Pentagon says no Ukrainian dirty bomb or indication of looming Russian nuclear weapon use

Mike Brest

October 24, 01:55 PM October 24, 01:55 PM

Ukraine is not building a dirty bomb to detonate within its borders as Russia has alleged, according to a senior U.S. military official, who also noted that the Pentagon has not seen any indication that the Russians have decided to deploy a nuclear weapon.

Over the weekend, a variety of Russian officials began claiming Ukraine was looking to deploy a dirty bomb, which Western officials have been quick to denounce as false.

A senior U.S. defense official told reporters on Monday that the “world would see through any attempts to use this as a pretext for escalation," while the foreign ministers of the U.S., U.K., and France released a joint statement hours earlier calling the claims "transparently false allegations."

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"Ukrainians are not building a dirty bomb," the military official said. "But we also have no indications that the Russians have made a decision to employ nuclear weapons. So we'll continue to monitor closely."

They haven't seen indications Russia is planning to use biological or chemical weapons either.

Russian officials have repeatedly, throughout the eight months of the war, accused Ukraine of preparing to carry out damaging and horrific actions they themselves plan to execute, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted in his latest nightly address.

“If Russia calls and says that Ukraine is allegedly preparing something, it means one thing: Russia has already prepared all this,” he said. “I believe that now the world should react in the toughest possible way.”

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke with his U.S., U.K., and French counterparts on Sunday, just days after he and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke for the first time in months.

Austin “rejected any pretext for Russian escalation and reaffirmed the value of continued communication amid Russia’s unlawful and unjustified war against Ukraine,” according to a readout of the call by Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear saber-rattling has spurred frequent condemnations and warnings from Western leaders.

“We’ve been very clear with President Putin directly and privately about the severe consequences that would follow from any, any use of a nuclear weapon. We’re watching this very, very carefully. We have not seen reason at this point to change our own nuclear posture," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week, while President Joe Biden warned earlier this month that the use of a nuclear weapon “could lead to Armageddon.”

US-backed Syrian forces thwart suicide bombing endeavor at refugee camp

Mike Brest

September 22, 04:29 PM September 22, 04:29 PM

The Syrian Democratic Forces prevented a suicide bombing at the al Hol refugee camp ensuing in the fatalities of 4 Islamic Point out fighters, U.S. Central Command said Thursday.

7 ISIS associates, some of whom were sporting suicide vests, drove towards the refugee camp in two automobiles soon immediately after midnight early Tuesday early morning. About 12 miles from the camp near the Um Fakik village, just one of the motor vehicles, which was rigged with explosives, detonated prematurely, alerting Syrian Democratic Forces to the other motor vehicle.

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When confronted, two ISIS fighters sporting suicide vests exited the second car or truck. A single detonated his product, whilst the other was killed right before currently being ready to do so. The second car was strapped with at least 50 kilograms of explosives.

No Syrian Democratic Forces associates ended up wounded in the incident.

Four of the 7 ISIS fighters have been killed, and 1 was apprehended, CENTCOM stated, with no explaining the status of the other two individuals. It also did not give any particulars as to their identities.

"By having fast motion, and exhibiting disregard for their have security, the Syrian Democratic Forces shown their professionalism and motivation to producing and maintaining a safe and sound and prosperous location for the people who make it their house,” Col. Joe Buccino, CENTCOM communications director, reported in a assertion. “The reaction of our partnered forces highlights not only commitment to their persons, but also their tenacity and commitment to the enduring defeat of ISIS."

Previously this month, the SDF arrested “dozens of ISIS operatives” though conducting security operations at the refugee camp.

Buccino explained at the time that the arrests led to the “dissolution of a main ISIS facilitation network both of those within the camp and throughout Syria.”

There is problem from officers that the refugee camp is a breeding floor for terror teams and the radicalization of a new generation.

Dana Stroul, the deputy assistant secretary of protection for the Center East, mentioned in July, "The most durable answer to the issues of these detention facilities and the displaced man or woman camps is for nations around the world of origin to repatriate, rehabilitate, reintegrate, and, in which suitable, prosecute their nationals residing in northeast Syria."

Biden prices late queen in somber remarks at Pentagon 9/11 memorial

Christian Datoc

September 11, 11:01 AM September 11, 11:01 AM

President Joe Biden dealt with the nation Sunday from the Pentagon, contacting for Individuals to "stand up" and safeguard democracy on the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

"To all the people and loved types who nevertheless feel the ache, that lacking piece of your soul, I am honored to be right here with you the moment far more, to share the solid suitable of remembrance and replicate on all that was shed in the fire and ash on that terrible September morning," the president reported on a somber and a rainy early morning.

