' actions by the West regarding Ukraine.
"In the event of the continuation of the obviously aggressive stance by our Western colleagues, we will take appropriate retaliatory military-technical measures" Putin said at a defense ministry meeting.
Russia "will react toughly to unfriendly steps," Putin said, adding that he wants "to emphasize that we have every right to do so." he continued.
Putin had previously issued Russia's demands that the US and NATO withdraw all forces from eastern Europe but then said that Russia "can't trust them".
Putin said that "the United States easily withdraws from all international treaties that for one reason or another become uninteresting to them" indicating he wouldn't trust security guarantees even if the US and NATO agreed to them.
This, after Russian News Agency TSS reported that the US is building a forward military presence near Russia's borders in Eastern Europe despite Russia's demands for US and NATO troops to pull completely out of Eastern Europe.
Russia Demanding Urgent Talks With US, Warns Of Military Response To NATO Activity - Russia is demanding immediate talks with the United States regarding their request for security guarantees from NATO and warning of a military response to NATO activity.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov spoke just days after Russia issued their list of demands to the United States and NATO and said "We need [answers] urgently since the situation is very serious and may get more complicated" which was reported by Russia's state run news agency RIA Novosti.
Konstantin Gavrilov, head of Russia's delegation on military security and arms control also repeated an earlier warning by Ryabkov against what Russia believes is NATO's 'threatening' activities.
Gavrilov said "Everyone in NATO understands well that, despite all [its] strength and power, it needs to take concrete political actions. Otherwise the alternative is a military-technical and military response from Russia".
Ryabkov said that he believes the West will 'attempt to turn' Russia's demands 'into a sluggish process'.
Many believe the demands that Russia submitted are so unrealistic that they were actually written to be rejected and may be an excuse for continued aggressive behavior.
US State Department Issues Do Not Travel Advisory For Ukraine - The US Department of State has issued a level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Ukraine for risk of COVID-19 as well as 'increased threats from Russia', saying there are reports Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine.
State Department: "The Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens not to travel to Ukraine due to COVID-19 and to reconsider travel due to increased threats from Russia".
U.S. citizens choosing to travel to Ukraine should be aware that Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine would severely impact the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including assistance to U.S. citizens in departing Ukraine.
The statement also reads:
"U.S. citizens should be aware of reports that Russia is planning for significant military action against Ukraine. U.S. citizens are also reminded the security conditions, particularly along Ukraine's borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea, and in Russia controlled eastern Ukraine, are unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice.
U.S. citizens choosing to travel to Ukraine should be aware that Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine would severely impact the U.S. Embassy's ability to provide consular services, including assistance to U.S. citizens in departing Ukraine."
Germany: NATO Will Not Let Russia Dictate Its Military Posture - Germany: NATO will not let Russia dictate its military posture.
German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Sunday that NATO will discuss Russia's security proposals but that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will not allow Moscow to dictate its military posture.
Russia issued the US and NATO a document that Russia wanted signed stating that the United States and NATO will stop all military activity in Eastern Europe and Ukraine and allow Russia to veto any and all future NATO membership for Ukraine which NATO has already blatantly refused to agree to.
Lambrecht spoke to reporters and stated "We need to solve the current tensions on the diplomatic level but just as well by putting up a credible deterrence".
"We will discuss Russia's proposals... But it cannot be that Russia dictates to NATO partners their posture, and that is something that we will make very clear in the talks (at the NATO council next week)" she said.
Russia Expels 2 German Diplomats In Response To Germany Expelling 2 Russian Diplomats - In a tit for tat move, Russia has expelled two German diplomats and declared them persona non-grata in response for Germany expelling two Russian diplomats from its embassy for the 2019 assassination that was allegedly backed by Russia and carried out in Germay in 2019.
Russian Reserve Troops Begin Marching Towards Ukraine - *UNVERIFIED* reports circulating along with a video that Russian reserve troops have been called upon and are marching in the snow toward Ukraine.
Video of the reservists marching in the snow posted by Former Minister of Defense of the Donetsk People's Republic Igor Ivanovich Strelkov. Follow Us to see the video on social media. Watch for updates when more information is available on this.
Russia: Ukraine's Actions Have Reached A Boiling Point That Forces Russia To Take Radical Steps - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said that Ukraine's actions have reached a 'boiling point' that forces Russia to take 'radical steps' which includes other countries as well.
Rudenko also commented on their rejection of NATO's eastward expansion and deploying weapons on and around its borders in Europe.
"The question here is absolutely not about fears, the question is about our neighbors - not only Ukraine, but neighbors in principle - reaching a certain boiling point that really forces us to take certain radical steps, at least we say that we are ready to think on a different plane" he stated.
He said that he would not single Ukraine out in any particular context because it is merely "the next candidate for the emergence of such threats [to Russia]".
"We have other countries bordering the Russian Federation where the flight time for strike systems is 4-5 minutes" he stated.
He said that Ukraine does not currently have such flight distances, yet and Russia's reactive measures are preventive in nature that "warns that in case certain scenarios develop on our part certain steps will be taken, which we are not talking about now and only in general terms, calling these things military steps and military-technical solutions" according to Russia's TASS news agency.
US Embassy In Kyiv: Russia Claims It Has Always Treated Ukraine As Independent State - US Embassy In Kyiv: "Russian MFA Spokesperson Zakharova claims “Russia has always treated Ukraine as an independent state.” Face with tears of joy We look forward to Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Crimea and Donbas".
Russia Says If US And NATO Ignores Demands Then It Will Create Counter-Threats - Russia has stated that if the US and NATO ignores its Proposals for 'security guarantees' that many argue was written to be rejected then it will create 'counter threats' in response and called it 'the moment of truth'.
Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Viktorovich Grushko said "By proposing the deal] we make it clear that we are ready to talk about how to transform a military or a military-technical scenario into a political process that will strengthen the military security of all states within The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Euro-Atlantic area and Eurasia".
He said that if the US and NATO igore Russia's attempt to 'rein in the tensions' then Russia will resort to 'creating counter threats' of its own, referring to new types of weapon systems being deployed within Russia.
"It will [then] be too late then to ask us why we've made such decisions, why we've deployed such systems".
He said that Russia/NATO relations have reached 'the moment of truth' and said that it calls for a 'fundamental decision' and that the ball is now in NATO's court.
"We have taken this step and proceed from the fact that it will no longer be possible to somehow brush it [the security proposals] off".
The deal that Russia speaks of is the Draft Proposal document that Russia sent to the United States and NATO underlying their demands which include NATO and US forces withdrawing from eastern Europe. Many argue that the demands were written by Russia to be rejected.
NATO General Wants NATO Troops In Bulgaria And Romania - Tod Wolters, NATO's top general says he wants NATO troops in Bulgaria and Romania and expand NATO's 'enhanced forward presence' in the Baltic states and eastern Poland, despite Russia's new demand for the removal of all U.S. and NATO troops from Eastern Europe.
German newspaper Der Spiegel said that Wolters made proposals to expand NATO's "enhanced forward presence" in the Baltic states and eastern Poland including Bulgaria and Romania, Something which both countries have requested.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated on FRiday that NATO will "constantly assess the need to further adjust our posture, our presence, also in the Southeast of the region, because we need to be sure that we can always protect and defend allies against any threat".
Belarus: We Are Ready To Deploy Nuclear Weapons Under Threat From NATO - Belarus has now stated that they are ready to deploy nuclear weapons under the threat from NATO according to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Makei.
Makei said "What President Alexander Lukashenko has said - that we are considering the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory is one of the possible responses to future possible actions by the North Atlantic Alliance on the territory of Poland".
Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus had stated previously that Minsk would be offering Russia to place nuclear weapons within its territory if NATO places nuclear weapons within Poland.
NATO has denied having any intention of placing nuclear weapons in Europe but Russia continues to persist that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization intends on doing so, possibly as an excuse to allow Russia and Belarus to deploy their own nuclear capabilities.
Russian Tu-22M3 Nuclear Capable Strategic Bombers Patrol Belarus Border With Ukraine, Poland And Lithuania - Russian Tu-22M3 nuclear capable strategic bombers patrolled the border that Belarus shares with Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania amid tensions with NATO and the United States.
The Russian bombers were escorted by Su-30 fighter jets which were given to Belarus by their ally, Russia.
UK Defense Ministry Announces Personnel from 32 Engineer Regiment Arrived In Poland - The UK Defense Ministry announced that personnel from 32 Engineer regiment arrived in Poland earlier this week to provide engineering support for Poland's border with Belarus. 140 specialists will be in Poland by end of December.
Russian Press Secretary Says The Cold War Era Is Back And Laments About Ukraine - Russian Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Ukraine is openly declaring their intentions to join NATO on a legislative level and called it a 'creeping intrusion' on NATO's part saying that NATO is 'drifting' towards Russia's borders and said the Cold War Era is back.
Peskov said that Russia has lost Ukraine completely and that Ukrainian authorities are hostile towards Russia, despite Russia having amassed over 100,000 soldiers and artillery near Ukraine's border themselves.
Peskov stated "is declaring its intention to join NATO openly, officially, actually at a legislative level. It is very bad for us because this way NATO’s military infrastructure will inevitably begin drifting toward our borders. Without [Ukraine’s] membership in NATO, we now see how the alliance is gradually beginning to absorb, intrude into Ukraine".
"NATO’s creeping intrusion into Ukraine is already taking place and Russia cannot stay indifferent to it. That is why Putin’s position is quite tough on the one hand and coherent and peaceful on the other. His initiative to agree to some binding security guarantees is a very constructive proposal, which can fence us off from the tension which has emerged on the European continent over the Ukrainian problem" he stated.
Peskov added "rhetoric, which seemed like it would never return: detente and the like, is now being used again. We thought that it was lest in the Cold War era and will never be back. And here it is again.
Swedish Commander: US Should Increase Troops In Europe If Russia Ukraine Crisis Gets Worse - General Micael Byden, the Swedish supreme commander told POLITICO Thursday that if the conflict between Russia and Ukraine deepens then the United States needs to send more troops to Europe to reinforce military presence in the region.
Biden however has said that he won't be putting any more troops on the ground to fight and instead has threatened 'severe sanctions' if Putin does not back down and ease the tensions with Ukraine.
Swedish General Byden said "If the situation — I wouldn’t say ‘require’ because that’s the wrong word — but if the situation would worsen, I do believe it would be good to have a bigger footprint".
When asked where troops should go, Byden said "probably where they are today. Because you have bases in Europe. It’s not like you’re not there. It’s more it’s more like… reinforce what you have… More people, more capabilities".
Russia Continues To Amass Troops Near Ukrainian Border Despite Urges From Biden To De-Escalate - Despite urges from Biden to deescalate tensions, Russia continues to buildup and amass new troops near the Ukrainian border as well as diverting flights and rail systems to support military efforts.
Ukrainian officials say that there is evidence that Russia is diverting commercial flights and rail systems in order to support their military efforts, as well as a US intel assessment that says 50 Russian 'Battalion Tactical Groups' have been deployed around the Ukrainian border with six more currently in the process of being transported by Russia to the border.
Battalion Tactical Groups can contain around 900 troops each and are combined with anti-tank weapons, heavy artillery, engineering and and reconnaissance units.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated "As we pursue diplomatic channels, we will also prepare for all contingencies," Sullivan told reporters earlier this month. Just as we have been doing for weeks now, including through the preparation of specific responses to Russian escalation should they be required -- specific, robust, clear responses should they be required".
RUSSIA: Two Strategic Missile Regiments Go On Combat Alert In Russia By Years End - Russian Strategic Missile Force Commander Colonel-General Sergey Karakayev stated on Friday that two Russian missile regiments armed with Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) will be going on combat duty by the end of the year.
"We are ending the year 2021 with the effort of placing another missile regiment of the Kozelsk missile formation armed with silo-based Yars missiles and a regiment of the Barnaul missile unit with mobile Yars missile systems on combat alert" he said during an interview with Krasnaya Zvenzda newspaper.
NATO: Russia Needs To De-Escalate Ukraine Tensions BEfore Talks Begin - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has stated that in order for talks to begin and addressing Russia's security proposals, Russia must first de-escalate tensions with Ukraine.
"it can all be done the moment when the Russian Federation de-escalates the situation" stated NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana. "It’s in my opinion an indispensable precondition to resume the dialog within the NATO-Russia Council".
Geoana said that NATO is prepared for 'any possibility' in the even that Russia continues it's 'aggressive' moves.
Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks stated that the Baltic states would be unable to defend themselves if NATO and the United States agreed to the terms that Russia has asked for. He said that Russia must stop with threatening its neighbors and 'shedding crocodile tears'.
Russian Ministry Of Defense Website Locks Out Non Russian And Non Belarus IP's - The Russian Ministry of Defense website has locked out IP addresses that do not have either an origin from Russia. People located in Belarus however are still able to access Russia's Ministry of Defense website and that region has not been locked out (blocked).
Russia Carries Out Large Scale Military Drills Off Crimea - Russia carried out large scale military exercises off Crimea Thursday, eliminating a 'notional' enemy warship in the Black Sea.
The Russian military issued a statement saying "Under the scenario of the drills, a notional enemy surface ship with a subversive group on its board was spotted in the Black Sea".
Four Su-30SM fighters, two Su-24M attack aircraft and the Basion-P missile systems were mobilized to engage the 'notional' attacker which was played by Krivak-class frigate Ladny.
The Black Sea fleet's press office stated "A group of quick reaction alert aircraft from the Black Sea Fleet’s naval aviation and air defense forces was scrambled to accomplish the task of jointly destroying the target while the teams of Bastion coastal defense anti-ship missile systems stationed on the Crimean Peninsula conducted a march to the missile launch area and readied the missile systems for employment".
Draft Agreement From Russia Wants US To Agree Not To Conduct Military Activity In Ukraine And Eastern Europe And Central Asia - The draft agreement handed to US by Russia says that Russia wants the US to agree not to conduct any military activity in Ukraine as well as 'other eastern European states, Transcaucasia and Central Asia'. Full Article
Ukrainian Soldier Killed In Fighting With Pro Russian Militia - A Ukrainian soldier has been killed in fighting with pro-Russia militia during the ongoing fighting that started in 2014 when Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.
The Ukrainian military said that Russian militia targeted the countries positions with grenade launchers and mortars which resulted in one Ukrainian soldier dead and another injured.
US 2022 Budget Adds 756 Million In Assistance To Ukraine - The United States has drafted a budget for 2022 that includes $756 million in assistance to Ukraine, including $400 million to strengthen the Ukraine's security.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated during a briefing Friday "The draft budget of the United States for 2022 provides for a total of $756 million in assistance to Ukraine, including $400 million to strengthen its security, but our goal of $1 billion in support remains unchanged and we are confidently moving towards it".
Kuleba said 'We're talking about a very broad bilateral partnership".
- Commander of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces General Sergei Karakaev has announced the RS-28 hypersonic heavy ICBM Sarmat, which is nicknamed Satan-2 by NATO and said to be large enough to take out the Texas or France is due to go into service by the end of 2022.
The RS-28 Sarmat, or Satan-2 is a nuclear capable liquid-fueled hypersonic MIRV-equipped intercontinental ballistic missile that has been under development by the Russian military since 2009.
Russia claimes the RS-28 is 'invulnerable' and able to counter and defeat all existing U.S. defenses. It is reported to carry a nuclear payload that is large enough to obliterate an area the size of Texas for France and travel at Mach 10, or around 16,000 miles per hour with 10 to 15 warheads equipped.
Viktor Bondarev, head of Russian Senate's Defense and Security Committee has said that the United States would need 500 missiles to defend against a single RS-28 Sarmat missile.
Statement By The North Atlantic Treaty Organization On Situation (NATO) In And Around Ukraine - "We call on Russia to immediately de-escalate, pursue diplomatic channels, and abide by its international commitments on transparency of military activities". Full Article
Ukraine Recognizes Jerusalem As Israel's Capital And Will Open Embassy In Israel - During an event recognizing 30 years of Israel and Ukraine ties, the Ukrainian ambassador to Israel Yehven Korniychuck stated that Ukraine sees Jerusalem as Israel's 'one and only capital' and will be opening up an embassy in the city next year.
