southfront--2020-09-04--US Plan To Establish Asia-Pacific ‘NATO-type’ Formal Alliance Against China

In what could be an important strategic development if it eventuates , senior US officials have suggested that countries in the Asia-Pacific region establish a ‘ Nato-like ’ formal alliance structure to confront China .
Presumably the US would assume a similar hegemon role in any such alliance .
The reactions of other countries in the region to the proposal will also be a useful barometer to evaluate how they are interpreting and reacting to recent developments in the US-China geopolitical standoff and associated maritime boundary , trade and other disputes .
The US is aiming to formalize and structure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Japan and Australia through some type of formal multilateral alliance “ more closely resembling the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ( Nato ) ” , a senior US State Department official said on Monday .
The US government ’ s goal is to get the grouping of four countries and others in the region to work together as a bulwark against “ a potential challenge from China ” and “ to create a critical mass around the shared values and interests of those parties in a manner that attracts more countries in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … ultimately to align in a more structured manner ” , said Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun .
The group of four nations is expected to meet in Delhi later this year .
Australia ’ s possible participation in India ’ s Malabar naval exercise later this year is an example of a tendency towards increasing joint military activities between the four countries .
The naval exercises , taking place mostly in the Bay of Bengal , have been held annually by the US and India since 1992 , and have included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in the Malabar games once , in 2007 , but Beijing objected and India decided not to include Australia in subsequent war games , despite Canberra ’ s willingness to take part .
Singapore also participated in the war games held in 2007 .
It is said that clashes between Chinese and Indian troops in June in the Himalayan Galwan valley , in which at least 20 Indian soldiers died , prompted the Indian government consider bringing Australia back into the Malabar games .
Japan and the United States have already been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise , but Delhi has not yet formally invited Australia .
Last week Trump ’ s national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien called China ’ s territorial claims in the South China Sea ‘ ridiculous ’ and pointed to planned visits by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with his counterparts in India , Japan and Australia in September and October .
The State Department official also suggested that Washington would like to see South Korea , Vietnam and New Zealand to eventually join the alliance .
India has also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past few months in an effort to boost ties with its neighbours in South Asia and win over the support in India ’ s disputes with China .
Just since the start of August , Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in touch with his counterparts in Nepal and Sri Lanka , dispatched his foreign secretary to Bangladesh with a message of support , and instructed his external affairs minister to announce a US $ 500 million financial aid package for the Maldives .
This flurry of activity is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summit .
Organised by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum , the event will feature speeches by US Vice-President Mike Pence , India ’ s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior officials , including India ’ s Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat , one of the most important military advisers to Modi ’ s government .
While the forum ’ s discussion topics are focused on economic issues , confronting China is sure to be high on the agenda .
Both Washington and New Delhi are increasingly concerned about “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to China , according to Navtej Sarna , a former Indian ambassador to the US .
Topics are likely to include the South China Sea and the recent clashes along the India-China border produced by a territorial dispute that goes back to India ’ s creation as an independent nation-State in the late 1940s .
Contriving ways to delay and obstruct the Belt and Road Initiative are also likely to be high on the agenda .
For decades , India has enjoyed strong diplomatic relations with many of its South Asian neighbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more proactive in more recent times and has incrementally strengthened relations with most countries in the region , including investing an estimated US $ 100 billion into infrastructure projects in Afghanistan , Bangladesh , the Maldives , Pakistan , Nepal and Sri Lanka .
LINK The US , meanwhile , has run out of additional aircraft carriers to send to the South China Sea to put ‘ maximum pressure ’ on the Chinese , and is looking to ramp up flights into the area by nuclear-capable long-range strategic bombers .
The recent firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrier killer ’ ballistic missiles into the South China Sea appears to have been a contributing factor .
Since late January , American B-1B and B-52 bombers , usually operating in pairs , have flown about 20 missions over key waterways , including the South China Sea , the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan , according to accounts of these flights from US Air Force statements and official social media posts .
These missions , military analysts say , are designed to send a clear signal : The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese land targets at any time , from distant bases , without having to move aircraft carriers and other expensive surface warships within range of Beijing ’ s massive arsenal of missiles .
In this response to the growing power of China ’ s military , the Pentagon is combining some of its oldest weapons with some of its newest : Cold War-era bombers and the military ’ s most advanced missiles .
The supersonic B1-B first entered service in 1986 ; the last plane to enter the B-52 fleet was built during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still carry a huge payload of some of the US military ’ s most advanced and destructive precision weapons .
A B-1B can carry 24 of the U.S. military ’ s stealthy new Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles , which entered service in 2018 and can strike targets at ranges of up to 600 kilometres , according to US officials .
Chinese and western military strategists warn that , once started , a military conflict between the two nuclear-armed powers could be difficult to contain .
US and other Western military experts and enthusiasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , a fast response from the bomber force could be vital while the US and its allies rush naval reinforcements to the Pacific to bolster the vastly outnumbered and out fire-powered US naval fleet stationed in the region .
According to a spokeswoman for Pacific Air Forces , Captain Veronica Perez , the U.S. Air Force had increased its publicity about its bomber missions to assure allies and partners of Washington ’ s commitment to global security , regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific .
The US military has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warships to conduct patrols and war games adjacent to China ’ s maritime borders , deliberately concentrating much of its efforts on the contested South China Sea region and offering military and diplomatic support to all countries willing to confront China .
China has responded by also substantially increasing the frequency and scale of its aerial and maritime military patrols and exercises .
Last month , Chinese fighter jets crossed the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait while US Secretary for Health , Alex Azar , was visiting Taipei on August 10 to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ing-wen .
Azar was the most senior American official to visit Taiwan in four decades .
Taiwan ’ s missile radars tracked the Chinese fighters in only the third such incursion across the median line since 2016 , the Taiwanese government said .
Numerous senior Chinese officials have emphasized over the last few months that China hasn ’ t ruled out the use of force to reunite the island with the mainland .
At the same time , the US administration has signed huge weapons deals agreeing to sell Taiwan dozens of advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senior Trump administration officials have been hammering away at China on multiple fronts , including its military build-up , territorial ambitions , domestic political repression , intellectual property theft , espionage , trade practices and its alleged failure to alert the world to the danger of COVID-19 .
In one of the most harshly worded attacks on China from an American official in decades , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on July 23 that China ’ s military , the People ’ s Liberation Army ( PLA ) , was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two decades , China has systematically assembled a force of ground , sea and air-launched missiles that would make it deadly for warships of the US Navy and its allies to approach the Chinese coast in a conflict .
This Chinese strategy is specifically tailored to neutralize US aircraft carrier battle groups and the network of bases that form the backbone of US military power in Asia .
In addition to the ‘ carrier killer ’ missiles fired earlier this month , a US defence official told Reuters that on August 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit the South China Sea between Hainan Island and the Paracel Islands .
But the PLA Navy ’ s large and rapidly expanding fleet is also vulnerable to long-range missiles .
China has built one of the world ’ s biggest navies , second is size and firepower only to the US , including new aircraft carriers , amphibious assault ships and powerful cruisers , destroyers and submarines .
And the PLA ’ s considerable network of bases and ports would also be targets for missiles .
While the US has turned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear-capable bomber fleet and the combination of bombers and long-range missiles as a temporary measure to make up for the ‘ firepower gap ’ it would face in a military conflict with China off East Asia , it is also trying to persuade its most enthusiastic allies to create a formal alliance under US leadership and convince other countries to sign up .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • India Deploys Special Forces To Eastern Border , As Tensions With China Reportedly Flare