He cited a quote from the late Queen Elizabeth II, indicating, "Grief is the price tag we shell out for adore." The queen, who died at the age of 96 on Thursday, applied the line in a message to New York in 2001 following the Sept. 11 assaults.

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Biden claimed that "the country transformed that day" but vowed that what will hardly ever change is "the character of this nation that the terrorists thought they could move."

The president especially thanked the passengers aboard Flight 93, who died although confronting hijackers on their aircraft, as nicely as the Pentagon personnel who helped in the immediate reaction to the assault.

"Listed here at the Pentagon, which is both a horrific terrorist attack and the command center for our response to defend and shield the American people," he continued. "So many heroes were produced below. So a lot of of your beloved kinds had been people heroes."

The president shut by alluding to a campaign information he has shipped in the latest months.

"This day, it is not about the past. It really is about the long run. We have an obligation, a duty or responsibility to defend, protect and safeguard our democracy, the very democracy that ensures the legal rights of independence, that these terrorists that 9-11 sought to bury in the burning hearth, and smoke and ash, and that requires a commitment on the component of all of us," he shut. "It can be not more than enough to stand up for democracy after a year, or just about every now and then it can be a little something we have to do each one day. So this is a working day not only to bear in mind, but a working day of renewal of take care of, for each and just about every American, and our devotion to this place, to the ideas and bodies, to our democracy. That is who we owe those who keep in mind today."

Biden's opinions came right after a wreath laying ceremony at the Pentagon. To start with Lady Jill Biden was not existing at Sunday's celebration, as she was traveling to the crash web page of United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Her remarks mark the very first time a 1st lady has sent a solo speech commemorating the 9/11 anniversary.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris and 2nd gentleman Doug Emhoff took element in memorial expert services in New York Metropolis. The two the president and first lady attended memorial companies at all three crash sites on the 20th anniversary in 2021.

Contrary to quite a few other lawmakers, Biden was not in D.C. on the early morning of September 11, 2001. He reportedly learned of the assaults in a telephone phone from his wife Jill while touring to Washington via Amtrak, and the pair have spoken extensively about the agony experienced the two by them personally and the nation as a full in the days pursuing the attacks.

"Unity is what helps make us who we are, America at its best. To me, which is the central lesson of September 11th," the president stated in taped remarks for the 20th anniversary. It truly is that at our most susceptible, in the drive and pull of all that makes us human, in the battle of the soul of America, unity is our biggest strength."

Pentagon assignments Russian casualty count in Ukraine to be close to 70,000-80,000

Mike Brest

August 08, 02:44 PM August 08, 02:44 PM

Involving 70,000 and 80,000 Russian troopers have been killed or wounded in Ukraine because the invasion started in late February, in accordance to a top rated U.S. Division of Defense official.

The new projection, which Undersecretary of Protection for Plan Dr. Colin Kahl presented to reporters during a Monday afternoon briefing, presents new insights into the war of attrition in Ukraine from the Pentagon, which has frequently declined to offer this kind of information during the conflict.

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"It really is risk-free to advise the Russians have possibly taken 70,000-80,000 casualties in a lot less than 6 months," he stated. "That is a mixture of killed in motion and wounded in action. That quantity may possibly be a small decrease, a little higher, but which is sort of in the ballpark, which is rather exceptional."

Kahl reported it was challenging to predict precisely how prolonged Russia would be capable to keep its war initiatives while sustaining its present-day casualty amount.

"It can be an intriguing concern and not one I can reply with a large diploma of certainty. Of course, Russia's a incredibly significant country. Now, you know, a large amount of it would depend, I think, on the political choices that Vladimir Putin will make in the long run about whether he can continue to recruit and ship added forces to the front, whether he was at some place, you know, willing to interact in national mobilization or some other effort and hard work," he stated.

"[Putin's] tried out to explain this all-out invasion as a special navy operation and has so much been hesitant to mobilize his entire state toward the work," Kahl ongoing. "So I never know and a whole lot relies upon on, finally, selections that they will make."

Soon right before Kahl took the podium in the Pentagon briefing room, the Division of Defense declared $1 billion in armed service aid to Ukraine. This help, which was carried out as a result of a presidential drawdown purchase, will come from the United States's individual military services stockpiles, and it really is the 18th such package the U.S. has supplied considering the fact that Russia invaded in February. The U.S. armed service support has totaled a lot more than $9 billion considering the fact that then.

Biden administration approves $1 billion navy assist package deal to Ukraine

Mike Brest

August 08, 12:58 PM August 08, 01:04 PM

The Office of Protection declared a military help offer to Ukraine on Monday valued at around $1 billion.

This most up-to-date aid includes more ammunition for Higher Mobility Artillery Rocket Devices (HIMARS) 75,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition 20 120 mm mortar systems and 20,000 rounds of 120mm mortar ammunition and munitions for Countrywide Advanced Surface area-to-Air Missile Units.