Ukraine Says Russia Could Invade In The Blink Of An Eye - KYIV - The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told CNBC on Thursday that he believes Putin has not decided yet whether to do a military operation, however if he decided to do so things would happen in the blink of an eye. Full Article
Full Invasion By Russia Could Trigger World War Three Says Ukraine - KYIV - Ukrainian minister for veterans affairs Yuliia Laputina told Sky News that a full invasion of Ukraine by Russia would cause conflict to flare up in Europe and may even trigger World War Three. Full Article
Germany Expels Two Diplomats, Russia Vows Retaliation - BERLIN - A German court has accused Russia of 'state terrorism' and expelled two Russian diplomats non grata after a German court found a Russian agent guilty of carrying out a hit on a former Chechen militant on German soil in 2019 due to the fact that he fought with the Chechen separatists against Russia. Full Article
Ukraine Says Troop Buildup Is Purely Defensive - KYIV - Despite rumors that Russia has begun withdrawing its troops from the border, Ukraine says that there is no such sign. In fact, according to Ukraine there has been an increase in the number of troops stationed near the Ukrainian border. Full Article
Ukraine Says They See No Sign Of Russia Withdrawing From Border - Despite rumors that Russia has begun withdrawing its troops from the border, Ukraine says that there is no such sign. In fact, according to Ukraine there has been an increase in the number of troops stationed near the Ukrainian border.
Russia And China Get Together And Discuss 'Aggressive Rhetoric' From US And NATO - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to discuss tensions in Europe and what they are calling 'aggressive' US and NATO rhetoric in a video call with one another according to Russia.
Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, "The situation in international affairs, especially on the European continent, is very, very tense right now and requires discussion between allies".
"We see very, very aggressive rhetoric on the Nato and US side, and this requires discussion between us and the Chinese" Peskov said.
Ukraine: We Need All Kinds Of Anti-Missile Systems Including Iron Dome - Paul McLeary who covers Defense for POLITICO stated that the Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov spoke of Ukraine's need of anti-missile systems, namely the Iron Dome and Patriot mobile air defense systems.
Reznikov said "We need all kinds of anti-missile systems. We need to cover our nuclear power stations. We need to cover our airports. We need to cover our capital".
He did not however think that the Biden administration would be willing to help. He said that the Patriot missile batteries would be 'a good idea, but I'm not sure that in the White House they're ready to give it to us".
Ukraine Begins Inspection Of Bomb Shelters & Alert Drills In Preparation For Possible Russian Invasion - Ukraine has begun inspections of bomb shelters and carrying out alert drills in preparation for a possible invasion by Russian forces.
Deputy head of the Kiev city state administration for municiple security Andriy Kryschenko said "Let's start with the bomb shelters. These are old, Soviet-era structures that were predominantly at large enterprises. There is infrastructure there, they are well fortified and designed for a large number of people".
"Next week we will start an information campaign, so that people are not frightened when they (sirens - ed.) hear. And in a few weeks we will already turn on the sirens and conduct drills so that people without panic understand what to do" he stated.
One Of Two Missing Danish Crew Found Dead After Cargo Vessel Collision - One of the two Danish crew that had gone missing after an overnight collision with a British cargo ship was found dead inside the ship hull.
Lithuania Says They Are Convinced Russia Is Really Gearing Up For War - The Foreign Minister of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis has stated that he believes that Russia is really gearing up for war and that 'we are not taking this seriously enough'.
"I still have the feeling that we are not taking this seriously enough, including what's going on in Lithuania as well" Landsbergis stated in Brussels.
"Judging from warnings from our partners and colleagues, they want to change the region's strategic landscape that has developed over the past decades" he stated.
"It must be clear for people of our region and also potential aggressors that the Alliance has teeth and the teeth are very sharp".
Russia Vetoes UN Resolution Linking Climate Change As Threat To International Peace - Russia has vetoed the UN resolution linking climate change as a threat to international peace and security.
"Positioning climate change as a threat to international security diverts the attention of the council from genuine, deep-rooted reasons of conflict in the countries on the council's agenda" Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia stated, adding "a scientific and economic issue into a politicized question".
Russia Says It May Be Forced To Deploy Nuclear Missiles In Europe - Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday that Russia may be forced to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe if NATO does not engage with it on preventing escalation. Full Article
Ukrainian Ministry Of Defense Puts Out Statement On Current Situation With Russia - The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has put out a statement regarding the current tensions and military buildup near the Ukrainian border.
The Ukraine Defense Ministry statement said:
The Russian Federation periodically gives in to the practice of transferring and accumulating military units in order to maintain tension in the region and pressure on neighboring countries.
At the present time, Russian troops, armor and military equipment are being redeployed to the corridor with Ukraine. Special Russian military personnel are being redeployed from the training areas. However, upon completion of the training, only the special forces return to their permanent deployment points, and combat and other military equipment remains near the Ukrainian border.
The tactical goal of these actions is to put pressure on the Ukrainian authorities and on the authorities of other states in order to come to a dialogue on unhandled issues that are extremely important for the Russian Federation.
The strategic goal of such objectives is to regain full control over Ukraine, as well as to see our country's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. The Russian Federation continues its provocative actions against Ukraine. As of 13 December, close to 70 per cent of the Azov Sea.
Such cut-offs are systematic and interfere with the navigation of ships in the Sea of Azov. Currently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready for any scenario.
The regular units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are fully engaged in combat operations in the anti-aircraft defense system of Ukraine. It involves over 1,000 servicemen and hundreds of units of military equipment to ensure the protection of bridges, power plants, power plants and other critical infrastructure.
Given the military-political situation outside Ukraine's state borders, the threatened areas have taken measures to enhance air coverage of these facilities.
The military and political leadership of Ukraine is regularly provided with information and promptly takes decisions. Ukraine's intelligence service constantly exchanges information with the intelligence services of partner countries.
The information is first provided to the Ukrainian military and political leadership and only then can it be received by the media, and not inadvertently as it is sometimes perceived.
Since 2014, the Ukrainian army has become much stronger and has gained combat experience. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are involved in combat operations. The leadership positions in the Armed Forces are held by commanders who have gone through the war.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready for any unfolding of events, ready to defend Ukraine and provide support".
Satellite Photos Show Russian Military Building Up Less Than 30 Miles From Ukrainian Border - New Satellite images by Maxar show Russian forces building up less than 30 miles away from the Ukrainian border between September 7th and December 5th. Defense analyst Kinrad Muzyka who analyzed the satellite photos said that Russia has established a new regiment with its 3rd Motor Rifle Division.
Russia continues to send troops, heavy artillery and tanks to locations near the Ukrainian border indicating that they have no intention of ratcheting down their posture any time soon.
Russia: Our Response Will Be Military" If West Does Not End Eastward Expansion - Russia says that they will respond 'militarily' if NATO does not stop encroaching on its western borders. Ryabkov said "Our response will be military" and "There will be confrontation".
He added that Russia would deploy weapons that were banned until 2019 when the INF Treaty expired. "Currently, [the banned weapons] do not exist; we have a unilateral moratorium. We call on NATO and the United States to join this moratorium. They just don’t respond to our proposals".
"There’s basically no trust in NATO. Therefore, we’re no longer playing this kind of game and don’t believe NATO’s assurances."
Ryabkov also chastized the United States for what it called an 'inexplicable fixation' on the threat of a Russian invasion on Ukraine saying "This isn't so and cannot be".
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: It Looks Like The United States Is Preparing For A Repeat Of The Missile Crisis - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov has stated that 'The actions of the United States and NATO allies in Europe lead Moscow to believe that the United States is preparing for a repeat of the missile crisis that in 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war'.
"First of all, I would like to say that NATO's plans to constantly approach our borders with its military infrastructure and various types of weapons, including the most modern and high-precision, long-range, are undoubtedly an alarming factor and an element of destabilization of the situation not only in Europe. continent, but also wider in the Euro-Atlantic" he stated.
"The closer such systems appear to our borders, the higher the risks of destabilization, the more definite the contours of a new crisis, which, in fact, can be comparable in its degree of danger to the "Caribbean crisis." In those years, politicians in Washington drew the appropriate conclusions, and the situation was stabilized,take away from the dangerous line".
"I will simply note that we, the Russian Federation, offer an alternative to this - non-deployment of such weapons near our borders, withdrawal of destabilizing forces and assets further, refusal of provocative measures, including exercises, of various kinds. But we need guarantees, these guarantees must be legal, legally binding, we will strive for this.these guarantees must be legal, legally binding, this is what we will strive for.these guarantees must be legal, legally binding, this is what we will strive for".
Ukraine Minister Of Defense Says Russia Invasion Would Mark End Of Current World - Ukraine Minister of Defense has stated that a Russian invasion on Ukraine would mark an end of the current world and start a new era where international rules no longer exist.
He also said that Russia has nearly 1,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, but is building field bases that are being made to house 175,000 soldiers which is indicated by the fact that there are many tents being built within the Russian bases that are as of yet unoccupied.
He also reiterated that a Russian invasion would be a 'bloody massacre' and that the 'Russian military would be coming back to the homeland in coffins'.
Two Ships Collide In Baltic Sea Due To Foggy Conditions - Two cargo ships have collided in the Baltic Sea due to foggy conditions between Bornholm, Denmark and Ystad, Sweden. A rescue operation is underway to find two people who are missing after the collision.
One of the ships involved in the collision was a British Scot Carrier which is in tact and had no casualties. The other ship was a Danish vessel.
US Embassy In Kyiv Regarding Russian Accusations Toward Ukraine: False Accusations Of Genocide Are Dangerous And Irresponsible - The US Embassy in Kyiv has put out a statement in response to Russia's accusations that Ukraine committed genocide: False accusations of genocide are irresponsible and dangerous.
The statement put out by the Embassy reads: "False accusations of genocide are dangerous and irresponsible. Russia’s proxy authorities in occupied Donbas have committed human rights abuses, illegally imprisoned Ukrainian citizens, suppressed free speech and forced Ukrainians to take Russian passports".
"The world knows this, and Russia's lies about Donbas are another obvious attempt to shift blame for the suffering Russia has caused" it continued.
On December 10th the US Embassy in Kyiv stated that "The "DONBAS" has every right to sail in Flag of Ukraine waters. Russia’s false allegations are part of its ongoing campaign to distract from its latest aggressive, provocative action. New, illegal restrictions in the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov – yet another act of aggression against" after Russia warned the ship from entering the Kerch Strait.
Russian President Vladimir Putin Says Russia Leads The World In Hypersonic Weapons - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Russia leads the world in hypersonic weapons, and by the time other countries catch up Russia will likely have developed the technology to counteract them.
Ukraine Says Germany Blocked Supply Of Anti-Drone WEapons To Ukraine - The Ukraine Military website says that Germany blocked the supply of anti-drone weapons to Ukraine believing that anti-drone weapons would provoke violence in Donbass.
The Ukrainian Ambassador in Germany Andriy Melnyk stated "History is very revealing and demonstrates the general attitude and approaches of the previous leadership of Germany and, I am afraid, of the new government as well regarding the provision, or rather, the non-provision of defense armor to Ukraine. It is a shame, but as far as I know, there were no official explanations of this position".
"Will the attitude of Berlin change under the new government? I'm afraid it would be overly optimistic to expect that Chancellor Olaf Scholz's cabinet will take a different course. I would very much like to be sorry, but I am afraid that this zalizobetonny position, which, from the moral point of view, does not accept criticism, will be preserved" he said.
The Ukrainian Ambassador said that the embassy will 'reassure the Germans' that the weapons are not for provocations, but for the 'removal of aggression'.
Putin Says Soviet Collapse Was Demise Of Historical Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the collapse and end of the Soviet Union was the demise of what he says is 'historical Russia'. Some believe Russia wants rebuild the Soviet Union, starting with conquering Ukraine.
"After all, what is the collapse of the Soviet Union? This is the collapse of historical Russia under the name of the Soviet Union" Putin stated.
Business Ukraine Magazine responded by saying "Some believe Putin wishes to rebuild the Soviet Union. In reality, he is a Czarist who dreams of reviving the Russian Empire. These imperial ambitions hing on the reconquest of Ukraine.
G7 Convenes And Warns Russia Of 'Massive Consequences' If Ukraine Is Invaded - At the G7 summit on Sunday the seven richest democracies met together and warned Russia that there would be 'massive consequences' if Russian president Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
During the summit, which took place in Liverpool, England the G7 delegates condemned the military buildup of Russian soldiers and military assets on the Ukrainian border and called upon Moscow to de-escalate tensions in the region.
"Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost" their draft statement said.
A senior State Department official told reporters at the meeting that Russia still had time to change their course "But if they choose not to pursue that path, there will be massive consequences and severe costs in response, and the G7 is absolutely united in that. A large number of democratic countries will join us in imposing costs".
The G7 summit consisted of the following countries: United States, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan and also included a European Union (EU) representative.
Biden: If Putin Moves On Ukraine The Economic Consequences Will Be Devastating - Biden stated 'I've made absolutely clear to Vladimir Putin that if he moves on Ukraine the economic consequences to his economy will be devastating'. He also said that we will 'need to send more NATO troops into the eastern part of the alliance'.
U.S. Sending Diplomat To Ukraine And Russia - The United States is sending a top diplomat for Europe, Donfried to both Russia and Ukraine to talk about the Russian troop buildup near the Ukrainian border and to confirm US commitment to the sovereignty of Ukraine the State Department said on Saturday.
After Talks With Putin Biden Stops 200 Million In Aid To Ukraine To East Tensions - Despite Appeals from Ukraine, the Biden administration has chosen to hold back the $200 million in military assistance aid to Ukraine for diplomatic reasons.
An unnamed source said that there are other options currently on the table to further assist Ukraine however, including a larger aid package if Russia were to begin an invasion on Ukraine.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that Biden told Putin that if Russia does invade Ukraine the United States would impose tough sanctions on Moscow and send more military aid to the country.
"We would provide additional defensive materiel to the Ukrainians above and beyond that which we are already providing" Sullivan stated.
A Bipartisan group of 22 House lawmakers wrote a letter Wednesday stating "To maximize deterrence, it is critical that at least some military aid — Stingers, Javelins, drones, and anti-ship missiles — are provided immediately. The Ukrainian state must be equipped with the tools necessary to defend itself and the region against Russian aggression".
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated in a commentary on Friday with Foreign Affairs "We have our own capable military forces in Ukraine, and we don’t expect Western countries to put boots on the ground".
"We do, however, need more weapons to be able to defend ourselves. Everything counts, from ammunition to medical equipment, but we are in particular need of air and missile defenses".
"For too long, the West has declined to take Putin’s ambitions seriously and responded with delay, indecision, and weakness. It is time to meet them with strength" Kuleba said.
NATO Rejects Russian Demands To Rescind Promise To Ukraine For Future Membership - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has rejected Russian demands to rescind NATO's promise to Ukraine that the country would one day become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
In 2008 NATO made a declaration that would grant membership to the North Atanic Treaty Organization to Georgia and Ukraine which are both former Soviet Republics.
Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels "NATO’s relationship with Ukraine is going to be decided by the 30 NATO allies and Ukraine, no one else".
Russia Carries Out Live Fire Drills In Crimea - According to Russia's state run media, the Russian military carried out live fire tank drills and exercises in various places within Russia with 1,500 tank crews, including occupied Crimea and included driving over anti-tank trenches.
The Russian military simulated hitting moving tanks, practiced using anti-tank grenade launchers and a recoilless artillery gun from 300 to 2000 meters in distance.
According to the Russian Ministry Of Defense the tank crews carried out the exercises in "desert and mountain-forest terrain at training ranges located in the Volgograd and Rostov regions, Adygea, Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Karachay-Cherkessia and Crimea as well as at Russian military bases of the South Ossetian District in Abkhazia, Armenia and South Ossetia".
