Putin Says Western Elites, Not Ukraine, Are Russia's True Enemies

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with participants in the special military operation at Vishnevsky Central Military Clinical Hospital in Moscow, Russia. © Sputnik/Kristina Kormilitsyna  

RT: Putin names Russia’s real enemies  

Ukraine itself is not a foe, but Western elites backing it are, the Russian president has said  

Ukraine is a mere tool in the hands of the collective West which is using it to fight Russia, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday. 

He was speaking at a military hospital in Moscow where he met servicemen wounded during the ongoing conflict. 

Asked about the enduring Western support for Kiev, the president said the elites of the collective West were actually the true enemy of Russia, rather than Ukraine itself.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Putin is trying to separate Ukraine from its allies in the West. 

Putin Says Western Elites, Not Ukraine, Are Russia's True Enemies  

Putin says elites in West who want to fragment Russia are nation’s enemies -- TASS  

Putin Issues New Ominous Threat to US -- Newsweek  

Putin: Western elites, not Ukraine, are Russia's true adversaries -- Times of India

U.S. President Biden Warns The US Military May Get Pulled Into A Direct Conflict With Russia

President Joe Biden warned about the rising risk of the US getting pulled into a direct conflict with Russia. By: MEGA © Knewz (CA)  

Newsweek: Biden Warns US Military May Get Pulled Into Direct Conflict With Russia 

President Joe Biden warned that the United States is at risk of being pulled into a direct conflict with Russia if the Kremlin succeeds in its war against Ukraine. 

Biden's statement follows Russia's massive aerial attack across Ukraine on Friday. Kyiv air force officials said that about 110 missiles struck Ukraine, hitting hospitals, residential buildings and a shopping center. At least 31 citizens were killed in the attack and another 120 wounded, according to Ukraine officials cited by Reuters. 

"Overnight, Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since this war began," Biden said in a statement released Friday. "It is a stark reminder to the world that, after nearly two years of this devastating war, Putin's objective remains unchanged. He seeks to obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its people. He must be stopped."  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Biden Warns of Direct U.S. Involvement in Europe if Putin Left Unchecked After Aerial Assault on Ukraine (KNEWZ)  

Update #2: Biden Warns US Military May Get Pulled Into Direct Conflict (CF.org)  

WNU Editor: US President Biden's statement is here .... Statement from President Joe Biden on Russia’s Aerial Assault on Ukraine (White House).

Ukraine President Zelensky In Washington In Last-Ditch Plea For War Funding

 

Daily Mail: Zelensky's last-ditch plea to save $44B US aid package: Ukrainian president prepares to meet Biden and speak to Congress as Republicans and more Americans grow more skeptical about giving more money to Kyiv 

* Pew Poll found only 31% of Americans say US spending too much on Ukraine 

* Same poll found 48% of Republicans said there was too much spending 

* Zelensky has meetings on Capitol Hill and White House on Tuesday 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make a last-minute plea to Congress on Tuesday for a weapons package to continue his fight against Russia as nearly half of Americans say the U.S. has already spent too much on the war-torn nation. 

His in-person visit, the third since the war began, will be his most crucial and is a sign of how dire the White House believes the situation: both to get Zelensky his funding and how critical that money is to hold off Russian forces. 

But a Financial Times-Michigan Ross poll found that 48% of voters said the U.S. was spending 'too much' on sending financial and military aid to Ukraine. And a Pew Poll found only 31% of Americans say the same but - when broke down further - 48% of Republicans said there was too much spending on Kyiv.  

Read more .... 

WNU editor: Zelensky will be getting something on this trip, but not as much as he hopes for (and needs) ..... Zelensky's pleas for war aid in Washington likely to fall on 'deaf ears' (France 24). 

