MILNEWS.ca Highlights – June 22, 2017

#CANvsISIL

• “Canadian elite special forces sniper makes record-breaking kill shot in Iraq” – “Report: Canadian army sniper sets record for longest kill shot” – “Canadian military sniper’s kill in Iraq shatters distance record” – “Iraq: Canadian JTF2 sniper breaks longest confirmed kill record” – “Un «kill shot» à 3450 mètres pour un sniper canadien en Irak”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT
• Commentary:  “Canada’s Iraqi allies employing IS tactics”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “ISIS Setting Up Support Networks to Move Terrorists to Europe, Asia”
• “The Campaign for Mosul: May 12-June 21, 2017” (ISW)
• “Islamic State destroys mosque where Baghdadi delivered first speech as ‘caliph’ “ – “Historic Mosque Destroyed by ISIS” (CENTCOM info-machine) – “Battle for Mosul: Destruction of al-Nuri mosque ‘shows IS defeated’ “
• “Eye on ISIS in Libya Newsletter June 21, 2017”
• “The Race to the Iraqi Border Begins” (Stratfor Worldview)
• “Russian diplomat says nothing to report on IS leader al-Baghdadi’s fate”
• “Captured ISIS Documents Show US Aerial Surveillance Is Getting More Effective”

#Syria

• “Syria conflict: Australia resumes anti-IS air raids”
• “The Campaign for Ar-Raqqa City: June 6 – 20, 2017” (ISW)
• “Drones Are Dropping Like Flies From the Sky Over Syria”
• “New details on US shoot down of Syrian jet” – “Russia just threatened to target US jets in Syria — but the last thing it wants is an air war with the US” – “US gave no explanations to Russia over downing of Syrian jet — diplomat”
• “The Iran-US Drone War in Syria Could Quickly Spin Out of Control”
• “U.S. tells Turkey it will take back weapons from Kurdish militia- Turkish sources — The United States has told Turkey it will take back weapons supplied to the Kurdish YPG militia in northern Syria after the defeat of Islamic State, Ankara said on Thursday, seeking to address Turkish concerns about arming Kurds on its border …” – “US reassures Turkey over arms provided to Syrian Kurds”
• “WALKOM: U.S. and Russia come close to the brink in Syria”
• “Islamic State Defeat Can Provoke Conflict Between Those Who Fight It”
• “What’s Behind Moscow’s Latest Threats In Syria”
• “Counter Terrorism Updates and Removals; Transnational Criminal Organizations Removal; Syria Designation Update” (US Treasury info-machine)

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “North Korean Drone Crashes In South Korea, ROK Fired 90 Shots After It Reconned US THAAD” (To Inform is to Influence)
• “U.S., China meet on North Korea after Trump points to failed Chinese effort” – “U.S., China Affirm North Korean Threat, Mattis Says” (US DoD) – “China welcomes solutions to Korean Peninsula nuclear issue”
• “The North Korea Instability Project: North Korea, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Instability: Strategic Issues for Managing Crisis and Reducing Risks”
• “Trump signals shifting approach to North Korea after death of U.S. student” – “US could be tougher on NK after Warmbier’s death” – “Warmbier’s death tests Trump’s NK policy”
• “Training tunnel will keep US soldiers returning to front lines in S. Korea”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• “Glavin: Here’s how Trudeau is ramming China down our throats”
• “China, U.S. kick off inaugural diplomatic, security dialogue”
• “China-Vietnam meeting scrapped due to ‘reasons related to working arrangements’ “
• “China vows cooperation with ASEAN to promote peace in South China Sea”