The tank crews also practiced driving their tanks over 'natural obstacles' as well as 'anti-tank trenches' and 'roadblocks' in both day and nighttime conditions.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the combat training will continue in the Southern Military District until February of 2022.
Extremely Rare Manned US Military Flights Spotted Over Ukraine - Multiple rare manned US Military aircraft have been flying over Ukraine. According to sources only US Military unmanned Global Hawks UAVS have been spotted in Ukrainian airspace until this point and manned aircraft are extremely rare over Ukraine.
The manned flights spotted flying over Ukraine included a USAF RC135 JAKE11 and Boeing RC-135W Riven Joint aircraft.
Ukraine and Russia Blames Each Other, Breaking Down Ceasefire Talks - New ceasefire talks between Ukraine and Russia broke down after both countries blamed each other for the current heightened tensions and cited 'absurd proposals'.
Ukraine blamed Russia for rejecting their proposals which included prisoner swaps, opening a checkpoint back up and expanding a joint communications center.
Ukraine's delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) which includes both Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said "Unfortunately, all initiatives of the Ukrainian side were rejected by the Russian Federation under contrived pretexts".
Russia meanwhile said that Ukraine submitted "absolutely absurd" proposals and accused the country of imitating negotiations during the talks.
Russia singled out a proposal to add France and Germany to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination. "In such conditions, the Donetsk, Lugansk (separatist authorities) and the OSCE considered it impossible to continue talks. We are understanding of this decision" Russia's envoy Boris Gryzlov stated.
NATO: Membership Remains Open To Ukraine, Moscow Will Have No Say Over Which Countries Have Right To Join - After Russia demanded NATO rescind their offer to Ukraine for future membership, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the door for NATO membership remains open for Ukraine and that Moscow has no say over which countries have the right to join.
"It is for Ukraine to decide its own path" Stoltenberg said after talks with French military and diplomatic officials in Paris, dismissing Russian President Vladimir Putin's demands that it will forgo any future Ukrainian membership into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian foreign affairs minister wrote that for the U.S. and its allies "recognizing the new reality means institutionalizing the country’s place within the West. It is time for the United States and Europe to set out a clear road map for Ukraine to finally join NATO and the European Union".
Russia Demands NATO Rescind 2008 Commitment To Ukraine That They Would Become Members One Day - On Friday Russia demanded that NATO rescind the 2008 agreement with Ukraine stating that one day they would become members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Russia also wants NATO to promise that they would not deploy weapons in any countries that are bordering Russia saying it threatens its security.
Russian Foreign Ministry: Behavior By West Towards Ukraine Provokes Large Scale Conflict - The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that 'irresponsible behavior of the West' toward the Ukraine is provoking serious military risks, even up to 'large-scale conflicts in Europe'.
Biden Angers Eastern NATO Allies By Announcing Meeting Between NATO Allies And Russia - Biden has angered eastern NATO allies by announcing a meeting between NATO allies and Russia to discuss Russia's buildup of troops, tanks and artillery along Ukraine's border.
According to Bloomberg, one particular government in eastern Europe is furious and wanting to know exactly what Biden plans to talk about with Russia. Bloomberg stated that one diplomat said countries that were once dominated by the Soviet Union are now on the front lines against Russia who is increasingly aggressive.
The NATO allies want to know what kind of 'concessions' might end up being negotiated in talks with Russia. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said "Russia should under no circumstances be given a say in who may or may not be a member of NATO".
Russia's "most worrying wish is to divide Europe into spheres of influence. We remember these kinds of moments from our own history and we are in no way naive on this issue" she said.
Biden said that he is hoping to announce the meeting by Friday, which includes "at least four of our major NATO allies" which has annoyed Baltic states as it brings up the question about who exactly will be excluded from the talks.
Ukrainian Navy Says Russia Has Blocked Ukraine From 70% Of The Sea Of Azov - Ukrainian Navy says that Russia has blocked Ukraine off from 70% of the Sea of Azov and are holding live fire artillery drills close to the Ukrainian coast.
Russian Artillery fire allegedly being carried out near Mariupol, Berdyansk and Henichesk which Ukraine views as an open provocation.
The Community Liaison Service of the Navy Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) put out a statement that reads "The Russian Federation continues provocative actions against Ukraine".
"As of December 10, the Russian Federation blocked close to 70% of the Azov Sea water area. Currently, the Russians have issued warning notices (NAV) to restrict navigation in designated areas, mainly due to artillery shelling in areas near the city of Mariupol and the city of Berbera, which are located on the coastline of the Sea of Azov. Mariupol, Berdyansk and Genichesk. Genichesk".
It also said that blocking access to such areas interferes with the navigation of ships in the Sea of Azov and that Russia is using the Sea of Azov as its own internal 'lake' which is open provocation on Russia's part.
US And French Fighter NATO Jets Intercepted By Russian Jets - US and French NATO fighter jets were allegedly intercepted by Russian Su-27 fighter jets over the Black Sea on December 9th according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
"On December 9, 2021, Russian airspace control systems detected aerial targets flying towards the Russian border over international waters in the Black Sea" the statement from the Russian Defense Ministry began.
"The planes were stopped from violating the Russian border. After turning the foreign warplanes away from Russia’s border, the Russian fighter jets safely returned to their home airfield".
Ukraine: Separatists Breach Minsk Protocol Ceasefire Agreement 6 Times, Two Ukrainian Soldiers Injured - According to the Joint Forces Operation HQ, Russian separatists breached the Minsk Protocol ceasefire agreement 6 times on December 9th with two Ukrainian soldiers injured in the fighting.
Near Shumy, the Russian separatists used grenade launchers and small arms. Near Novomykhilivka, anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms were used. Near Prichepylivka 82-mm mortars and grenade launchers were used twice.
Near Pvidenne easel-mounted anti-tank grenade launchers, larage caliber machine guns and firearms were used. In Stanytsia Luhanska 12mm and 82mm mortars were used.
Two Ukrainian soldiers sustained injuries and both were evacuated to a medical facility and are currently undergoing treatment with one soldier 'seriously injured' and the other in 'satisfactory' condition.
Russia Moves Air Defense Missile Systems Closer To Ukraine - Russia continues to move medium range surface to air missile systems closer to the Ukrainian border raising concerns that Putin may indeed preparing to invade Ukraine.
Social media has been abuzz with videos and photos showing Buk-M1 (SA-11 Gadfly) defense systems along with tanks and artillery at the Maslovka railroad yard close to the Ukrainian border.
Senator Roger Wicker Said Biden Shouldn't Rule Out Using Nukes On Russia - U.S. Republican Senator Roger Wicker stated that the United States shouldn't rule out using nukes on Russia in response to the conflict over Ukraine.
"It could mean that we participate, and I would not rule that out, I would not rule out American troops on the ground. We don’t rule out first use nuclear action" he said on Fox News.
"I think the thing to do is not take anything off the table. You know, when it comes to our nuclear policy, if you’ll recall, we don’t take things off the table there. We make it clear that every option is open. That’s been a policy of Democrats and Republicans, administration in and administration out".
Talks To Settle Ukrainian Crisis Has Reached An Impasse - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that seven out of eight meetings of the contract group and its subgroups ended in an impasse and without results.
"Recently, the EU joined the process of militarization of Ukraine. On December 2, the EU decided to allocate 31 million euro for military-technical assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces. This decision does not facilitate peace in Donbass in any way. Against this backdrop, the talks on the peaceful resolution have effectively reached an impasse" she stated.
"They simply ended in nothing. Instead of fulfilling their obligations under the Minsk Complex of Measures, the Kiev regime simply imitates the process, avoids a direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk and tries to shift the responsibility for the stall on Russia, who is a mediator in this negotiations process".
Russia Warns Ukraine Against Attacking Separatists Saying Russia Will 'Suppress' Such Attempts - Russian General Valery Gerasimov has issued a warning to Ukraine against attacking areas controlled by Russian separatists saying that Russia will get involved and 'severely suppress provocations'.
Backup Of Vessels At Kerch Strait - Maritime tracking applications reportedly show a backup of vessels at the Kerch strait, indicating that it has possibly been closed off to maritime traffic by Russia after an incident happened where a Ukrainian vessel sailed towards the strait without permission and did not respond to warnings by Russia to turn away.
Ukranian Warship Sailed Toward Kerch Strait Received Warnings From Russia, Then Turned Away - A Ukrainian warship named 'Donbass' sailed toward the Kerch strait without filing a request to sail through and was given warnings by Russia to turn away. The ship did not respond to the requests, but eventually turned away from the strait.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that "The Donbass command ship changed its course to the opposite from the Kerch Strait, and is not responding to requests. Actions of the Ukrainian ship’s crew are viewed as provocative, posing a threat to safety of navigation"
Russian President Vladimir Putin Says Conflict In Eastern Ukraine Looks Like Genocide - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the conflict in eastern Ukraine in Donbass 'is very reminiscent of genocide'.
Russian Diplomat To Russia: US Could End Up In Situation Like Cuban Missile Crisis - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated on Thursday that Russia and the United States could end up in a situation resembling the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 where the US and Russia had a standoff over the Soviets deploying missiles in Cuba.
*UPDATE* Donbass reportedly answered back saying that they did not plan to follow through to the Kerch Strait.
He told reporters that there is still time to reach an agreement that would keep NATO from expanding to the east. "You know, it could quite possibly reach that point" he said when he was asked if there could be a repeat of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
"That would be a total failure of diplomacy, a failure of foreign policy," he went on to say. "But there’s still time to try to reach an agreement based on reason".
"If comrades on the other side fail to understand us and keep doing what they are doing, we might wake up at some point to see something similar, if that’s what further developments will suggest".
Ukraine's Generals Say They Could Not Repel Attack From Russia Without Help From West - After Biden dashed Ukrainian hopes of help by the US by saying that sending in U.S. troops to defend Ukraine against Russia is 'not on the table', Ukraine's generals now say they have no hope of defending against a Russian invasion without aid from the West.
General Kyrylo O. Budanov, the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence service said, "Unfortunately, Ukraine needs to be objective at this stage. There are not sufficient military resources for repelling a full-scale attack by Russia if it begins without the support of Western forces".
Budanov said that a Russian invasion would start off with airstrikes and rocket attacks taking out ammunition depots and entrenched. He said that the Ukrainian military would be incapacitated at that point and not able to coordinate a proper defense or supply the front.
At that point, he said, frontline commanders would have to continue the fight alone. "They will hold up as long as there are bullets" Budanov stated. "They’ll be able to use what they have in their hands, but believe me without delivery of reserves, there’s not an army in the world that can hold out".
Regarding the lack of commitment from the West, General Budanov said "They need to decide, either we’re allies as they declare — and in that case allies help one another — or they need to say that this is not exactly the case".
"If the civilized world wants to avoid catastrophe — and this will be a catastrophe for everyone — we need military technical support now, not tomorrow, not the day after tomorrow, not in year. Now", he said.
Turkey Set To Receive Advanced S-400 Anti-Air Missile Systems From Russia As Cooperation Increases - Cooperation between Turkey and Russia is increasing as Turkey is set to receive another shipment of advanced S-400 anti-air missile systems from Russia according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Ties between Turkey and Russia have been on the rise the past few years as Turkey has sought to work in closer coordination with Russia on regional issues.
Russian state owned media reported "that this kind of cooperation between Russia and Turkey should not be a threat for any country, especially for Greece, because the system is not offensive, it is defensive".
Peskov said, "Russia plans to deliver another batch of S-400 missile systems to Turkey". He then said, "We all know that the United States likes to play this game of sanctions, although we know an understanding they [have] never reached their goals".
"They have never managed to make a single country change their point of view. But our policy is to be open for cooperation with various countries, especially our partners. This kind of cooperation between Russia and Turkey should not be a threat for any country, especially for Greece, because the system is not offensive, it is defensive. 100% defensive".
Russians Now Have 12,000 Troops On Ukrainian Border & Increased Intel - KYIV - The Ukrainian military says that Russia now has 120,000 troops on their border, including 98,000 soldiers on the ground and 22,000 air and naval forces as well as increased intelligence gathering. Full Article
Russia Gives Warning Note Of Consequences For Provocations To US, NATO - MOSCOW - Russia has handed the U.S. Embassy a 'note of protest' underlining the 'perilous consequences' of alleged provocations from US and NATO forces near the Ukrainian/Russian border. Full Article
Hours After Biden Met With Putin, Russia Began Rolling Electronic Warfare Vehicles Into Crimea - Just hours after Biden and Putin talked, Russia began rolling in electronic warfare vehicles into occupied Crimea.
Russian Foreign Ministry Sends Note To US Embassy In Moscow: - The Russian Foreign Ministry has sent a note to the US Embassy in Moscow that warns of 'dangerous consequences' for 'provocations near Russia's borders'.
The note reads: "Reserving the right to respond to the corresponding challenges posed by the United States and NATO members, we call for a substantive dialogue on security guarantees and a discussion of pathways to reduce military and political tensions and to prevent dangerous incidents in the air and at sea. Otherwise, all the means at our disposal will be used to prevent and neutralize emerging threats".
France Gives Warning To Russia: Strategic And Massive Consequences If Ukraine Threatened - France has issued a warning to Russia: 'Strategic and massive' consequences if Ukraine is threatened.
Biden To Reporters: We're Having Meetings At A Higher Level With NATO Allies And Russia To Discuss Russia's Concerns - Biden told reporters, "We're having meetings at a higher level, with at least four of our major NATO allies and Russia to discuss the future of Russia's concerns relative to NATO writ large -- and whether or not we can work out any accommodation as it relates to bringing down the temperature".
Russia Delivering Missile System To India Despite Threats Of US Sanctions - India and Russia's defense partnership is increasing as the two countries proceed with an agreement to send a Russian missile system to India, despite threats of sanctions from the United States.
Russia and India met in New Delhi on Monday where they both agreed to increase their military cooperation with one another for the next decade and proceed with the delivery of Russian S-400 surface to air missile systems to India.
Biden Says U.S. Troops Would Not Be Deployed To Ukraine To Defend Against Russia - Senior White House Correspondent Ed O'Keefe reported that Biden said that sending U.S. troops in to defend Ukraine against Russia is 'not on the table' in the event of an attack when talking to reporters at the White House.
Biden stated "The meeting with Putin I was very straightforward. I made it very clear if in fact he invaded Ukraine there will be severe consequences". He also said that the United States "would provide defensive capability to Ukrainians".
Of the meeting that occurred, Putin said "The conversation was very open, substantive and, I would say, constructive. In any case, I hope that this is how the American side assesses the results of our meeting".
"Russia will prepare its considerations literally within a few days, within a week, and we will submit it to the American side for consideration".
Putin Says Russia Will Continue Talks With US And Send Proposals In One Week - Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he would continue talks with the United States and send proposals to Washington within one week to follow up on his talks with Biden regarding the Ukraine.
Russia Finishes Deploying Bastion Anti-Ship Missile System To Island North Of Japan - Russia has finished deploying the Bastion anti-missile system to an island North of Japan which is able to target and destroy entire carrier groups and landing craft around islands disputed with Japan.
Matua is a deserted volcanic island in the center of the Kuril islands and was once used by Japan's military as a base of operations during world war 2. Russia took the Kuril islands after that and had a base of their own on it until it was closed in 1991 after the fall of teh Soviet Union.
James Brown, an international affairs expert at Temple University in Japan said that Russia has been talking about building a military base of operations on Matua for years. "It now seems to be pushing forward with these plans" he stated.
"Russia is also eager to maintain its control over the Sea of Okhotsk, which is important for its nuclear subs" Brown said.
Russia's Ministry of Defense said "The crews of Bastion coastal missile system of the Pacific Fleet were deployed for the first time and took on duty on the island of Matua".