Ukraine President Zelensky In Washington In Last-Ditch Plea For War Funding  

Live: Zelensky's last-ditch US tour to plea for $61bn aid for Ukraine -- BBC  

Live Updates: Zelensky visits Washington in push for more Ukraine aid -- CNN  

Russia-Ukraine war live: Zelenskiy on Capitol Hill before Biden meeting as White House warns of dangers of failure to fund Kyiv -- The Guardian  

Zelenskyy arrives to grim Capitol Hill as Biden’s aid package for Ukraine risks collapse -- AP  

Zelenskiy makes 11th hour plea for Ukraine war funds in Washington -- Reuters 

Zelensky in Washington in last-ditch plea for war funding -- France 24 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits White House for joint appearance with Biden -- CBS  

Zelensky to push for Ukraine aid in DC talks with Congress, Biden -- UPI  

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy issues plea for support during Washington visit -- ABC News Australia  

Zelensky visits Washington to lobby Congress for more Ukraine aid -- Axios

President Biden Signals The U.S. Has Plans To Send U.S. Troops To Fight Russia When Putin Acts Against NATO

 

US News and World Report: Biden: Help Ukraine Now or Send Americans to Fight Russia With NATO Later 

The president warned congressional Republicans wavering on Ukraine: Provide aid now or send U.S. troops to fight Russia when Putin acts against NATO. 

President Joe Biden delivered his sternest warning yet to congressional Republicans balking at approving more aid to Ukraine: Pay up now or you'll pay more later, forced to send U.S. troops to fight Russian soldiers when an emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin moves in on a NATO member country. 

"Congress needs to pass supplemental funding for Ukraine before they break for the holiday. It's as simple as that," Biden said at the White House as the GOP-led House mulled Biden's request for $106 billion in emergency spending, including foreign aid. "Frankly, I think It's stunning we have gotten to this point in the first place. Republicans in Congress are willing to give Putin the greatest gift he could hope for and abandon our global leadership," Biden said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Kremlin has responded .... Kremlin accuses Biden of 'demonising' Russia to win more Ukraine money from Congress (Reuters). Russian media has a different take .... What’s really behind Biden’s threat to send Americans to fight Russia? (RT).

U.S. National Security Spokesperson John Kirby Warns A Russian Victory In Ukraine Will Invite Aggression Against NATO

 

New Voice Of Ukraine: ‘If you think the price is high now’ – Kirby outlines price U.S. will pay if Ukraine loses war  

“America will not only spend money, but also shed its own blood,” if the U.S. doesn't assist Ukraine in its war against Russia and Russia prevails, said National Security spokesperson John Kirby during a briefing. 

Ukraine’s defeat will invite aggression against the eastern flank of NATO. The U.S. military will be compelled to enter the war in such a scenario, because the U.S. takes “very seriously” its commitments under Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which calls for a collective response to aggression against any member of the Alliance. 

 Read more ....  

Update: Big consequences if US 'pulls the plug' on Ukraine, Kirby says (Al Mayadeen)  

WNU Editor: It looks like U.S. National Security Spokesperson John Kirby is prepping the West for a possible war against Russia.

Russian Foreign Ministry Says It May Cut Diplomatic Ties With Washington

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov © Gavriil Grigorov/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS  

TASS: Russia may downgrade diplomatic relations with US, senior diplomat says 

Still, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Moscow did not plan to initiate the severance of diplomatic ties with Washington 

MOSCOW, November 9. /TASS/. Washington’s behavior may compel Moscow to downgrade diplomatic relations or even cut ties, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said. 

"We are indeed going through an acute crisis in relations, the likes of which we have never seen before. We need to carefully calibrate and verify the steps we are taking to prevent further escalation. Our leadership encourages the Foreign Ministry and other federal government agencies to act this way, which is what we are guided by. However, we have seen the Americans take a series of irresponsible and escalatory steps with regard to Ukraine, and not only there," the senior diplomat said in an interview with RTVI. "That is why, if we look at Washington’s current behavior model from this perspective, I don’t rule out anything at all. The level [of diplomatic ties] may be lowered; and the severance of diplomatic relations is also possible," he added. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I have mentioned it before. When countries cut diplomatic ties, wars will soon follow.

