Thread by @jseldin

Happening now: @PentagonPresSec briefs the media

BREAKING: US scrapping Minuteman III nuclear missile test scheduled for this weekend "to demonstrate we are a responsible nuclear power..." per @PentagonPresSec

Says move is being made to make nothing can be misconstrued during a time of heightened tensions

#Russia-#Ukraine

#Russia convoy headed to #Kyiv & the northern push from Russia to south "has stalled" per @PentagonPresSec, saying no real progress in last 24-36 hours

NEW: #Russia push toward #Kyiv may be partially intentional - designed to allow the Russian forces to regroup, per @PentagonPresSec

BUT Russian forces also experiencing logistical issues and stiff resistance from #Ukraine's forces

"In an effort to demonstrate that we have no intention of engaging in any actions that can be misunderstood or misconstrued [@SecDef] has directed that our Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test launch scheduled for this week to be postponed" per @PentagonPresSec

"We did not take this decision lightly but instead to demonstrate that we are a responsible nuclear power" per @PentagonPresSec

"This is not a step backwards in our readiness, nor does it imply that we will necessarily cancel other routine activities ..."

US strategic nuclear posture "is up to the task of defending the homeland & our allies & our partners" per @PentagonPresSec

Bloodshed in #Ukraine due to #Russia forces - "All that blood is on his hands & any more blood that's shed is still going to be on Mr. Putin's hands" per @PentagonPresSec

"We did see false fags, car bombings & those sorts of things" prior to the #Russia|n invasion of #Ukraine, per @PentagonPresSec

"I'm not aware of any such false flag operations going on right now..."

#Russia nuclear forces on heightened alert - "We would like to see Moscow deescalate by taking the temperature down" per @PentagonPresSec, says when asked about US postponement of Minuteman III test

#Russia offensive in the south started in #Crimea - "Their lines of supply & sustainment are short" per @PentagonPresSec

But says US expects Russian forces are meeting w/resistance in #Kherson & will in #Mariupol

"We're seeing indications here early on that though they [#Russia] have sophisticated combined arms capabilities, they are not being fully integrated" per @PentagonPresSec

"The #Russia|ns have a significant amount of combat power applied in #Ukraine & they still have some significant combat power they have not engaged in the fight" per @PentagonPresSec

"The #Ukrainians are fighting for their country & they're making a difference" per @PentagonPresSec

#Russia - "They have lost a sense of momentum here but that doesn't mean they still don't have the power at their disposal" per @PentagonPresSec

#Ukraine has also retained much of its military power thus far thru the conflict, he says

#Russia "They have not taken of the major ppltn centers they appear to be wanting to take" per @PentagonPresSec

One factor - "the bravery, the skill & the creativity of the #Ukrainian fighters" he says

"We still believe it's Mr. #Putin's desire to topple the gvt [in #Ukraine]" per @PentagonPresSec "To do that, he needs to take #Kyiv"

"Every shot they take, every maneuver they execure is designed to defend the sovereignty of their country" per @PentagonPresSec

"It's about defense"

#Russia - #Ukraine

#Russia desire to carve up #Ukraine? "The idea of carving #Ukraine up, I just can't speak to that specifically" per @PentagonPresSec

re: Russian plans

Shipment of @SpaceXStarlink to #Ukraine by @elonmusk - "No help from us that I'm aware of" per @PentagonPresSec

US aid to #Ukraine "very largely in the form of security assistance that continues to flow and gets into their hands" per @PentagonPresSec

US vets, other Americans talking about joining fight in #Ukraine?

"What we would tell Americans who want to help Ukraine is to find ways to donate" per @PentagonPresSec "Ukraine is not a good place for Americans to be right now"

"This is not a diminution of in our readiness whatsoever" per @PentagonPresSec on postponed Minuteman III test "Doesn't change our strategic posture"

"It is a wise & prudent decision...to send a strong, clear, unambiguous message to Mr #Putin how seriously we take our nuclear responsibilities at a particularly tense time" per @PentagonPresSec on decision to postpone Minuteman III test

Response by @PentagonPresSec comes as some US lawmakers - including the top Republican on the Senate Armed ServicesCommittee - are slamming the decision to postpone the test as "disappointing"

https://twitter.com/JimInhofe/status/1499122600160731140?s=20&t=EJ2yMgyTtcG3ekdZtbMftw