Russia Archives

Federal officials warn of midterm interference attempts from China, Russia

October 4, 2022

Just over a month out from the 2022 midterms, federal officials are warning about attempts by Russia and China to negatively influence U.S. elections.

A senior FBI official told reporters Monday that Russia is working to amplify doubts about the integrity of U.S. elections.

Meanwhile, China is looking to undermine politicians the country sees as threats to its interests, according to an intelligence advisory obtained by the Associated Press. The advisory said the Chinese viewed meddling in the midterms compared to a presidential election as less of a risk.

These threats come as there’s been an increase in threats against election poll workers and a growing number of voters and candidates who have expressed a lack of confidence in the country’s democratic process.

Despite U.S. intelligence reports, Russian and Chinese state-sponsored media continue to deny election meddling.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
If OPEC+ cuts oil production, Russia stands to benefit from higher prices

October 3, 2022

A powerful alliance of some of the world’s largest oil producers is considering a major cut in production, which some analysts say could push oil prices back up toward $100 a barrel. The news already sent Brent crude, the global benchmark, up 5% Monday morning.

OPEC and OPEC+ members are set to meet in person Wednesday for the first time since 2020 to decide production goals moving forward. With oil prices falling precipitously since June, delegates told media a cut of more than a million barrels a day is on the table to prop up prices.

Brent crude was trading around $88 a barrel by midday Monday. Excluding this year’s spike which went above $120 per barrel, that price is still higher than at any other time in the last eight years.

“The OPEC ministers are not going to come to Austria for the first time in two years to do nothing,” Pickering Energy Partners’ Dan Pickering told CNBC. “So there’s going to be a cut of some historic kind.”

Any cut by the oil cartel to raise prices is likely going to harm Western countries already facing high energy costs while helping Russia make more money off its oil, the main source funding its war against Ukraine.

While Moscow’s allies mull a production cut that will benefit the country, the European Union is close to a deal on new sanctions for Russia over its war, including a possible price cap on Russian oil sales.

The 13 current OPEC member countries are: Algeria, Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

OPEC+ consists of non-OPEC members led by Russia, the group’s largest non-OPEC partner. In addition to Russia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, South Sudan and Sudan make up the rest of the group.
Americans ‘prayed for death’ after being captured by Russia in Ukraine

October 3, 2022

Two Americans who were captured for helping Ukraine fight off Russia’s invasion have begun sharing their experience in captivity with major news outlets. U.S. military veterans Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh were released by Russian-backed separatists as part of a prisoner exchange just over a week ago.

“Surreal. I still have chill bumps. I always imagined this day. I always held not just hope but belief in this day,” Drueke’s aunt Dianna Shaw said of Drueke’s return last month. “I thought it was going to be two or three years from now at best. There are prisoners of war who have been held for months and years.”

For Drueke and Huynh, their time in captivity was roughly three months. For Drueke and Huynh, that was long enough. They describe extensive mental and physical abuse. Drueke said he suffered from food deprivation, being bound, blindfolded, beaten, subject to recording Russia propaganda and constantly threatened of execution during intense interrogation

“Every one of our human rights were violated,” Drueke said. “We were tortured.”

Saudi Arabia made a deal with Russia and 10 prisoners were released as a result. It was on the drive over to the Russian airport that Drueke describes as his breaking point. His hands were bound. His head was covered by a plastic bag and the packing tape holding it in place was secured so tightly it caused welts on his forehead that are still visible weeks later. Drueke said he and fellow American prisoner, Andy Huynh, reached their limit in this state during the transit.

“For all we went through and all the times we thought we might die, we accepted that we might die, we were ready to die when it came, that ride was the only time that each of us independently prayed for death just to get it over with,” Drueke told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.

U.N. human rights investigators have said captured American and Ukrainian prisoners of the Ukraine war appear to be facing “systematic” mistreatment by Russia that includes torture. Drueke and Huynh’s new mission is bringing awareness and helping prisoners undergoing the same torture they say they experienced in Russia.
US: Ex-Army Major, wife tried to give Russia military health records

September 30, 2022

The U.S. Army’s first openly transgender officer is now under house arrest. Dr. Jamie Lee Henry, and his wife, are both accused of trying to pass private military health records of U.S. soldiers to a person they thought was working for Russia.

Henry came out as transgender in 2015 but used male pronouns during his initial court appearance.

Henry’s wife, Dr. Anna Gabrielian, is an anesthesiologist at Johns Hopkins. Henry is a former U.S. Army Major, and was also a doctor at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Henry held a secret security clearance at Fort Bragg.

According to court documents, after Russia invaded Ukraine, the couple wanted to give the Russian government documents that could help the Putin regime “gain insights into the medical conditions of individuals associated with the U.S. government and military.”

The unsealed indictment paints the picture it was Henry’s wife, Dr. Gabrielian, who instigated the scheme.

Court documents said while at a Baltimore hotel in August, Gabrielian told an undercover agent “she was motivated by patriotism toward Russia to provide any assistance she could to Russia, even if it meant being fired or going to jail.”