"On this remote island in the central part of the Kuril Ridge, servicemen will be on a 24-hour watch to monitor the adjacent water area and straits. The personnel began to be on duty and to carry out planned combat training activities".
Britain Considers Giving More Defensive Support To Ukraine - Britain is considering giving more defensive support to the Ukraine due to the increasing buildup of Russian troops, tanks and artillery building up near their border.
British Junior Foreign Minister Vicky Ford told the British Parliament, "Let us be very clear: we stand by Ukraine. We are considering an extension of purely defensive support to Ukraine to help Ukraine defend itself. Putin needs to deescalate now".
Ukraine Warns There Will Be 'Bloody Massacre' And 5 Million Fleeing Refugees Into Europe If Invaded - Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov is warning there will be a 'bloody massacre' if Russia invades the Ukraine, along with five million refugees fleeing into Europe and that Russians would come also back home in coffins.
The warning by the Ukraine comes the same day that Russia stated that tensions in escalating in Europe are 'off the scale' before talks between Putin and Biden took place.
Satellite photos shows that new camps full of Russian soldiers have been built near the Ukrainian border, along with tanks and artillery continuing to be brought in by railroad.
Reznikov spoke to CNN and told them that there would be a 'really blood massacre' if Russia invaded the Ukraine and said that "Russian guys also will come back in coffins".
US Looking Into Options To Evacuate US Citizens From Ukraine In Event Of Invasion - Biden is looking into options to evacuate US citizens from Ukraine in the event that Russia initiates an invasion of the country. State Department says options to deter an invasion are limited.
Although the administration does not currently see the need for evacuation, that may change quickly as Russia more than enough forces stationed near the border to carry out a snap invasion of the country with very little warning.
While Washington is still unsure whether Russia has made the decision to invade the Ukraine, it has the ability to move on very short notice and senior State Department official Victoria Nuland said that the United States has limited options to deter an invasion.
CIA Says Intel Agencies Haven't Concluded Russia Will Invade Ukraine - CIA director William Burns said on Monday that US intelligence agencies haven't concluded that Russia will invade Ukraine, but stated that he wouldn't underestimate Putin's appetite for Ukraine and that Russia has put together forces that 'could act in a very sweeping way'.
Burns said that Russia may see an opportunity to move this winter. "I would never underestimate President Putin’s risk appetite on Ukraine" he said at the Wall Street Journal's CEO Council Summit.
Russian Train Carrying Howitzers, Tanks And Military Trucks Spotted On Its Way To Ukrainian Border - A Russian train carrying BTR armored personnel carriers, howitzers, military trucks, MT-LBs and tanks have been spotted moving towards the Ukrainian border.
Ukraine Says Russia Sending Tanks And Snipers To Line Of Contact In Eastern Ukraine - Ukrainian Defense Ministry says that Russia is sending tanks and snipers to the line of contact in eastern Ukraine in order to 'provoke return fire' hours before the video call between Biden and Putin occurred.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry put out a statement saying that Russia is holding "training camps under the leadership of regular servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces" as well as "reinforcing units near the contact line ... with additional 122-millimeter self-propelled artillery vehicles, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles".
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry also said that Russia is increasing the number of sniper teams in the region.
Russian Navy Carry Out Airstrike Drills As US Warship Deploys To Black Sea - The Russian state owned news agency TASS has reported that the Russian Navy has carried out airstrike 'missile' drills involving 20 aircraft, and made it a point to highlight that the missile strikes against naval targets paralleled the US warship deployment to the Black Sea.
Russian press office stated "The crews of aircraft accomplished bombings against a target field, firings of rockets against coastal and naval targets and practiced the combat training tasks of hunting down and tracking mock enemy submarines and surface ships in the Black Sea in the course of their combat training".
The Defense Ministry of Russia said that the activity of US naval ships in the Black Sea is becoming an 'increasingly destabilizing factor' in the region and meant to 'exploit' Ukrainian territory for 'military purposes'.
The exercise involved Su-30SM multirole fighters, Su-24M frontline bombers, Be-12 and An-26 aircraft and Mi-8 and Ka-27 helicopters.
Senior Administration Official Hints At Additional US Deployments To Ukraine In Event Of Invasion - A senior administration official has hinted toward sending in additional US troops to flank NATO allies in the event of a Russian invasion on the country.
The official told reporters "The US would be prepared to provide that kind of reassurance" regarding sending in additional deployments to eastern flank NATO allies.
Ukraine Asks US For Weapon Systems, Air And Naval Support, Helicopters And Troops, And Fast - Ukraine is asking the United States for help to defend against Russia, including air and naval support, helicopters and forward deployed troops.
Ukraine is also asking the United States for electronic warfare (EW) protection to shield against Russian bombs and electronic warfare electromagnetic attacks that would probably be carried out in the event of an invasion by Russian forces and mechanized vehicles.
Ukrainian President Says Agreed To Continue Joint & Concerted Action In Phone Call With Biden - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that during his phone call with Biden they agreed on joint and concerted action.
Zelensky tweeted "Agreed positions with @SecBlinken before the phone conversation of Presidents Biden and Putin. Agreed to continue joint & concerted action. Grateful to Flag of United States strategic partners & allies for the continued support of our sovereignty & territorial integrity".
Washington Says There Is Still Time For Diplomacy - Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stated on Monday that conflict with the Ukraine is not 'inevitable' and that there is still time for diplomacy with Russia.
"There's room here for leadership. There's no reason that this has to end up in some sort of conflict or incursion" Kirby said.
"We continue to see a buildup of Russian military forces in the areas around northeastern and eastern Ukraine. It is still not entirely clear what Mr. Putin’s intentions are".
A senior defense official who spoke to reporters and said, "We do not know whether President Putin has made a decision about further military escalation in Ukraine, but we do know that he is putting in place the capacity to engage in such escalation should he decide to do so".
"We continue to consult with our allies and partners, particularly our NATO allies about what we're seeing and about what our concerns are" Kirby said.
"But each of those allies is a sovereign nation and they have to make decisions for themselves about their assessments of what we're seeing, and whether and to what degree they want to help hold Russia accountable".
“Should Russia try to make an incursion into Ukraine, another incursion into Ukraine, I can't speak to that,” Kirby stated. "All I can tell you is that we're deeply concerned about it. We're watching it closely. We are consulting with allies and partners".
Russia Building Supply Lines, Field Hospitals And Jamming Equipment Near Ukrainian Border - Russia continuing to build supply lines, hospitals, jamming equipment and modified MBTs (Defensive equipment against drones and javelins) as well as calling on reserves and positioning more forces near the Ukraine.
Canada Says They Will Do All To Deter Russian Threat - The Canadian Foreign Minister said that Canada will make every effort to keep Russia from invading the Ukraine.
""We will use every single tool possible to make sure to deter Russia from going ahead" Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said. "The fact that tensions are high, obviously, we're all human beings, and we wouldn't want harm to be done".
Russia Says US Spy Planes Are Threatening Civil Aviation Near Borders - Russia is filing an official diplomatic protest due to an alleged 'increased' and 'unsafe' amount of US spy planes flying over the Black Sea and says that they threaten civilian flights.
Russian Foreign Ministery spokeswoman Zakharova put out a written statement saying, "Increased U.S. and NATO warplanes activity near Russian borders creates risks of dangerous incidents for civilian aviation".
"If this time a catastrophe over the Black sea was avoided, this doesn’t mean U.S. and NATO could risk people’s lives in the future without punishment".
US Says It Will Send Troops To Eastern Europe If Russia Invades Ukraine - US Officials say that the United States will send troops to eastern Europe and reinforce NATO's eastern flank if Russia invades the Ukraine as well as impose economic measures.
Biden also said that he would not rule out allowing the Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) despite demands from Russia that the Ukraine not be allowed to join the organization.
A US official said that the last time there was Russian military involvement in the Ukraine it led to more US forces and equipment to be deployed to eastern Europe and the response this time would be the same.
"It would certainly be the case that if Putin moved in, there would be an increasing request from eastern flank allies, and a positive response from the United States, for additional forces and capabilities and exercises to take place there to ensure the safety and security of our eastern flank allies in the face of that kind of aggression in Ukraine" the official stated.
"The United States is not seeking to end up in a circumstance in which the focus on our countermeasures is the direct use of American military force, as opposed to a combination of support for the Ukrainian military, strong economic countermeasures, and a substantial increase in support and capability to our Nato allies to ensure that they remain safe,” he said, but stated that he would not disclose "what the president is going to say on the question of under what circumstances the US military could get involved".
The official said that there would be 'substantial economic countermeasures' from the United States as well as Europe and that it would impose 'significant and severe economic harm on the Russian economy'.
US Troops Arrive In Ukraine To Send Message Of Support To Ukrainians Standing Up To Russia - US troops have arrived in the Ukraine with the goal to send a message of support to the Ukraine in standing up to Russia.
Ukraine Invites UK, US and Canada To Deploy Soldiers East And South Ukraine - Ukraine has invited the United States, United Kingdom and Canada to deploy soldiers to the East and South of the Ukraine despite the fact that Putin said that deploying foreign troops in the Ukraine is a 'red line' that would lead to provocation and consequences.
Ukrainian Defense Minister, Oleksii Reznikov said that the United States, Britain and Canada should jointly and quickly give military support to the Ukraine to support its current standoff with Russia to deter Russian president Vladimir Putin from invading the country because 'it will be too late after' an invasion.
"You have a training program with us in Ukraine. I think we can expand it. Instead of having 50 [military] instructors, send 500 instructors" he said.
"Together with United Kingdom guys, with United States guys, in bilateral platforms, without NATO. Three flags – the flag of Canada, the flag of United States and the flag of U.K. – should be flying around these territories. It would also be a good sign for the Russians – that you are here".
US Intel Convinces Allies Russia May Be Preparing To Attack Ukraine - US intelligence sharing has convinced NATO allies that Russia may be preparing to attack the Ukraine as early as next year with 175,000 troops, moving troops in and out to confuse western intelligence of their intentions.
Although the current number of Russian troops stationed near the Ukrainian border is around 100,000, the United States believes Russia plans on adding more, up to 175,000 troops before the suspected planned invasion takes place.
The US believes Russia plans on moving troops in and out of the region in order to confuse western forces about the actual number of troops stationed near the border, obfuscate their intentions and create uncertainty.
A US official told the Washington Post "The Russian plans call for a military offensive against Ukraine as soon as early 2022 with a scale of forces twice what we saw this past spring during Russia's snap exercise near Ukraine's borders".
"The plans involve extensive movement of 100 battalion tactical groups with an estimated 175,000 personnel, along with armor, artillery and equipment." they continued.
"Equipment may be left behind at different training ranges to enable a rapid, final buildup" US officials stated.
Russia Says Ukraine Must Be 'Forced' To Implement Minsk Agreements- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on air during the TV broadcast of Channel Russia 1 that if the Ukraine does not intend to follow the Minsk agreements of its own free will, then it must be forced.
"If it [Ukraine] is left alone, with its conscience, of course, it will not do anything. It must be forced, this is why the Normandy format was created, but Berlin and Paris are still manipulating their obligations", Lavrov said during the broadcast.
Russian Paratroopers Test Using Heat Traps To Protect Their Ground Facilities - Russian paratroopers are testing the use of heat traps to protect their ground facilities from heat-seeking missiles, according to Russian Major General Anatoly Kontsevoy, Deputy Commander of the Russian airborne forces.
"Thermal traps have been developed and tested to counter infrared-guided munitions. Airborne Forces are studying and implementing the best practices of combat operations" he stated.
What does a heat trap do? It fires away from the aircraft in order to simulate the heat given off from an engine in order to throw a heat-seeking missile off of its intended target.
Russian state run news, TSS states that the Russians are developing other various 'simulators' that mimic the infared glow pattern of real weapons in order to 'mislead' their adversaries.
Ukraine Draws Ire From Russia By Purchasing Drones From Turkey And Wants More - Ukraine has drawn Ire from Russia by purchasing TB2 drones from Turkey which were used in October to destroy Russian mobile artillery in Donbass.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the drone strike on the artillery which raised tensions considerably, calling the deployment of drones 'provocative'.
US Officials: Russia Planning On Multi-Front Offensive Against Ukraine With 175,000 Troops - According to US intelligence Russia is planning on a multi-front offensive against the Ukraine with 175,000 troops by early 2022.
"U.S. intelligence has found the Kremlin is planning a multi-front offensive as soon as early next year involving up to 175,000 troops, according to U.S. officials and an intelligence document obtained by The Washington Post".
Biden Asked If He Will Accept Putin's Red Line On Ukraine: "I Won't Accept Anyone's Red Line" - As Biden was leaving for Camp David, he was asked if he would accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'red line'. Biden replied, "I won't accept anyone's red line".
Biden added, "We’ve been aware of Russia’s actions for a long time and my expectation is we’re going to have a long discussion".
US Officials: Russia Planning On Multi-Front Offensive Against Ukraine With 175,000 Troops - According to US intelligence Russia is planning on a multi-front offensive against the Ukraine with 175,000 troops by early 2022.
"U.S. intelligence has found the Kremlin is planning a multi-front offensive as soon as early next year involving up to 175,000 troops, according to U.S. officials and an intelligence document obtained by The Washington Post".
Biden Asked If He Will Accept Putin's Red Line On Ukraine: "I Won't Accept Anyone's Red Line" - As Biden was leaving for Camp David, he was asked if he would accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'red line'. Biden replied, "I won't accept anyone's red line".
Biden added, "We’ve been aware of Russia’s actions for a long time and my expectation is we’re going to have a long discussion".
Russian Fighters Escort U.S. Reconnaissance Aircraft Over Black Sea - According to the Russian state run news agency TSS, Russian fighters have escorted a US reconnaissance aircraft and US targeting aircraft over the Black Sea.
The Russian National Defense Control Center stated, "On December 3, Russian airspace controls over the neutral waters of the Black Sea detected air targets approaching the Russian state border. Su-27 and Su-30 fighters from the air defense forces of the Southern Military District on duty were airborne to identify air targets and prevent violations of the Russian state border. The crews of Russian fighters identified the air targets as strategic reconnaissance aircraft RC-135 of the US Air Force and reconnaissance and targeting aircraft CL-600 ARTEMIS of the US Ground Forces and escorted them over the Black Sea".
"The flights of Russian fighters were carried out in strict compliance with international rules of airspace use. There was no violation of the state border of the Russian Federation" they said.
Russian Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets were allegedly scrambled by the Russian Air Force to intercept and escort a reconnaissance aircraft RC-135 of the US Air Force and targeting aircraft CL-600 ARTEMIS of the US Ground Forces.
Russia Says They Will React If US Imposes High Impact Sanctions Over Ukraine - Russian state owned news agency, TASS says that Russia will 'certainly react' if the United States imposes sanctions against Russia over Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists about sanctions mentioned by US Under Secretary of State Victory Nuland regarding 'the likes of which we have not used before'.
"If new, ‘high impact’ as they said sanctions will follow, we will react, of course". Lavrov said. "We have no choice but to react. How we react - well, we’ll see".
"I don’t want to make guesses now what the West will resolve upon," he went on to say. "They are threatening with some financial sanctions, new sectoral reprisals. This is a dead-end road, and eventually it will backfire on the initiators of these illegitimate unilateral measures".
Regarding the comment about sanctions 'that have not been used before' Lavrov stated "There is a first time for everything. There were also sanctions like never before previously. Our Western colleagues simply have absolutely lost the culture of dialogue, diplomatic negotiations, arrival at a consensus, the ability to creatively look for a balance of interests".
Lavrov said the West is imposing sanctions if something goes against their will, and not just against Russia. "We can see negotiations underway almost everywhere, if they involve the countries that don’t share the West’s approaches, sanctions are used as a threat, and then imposed if someone does not listen to somebody".
Ukrainian Defense Minister: Russia Might Use 94,300 Troops To Invade By End Of January- Ukrainian Defense Minister says that Russia might use 94,300 troops to invade the Ukraine by the end of January.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov stated, "As of now, 41 battalion tactical groups… are currently deployed around Ukraine and in occupied Crimea" on December 3rd during his address to the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.
