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☆ British troops could be sent to Ukraine as the country ramps up on-the-ground training efforts, UK defense minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

UK's Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps said he plans to send British troops into Ukraine. He told the Telegraph he aims to get military training "closer and actually into" the country. Ukraine relies on international allies for training and equipment as Russia's invasion drags on. AdvertisementAdvertisementUK troops may deploy into Ukraine for the first time to train soldiers as on-the-ground training efforts ramp up between the war torn country and its international allies. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn addition to offering training on the ground in Ukraine, Shapps said British defense companies like BAE Systems are moving manufacturing into the country.

Persons: Defence Grant Shapps, —, Grant Shapps, Shapps, I'm, We've, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: State, Defence, Service, State for Defence, The Telegraph, BAE Systems, British, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, US, NATO, ABC News, NBC News, Pentagon Locations: Ukraine, UK's, Russia, Crimea –, Britain, Kyiv

☆ Russia picked the Black Sea naval fight it's now losing to Ukraine, which doesn't even have a fleet of its own
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Kyiv's forces have used these weapons to increase attacks on high-profile Black Sea Fleet targets. Russia's Black Sea Fleet warships take part in the Navy Day celebrations in the port city of Novorossiysk on July 30, 2023. A little over a week after the shipyard attack, Ukraine bombarded the nearby headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet during a meeting of Russia's naval leadership. Russia has also seemingly demonstrated poor judgment in assessing Ukraine's capacity to actually carry out such impactful strikes on Black Sea Fleet targets, Harvey said. "The Ukrainians are learning to adapt to a maritime theater and having a significant impact on the Black Sea Fleet without having a fleet," he said.

Persons: —, Adm, Tony Radakin, Vladimir Putin, STRINGER, it's, Sig, Russia, John Harvey Jr, Biden, Harvey Organizations: Service, Black, United Nations, White, Getty, Moscow, Black Sea Fleet, Liberian, Fleet, Leadership, Russia, Security Service, Ukraine, Special Operations Forces, US, US Fleet Forces Command, Emergency, Artillery, MGM, Tactical Missile Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Novorossiysk, Palau, Russian, Ukrainian, Odesa, Kyiv, Kerch, Sevastopol, Crimean, Emergency Sevastopol, Crimea

☆ US military is to start randomly testing Navy SEALs and special forces for performance-enhancing steroids
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Navy will begin testing its special operations forces for doping from November this year. It's the first time any military special operations unit has initiated force-wide regular testing. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US Navy will begin randomly testing its special operations forces for steroids annd performance-enhancing drugs from November this year, the Naval Special Warfare Command said Friday. It is the first time any military special operations unit has initiated force-wide regular drug testing, according to The New York Times. The US Army and Navy's famed special operations forces include the Navy SEALs and Army's Delta Force, Green Berets, and Ranger Regiment.

Persons: —, Seaman Kyle Mullen, Navy's, Keith Davids, Davids Organizations: Navy, Service, US Navy, Warfare Command, The New York Times, New York Times, NSW, Army Special, Command, AP, US Army, Army's Delta Force, Green Berets, Ranger Regiment, Department of Defense, Special Warfare Command, Associated Press Locations: NSW

☆ Opinion | ‘The Entire Debate Was a Gong Show’: Winners and Losers From the Second Republican Showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( New York Times Opinion | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +21 min

Matthew Continetti Governor Haley is an excellent communicator, but her message was often lost amid all the cross talk. Daniel McCarthy In this debate, Governor Haley decided to play the role that Vivek Ramaswamy played last time, frequently interrupting and attacking others. Matthew Continetti Governor DeSantis is not an exciting debater, but he remains the most plausible alternative to Donald Trump. Jane Coaston He really, really, really wanted to fight Donald Trump, who was not present. His worst moment was a canned line in which he compared Donald Trump to Donald Duck (Disney defamation suit to follow).