Two US B-1B Strategic Bombers Intercepted By Russian Su-27 Fighters Jet Over The Baltic Sea

Daily Mail: Two US B-1B strategic bombers are buzzed by Russian Su-27 fighter jet over the Baltic sea in latest aerial flashpoint for two superpowers 

* This interception is the latest in a series of aerial standoffs between Russian and NATO aircrafts since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine 

Russia's defense ministry scrambled an Su-27 fighter jet to intercept two US B-1B strategic bombers over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday afternoon in an aerial standoff as tensions continue to mount between the two nations in the wake of Putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

The report from the Russian state-run news agency RIA cited a government source in the defense ministry. That source said that the American warplanes 'performed a U-turn' after the Su-27 jet arrived at the scene.

Read more ....  

Update #1: Russia sends fighter jets as 2 US bombers, drone approach its border (Asia One)  

Update #2: Two US B-1B Strategic Bombers Intercepted By Russian Su-27 Fighters Over The Baltic Sea; Collision Course With NATO? (EurAsian Times)  

WNU Editor: These intercepts are happening everyday.

This Is How The CIA Is Waging A 'Hot War' Against Russia

Washington Post: Ukrainian spies with deep ties to CIA wage shadow war against Russia 

KYIV — The cluttered car carrying a mother and her 12-year-old daughter seemed barely worth the attention of Russian security officials as it approached a border checkpoint. 

But the least conspicuous piece of luggage — a crate for a cat — was part of an elaborate, lethal plot. Ukrainian operatives had installed a hidden compartment in the pet carrier, according to security officials with knowledge of the operation, and used it to conceal components of a bomb. 

Four weeks later, the device detonated just outside Moscow in an SUV being driven by the daughter of a Russian nationalist who had urged his country to “kill, kill, kill” Ukrainians, an explosion signaling that the heart of Russia would not be spared the carnage of war. 

Read more .... 

Update #1: Ukraine’s CIA-Trained Intelligence Operators Assassinated Dozens of Russians, Collaborators – WaPo (Moscow Times) 

Update #2: CIA closely cooperates with Ukraine and invests dozens of dollars there – WP (Ukrainska Pravda) 

WNU Editor: This story is being covered comprehensively in Russia .... CIA-backed Ukrainian spies behind Russian journalist’s murder – WaPo (RT). A prediction. I do not know when or how the Kremlin is going to be respond, but there is going to be blowback against the US.

Russia Threatens To Shoot Down Western Commercial Satellites That Aid Ukraine

RT: Russia threatens to strike US space infrastructure 

Orbital facilities used to help Ukraine could become legitimate targets, a Foreign Ministry official has said Western space satellites being used to aid Ukrainian forces could become legitimate targets for Russian strikes, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow warned on Monday. 

Speaking to reporters, the ministry’s director for nonproliferation and arms control, Vladimir Ermakov, claimed that the US and its allies are helping Ukraine in ways which go “beyond the harmless use of space technologies.” 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Russia Threatens To Shoot Down Western Satellites (Newsweek)  

Update #2: Russia threatens to shoot down Western commercial satellites used to help Ukraine (Ukrainska Pravda)  

WNU Editor: Russian hardliners have been calling for such measures (i.e. shooting down Western commercial satellites that aid Ukraine) for the past year. This is the first official announcement from a Russian government official that they will target Western satellites if they are providing aid to Ukraine.

US Congressional Report Says The U.S. Must Prepare For Simultaneous Wars With China, Russia. Must Also Expand Its Nuclear Deterrance

Among the recommendations was to produce more B-21 stealth bombers [US Air Force via Reuters]  

Reuters: US must be ready for simultaneous wars with China, Russia, report says 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States must prepare for possible simultaneous wars with Russia and China by expanding its conventional forces, strengthening alliances and enhancing its nuclear weapons modernization program, a congressionally appointed bipartisan panel said on Thursday.

The report from the Strategic Posture Commission comes amid tensions with China over Taiwan and other issues and worsening frictions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. 

A senior official involved in the report declined to say if the panel's intelligence briefings showed any Chinese and Russian nuclear weapons cooperation. 