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In what could be an important strategic development if it eventuates, senior US officials have suggested that countries in the Asia-Pacific region establish a ‘Nato-like’ formal alliance structure to confront China. Presumably the US would assume a similar hegemon role in any such alliance.
The reactions of other countries in the region to the proposal will also be a useful barometer to evaluate how they are interpreting and reacting to recent developments in the US-China geopolitical standoff and associated maritime boundary, trade and other disputes.
The US is aiming to formalize and structure its close Indo-Pacific defence relations with India, Japan and Australia through some type of formal multilateral alliance “more closely resembling the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato)”, a senior US State Department official said on Monday.
The US government’s goal is to get the grouping of four countries and others in the region to work together as a bulwark against “a potential challenge from China” and “to create a critical mass around the shared values and interests of those parties in a manner that attracts more countries in the Indo-Pacific and even from around the world … ultimately to align in a more structured manner”, said Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun.
“The Indo-Pacific region is actually lacking in strong multilateral structures,” he said. “They don‘t have anything of the fortitude of Nato or the European Union.” “Remember even Nato started with relatively modest expectations and a number of countries [initially] chose neutrality over Nato membership,” Biegun added. Biegun said that Washington would keep its ambitions for a Pacific Nato ‘checked’, and that such a formal alliance “only will happen if the other countries are as committed as the United States”.
The group of four nations is expected to meet in Delhi later this year. Australia’s possible participation in India’s Malabar naval exercise later this year is an example of a tendency towards increasing joint military activities between the four countries.
The naval exercises, taking place mostly in the Bay of Bengal, have been held annually by the US and India since 1992, and have included Japan since 2015. Australia has taken part in the Malabar games once, in 2007, but Beijing objected and India decided not to include Australia in subsequent war games, despite Canberra’s willingness to take part. Singapore also participated in the war games held in 2007.
It is said that clashes between Chinese and Indian troops in June in the Himalayan Galwan valley, in which at least 20 Indian soldiers died, prompted the Indian government consider bringing Australia back into the Malabar games. Japan and the United States have already been invited to join this year’s exercise, but Delhi has not yet formally invited Australia.
Last week Trump’s national security adviser Robert O’Brien called China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea ‘ridiculous’ and pointed to planned visits by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with his counterparts in India, Japan and Australia in September and October.
The State Department official also suggested that Washington would like to see South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand to eventually join the alliance.
India has also been involved in a hectic programme of outreach over the past few months in an effort to boost ties with its neighbours in South Asia and win over the support in India’s disputes with China.
Just since the start of August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in touch with his counterparts in Nepal and Sri Lanka, dispatched his foreign secretary to Bangladesh with a message of support, and instructed his external affairs minister to announce a US$500 million financial aid package for the Maldives.
This flurry of activity is being followed up by a high-level weeklong US-India summit. Organised by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, the event will feature speeches by US Vice-President Mike Pence, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior officials, including India’s Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, one of the most important military advisers to Modi’s government.
While the forum’s discussion topics are focused on economic issues, confronting China is sure to be high on the agenda.
Both Washington and New Delhi are increasingly concerned about “a congruence of threat perceptions” when it comes to China, according to Navtej Sarna, a former Indian ambassador to the US.
Topics are likely to include the South China Sea and the recent clashes along the India-China border produced by a territorial dispute that goes back to India’s creation as an independent nation-State in the late 1940s. Contriving ways to delay and obstruct the Belt and Road Initiative are also likely to be high on the agenda.
For decades, India has enjoyed strong diplomatic relations with many of its South Asian neighbours. However, China has been much more proactive in more recent times and has incrementally strengthened relations with most countries in the region, including investing an estimated US$100 billion into infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. LINK
The US, meanwhile, has run out of additional aircraft carriers to send to the South China Sea to put ‘maximum pressure’ on the Chinese, and is looking to ramp up flights into the area by nuclear-capable long-range strategic bombers. The recent firing by China of a couple of ‘carrier killer’ ballistic missiles into the South China Sea appears to have been a contributing factor.
Since late January, American B-1B and B-52 bombers, usually operating in pairs, have flown about 20 missions over key waterways, including the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, according to accounts of these flights from US Air Force statements and official social media posts.
These missions, military analysts say, are designed to send a clear signal: The United States can threaten China’s fleet and Chinese land targets at any time, from distant bases, without having to move aircraft carriers and other expensive surface warships within range of Beijing’s massive arsenal of missiles.
In this response to the growing power of China’s military, the Pentagon is combining some of its oldest weapons with some of its newest: Cold War-era bombers and the military’s most advanced missiles. The supersonic B1-B first entered service in 1986; the last plane to enter the B-52 fleet was built during the Kennedy administration.
But they can still carry a huge payload of some of the US military’s most advanced and destructive precision weapons. A B-1B can carry 24 of the U.S. military’s stealthy new Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles, which entered service in 2018 and can strike targets at ranges of up to 600 kilometres, according to US officials.
“A single B-1 can deliver the same ordnance payload as an entire carrier battle group in a day,” said David Deptula, dean of the Washington-based Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies and a retired US Air Force Lieutenant General. And, in a crisis, he added, bombers can be rapidly deployed.
Chinese and western military strategists warn that, once started, a military conflict between the two nuclear-armed powers could be difficult to contain.
US and other Western military experts and enthusiasts assure that, in a clash with China, a fast response from the bomber force could be vital while the US and its allies rush naval reinforcements to the Pacific to bolster the vastly outnumbered and out fire-powered US naval fleet stationed in the region.
According to a spokeswoman for Pacific Air Forces, Captain Veronica Perez, the U.S. Air Force had increased its publicity about its bomber missions to assure allies and partners of Washington’s commitment to global security, regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“Though the frequency and scope of our operations vary based on the current operating environment, the U.S. has a persistent military presence and routinely operates throughout the Indo-Pacific,” she said.
The US military has already sent a record number of aircraft and warships to conduct patrols and war games adjacent to China’s maritime borders, deliberately concentrating much of its efforts on the contested South China Sea region and offering military and diplomatic support to all countries willing to confront China.
China has responded by also substantially increasing the frequency and scale of its aerial and maritime military patrols and exercises. Last month, Chinese fighter jets crossed the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait while US Secretary for Health, Alex Azar, was visiting Taipei on August 10 to hold discussion with the government of President Tsai Ing-wen. Azar was the most senior American official to visit Taiwan in four decades.
Taiwan’s missile radars tracked the Chinese fighters in only the third such incursion across the median line since 2016, the Taiwanese government said. Numerous senior Chinese officials have emphasized over the last few months that China hasn’t ruled out the use of force to reunite the island with the mainland. At the same time, the US administration has signed huge weapons deals agreeing to sell Taiwan dozens of advanced fighter jets and Patriot anti-missile systems.
Senior Trump administration officials have been hammering away at China on multiple fronts, including its military build-up, territorial ambitions, domestic political repression, intellectual property theft, espionage, trade practices and its alleged failure to alert the world to the danger of COVID-19.
In one of the most harshly worded attacks on China from an American official in decades, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on July 23 that China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), was not a normal fighting force.
“Its purpose is to uphold the absolute rule of the Chinese Communist Party elites and expand a Chinese empire, not protect the Chinese people,” he said. “And so our Department of Defense has ramped up its efforts, freedom of navigation operations out and throughout the East and South China Seas and in the Taiwan Strait as well.” In July, Pompeo declared most of Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea illegal. LINK
Over more than two decades, China has systematically assembled a force of ground, sea and air-launched missiles that would make it deadly for warships of the US Navy and its allies to approach the Chinese coast in a conflict. This Chinese strategy is specifically tailored to neutralize US aircraft carrier battle groups and the network of bases that form the backbone of US military power in Asia. In addition to the ‘carrier killer’ missiles fired earlier this month, a US defence official told Reuters that on August 26 China launched four medium-range ballistic missiles that hit the South China Sea between Hainan Island and the Paracel Islands.
But the PLA Navy’s large and rapidly expanding fleet is also vulnerable to long-range missiles. China has built one of the world’s biggest navies, second is size and firepower only to the US, including new aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships and powerful cruisers, destroyers and submarines. And the PLA’s considerable network of bases and ports would also be targets for missiles.
While the US has turned to its aging but still potentially extremely destructive nuclear-capable bomber fleet and the combination of bombers and long-range missiles as a temporary measure to make up for the ‘firepower gap’ it would face in a military conflict with China off East Asia, it is also trying to persuade its most enthusiastic allies to create a formal alliance under US leadership and convince other countries to sign up.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-09-04--Hezbollah Withdrew More Than 2,500 Fighters From Syria – Report

Hezbollah had withdrawn more than 2,500 fighters , commanders and advisers from Syria in the last few weeks , the al-Arabiya TV reported on September 3 .
Sources familiar with the matter told the UAE-base channel that the Lebanese group , which is a close ally of Iran , began a gradual withdrawal from Syria .
The group ’ s decision was allegedly motivated by the economic crisis in Lebanon and the aftermath of Beirut ’ s blast .
Hezbollah intervened in Syria on a large scale in 2013 to aid the Damascus government that was facing a nationwide insurgency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who withdrew from Syria , went back to several group ’ s military bases in Lebanon .
“ Every time a number of Hezbollah fighters return from Syria , after the end of their service [ around every 20 days ] , they get replaced by others … this has not happened for weeks now , ” a source told the news channel .
Hezbollah has been under immense internal and international pressure to withdrew from Syria for several years now .
In the last two years , the group reduced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a significant manner .
Al-Arabiya ’ s report is yet to be verified .
However , it is possible that recent crisis in Lebanon forced Hezbollah to further reduce its troops in Syria .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Lebanese Army Find 5 Tons Of Ammonium Nitrate More At Beirut Port

