Russia Withdraws From The Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty

The U.S. and its NATO allies served notice Tuesday that they will formally suspend their participation in a 1990 treaty limiting conventional forces in Europe, marking the demise of another landmark arms control agreement. https://t.co/X1T7ZrFLCa pic.twitter.com/qn3IOmBj73

— Geopolitics & Empire (@Geopolitics_Emp) November 7, 2023

RT: Russia rules out new arms control deals with NATO  

There is no point in talks until the US-led bloc adopts more constructive and realistic positions, the Kremlin has said  

The Kremlin has formally withdrawn from a major Cold War-era arms control pact with the NATO military bloc, saying the outdated treaty was already dead for years and had completely “lost touch with reality” in the modern world. 

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the move on Tuesday, saying the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) had “finally become history” after prior steps to withdraw, the first of which dates back to 2007. While it originally “played a certain stabilizing role,” the deal was largely ignored by NATO members and thus has “ceased to meet the interests of Russia,” the ministry said.  

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WNU Editor: This is the Kremlin's explanation on why they have decided to withdraw from the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty .... By criticizing CFE treaty, US wants to shift West’s blame on Russia — diplomat (TASS). 

Russia Withdraws From The Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty  

Russia Formally Quits Post-Cold War Arms Treaty With Europe -- Moscow Times 

US must pull out of CFE arms treaty -White House -- Reuters  

NATO Freezes Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe -- VOA  

NATO Countries Suspend Participation In Cold War-Era Security Pact After Moscow's Withdrawal -- RFE  

NATO suspends key Cold War treaty after Russia pulls out -- DW  

NATO, US slam Russia for withdrawing from conventional arms treaty -- The Hill

Top NATO General Says In The Event Of An Attack, NATO Could Use Up To 3.5 Million Soldiers

Sputnik: NATO Claims It Can Deploy 3.5Mln Soldiers If Attacked 

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO, in accordance with its new defense plans, can deploy 300,000 soldiers in the first month of a potential attack on the bloc, while the total number of the alliance’s military personnel could reach 3.5 million people, Chair of the NATO Military Committee Adm. Rob Bauer said on Saturday. 

 "If we are talking about collective defense, you do not have the time to prepare for an attack if the attack happens. And it is not us planning the attack, it is the opponent planning the attack. If they attack, you have to be ready. Therefore, we need more soldiers at high readiness … We are talking, in NATO as a whole if Finland and Sweden have joined, of about 3.5 million soldiers in the alliance. 

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Update #1: Numbers Game – NATO’s 3.5 Million Troops vs. Russia’s 1.15 Million (Frontier India)  

Update #2: NATO says it can deploy 3.5 million soldiers if attacked (Report News Agency)  

WNU Editor: A NATO - Russia war will quickly lead to a nuclear conflict.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg: No Change Seen in Russia's Nuclear Posture

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg holds a press conference during a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo  

WNU editor: I find this statement to be very strange .... No Change Seen in Russia's Nuclear Posture, NATO's Stoltenberg Says (Reuters). Strange because no one asked NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg any questions on Russia's nuclear posture.

Russian Defence Minister Says Russia Will Build Up Forces To Counter NATO Threat From Finland And Poland

Russian defence minister Shoigu visits troops in Ukraine © Thomson Reuters  

Reuters: Russia to build up forces in west to counter NATO threat - Shoigu 

(Reuters) - Russia will build up forces at its western borders following Finland's accession to the U.S.-led NATO alliance, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told the governing board of the ministry on Wednesday. 

In opening remarks to the Collegium of the Defence Ministry, Shoigu said NATO-member Poland had already announced plans to strengthen its military, and that he expected significant NATO forces and weaponry to be deployed in Finland, whose inclusion has almost doubled the length of Russia's land border with NATO.  

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Update #1: Russia Vows Response to ‘Threats’ on Western Border -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Update #2: Russia to build up forces at western borders to counter NATO threat, defence minister Sergei Shoigu says -- SKY News  

WNU Editor: Finland becoming a NATO member has changed the defense posture on the Finnish - Russian border. After decades the status quo has now changed, and to me it is a given that in the coming months/years NATO will be deploying significant amounts of weapons and personnel to Finland to counter Russia.