The indictment said Gabrielian and Henry met with the undercover agent again that day. At the second meeting, Henry reportedly told the undercover agent he too was committed to Russia.

The couple eventually gave the undercover agent, who they thought was a Russian spy, information on current and former military officials and their spouses. Henry and his wife are criminally charged with conspiracy and wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health information.

The judge in the case said the two must remain on house arrest while the case moves forward.

If convicted, a conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of five years. A wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health information charge carries a 10-year maximum sentence.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Russia escalates missile attacks on Ukraine ahead of annexation

September 30, 2022

There is no sign of let up in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia increased their attacks on the battlefield overnight Thursday ahead of the annexation of Ukraine territories on Friday. Missiles, rockets and suicide drones were all deployed on Ukraine in one of the more intensified recent shows of power. One of the strikes has reportedly killed at least 25 people. Some analysts predict it’s only the beginning and that Russia’s new strategy is to escalate its attacks utilizing more precision weapons and manpower.

Russian officials are actively building up their army with a military draft that is looking to add 300,000 soldiers. Russia has set up draft offices at border crossings to intercept men trying to flee and avoid the fight. In just one week, 194,000 men have left Russia for neighboring countries. Long lines of cars formed on roads leading to Russia’s borders. Russian authorities tried to stem the outflow by turning back some men at the borders, citing mobilization laws, or setting up draft offices at border checkpoints.

Outside of attacks, another tactic by Russia in the ongoing war was the annexation of portions of Ukraine currently under Russian control after recent battles. A vote was held and new Russian territories will be officially declared by Russia today despite many world leaders, including President Joe Biden, condemning the vote.

“The United States will never, never, never recognize Russia’s claims on Ukraine sovereign territory,” President Biden said. “This so-called referendum was a sham, an absolute sham.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Congress on track to fund government, avoid shutdown

September 29, 2022

Members of Congress in both chambers believe they are on track to pass a government funding bill and avoid a shutdown Friday at midnight. The package just passed the Senate, 72-25, and is now headed to the House

“The last thing the American people [need] right now is a pointless government shutdown. I’m optimistic we are on track to avoiding one well before the deadline,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said.

House Democratic Leadership said they expect a relatively smooth process because Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., has been participating in negotiations with the Senate.

“We are prepared to act, as soon as the Senate acts,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, N.Y., said.

The Continuing Resolution (CR) largely funds the government at its current levels, but there are a few key additions. There will be $12.3 billion for Ukraine to provide equipment, training, weapons, logistics support, and financial support for their government. Financial support for the war received strong bipartisan approval.

“It’s crystal clear that American assistance has gone a long way to helping the Ukrainian people resist Putin’s evil, vicious aggression,” Sen. Schumer said.

“Assisting Ukraine is not some feel good symbolic gesture, it’s literally an investment in our own national security and that of our allies,” Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., echoed.

But to ensure all that money for Ukraine is going exactly where it’s intended, the Inspector General will receive $2 million to put together a comprehensive list of all the articles and services provided to Ukraine, and to monitor their end use.

The CR will also provide $18.8 billion for the FEMA disaster relief fund. That will pay for the response to a number of natural disasters including Hurricane Ian. In addition, Jackson, Mississippi will receive $20 million for water and waste water infrastructure improvements.

The package also includes a 5-year reauthorization of FDA user fees that are paid by drug companies and used to fund the review process for new medicines.

This continuing resolution will fund the government through Dec. 16, at which time Congress hopes to pass an omnibus package for all of next year.
Russian Navy ships spotted near Nord Stream leaks

September 29, 2022

A fourth leak on the Nord Stream pipelines was discovered Thursday. Authorities said it’s likely the result of more sabotage.

The discovery comes on the same day news broke that Russian navy ships, including submarines, were seen in the area of the leaks. There is a consensus the leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines were caused by explosions, possibly using drones or some sort of device triggered remotely.

Now, investigators are looking into the presence of Russian Navy support ships in the vicinity of the leaks around the time they started. A Russian submarine was also seen in the same area last week. CNN was the first to report on the Russian navy ships.

A Danish military official said it’s not unusual to see Russian ships operating in the area, but the presence of the ships so close to the leaks does cast more suspicion on Russia. The prime ministers of Denmark and Sweden said the explosions were the result of deliberate actions, but they stopped short of outright blaming Russia.

U.S. and European intelligence officials said Russia is the only nation with the resources and motivation to sabotage the pipelines. Western leaders think Putin is taking a gamble that if energy costs rise enough, and with winter approaching, Europeans might balk at the idea of isolating Russia economically.

Russia is denying any involvement in the leaks. A spokesperson for the kremlin called the allegations predictably stupid and absurd.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry went further and said the leaks occurred in waters completely controlled by U.S. intelligence agencies, implying American spies could be behind the pipeline sabotage.

The Russian Foreign Ministry offered no evidence to back up those claims.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Ukraine regions to be annexed; Harris in Korea; fourth Nord Stream leak reported

September 29, 2022

On Sept. 29, 2022, Russia announced its plan to annex regions of Ukraine; Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea; and a fourth leak in the Nord Stream pipelines has been reported.