#Ukraine

• Again?  “Armistice agreed in Minsk, starts on midnight of June 24”
• “Canada-Ukraine relationship: Minister tells Ukrainian Canadian Congress Canada’s support is unwavering” (DND Info-machine) – “Le ministre Sajjan affirme au Congrès des Ukrainiens canadiens que le soutien du Canada est inébranlable”
• “President about the results of the visit to the U.S.: Ukrainian-American agreements in the defense sphere will be signed shortly” (UKR Pres info-machine) – “Ukraine’s President Says Defense Deals With U.S. To Be Signed Soon” – “Ukraine, U.S. to sign defense deals soon – Poroshenko” – “Poroshenko: High-ranking U.S. officials to visit Ukraine soon”
• “Minister of Defence holds talks with Director of NATO Liaison Office to Ukraine” (UKR MoD) – “Poltorak, Director of NATO Liaison Office discuss Ukrainian Armed Forces reform, importance of consultations”
• “Pushilin: “Reintegrating” Donbass behind the back of the Contact Group threatens peace”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 20 June 2017” – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, June 22, 2017” (UKR MoD) – UKR govt ATO map, 22 June 2017 – UKR govt ATO map, 21 June 2017 – “LPR reports six ‘silence regime’ violations by Kiev forces” – “41 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours”
• “Minister of Defence of Ukraine: Reserve draft is carried out in any country taking care of its security” (UKR MoD)
• “Armed men who attacked OSCE patrol in occupied Yasynuvata ‘arrested’ “ – “UN covers up murder of OSCE monitor in Ukraine” (separatist media) – “Nazi Ukraine Sabotage Unit That Attacked OSCE Have Been Captured, Also Criminal Case Against Coup Leader Poroshenko For The Murder Of Emma Litvinenko !”
• “President: We discussed greater involvement of the American partners in the Normandy format” (UKR Pres info-machine) – “Poroshenko says he sees no need for change of Normandy format” – “Poroshenko sees no need to change Minsk, Normandy negotiating formats on Donbas” – “Normandy format leaders plan to have telephone talk before end of June” – ” ‘Normandy format’ leaders to have phone calls next week”
• “Trilateral Contact Group’s Minsk meeting to verify captives’ lists was substantive, held in atmosphere of mutual trust – Sajdik” – “Kiev and Donbass finalize POWs verification”
• “Deinego: Kiev blocks cashless payments for water supplied to LPR”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Russia Says NATO Jet Buzzed Defense Minister’s Plane — Russian news agencies are reporting a NATO fighter jet buzzed a plane carrying Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday as it flew over the Baltic Sea, but was escorted away by a Russian escort jet …” – “Russian defense minister’s plane buzzed by NATO F-16 fighters over Baltic” – “NATO Jet Approaches Russian Defense Minister’s Plane”
• “Canada’s mission to scare off Russia”
• Saideman’s Semi-Spew:  “CAF in Latvia? Woot!”
• “NATO Drills Defending Suwalki Gap, Weak Spot between Poland and Baltics, from Russian Invasion”  – “What Is The Suwalki Gap – And Why Is NATO Worried About It?” – “Lithuanians delight in tank parades as NATO forces arrive for military exercises”
• “I Pee Freely: US Soldier Relieves Himself on Lithuanian Government Building” (RUS media)
• “Nuclear bomb over Lithuania?” (EU Disinformation Review)
• “NATO ready to consider possible NATO-Russia Council meeting if there is pressing agenda – Gottemoeller”
• “Timeline: Russian Provocations and Dangerous Acts since January 20, 2017” (Just Security blog)
• “Around 20 military bases to be established in western Russia before year-end”
• “Comment by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on new US sanctions against Russia” (RUS MFA)
• “Fakebook” (EU Disinformation)

Internal Security

• “Montreal man suspected in stabbing of police officer at Michigan airport” – ” ‘Allahu Akbar’; Cdn charged in cop’s stabbing at airport asked police why didn’t kill him, compaint says” – Amor Ftouhi criminal complaint (FBI) – “Amor Ftouhi, un Québécois d’origine maghrébine poignarde un policier au Michigan au cri d’«Allah Akbar» “ – More on Amor Ftouhi via Google News
• “Montreal man extradited for allegedly using library on U.S. border to smuggle guns — A Montreal man has been extradited to the United States on charges that he used the Haskell Free Library, which was purposefully built astride the Quebec-Vermont border as a symbol of friendship between the two countries, to smuggle a backpack full of handguns into Canada …”
• “Amnesty says no evidence for France to jail Ottawa professor, urges PM to act — Hassan Diab, an Ottawa professor behind bars in France despite numerous court rulings questioning the evidence against him, is being held solely for political purposes, his lawyer said Wednesday …”
• “Mr. Trudeau: It’s not just about Omar”

Changes to #CAN Security Law

• “Ottawa says broad new immunity for CSIS crimes is Charter-compliant”
• “The roses and the thorns of C-59, Canada’s new national security bill”
• “Canada’s cyber spy agency is about to get a major upgrade”
• “Charter Statement – Bill C-59: An Act respecting national security matters”
• “Liberals’ national security bill keeps Tories’ lowered threshold for terrorism peace bonds”
• “Liberals propose huge changes for CSE” (Lux Ex Umbra blog)
• “Liberals’ Bold Bill C-59 Would Redraw the National Security Landscape”
• “Spy bill allows government security agency to collect ‘publicly available’ info on Canadians”
• “Canada’s cyber spy agency is about to get a major upgrade”

Way Up North

• Wanted:  “DCC – RFP for Facilities Maintenance and Support Services for various locations in the North: Churchill (MB), Inuvik (NT), Yellowknife (NT), Iqaluit (NU), Rankin Inlet (NU), Whitehorse (YT) … Defence Construction Canada (DCC) is calling for Request for Proposals (RFP)for Facilities Maintenance firms to provide proposals to carry out the required Facilities Maintenance Services for buildings and associated areas for various locations in the North: Churchill (MB), Inuvik (NT), Yellowknife (NT), Iqaluit (NU), Rankin Inlet (NU), Whitehorse (YT) …”
• “HMCS Labrador’s Polar Flag to fly again”
• “Northern national corridor key to Canada’s economic future” (Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade & Commerce)
• “What Canada’s New Defense Policy Means for the Arctic”
• “Putin Says Arctic Security is Critical”
• “Putin: Arctic is extremely important for national defense”
• “Remembering When the Arctic Was a War Zone”
• “Norway Makes Itself a Target with New Radar in Arctic Pointed At Russia”
• “Ireland Invites China to Build Shannon Deepwater Port as Future Transportation Hub in Arctic Route”
• “(RUS) Eastern Military District’s environmental platoon starts waste removing on Wrangel Island”
• “An Uneasy Alliance: The Limits of the China-Russia Arctic Partnership”

What’s Canada Buying?