"The most probable variant envisages (Russia) reaching the point of readiness for the escalation by the end of January. I point to the fact that the escalation is a possible though not necessarily imminent scenario. Our task is to prevent it. The better we work this out with our partners, the less probable the risk of escalation will be" he said.
Ukrainian military has previously predicted that Russia will begin an invasion on the Ukraine by the end of January or beginning of February.
Biden Says He's Putting Together Comprehensive Set Of Initiatives To Make It Difficult For Putin To Attack Ukraine - When asked about the tensions on the Russian/Ukrainian border, Biden said that he's putting together the 'most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very difficult for Mr. Putin to go ahead and do what people believe he may do'.
CNN: Russian Military Is Capable Of Carrying Out Swift And Immediate Invasion Including Fuel Lines And Medical Units - CNN has reported that Russia's military has capabilities in place to carry out a swift and immediate invasion, and has built supply lines, fuel and medical units that could 'sustain a drawn out conflict' for 7 to 10 days and other support units for up to a month, but Russian news is reporting that there is no planned attack, Russia isn't preparing for an offensive operation and there is no heightened activity as reported by western media.
Yuri Ushakov: "There is no escalation. We have the right to move troops within our territory. No fanning of tensions is afoot".
Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Says NATO Refusing To Consider Russian Proposals And Is Escalating Situation - Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov says that NATO is refusing to consider Russian "proposals to ease tensions and prevent dangerous incidents." and that 'NATO continues to escalate the situation right on our borders."
Russia Says The 'Nightmare Scenario Of Military Confrontation Is Returning' In Europe - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the 'nightmare scenario of military confrontation is returning' in Europe and that the Ukraine's goal to take Crimea is a 'direct' threat.
While addressing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Lavrov stated that tensions are rising on the continent which very well could lead to war.
During his speech, Lavrov said that he hopes Russia's proposals on a new European security pact will be carefully considered. "The architecture of strategic stability is rapidly being destroyed, NATO refuses to constructively examine our proposals to de-escalate tensions and avoid dangerous incidents".
"On the contrary, the alliance's military infrastructure is drawing closer to Russia's borders. The nightmare scenario of military confrontation is returning" Lavrov stated.
Russia Deploys Missiles Near Pacific Islands Claimed By Japan - Russia has deployed Bastion missile systems near the Kuril Islands on Matua, which is an uninhabited volcanic island located in the middle of the Pacific chain also claimed by Japan.
Bastion missile systems are able to hit targets from about 500 kilometers, or 270 nautical miles away and is a likely a move by Russia to demonstrate its firm stance on the island dispute with Japan.
The deployment of the missile systems also involved living quarters being setup for military personnel, and vehicle hangers being built according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
When asked about the deployment, Russian spokespeson Dmintry Peskov stated that Russia has a soverign right to deploy forces wherever it deems necessary within its territory.
Peskov also told reporters, "We maintain a political will to pursue a comprehensive dialogue with our Japanese partners in order to find ways of settlement".
Russia Says Probability Of Hostilities In Ukraine High - When Russian Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov was asked about how likely war is between Russia and the Ukraine, he replied saying that the probability of hostilities is high and Ukraine's goal to take Crimea is a 'direct threat'.
"the probability of hostilities in Ukraine is still high" Peskov said. "This is a matter of particular concern and worry for us".
Russia also said that the Ukraine's goal to take Crimea is a 'direct threat' to Russia as well as their 'aggressive' rhetoric and provocative actions.
Putin Says Russian Buildup On Ukrainian Border Intended To Force US To Give Up Support For Ukraine NATO Membership - In a speech to ambassadors, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the buildup of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border is intended to force the United States to give up support for the Ukraine joining NATO.
Blinken: US Has Evidence Russia Made Plans For Aggressive Moves Against Ukraine - U.S. Secretary of State Blinken says that the United States is extremely concerned by evidence that Russia has made plans for significant moves against the Ukraine, including plans to destabilize the country from within, as well as large scale military operations.
Blinken told reporters, "In recent weeks, Russia has stepped up planning for potential military action in Ukraine, including positioning tens of thousands of additional combat forces near the Ukrainian border".
"We don't know whether President Putin has made the decision to invade. We do know that he is putting in place the capacity to do so on short order should he so decide".
"Should Russia follow the path of confrontation, when it comes to Ukraine, we've made clear that we will respond resolutely, including with a range of high impact economic measures that we have refrained from pursuing in the past".
Russia Says It Cannot De-escalate Due To Half Ukrainian Army Being Stationed At Its Border - Russia said on Wednesday that they cannot de-escalate tensions due to the fact that half the Ukrainian army is stationed near the Russian border.
Half Of The Ukrainian Army Now Stationed At Border With Russia - Russian news RT says that a total of over 100,000 Ukrainian troops, or well over half of the Ukrainian army along with large amounts of military hardware and weaponry are now stationed in Donbass according to the Russian Foreign Ministry amid rising tensions between Russia and the Ukraine.
Maria Zakharova, Russian diplomatic spokeswoman said that, "the Armed Forces of Ukraine are increasing [their] military force, pulling heavy equipment and personnel".
"According to some reports, the number of troops… in the conflict zone already reaches 125,000 people, and this, if anyone does not know, is half of the entire composition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" Zakharova stated.
Zakharova also condemned the Ukrainian President Voodymyr Zelensky for submitting a bill to the national parliament allowing foreign military units to enter the Ukraine for multinational exercises next year.
Russia Gives US Embassy Staff 3 Weeks Notice To Leave Russia - Russia has told some of the US embassy workers who have worked at the US embassy in Moscow for the last three years to leave the country. The embassy workers are to be out of Russia by January 31st, 2022.
Lukashenko Says Crimea Is Russian Territory And Will Visit With Putin - Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko said that Russian annexed Crimea was legally Russian territory and said that he plans to visit the peninsula with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We all understood that de-facto Crimea is Russia's Crimea. After a referendum Crimea has become Russia de-jure as well", Lukashenko said.
Lukahenko spoke of his plans to visit Crimea and said that his visit would show that he recognized the peninsula as Russian territory. "We have a certain agreement with Putin that we will visit Crimea. This is my Crimea too" he stated.
US Seventh Fleet Commander Calls For More Aircraft Carriers In Pacific To Deter China And Russia - Vice Admiral Karl Thomas is calling for more aircraft carriers in the Pacific to deter and intimidate China and Russia so that they understand that 'today is not the day' to initiate a conflict in the region.
"When we think about how we might fight, it's a large water space, and four aircraft carriers is a good number, but six, seven or eight would be better" Thomas stated.
Reports Circulating About Putin Issuing A Statement False - Putin is not issuing a statement, reports circulating of this are false. False reports were originally circulated by Russian intelligence officer @wargonzoo via twitter.
Putin Says Russia Will Soon Have Mach 9 Hypersonic Tsirkon Missiles - Putin has stated that Russia will soon have Tsirkon hypersonic missiles capable of flying at Mach 9 speeds (About 6850 miles per hour) and hitting targets over 1,000 kilometers away.
Entire Belarusian 6th Tank Brigade Reportedly Moving From Grodno To Border With Ukraine - The entire Belarusian 6th tank brigade is reportedly moving from Folush, near Grodno, where it is normally based toward the Ukrainian border in full force with a full compliment of weapons.
Putin Gives Warning To NATO: We Will Act If NATO Crosses Red Lines In Ukraine - Russian President Vladimir Putin has given a warning to NATO saying that it will act if NATO crosses any of its red lines with the Ukraine, such as deploying offensive missile systems on Ukrainian territory.
"If some kind of strike systems appear on the territory of Ukraine, the flight time to Moscow will be 7-10 minutes, and five minutes in the case of a hypersonic weapon being deployed. Just imagine" Putin stated.
"What are we to do in such a scenario? We will have to then create something similar in relation to those who threaten us in that way. And we can do that now".
"Creating such threats (in Ukraine) would be red lines for us. But I hope it doesn't come to that. I hope that a sense of common sense, responsibility for both our countries and the world community will prevail".
NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting In Latvia To Discuss Situation In And Around Ukraine - NATO Foreign Ministers are currently meeting in Riga, Latvia to discuss the situation in and around the Ukraine. They are also discussing the situation with Belarus as well as lessons learned from NATO's engagement in Afghanistan.
NATO Chief Warns That It Must Prepare For Worst Regarding Russian Invasion On Ukraine - NATO Chief has warned that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization must prepare for the worst regarding concerns that Russia may be preparing to invade the Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Russia will pay a high price for any military aggression on the Ukraine when they met to discuss the Russian troop buildup on the Ukrainian border.
Russian Tanks Now Equipped With Field Modifications To Defend Against Ukraine's New Anti Tank Guided Missiles - Russia has reportedly been converting its tanks with field modifications to defend against the Ukraine's new US supplied Javelin anti-tank guided missiles, along with TB2 Bayraktar drones that were supplied by Turkey.
EW System Seen Being Transported In Convoy In Rostov, Russia - Parts of the Krasukha-4 electronic warfare system has been spotted being transported by a Russian convoy in Rostov, Russia along with mobile radio stations.
President Of Belarus Tells Russian Media Outlet They Will Allow Russia To Deploy Nuclear Weapons In Their Territory - Lukashenka, the president of Belarus has spoken with Russian media outlet RIA Novosti and stated that they will allow Russia to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus again, in case nuclear weapons are brought to Poland by NATO.
Russia Says NATO Moving Significant Amount Of Military Equipment To Russian Border - The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that NATO is moving a significant amount of military equipment to the Russian border. This, as Russian forces, artillery and military equipment continue to build up on the Russian side of the border.
Ukraine To Carry Out 10 Large Military Drills In 2022- The Ukrainian military stated on Tuesday that they will be carrying out 10 large military drills in 2022 along with the United States, Britain, Poland, Romania as well as other countries.
The Ukrainian military said that about 21,500 Ukrainian soldiers would be participating in the drills along with 11,000 other servicemen from the other 'partner' countries.
An additional 16 military exercises will be taking place outside of the Ukraine. The drills are being announced as Russia continues to build up troops, weapons and artillery near their border with the Ukraine while Russia announces such claims are 'malicious U.S. propaganda'.
Russian Separatists Violate Ceasefire Agreement 8 Times In Ukraine November 30th - On November 30th, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported 8 ceasefire violations by Russian separatists, two of which used weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements.
Russian Separatists Violate Ceasefire Agreement 8 Times In Ukraine November 30th - On November 30th, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported 8 ceasefire violations by Russian separatists, two of which used weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements.
In SVITLODARSKA and STAROGNATIVKA automatic machine guns and grenade launchers were used. Near NOVOOLEKSANDRIVKA, anti-tank launchers, handguns, grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns and other small arms were used.
Near the village of LUHANSK, 122mm artillery rounds were used and the outskirts of the settlement came under fire, injuring a civilian.
Near STARY AYDAR, 120mm mortars were used. Near NOVOLUHANSKY, anti-tank grenade launchers, large caliber machine guns and other small arms were used.
Two Ukrainian allied personnel were injured during the fighting and are currently being treated at a medical facility in satisfactory health.
Ukrainians reportedly opened fire with weapons not currently banned by the Minsk agreement, forcing the separatists to stop their shelling.
Belarus Announces Joint Military Drills With Russia Along Southern Border - Belarus has announced joint military drills with Russia along its southern border. Lukashenko has stated that if Ukraine starts another war in Donbass or anywhere near Russia's borders "Belarus will not stay aside. And it is clear whose side we will be on".
Russia Sends Sabotage Sapper Units To Donbass - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported that Russian servicemen have arrived in non-government controlled areas in eastern Ukraine to "strengthen" 'sabotage' and 'sapper' units.
A statement put out by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said, "The command of the Russian Armed Forces continues to send Russian regular army officers and contract servicemen of certain military specialties to perform tasks as part of formations and units of the first and second army corps of the Russian occupation forces. Another group of Russian military personnel arrived in the temporarily occupied territory in Donetsk and Luhansk regions last week to strengthen reconnaissance, sabotage and sapper units".
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Says Russia Now Has About 115,000 Troops Near Ukrainian Border - The Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kouleba says that Russia has accumulated about 115,000 troops near their border and in occupied Crimea as Russia continues to send forces, artillery and weapons to locations near the Ukraine border.
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US Military To Upgrade And Expand Military Facilities In Guam And Australia - The US Defense Department says that they will be reinforcing and expanding deployments and bases in the Indo-Pacific to deal with Russian and Chinese threats while maintaining enough forces in the middle east to deal with Iran and Jihadist groups in that region.
The Defense Department will be expanding and upgrading military facilities in both Guam and Australia, highlighting threats by China in the Indo-Pacific as the top defense priority according to officials.
Top Pentagon official Mara Karlin told NDTV reporters, "directs additional cooperation with allies and partners across the region to advance initiatives that contribute to regional stability and deter potential military aggression from China and threats from North Korea".
"strengthens the combat-credible deterrent against Russian aggression in Europe and enables NATO forces to operate more effectively" she added.
Regarding the Middle East Karlin said, "We have global responsibilities and must ensure the readiness and modernization of our forces. These considerations require us to make continuous changes to our Middle East posture, but we always have the capability to rapidly deploy forces to the region based on the threat environment".
"In Australia, you'll see new rotational fighter and bomber aircraft deployments, you'll see ground forces training and increased logistics cooperation".
Karlin added that Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and in Australia will see airport upgrades and fuel and munitions storage facilities.
When asked about an increase in US military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, Karlin stated "We're moving the needle a bit. And what I'd like to think is, over the coming years, you will see that needle move more".
Heavy Shelling In Luhansk, Eastern Ukraine - There is currently heavy shelling happening in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine as well as north of Donetsk. There was also shelling on November 18th which severely damaged a school in the town of Pervomaisk.
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Russia Says There Will Be No Invasion On Ukraine & That It Is Malicious Propaganda - The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has reportedly stated that there will be no invasion on the Ukraine and that everything that is happening regarding this issue is malicious propaganda and misinformation from the media and the US State Department.
US Says All Options Are Back On The Table Regarding Russian Troop Buildup On Ukraine Border - The U.S. State Department says that all options are back on the table regarding responding to the Russian troop buildup near the Ukrainian border.
The State Department said that the NATO alliance will consult next week and decide what actions will be taken in response to the Russian troop, heavy artillery and armament buildup close to Russia's border with the Ukraine.
Assistant secretary of State for the European and Eurasian Affairs, Karen Donfried spoke to reporters and stated, "As you can appreciate, all options are on the table and there's a toolkit that includes a whole range of options".
"It's now for the alliance to decide what are the next moves that NATO wants to take", she said. She also stated that Russia's large and unusual' buildup of troops will be their top agenda.
"Next week, we will talk about our assessment of what's happening on Russia's border with Ukraine and we will begin that conversations of what are the options that are on the table and what it is that NATO as an alliance would like to do together".
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New Advisory Alert From U.S. Embassy In Kyiv, Ukraine - There is a new Advisory from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine regarding Russian military activity near the Ukrainian borders and in occupied Crimea.
Advisory event: "U.S. citizens are advised of concerning reports of unusual Russian military activity near Ukraine’s borders and in occupied Crimea. The Travel Advisory for Ukraine remains at Level 4 – Do Not Travel in Crimea due to abuses by Russian occupation authorities, in the eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts due to armed conflict, and for all of Ukraine due to COVID-19. U.S. citizens are reminded the security conditions along the border may change with little or no notice. Please check our website and social media pages for additional information". Advisories Page
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Ukrainian Air Force Holds Military Drills & Practiced Airstrikes - The Ukrainian military held military drills and practiced airstrikes in training grounds in southern Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
Russia Training To Shoot Down Cruise Missiles In Crimea - The Russian military is training to shoot down cruise missiles in annexed Crimea using Triumph and Pantsir air defense missile systems, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The report by Russia's Defense Ministry stated, "Combat crews of S-400 Triumph and Pantsir anti-aircraft missile systems from the Air Defense Forces of the Southern Military District conducted planned exercises to detect, track and destroy cruise missiles of a conditional enemy".