Putin Says Russia 'Ready' For Clash With US Over Syrian Skies And NATO

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a televised meeting with officials to assess the consequences of an attack on the Crimean Bridge, in Moscow, on July 18, 2023. (Photo by Reuters) 

RT: Russia is ready for confrontation with NATO – Putin  

Moscow does not want a conflict with the Western-led bloc but is ready for any outcome, Russian president says  

Russia is “always ready for any scenario,” President Vladimir Putin told journalists on Saturday, commenting on a potential direct confrontation between the Russian and NATO militaries. The president was responding to a question about recent near-collisions involving Russian and American aircraft in Syria. 

“No one wants that,” the president added, pointing to the existing conflict-prevention lines that allow Russian and US officers to talk directly about “any crisis situation.” That fact that these lines still work shows that no side is interested in a conflict, he added. “If someone wants it – and that’s not us – then we’re ready,” Putin added.  

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Putin Says Russia 'Ready' For Clash With US Over Syrian Skies And NATO 

Russia is ready for confrontation with NATO – Putin -- RT  

Russia does not want military clash with US, says Putin -- TASS  

Russia 'Ready' For Clash With US Over Syrian Skies, Putin Says -- Zero Hedge 

Putin: Russia 'ready for any scenario' versus US in Syria but not after military confrontation -- Press TV (Iran)  

Putin ups rhetoric regarding potential clashes over Syria - analysis -- Jerusalem Post

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Says Western F-16 Jets In Ukraine Will Be Viewed As A 'Nuclear' Threat

 

Daily Mail: Russia will view the deployment of F-16 jets to Ukraine as a direct nuclear threat to Moscow, Sergei Lavrov warns 

Russia will view the deployment of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as a direct nuclear threat to the Kremlin, Putin's foreign minister has warned. 

Sergei Lavrov says Russia has privately warned the US, Britain and France of the dire risks of the planned move to give Kyiv the advanced warplanes. 

He implied that the use of F-16 - for which Ukrainian pilots are now being trained - could lead to Putin unleashing tactical nuclear weapons. 

He said the move was 'just one example of an extremely dangerous turn of events is the United States plans to transfer F-16 fighter jets to the Kiev regime.

'We have informed the nuclear powers, the United States, Britain and France, that Russia cannot ignore the ability of these aircraft to carry nuclear weapons.

'No amount of assurances will help here.'  

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WNU Editor: When it comes to important foreign policy announcements, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov is the person who always makes them for the Kremlin.

I recall two weeks before the Russian invasion Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov was warning .... correction .... pleading with some of his Western counterparts that Ukraine's new offensive against the Donbas will mean war. But no one listened. 

We now hear a new warning from the Russian Foreign Minster on F-16 jets, and his message is very clear. Because these jets can carry tactical nuclear weapons, this will force Russia to upgrade its nuclear defense status. What this means is that every-time an F-16 jet is flying above Ukraine or near the Russian border it will be seen as a platform carrying a nuclear weapon. 

 Sighhh ....

It looks like we are on a downward path to replicate the Cuban Missile Crisis that is going to be on "steroids". But instead of Cuba and the borders of the U.S, this new crisis will be in Ukraine and near the borders of Russia. 

And like before the war, no one is listening to Lavrov.  

Update: Ukraine's Foreign Minister has responded .... Ukraine’s top diplomat calls out Russian spin about F-16s being ‘nuclear threat’ (New Voice of Ukraine). 

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Says Western F-16 Jets In Ukraine Will Be Viewed As A 'Nuclear' Threat  

Russia will treat F-16s in Ukraine as nuclear threat – Lavrov -- RT  

Russia to view F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine as threat in nuclear sphere — Lavrov -- TASS Lavrov: Plans to Deliver F-16 Fighters to Kiev Set Dangerous Development of Events -- Sputnik Russia Says F-16 Jets in Ukraine Will Be Seen as 'Nuclear' Threat -- Moscow Times/AFP Any F-16 Jets In Ukraine Create Risks Of Direct Armed Clash With Russia: Lavrov Warns US -- Republic World Western F-16 jets in Ukraine to be viewed as 'nuclear' threat, says Russia -- First Post