• F-35 Tug o’ War  “Liberals limiting options for stopgap fighter jet deal” – “Lockheed Exec ‘Confident’ Canada Will Pick F-35 as Block Buy Eyed”
• “Australia better at equipping its military than Canada”
• “Saudi Arabia top non-U.S. destination for Canadian arms exports: federal report”
• Wanted:  “Ship’s Whistle,Electric (Port and Starboard)”
• Wanted:  “Detector Kit, Forens … The Department of National Defence has a requirement for the items detailed below. The delivery is requested at CFSU Ottawa, CMTT Building 346, Uplands Site, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K5 30 September 2017 …”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Benefit change gave wounded vets raises ranging from $1.39 to thousands a month: memo”

Mental Health in the CAF

• “Canada must do better to support soldiers suffering from PTSD”

Other

• “Liberals planning $600M down payment on defence strategy”
• “I had to let my daughter go because of my job in the Canadian military”
• “In time for blockbuster season: launch of national recruiting advertising campaign for the Canadian military” (CAF info-machine)
• Colonel Ted’s Take:  “… Maybe, as new aircraft are being procured and new ships are being built it is also time to revisit one of the centre-pieces of Paul Hellyer’s military: the integrated rank and trade system. maybe we need to go back to “square one” And “disintegrate” some (many? all?) of the integrated branches like logistics, and communications and electronics and let each service decide for itself what rank (leadership) and (technical) skill sets it need and it what numbers …”
• “Command Change at Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre”
• “An evolution of community service: How the Bold Eagle program became a success “

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – June 21, 2017

Internal Security

• “Canada seeks to boost transparency with new security review agency”
• “How, when and where can Canada’s digital spies hack? Government makes some suggestions in CSE Act”
• “CSE getting ‘proactive’ mandate overhaul in major national security reform bill”
• “Loi antiterroriste: Ottawa veut pouvoir lancer des cyberattaques”
• “Ottawa crée une super-unité de surveillance du renseignement”
• “On national security, Liberals stake out the middle ground”
• “Liberals table bill to remodel national security services, oversight”
• “Canada going on offensive on cyberwarfare”
• “Liberals to create ‘super’ national security watchdog as part of anti-terror law overhaul”
• “New national security approach lets electronic spy agency play cyber-offence”
• “Canada Plans to Boost Oversight of Its Intelligence and Security Services”
• “Canada’s Spies, Police, and Border Agents Are Quietly Coordinating on Biometrics”
• “Le projet de loi C-59 destiné à remplacer la controversée loi antiterroriste des conservateurs a été déposé “

#CANvsISIL

• “Malgré l’escalade militaire en Syrie, le Canada poursuit sa mission”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

#Syria

• “Russia in Syria Monitor, June 13-20, 2017”
• “U.S. Shoots Down Armed, Iranian-Made Drone Over Syria Amid Russian Protests”  – “US Shoots Down Armed Drone Over Southern Syria” –  “US shoots down another Iranian UAV over Syria” – “The U.S. military just shot down another Syrian drone”
• “The Real Reason The Navy, Not The Air Force, Got The First Air-To-Air Kill Since Desert Storm”
• “Is Russia Ready to Fire at US Military Jets in Syria?”
• “Russian diplomat blasts US military presence in southern Syria as ‘illegal’ “
• “Senators want Congress to OK military action in Syria”
• “The US Has No Long-Term Plan In Syria, And That’s Dangerous”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Russia has no confirmation of IS leader’s death: Interfax”
• “ISIS media deputy minister killed in Mosul”
• ” ‘Fighting Joe’ Dunford Explains Exactly How Mattis’ ‘Annihilation Campaign’ Against ISIS Will Go Down”
• “Islamic State’s cyber army still ‘largely intact’ despite America’s efforts”
• “The Kurdish region of Iraq is going to vote on independence. Here’s what you need to know.”
• “Italian police arrest asylum seeker over ISIS propaganda”