Persons: Ronald Reagan, Jane Coaston, Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ramaswamy, Gail Collins, Matthew Continetti, Haley, Ron DeSantis, I’m, Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Amy Klobuchar, Vivek Ramaswamy’s Pete Buttigieg —, Michelle Goldberg, Katherine Mangu, Ward, Daniel McCarthy, Katherine Miller Haley, Scott, ” Peter Wehner, she’d, DeSantis, Donald Trump, zinged Trump, Trump, he’s, Nobody, Michelle Goldberg DeSantis, DeSantis —, Daniel McCarthy He’s, don’t, Katherine Miller, Peter Wehner, Christie, Donald Duck, Matthew Continetti Governor Christie, He’s, —, Ross Douthat “ Donald DUCK, “ Donald Duck, ” Katherine Mangu, Biden, ” Daniel McCarthy Governor Christie, Katherine Miller Christie, stemwinders, Donald Trump’s, Haley —, ’, “, ” Matthew Continetti, MAGA populists, MAGA, Haley didn’t, Reagan, Ward Ramaswamy, Katherine Miller Ramaswamy, Burgum, Ross, Yep, Katherine Miller Burgum, Gail Collins Boy, Pence, ”, Mike Pence, Asa Hutchinson, Peter Wehner Trump Organizations: Republican, Ronald Reagan Presidential, American Special Operations, Washington, Trump, Fox, Washington , D.C, South, Blacks, ’, Reagan Locations: California, Iowa, New Hampshire, Mexico, Florida, Ukraine, Washington ,, New Jersey, Simi Valley, China, America, North Dakota

☆ Dead or alive? Mystery surrounds the fate of Russia's Black Sea Fleet commander
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Admiral Viktor Sokolov attends a ceremony marking 240th anniversary of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea May 13, 2023. Alexey Pavlishak | ReutersMystery continues to surround the fate of the commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, who Ukraine claimed it had killed in a missile strike on the Russian naval headquarters in Crimea. Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Viktor Sokolov (left) appears on the screen at the meeting that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held with ministry officials in Moscow, Russia, on Sept. 26, 2023. Viktor Sokolov attends a ceremony marking the 240th anniversary of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea, on May 13, 2023. U.K. defense officials noted Tuesday that "a dynamic, deep strike battle is underway in the Black Sea."

Persons: Viktor Sokolov, Alexey Pavlishak, Sokolov, Sergei Shoigu, it's, Michael Clarke, there's, Reuters Clarke, Sam Ramani, Kyrylo Budanov, Ramani, Stringer Organizations: Reuters, Fleet, Russia's Defense, Russian, Defense Ministry, Zvezda, NBC, Russia, Russian Defense, Russian Defense Ministry, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Sky News, Black, Russian Federation, Russian Army, Royal United Services Institute, Defense, Russia's, Afp Locations: Russian, Sevastopol, Crimea, Ukraine, British, Moscow, Russia, Novorossiysk

☆ Viktor Sokolov, Russian admiral claimed to have been killed in Ukrainian attack, appears in video interview
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Katharina Krebs Anna Chernova Clare Sebastian | Katharina Krebs | Anna Chernova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Viktor Sokolov, commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, was asked by a reporter in a video about the missile strike on the fleet’s headquarters in Sevastopol, which Ukraine said had killed him. In the video, Sokolov also referred to the “Order of Ushakov” award given to Russia’s 810th Marine Brigade. A video published Tuesday showed Sokolov appearing to attend a Russian defense ministry meeting. Russian Ministry of DefenseIn the Russian footage published Tuesday, a man resembling Sokolov appeared to join the meeting via video conference. But, by the next day, the messaging had changed, with Peskov confirming that Sokolov had attended the defense ministry meeting.

Persons: Viktor Sokolov, “, ” Sokolov, Sokolov, Ushakov, Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhaev, Sergei Shoigu, Dmitry Peskov, ” Peskov, Rustem Umerov, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, ” Umerov, Amanpour, Crimea – Organizations: CNN, Zvezda News, 810th Marine Brigade, Russian Ministry of Defense, Black, Fleet, Kremlin, Ministry of Defense, Kyiv Tuesday, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, ЧФ Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Russian, Sevastopol, Moscow, Russia

☆ Viktor Sokolov: Ukraine 'clarifying' whether Russian commander was killed in strike, after video purportedly shows him alive
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Olga Voitovych Clare Sebastian Florence Davey-Attlee Rob Picheta | Olga Voitovych | Clare Sebastian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Ukraine’s military has said it is “clarifying” information received about the alleged assassination of Russian commander Viktor Sokolov, after Moscow released a video that appears to show him alive and well. Kyiv claimed on Monday it killed Sokolov, the commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, in an attack on the fleet’s headquarters in occupied Crimea last Friday. The nametape on his uniform reads Sokolov V. N. and his screen shows the Cyrillic letters “ЧФ,” the abbreviation for the Black Sea Fleet. “Available sources claim that the Black Sea Fleet Commander is among the dead. Russia appointed Sokolov as its new commander for its Crimea-based Black Sea fleet in August 2022, according to reports from state media outlet TASS at the time.