Russia to annex regions of Ukraine – Russia announced Thursday it will formally annex four regions of Ukraine on Friday. The news came two days after voting on referenda to leave Ukraine wrapped up. Moscow said the votes were overwhelmingly in Russia’s favor, touting results upwards of 87% for the annexation. However, the elections have been declared a sham by the U.S. and other Ukrainian allies. A state department official said the U.S. would not recognize the annexation.

Kamala Harris visits border of Koreas – Vice President Kamala Harris is on her last day of a four-day trip to Asia. She visited the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea. Harris emphasized America’s commitment to the security of its Asian allies in the face of increased threats from Pyongyang. The country has conducted two missile tests this week. One missile was fired before Harris left Washington on Sunday and again when she was in Japan on Wednesday.

A fourth leak reported in Nord Stream pipelines – Sweden’s Coast Guard announced Thursday the discovery of a fourth gas leak along the Nord Stream pipelines. The first three leaks were reported earlier this week with some officials concerned the leaks were an act of sabotage. The pipelines flowing from Russia are a significant energy source to Europe. On Wednesday, the EU promised a robust response to any intentional disruptions of its energy infrastructure.
US Embassy: Americans in Russia urged to leave country amid military draft

September 28, 2022

Officials in the U.S. and Europe are countering what could be a three-pronged escalation from Russia seven months after the country began its invasion of Ukraine. The country’s military draft, geopolitical moves and energy standoff with Europe are all coming to a head.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow is warning Americans who live in Russia to get out while they can amid panic over a military draft in Russia. The country is calling up 300,000 reservists to help fight the war in Ukraine. Russia is set to formally annex four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine following referendum votes that wrapped up Tuesday. The referenda were widely seen as a sham with regions voting to join Russia at rates of 87% or higher. The U.S. announced it will propose a U.S. Security Council resolution to condemn the results.

“We know the outcomes of these sham referenda were pre-determined in Moscow,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said. “The Ukrainian people have already demonstrated they will never accept being subjugated to Russian rule. This council and the international community must do the same.”

The European Union is joining a list of officials and experts who suspect Tuesday’s Nord Stream pipeline leaks were an act of sabotage.
The EU’s foreign policy chief has said all available information indicates those leaks are a result of a deliberate act. While the EU did not identify a perpetrator, Poland suggested the leaks could be part of Russia’s hybrid war on NATO. Russia denied having anything to do with the leaks and called Poland’s allegations “predictable and stupid.”
Florida evacuating, Nord Stream leaks ‘deliberate,’ Texas AG Paxton accused of fleeing

September 27, 2022

Mandatory evacuations underway in Florida as Hurricane Ian strengthens – Emergency officials in Florida have issued a mandatory evacuation for residents in some locations near Tampa Bay, as Hurricane Ian continues to approach the area. Heavy traffic jams have occurred in parts of the state as many look to flee the strengthening storm, which has now become a Category 3 hurricane.

“Time is of the essence. Act now,” urged Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise.

Ian made landfall in Cuba early Tuesday morning, bringing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. The hurricane, now in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, is moving north toward Florida at a rate of 10 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Danish Prime Minister says Nord Stream pipeline leaks were “deliberate” – Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said that her government believes the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline leaks were caused by “deliberate actions.” Meanwhile, the government of Sweden launched a preliminary probe into possible sabotage of the two Russian pipelines that are currently spewing gas into the Baltic Sea.

“It is now the clear assessment by authorities that these are deliberate actions. It was not an accident,” Frederiksen said at a press briefing in Copenhagen.

Meanwhile, seismologists have reported that a series of explosions rattled the Baltic Sea just before the leaks were discovered, and added that “there’s no doubt, this is not an earthquake.”

Texas Attorney General accused of fleeing his home to avoid a subpoena – According to an affidavit filed in federal court, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton fled his home in a truck driven by his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, to avoid being served a subpoena.

“It’s clear that the media wants to drum up another controversy involving my work as Attorney General, so they’re attacking me for having the audacity to avoid a stranger lingering outside my home and showing concern about the safety and well-being of my family,” responded Paxton to media coverage of the subpoena’s service.

Lawyers for Paxton later argued to a Texas judge the that the server “loitered at the Attorney General’s home for over an hour, repeatedly shouted at him, and accosted” him and his wife. The judge ultimately granted Paxton’s request to quash and seal the subpoena.

Federal officials warn of midterm interference attempts from China, Russia

If OPEC+ cuts oil production, Russia stands to benefit from higher prices

Americans ‘prayed for death’ after being captured by Russia in Ukraine

US: Ex-Army Major, wife tried to give Russia military health records

Russia escalates missile attacks on Ukraine ahead of annexation

Congress on track to fund government, avoid shutdown

Russian Navy ships spotted near Nord Stream leaks

Ukraine regions to be annexed; Harris in Korea; fourth Nord Stream leak reported

US Embassy: Americans in Russia urged to leave country amid military draft

Florida evacuating, Nord Stream leaks ‘deliberate,’ Texas AG Paxton accused of fleeing

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