#Ukraine

• MOAR Sanctions!  “Treasury Designates Individuals and Entities Involved in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine” (US Treasury info-machine)  – “Kremlin calls U.S. statement on eastern Ukraine inappropriate” – “Russia considering retaliatory sanctions against U.S.: Kremlin” – “Lavrov Accuses U.S. Of ‘Russophobic Mania’ After New Sanctions Imposed”
• #UKR Boss Drops By #USA  “President Poroshenko: President Trump can help bring peace to Ukraine” (UKR Pres info-machine) – “President met with U.S. Secretary of State” (UKR Pres info-machine) – “Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis’ meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko” – “Ukraine leader says Trump voiced strong support for Kiev during talks” – From the pro-separatist press: “Nazi Coup Leader Of Ukraine Meets US President Trump For Only 10 Minutes, Coca Cola Or Dr. Pepper Tubby !” – “The United States and Ukraine might sign a security agreement stipulating for placement of American military equipment in Ukraine” (To Inform is to Influence blog)
• “US military on visit to Lviv Land Forces Academy” (UKR MoD)
• “Russia Expects United States Will Force Ukraine to Implement Minsk Agreements”
• “Ukraine can only defeat Russia with aid of allies, – MP”
• “Stepan Poltorak holds talks with Minister of Defence of France” (UKR MoD)
• “Minister Sajjan to Address Ottawa’s Ukrainian-Canadian Community (in Ottawa)”
• “Ukraine prepares new law on Donbas military operation”
• “34,000 Ukrainian soldiers in ATO zone, 100 servicemen killed this year” – “There are 34,000 military men of Ukraine’s Armed Forces in ATO zone”
• “Spot Report by the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM): Armed man shoots at and violently attacks SMM in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata” (OSCE) – Play “Guess Which Side Wrote This Version”! “Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemns militants’ attack on OSCE observers” – “Ukraine’s Defense Ministry confirm yesterday’s attack on OSCE observers” –  “Armed provocators detained in DPR after discrediting attack on OSCE SMM” – “Armed men who attacked OSCE SMM detained in DPR” – “OSCE monitors cannot say who attacked them in Yasinovataya. There were 6 armed people in balaclavas” – “Armed man in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata shoots at OSCE SMM amid violent attack”
• “OSCE SMM Deputy Chief Monitor visits DPR south with an inspection”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 19 June 2017” – “Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 20 June 2017” – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, June 21, 2017” (UKR MoD) – “Ukraine Conflict Monitor, June 13-20, 2017” – “Lugansk Defense: Situation Report, 06/20/2017” – “36 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours”  – “Kiev forces shell LPR territory six times” – “LPR reports six ‘silence regime’ violations by Kiev forces”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Poroshenko says over 40,000 Russian troops in occupied Donbas” –  “Russian propagandists disclose air defense positions at Khmeimim air base” (InformNapalm.org)
• “Colonel of the National Guard of Ukraine goes missing without trace” – “(UKR) Defense Ministry do not confirm capture of missing National Guard officer”
• “Ukraine to block websites from Donbass and Crimea”
• “DPR activists pass 31 Ukrainian torture victims’ cases to International Criminal Court” – “ECHR files 1,400 DPR residents’ statements on Kiev war crimes” – “Russia opens trumped-up “criminal cases” against Ukrainian soldiers”
• From the Separatist Media  “Due To Low Moral, Drugs And Alcohol, Nazi Ukraine Units Abandon Front Line Positions, The Proud LPR People’s Army Take Control Without A Shot !” – “Defective army, uneducated generals, poor logistics cripple common Ukrainians” – “What can the Armed Forces of Ukraine teach NATO? — Another loud statement of the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister, Pavel Klimkin: he is sure that Ukraine has something to teach NATO and that Ukrainian soldiers are even better than the North Atlantic Alliance’s fighters.Is it so? …” – “US military reserves may be placed on Ukraine’s territory”
• “How An Entire Nation Became Russia’s Test Lab for Cyberwar — Russia’s Cyberwar on Ukraine Is a Blueprint For What’s to Come …”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Canadian presence in Latvia reduces danger of Crimean-style takeover, Latvian ex-general says”
• “Canada and other NATO members continue pressing Putin”
• “Partnership of countries of NATO battalion to be more than military cooperation”
• “Lithuanian President and NATO SYG observe eFP Battle Groups’ Training Exercise” (Pentagon Info-machine)
• “NATO Allies bridge the Suwalki Gap” (Pentagon Info-machine)
• “NATO′s Jens Stoltenberg warns Russia during Baltic military drills”
• “Ministers of National Defence and Foreign Affairs met with NATO Secretary General” (Lithuanian DefMin)
• “US participates in NATO drill that approximates Russian invasion between Poland and Lithuania”
• “Norway Sent 200 Soldiers to Russia Border”
• “Latvia boosts defence spending”
• “Armed Russian Jet Comes Within 5 Feet of US Recon Jet” – “Russian Defense Minister’s Plane Harassed by NATO Jet”
• “Russia and China to hold a military exercise in the Baltic Sea”
• “Russia’s Military Precision Strike Capability Prioritizes Iskander-M”
• “Russia to supply batch of Su-30SM jet fighters to Belarus”
• “Russian troops to start Armata tank operational evaluation in 2019”
• “Putin Trying to Create His Own Praetorian Guard to Protect Him Against Internal Revolt”
• “European Response to Russia’s Disinformation and Cyber Aggression: Reaction or Strategy?”
• “Are Russia And The Saudis Planning A Natural Gas Cartel?”

Canada Into Africa?

• “Opération NABERIUS: première rotation de l’Armée canadienne complétée”
• “UN to vote on sending troops to Sahel after French-US deal”
• “Secretary-General Condemns Terrorist Attack in Bamako, Mali”
• “Mali: UN condemns terrorist attack at hotel on the outskirts of Bamako”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas 

• “USS Destroyer and Canadian Naval Warships make first docking at Jeju naval base”
• “US spy satellites detect activity at North Korean nuclear test site”  – “US-China to meet as ‘activity detected’ at North Korea nuclear test site”
• “Patriot batteries are Tokyo’s last line of defense against North Korean missiles” – “Japan missile defense drill aims to ease concern over North Korean threat”
• “South Korea says crashed North Korean drone a ‘grave provocation’ “
• “China Counters Trump, Says North Korea Efforts ‘Indispensable’ “
• “State Department presses North Korea to release detained Americans”
• “North Korea faces calls to release remaining U.S. prisoners after Otto Warmbier’s death”
• “Trump faces ‘land of lousy options’ with North Korea after Otto Warmbier’s death”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• “China, US to hold first diplomatic, security dialogue” – “North Korea Discussion Expected at U.S.-China Dialogue, DoD Official Says” (US DoD)
• “Chinese Navy commander meets with US Pacific Fleet commander”
• “China’s Formidable Nuclear Submarine Fleet Coming Soon”
• “China donates military equipment to Serbian Army”
• “A more loyal PLA rebuffs the heresy of separating the Party and military”
• “Scholarly soldiers — The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s flagship newspaper recently responded to netizens who suggested that the military is the last refuge for those who fail China’s highly competitive college entrance examinations, or gaokao …”

What’s Canada Buying?