Persons: CNN —, Viktor Sokolov, Sokolov, Sergei Shoigu, Rustem Umerov, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, “, ” Umerov, Amanpour, Dmitry Peskov, Crimea –, Andrii Yusov Organizations: CNN, Russian Ministry of Defense, Black, Fleet, Ukraine Special Operations Forces, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, Naval Academy, Northern Fleet, ЧФ Locations: Moscow, Crimea, Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian Crimea, ” Ukraine, Russian, Saky, Sevastopol

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Moscow remains silent on Kyiv's claims to have killed Black Sea Fleet commander, officers in strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

There has been a stony silence from Moscow after Ukraine's claims Monday that a missile strike it carried out on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol last Friday killed 34 Russian officers, including the commander of the fleet, and wounded 105 others. Russia has not publicly commented on Ukraine's claims which, if proven, would represent a severe blow to Russia's naval command. Ukraine's Special Operations Forces said on Telegram Monday that its strike meant that the headquarters could not be restored. It said the number of fatalities had been so high "given that the Minsk large landing ship was supposed to go on combat duty the next day, the personnel were present at the ship. CNBC was unable to immediately verify the information in the post and it's uncertain how Ukraine arrived at the figure for the Russian dead and wounded.

Persons: Ukraine's Organizations: Special Operations Forces, CNBC Locations: Moscow, Sevastopol, Russia, Minsk, Ukraine

Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Vice-Admiral Viktor Sokolov during a send-off ceremony in Sevastopol, Crimea on September 27, 2022. Ukraine has increasingly been hitting strategic Russian targets in Crimea, the Black Sea region of southern Ukraine that has been occupied by Moscow since 2014. Russian forces employed Iranian-made drones, hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles and a submarine in the assault, Ukraine’s defense forces said. A damaged building is seen following a Russian military attack in Odesa, Ukraine, in this image released on September 25. Over the past day, Russian forces launched 87 attacks on the Kherson region, Prokudin said, hitting residential areas, medical buildings, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Dmytro Pletenchuk, Pletenchuk, Vladimir Putin “, Pletenchuk’s, Viktor Sokolov, Alexey Pavlishak, Andrii Yusov, Matthew A, Foster, US Army National Guard Abrams, Sergei Lavrov, Zelensky, “, Abrams, Charlie Dietz, Oleh Kiper, Kiper, Dmitry Peskov, Oleksandr Prokudin, Prokudin Organizations: CNN, Abrams, Ukrainian Navy, Russian Navy, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, Navy, Special Operations Forces, Sea Fleet, Reuters CNN, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, US Army National Guard, US Abrams, Pentagon, General’s, Reuters, Russian Ministry of Defense Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Russian, Sevastopol, Ukrainian, Crimea, Moscow, Ukrainian Crimea, Piskie, Poland, United States, Germany, Odesa, Izmail district, Iranian, Kherson –, Beryslav, Kherson

CNN —Ukraine has claimed it killed the commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, in one of Kyiv’s boldest attacks yet on the occupied peninsula of Crimea. The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said in an update that Friday’s attack killed Viktor Sokolov along with 33 other officers. “After the hit of the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, 34 officers were killed, including the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” the Ukrainians said Monday, adding that more than 100 other Russian servicemen were wounded. Moscow has said that one serviceman is missing as a result of Ukraine’s attack on Sevastopol. Ukraine has increasingly been hitting strategic Russian targets in Crimea, the Black Sea region of southern Ukraine that has been occupied by Moscow since 2014.

Persons: Viktor Sokolov, “, Andrii Yusov, ”, Sokolov Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, Fleet, The, 744th Communications Center, Command, Black, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, Special Operations Forces, Navy, Naval Academy, Northern Fleet, Ukraine’s Security Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Russian, Moscow, Sevastopol, Verkhniosadove, Russia, Ukrainian Crimea, ”, ” Russia, Saky

☆ Ukraine says it launched its missile strike on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea fleet to coincide with a meeting of Russian naval officers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine said it timed its strike on Russia's Black Sea Fleet to a meeting of the fleet's leadership. Budanov said one of the injured was Colonel General Alexander Romanchuk, the general in charge of Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia. However, he refused to confirm the rumored death of Admiral Viktor Sokolov, commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. This suggests that it wasn't just a strike on the Black Sea Fleet HQ, but timed to target key senior leaders during a meeting." AdvertisementAdvertisementThe attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters is the latest in a series of attacks on Crimea and Russia's naval presence there.

