A Mysterious Plot Prompts a Rare Call From Russia to the Pentagon. Russia’s defense minister said he needed to talk to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about an alleged Ukrainian operation. What happened next remains murky.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/26/us/politics/austin-russia-ukraine-defense-plot.html
by MaryADraper
17 comments
Here is the text of the article…
By Eric Schmitt
Reporting from Washington
July 26, 2024, 5:03 a.m. ET
Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III received an unusual request from an unlikely caller: His Russian counterpart wanted to talk.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Mr. Austin had spoken by phone with Russia’s defense minister only five other times, almost always at the Pentagon’s initiative and often in an effort to avoid miscalculations that could escalate the conflict.
In fact, Mr. Austin had reached out to Russia’s new defense minister, Andrei Belousov, just a couple of weeks earlier, on June 25, in an effort to keep the “lines of communication open,” the Pentagon said. It was the first phone call between the two men since Mr. Belousov, an economist, replaced Sergei K. Shoigu, Russia’s long-running defense minister, in a Kremlin shake-up in May.
Now on July 12, Mr. Belousov was calling to relay a warning, according to two U.S. officials and another official briefed on the call: The Russians had detected a Ukrainian covert operation in the works against Russia that they believed had the Americans’ blessing. Was the Pentagon aware of the plot, Mr. Belousov asked Mr. Austin, and its potential to ratchet up tensions between Moscow and Washington?
Pentagon officials were surprised by the allegation and unaware of any such plot, the two U.S. officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the confidential phone call. But whatever Mr. Belousov revealed, all three officials said, it was taken seriously enough that the Americans contacted the Ukrainians and said, essentially, if you’re thinking about doing something like this, don’t.
Despite Ukraine’s deep dependence on the United States for military, intelligence and diplomatic support, Ukrainian officials are not always transparent with their American counterparts about their military operations, especially those against Russian targets behind enemy lines. These operations have frustrated U.S. officials, who believe that they have not measurably improved Ukraine’s position on the battlefield but have risked alienating European allies and widening the war.
Eric Schmitt is a national security correspondent for The Times, focusing on U.S. military affairs and counterterrorism issues overseas, topics he has reported on for more than three decades.
Russians are probably projecting again – themselves preparing a radiological provocation.
Either way Ukraine has the right to build – but not use – any nuclear or radiological weapon it sees fit to defend itself against Russian nuclear terrorism.
While we may be helping Ukraine, it seems arrogant to me to assume we have a right to vet Ukraines potential operations against russia. They are fighting for their very existence against an enemy who will stoop to anything. Ukraine cannot fight to survive and worry about every little escalation risk that might offend us. Would we, in their shoes? With cities leveled, children kidnaped, 10’s of thousands dead? Hell no. They are experiencing their Armageddon right now. So grow some balls in Washington, because we are in it and your half stepping is actually increasing the risk.
I’m going to extremely doubt the Russians have more intelligence on Ukrainian secret operations then the Americans. This reads like the Russians are looking to use a previously open channel of communication to push their information narrative.
There was a report last week or the week before about UKR attempting to whack Putin, and that the Russians were claiming the USA was helping.
I kind of doubt we would help with such a plan. although I stand by the UKR’s right to attempt it if they can.
Austin’s response to any call should be get out of Ukraine then we will talk.
This has amateurish Russian PsyOps written all over it. “Hey, call the Americans and act like you’re all worried about this stuff and maybe it will keep them concerned about escalation.” Only an idiot would fall for it, or believe anything that came out of Russian government officials.
Could be more sabotage of Russia’s nuclear infrastructure.
If this is true, its absolutely fucking disgusting.
So basically Russia is going to bomb an airplane or something.
Why do all Russian psyops have the sophistication of a 6 year old trying to convince you a ghost shit in his pants?
An economist calls the pentagon *
Classic psyop operation from Russia, some possible reasons:
# Possible Reasons for the Call:
1. **Fishing for Information:**
* **Direct Information:** Assessing the U.S. reaction during the call can provide Russia with valuable insights into the current U.S. stance and strategies regarding Ukraine.
* **Indirect Information:** Monitoring Ukraine’s response to the call, especially if they communicate with the U.S. afterward, could reveal vulnerabilities or the extent of surveillance capabilities.
2. **Sending a Message:**
* **Awareness:** Demonstrating that Russia is aware of ongoing U.S.-Ukraine communications and activities might instill caution, potentially reducing the effectiveness of future coordination.
* **Disruption:** Creating distrust and suspicion between the U.S. and Ukraine by implying there might be a leak. This can hamper the efficiency of joint operations and strategic planning.
#
However don’t be fool, this call only benefit Russia and Putin, and frankly next time should be directed to a low level US lieutenant somewhere in Alaska, or perhaps to a scammer call center somewhere in India.
Every accusation is a confession
Who’s the Russian puppet now
I think they called to see if, please, Ukraine could take out crazy Putin
Only America has had any real concerns about Ukraine deep strike operations. Most of Ukraine’s allies are very much in favor. This is again the current American administration buying into ruzzian threats and kowtowing.
Now the ruzzians know: have a serious threat against them by Ukraine? Call the Americans and complain. The Biden administration, led by “Mr Reluctant” Joe Biden has repeatedly buckled when pressed. One can only hope that should Kamala Harris become president she displays a bigger set of balls. And her first act being to fire Sullivan, who whispers into his bosses’ ear exactly what he wants to hear. I have no issues with Defense Secretary Austin. He is not the problem and he is well liked and respected by all NATO and peer allies.