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Hezbollah had withdrawn more than 2,500 fighters, commanders and advisers from Syria in the last few weeks, the al-Arabiya TV reported on September 3.
Sources familiar with the matter told the UAE-base channel that the Lebanese group, which is a close ally of Iran, began a gradual withdrawal from Syria. The group’s decision was allegedly motivated by the economic crisis in Lebanon and the aftermath of Beirut’s blast.
Hezbollah intervened in Syria on a large scale in 2013 to aid the Damascus government that was facing a nationwide insurgency.
According to al-Arabiya, Hezbollah fighters, who withdrew from Syria, went back to several group’s military bases in Lebanon.
“Every time a number of Hezbollah fighters return from Syria, after the end of their service [around every 20 days], they get replaced by others … this has not happened for weeks now,” a source told the news channel.
Hezbollah has been under immense internal and international pressure to withdrew from Syria for several years now. In the last two years, the group reduced the number of its troops in the country in a significant manner.
Al-Arabiya’s report is yet to be verified. However, it is possible that recent crisis in Lebanon forced Hezbollah to further reduce its troops in Syria.
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southfront--2020-09-04--Sign Up For SouthFront Newsletter Now

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southfront--2020-09-05--Twitter Joins Ongoing Censorship Campaign Against SouthFront

The ongoing censorship campaign against SouthFront just reached a new height .
On September 5 , Twitter suspended SouthFront ’ s official account with over 28,000 followers claiming that SouthFront somehow violated Twitter Rules .
As always , the move was done without a warning or factual explanation .
For any person following SouthFront work , including our Twitter account , it is apparent that SouthFront has not been involved and is not involved in any kind of “ manipulation ” or “ spam ” campaigns .
The suspension of SouthFront ’ s Twitter account is the apparent continuation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that started this summer .
On August 21 , Google unilaterally disabled SouthFront ’ s official Google AdSense account claiming that it “ was found to be non-compliant with the AdSense program policies ” .
Funds collected on the account for the previous 1.5 months were in fact stolen .
Earlier , Facebook and YouTube ( Google ) took extensive steps to censor SouthFront work and prevent the sharing of SouthFront content on their platforms .
( The long story of SouthFront censorship on YouTube and Facebook can be found here : 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SouthFront work was also noticed on the highest level by the US State Department , which released a detailed report accusing SouthFront of being a “ pillar ” of Russia ’ s disinformation and propaganda , and de-facto asking millions of dollars to fight against us .
The Euro-Atlantic establishment and global corporations are so scared by SouthFront work that they seem to be ready to fight our team at any cost , violating laws and own terms of service .
They apparently do not understand or do not want to understand that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies and distortion of facts ) set the basis for SouthFront ’ s power and influence .
The current situation concerns people around the world and inspires them to get an independent point of view .
Despite the increased pressure campaign , SouthFront Team is not going to surrender and will continue its against the mainstream censorship and propaganda until our last breath .
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The ongoing censorship campaign against SouthFront just reached a new height. On September 5, Twitter suspended SouthFront’s official account with over 28,000 followers claiming that SouthFront somehow violated Twitter Rules.
As always, the move was done without a warning or factual explanation. For any person following SouthFront work, including our Twitter account, it is apparent that SouthFront has not been involved and is not involved in any kind of “manipulation” or “spam” campaigns.
The suspension of SouthFront’s Twitter account is the apparent continuation of an aggressive censorship campaign against our team that started this summer.
On August 21, Google unilaterally disabled SouthFront’s official Google AdSense account claiming that it “was found to be non-compliant with the AdSense program policies”. Funds collected on the account for the previous 1.5 months were in fact stolen.
Earlier, Facebook and YouTube (Google) took extensive steps to censor SouthFront work and prevent the sharing of SouthFront content on their platforms. (The long story of SouthFront censorship on YouTube and Facebook can be found here: 1 – Facebook, 2 – YouTube)
SouthFront work was also noticed on the highest level by the US State Department, which released a detailed report accusing SouthFront of being a “pillar” of Russia’s disinformation and propaganda, and de-facto asking millions of dollars to fight against us.
The Euro-Atlantic establishment and global corporations are so scared by SouthFront work that they seem to be ready to fight our team at any cost, violating laws and own terms of service.
They apparently do not understand or do not want to understand that their own actions (lies, double-faced policies and distortion of facts) set the basis for SouthFront’s power and influence. The current situation concerns people around the world and inspires them to get an independent point of view.
Despite the increased pressure campaign, SouthFront Team is not going to surrender and will continue its against the mainstream censorship and propaganda until our last breath.
YOUR SUPPORT IS CRITICAL TO KEEP SOUTHFRONT ALIVE:
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southfront--2020-09-05--Navalny Poisoning Is A Great Scam. New Data Unveiled

More details reveal in Navalny-gate .
Germany , and the collective West continue to accuse Russia in the poisoning of opposition politic , while Russia has denied all charges and admits the possibility of provocations by Western intelligence agencies .
Numerous accusations from both sides have a direct impact not only on the countries ‘ relations in the international arena , but also , and particularly , on economic trends .
On September 2 , the German government reported that the results of a toxicological examination conducted by the Bundeswehr laboratory in Munich had shown the presence of traces of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Clinical studies indicate that Navalny was poisoned with a substance from the group of active ingredients of cholinesterase inhibitors .
Meanwhile , the exact substance remains unveiled .
Russia , in turn , after conducting various tests , says that there are no toxic substances in Navalny ’ s bio material .
According to the chief toxicologist of the Omsk region , where Navalny was taken immediately after his health deteriorated , Russian doctors would have recorded damage to the politician ’ s liver , kidneys and lungs .
Navalny ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be triggered by alcohol , diet , stress or overwork .
The reaction to the statement about Navalny ’ s poisoning was not long in coming .
The leader of the “ Green ” party in the German Parliament called Navalny ’ s poisoning an “ assassination attempt ” and asked for the construction of the Nord stream 2 gas pipeline to be abandoned .
However , the German government asked not to link the two issues .
The US Senate also called for stopping the construction of the gas pipeline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a common position on the situation with the EU and NATO .
NATO , the EU , the UK , Austria , Lithuania , and Ukraine called on the Russian authorities to investigate what happened to Navalny .
In fact , it is difficult to imagine how the military-political bloc could react to the possible poisoning of a Russian citizen , given that diplomatic contacts between Russia and representatives of the Organization are reduced to zero .
Almost the only link between Russia and NATO today is the joint exercises in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NATO member .
While political elites are debating who should take responsibility for the poisoning , third parties are happy to actually benefit from Navalny-gate .
After Merkel ’ s statement , the ruble fell in a matter of hours on the foreign exchange market by more than 1.5 rubles per dollar , that is , by 2 % of its value .
On September 2 , the dollar and euro jumped to the highest mark since August 27 –75.5 rubles and 89.27 rubles , respectively .
The ruble was already influenced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about possible sanctions against Russia in case of military intervention in the situation in Belarus , and the information about the poisoning of Navalny was a second blow .
At the same time , the sanctions agenda will remain in the news stream for another two or three months , until the US elections , and will influence investor sentiment .
According to various experts , the Russian experience has shown that the market reaction to geopolitical risks is short-term — up to a month .
However , such forecasts are not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sharp fall in the ruble , many analysts noted the unusual behavior of a number of large traders associated with the Pro-Western part of the Russian bureaucracy .
There is a sense of coordinated action with accurate information about the time and event that should have been the start of downward pressure on the ruble .
Apparently , some individuals managed to earn multimillion-dollar profits from this scam .
The very personality of Alexey Navalny also plays a significant role in the current situation .
By the nature of his activities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not pose a significant threat to the current government , unlike other businessmen .
Navalny ’ s TV shows are quite popular and probably have customers who receive considerable benefits .
After all , it is very unlikely that Navalny conducts his company at his own expense .
Since the poisoning of Navalny is not relevant , but also to a large extent unprofitable to the Russian government , it seems possible to suspect the culpability of actors associated with his business .
This can be true in the case if Navalny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , far more dangerous than politics .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • To Nobody ’ s Surprise , Navalny Was Allegedly Poisoned With Novichok