Persons: Kyrylo Budanov, Budanov, General Alexander Romanchuk, Viktor Sokolov, Sokolov, Rob Lee, Ukraine's Organizations: Fleet, Special Operations Forces, Service, General Staff of, Armed Forces, America, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Black Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Sevastopol, Russia, Crimean, Zaporizhzhia

Ukraine’s military claimed on Monday that it had killed the commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in a strike on Crimea — a blow that, if confirmed, would be among the most damaging suffered by the Russian Navy since the sinking of the fleet’s flagship last year. Citing “new information about the losses of the enemy as a result of the special operation,” Ukraine’s special operations forces said in a statement that the strike on Friday killed 34 officers, including the fleet commander, and wounded 105 others. It did not name the naval leader, but the commander of the Black Sea Fleet is Adm. Viktor Sokolov, one of the most senior officers in Russia’s Navy. The attack came during a meeting of Russian commanders, Ukraine’s military said, and badly damaged a headquarters of the Russian fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea. The chief of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, also told Voice of America on Saturday that the strike had badly wounded two senior Russian generals — Col. Gen. Aleksandr Romanchuk and Lieut.

Persons: ”, Viktor Sokolov, Kyrylo Budanov, — Col, Gen, Aleksandr Romanchuk, Oleg Tsekov Organizations: Russian Navy, Black, Russia’s Navy, Russian, America, Russia’s Defense Ministry Locations: Crimea, Sevastopol, Russian

☆ Russian Black Sea Fleet commander was killed in Crimea missile strike, Ukraine says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Alexander Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Vice-Admiral Viktor Sokolov attends a ceremony marking 240th anniversary of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea May 13, 2023. Ukraine said Monday it has killed the commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in a missile strike on the naval headquarters in occupied Crimea. Ukraine's intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told Voice of America on Saturday that at least nine people were killed and 16 others wounded as a result of Kyiv's attack on the Black Sea Fleet on Friday. Its port is the main base of the Black Sea Fleet, which has been used to launch attacks deep into Ukraine. From 2020 he headed a prestigious military academy, before taking command of the Black Sea Fleet last year.

Persons: Viktor Sokolov, Sokolov, James Stavridis, Kyrylo Budanov, Alexander Romanchuk, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Daryna Mayer Organizations: Sea Fleet, NBC, Special Operations Forces, Black, NBC News, NATO, Twitter, America, Fleet, Tactical Missile Systems, Crimea, Northern, Associated Press Locations: Russian, Sevastopol, Crimea, Ukraine, Kyiv, Crimean, Ukrainian, Russia, Ukraine's Crimea, U.S, Moskva, Pacific

☆ Russian officers who hadn't been paid by Moscow sold key intel on the Black Sea Fleet to Ukrainian resistance fighters. Then the headquarters blew up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russian officers reportedly leaked sensitive intel on the Black Sea Fleet to Ukrainian partisans. Ukrainian later targeted the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in a huge missile strike last week. AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter missing their anticipated salary payments, Russian officers decided to leak sensitive information about Moscow's Black Sea Fleet to a Ukrainian partisan movement. It is not clear how much money was offered to the Russian officers, nor are the identities of these officers known. ATESH said they had access to activities of the Black Sea Fleet's leadership though.

Persons: hadn't, —, Viktor Sokolov, ATESH, Mykhailo Podolyak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: intel, Black, Fleet, Kyiv Post, Service, Russian Federation, Friday, Special Operations Forces, Security Service of Ukraine, Ukrainian, Directorate of Intelligence, Sea Navy, PBC, Handout, REUTERS Locations: Ukrainian, Kyiv, Moscow, Crimean, Tatars, Crimea, Sevastopol, Russian, Ukraine, Ukrainian Crimea

☆ Ukraine Special Forces say strike on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet HQ left dozens dead and wounded ‘including senior leadership’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Maria Kostenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

“The data was transmitted to the Air Force for strike. The details of the attack will be revealed once it is possible. The result is dozens of dead and wounded occupiers, including the senior leadership of the fleet,” the statement read. It added, “We are moving further!”No further details or any evidence as to specific casualties among Russia’s Black Sea Fleet have so far been provided by Ukraine. Russia’s Ministry of Defense has to date only said that a Russian soldier was missing after Friday’s missile attack.