"We worry ... there may be ultimate coordination between them in some way, which gets us to this two-war construct," the official said on condition of anonymity. 

The findings would upend current U.S. national security strategy calling for winning one conflict while deterring another and require huge defense spending increases with uncertain congressional support.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The US Congressional report is here .... The Final Report of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United State.  

Update: China has responded to this report .... China Says US Will 'Die by Fire' after Congress Releases War Strategy Report (KnewsZ). More here .... Detente climate poisoned as US congressional report hypes China, Russia’s ‘nuke threats’ (Global Times), and here .... China Issues Ominous War Warning to U.S. (Newsweek). 

US Congressional Report Says The U.S. Must Prepare For Simultaneous Wars With China, Russia

US must be ready for simultaneous wars with China, Russia: Commission -- Al Jazeera 

Congressional commission calls for more nuclear arsenal expansion -- Defense News 

US ‘ill-prepared’ for nuclear challenge from China and Russia, says report -- Financial Times  

U.S. Not Ready for Nuclear Threat From Russia, China: Report -- Time  

Nuclear Missiles: US Congress Panel Wants Nukes ‘Action Ready’ To Face Dual Threat From Russia, China -- EurAsian Times  

US nuclear deterrence strategy needs an update — here’s how -- The Hill

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Head Says They Continue To Have Contacts With The CIA

FILE PHOTO: The head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin © Sputnik / Aleksey Nikolsky 

RT: Top Russian spy reveals contact with CIA 

Washington remains Moscow’s “most dangerous and uncompromising” adversary, Sergey Naryshkin has said 

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) maintains contact with the CIA, its head, Sergey Naryshkin, told the Russian ‘National Defense’ magazine last week. Such communication helps reduce unnecessary tensions even though uncertainty is growing over the outcome of the geopolitical standoff between Russia and the West, he said. 

“Consultations between the SVR and the CIA are of a rare but regular nature,” Naryshkin said, when asked if a direct communication link between the two intelligence services still exists and whether it could be “used again.”  

Read more ....  

Update: Russian intelligence chief reveals ongoing contract with CIA to ease geopolitical tensions (MENAFN)  

WNU Editor: I suspect these "contacts" are very superficial.

Navies Of Ukraine, The US, And Romania To Hold Joint Military Exercises In The Black Sea And The Danube Delta

Ukrainian Navy vessels and a Royal Navy helicopter from a previous exercise.  

Kyiv Post: Romania and US to Hold Exercises in Black Sea and Danube Delta 

The exercises will involve armored boats, amphibious armored personnel carriers, reconnaissance aircraft and other equipment. 

Romania and the US are to hold join naval exercises in the Black Sea and Danube Delta, it has been announced. Called ‘Sea Breeze 23.3,’ the drills will take place from September 11 to 15 with military personnel from Ukraine, Bulgaria, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey will also taking part. 

"The main objective of conducting Exercise Sea Breeze 23.3 is to develop operational and tactical interoperability between the participating countries, in the field of combating explosive devices, in particular, drifting sea mines, in order to ensure freedom of navigation," the Romanian Navy said in a statement.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I am reading reports that other NATO countries will be involved, including the UK. 

This is a deliberately orchestrated provocation against Russia that had to be signed off by the Oval Office. This is an incredibly dangerous move that will result in a Russian response if these vessels approach the Crimean or Russian coast.  

Update: According to TASS, the countries that will be involved in this exercise are the US, Romania, Bulgaria, the UK, Turkey, Ukraine and France .... Romania, US to hold naval exercise in Danube delta, Black Sea with US, Ukraine, allies (TASS). 