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More details reveal in Navalny-gate. Germany, and the collective West continue to accuse Russia in the poisoning of opposition politic, while Russia has denied all charges and admits the possibility of provocations by Western intelligence agencies. Numerous accusations from both sides have a direct impact not only on the countries ‘ relations in the international arena, but also, and particularly, on economic trends.
On September 2, the German government reported that the results of a toxicological examination conducted by the Bundeswehr laboratory in Munich had shown the presence of traces of Novichok poison in Navalny’s body. Clinical studies indicate that Navalny was poisoned with a substance from the group of active ingredients of cholinesterase inhibitors. Meanwhile, the exact substance remains unveiled.
Russia, in turn, after conducting various tests, says that there are no toxic substances in Navalny’s bio material.
According to the chief toxicologist of the Omsk region, where Navalny was taken immediately after his health deteriorated, Russian doctors would have recorded damage to the politician’s liver, kidneys and lungs. Navalny’s health deterioration, according to Sabayev, could be triggered by alcohol, diet, stress or overwork.
The reaction to the statement about Navalny’s poisoning was not long in coming.
The leader of the “Green” party in the German Parliament called Navalny’s poisoning an “assassination attempt” and asked for the construction of the Nord stream 2 gas pipeline to be abandoned. However, the German government asked not to link the two issues. The US Senate also called for stopping the construction of the gas pipeline.
The German government said it would work out a common position on the situation with the EU and NATO. NATO, the EU, the UK, Austria, Lithuania, and Ukraine called on the Russian authorities to investigate what happened to Navalny.
“It is impossible to impose unsubstantiated sanctions against Russia because of Navalny poisoning,” the Austrian foreign Ministry said.
The situation was also commented by NATO Secretary General.
Jens Stoltenberg said: “NATO countries are discussing possible measures in connection with the incident with Navalny, but it is not yet possible to say what they will be.”
In fact, it is difficult to imagine how the military-political bloc could react to the possible poisoning of a Russian citizen, given that diplomatic contacts between Russia and representatives of the Organization are reduced to zero. Almost the only link between Russia and NATO today is the joint exercises in the Mediterranean between Russia and Turkey, a NATO member.
While political elites are debating who should take responsibility for the poisoning, third parties are happy to actually benefit from Navalny-gate.
After Merkel’s statement, the ruble fell in a matter of hours on the foreign exchange market by more than 1.5 rubles per dollar, that is, by 2% of its value. On September 2, the dollar and euro jumped to the highest mark since August 27 –75.5 rubles and 89.27 rubles, respectively.
The ruble was already influenced by the statement of the US State Department about possible sanctions against Russia in case of military intervention in the situation in Belarus, and the information about the poisoning of Navalny was a second blow.
At the same time, the sanctions agenda will remain in the news stream for another two or three months, until the US elections, and will influence investor sentiment.
According to various experts, the Russian experience has shown that the market reaction to geopolitical risks is short-term — up to a month. However, such forecasts are not the most negative.
Against the backdrop of the sharp fall in the ruble, many analysts noted the unusual behavior of a number of large traders associated with the Pro-Western part of the Russian bureaucracy. There is a sense of coordinated action with accurate information about the time and event that should have been the start of downward pressure on the ruble. Apparently, some individuals managed to earn multimillion-dollar profits from this scam.
The very personality of Alexey Navalny also plays a significant role in the current situation.
By the nature of his activities, Navalny is a media businessman. He does not pose a significant threat to the current government, unlike other businessmen. Navalny’s TV shows are quite popular and probably have customers who receive considerable benefits. After all, it is very unlikely that Navalny conducts his company at his own expense.
Since the poisoning of Navalny is not relevant, but also to a large extent unprofitable to the Russian government, it seems possible to suspect the culpability of actors associated with his business. This can be true in the case if Navalny was really poisoned.
Business is dangerous, far more dangerous than politics.
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southfront--2020-09-05--Three Men Working For Turkish-Backed Faction Killed, Injured In Northern Aleppo IED Attack (Video)

On September 5 morning , a new explosion rocked Turkish-occupied areas in the northern Aleppo countryside in northern Syria .
An improvised explosive device ( IED ) struck a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV on a road leading to the town of Ghandurah , that is located less than 9 km away from the border with Turkey .
According to the London-based Observatory for Human Rights , two men were killed and another was injured in the IED blast .
The three men reportedly work at a border crossing for the Turkish-backed al-Shamiya Front .
No group has claimed responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are known for carrying out such attacks against Turkish forces .
Nevertheless , ISIS cells are also active in the area where the attack took place .
The al-Shamiya Front is a member of the so-called Syrian National Army , SNA , that is based in Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria .
A state of lawlessness is prevailing over Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeast Syria .
Ankara and its proxies are doing nothing whatsoever to improve security there .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Several People , Including Children @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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On the morning of September 5, a new explosion rocked Turkish-occupied areas in the northern Aleppo countryside in northern Syria.
An improvised explosive device (IED) struck a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV on a road leading to the town of Ghandurah, that is located less than 9 km away from the border with Turkey.
According to the London-based Observatory for Human Rights, two men were killed and another was injured in the IED blast. The three men reportedly worked at a border crossing for the Turkish-backed al-Shamiya Front.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, yet. Kurdish forces are known for carrying out such attacks against Turkish forces. Nevertheless, ISIS cells are also active in the area where the attack took place.
The al-Shamiya Front is a member of the so-called Syrian National Army, SNA, that is based in Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria.
A state of lawlessness is prevailing over Turkish-occupied areas in northern and northeastern Syria. Ankara and its proxies are doing nothing whatsoever to improve security there.
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southfront--2020-09-05--Syrian Army Clashed With Greater Idlib Militants After Turkish Shelling

On September 5 , heavy clashes broke out between the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and militants of al-Qaeda-affiliated @ @ @ @ @ ( HTS ) in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib .
The clashes started when @ @ @ @ @ positions in the outskirt of Saraqib city in southern Idlib .
No losses were reported @ @ @ @ @ HTS and its allies around Saraqib and the nearby town of Fleifel .
Clashes also @ @ @ @ @ of al-Enkawi in northwest Hama and Kafr Taal in western Aleppo .
Russia and Turkey @ @ @ @ @ Greater Idlib on March 5 .
Now , however , the situation in the region @ @ @ @ @ control .
Turkey , which deployed thousands of troops in Greater Idlib in the last @ @ @ @ @ and cooperating with the region ’ s militants , including those allied to terrorist groups @ @ @ @ @ s support is encouraging the hostile behavior of the militants .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC @ @ @ @ @ Including Children , Injured In New Greater Idlib Explosion

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On September 5, heavy clashes broke out between the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and militants of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the northwestern region of Greater Idlib.
The clashes started when the Turkish military shelled SAA positions in the outskirt of Saraqib city in southern Idlib. No losses were reported.
SAA troops clashed with HTS and its allies around Saraqib and the nearby town of Fleifel. Clashes also broke out near the town of al-Enkawi in northwestern Hama and Kafr Taal in western Aleppo.
“There is no information about any human losses [in the clashes],” the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said in a report.
Russia and Turkey reached a ceasefire agreement in Greater Idlib on March 5. However, the situation in the region is slowly spinning out of control.
Turkey, which deployed thousands of troops in Greater Idlib in the last few months, is supporting and cooperating with the region’s militants, including those allied to terrorist groups like HTS. Ankara’s support is encouraging the hostile behavior of the militants.
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southfront--2020-09-05--Military Situation In Syria On September 5, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • A truck that @ @ @ @ @ was found and detonated in the countryside of Ras al-Ain city ; • The SDF @ @ @ @ @ Shuhail area by erecting new checkpoints ; • Hezbollah reportedly withdrew more than 2,500 fighters @ @ @ @ @ Syria in the last few weeks ; • According to SOHR , the Russian Aerospace @ @ @ @ @ ISIS cells in Homs , Hama , Raqqah and Deir Ezzor .
MORE ON THE @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
A truck that was allegedly rigged with explosives was found and detonated in the countryside of Ras al-Ain city;
The SDF increased its activities in the Shuhail area by erecting new checkpoints;
Hezbollah reportedly withdrew more than 2,500 fighters, commanders and advisers from Syria in the last few weeks;
According to SOHR, the Russian Aerospace Forces intensified their airstrikes on ISIS cells in Homs, Hama, Raqqah and Deir Ezzor.
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southfront--2020-09-05--Outgoing Gov’t Attacking Churches In Montenegro To Cause Unrest And Enmity, Serbian Church Believes