Persons: CNN —, ” Organizations: CNN, Special Operations Forces, Fleet, Navy, Russian Navy’s, Air Force, Russia’s Ministry of Defense Locations: Sevastopol, Russian, ”, Ukraine, Russia’s

WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - About half of Americans support sending U.S. military personnel into Mexico to fight drug cartels, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll, though there is less backing for sending troops without Mexico's approval. Some of the candidates have said they would be prepared to send military forces without first receiving permission from the Mexican government. Fifty-one percent of Republicans opposed unilateral action, compared to 40% who supported it. Only former Vice President Mike Pence, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie have stopped short of saying they support sending U.S. military personnel into Mexico. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online and nationwide between Sept. 8 and Sept. 14, gathering responses from 4,413 U.S. adults.

Persons: Terry Sullivan, Marco Rubio's, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, South Carolina Tim Scott, Haley, Mike Pence, Asa Hutchinson, Chris Christie, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Gram Slattery, Jason Lange, Stephen Eisenhammer, Ross Colvin, Grant McCool Organizations: Reuters, United, U.S . Centers for Disease, Department of Defense, Tech, South Carolina, New, Thomson Locations: Mexico, U.S, United States, Ukraine, Florida, South, Arkansas, New Jersey, Mexican, Washington, Mexico City

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:Aug. 31The Washington Post on sexism in the U.S. militaryNearly eight years ago, the United States opened up all military combat roles to women, clearing a pathway for female service members to join the most elite military forces. Women at multiple military bases reported that other soldiers would bang on their doors in the middle of the night. Even a program that once represented the highest ideals of the United States — its compassion, its expertise and its resources — is becoming a casualty of the country’s most destructive and divisive forces. Lack of adequate cooling during hot summers has plagued Southern states for decades, but climate change has now made it a problem in Northern states as well — Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, Indiana. Ukraine received the first batch of uranium munitions from the United Kingdom in March to use in its UK-made Challenger 2 tanks.

Persons: Soldiers, “, ”, George W, Bush, Anthony Fauci, Mark Dybul, PEPFAR, Henry Hyde, Dave Weldon, H.I.V, Hyde, Weldon, Biden, MAGA, Biden’s, Mr, Chris Smith of, Smith, Roe, Wade, Tommy Tuberville, Susan B, Anthony Pro, ” Nyserda, Don’t, Louisianans, it’s, commissaries, Joe Arpaio, let’s, perceptibly Organizations: Washington, Green, Ranger Regiment, Green Berets, Army Rangers, Special Operations, Army Special Operations Command, Special Forces, Army, Command, New York Times, Democrats, Republicans, Catholic Church, Republican Party, AIDS Relief, Republican, Heritage Foundation, Biden, Mr, PEPFAR, America, Family Research, United, New York State Energy Research, Development Authority, Alliance, Clean Energy, Alliance for Clean Energy, Developers, Micron Technology, Los Angeles Times, Staff, Prisons, US State Department, US Locations: United States, U.S, Afghanistan, Africa, Illinois, Florida, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Alabama, New York, Ukraine, California , Connecticut, Hawaii , Indiana , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts, Michigan , New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Louisiana, Angola, Texas, Southern, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota , Indiana, Maricopa County, Ariz, Los Angeles, California, Corcoran, Tulare Lake, China, Russia, United Kingdom, Moscow, Belarus, Washington, Europe, Asia, Brazil, Indonesia

☆ Wagner, infamous for brutality in Ukraine and a failed mutiny in Russia, is registered as an 'educational organization' in its new home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Wagner Group has reportedly registered as an "educational organization" in Belarus. The embattled organization has been training soldiers in the Belarusian military for several weeks. Now, the mercenary group is registered as an "educational organization" in Belarus — its new home — as it trains the country's military. Information published by Belarus' Unified State Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs shows that Wagner registered as a company earlier this month, with the sole purpose of educational activities, according to multiple reports on Wednesday. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters at a briefing earlier this month, adding that "when it comes to Wagner Group, I think we all keep a close eye all of the time."