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"Right now, the Office of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of safety aid valued at up to $1 billion to fulfill Ukraine’s vital protection and defense needs," acting Pentagon press secretary Todd Breasseale said in a assertion. "This authorization is the Biden Administration’s eighteenth drawdown of devices from DoD inventories for Ukraine given that August 2021."

"It is the greatest solitary drawdown of U.S. arms and machines making use of this authority, and this offer provides a important quantity of added ammunition, weapons, and machines — the sorts of which the Ukrainian persons are applying so successfully to defend their nation," he included.

The Biden administration has committed around $9.8 billion in safety guidance to Ukraine since President Joe Biden was inaugurated.

Zelensky signifies Ukraine wouldn't hit targets in Russia with extended-vary weapons

Mike Brest

June 14, 02:49 PM June 14, 02:49 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky explained his state would not strike targets in Russia if the West furnished long-array weapons, placating a major concern for the United States.

"No," he reported when requested if the Ukrainian military would go after targets across the border during a press meeting for Danish media, in accordance to Ukrainian Pravda. "We are not intrigued in shelling civilians. We are not terrorists to shell civilian neighborhoods. We are typical balanced folks. We need to have these weapons to liberate our state."

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President Joe Biden has supplied far more than $4.5 billion of armed forces help to Ukraine more than the three and a fifty percent months considering that the war commenced. As it has progressed, U.S. guidance has modified to meet the precise wants of the Ukrainians. With the next 50 percent of the war primarily in the eastern area known as the Donbas, Ukraine has requested large artillery and extended-variety missiles.

The Biden administration approved the transfer of four M142 Higher Mobility Artillery Rocket Programs, a Lockheed Martin product regarded as HIMARS, approximately two months back in the most recent support. Dr. Colin Kahl, the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, claimed the instruction would take about three weeks.

When saying the help, Biden precisely pointed out, "We are not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders," introducing that the U.S. will not look for regime adjust in Russia "so extended as the United States or our allies are not attacked."

"We will not be instantly engaged in this conflict, either by sending American troops to combat in Ukraine or by attacking Russian forces," Biden added.

Kahl said the Ukrainians gave protection leaders "assurances that they will use this process for defensive uses only."

It is really unclear regardless of whether Zelensky's opinions will be adequate to sway Biden, even though there is reporting that the future tranche could be announced as soon as Wednesday, which would coincide with Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin's meeting with approximately 50 overseas counterparts in their third these kinds of meeting to talk about the newest in Ukraine.

Defense Secretary Austin satisfies Chinese counterpart for to start with in-particular person dialogue

Mike Brest

June 10, 10:19 AM June 10, 10:22 AM

Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin satisfied with his Chinese counterpart, Minister of Countrywide Defense Gen. Wei Fenghe, on Friday early morning.

The almost hourlong meeting took area in Singapore throughout Austin’s fourth trip to the Indo-Pacific area subsequent a request from China’s military services management, in accordance to CNN. Austin and Wei, who have only spoken as soon as by cellphone previously, mentioned Taiwan, the island of 24 million people who contemplate themselves to be an unbiased country in spite of the Chinese authorities professing it really is in their borders.

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"The Secretary reiterated to Common Wei that the United States remains fully commited to our longstanding a single China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the 3 U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the 6 Assurances," a readout from the Office of Defense reads. "The Secretary reaffirmed the worth of peace and steadiness across the Strait, opposition to unilateral changes to the position quo, and named on the PRC to refrain from further more destabilizing actions towards Taiwan."

Beneath Austin, the division has been vocal in describing the Chinese military services as its "pacing obstacle" when also pointing to China's continued aggression in the area.

The U.S. “one-China policy” implies Washington acknowledges, but does not realize, China’s declare that Taiwan is a part of the place. America has also extensive sought a method of “strategic ambiguity,” declining to spell out how Washington would respond must China make a go on Taiwan.

Last month, President Joe Biden appeared to announce a shift in U.S. coverage when he affirmed that the U.S. would get concerned militarily for the duration of a press meeting while he was in Asia, though the White Residence later created distinct that he was not discussing a coverage change. This was not the very first time his communications staff experienced to backpedal an clear guarantee to defend Taiwan militarily.

"Secretary Austin discussed global and regional stability troubles, which includes the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine," the readout continued.

Chinese and Russian leaders produced a communique that outlined a extensive range of strategies for economic and diplomatic cooperation again in February, weeks right before Russia invaded Ukraine. Whilst the Chinese have regularly claimed to promote "peace" in between Russia and Ukraine, they have also been amplifying Russian disinformation statements of justification.