Navies Of Ukraine, The US, And Romania To Hold Joint Military Exercises In The Black Sea And The Danube Delta  

U.S. 6th Fleet Kicks off Exercise Sea Breeze 2023-3 -- Navy.mil  

Romania, U.S. and Ukraine to conduct joint military exercises in Danube Delta -- RBC Ukraine

 US-Russia “Face Off” In Black Sea After Russia Bombs Ukraine’s Ports Producing ‘Deadly’ Sea Drones? -- EurAsian Times  

Romania and US to conduct exercises with Ukraine in Black Sea and Danube Delta -- Ukrainska Pravda 

Romania, U.S. to hold exercises in Black Sea, Danube Delta -- Ukrinform  

Sea Breeze 23.3 exercises to begin in the Black Sea -- Foreign Brief

Another US Senator Says The US Is Getting "Money's Worth" In Ukraine Because American Troops Aren't Dying

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, right, Elizabeth Warren and Lindsey Graham spent 14 hours in Kyiv on Aug. 23, 2023, getting updated on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Courtesy of U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal  

Sen. Blumenthal, CTPost: 'Zelenskyy doesn’t want or need our troops. But he deeply and desperately needs the tools to win' 

Passionate and blunt, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sometimes open his arms, raising his body as well as his voice, to sound the alarm about what Ukraine needs to beat back Russia’s murderous invasion. Through 18 months of brutal bleeding and death on the battlefield, he has sustained resolve and resilience — in himself and his beloved people. His magnetic energy was as impressive as ever when I recently met with him alongside my colleagues, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, during my fourth visit to Ukraine. 

What Zelenskyy needs to repel Putin and stop his atrocities is the same brand of resolve and resilience from America and our allies. It will be a challenge, but it begins, and maybe ends, with a clear-eyed recognition that our own national security and self-interest are at stake. If Putin wins in Ukraine, he’ll roll forward against other nations — NATO allies that we have a treaty obligation to defend with troops on the ground. Ukraine is at the tip of the spear, fighting our fight for independence and freedom.  

Read more ....  

Update: US Getting "Money's Worth" In Ukraine Because American Troops Aren't Dying: Sen Blumenthal (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: These U.S. politicians are playing with fire.

Is The US Heading Into A Hot War With Russia?

Tucker Carlson on how the U.S will create a gulf Tonkin like event “false flag” to start a hot war with Russia 🇷🇺 within the next year. pic.twitter.com/8wNQGvSzsx

— Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) August 30, 2023

Daily Caller: Tucker Carlson Predicts ‘Hot War’ With Russia To Defeat Trump In 2024 

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson predicted that a “hot war” with Russia would be used by opponents of former President Donald Trump to beat him in 2024.

“They will do anything to win. So how do they do that? They’re not going to do COVID again, whoever on the right is afraid they’re going to do COVID and mask mandates, they’re not going to do that,” Carlson told podcaster Adam Corolla. “They can’t do that. They’ve already been exposed. That won’t work. There’s going to be — no. What are they going to do? They’re going to go to war with Russia is what they’re going to do. There will be a hot war between the United States and Russia in the next year.”  

Read more ....  

Update: US headed for ‘hot war’ with Russia – Tucker Carlson (RT)  

WNU Editor: Many in Russia already believe they are in a proxy war with the U.S./NATO. But having a direct hot war? 

If trends continue, especially in the U.S., I can actually see multiple scenarios where such a conflict can happen, and heaven help all of us if that does happen.

Russian Ministry Of Defense Claims The U.S. Is Preparing To Unleash A New Pandemic

Full video of Russian MoD’s Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov report on how the US has started preparing for a new pandemic, new information about Pentagon's biological warfare program and documents uncovered during the special operation in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/l1YIz7f2vL

— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) August 16, 2023

RT: US military could create ‘global biological crisis’ – Russian MOD 

The Pentagon is especially interested in studying infections that could be used as weapons, Moscow has claimed 

The US military is studying pathogens that could be used as biological weapons as the nation prepares for a potential new pandemic, the commander of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, claimed on Wednesday. 

The list of diseases that have attracted the attention of US specialists includes anthrax, tularemia, and various coronaviruses, Kirillov told a media briefing. Some of these pathogens are listed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “high-priority” threats that can be used as “bioterrorism agents.”  

Read more .... 