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russian Wagner, Alexander Lukashenko, Prigozhin, Pat Ryder, Agnė Bilotaitė Organizations: Wagner, Service, Belarus ' Unified State, Entrepreneurs, Wagner Group, Russian, Belarusian Defence Ministry, REUTERS, Officials, Belarus ' Defense Ministry, Special Operations Forces, AP, Pentagon Press, Air Force, NATO, Belarus — Locations: Belarus, Belarusian, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Asipovichy, Russian, Brest, Africa, Officials Poland, Lithuania, Warsaw, Minsk, Poland

☆ Zelenskiy says Ukrainian strength dominates, top officers report progress
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Russian accounts said Moscow's forces had repelled Ukrainian attacks near Bakhmut, farther north where fierce fighting has also flared and on the southern front. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces faced fierce Russian resistance in all frontline sectors. Very fierce attacks," Zelenskiy said, referring to Bakhmut and other centres in the east. Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had thwarted eight Ukrainian attempts to advance near Bakhmut and nearby areas. Two Ukrainian attacks were countered near Lyman and Svatove farther north and attempted advances in the south were also stopped.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Viktor Khorenko, Zelenskiy, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, Serhiy Cherevatyi, Cherevatyi, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Leslie Adler, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, Presidential Press Service, REUTERS, Senior, Ukrainian, Russia's Defence Ministry, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Donetsk region, Russian, Bakhmut, Azov, Crimean, Moscow, Izmail, Lyman

☆ Exiled Wagner mercenaries are training Belarusian troops in what may signal Putin's puppet next door is cutting some of the strings
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Wagner Group mercenaries cast into exile in Belarus have been training the country's soldiers. The increased military training suggests that Putin's influential grip on Belarus may be waning. "The Wagner Group's new role in Belarusian company-level training is notable," the ISW analysis said. Shortly after that, Wagner troops began training internal troops, the Belarusian Deputy Commander of the Internal Troops confirmed on July 25. Lukashenko, meanwhile, has praised the Wagner fighters and welcomed the military training with open arms.

Persons: Wagner, Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, Lukashenko, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Eager, Russian Wagner, ISW, George Barros, Wagner's, Barros, Putin, Belta, John Kirby, We're, Kirby Organizations: Service, Kremlin, Wagner Group, Belarusian Defence Ministry, REUTERS, Russian, Institute for, Belarusian, Sputnik, Internal Troops, Belarus ' Defense Ministry, Special Operations Forces, AP, Moscow, Ukrainian, Minsk, White, National Security, NATO Locations: Belarus, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Belarusian, Asipovichy, Minsk, Russian, Brest, Washington, DC, wean, Moscow, Ukraine, Sochi, Kremlin, Africa, Poland, Lithuania

☆ Russia's complex defenses are a brutal test for Ukrainian troops' close-quarters-combat skills
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A recent video shows Ukrainian troops using close-quarters-battle skills inside a Russian trench. While Ukrainian troops are making progress, they are not moving as quickly as Kyiv and its Western partners had hoped. The proximity of the fighting and Russia's complex defenses has put Ukrainian troops' close-quarters combat skills to a brutal test. Ukrainian frogmen clearing Russian trenchesA Ukrainian soldier in a Russian trench in a image from a video widely shared on social media in June. As the Ukrainian forces continue to push forward with the counteroffensive, close-quarters combat will be more frequent.

Persons: frogmen, John Spencer, Ritzau Scanpix, Marinka, Jacob Holmes, isn't, Anthony Jones, Eli Fieldboy, Stavros Atlamazoglou Organizations: Service, Russian, Ukrainian, Special Operations Forces of, Twitter, 73rd Naval Center of Special, Navy, West, Institute, Ukrainian National Guard, Getty, 73rd Naval Center, NATO, Green Berets, US, Special Forces Group, New York Times, US Army, Army's Delta Force, Navy's, Training, Hellenic Army, 575th Marine Battalion, Army, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins, School, International Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Kyiv, Russia, Special Operations Forces of Ukraine, Russian, Ukrainian, Odesa, AFP, Dnipro, Kherson, Bakhmut, Israeli, Johns