Their Defense Ministry said that "high level of personnel training and capabilities, the Triumph and Pantsir air defense systems successfully completed the tasks".
Russia: US Escalating Tensions By Arming Ukraine With Weapons - Russia said on Tuesday that the United States is 'escalating' tensions by arming the Ukraine with weaponry and sending over military advisors.
Russian Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that "This all leads to further escalation" and said that the Ukraine is making 'provocations' and may have the goal of reclaiming southeastern territory that was lost during the war with the rebels.
"We are deeply concerned about the provocative actions of the Ukrainian armed forces on the line of contact and preparations for a possible military solution of the Donbass problem" Peskov said.
"Who’ll be attacking whom? Russia — Ukraine or Ukraine — Russia? We assert that Ukraine is planning aggressive actions against Donbass", Peksov added.
Russian State TV States Russia's Anti-Satellite System Could Effectively Blind NATO - Russian state TV has claimed that Russia's anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles have the capability of destroying 32 NATO satellites and 'blind all their missiles, planes and ships, not to mention the ground forces'.
Russia's Occupation Forces Increase Combat Readiness - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has warned that Russia has increased its military readiness level for Russian occupation forces in Donbass and have carried out large scale exercises in spite of the fact that Russia says that it has no plans to invade the Ukraine and has accused the Ukraine and US of purposefully stoking tensions in the region.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said that Russia is currently, "increasing the combat readiness of the Russian occupation forces in the temporarily occupied territory in Donetsk and Luhansk regions".
Russia Says US State Department Using Diplomatic Channels To Share False Information About Forces - According to multiple reports, Russia has allegedly stated that the U.S. State Department is using diplomatic channels to share false information with its western allies and partners about the number of Russian forces stationed by the Ukrainian border. Whether this is misinformation on Russia's part remains unclear.
ASB News reported that Russia put out a statement saying, "According to data we have received, the US State Department is using diplomatic channels to share with its allies and partners absolutely false information about the concentration of forces on our territory in advance of a military invasion of Ukraine".
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Russian And China Fly Nuclear Bombers Near Japan & South Korea - Russia and China flew nuclear capable strategic bombers together near Japan and South Korea on Friday in a joint patrol causing South Korea to quickly scramble their fighter jets.
China announced the joint flight Friday which consisted of 2 Russian Tu-95MC nuclear capable bombers and 2 Chinese H-6K nuclear capable bombers. The Chinese Ministry of Defense said that the joint patrol flew in 'related airspace' in the Sea of Japan, as well as the East China Sea.
That same day 2 Russian Tu-95 nuclear capable bombers patrolled the Bearing and Chukchi Sea west of Alaska. The Chinese Ministry of Defense stated that the patrol "strictly abided by the relevant provisions of international law and did not enter the airspace of other countries".
However, while no international laws were violated, the aircraft did cross into the Northeastern part of the North Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Japan was also alarmed by the patrols. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi filed a complaint with both Russia and China over the matter and stated, "We informed Russia and China via diplomatic channels about our concerns about similar actions from the viewpoint of the regional security".
China's state run media reported on the patrols and justified them by saying that it was to safeguard strategic stability against provocative actions by the West.
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Ukraine Says Russia Preparing To Attack By Late January - The Ukrainian defense intelligence agency chief told Military Times that Russia is preparing for an attack on the country by the end of January, or the beginning of February. Read more
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Gorlovka Reportedly Under Heavy Fire From Ukrainian Forces - Gorlovka, which is located north of Donetsk is reportedly under heavy fire from Ukrainian artillery. Intense bombardment with large caliber machine guns and mortars are currently being reported.
Russia Says The West Is Whipping Up Artificial Hysteria Regarding Tensions With Ukraine - Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that the West is artificially whipping up hysteria regarding tensions with Ukraine and stated that 'a provocation' could not be ruled out due to the current U.S. Rhetoric.
Peskov stated, "This hysteria is being artificially whipped up. We are being accused of some kind of unusual military activity on our territory by those who have brought in their armed forces from across the ocean. That is, the United States of America. It's not really logical or polite".
Peskov said that the Ukraine is probably trying to solve its own problems with force and said that Russia wants NATO to stop "concentrating a military fist" near Russia's borders as well as to stop arming the Ukraine with weapons.
In September, Russia had stated that NATO would cross a 'red line' if it increased its military infrastructure in the Ukraine.
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Russia Deploys 2 Nuclear Bombers Close To Alaska For Hours - Russia deployed 2 Tu-95MS long range nuclear bombers to international airspace near Alaska for hours on Friday.
Russia's Ministry of Defense put out an announcement regarding the bomber flights on Friday, which flew the Chukchi and Bering Sea and lasted about 10 hours in total.
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Ukraine's Parliament Approves Bill Allowing Border Guards To Use Military Equipment - Ukraine's parliament has approved a bill that allows guards on the Ukrainian border to use military equipment and firearms, as the Russian military buildup near the border continues.
Ukrainian Ambassador Says 114,000 Russian Soldiers Stationed Off Eastern Border - The Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin, Andrij Melnyk says that Russia has about 114,000 troops stationed near the eastern Ukrainian border, and about 32,000 troops stationed in Occupied Crimea, with several thousand in Belarus.
Melnyk stated, "The Russians have around 114,000 soldiers off the eastern border of Ukraine and in the occupied Donbass. Around 32,000 troops are stationed in the occupied Crimea, including several thousand in Belarus".
"A total of over 30 tactical battalion groups are on constant alert almost 250 kilometers from the Ukrainian border on Russian soil. Additional troops could be called back for an attack within a few days".
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Ukraine Conducts Military Drills Near Annexed Crimea - The Ukrainian armed forces have carried out military drills close to the border of annexed Crimea according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry as tensions between the Ukraine and Russia continue to mount.
Russia Deploying Paratroop Regiment In Annexed Part Of Crimea - Russia is deploying a paratroop regiment on the annexed part of Crimea by the beginning of December and has objected to the new British deal to give the Ukrainian military a boost.
Russia complained about the framework agreement in which the Ukraine will receive financing from Britain to bolster its naval abilities and enable it to build new missile ships and a navy base in the Sea of Azov.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a briefing, "We see this fact as the latest practical evidence of increasing British military activity in the states bordering Russia, in particular Ukraine".
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50 Illegal Migrants Broke Through Belarus Border Into Poland - A group of 50 illegal migrants have broken through the defenses on the border between Belarus and Poland and entered Poland near Starzyna village.
Former Head Of U.S. Army Europe Says We're Seeing Continuation Of What Started Back In April - Former head of U.S. Army Europe says that what we are seeing is nothing new, but a continuation of what started back in April regarding the military buildup of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border.
Lieutenant General Ben Hodges told White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, "What we're seeing is actually not something new. It's a continuation of what started back in April. They never really went back to their barracks".
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Ukraine Says 100,000 Russian Troops Near Border - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that there are currently almost 100,000 Russian troops stationed near the Ukrainian border and that the West has shared intel on troop movements by Russia.
Zelenskiy said in a speech on Wednesday, "I hope the whole world can now clearly see who really wants peace and who is concentrating nearly 100,000 soldiers at our border".
Belarus Defense Minister: Ready To Respond Harshly To Any Attacks - The Belarus Defense Minister has stated that their armed forces are "ready to respond harshly to any attacks, we would like to warn hotheads against overestimating their capabilities."
The Belarus Defense Minister has also said that they are ready to ensure their safety and call on Russia for help if necessary.
The Polish military has also been put on the highest alert possible and says that they are ready to respond to any aggressive actions by Belarus. Meanwhile Russia is actively monitoring Belarus airspace and carrying out exercises with nuclear capable bombers and paratroopers in the region.
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Britain Scrambles Jets From Two Different Bases To Intercept Russian Bombers - Britain scrambled jets from two different bases to intercept and escort long range nuclear capable Russian bombers 'approaching the UK area of interest' according to the UK Royal Air Force.
A spokesperson for the Royal Air Force stated, "Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighters based at RAF Lossiemouth and Coningsby were scrambled today against unidentified aircraft approaching the UK area of interest. Subsequently we intercepted and escorted two Russian Tu160 Blackjack, long range strategic bomber aircraft".
Britain Sends Troops To Help Poland Fortify Border With Belarus - Britain has sent troops to Poland to help the Polish army fortify its border with Belarus and provide engineering support as Belarus sends migrants from the middle east who are not wanted in either country to their shared border.
The British Ministry of Defense stated, "A small team of UK Armed Forces personnel have deployed following agreement with the Polish Government to explore how we can provide engineering support to address the ongoing situation at the Belarus border".
Russian Paratroopers Deployed To Border Shared Between Belarus, Poland And Lithuania- Russian paratroopers have been deployed to the border shared between Belarus, Poland and Lithuania as Poland puts its troops on high alert.
In addition to sending in paratroopers for drills near Poland in a surprise check for combat readiness, Russia has also sent two nuclear capable bombers on a training mission over Belarus Thursday for the second time in two days.
US officials said that "Russia has orchestrated the migrant crisis between Belarus and Poland and the Baltic States to try to destabilize the region".
Russia Says It Won't Invade Ukraine Unless It's Provoked - The Russian ambassador to the United Nations said on Thursday that Russia will never invade the Ukraine unless it is first provoked by the Ukraine, or someone else and then quoted threats from the Ukraine as well as actions by the United States naval forces in the Black Sea that Russia sees as provocative.
When Dmitry Polyansky was asked whether Russia plans to invade the Ukraine he answered, "Never planned, never did, and never going to do it unless we’re provoked by Ukraine, or by somebody else".
"There are a lot of threats coming from Ukraine. And don’t forget that the American warships around the Black Sea acting very close". Polyansky added. "So, every day is a very difficult day to avoid direct clash in the Black Sea. We warned our American colleagues that this is a real provocation".
In response to the Russian troops stationed near the Ukrainian border, Polyansky stated, "We have the right to concentrate our troops wherever we want. This is not Ukrainian territory. This is Russian territory".
"But if you read the threats that are being pronounced in Ukraine against Russia, against Russian territorial integrity, then you will understand that a certain precaution is a logical step in such a situation".
OSCE Lost Connection With Drone Over Ukraine - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has lost connection with a drone over the Ukraine near Perevalsk with probable signal jamming suspected.
"From 10:13 to 10:17, the device was affected by GPS signal interference (believed due to probable jamming from Russian forces), after which observers lost control of its special position. The team was then unable to return the aircraft and then left the area."
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Putin Holds 2nd Call In Two Days With Merkel About Belarusian-Polish Border Crisis - Putin has held a second phone call in two days with German Chancellor Angela Merkel regarding the Belarusian-Polish border crisis.
The Kremlin put out a statement saying, "The leaders continued their discussion of the situation on the Belarusian borders with the European Union and confirmed the importance of settling the acute migration crisis as soon as possible in accordance with international humanitarian standards".
During the phone calls the use of drones by the Ukrainian military was brought up which was said to violate the Minsk Agreement. "President Putin noted Kiev’s destructive policy, which is relying increasingly on force. Thus, it is using assault drones in violation of the Minsk Package of Measures" the statement said. "The destabilizing and dangerous provocations by the armed forces of the United States and other NATO countries in the Black Sea were also noted".
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Says Russia Is Looking To Move Further Into Ukraine - The Ukrainian foreign minister stated that the Russian government is 'looking for an opportunity to move further' into Ukrainian territory. Read more
US Warns Europe Of Potential Russian Invasion On Ukraine - The United States has warned European allies that Russia might be planning an invasion on Ukraine after monitoring Russian troop movements on the Russia/Ukraine border. Read more
Leader Of Belarus Says He Needs Russian Nuclear Capable Bombers To Monitor Border Situation - The leader of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that he needs Russian nuclear capable bombers to monitor the border situation with Poland, after two Russian Tu-160 planes carried out bombing runs during a training exercise.
Russia had sent strategic bombers over Belarus to show its support of the country after the European Union accused Belarus of carrying out a 'hybrid attack' by forcing migrants from the middle east and Africa to breach the Polish border and on into Poland.
Lukashenko commented on the request for nuclear capable bombers saying, "We have to constantly monitor the situation at the border. Let them squeak, let them shout. Yes, these are bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons. But we have no other option. We must see what they are doing there beyond the borders".
Lukashenko also said that there had been attempts to arm the migrants with weapons, but did not specify who he was accusing of doing so.
Belarus's defense ministry stated that they would take 'appropriate response measures', along with Russia to counter the buildup of military forces by Poland on the border.
The Belarus Defense Ministry said, "We will not rattle our sabers like our neighbors. The system that has been created to respond to such attacks allows us to do everything to protect the sovereignty and independence of the country".
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Polish-Belarusian Border Fortifications And Polish Officers Attacked - The Polish-Belarusian border fortifications are being destroyed by migrants as they chant "Germany, Germany" after Belarusian troops lead the migrants to the Polish border. Polish officers are also being attacked as tensions grow.
A Polish government spokesperson said, "The situation on the Polish-Belarusian border. We are dealing with the organized destruction of border fortifications. There are also direct attacks on Polish officers of the Border Guard, Police and soldiers".
Poland is now calling in reinforcements in the form of reserve soldiers to help maintain security at their border.
One Ukrainian Soldier Killed, Two Injured By Pro Russian Separatists - Pro-Russian separatists killed one Ukrainian soldier and injured two others in an attack in the country's eastern region on Sunday.
A statement put out by the Ukrainian military said, "As a result of hostilities, one serviceman received an injury incompatible with life and two others were wounded".
Pro Russian separatists carried out eight attacks on Ukrainian soldiers on Sunday, using grenade launchers and mortars.
In spite of satellite photos showing Russian troop and artillery buildup near the Ukrainian border, and the Pentagon stating that they are aware of public reports about "unusual activity' near the border, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry denies Russian troop movement.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry put out a statement saying, "As of November 1, 2021, an additional transfer of Russian units, weapons and military equipment to the state border of Ukraine was not recorded".
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry insists that the reports of Russian troop movement are false and that it has not seen an increase in Russian troop movement or weaponry near its border.
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Republicans Urge Biden To Send Troops And Weapons To Ukraine - United States Republican representatives Mike Rogers and Mike Turner are urging Joe Biden to "deploy a U.S. military presence in the Black Sea" including weapons and troops in light of the threat from the growing number of Russian troops and artillery stationed near the Ukrainian border. Read more
United States Activates European Artillery Command As Russian Troops and Artillery Amass Near Ukrainian Border - The United States is activating a European artillery command that hasn't been activated for the last 30 years, as Russia begins to amass troops and artillery at their border with Ukraine.
During a press release, the U.S. African and Europe theater command gave an announcement about the reactivation of the 56th Artillery Command. The ceremony for the reactivation will be held on November 8th.
"The reactivation of the 56th Artillery Command will provide U.S. Army Europe and Africa with significant capabilities in multi-domain operations” said Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Maranian, Commanding General, 56th Artillery Command.” It will further enable the synchronization of joint and multinational fires and effects, and employment of future long range surface to surface fires across the U.S. Army Europe and Africa area of responsibility."
Christiaan Triebert, from the New York Times stated on Monday, "Satellite image taken today by @Maxar reveals presence of a large ground forces deployment — incl. tanks, APCs, self-propelled artillery — to a training area north of Yelnya, Russia".
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry estimates that Russia has around 90,000 troops stationed near their border, only around 10,000 troops less than the 100,000 that were stationed near the border back in March and April, before withdrawing about 20,000 troops but leaving their heavy equipment and artillery behind so that they could apparently return at a moments notice.
