Thread by @ElliAdventurer

Ok, about Titanium. Can we hold two puzzle pieces up and see if they fit together?
@MingGao26 @SpicyFiles @LincolnsBible
Piece 1:

https://twitter.com/MsMariaT/status/1034543334159601664

Piece 2: reuters.com/article/us-vsm…

Piece 3: article from 2006 discusses Russia's desire to use titanium to get in nice n tight with Airbus. washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content…

Piece 4: 2006, Boeing signs 30 year contract with the new owner of Avisma (VSMPO) for titanium and "semi-finished products." Skirts US sanctions on deals with Iran because private enterprise.

Olga Babakova (babakov) appears to be benefiting from VSMPO's wealth.
Mikhail Voevodin (CEO of VSMPO) - shares in NYX Management - intermediary of VD Nominees - intermediary of AED Intl - beneficiaries: Olga & Alex Babakova. offshoreleaks.icij.org/nodes/12213604

The Babakovs appear to be low ranking Duma members, until you look at their spending habits. occrp.org/en/panamapaper… Looks like they know how to get their money out of Russia quite nicely.

Piece 5: Trump's new SecDef, Mr. Shanahan, was Sr VP of Airplane Programs at Boeing's Commercial wing 2008-2016. The Commercial wing was the one that worked with Russian counterparts flying back and forth all the time to Moscow. boeing.mediaroom.com/2012-10-30-Boe…

In 2016, Patrick Shanahan became Sr VP of Supply Chain & Ops. He was also a member of the Boeing Exec Council. Trump made him Deputy SecDef in March 2017. Sen McCain didn't like his "no comment" answer on arming Ukraine against Russia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_M…

In 2012, Ray Conner was the guy who did the deal at Boeing with Chemezov of VSMPO (Rostech) (AVISMA). boeing.mediaroom.com/2012-10-30-Boe…

It's a bit odd that the previous CEO of Boeing Commercial stepped down unexpectedly in June 2012, 3 years short of his own retirement, right? Conner steps in and 6 months later the deal with Russia is announced. seattletimes.com/business/boein…

Albaugh was fine with selling 737's to Russia in 2010. What went wrong with the titanium deal? industryweek.com/companies-amp-…

Maybe Conner really wanted to meet Putin.
"The meeting was also attended by President of Boeing Russia/CIS Sergei Kravchenko and CEO of the Russian Technologies (Rostechnologii) State Corporation Sergei Chemezov."

Sergei Kravchenko is playing a very long game. He went straight from Moscow to Boeing in 1992. boeing.com/company/key-or…

In 2013, Boeing brought a full flight and maintenance training campus to Russia. 4 full flight-sim bays for the 737 and 777 aircraft. Lucky Russia. boeing.mediaroom.com/2013-12-16-Boe…

Oh, look. Boeing's training campus in Moscow will be extra special. And Russia got to build one of their own sim bays! Huh! rusaviainsider.com/boeing-trainin…

Conner was busy. In 2015, he got Boeing to ink a deal with China for a "finishing" plant in China and a shitload of 737's. He promised no layoffs in Washington, but we know how that goes, right? scmp.com/news/china/dip…

Speaking of China, in 2006 Boeing was fined $15million for OOPSIE accidentally shipping commercial planes that had military chips on board. washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content…

Interesting play. Russian kids come to Washington state even before high school, do college, and get jobs at... Boeing. boeing.com/company/about-…

Based on this quick dive, I think it's safe to say this Raymond Conner character has sufficient Russian ties and very likely extensive kompromat to keep him in Putin's pocket while Sec of Defense.
/ends

Correction: Raymond Conner is compromised, but Patrick Shanahan will be Sec of Defense. He served as Sr. VP at Commercial Airplanes unit under Albaugh and Conner. Conner retired w/o warning in '17. Odd! Current CEO McAllister is import from GE Aviation. seattletimes.com/business/boein…