CNN —Belarusian forces will hold joint military exercises with Wagner fighters near its border with NATO-member Poland, Belarus’ Defence Ministry said. Wagner fighters arrived in Belarus following a short-lived mutiny by the private military group last month. “The Armed Forces of Belarus continue joint training with the fighters of PMC ‘Wagner,’” the defence ministry said in a statement. At the beginning of July, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko invited Wagner forces into Belarus to help train his country’s military. The invite came shortly after the failed armed insurrection by Wagner forces against Moscow, which Lukashenko was credited with helping diffuse.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, PMC ‘ Wagner, ’, Alexander Lukashenko, Lukashenko, ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin Organizations: CNN, NATO, Belarus ’ Defence Ministry, Armed Forces, PMC, Reuters Locations: Belarusian, Poland, Belarus, Moscow, Russia, Asipovichy, Minsk, “

Summary Wagner to train near PolandPrigozhin greets mercenaries in BelarusUp to 10,000 Wagner fighters to be in Belarus - commanderSays 22,000 Wagner fighters perished in UkraineMOSCOW, July 20 (Reuters) - Mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group will help train Belarusian special forces during exercises at a military range near the border with NATO-member Poland, the Belarusian defence ministry said on Thursday. "The armed forces of Belarus continue joint training with the fighters of the Wagner PMC (Private Military Company)," the Belarusian defence ministry said. Poland said earlier this month it would send 500 police to shore up security at its border with Belarus to cope with rising numbers of migrants crossing as well as any potential threats after Wagner mercenaries relocated to Belarus. MERCENARY PLANSA deal was struck on June 24 under which the mercenaries would move to Belarus in return for charges against them being dropped. The post contradicted remarks by a Russian lawmaker who said that as many as 33,000 Wagner fighters had signed contracts with the defence ministry.

Persons: Wagner, Poland Prigozhin, Russia's Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner's, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, Marx, Felix Light, Guy Faulconbridge, Andrew Osborn, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Russia's, NATO, Wagner PMC, Private Military Company, West, Kremlin, Wagner's Telegram, Reuters, Islamic, Central African, Thomson Locations: Poland, Belarus, Ukraine MOSCOW, Belarusian, Ukraine, Africa, Brest, Russian, Ukrainian, Russia, Crimea, Syria, Central African Republic, Mali, Bakhmut, Tbilisi, Moscow

☆ Nearly 40% of US attack submarines in or awaiting repair as shipyards face worker shortages, supply chain issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Nearly 40% of US fast attack submarines are in repair or awaiting maintenance as shipyards face a shortage of workers and and supply chain issues, according to a new report from the Congressional Research Service. Of the 49 fast attack submarines in the Navy, a total of 18 are either in depot maintenance or awaiting maintenance, known as idle. “As planned, about one third of our fast attack submarines are currently in maintenance receiving critical repairs to sustain a mission ready force. The strain on the submarine fleet will be exacerbated by the agreement between the US, UK and Australia to provide Canberra with three to five fast attack submarines in the early 2030s. The Navy has three classes of fast attack submarines in service: older Los Angeles-class attack subs, Seawolf-class subs, and the newer Virginia-class subs.

Persons: ”, Jackie Pau Organizations: CNN, Congressional Research Service, Navy, Bloomberg, “, United Locations: United States, Australia, Canberra, China, Los Angeles, Virginia

[1/5] German Patriot air defence system units are seen at the Vilnius airport in Vilnius, Lithuania July 7, 2023. Many are also providing advanced air defence systems which the Baltic states lack. But for the region with total population of about 6 million people, this is not enough to sustain large militaries, invest in their own fighter jets or advanced air defence. NATO is NATO, and we feel ourselves safe because we are in NATO. He added that he feared waves of migrants at the border, or border violations, or military vehicles appearing at the border without explanation.

Persons: Janis Laizans, Joe Biden, Biden, Gitanas Nauseda, Caesar, Wagner, Edvard Rynkun, Elena Tarasevic, Col Steffen Lieb, Rustamas Liubajevas, Sabine Siebold, John Irish, William Maclean Organizations: Patriot, REUTERS, NATO, Belarus Allies, Baltic, European Union, Reuters, Wagner, Thomson Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, Belarus, KANIUKAI, Russia, Baltic, Estonia, Latvia, Germany, Spain, France, Finland, Denmark, United Kingdom, Poland, Kaniukai, Ukraine, Kaliningrad, Russian, Minsk

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