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Russia Moving Military Equipment To Border With Ukraine - Satellite photos show Russia moving military equipment 250 kilometers from their border with Ukraine, who has deployed combat drones along the front lines in the Donbas region, raising renewed concerns of a possible coming conflict between the two countries. Read more
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More Than 30 Russian Military Aircraft Intercepted By UK Carrier Strike Group - The UK strike group, HMS Queen Elizabeth has intercepted over 30 Russian military aircraft as well as warships during its deployment in the Indo-Pacific over the last two weeks. Read more
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Reports Of Russian Tanks And Artillery Heading To Ukrainian Border - There are reports coming in of Russian tanks and artillery heading to the Ukrainian border via railroad after the Ukraine launched an airstrike on Russian artillery equipment with a TB-2 Drone for the first time.
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Ukraine Launches Airstrike On Russian Artillery Equipment - Ukraine has launched an airstrike on Russian artillery equipment, sparking renewed fears of a military escalation between the two countries.
The Ukrainian armed forces carried out the airstrike in Donbass on Tuesday, making it the first time that TB-2 drones were used in a strike to destroy Russian military equipment.
Tensions are already high as Russia is strongly opposing the possible acceptance of the Ukraine into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance.
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Russian Aircraft Enters Into Alaskan Air Defense Zone - A Russian aircraft flew into the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone on Thursday but did not enter into US or Canadian airspace.
The Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone extends hundreds of miles around the Alaskan coast which is monitored for national defense. Russia is located only two miles from Alaska at its closest point.
Air Force Lieutenant General David Krumm said, "We remain vigilant in our execution of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America in order to deter strategic competitors from threatening the shared interest of the U.S., our allies and partners".
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Russia Scrambles Jets To Escort US Bombers Over Black Sea - Russia scrambled two Sukhoi Su-30 fighters to escort two US B-1B strategic bombers over the Black Sea.
On Sunday another incident involving Russian jets being scrambled to intercept US aircraft was reported over the Sea of Japan.
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Russia Stages Massive Ukraine Invasion In Wargames With China - Russia and China joined forces to stage massive wargames during which Russia staged an invasion of the Ukraine in Russian controlled Crimea next to the Ukraine while Russian warships joined Chinese warships off Japan.
Over 40 Russian ships, 30 or more military aircraft and 20 helicopters were involved in the mock invasion of the Ukraine in Crimea, where there were practiced missile launches, bombings and amphibious landings.
Meanwhile, Russian and Chinese ships sailed through the Tsuaru Strait between Japan and Hokkaido which consequently put Japan on high alert status.
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Russia Says It Has Prevented A U.S. Navy Destroyer From Intruding Into Russian Territory - Russia's Defense Ministry has put out a statement saying that they prevented a U.S. Navy destroyer from trying to enter its territorial waters in the Sea of Japan.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that one of their own destroyers, the Russian Admiral Tributs approached the U.S. destroyer USS Chafee after the USS Chafee ignored repeated warnings to leave and forced it away from its territorial waters.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that the USS Chafee 'attempted to cross the Russian sea border' but that the U.S. destroyer altered its course, speeding out of the area after the two destroyers were 60 meters away from one another.
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3 Russian Fighters Intercept US B-52 Bomber Near Japan - Three Russian fighter jets have intercepted a United States B-52 bomber near Japan/Russia.
PACAF told Stars and Stripes Wednesday, "A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress positively identified and observed three Russian Sukhoi-35S fighters in the vicinity of Iturup over the Sea of Okhotsk in the early morning, 26 September".
"Our aircrews frequently encounter safe and professional intercepts, and when it is otherwise, we have procedures in place to address it" PACAF continued. "We will continue to use international airspace in accordance with international law and expect others to do the same".
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Serbian Fighter Jets And Tanks Spotted Near Border With Kosovo amid Rising Tensions - Serbian tanks and fighter jets have been spotted near the their border with Kosovo after Kosovo banned Serbian license plates.
A large amount of Serbian battle tanks were seen headed towards the border on Saturday and Serbia reportedly also had deployed 2 fighter jets to the border.
The tensions apparently have been caused by the mandate issued by Pristina that calls for all vehicles possessing Serbian license plates to obtain temporary license plates issued by Kosovo at checkpoints at the border or they will not be allowed to gain entry into the region.
Three Russian Jets Escort U.S. Bomber Away That Was Approaching Russia's Border - 3 Russian SU-35S fighter jets reportedly escorted a U.S. B-52H bomber away from the Russian border after the bomber approached the border in the Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. bomber began flying away from the Russian border after the escort and continued moving away from the border as the Russian jets flew back to their bases.
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Russia, China And Other Countries Say US Must Be Punished For War Crimes - Russia, China, North Korea and other countries have put out a statement to the UN Tuesday saying that the United States committed war crimes in Afghanistan and is calling on the United Nations to bring them to justice. Read more
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Ukrainian Navy's Kamaz Truck hit By Russian Separatist ATGM (anti tank guided missile) Resulting In One Killed And 3 Wounded - A Kamaz truck owned by the Ukrainian 503rd Naval Infantry was hit by an ATGM (anti tank guided missile) by Russian separatists killing 1 Ukrainian and wounding 3 others. In total 2 members of the Joint forces were killed and 10 other severely injured.
On September 12th Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelendsky warned Russia of a 'full scale war' indirectly while speaking at the Yalta security forum in Kyiv by stating that by looking at the military operation between the two countries the Ukraine has not ruled out the possibility of 'an all out war'.
Zelendsky also stated that the escalation of violence between the two countries would soon reach the 'precipice' which could lead to the 'possibility of not returning from danger'.
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Russia And Belarus Undergo Vast Joint Military Drills - Russia and Belarus have undergone joint vast military drills which come not long after Russia deployed S-300 long range surface to air missile systems in Western Belarus, on the border with Poland and Lithuania.
The war games are being called 'Zapad 2021' and the Russian Defense Ministry has stated that up to 200,000 military personnel, 80 aircraft, 15 ships and around 300 tanks would be used in the games which would involve live fire exercises.
The week long exercises are being held all across the territories of both countries, as well as the Baltic Sea, which has alarmed NATO, who has put out a warning that there is an increased risk of an 'accident' or 'miscalculation' happening that could start a regional crisis.
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Russia Deploys S-300 Systems And Military Hardware To Belarus On Border With Poland And Lithuania - Russia has deployed S-300 long range surface to air missile systems to Western Belarus, on Russia's border with Poland and Lithuania.
On August 28th, Russia deployed the missile systems, which will be manned by Russian forces, will be used to defend against both aircraft and cruise missiles and bolster Russia's military capabilities between the Baltic and mainland Europe.
Russia is also deploying Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) to Baranovichi and Belarus on September 3rd, as well as Su-30 fighters to the 61st Fighter Air Base in Baranovichi, in western Belarus, making it the first deployment of combat units to Belarus.
This is likely a move on Russia's part to hinder NATO's ability to defend the Baltics and will significantly threaten the West's eastern flank.
The President of Belarus, an authoritarian named Lexaner Lukashenko stated that Belarus and Russia have effectively a 'single army' and would fight together if war were to erupt.
Lukashenko said, "We effectively have a single army, with the Belarusian military forming its backbone in the western direction. If, God forbid, a war starts, the Belarusian army will be the first to engage in the fight, and the western group of Russia's armed forces will join quickly after to form a joint defense".
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Artillery Strike By Russian Separatists Struck Ukraine Military Parking Lot - An artillery strike by Russian backed separatists reportedly hit the Ukraine's 25th Airborne Brigade parking lot which destroyed 3 vehicles and damaged two fuel tankers. A Ukrainian serviceman was also injured in the strike.
Ukrainian Soldier Killed In Donbas By Russian Backed Forces - A Ukrainian soldier, who was wounded in Donbas from shelling by Russian backed forces died on Friday according to the press service of the Skhid (east) task force who stated, "Today, on August 27, the Russian armed formations once again violated the ceasefire and fired at the positions of the Ukrainian defenders in the area of responsibility of the Skhid (East) task force".
The Skhid (east) task force also stated, "As a result of enemy shelling, one member of the Joint Force Operation was wounded incompatible with life. The command of the Joint Force Operation expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased".
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Ukrainian Plane Evacuating Ukrainian Citizens In Afghanistan Has Been Hijacked By Unknown People - A Ukrainian plane that was in Afghanistan to evacuate Ukrainian citizens has been hijacked by unknown armed hijackers. After the hijackers took over the plane, they flew it to Iran.
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US Joining With Britain To Take Action Against Those Responsible For Poisoning Alexei Navalny- The United States is joining Britain in taking action against those responsible for poisoning Alexei Navalny, a critic to Russian President Vladimir Putin according to a joint statement by the US State Department.
No other details have been given as of yet regarding what 'actions' will be taken against those responsible for the attempt on Navalny's life but Britain has placed sactions on 7 people it said were Kremlin intelligence operatives who are suspected in being involved in the hit.
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Russians And Chinese Launch Airstrikes Together During Joint Military Drills In China - The Russians and Chinese are launching airstrikes together during joint military exercises on Chinese territory.
Russia's military put out a statement saying, "During Sibu/Interaction 2021 exercise, the crews of the Su-30SM multirole fighters of the Eastern Military District, together with the pilots of the Air Force of the People's Liberation Army of China, took part in a group air strike exercise. The Chinese side used Jian-7 and Jian-11 aircraft as part of an aviation squadron".
The joint Russia and China military exercises are scheduled to run until Friday in Ningxia, China.
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Chinese And Russian Military Hold Joint Military Exercises In China For First Time - The Chinese and Russian military will be holding joint military exercises for the first time, on Chinese soil as ties between the two countries grow ever stronger in the face of growing tension with the West.
China has given Russian troops a warm welcome as they arrive for the strategic drills next that will be held next week. Chinese General Liu Xiaowu stated, "in the context of the big changes and pandemic, this is the first joint strategic exercise participated by Russian troops in China". The drills will involve around 10,000 military personnel, along with military aircraft, various weapons, vehicles, and equipment.
US Requests That 24 Russian Diplomats Leave Country When Their U.S. Visas Expire - The United States has requested that 24 Russian diplomats leave the U.S. once their Visas expire on September 3rd.
Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said of the matter, "The expulsions of diplomats are implemented under far-fetched pretexts now and then". Antonov also said that there have been cases in which children and spouses of Russian diplomats have had their visas revoked without any explanation at all. To this, the United States replied the statements are 'not accurate'.
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Putin States Hypersonic Nukes Can Locate Any Enemy And Inflict Inevitable Strike - During a parade for Russian Naval forces in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that their hypersonic missiles, capable of being fashioned with a nuclear warhead 'can locate and inflict inevitable strike' on their enemies. Read more
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Seven Ukrainian Soldiers Injured In 10 Attacks In Donbass In A Single Day - Seven Ukrainian soldiers have been injured in Donbass when pro Russian separatists violated the ceasefire 10 times in a single day according to JFO headquarters.
Vodiane, which is near Donetsk anti tank missiles were fired, as well as anti tank grenade launchers. Near Avdiyivka heavy anti tank grenade launchers were fired as well as heavy machine guns. Near Prychepylivka anti tank grenade launchers were used.
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Russia Upgrades Syrian Air Defenses And Says It Has Intercepted Israeli Missiles - Russia says it has upgraded its missile defenses in Syria to thwart missile attacks by Israel and has intercepted Israeli missiles in the latest Israeli airstrike on Syria.
7 out of 8 of the missiles reportedly fired by Israel during the most recent Israeli airstrike in Aleppo, Syria were intercepted by Russian Pantsyr-S and Buk-M2 systems which are self propelled medium range surface to air systems.
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Russia Says United States Has Been Its Enemy For Last 10 Years - In a TV interview, Russian ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov revealed that Russia has seen the United States as an enemy for the last 10 years, since the start of the Russian and Ukraine conflict. Read more
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Russia Tests Hypersonic Cruise Missile And Hits Target 200 Miles Away - Russia has successfully tested their new Zircon [Tsirkon] hypersonic cruise missile and hit a target 217 miles away on the Barents Sea coast at 7 times the speed of sound. Read more
Russia Issues Warning Of Inadvertent Conflict To US About Deploying Hypersonic Missiles In Europe - Russia has issued a warning to the United States from deploying hypersonic missiles in Europe, saying that it could lead to 'inadvertent conflict'.
The Russian embassy stated in a tweet to Washington, "We would like to remind @PentagonPressSec that potential deployment of any [American flag] hypersonic [missile] in Europe would be extremely destabilizing. Their short flight time would leave [Russian flag] little to no decision time and raise the likelihood of inadvertent conflict".
Russia Intercepts US Warplanes Over Bering Sea - Russia scrambled MiG-31 and Su-35 jets to intercept US B52-N strategic bombers over the Bearing Sea last week. The B52 bombers did not cross over into Russian airspace but closely approached its border.
An announcement by Russia stated, "Russian airspace control devices over the neutral waters of the Bering Sea detected three air targets approaching the state border of the Russian Federation. The state border of the Russian Federation was not violated".
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The Ukrainian Village Of New York Hit By Artillery Shells - The Ukrainian village of "New York" in the Donetsk region has been hit by large caliber artillery shells. One shell hit a house and left it in a pile of bricks and rubble.
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4 Ukrainians Killed In The Past Week As Tensions Soar - 1 Ukrainian has been killed and 3 wounded which amounts to 4 Ukrainians killed in the last week alone during rising tensions with Russia.
The OSCE, or Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe stated, "Over the past two weeks, there has been an increasing number of ceasefire violations".
Ukrainian positions have endured increasing attacks by artillery, mortars, grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. The conflict has left more than 13,000 people dead since fighting broke out in 2014.
Although Russia claims they do not officially support the fighting, the Ukraine and the West have both accused Russia of sending in weapons and troop reinforcements.
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Russian Fighter Jet Buzzes US Poseidon Spy Plane Over Black Sea - A Russian SU-30 fighter jet has buzzed a US Poseidon spy plane over the Black Sea while a NATO ship was being tracked by the Russian navy late Tuesday.
As the US spy plane flew over the Black Sea, Russian fighter jets were scrambled to escort the spy plane and were filmed following the US Navy's Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Russia stated that it scrambled fighters as the plane approached its airspace and moved to block it from 'violating the state border'.
The Russian Navy is also tracking a Spanish warship navigating the Black Sea during joint Ukraine/NATO Sea Breeze 2021 military drills and exercises in the area that Russia has declared a 'provocation'.
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U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Ross Leading 28 Ally Exercises In Black Sea To Send Message To Russia - The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Ross is leading 28 ally live fire exercises in the Black Sea to send a clear and precise message to Russia as Russian jets circle above. This, after Russia threatened to fire on any ships entering waters near Crimea.
The message that the United States is sending is that the Black Sea is "for everybody".
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Ukrainian Medic Killed & Another Injured In Donbas Fighting - A Ukrainian medic was killed and another person was injured during fighting in Donbas as Russian backed militants carried out an attack.
59 year old Yurii Pysmennyi, a part of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade died from an injury due to shrapnel, and a serviceman was injured with non life threatening injuries.
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Biden Says U.S. Will Respond If Russia Is Responsible For Cyberattack On Friday - Biden has stated that the United States will respond if Russia is behind the cyberattack that struck more than 200 companies on Friday, just before the start of the Independence Day weekend.
"We're not sure who it is", Biden admitted to reporters on Saturday as he pulled out a page of notes to help him answer questions. "The initial thinking was it was not the Russian government, but if it is Russia, I told Putin we will respond", he added.
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Russian Jets Armed With Air To Surface Missiles Harass Dutch Navy Frigate In Black Sea - The Dutch defense minister said on Tuesday that Russian jets armed with air to surface missiles harassed one of their navy frigates in the Black Sea for over 5 hours.
According to the Netherlands' Defense Minister, Russian fighter jets conducted mock attacks and jammed the frigates communication systems. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its actions were meant to keep the frigate from entering Russian territory.