The Western-oriented leadership of Montenegro seems to be making active steps to turn the country into a Balkan version of Ukraine , where political presecutions and religious tensions are an ordniary factor of the daily life .
Orthochristian.com writes in its article “ Outgoing Gov ’ t Attacking Churches In Montenegro To Cause Unrest And Enmity , Serbian Church Believes ” the following : The Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro believes that a recent series of attacks on churches and also Islamic sites is an attempt by the outgoing government to provoke discord and unrest .
The opposition coalition took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recent Parliamentary elections , marking the first time in 30 years that President Milo Đukanović ’ s Democratic Party of Socialists could not claim victory .
Their defeat is largely attributed to the people ’ s strong reaction to the government ’ s persecution of the Orthodox Church .
Among the recent targets is the ancient Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bijelo Polje , which was attacked on the night of September 2 , reports the Metropolis of Montenegro .
The church was built in the 14th century and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its sacristy still contains manuscripts and printed liturgical books from the 14th to 18th centuries .
“ Given that last night there was a verbal attack on a priest in Rožaje , the desecration of a mosque in Pljevlja , and a false report of damage to the Waqf ’ s property in Berane , we can not but recognize one and the same handwriting of the mercenaries of the outgoing government in all these incidents , ” the Metropolis ’ press service writes .
With such acts , the authorities are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they have sown over the past 30 years of their rule .
“ We pray to the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos to enlighten them and immediately stop such tricks , ” the Church statement reads .
The Metropolis also calls on the competent authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for all the recent attacks .
“ We also ask all faithful and God-loving people not to succumb to provocations , but to obey the voice of the Church and help the new government work peacefully and with dignity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrast to the authorities that have ruled Montenegro for three decades , after learning of the election results , opposition leader Zdravko Krivokapić immediately went to the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Podgorica to give thanks to God and receive the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro .
Concerning the mentioned verbal attack against a priest in Rožaje , the Metropolis writes : “ Encouraged by the recent disconcerting moves on the part of the out-going government in which the people proclaimed their lack of confidence at the ballot box , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Rožaje chose to utterly disgrace themselves by participating in an incident which , despite the silence on the part of local officials , can not remain hidden from the public eye.
” According to the statement , about 100 cars draped with Montenegrin flags surrounded the local church , blaring their horns and shouting , trying to provoke an incident , thinking that Fr .
Slobodan Radojević and his family were in the parish house .
“ Get out , Father !
This is Montenegro , this is our country !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on for about an hour and a half , ending when Fr .
Slobodan returned to Rožaje and informed the local chief of police , who immediately intervened , though it seems nothing else was done .
The local mayor , however , made a plea for peace , calling on his citizens to refrain from any activities that would incite nationalist or religious enmity .
Orthodox faithful have also been gathering to protect Islamic sites throughout the nation , to thwart the outgoing government ’ s attempts to incite enmity and hatred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Churches Attempt To “ Get With The Times ” To Stop Losing Believers • Europe ’ s True Last Dictator : Montenegro President Djukanovic ’ s Party May Fall After 30 Years Of Power

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The Western-oriented leadership of Montenegro seems to be making active steps to turn the country into a Balkan version of Ukraine, where political presecutions and religious tensions are an ordniary factor of the daily life.
Orthochristian.com writes in its article “Outgoing Gov’t Attacking Churches In Montenegro To Cause Unrest And Enmity, Serbian Church Believes” the following:
The Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro believes that a recent series of attacks on churches and also Islamic sites is an attempt by the outgoing government to provoke discord and unrest.
The opposition coalition took a majority of seats in the nation’s recent Parliamentary elections, marking the first time in 30 years that President Milo Đukanović’s Democratic Party of Socialists could not claim victory.
Their defeat is largely attributed to the people’s strong reaction to the government’s persecution of the Orthodox Church.
Among the recent targets is the ancient Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bijelo Polje, which was attacked on the night of September 2, reports the Metropolis of Montenegro.
The church was built in the 14th century and was an important center of book writing. Its sacristy still contains manuscripts and printed liturgical books from the 14th to 18th centuries.
“Given that last night there was a verbal attack on a priest in Rožaje, the desecration of a mosque in Pljevlja, and a false report of damage to the Waqf’s property in Berane, we cannot but recognize one and the same handwriting of the mercenaries of the outgoing government in all these incidents,” the Metropolis’ press service writes.
With such acts, the authorities are attempting to preserve the seed of enmity that they have sown over the past 30 years of their rule.
“We pray to the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos to enlighten them and immediately stop such tricks,” the Church statement reads. The Metropolis also calls on the competent authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for all the recent attacks.
“We also ask all faithful and God-loving people not to succumb to provocations, but to obey the voice of the Church and help the new government work peacefully and with dignity,” the statement reads.
In stark contrast to the authorities that have ruled Montenegro for three decades, after learning of the election results, opposition leader Zdravko Krivokapić immediately went to the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Podgorica to give thanks to God and receive the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro.
Concerning the mentioned verbal attack against a priest in Rožaje, the Metropolis writes: “Encouraged by the recent disconcerting moves on the part of the out-going government in which the people proclaimed their lack of confidence at the ballot box, dozens of people in the northern Montenegrin city of Rožaje chose to utterly disgrace themselves by participating in an incident which, despite the silence on the part of local officials, cannot remain hidden from the public eye.”
According to the statement, about 100 cars draped with Montenegrin flags surrounded the local church, blaring their horns and shouting, trying to provoke an incident, thinking that Fr. Slobodan Radojević and his family were in the parish house.
“Get out, Father! This is Montenegro, this is our country!” they screamed.
The incident went on for about an hour and a half, ending when Fr. Slobodan returned to Rožaje and informed the local chief of police, who immediately intervened, though it seems nothing else was done.
The local mayor, however, made a plea for peace, calling on his citizens to refrain from any activities that would incite nationalist or religious enmity.
Orthodox faithful have also been gathering to protect Islamic sites throughout the nation, to thwart the outgoing government’s attempts to incite enmity and hatred.
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southfront--2020-09-05--DPR Announces Exact Time And Location Of Incoming Strike On Ukrainian Positions, After Failed Ultima

DPR Announces Exact Time And Location Of Incoming Strike On Ukrainian Positions, After Failed Ultimatum

On September 4th , the head of the Donetsk People ’ s Republic ( DPR ) Denis Pushilin gave the order to open fire on Ukrainian positions in Eastern Ukraine .
The artillery strike will be delivered on the morning of September 7th .
Pushilin called on the Ukrainian side to withdraw the personnel from the place where the blow would be struck .
He made the announcement on his Telegram channel .
Pushilin wrote that he called on Ukraine to bury the trenches that were dug after the ceasefire agreement of July 22nd , 2020 .
However , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s forces would open fire on “ illegally erected engineering structures in the area of the Shumy settlement , ” which is near Gorlovka .
Below is the entire statement by Pushilin : “ Since my statement on August 28 , 2020 , we have made intensified attempts to persuade the Ukrainian side to eliminate its positional violations of the additional measures agreed on July 22 , 2020 to strengthen the ceasefire regime .
At the negotiating platform in Minsk and through the coordination mechanism in accordance with clause “ e ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the need to dig the trenches dug by the Ukrainian side after July 22 , 2020 , and not to arrange further provocations aimed at disrupting the ceasefire .
In addition , we have repeatedly warned that in the current situation we have every right to use clause “ e ” of additional measures and eliminate these violations on our own , but we did our best to avoid this .
The Ukrainian side ignored our reasonable demands .
I expected yesterday to receive a document from the JCCC stating that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side , or at least work is underway to eliminate them .
I have not received such a document .
In this regard , I officially declare that in accordance with clause “ e ” of additional measures , I decided to issue an order to open fire on illegally erected engineering structures in the area of the Shumy settlement ( 600 meters north-east of the Shumy settlement – the area contains newly equipped Ukrainian positions with center with coordinates 48 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds north and 37 degrees 56 minutes 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this decision will be sent by our representatives to the Trilateral Contact Group .
The detailed coordinates of the location of the operation will be communicated to the Ukrainian side through the JCCC .
I call on the Ukrainian side to ensure the absence of personnel in the indicated area from 08:00 on September 7 , 2020 .
We don ’ t need human sacrifice .
We don ’ t need to break the truce .
We only want to comply with the agreements reached .
I appeal to the OSCE SMM with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the designated time.
” Essentially , the conflict in Eastern Ukraine is such that Kiev ’ s forces refuse to withdraw from positions beyond the separation line and fully implement the ceasefire agreement , and the DPR feels its hand is forced , it needs to clear out those positions .
As a result , it is releasing a formal statement of an impending attack , so that no life is lost , but the positions are destroyed and the ceasefire agreement can be actively ( and proactively ) implemented , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • War In Donbass And Ukrainian ‘ Cultural Resistance ’ To Russia • DPR Gives Ukraine Until September 3 To Remove All Ceasefire Violations Or It Will “ Provide Assistance ”