• F-35 Tug o’ War  “Liberal ministers meet Lockheed Martin at Paris Air Show, snub Boeing”
• “U.S. could stand in the way of Canadian purchase of armed drones, DND documents warn”
• Wanted:  “PERSONNEL PARACHUTE, BACK”
• Wanted:  “Instructor … The Department of National Defence (DND) Air Force Aerospace Control Training (AF AEC Training) requires the services of a Contracted Instructor to facilitate the DND developed Air Force On Scene Controller Emergency Response Course (OSCER) …”
• “Even the US army wants the Made in Canada label on its tech devices”

Afghanistan

• “How Trump might break Afghan stalemate”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “Top general urges new approach to injured soldiers”
• “MPs say Ottawa should reach out to soldiers who took mefloquine”

Other

• “Liberals face tough questions on Afghanistan and interim fighter jets”
• “Liberals planning $600M down payment on defence strategy”
• “Highlights from Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE 2017 : Video”
• “Joint statement on the occasion of the visit of the Australian Chief of Army to the Canadian Army”
• “Minister Of National Defence Appoints A New Judge Advocate General”
• “Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre to welcome new CO”
• “RCAF firefighter deploys on Iceland mission”

World War Two

• “Portrait of Courage: Alan Arnett McLeod, VC”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – June 20, 2017

#Syria

• “Canada mum on threat of Russia shooting down war planes over Syria”
• “Australia Suspends Syria Airstrikes Amid US-Russia Tensions” – “Australia halts Syria air strikes after Russia warning”
• “The Official Russian Statement About Syrian Jet Shootdown Includes A Juvenile Turdball” (To Inform is to Influence blog)
• “Confusion in the Air and on the Ground as U.S. and Syrian Planes Clashed”
• “Pilot of Syrian aircraft dropped by US-led coalition found in Raqqa”
• “Russia Draws A Line Across Syria After US Shoots Down Syrian Jet”
• “Counter-ISIS Strikes Continue; U.S. Super Hornet Downs Syrian Jet” (US DoD info-machine)
• “A flexing contest in Syria may trap the US in an endless conflict”
• “Analysis: Future of Post-ISIS Raqqa Remains Unclear”
• “Al-Qa’ida: Rebuilding Capabilities in Syria” (NJ DHS)

#CANvsISIL

• “With Kurdish independence closer than ever, Canada needs to prepare a response — A referendum on independence for Iraqi Kurds is set for September. Given Canada’s support of Kurdish forces in the country — and by extension their nation-building efforts — it can’t avoid involvement in the future of Iraq, writes Michael Petrou …”
• DND’s latest on Operation IMPACT

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• From the New Jersey DHS  “ISIS: Magazine Suggests Hostage Taking as a Tactic” (NJ DHS) – “Extremists Poised to Continue Using Vehicles in Operations (UPDATED)” (NJ DHS)
• “ISIS: Continues to Withstand Leadership Losses” – “Daesh: What Happens Next?”
• “The Yazidis Of Iraq Are Disappearing From The Country”
• “ISIS Presents Battles In Philippines As Part Of War Against Christianity” (Middle East Media Research Institute)

Internal Security

• “Quebec man found guilty of trying to join ISIS” – “Ismael Habib coupable de terrorisme” – “Ismaël Habib coupable d’avoir voulu rejoindre une organisation terroriste à l’étranger” – “Quebec man guilty of attempting to leave Canada to join Daesh” – “Le Québécois Ismaël Habib déclaré coupable d’avoir tenté de rejoindre l’EI en Syrie”
• “Liberals to introduce bills to reform Access to Information and national security laws” – “Access to Information law changes won’t open up PMO, cabinet offices” – “Liberals set to table bill to revamp national security measures” – “Agenda for National Security Law Day” (National Security Law Blog)