Putin Says Sinking UK Destroyer Would Not Have Caused World War 3 - Putin has put out a statement saying that it's not likely that the "world would have been on the verge of World War Three" if Russia had decided to sink the British destroyer near Crimea and said, "Firstly, it was certainly a provocation, it is obvious that it is a provocation". Read more
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U.S. And Ukraine Set To Carry Out Military Drills In Black Sea In Spite Of Russian Protests - Ukraine and United States are set to carry out military drills in the Black Sea in which 30 countries will be involved on June 28th, in spite of Russia's protests and calls to cancel the drills. This, just days after Russia claims it had fired warning shots and dropped bombs in front of a UK ship in waters near Crimea.
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British Destroyer: HMS Defender Docks At Georgia After Angering Russia - The British HMS Defender, a destroyer that recently angered Russia by entering waters near Crimea has docked in the Batumi port in Georgia.
Classified UK Documents On Russia Found At England Bus Stop - Classified documents from the UK Ministry Of Defense have been found at a bus stop in Kent, England. The documents included sensitive data, including contact information and emails and information about the passage of the HMS Defender through waters near Crimea. Read more
Russia Sends Hypersonic Missile Capable Fighter Jets To Syria After Spat With UK - Russia has sent fighter jets that are able to equip Kinzhal hypersonic missiles to the Hemeimeem airbase in Syria after claiming to fire warning shots and dropping bombs ahead of British destroyer in the Black Sea and threatening to target the ships on the next encounter.
This is the first time Russia has deployed aircraft capable of carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles outside of Russian territory, though last month they deployed Tu-22M3 supersonic aircraft capable of carrying nuclear warheads to Syria.
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Russia says Will Bomb UK Ships Next Time, UK Says It Didn't Happen - Russia says next time British ships enter the Black Sea it will bomb the British vessels, but the UK says that Russia's claims of previously firing warning shots and dropping bombs ahead of the missile destroyer didn't happen and is Russian fake news.
Russia, who insists that the events did in fact take place, calls the alleged action a provocation. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov says that from now on they will not fire warning shots at British ships that enter waters near Crimea.
Ryabkov stated, "We can appeal to common sense, demand respect for international law, and if that doesn't work, we can bomb", and stated that in the future bombs will be dropped on a target, and not just in front of the vessel as happened in the previous encounter.
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Warning Shots Fired By Russia Toward UK Missile Destroyer Near Crimea - Russia says they have fired warning shots at a UK missile destroyer and a Russian Su-24 dropped bombs in front of the British ship in the Black Sea to ward it away from Russian territory around Crimea.
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Russian President, Vladimir Putin Says Ukraine Becoming NATO Member Not Acceptable - Vladimir Putin has given a warning to the Ukraine about joining NATO, saying that its membership would be unacceptable. Putin says that if the Ukraine joins NATO it would give NATO the ability to place missiles that would take only 7 minutes to reach Moscow and other key places in Russia.
Putin used Mexico and Canada as an example, stating that the concerns that he has about it are similar to if Russian missiles were placed in one of the countries to the north or south of the United States where missiles could reach their targets in a very short amount of time upon deployment.
Putin said, "At least 50 percent of Ukrainian residents don't want entry into NATO and these are smart people. They understand, they don't want to wind up on the firing line, they don't want to be bargaining chips or cannon fodder."
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U.S. Navy's USS Laboon Guided Missile Destroyer Enters Black Sea While Russia Monitors Movements - U.S. Navy's guided missile destroyer, the USS Laboon has has entered the Black Sea. Russia is closely monitoring the movements of the destroyer and their Black Sea Fleet has begun tactical exercises.
The USS Laboon has a few dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles equipped that all have a range of nearly 1,000 miles distance and capable of firing a wide variety of other missile types that can hit land targets, as well as aircraft and submarines.
The National Center for the management of the Defense of Russia put out a statement saying "The forces and means of the Black Sea Fleet have begun to control the actions of the United States Navy destroyer Laboon, which entered the Black Sea on June 11, 2021".
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Russia Scrambles Fighter Jet To Intercept U.S. Military Plane Over Barents Sea - Russia scrambled fighter jets to intercept a United States military plane over the Barents Sea according to EUCOM officials. The United States European Command stated that the planes met and safely disengaged one another after the Russian jet accompanied the U.S. plane in a close distance until the United States military plane left the area.
While Russia has been increasingly sending bombers near Alaska and intercepted by the United States, the United States has also been increasingly sending U.S. bombers near Russian airspace as tension between the two countries have grown.
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Russian Spy Ship Spotted Near Hawaii, U.S. Pacific Fleet Monitoring - A Russian spy ship has been spotted near Hawaii. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is monitoring it. Captain John Gray stated that they would 'continue to track it through the duration of its time here'. The presence of the spy ship has delayed a missile test by the Missile Defense Agency.
Russia Delivers Sniper Rifles To Eastern Ukraine, Ukraine Soldier Killed By Sniper -Russia has delivered large caliber sniper rifles to occupied eastern Ukraine, along with 1,500 Tons of fuel and lubricants to Donetsk and Lukhansk, while a Ukranian soldier has been killed by a Russian separatist sniper in Lugansk which borders Russia.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry spokesperson Maria Salnik stated, "Last week, new batches of Russian-made weapons and ammunition, including large caliber sniper rifles and more than 1,500 tonnes of fuel and lubricants, were delivered from Russia into the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions through uncontrolled areas of Ukraine's state border".
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China's Main Invasion Force Practices Amphibious Beach Landings, Presumably For A Taiwan Invasion - The Chinese main invasion force, the 73rd Group Army have been practicing live fire exercises and beach landings with amphibious vehicles, firing off thousands of rounds of ordnance. The 73rd Group Army, stationed in Xiamen is thought to have conducted the exercises in the Taiwan strait, indicated from Chinese satellite images.
This, around the same time that China has been conducting live fire exercises and bombing runs in the South China Sea with warplanes, simulating anti-ship strikes with missiles, training 'precision strike' and 'saturation attack' and unloading bombs at low altitudes, along with firing auto cannons.
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Russia Now Has Ability To Operate Capable Bombers From Syrian Base - Russia has stated that for the first time it can now operate nuclear capable bombers from an air base in Syria and has deployed three heavy bombers in a Syria air base, allowing them to hold training exercises over the Mediterranean Sea.
Russia has stated that it has deployed three Tu-22M3 heavy bombers in Syria, to the Hemeimeem air base, which will carry out training missions over the Mediterranean, making it the first time since the cold war that Russia has deployed heavy bombers in the Middle East.
The Tupolev Tu-22M3, which NATO has codenamed 'Backfire' is a twin engine supersonic heavy bomber that can reach ranges of more than 3,100 miles. The Tu-22M3 can also be upgraded to use the latest hypersonic missiles.
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Nine Russian & Chinese Navy Warships Spotted Near Japan - 9 Russian and Chinese navy warships have been spotted near Japanese waters: three Chinese vessels and 6 Russian vessels.
Of the three Chinese ships there was a Luyang-III class missile destroyer and a Jiangkai-II class frigate. Of the Russian warships there was two Tarantul-III missile corvettes, an Udaloy-I class destroyer. None of the vessels entered Japanese territory.
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Increased Russian Shelling In Ukraine: 16 Ceasefire Violations In One Day - Shelling by Russian backed separatists have increased. On May 15th there were 16 ceasefire violations in a single day with one Ukrainian soldier known to be wounded in the attacks. Areas: Near Vodiane, Pisky, Novhorodske, Shyrokyne, Nevelske, Starohnativka, Opytne and Maryinka.
Russia Claims Ukrainian Army Has Shelled Western Part Of Donetsk - The Russian News Agency claims that the Ukrainian army has shelled the western part of Donetsk and violated the ceasefire 5 times, firing 35 munitions and damaging several residential buildings.
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Russia Continues To Conscript Residents Of Crimea Into Its Military - Russia is continuing to conscript residents of Crimea into its military. Some have been transferred to carry out orders in Donbass. Russia has also transferred air assault elements, along with T-72B3 battle tanks, 120mm mortars, 122mm howitzers and armored vehicles to their border with the Ukraine.
Russia Confronts U.S. Convey In Syria & Forces It To Turn Back - The Russian Defense Ministry's Syria reconciliation center stated that six United States armored vehicles had gone an "uncoordinated route and without prior notice" in the province of Hasakah in Syria. Russia's military police stopped U.S. vehicles and ordered them to turn back and head the opposite way.
Russia holds that U.S. presence in Syria is 'illegal' and 'does not have any right to criticize legitimate actions of the Russian Armed Forces' after the United States put out an assessment saying that Russia is hampering "deconfliction processes" in Northeast Syria and "seeks to harass and constrain U.S. forces with the ultimate goal of compelling U.S. forces to withdraw from northeastern Syria".
Russia Lists United States To List Of Unfriendly States - Russia has listed both the United States and the Czech Republic to their list of 'Unfriendly States' and said that U.S. diplomatic missions can no longer deploy local staff and limited Czech to 19 at the most. Russia has given the United States a deadline of August 1st to comply with the new restrictions.
Putin Says Ukraine Is Becoming Anti-Russia And Pledges A Response - Russian president Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine is becoming 'anti-Russia' and says that Moscow is ready to act to threats to Russian security. Read more
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Russia Still Has 100,000 Soldiers Near Ukrainian Border According To Ukraine - According to the Ukraine, Russia still has 100,000 soldiers stationed near the Ukrainian border and in Crimea. Although Russia announced a withdrawal from the border, nearly all of the troops that were originally stationed there are still there.
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NATO Deploying 28,000 Troops Near Ukraine For War Games - As Russia refuses to withdraw around 80,000 troops around the Ukrainian border, NATO is set to amass 28,000 of its own troops for war games next to Ukraine. Read more
2 Ukrainian Soldiers Killed By Russian Separatists Friday In Eastern Ukraine - Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and one injured in eastern Ukraine while under fire from Russian separatists as hostilities and tensions between the two countries have greatly risen over the last few months. So far this year the conflict has claimed the lives of 36 soldiers.
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One Ukrainian Soldier Killed & One Wounded In Russian Ceasefire Violations May 6th - One Ukrainian soldier killed and another was wounded on May 6th in Donbass, Eastern Ukraine. The JFO press center stated "A member of the Joint Forces received a bullet wound amid enemy shelling. Unfortunately, the soldier died"
Nearly All Russian Troops Remain On Ukraine Border Despite Claims Of Withdrawal - Despite claims by the Kremlin that they have ordered the Russian troops that had been stationed on the Ukrainian border last month to fall back to their normal stations in Russia, more Russian troops yet remain amassed on Ukraine's border than has been since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Read more
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EU Concerned Russia May Use Passports To Ukrainians To Instigate War - The European Union says they are 'deeply concerned' about the fact that Russia is issuing passports to Ukraine citizens, an act which contradicts the 'spirit' of the Minsk Agreements and encroaches upon the sovereignty of the Ukraine. Read more
500,000 Russian Passports Issued To Eastern Ukraine In the last two years - Russia's Interior Ministry says they have issued 527,000 passports to people in Eastern Ukraine in the last two years in what the Ukraine calls "Hybrid warfare" as the Ukraine condemns Russia's push for naturalizing Ukrainians into Russia. Read more
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Top US Commander Says Russia Flights Around Alaska Are Straining Our Units - Numerous U.S. officials have stated that Russian activity around Alaska have increased significantly as of late, and the head of Alaskan Command has just put out a statement saying that the recent increase has put a strain on U.S. assets. Read more
Russia Says Relations With US Worse Than During Cold War - Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov said in an interview that was published on Wednesday that relations between the United States and Russia are worse now than even during the cold war. Read more
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15 Russian Ceasefire Violations In Ukraine - On April 28th there were 15 Russian ceasefire violations in Ukraine with one soldier reportedly wounded in action from Russian backed armed groups. The Joint Forces Operation (JFO) press center stated "In the past day, April 28, as many as 15 ceasefire violations were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) zone".
The JFO stated "A Ukrainian member with the Joint Forces received a gunshot wound amid enemy shelling. He was promptly provided with first aid and rushed to the hospital".
The village of Zaitseve was shelled and automatic rifles were used in the area. 120mm mortars, heavy machine guns and tripod mounted anti tank guns were used near Krasnohorivka. 120mm mortars, anti tank grenade launchers, tripod mounted antitank guns and rifles were used near Katerynivka. 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and rifles were used six times close to the Vodiane village, and anti tank guns and grenade launchers near Hnutove.
Heavy machine guns and anti tank guns were also used near Avdiyivka and anti tank grenade launchers near Zolote village. Joint forces had to return fire.
Russia has issued an order to expel seven EU diplomats from Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in tit for tat expulsions over accusations of Czech spying.
Russia Tests New Upgraded Super Fast Anti Ballistic Missile - Russia unveils a new upgraded anti-ballistic missile (ABM) at a Kazakhstan test site that they say can fly nearly 2 miles a second or roughly four times the speed of a bullet. The new upgraded ABM is designed to intercept incoming enemy missiles at extremely fast speeds, protecting Moscow from attacks via both air and space.
Russia Pulls Back Soldiers But Not Forces In Black Sea - Russia has pulled back its military personnel from the Ukrainian border but has not pulled back its Navy forces from the Black Sea nor its heavy weaponry that Russia left sitting near the border. Given how easy it would be to bring land troops back to the border, it leaves some wondering if Russia has an invasion planned for the near future. The President of Ukraine says that Russia could return "at any moment" and has told his military to stay on alert.
Russia Holds Live Fire Drills As U.S. Coast Guard Enters Region - Russia holds live fire drills in the Black Sea as U.S. Coast Guard vessel enters the region. The Russian Navy said that they are monitoring the U.S. Coast Guard vessel.
U.S. Gives Ukraine $8 Million In Military Aid - United States gives Ukrainian army $8 million in military security assistance.
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1 Ukrainian Soldier Killed 3 Wounded In Military Truck Explosion - One Ukrainian soldier was killed and three others wounded in Donbass when a military truck blew up due to an unknown explosive device that was detonated in the Pivnich northern sector. Three other servicemen were also injured.
JFO Command wrote, "Today, April 27, a member of the Joint Forces received fatal wounds in a blast of a military truck caused by an unidentified explosive device in the Pivnich (North) sector. Another three servicemen suffered combat-related injuries"
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Total Of 9 Russian Ceasefire Violations In Ukraine - There were a total of 9 Russian ceasefire violations on April 26th where 82mm mortars were fired outside of Hnutove, which is 20km north-east of Mariupol. Heavy machine gun fire and grenade launchers near Svitlodarsk 57km from Donetsk according to JFO headquarters press center. Grenade launchers & heavy machine gun fire also near Pavlopil, 25km from Mariupol and heavy machine gun fire and under barrel grenade launchers in Avdiivka 17km from Donetsk, as well as heavy machine gun fire and grenade launchers near Zaitseve 62km from Donetsk.
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Total Of 12 Russian Ceasefire Violations In Ukraine - There were 12 ceasefire violations in Donbass on April 25th from 120mm and 82mm mortars, heavy machine guns & Grenade Launchers. Civilian facilities In Vodiane were also shelled with 120mm mortars. No forces have attacked Ukrainian troops directly, And No casualties reported. Ukrainian military says situation is under full control.
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- Putin Orders Troops To Pull Back From Ukraine Border But Why There?
- Ukraine "monitoring the situation" after Russia's order to withdraw forces
- Russia Begins Withdrawing Troops From Ukrainian Border
- Current condition of Alexei Navalni in question
- Putin Warns West Of Crossing Red Line With Asymmetrical, Swift And Harsh Response
- Ukraine President Zelensky Is Ready For War With Russia And Will Fight To Last Man
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- Russia Suspected Of GPS Jamming At Ukraine Border
- Russia Seems To Be preparing To Invade Ukraine, Will He Go Through With It?
- Top Admiral Says China & Russia Modernizing Nuclear Weapons Quicker Than US
- Russia Says Ukraine & NATO Continuing Military Preparations
- EU Warns Spark Could Set Off Escalation Between Russia & Ukraine
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