Russian President Putin Says 'F*** NATO' On NATO Nuclear Weapon Requests

Speaking at Russia's flagship economic forum in St Petersburg, Putin told those gathered that the first warheads had arrived in the country, but that this was only 'the first part' of the planned delivery  

Daily Mail: Vladimir Putin tells West to 'go to hell'as despot confirms that nuclear weapons have been moved to Belarus as a precaution for 'anyone thinking of inflicting a strategic defeat' on Russia 

* Lukashenko said Belarus has started receiving Russian tactical nuclear weapons 

* It is Moscow's first move of such bombs outside Russia since fall of Soviet Union 

President Putin told the West to 'go to hell' on nuclear arms reduction as he confirmed he has moved nuclear weapons into Belarus, claiming it is a precautionary measure for 'anyone thinking of inflicting a strategic defeat' on Russia. 

 Speaking at Russia's flagship economic forum in St Petersburg, Putin told those gathered that the first warheads had arrived in the country, but that this was only 'the first part' of the planned delivery. 

 He added: 'Just talking about this (the potential use of nuclear weapons) lowers the nuclear threshold. We have more than NATO countries and they want to reduce our numbers. Go to hell.'  

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WNU Editor: The Western press is saying Putin said 'go to hell'. Not really. I saw the video on what he said. He said the equivalent of 'f*** NATO' in Russian. This is the first time I have ever seen or heard Putin swear like this.

Russian President Putin Says 'F*** NATO' On NATO Nuclear Weapon Requests  

Vladimir Putin tells West to 'go to hell'' on nuclear arms reduction -- The Telegraph  

Putin warns NATO over being drawn into Ukraine war, says Russia has more nuclear weapons -- CNN  

Putin says 'f*** them' in response to NATO member countries' nuclear weapons request -- Daily Star  

Putin tells Nato to 'go to hell' as Russia deploys nukes and issues F-16 threat -- Express 

In a warning to the West, Putin says Russian tactical nukes are being put in Belarus to stop a 'strategic defeat' -- Insider

Germany Deploys Its Patriot Missiles To Lithuania

Germany sends two Patriots, the mobile defence surface-to-air missile systems, to Poland, in Gnoien. Reuters  

Reuters: Germany to move Slovakia-based Patriot system to Lithuania to protect NATO summit 

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany will move its Patriot missile defence system currently stationed in Slovakia to Lithuania to protect a NATO summit scheduled for July in Vilnius, the country's defense ministry said in a statement.

Germany has stationed two Patriot units in Slovakia and three in Poland. "For the ground-based air defence (at the NATO summit), we will move our Patriot units from Slovakia and supporting elements from Poland to Lithuania," the defence ministry said, adding this would end the deployment to Slovakia.  

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Update #1: Germany to move Patriot units from Slovakia to Lithuania for NATO summit (AP)  

Update #2: Germany to Transfer its 'Patriot' Systems from Slovakia to Lithuania (Novinite)  

Update #3: Germany To Deploy Patriot Missile Units From Slovakia To Lithuania For NATO Summit (Republic World)  

WNU Editor: It looks like this deployment is going to be permanent.

NATO's World War Three Plans Are Being Drawn Up

Newsweek: NATO Forges Secret Plans Against Russia—'We Are Ready To Fight Tonight'  

NATO leaders are set to approve plans outlining how the alliance can respond to an attack by Russia. 

The proposed move comes as a top NATO official, Admiral Rob Bauer, warned that preparations were needed because "a conflict can present itself at any time." 

NATO, which has been involved in smaller conflicts such as Afghanistan in recent years, has not drawn up such detailed plans for defending against a Russian attack since the end of the Cold War, but President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has led to a rethink. 

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Update #1: NATO reaches back to Cold War past with first major defence plans in decades (Reuters)  

Update #2: NATO to Draw Up Russia War Plans for First Time Since Cold War (Antiwar.com)  

WNU Editor: They are only drawing up these plans right now?!?!?!?

Russian Jet Intercepts French, German Aircraft Near Border

Illustrative file image: Tass  

Reuters: Russia Scrambles Jet as France, Germany Conduct NATO Patrols 

(Reuters) -Russia's defence ministry scrambled a fighter jet on Monday after it said it detected French and German patrol aircraft flying towards Russian airspace, the ministry said in a statement. 

