Wall Street Journal: It came as the U.S. struggles to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Iran war, although the reason for the visit wasn’t immediately clear. The U.S. has collected intelligence showing Russia’s early preparations for a possible military mobilization in Ukraine and plans for testing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s resolve, The Wall Street Journal has reported.
Analysts said Ratcliffe could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to deliver a warning. “It could be to say, ‘We know what you are thinking about doing, and you better not,’” said Beth Sanner, a former U.S. deputy director of national intelligence for mission integration. “It could also be about the Iran ceasefire and putting someone else in the discussion,” she said, adding Ratcliffe might also touch upon the Kremlin’s support for Iran following a new U.S. sanctions campaign against the regime…
CIA director travels to Moscow for secret talks
The Telegraph recently reported on European and US intelligence warning that Russia was considering an armed provocation on Polish soil, missile or drone attacks against critical infrastructure, or false-flag attacks attempting to pin blame on Ukraine.
For months, the leaders of Poland and the Baltic states have spoken of the mounting threat posed by Russia to Nato’s eastern flank. During Mr Ratcliffe’s visit, which is highly unusual, the CIA chief will probably warn Russia against taking such action…
Civil defence planning accelerated over threat from Russia
Civil defence planning for a major emergency has been accelerated amid fears Russia could strike a critical sector within “the next few years”.
Sources told The Telegraph that the Cabinet Office had been told to bring forward planning for the home defence programme, an initiative that aims to bring together civilian and military planning for crises…
Russia sabotages weapons factories across Europe
Russia has launched a fresh wave of attacks on European armaments factories under the guise of plausible deniability, according to Western intelligence sources.
The Kremlin is recruiting local gang members to sabotage defence manufacturers to test Nato’s resolve.
The attacks appear carefully calculated to fall just short of triggering Article 5, Nato’s mutual defence clause, intelligence officials believe…
Man detained over Berlin gun stash suspected of being part of Russian network, Spiegel says
A Ukrainian man detained in Romania for setting up a stash of guns and ammunition near Berlin is suspected by investigators of being part of a Russian-controlled agent network, Spiegel magazine reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.
Germany’s interior minister said last week that German authorities were discussing the man’s possible extradition from Romania…