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Russian fake news smears fallen Canadian soldiers”
• “Canadian-led NATO Battlegroup begins work in Latvia” (CAF info-machine) – “Canadian combat engineers make a home for NATO battlegroup in Latvia” (CAF Info-machine) – “Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia: joint press point” (Pentagon/NATO info-machines) – “Canadian-Led NATO Battle Group Begins Operations in Latvia – Defense Ministry” – “Latvia welcomes NATO troops” – “Multinational NATO battalion begins official work in Latvia” – “Latvia welcomes NATO battlegroup – ceremony” (Pentagon/NATO info-machine video) – “(LVA) President Vejonis calls NATO Enhanced Forward Presence a historic affirmation of solidarity”
• “ZAPAD risk is “low” say Kucinskis, Stoltenberg — Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis met with NATO General secretary Jens Stoltenberg on June 19, in Riga, receiving a briefing on the launch of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) and the forthcoming Zapad exercises due to take place in Russia and Belarus, and which have set some security analysts and military personnel speculating about possible incursions …”
• “Latvia’s Defense Budget to Meet NATO 2% GDP Target in 2018 – President”
• “NATO Holds Military Maneuvers In Poland, Near Lithuanian Border” – “Baltics’ land link to other Nato allies” – “U.S. Soldiers Join British Marines, Polish Soldiers in Lithuania for Saber Strike 17” – “Nato holds first war games on vulnerable Baltic corridor” – “Nato runs drill to defend Baltic border from Russians” – “NATO deploys 4 battalions in Baltic states, Poland” – “Russia Plans Mega Drill After NATO simulates Invasion”
• “Updated Tu-160 will take off in a year” (Rossiskaya Gazeta, in Russian)
• “In July, two “Varshavyanka” for the Pacific Fleet will be built in St. Petersburg — At the “Admiralty Shipyards” in St. Petersburg in July, the first two non-nuclear submarines of Project 636.3 for the Pacific Fleet will be laid …” (Rossiskaya Gazeta, in Russian)
• “The exercises involving the ships of the Chinese Navy will be held in the Baltic Sea” (Rossiskaya Gazeta, in Russian)
• “Russia to modernize Indian Ka-28 helicopters in cooperation with Italy”
• “Russia set to become leader in military aircraft market in next decade”
• “Russia’s biggest defense contractor reports on sales boost despite sanctions”
• “Don’t believe the hype about Russia’s hypersonic missile” (Popular Science)

#Ukraine

• “Canadian armed forces delegation visits future military law enforcement training centre in Lviv” (UKR MoD) – “The delegation of the Canadian Armed Forces familiarized itself with the capabilities of the Training Center of the Military Service of Law Enforcement, which is being set up in Lviv” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
• “Ukraine’s President Poroshenko to Hold Talks With Trump in US on Tuesday” – “Ukrainian and U.S. militaries reaffirm their strategic bilateral partnership” (UKR MoD)  – “(UKR) President in the United States: It is important that the meeting of the Ukrainian President in the White House will take place earlier than that of Putin” (UKR pres info-machine)
• “Stepan Poltorak holds talks with Minister of Defence of France” (UKR MoD)
• “OSCE Deputy Chief Monitor Hug to visit Donetsk on June 20”
• “OSCE SMM: armed ‘DPR’ members instructed not to let SMM pass checkpoints”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 18 June 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 20 June 2017 – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, June 20, 2017” (UKR MOD) – “Militants fire on Ukrainian army positions 43 times over past day” – “Ukrainian forces violate ceasefire 37 times over 24 hours – DPR Operations Command” – “37 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Ukrainian forces launch nearly 4 thousand shells onto LPR in June”
• “DPR, Kiev to jointly exhume Ukrainian servicemen’ bodies near Marinovka”
• “Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces shows interest in Z-10 precision rifle”
• “Bill on Donbas reintegration might be introduced in Rada in coming days, – Speaker Parubii” – “Kiev’s plan for the ‘reintegration of Donbass’ is rejected (by separatists)” – “Martial law is not for everyone. What will replace the ATO?” – “Turchynov introduces concept bill on Donbas de-occupation – Rada Speaker” – “DPR rejects Kiev’s plan on Donbass reintegration” – ‘Humanitarian component of Kiev’s draft law on Donbass reintegration is tenuous, Pushilin says”
• “OSCE: Hostilities in Donbas put water supply to over 1 mln people at risk” – “Over million people may be left without water due to fighting in Donbas, — Hug”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas 

• “Korea, US, Canada to Stage Military Drills Near Jeju” – “Canada to Join US and Korea in Naval Exercise”
• “US military in South Korea face growing threats from North”
• “Mattis Explains What War With North Korea Would Look Like” (Task & Purpose blog)
• “Pyongyang won’t discuss nuclear issues with Seoul: North Korean media”
• “Seoul distances itself from adviser comments on joint military exercises — Moon Chung-in said President considering downsizing exercises in exchange for DPRK denuclearization …”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• “China to unveil new weapon systems at upcoming large-scale military parade”
• “Advanced PLA navy ship to join joint drill with Russia”
• “A longtime US ally may soon be home to a Chinese military base”
• “25th Chinese naval escort taskforce completes visit to New Zealand”
• China’s nuclear weapons research and development has attained the world’s most advanced level although the country’s nuclear weapons stockpile is small, experts said Sunday, one day after the 50th anniversary of the country’s first test of a hydrogen bomb …”
• “China claims development of microwave photonics-based radar”

#Afghanistan

• “(AFG) Troop Levels Are Too Important To Be Left To The Generals” (Task & Purpose blog)
• “Too Little, Too Late? White House-Pentagon Review of the War in Afghanistan Pushes Cracking Down on Pakistan For Its Support of Taliban and ISIS”