France and Germany said its planes - a French Atlantic 2 maritime patrol aircraft and a German P-3C Orion - were conducting regular flights as part of a NATO exercise and behaved in accordance with international law. 

Russia said its Su-27 jet returned to base after the French and German ones turned away from Russia, the defence ministry said, adding that it had scrambled the jet to "prevent the Russian state border being violated."  

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Russian Jet Intercepts French, German Aircraft Near Border  

Russia Says Intercepts NATO Jets Over Baltic Sea -- AFP  

Russia says intercepted French, German planes over Baltic, airspace violation stopped -- Al Arabiya  

Russia intercepts jets as France and Germany conduct Nato exercise -- The National 

Russian Jet Intercepts French, German Aircraft Near Border; Belarus Puts Troops On High Alert -- Zero Hedge

NATO Has Put Its Air Units On High Alert Following A Near Miss Between Russian And Polish Aircraft

A F-16 of Polish Air Force is seen are seen during a NATO’s Baltic Air Policing drill simulating an interception of a civilian flight near Siauliai airport in Lithuania, on January 14, 2020. (AFP)  

Antiwar.com: NATO Air Units on High Alert After Near Miss Between Russian and Polish Aircraft  

Russian and NATO aircraft have had several dangerous encounters  

NATO has put its air units on high alert following a near miss between Russian and Polish aircraft, Reuters reported Monday. 

A NATO official said that on Friday, a Polish jet patrolling over the Black Sea near Romania for the EU’s border agency, known as Frontex, had a dangerous encounter with a Russian aircraft. 

“NATO air policing detachments were put on higher readiness in response to the dangerous behavior of a Russian military plane in the vicinity of a Polish Frontex aircraft over the Black Sea near Romania,” the NATO official said.

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WNU Editor: This is the new normal.

NATO Issues Warning That Russia Could Target Undersea Pipelines And Cables

Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO headquarters during the move to the new building © Thomson Reuters

Politico: NATO warns Russia could target undersea pipelines and cables  

Moscow is ‘actively mapping’ gas pipelines and internet cables, top intelligence official says. 

There is a “significant risk” Russian could target critical infrastructure in Europe or North America, including gas pipelines and internet cables, as part of its confrontation with the West over Ukraine, a senior NATO intelligence official warned. 

David Cattler, NATO's assistant secretary general for intelligence and security, told reporters Russia was “actively mapping” the infrastructure of Ukraine’s allies both on land and on the seabed. 

Moscow's military and civilian intelligence services had “considerable resources” that Vladimir Putin could deploy for surveillance of infrastructure, “including the use of civilian ships and so-called spy ships,” Cattler added.  

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WNU Editor: It looks like the powers that be in NATO are now finally realizing that their massive military/logistics/intelligence/and training support of Ukraine will have consequences and the very real possibility of blow-back.

NATO Warns Russia Could Target Undersea Pipelines And Cables    

NATO says Moscow may sabotage undersea cables as part of war on Ukraine -- Reuters  

Russia's military is more active in the Atlantic, and NATO fears it could sabotage undersea cables to disrupt countries supporting Ukraine -- Business Insider  

Nato fears Russia may have laid mines on critical European undersea infrastructure points -- Daily Mail

NATO Considering The Deployment Of 300,000 Soldiers To The Russian Border

© AFP 2023 / WOJTEK RADWANSKI  

Politico: NATO is racing to arm its Russian borders. Can it find the weapons?  

Allies are worrying about dwindling war chests just as NATO seeks commitments for new stockpiles and troops along the eastern flank. 

BRUSSELS — Add NATO’s military planners to the list of those concerned about having enough shells. 

In the coming months, the alliance will accelerate efforts to stockpile equipment along the alliance’s eastern edge and designate tens of thousands of forces that can rush to allies’ aid on short notice — a move meant to stop Russia from expanding its war beyond Ukraine. 

To make that happen, though, NATO must convince individual countries to contribute various elements: Soldiers, training, better infrastructure — and, most notably, extensive amounts of pricey weapons, equipment and ammunition.  