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On September 4th, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Denis Pushilin gave the order to open fire on Ukrainian positions in Eastern Ukraine.
The artillery strike will be delivered on the morning of September 7th.
Pushilin called on the Ukrainian side to withdraw the personnel from the place where the blow would be struck.
He made the announcement on his Telegram channel.
Pushilin wrote that he called on Ukraine to bury the trenches that were dug after the ceasefire agreement of July 22nd, 2020.
However, there was no response, so the DPR’s forces would open fire on “illegally erected engineering structures in the area of the Shumy settlement,” which is near Gorlovka.
Below is the entire statement by Pushilin:
“Since my statement on August 28, 2020, we have made intensified attempts to persuade the Ukrainian side to eliminate its positional violations of the additional measures agreed on July 22, 2020 to strengthen the ceasefire regime. At the negotiating platform in Minsk and through the coordination mechanism in accordance with clause “e” of additional measures, we repeatedly pointed out the need to dig the trenches dug by the Ukrainian side after July 22, 2020, and not to arrange further provocations aimed at disrupting the ceasefire. In addition, we have repeatedly warned that in the current situation we have every right to use clause “e” of additional measures and eliminate these violations on our own, but we did our best to avoid this. The Ukrainian side ignored our reasonable demands. I expected yesterday to receive a document from the JCCC stating that the violations had been eliminated by the Ukrainian side, or at least work is underway to eliminate them. I have not received such a document. In this regard, I officially declare that in accordance with clause “e” of additional measures, I decided to issue an order to open fire on illegally erected engineering structures in the area of the Shumy settlement (600 meters north-east of the Shumy settlement – the area contains newly equipped Ukrainian positions with center with coordinates 48 degrees 22 minutes 57 seconds north and 37 degrees 56 minutes 55 seconds east). Formal notification of this decision will be sent by our representatives to the Trilateral Contact Group. The detailed coordinates of the location of the operation will be communicated to the Ukrainian side through the JCCC. I call on the Ukrainian side to ensure the absence of personnel in the indicated area from 08:00 on September 7, 2020. We don’t need human sacrifice. We don’t need to break the truce. We only want to comply with the agreements reached. I appeal to the OSCE SMM with a request to monitor this operation at the designated time.”
Essentially, the conflict in Eastern Ukraine is such that Kiev’s forces refuse to withdraw from positions beyond the separation line and fully implement the ceasefire agreement, and the DPR feels its hand is forced, it needs to clear out those positions.
As a result, it is releasing a formal statement of an impending attack, so that no life is lost, but the positions are destroyed and the ceasefire agreement can be actively (and proactively) implemented, in a way.
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southfront--2020-09-05--China Surprises World With First Launch Of Reusable Space Craft

Beijing isn ’ t letting a global pandemic and deteriorating relations with the US stop it from pursuing eternal national glory in the final frontier – space .
According to reports in mainland state-backed media picked up by the SCMP , China has successfully launched a reusable experimental spacecraft .
The launch took place in the northern province of Inner Mongolia , where the reusable vessel was launched via a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan satellite center in Inner Mongolia on Friday .
It ’ s scheduled to return to the landing site after orbiting the earth for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technologies during its flight “ providing technological support for the peaceful use of space.
” The latest mission was shrouded in secrecy : a copy of an official memo circulating on social media warned staff and visitors not to take any video , or allow any details about the event to leak .
A memo that served as a warning read that “ all units should strengthen personnel security education and personnel management during missions to ensure that there is no leakage of secrets.
” A military source confirmed the document ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are many firsts in this launch .
The spacecraft is new , the launch method is also different .
That ’ s why we need to make sure there is extra security.
” Over in the US , Boeing is developing the US X-37B , which experts noted appears to be similar to China ’ s new reusable space craft .
For those who aren ’ t familiar with it , the US X-37B is an unmanned space plane that operates like a smaller version of a space shuttle .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cruises back to earth for a runway landing , allowing the vessel to be reused .
SCMP says the Chinese reusable space plane has flown on missions before , but never before in a test of space flight .
It ’ s only the latest development in China ’ s space program , which also recently launched the first independent probe mission to Mars .
US Space Force ’ s official website said the primary objectives of the X-37B missions were to develop “ reusable spacecraft technologies for America ’ s future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be returned to , and examined , on earth.
” Given all the similarities to the X-37B , we wonder how long it will take for Peter Navarro to tell Fox or , better yet , CNN that Beijing stole the original technology from the US before building on it .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Beijing isn’t letting a global pandemic and deteriorating relations with the US stop it from pursuing eternal national glory in the final frontier – space.
According to reports in mainland state-backed media picked up by the SCMP, China has successfully launched a reusable experimental spacecraft.
The launch took place in the northern province of Inner Mongolia, where the reusable vessel was launched via a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan satellite center in Inner Mongolia on Friday. It’s scheduled to return to the landing site after orbiting the earth for a period.
The spacecraft will test reusable technologies during its flight “providing technological support for the peaceful use of space.”
The latest mission was shrouded in secrecy: a copy of an official memo circulating on social media warned staff and visitors not to take any video, or allow any details about the event to leak.
A memo that served as a warning read that “all units should strengthen personnel security education and personnel management during missions to ensure that there is no leakage of secrets.”
A military source confirmed the document’s authenticity to the SCMP, saying “there are many firsts in this launch. The spacecraft is new, the launch method is also different. That’s why we need to make sure there is extra security.”
Over in the US, Boeing is developing the US X-37B, which experts noted appears to be similar to China’s new reusable space craft.
For those who aren’t familiar with it, the US X-37B is an unmanned space plane that operates like a smaller version of a space shuttle. It’s launched into space by a rocket and cruises back to earth for a runway landing, allowing the vessel to be reused.
SCMP says the Chinese reusable space plane has flown on missions before, but never before in a test of space flight. It’s only the latest development in China’s space program, which also recently launched the first independent probe mission to Mars. US Space Force’s official website said the primary objectives of the X-37B missions were to develop “reusable spacecraft technologies for America’s future in space and operating experiments which can be returned to, and examined, on earth.”
Given all the similarities to the X-37B, we wonder how long it will take for Peter Navarro to tell Fox or, better yet, CNN that Beijing stole the original technology from the US before building on it.
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southfront--2020-09-05--Pandemic Reflexes: Lockdowns and Arrests in Victoria, Australia

Ugly .
Rough .
Police in the Australian state of Victoria muscling their way in .
The father and children watching .
It had all arisen because the pregnant mother in question had engaged in conduct defined as incitement .
In a post on her Facebook page , Zoe Buhler had urged Victorians to protest the coronavirus lockdown rules over the weekend .
She encouraged the practising of social distancing measures to avoid arrest and the wearing of masks , subject to medical exceptions .
“ Here in Ballarat we can be a voice for those in Stage 4 lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be seen and heard and hopefully make a difference.
” Social media sniffers in the state police picked up the scent and repaired to her Ballarat home in Miners Rest .
Buhler promised to take down the post .
“ I didn ’ t realise I was doing anything wrong .
I ’ m happy to delete the post .
This is ridiculous.
” She noted the presence of her children ; the fact that she was due for an ultrasound appointment in an hour .
She inquired about clarification about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she genuinely did not comprehend .
Subsequently , she claimed the police had shown some basic courtesy .
“ Sorry about my bimbo moment , ” she stated on reflection .
But she refused to resile from her view that the conduct had been “ too heavy handed , especially [ to arrest me ] in front of my children and to walk into my house like that.
” She remains ignorant about the meaning of incitement .
The Buhler arrest was coarse , incautious , suggesting a tone-deafness prevalent in law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ furrows across the political divide .
was assuredly predictable in its denunciation , having never quite taken the virus that seriously ( deaths we shall have , but managed responsibly ) , though it was hard to disagree with associate editor Caroline Overington ’ s plea .
“ You can accept lockdown and support saving lives but you should still oppose cuffing anyone – much less a pregnant woman.
” Janet Albrechtsen took matters into another register with her school girl claim of fascism , a term she had no inclination to define @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forensic details , but she was correct to assume that Buhler will not necessarily be seen as hero or martyr .
Protesters are approved or repudiated depending on the flavour of the moment , and the ducking stools would be out .
“ Maybe she ’ s into crystals ?
Maybe she ’ s an anti-vaxxer ?
” She certainly did not share views “ common with rich hippies in Byron Bay.
” The legal fraternity were more than a touch unsettled .
The Victorian Bar was deeply unimpressed by a police operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ execution but untutored , and said so in its media release on September 3 .
“ We recognise , ” its president , Wendy Harris QC explained , “ the importance of compliance with the law , but enforcement of those laws needs to be proportionate and consistent.
” Arresting Buhler and handcuffing her in her home in front of her partner and children “ appeared disproportionate to the threat she presented.
” Case law in Victoria – and – had held “ that a police officer is not entitled to use handcuffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is made.
” Another thing also niggled the Victorian Bar Association .
“ Consistency in the enforcement of the law is also critical ; without it , confidence in the rule of law is undermined.
” This was a less than subtle swipe at mixed responses from the police : the enforcement measures taken against Buhler were “ apparently at odds with other reported and more measured responses by authorities to organisers and protesters of similar protesters planned or carried out in contravention of public health directives.
” Greg Barns , National Criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was similarly shaken .
Writing in , he was baffled by the views of Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius , who claimed that the police had been “ polite ” and “ professional ” .
Police were good enough to assist Buhler to contact the hospital to make another appointment for the ultrasound .
Hardly the point , fumes Barns .
“ They should not have arrested her in the first place.
” The result of such muscular policing has been to gift Buhler the PR campaign and ensure “ greater sympathy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Premier [ Daniel Andrews ] and his government ’ s draconian laws.
” The mild mannered Rosalind Croucher , president of the Australian Human Rights Commission , also took to the debate , “ dismayed ” by the Buhler arrest .
“ In times of crisis , such as this pandemic , our rights are as important than ever.
” Temporary measures to limit rights and freedoms to control the spread of infection might have been necessary but “ must always be proportionate to the risk – and managed appropriately.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several arrests conducted this week , some of which would have caused fewer twangs of sympathy or outrage .
James Bartolo decided to mix reality television with pandemic law enforcement , filming his own arrest and posting it to Facebook .
Unlike Buhler , Bartolo is your traditional figure of practiced conspiracy , claiming to have better insight into the world of manipulated wickedness than most .
Through The Conscious Truth Network , he chest-thumpingly advertises his credentials as “ truth seeker , freedom fighter , utopian advocate ” .
This fine former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body builder is convinced that COVID-19 is but a Trojan horse , the fiendish , fictional product of a “ treasonous and corrupt network of filth ” intent on enslaving us .
A truculent Bartolo , in his three-minute long video , is seen arguing that the police was unlawfully trespassing on his property .
“ You don ’ t have authorisation to be on the property.
” But the paperwork was in order ; the police duly made their way in , arresting the 27-year-old for alleged incitement , possession of prohibited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An advertising stunt had been successfully executed .
These displays have caught the Victorian Police flatfooted .
It was always bound to resonate with some politicians .
On September 4 , David Limbrick of the Victorian Legislative Council and member of the Liberal Democrats wrote an open letter to Victorians expressing his shock and disappointment with the state government ’ s response , claiming that those authoritarians who had forced Victorians to wear masks “ and their enablers have been unmasked.
” While not explicitly pointing out specific acts of the Victorian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was clear enough .
“ The intrusion into our lives gets more personal and more extreme every day .
The Government has given the police free reign [ sic ] , so no wonder their behaviour just gets more outrageous.
” Limbrick has also encouraged protests , but suggests forms that do not breach the regulations .
“ It ’ s simple – bring your pots and pans , beep your horns at 8pm , and let your neighbourhood know that we don ’ t have to suffer in silence.
” An even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Make better laws , avoid sloppy drafting which leaves “ enormous discretion in the hands of the police ” and “ educate and try to reduce tension and stress in the community.
” As for Buhler ’ s case , they could have made things simple and civil : take her up on the offer to remove the Facebook post , explain why it was in breach , and be on their way .
A sensible thought for an insensible time .
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Melbourne .
Email : bkampmark @ gmail.com