Way Up North

• “Four artificial islands will be built in Kola Bay”
• “Putin: Our future lies in the Arctic”
• “Four manmade islands to be built in Kola Gulf for marine construction work”
• “(RUS) Lead icebreaker Arktika to enter service in June 2019”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “RCMP allege federal procurement employee with no link to admiral leaked shipbuilding info”
• “Ottawa’s Super Hornet plan fails to stand up to defence community scrutiny” – “McDonough and Crowley: The experts weigh in – the Super Hornet purchase is a bad one”
• Wanted:  “Search and Rescue Mission Management System Application … Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is requesting Industry feedback regarding the design, assembly, delivery and support of a Search and Rescue Mission Management System (SMMS) Web-based Application …”
• “More than 90 new manufacturing jobs linked to the aerospace industry could be created in Quebec thanks to the Government of Canada’s $2.2 million investment in the form of repayable contributions. The funding will help the Canadian aerospace industry continue to provide high-quality jobs for all Canadians …”
• “B.C. tech could cash in on Canada’s defence plan”
• “Bureaucrats, Canadian officers headed to Paris for taxpayer-funded vacation?”
• “Pratt & Whitney Canada Signs Maintenance Contracts Covering More than 300 Auxiliary Power Units”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “After campaigning off the backs of veterans, the Trudeau government turns its back to them”
• “Nova Scotia’s health authority has agreed to meet with Lionel Desmond’s immediate family next week, almost six months after the former Canadian soldier fatally shot his mother, wife, daughter and himself in a horrific murder-suicide …”

Canada’s New Defence Policy

• “Special Report on Defence Policy, Pt. 1: Initial Findings – NAOC” (NATO Association of Canada)

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “Dans l’affaire Stéphanie Raymond, l’appel de l’acquittement de l’adjudant Gagnon enfin entendu en septembre”

Other

• “After completing a two-year assignment as I Corps’ Deputy Commanding General for Operations, Canadian Brig. Gen. Dany Fortin and his wife Madeleine Collin, are headed north, back to their home country …” (Pentagon Info-machine)
• “Mapping Our Past and Present: The Department of National Defence launches an interactive online map to commemorate Canada 150”
• “A brief history on (Exercise) Maple Flag”
• ” “Lost Airmen of the Empire” memorial dedicated at Patricia Bay”

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MILNEWS.ca Highlights – June 19, 2017

#CANvsISIL

• “Harjit Sajjan Rules Out Sending Troops To Syria In New Anti-ISIL Mission” – “Les troupes canadiennes n’iront pas en Syrie, dit le ministre Sajjan”
• “ON TARGET: Barbarism casts doubt on Canada’s role in Iraq”

Everyone Else Vs. ISIL

• “Investigating the Russian Ministry of Defense claim they may have killed ISIS leader” – “ISIS leader Baghdadi has a history of coming back from the dead” – “Russia Says It Killed ISIS Leader 2 Weeks Ago, Maybe, Possibly” – “Why the death of ISIS’s leader could spell trouble” – “Did Russia Kill Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Or Not? Russia – Professionals Or Not?” (To Inform is to Influence)
• “The war we’re not fighting against ISIS”
• “Iraq Control of Terrain Map: June 16, 2017” (ISW)
• “Kurdish independence in Iraq could inflame a destabilized neighborhood” – “Iraqi PM says Kurdish referendum “illegal”, will not support it”
  
• “The US agreed a major warplane sale to Qatar and began maneuvers with the emirate’s navy Thursday, underscoring its commitment to their military alliance despite Do-ha’s rift with other Gulf allies …”
• “Gulf blockade target isn’t Qatar, it’s Al Jazeera: Burman”
• “Iraqi forces urge IS fighters to surrender as Mosul’s Old City invasion begins” – “Iraq troops push into last ′Islamic State′ bastion in Mosul” – “Iraqi Forces Begin Offensive to Retake Mosul’s Old City” – “Iraqi Offensive to Recapture Mosul’s Old City From ISIS Has Begun”
• “The Islamic State’s four layers of threat”

#Syria

• “Syrian SU-22 Fighter Shot Down by U.S. Fighter Near Raqqa in Northern Syria” –  “US shoots down Syrian Air Force fighter jet” – “A U.S. Navy Fighter Jet Just Shot Down a Syrian Warplane” – “US fighter jet downs Syrian plane in Raqqa province” – “Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet shoots down Syrian jet after it attacks U.S. allies” – “U.S. military said U.S. fighter plane was defending anti-ISIS fighters in Syria” – “Coalition Defends Partner Forces from Syrian Fighter Jet Attack” (CENTCOM info-machine) – “Russian Foreign Ministry: US strike against Syrian plane is act of aggression” – “Lavrov stresses any ‘on the ground’ action in Syria should be coordinated with Damascus”
• “Russia Halts Cooperation With US Within Deconfliction Channel in Syrian Airspace”
• “US-led coalition says hostile actions of Syrian pro-regime forces will not be tolerated”
• “Iran Says It Fired Missiles at Terror Bases in Eastern Syria” – “Iran fires missiles at ISIL positions in eastern Syria” – “Iran fires missiles against ‘terrorist bases’ in E. Syria in retaliation for Tehran attacks” – “Iran strikes Islamic State targets in Syria in response to parliament attack” – “Iran fires missiles against Islamic State in Syria”
• “Backgrounder on Russia’s Military Intervention in Syria: 2015-Date” (AP)
• “Report: Israel secretly giving aid to Syrian rebels”
• “U.N. mediator targets fresh Syria talks for July 10”

Canada Into Africa?