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Update: NATO considering deployment of up to 300,000 troops on border with Russia (Ukrayinska Pravda)  

Update #2: NATO Reportedly Mulling 300,000-Strong Force on Russia's Borders Amid Fast-Dwindling War Chests (Sputnik)  

WNU Editor: After indicting Russian President Putin as a war criminal, thereby ending any hope that there will be a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine war, Russia would see such a NATO deployment of forces to its border as a prelude to an attack and invasion.

RAF and German Fighter Jets Scramble To Intercept Russian Aircraft Flying Close To Estonia

The RAF and German Typhoon jets (pictured before taking off in a photograph released by the German air force) were reacting to a Russian air-to-air refuelling aircraft after it failed to communicate with Estonian air traffic control in the Baltic Sea  

Daily Mail: RAF and German jets scramble to intercept Russian aircraft close to Estonia in joint NATO mission amid growing fears of escalating war - hours after Kremlin warplane downs US Reaper drone 

* Russian Il-78 Midas plane was flying between St Petersburg and Kaliningrad 

* It failed to communicate as it approached Estonian air space over Baltic Sea 

British and German fighter jets scrambled to intercept two Russian aircraft flying close to Estonia in a joint NATO mission on Tuesday - hours after a Kremlin warplane downed a US drone over the Black Sea - amid fears of an escalation in the region. 

The RAF and German Typhoon jets were reacting to a Russian air-to-air refuelling aircraft after it failed to communicate with Estonian air traffic control in the Baltic Sea, and as it approached NATO airspace. The Russian Il-78 Midas plane was intercepted as it was flying between St Petersburg and Kaliningrad. 

The NATO jets were later redirected to intercept a Russian Antonov 148 military transport aircraft that was also passing close to Estonian air space, the RAF said in a release on Wednesday.  

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WNU editor: In another sign that escalation is going to continue. I am now reading reports that NATO is sending more fighter jets to the Black Sea. 

 RAF and German Fighter Jets Scramble To Intercept Russian Aircraft Flying Close To Estonia  

UK, German fighter jets intercept Russian plane near Estonia -- AP  

UK, Germany scramble fighters to block Russian jets hours after US drone crash -- FOX News  

RAF and German air force intercept Russian aircraft in ‘routine’ Nato mission -- The Independent  

RAF Typhoon scrambled to intercept Russian warplane as Brit ace takes to skies alongside German jet in tense standoff -- The SUN  

German, British jets intercept Russian aircraft near Estonia -- TASS

U.S. B-52H bomber Aproached St. Petersburg At A Distance Of About 200 km During Its Flight Over The Gulf Of Finland

WNU editor: This is a Cold War era flight path. Talk about a provocative act. My guess is that this B-52H bomber was running drills on launching nuclear cruise missiles against St. Petersburg. This B-52H  bomber also skirted the border of Kaliningrad.

NATO Military Chief Says The Alliance Is "Ready" For A Direct Confrontation With Russia

 

Newsweek: NATO Official Says Alliance 'Ready' for Direct Confrontation With Russia 

Rob Bauer, chairman of NATO's Military Committee, recently said that the alliance is "ready" for a direct confrontation with Russia as the country continues to fight in Ukraine. 

Bauer, an admiral in the Royal Netherlands Navy, told a Portuguese television channel, RTP, that NATO is focused on rearmament as Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategic objectives go beyond Ukraine and could possibly expand to neighboring countries. 

The chairman, who is reportedly advocating "peacetime war economy," added that it is important for NATO nations to direct civil industrial production towards military objectives.  

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WNU Editor: NATO's Military chief also believes the alliance should shift to a "war economy" .... NATO allies should shift to “war economy” - military committee chief (Ukrinform).

 NATO Military Chief Says The Alliance Is "Ready" For A Direct Confrontation With Russia  

NATO Military Chair Declares Alliance Is Ready For Direct Confrontation With Russia -- Republic World

Top NATO official says Alliance ready for direct confrontation with Russia -- Ukrayinska Pravda  

NATO ready for clash with Russia – top official -- RT  

NATO ready for direct confrontation with Russia — official -- TASS  

NATO Official Says Alliance Is ‘Ready’ for Direct Confrontation With Russia -- Antiwar.com

NATO's Top military Official Says Russia Will Remain A Threat To NATO Even If Its Forces Are Defeated In Ukraine

 

Reuters: Russia to Stay a Threat Even if It Loses War, Says Top NATO Officer 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russia will remain a threat to NATO even if its forces are defeated in Ukraine, a top military official in the Western alliance said on Thursday. 