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Submitted by Dr. Binoy Kampmark
Ugly. Rough. Police in the Australian state of Victoria muscling their way in. The father and children watching. It had all arisen because the pregnant mother in question had engaged in conduct defined as incitement. In a post on her Facebook page, Zoe Buhler had urged Victorians to protest the coronavirus lockdown rules over the weekend. She encouraged the practising of social distancing measures to avoid arrest and the wearing of masks, subject to medical exceptions. “Here in Ballarat we can be a voice for those in Stage 4 lockdowns [in metropolitan Melbourne]. We can be seen and heard and hopefully make a difference.”
Social media sniffers in the state police picked up the scent and repaired to her Ballarat home in Miners Rest. Buhler promised to take down the post. “I didn’t realise I was doing anything wrong. I’m happy to delete the post. This is ridiculous.” She noted the presence of her children; the fact that she was due for an ultrasound appointment in an hour. She inquired about clarification about the term “incitement”, a word she genuinely did not comprehend.
Subsequently, she claimed the police had shown some basic courtesy. “Sorry about my bimbo moment,” she stated on reflection. But she refused to resile from her view that the conduct had been “too heavy handed, especially [to arrest me] in front of my children and to walk into my house like that.” She remains ignorant about the meaning of incitement.
The Buhler arrest was coarse, incautious, suggesting a tone-deafness prevalent in law enforcement. It was unusual in ploughing common furrows across the political divide. The Australian was assuredly predictable in its denunciation, having never quite taken the virus that seriously (deaths we shall have, but managed responsibly), though it was hard to disagree with associate editor Caroline Overington’s plea. “You can accept lockdown and support saving lives but you should still oppose cuffing anyone – much less a pregnant woman.”
Janet Albrechtsen took matters into another register with her school girl claim of fascism, a term she had no inclination to define. Albrechtsen has never been troubled by forensic details, but she was correct to assume that Buhler will not necessarily be seen as hero or martyr. Protesters are approved or repudiated depending on the flavour of the moment, and the ducking stools would be out. “Maybe she’s into crystals? Maybe she’s an anti-vaxxer?” She certainly did not share views “common with rich hippies in Byron Bay.”
The legal fraternity were more than a touch unsettled. The Victorian Bar was deeply unimpressed by a police operation that seemed, not merely rough in execution but untutored, and said so in its media release on September 3. “We recognise,” its president, Wendy Harris QC explained, “the importance of compliance with the law, but enforcement of those laws needs to be proportionate and consistent.” Arresting Buhler and handcuffing her in her home in front of her partner and children “appeared disproportionate to the threat she presented.” Case law in Victoria – Slaveski v Victoria and Perkins v County Court of Victoria – had held “that a police officer is not entitled to use handcuffs on a person merely because an arrest is made.”
Another thing also niggled the Victorian Bar Association. “Consistency in the enforcement of the law is also critical; without it, confidence in the rule of law is undermined.” This was a less than subtle swipe at mixed responses from the police: the enforcement measures taken against Buhler were “apparently at odds with other reported and more measured responses by authorities to organisers and protesters of similar protesters planned or carried out in contravention of public health directives.”
Greg Barns, National Criminal Justice spokesman of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, was similarly shaken. Writing in The Age, he was baffled by the views of Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius, who claimed that the police had been “polite” and “professional”. Police were good enough to assist Buhler to contact the hospital to make another appointment for the ultrasound. Hardly the point, fumes Barns. “They should not have arrested her in the first place.” The result of such muscular policing has been to gift Buhler the PR campaign and ensure “greater sympathy for those who are wanting to launch protests against the Premier [Daniel Andrews] and his government’s draconian laws.”
The mild mannered Rosalind Croucher, president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, also took to the debate, “dismayed” by the Buhler arrest. “In times of crisis, such as this pandemic, our rights are as important than ever.” Temporary measures to limit rights and freedoms to control the spread of infection might have been necessary but “must always be proportionate to the risk – and managed appropriately.”
Buhler’s case is one of several arrests conducted this week, some of which would have caused fewer twangs of sympathy or outrage. James Bartolo decided to mix reality television with pandemic law enforcement, filming his own arrest and posting it to Facebook. Unlike Buhler, Bartolo is your traditional figure of practiced conspiracy, claiming to have better insight into the world of manipulated wickedness than most. Through The Conscious Truth Network, he chest-thumpingly advertises his credentials as “truth seeker, freedom fighter, utopian advocate”.
This fine former specimen of the Australian army and addled body builder is convinced that COVID-19 is but a Trojan horse, the fiendish, fictional product of a “treasonous and corrupt network of filth” intent on enslaving us. A truculent Bartolo, in his three-minute long video, is seen arguing that the police was unlawfully trespassing on his property. “You don’t have authorisation to be on the property.” But the paperwork was in order; the police duly made their way in, arresting the 27-year-old for alleged incitement, possession of prohibited weapons and two counts of resisting them. An advertising stunt had been successfully executed.
These displays have caught the Victorian Police flatfooted. It was always bound to resonate with some politicians. On September 4, David Limbrick of the Victorian Legislative Council and member of the Liberal Democrats wrote an open letter to Victorians expressing his shock and disappointment with the state government’s response, claiming that those authoritarians who had forced Victorians to wear masks “and their enablers have been unmasked.” While not explicitly pointing out specific acts of the Victorian police, the theme of his note was clear enough. “The intrusion into our lives gets more personal and more extreme every day. The Government has given the police free reign [sic], so no wonder their behaviour just gets more outrageous.”
Limbrick has also encouraged protests, but suggests forms that do not breach the regulations. “It’s simple – bring your pots and pans, beep your horns at 8pm, and let your neighbourhood know that we don’t have to suffer in silence.” An even sounder suggestion is advanced by Barns. Make better laws, avoid sloppy drafting which leaves “enormous discretion in the hands of the police” and “educate and try to reduce tension and stress in the community.” As for Buhler’s case, they could have made things simple and civil: take her up on the offer to remove the Facebook post, explain why it was in breach, and be on their way. A sensible thought for an insensible time.
Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He lectures at RMIT University, Melbourne. Email: bkampmark@gmail.com
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southfront--2020-09-05--Turkey To Hold Military Drills In Northern Cyprus, As Greece And EU Ramp Up Diplomatic Pressure