Russian Ministry Of Defense Claims The U.S. Is Preparing To Unleash A New Pandemic  

Russian general highlights role of US medical research institute in bioprograms in Ukraine -- TASS  

Diseases under Pentagon microscope often spread via pandemics — Russian Defense Ministry -- TASS  

Pentagon Bio-Research in Ukraine Should be Assessed by Relevant Int'l Bodies - Russian Embassy -- Sputnik

Russia claims US preparing for 'new pandemic' by searching for virus mutations -- Anadolu Agency  

Russian defense ministry says US plotting another pandemic -- MEHR News Agency

Kremlin Says Two US F-35s ‘Came Dangerously Close’ To Two Su-35s Over Syria

EurAsian Times: BIG Encounter! US F-35, Russian Su-35 ‘Clash’ Over Syria; Moscow Says RuAF Pilots Averted Collision 

Moscow has claimed that two F-35 jets from the pro-American coalition came dangerously close to two Su-35 belonging to Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria on August 14, marking the latest episode in a series of confrontations between the US and Russian military aircraft. 

Deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Parties (CPVS) in Syria, Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit, alleged on August 15 that the incident occurred in the Al-Tanf area. Kulit highlighted that the Russian Su-35 fighter jets were conducting a prearranged flight along the southern border of Syria. 

“On August 14, from 12:35 to 12:50, in the Al-Tanf area at an altitude of about 9,100 meters, there was a dangerous rapprochement between two coalition F-35 fighters and two Su-35 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which were making a planned flight along the southern border of Syria. Russian pilots, demonstrating high professionalism, took the necessary measures promptly to prevent a collision with coalition fighters,” he said.  

Read more ....  

Update: Two US fighter jets fly dangerously close to Russian military aircraft in Syria (TASS)  

WNU Editor: The Russian military says one of the F-35s locked on one of the Su-35s. The Pentagon has yet to comment on this encounter.

Four U.S. Navy Destroyers Sent To Alaska Coast After 11 Chinese, Russian Warships Spotted In Nearby Waters

 

CBS: U.S. Navy sends 4 destroyers to Alaska coast after 11 Chinese, Russian warships spotted in nearby waters 

The U.S. Navy sent destroyers to the coast of Alaska last week after 11 Russian and Chinese warships were spotted patrolling nearby international waters. 

Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska, called the size of the Chinese and Russian joint operation "unprecedented" and said the U.S. deployed four Navy destroyer ships near the Aleutian Islands in response. 

The destroyers were the USS John McCain, USS Benfold, USS John Finn and USS Chung-Hoon. 

U.S. aircraft were also in the area throughout the combined exercise, which the U.S. had been tracking since it began in July, according to U.S. officials. 

U.S. Coast Guard ships are also always in the area. U.S. Northern Command said the Chinese and Russian patrol remained in international waters and wasn't considered a threat. But the show of force is a reminder of the cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries – and of how close the countries are to Alaska. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: When US President Nixon went to China in 1973 the focus of US foreign policy was to make sure that Russia and China do not form a political and military alliance. But the times are changing, and this joint Chinese-Russian naval exercise is a symbol of that.

Sighhh ....

One of the legacies of the Biden administration will be on how botched up almost 50 years of US efforts and policies to make sure that such an alliance  did not form.

Four U.S. Navy Destroyers Sent To Alaska Coast After 11 Chinese, Russian Warships Spotted In Nearby Waters  

U.S. Navy encounters 11 Russian and Chinese military vessels operating off Alaskan coast -- UPI 

US military responded to Chinese and Russian vessels near Alaska -- CNN  

US dispatches warships after China and Russia send naval patrol near Alaska -- The Guardian  

US responds to China, Russia naval patrol near Alaska -- USA Today  

China, Russia send naval warships near Alaska, triggering forceful US response -- FOX News  

U.S. Navy destroyers dispatched to Aleutians after Chinese, Russian vessels spotted nearby -- Alaska News Source  

Russian and Chinese ships patrolled 'near Alaska' but were not 'a threat,' US officials say -- ABC News

U.S. Drones Continue To Test The Russian Border

Russian fighter jet flies close to a U.S. MQ-9 reaper drone over Syria on July 23, 2023. U.S. Air Force via AP/TASS 

 Moscow Times/AFP: Russia Says Intercepted U.S. Drone Over Black Sea 

Russia said Saturday it scrambled an Su-30 fighter jet to "prevent a violation of the Russian state border" by a U.S. Reaper MQ-9 military drone over the Black Sea. 