"Whatever the outcome of the war, the Russians will most likely have similar ambitions ... therefore the threat does not go away," Admiral Rob Bauer, the chairman of NATO's military committee, told reporters at the alliance's Brussels headquarters. 

While Russian forces, equipment and ammunition have all been depleted by the war, NATO countries expect Moscow will try to rebuild and even strengthen its military capacity, Bauer said.  

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WNU Editor: Admiral Rob Bauer is repeating what has been NATO's new narrative on Russia for the past week. That this conflict is going to be a long one .... NATO warns of Russia’s long war in Ukraine, vows to be ready (AP).

NATO Chief Says Trust Between The West And Russia Has Been Destroyed

 

CNBC: Trust between the West and Russia has been destroyed, NATO chief says 

* NATO Director-General Jens Stoltenberg said a level of trust that had been established during a rapprochement between Western nations and Russia in recent decades had been destroyed by Moscow’s decision to invade Ukraine. 

* Stoltenberg’s comments come as the war in Ukraine shows no signs of slowing down over the winter period. 

* Russia continues to pound Ukraine’s energy infrastructure too with devastating consequences for civilians. 

The West has tried to build bridges with Russia since the end of the Cold War but any trust that was established in recent years has been destroyed with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO Director-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday. 

“NATO strived for decades to develop a better, more constructive relationship with Russia,” he told CNBC’s Hadley Gamble in Brussels. “After the end of the Cold War we established institutions [like the] NATO-Russia Council, when I was prime minister of Norway I remember that President Putin attended NATO summits ... so this was a different time when we worked for a better relationship. Russia has walked away from all of this,” he said.  

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WNU Editor: The trust between both sides started to fall apart when the Maidan revolution happened in 2014 and the democratically elected pro-Russian President (President Viktor Yanukovych) was driven out of power. It has been downhill ever since.

Two Russian Jets Make "Unsafe" Low-Altitude Pass Over NATO Task Force

A pair of Russian SU34 military jets take part in an exhibition flight on July 18, 2017 at the annual air show MAKS 2017 in Zhukovsky, some 40 km outside Moscow. (File photo: AFP)  

Maritime Executive: Russian Jets Make "Unsafe" Low-Altitude Pass Over NATO Task Force

NATO's Allied Maritime Command has accused Russian air forces of making an "unsafe, unprofessional" low-altitude overflight past NATO warships in the Baltic Sea.  

On Thursday morning, the warships of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 were carrying out an exercise in the Baltic Sea. 

Two Russian fighters approached at an altitude of 300 feet and overflew the force at a distance of just 80 yards, according to the command. They refused to respond to communications, NATO said.   

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Update #1: Russian jets conduct ‘unsafe’ Baltic ship overflight: NATO (AFP)  

Update #2: NATO: Russian planes led ‘unsafe’ Baltic vessel overflight (MENAFN)  

WNU Editor: There was a time when this would be a top news story. I only learned about it today (this incident happened 4 days ago), and with the exception of AFP there was no coverage from the major news wire services.

Canadian Officer Commanding A NATO Battle Group In Latvia Says Russian Forces Would Be Routed If They Dared Launch An Attack

Canadian Press  

CTV News/Canadian Press: Canadian commander says NATO battle group in Latvia could beat back Russian attack 

RIGA, Latvia - The Canadian officer commanding a NATO battle group in Latvia says Russian forces would be routed if they dared launch an attack against Canadian troops and their allies stationed in the Baltic country on Russia's western border. 

"I think we'd win by a fair margin," Lt.-Col. Jesse van Eijk, head of the Enhanced Forward Presence Latvia battle group, said in an interview Wednesday. 

The threat is constant in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and on Tuesday tensions mounted when a missile strike killed two people in Poland, another NATO member. There were initially fears the missile had been fired by Russia, but Poland said Wednesday it was probably launched by air defences in neighbouring Ukraine.  

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Update: Canadians show support for Latvian allies on tense Independence Day in Baltic country (Canadian Press)  

WNU Editor: There are 700 Canadian soldiers in Latvia.