The joint military drills involving Greece , Egypt , the UAE and France concluded , just days before Turkey begins its round of exercises in Northern Cyprus on September 6th .
Forces of Turkey and Turkish Cyprus will start an annual five-day military drill , according to Turkey ’ s Defense Ministry .
The ministry said in a statement that the annual exercise is aimed at improving mutual training , cooperation , and interoperability between the Turkish Cypriot Peace Force Command and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Security Forces Command .
The exercise will be held with air , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the statement added .
Separately , it should be reminded that Turkey issued a navtex saying that live-fire naval drills would be carried out involving Russian warships in the eastern Mediterranean .
The navigational notice issued on September 2nd said the Russian exercises will take place Sept. 8-22 and Sept. 17-25 in areas of the Mediterranean where Turkish seismic research vessels are operating .
In Athens , Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said the planned Russian exercises were being “ monitored by all the countries in the region , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” On September 4th , Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said on Friday he delivered a letter on Turkey ’ s activities in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres , asking him to forward it to the UN Security Council .
Dendias said he met with Guterres in New York and discussed developments in the region and the Cyprus issue .
“ He gave me the opportunity to explain to him what is happening in the Eastern Mediterranean , that Turkish illegality is creating problems for stability and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also talked about the Greek-Egyptian agreement , a copy of which I gave to him , ” he said in a series of tweets on his official account .
He also said he spoke by phone with Philip T. Reeker , the acting assistant secretary in charge of European and Eurasian Affairs on developments in the eastern Mediterranean .
Meanwhile , the EU mulls how to diffuse the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean – German Chancellor Angela Merkel is looking to mediate , once again .
European Council President Charles Michel said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to adopt a “ carrot and stick ” strategy opposite Turkey at a summit on September 24 and 25 and proposed a multilateral conference focusing on sea borders in the East Med including NATO .
Michel underlined the EU ’ s “ full solidarity opposite Athens and Nicosia ” in the face of Turkey ’ s activities .
“ We will identify tools in our external policy , a sticks and carrots approach – what tools to use to improve the relationship and what tools to react [ with ] if we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is expected to visit Greece and Cyprus before the summit .
Such a summit could be “ the best way to de-escalate in the region and offer a channel for dialogue , ” Michel said .
“ What is happening , what has been happening the last few weeks , can not go on.
” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appealed to Turkey to stop its provocations .
On September 3rd , NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said that Greece and Turkey had agreed to hold talks on diffusing the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold NATO-brokered talks with Turkey , according to media reports quoting Greek foreign ministry sources as saying that “ de-escalation would only be achieved with the immediate withdrawal of all Turkish ships from the Greek continental shelf ” .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Turkey To Likely Purchase Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets To Counter Greece In Mediterranean • Turkey Threatens To Shoot Down UAE Jets , US Ends Arms Embargo On Cyprus • EU Gives Turkey 1 Month To Change Behavior Or Sanctions Would Follow

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The joint military drills involving Greece, Egypt, the UAE and France concluded, just days before Turkey begins its round of exercises in Northern Cyprus on September 6th.
Forces of Turkey and Turkish Cyprus will start an annual five-day military drill, according to Turkey’s Defense Ministry.
The ministry said in a statement that the annual exercise is aimed at improving mutual training, cooperation, and interoperability between the Turkish Cypriot Peace Force Command and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Security Forces Command.
The exercise will be held with air, naval, and land elements from Turkey, the statement added.
Separately, it should be reminded that Turkey issued a navtex saying that live-fire naval drills would be carried out involving Russian warships in the eastern Mediterranean.
The navigational notice issued on September 2nd said the Russian exercises will take place Sept. 8-22 and Sept. 17-25 in areas of the Mediterranean where Turkish seismic research vessels are operating.
In Athens, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said the planned Russian exercises were being “monitored by all the countries in the region, as well as our NATO allies and European Union partners.”
On September 4th, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said on Friday he delivered a letter on Turkey’s activities in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, asking him to forward it to the UN Security Council.
Dendias said he met with Guterres in New York and discussed developments in the region and the Cyprus issue.
“He gave me the opportunity to explain to him what is happening in the Eastern Mediterranean, that Turkish illegality is creating problems for stability and peace in the region, and we also talked about the Greek-Egyptian agreement, a copy of which I gave to him,” he said in a series of tweets on his official account.
He also said he spoke by phone with Philip T. Reeker, the acting assistant secretary in charge of European and Eurasian Affairs on developments in the eastern Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, the EU mulls how to diffuse the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean – German Chancellor Angela Merkel is looking to mediate, once again.
European Council President Charles Michel said on September 4 that European Union leaders plan to adopt a “carrot and stick” strategy opposite Turkey at a summit on September 24 and 25 and proposed a multilateral conference focusing on sea borders in the East Med including NATO.
Michel underlined the EU’s “full solidarity opposite Athens and Nicosia” in the face of Turkey’s activities.
“We will identify tools in our external policy, a sticks and carrots approach – what tools to use to improve the relationship and what tools to react [with] if we are not being respected,” said Michel, who is expected to visit Greece and Cyprus before the summit. Such a summit could be “the best way to de-escalate in the region and offer a channel for dialogue,” Michel said. “What is happening, what has been happening the last few weeks, cannot go on.”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appealed to Turkey to stop its provocations.
“From all the many over-the-top statements that Mr Erdogan has made, there is only one I retain, the one about dialogue, and I respond with these six clear words: Stop the provocations, start the talks,” Mitsotakis said. “Turkey’s illegal activities demand an international reaction,” Mitsotakis said.
On September 3rd, NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said that Greece and Turkey had agreed to hold talks on diffusing the situation.
“Following my discussions with Greek and Turkish leaders, the two allies have agreed to enter into technical talks at NATO to establish mechanisms for military de-confliction to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents in the eastern Mediterranean,” he said. “Greece and Turkey are valued allies, and NATO is an important platform for consultations on all issues that affect our shared security.”
Greece denied it had agreed to hold NATO-brokered talks with Turkey, according to media reports quoting Greek foreign ministry sources as saying that “de-escalation would only be achieved with the immediate withdrawal of all Turkish ships from the Greek continental shelf”.
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southfront--2020-09-05--Russia’s FSB Detains 13 Teenagers Suspected Of Organizing Terror Attacks In Schools

On September 4th , Russia ’ s security service – FSB , announced that it had arrested 13 Russian citizens on suspicion of preparing attacks on educational institutions and crowded places in different regions of the country .
According to agency , most of the detainees belonged to a closed Internet community .
They prepared massacres using improvised explosive devices , incendiary mixtures and melee weapons .
In addition , the suspects tried to attract other Internet users to take part in the attacks .
Personal diaries and communication devices were seized from the detainees , which contained instructions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of attacks on educational institutions and law enforcement buildings .
Also , during the search of the suspects , authorities found four ready-made explosive devices with striking elements , hunting smooth-bore rifles and more .
One of those arrested by FSB officers on suspicion of preparing massacres announced plans to stage a terrorist attack in a Russian school on September 1st .
The video recording of his correspondence with the confession , distributed by the FSB Public Relations Center and reported by TASS .
It is noted that the footage shows the messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I want to make a terrorist attack at school .
I ’ ll go to school .
( … ) I want to kill 100 , ” he told the person .
It is noted that this relates 15-year-old resident of the Minusinsky district of the Krasnoyarsk Territory .
A source familiar with the situation reported that the detainees were participating in one of the closed forums where teenagers discussed the Columbine School massacre on April 20 , 1999 in the US state of Colorado .
It turns out that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seized by the FSB were made by one of the members of the “ criminal community.
” The remaining 12 teenagers , according to the channel , are not yet suspects or accused in the investigation materials .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Russian FSB Detains Six Individuals Suspected Of Raising Funds To Bankroll ISIS

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On September 4th, Russia’s security service – FSB, announced that it had arrested 13 Russian citizens on suspicion of preparing attacks on educational institutions and crowded places in different regions of the country.
According to agency, most of the detainees belonged to a closed Internet community.
They prepared massacres using improvised explosive devices, incendiary mixtures and melee weapons. In addition, the suspects tried to attract other Internet users to take part in the attacks.
Personal diaries and communication devices were seized from the detainees, which contained instructions on how to make explosive devices, schemes of attacks on educational institutions and law enforcement buildings.
Also, during the search of the suspects, authorities found four ready-made explosive devices with striking elements, hunting smooth-bore rifles and more.
One of those arrested by FSB officers on suspicion of preparing massacres announced plans to stage a terrorist attack in a Russian school on September 1st.
The video recording of his correspondence with the confession, distributed by the FSB Public Relations Center and reported by TASS.
It is noted that the footage shows the messages of the detainee to an unknown person. “I want to make a terrorist attack at school. I’ll go to school. (…) I want to kill 100,” he told the person.
It is noted that this relates 15-year-old resident of the Minusinsky district of the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
A source familiar with the situation reported that the detainees were participating in one of the closed forums where teenagers discussed the Columbine School massacre on April 20, 1999 in the US state of Colorado.
It turns out that all four ready-to-use improvised explosive devices discovered and seized by the FSB were made by one of the members of the “criminal community.”
The remaining 12 teenagers, according to the channel, are not yet suspects or accused in the investigation materials.
“Some of the adolescents are still at large, others after the incident will be watched by psychiatrists for some time,” an unknown source told Russian media.
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