"As the Russian fighter approached, the foreign reconnaissance drone performed a U-turn away from the border," the Russian Defense Ministry said. 

The ministry said the drone belonged to the U.S. Air Force. "The Russian aircraft returned safely to its airbase, there was no violation of the border," it added. 

Incidents involving Russian and Western aircraft have multiplied over the Black Sea and Baltic Sea in recent months, as Moscow pursues its offensive in Ukraine.  

Read more ....  

Update: Russia says fighter jet dispatched in response to U.S. reconnaissance drone detected near border (Meduza)  

WNU Editor: There are advantages and disadvantages to deploying drones .... Russia Damaged Another MQ-9 Reaper, Proving Drones Are ‘Easier to Deploy and Easier to Destroy’ (Popular Mechanics).

US Ambassador To UN: Wagner Attack On Poland Will Be Treated As A Russian Attack On NATO

#525dayofwar

💬 Any attacks by the Wagner Group will be seen as an attack by the Russian government, - United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield#UkraineWar #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/SGxvIdGxzL

— @BlogUkraine (@BlogUkraine) August 2, 2023

Anadolu Agency: US warns Wagner attack on NATO will be treated as Russian attack  

Wagner Group, at behest of Russian government, is a threat to us all, says Linda Thomas-Greenfield 

The US ambassador to the United Nations warned Monday that any attack on NATO by Russia’s Wagner Group will be treated as an attack by Russia. 

Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the remarks while briefing reporters in New York on various issues including ending famine, combating food insecurity in conflicts and defending human rights. 

Asked about the presence of Wagner Group mercenaries on the Polish border and whether she sees them as a real threat to NATO, she said: "We certainly worry that this group, at the behest of the Russian government – because they do not work independently of the Russian government – is a threat to all of us." 

She emphasized that the message should be clear that "any attack by the Wagner Group will be seen as an attack by the Russian government.”  

Read more ....  

Update: Wagner Attack On Poland Will Be Treated As Russian Attack On NATO: US Ambassador To UN (EurAsian Times)  

WNU Editor: Am I seeing the groundwork being laid for a US-Polish false flag incident to get NATO involved in the Russia - Ukraine war?

Russia And U.S. Tensions Escalating In The Skies Over Syria

 

Responsible Statecraft: Moscow and Washington shadowboxing in the skies over Syria  

Tensions related to the war in Ukraine are resulting in actual physical altercations on another battlefront thousands of miles away. 

U.S.-Russian tensions continued to rise this week as two U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones were damaged by flares released from Russian jets over Syria. 

The first incident on Sunday damaged the drone’s propeller but did not cause it to crash, but it echoed a similar episode over the Black Sea in March when the drone crashed after a collision with a Russian jet. Another incident occurred Wednesday over northwest Syria and resulted in damage to one of the drone’s wings. 

That makes for a reported total of six incidents involving Russian and American aircraft in July. The confrontations were a reminder of the potential dangers of U.S. and Russian forces operating in close proximity to each other in Syria, and they raise the question of why U.S. forces are still operating in a country where they have no legal mandate. 

Read more .... 

Russia And U.S. Tensions Escalating In The Skies Over Syria  

Russia, U.S. Inch Toward Direct Conflict in Middle East -- Newsweek  

Russian fighter jets stirring up trouble, US combat drones pay price -- Business Insider  

Russia says US-led coalition violated Syrian airspace 8 times in 1 day -- Anadolu Agency  

Russia Blames US MQ-9 Reaper Drone For Locking Missiles, Almost Crashing Into Su-34, Su-35 Fighters Over Syria -- EurAsian Times  

Russian Fighter Damages a Second MQ-9 Over Syria. So What Should the US Do Now? -- Air & Space Forces Magazine