A background briefing about the Russian war on Ukraine with a senior U.S. defense official has just concluded.
It’s Day 21 of the invasion, and there are a few significant updates:
It’s Day 21 of the invasion, and there are a few significant updates:
First, the Pentagon assesses today that Russian warships are now shelling areas around Odessa, a major port city in southwestern Ukraine.
Other naval activity also has increased, with Russian landing craft moving around but not going ashore, the senior defense official said.
Other naval activity also has increased, with Russian landing craft moving around but not going ashore, the senior defense official said.
It’s still unclear if Russia will attempt an amphibious landing on or near Odessa. Russia launched one amphibious landing farther east early in the landing, but it was small and on an uncontested shoreline, the senior defense official said.
For the first time, the Pentagon assesses Wednesday that Russia is discussing sending “replacement troops” to backfill for combat losses. It sees no indications yet that any have moved yet, the senior defense official said. Open-source reports suggest that some already may have.
On weapons deliveries: The Pentagon declines to say what drones it is delivering but calls them “tactical” in nature.
Knowing that many tactical drones are single-use and kamikaze in nature, I asked if it’s possible more could be delivered in rolling fashion, like Javelin missiles are.
“I wouldn’t rule it out,” the senior defense official said.
“I wouldn’t rule it out,” the senior defense official said.
Advance north of Kyiv is still stalled. Cities that were isolated still are. Ukraine is still in control of Brovary, a town to Kyiv’s east where fierce fighting has occurred, senior defense official says.
More than 980 Russian missiles have been launched since the war begin, the senior defense official says. That number continues to climb by several dozen per day.
It’s “safe to assume” that @SecDef will be asking Slovakian and Bulgarian officials this week what Soviet/Russian systems they may be willing to provide to Ukraine, the senior defense official says.
Some countries may have concerns about giving their own systems away, he adds.
Some countries may have concerns about giving their own systems away, he adds.
“I know that everyone is focused on the S-300, but there are lots of different air-defense systems” that could be provided to Ukraine, senior defense official says, declining to name them.
No appreciable change in how much Ukraine and Russia are flying in the war, senior defense official says.
To date, Ukraine is flying a handful of sorties per day and Russia has been flying about 200, though some do not cross into Ukrainian airspace.
To date, Ukraine is flying a handful of sorties per day and Russia has been flying about 200, though some do not cross into Ukrainian airspace.
Finally: Two reporters raised the lack of media access to U.S. military units deployed in eastern Europe in response to Russia's buildup and invasion of Ukraine.
Senior defense official says "I appreciate the question," but that he has no change in media posture to share.
Senior defense official says "I appreciate the question," but that he has no change in media posture to share.
Footnote there: A couple of journalists did briefly visit U.S. troops in eastern Europe countries recently while traveling with Gen. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Nothing any longer than that in duration has materialized so far.
NEW TONIGHT: Pentagon dials up size, scope of military aid to Ukraine
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