• “Internal documents detail UN peacekeeping requests for Mali, other hotspots”
• “(Minister of International Development and La Francophonie) Bibeau to hold media teleconference from South Sudan”
• “Terrorist attacks ‘major’ hurdle to peace in Mali, UN mission chief tells Security Council”

Cold War 2.0:  China/Asia-Pacific

• “Wang Yi Meets with Newly-appointed Canadian Ambassador to China John McCallum” (CHN MFA)
• “USS Fitzgerald Badly Damaged After Crash With A Merchant Ship In The Pacific”
• CHN military press opinion:  “US patrols in name of freedom of navigation unapproved”
• “China’s Islands Building Wins in South China Sea and Then in Pacific”
• “Chinese naval fleet departs for joint drill in Russia” – “Advanced PLA navy ship to join joint drill with Russia”
• “Senior military leader meets with Pakistani Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee”
• “Senior Chinese military official visits Vietnam”
• “Iran, China Conduct Naval Drill in Gulf” – “Chinese naval fleet wraps up visit to Iran”
• “China, Finland willing to advance military cooperation”
• “China to deepen defense cooperation with central and eastern European countries”
• “The inconvenient truth about North Korea and China”
• “Celebration held for 20th anniversary of PLA’s stationing in HKSAR — A meeting was held at a barrack on Stonecutters Island Friday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) being stationed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) …”

Cold War 2.0:  The Koreas

• “South Korea Delays THAAD Deployment – What Next?”
• “North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station: Construction Activity Continues at Launch Pad”
• “(US) DOJ accuses Chinese company of laundering money for sanctioned DPRK entities”
• “Russian yacht intercepted by North Korea returns to Vladivostok” – “Incident around detention of Russian yacht in DPRK fully settled”
• “North Korea demands explanations from US over seizure of diplomatic package”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Russian, Chinese foreign ministers agree to enhance coordination in world affairs” – “Press release on the talk between the foreign ministers of Russia and China” (RUS MFA) – “Russia, China fostering strategic relations – Lavrov”
• “Nato shields its weak spot in first ever large scale defensive drill in Lithuania amid fears of a Russian assault” – “eFP Battle Group Poland crosses the Suwalki Gap into Lithuania” (Pentagon Info-machine) –  “NATO war game defends Baltic weak spot for first time” – “A combined forces exercise transitioned into a medical evacuation exercise with mock injured Soldiers outside Sventezeris, Lithuania, June 18 …” – “Lithuanians ‘sleep peacefully’ thanks to German troops”
• “Two years since NATO command element in Tallinn established”
• “NATO’s Stoltenberg visits Latvia”
• “Russia’s army orders Terminator fire support combat vehicles”
• “Russia may supply 48 military transport helicopters to India in 2018”
• “A Line in the Steppes: NATO Meets an Expanded SCO”

#Ukraine

• “Poroshenko leaving for U.S. to meet with Trump” – “Poroshenko leaves on working visit to U.S.” –  “A.Parubii: US-UA memorandum to uplift interaction” (Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine) – “Top 5 issues Poroshenko is to discuss in the White House”
• “EU sanctions over occupied Crimea, Sevastopol extended for another 12 months” – “EU extends sanctions against Russia over occupied Crimea for 12 months” – “EU Foreign Ministers Extend Crimea Sanctions”
• “Russia remains main coal supplier for Ukraine — Energy Ministry”
• Updates from All Sides  “Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, June 19, 2017” (UKR MoD) – UKR govt ATO map, 19 Jun 2017
•  – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 06/18/2017” – “Donbas war update: 6 Ukraine soldiers wounded in almost 50 attacks on Sunday” – “Donbas conflict: 19 shelling reported in ATO area over the day” – “Ukraine violated ceasefire 71 times in a day” – “LPR reports ten ‘silence regime’ violations by Kiev forces” – “Donbas: Six Ukrainian servicemen wounded since early June 18” – “Nearly 50 ceasefire violations reported in DPR over day” – “Six Ukrainian servicemen wounded in 47 shellings by militants in Donbas” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire 10 times” – “Six Ukrainian soldiers wounded yesterday, – ATO HQ” –
• From the Seapratist Media Machine  “Urgent report from the Deputy Command-In-Chief of the DPR — Ukrainian hostile side violates the ceasefire regime, and this time they started using tanks at the populated area of Donetsk Spartak. Tanks worked 20 times and infantry combat vehicles worked 35 times …” – “Ukrainian commanders sell advanced positions to DPR army – Basurin — Commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready to leave their positions in Donbass for an “acceptable” reward, in a number of cases, the DPR Armed Forces managed to persuade the enemy to do it for free. This information was announced by the Vice-Commander of the Republican Operational Command Eduard Basurin …” – “Kiev is planning to cancel ATO and to implement military situation in Mariupol” – “The second Ukrainian position left for the week”

Internal Security

• “Canada cyber-spy agency expects hacktivist attacks in 2019 vote” – Lux Ex Umbra “CSE releases report on electoral threats” – “Cyber Threats To Canada’s Democratic Process” (Communications Security Establishment) – “Attention: cyberattaques d’États étrangers fort possibles sur les prochaines élections canadiennes en 2019”
• “Mysterious hacker linked to attacks on Canadian miners, casinos”
• ” ‘Hack-proof’ quantum internet networks closer to reality, studies say”
• “Alleged Yahoo hacker is considering waiving extradition hearing”
• “American Political Violence Can Be Stamped Out If We’re Smart”

Afghanistan

• “Mattis Hasn’t Decided to Send 4K More Troops to Afghanistan”
• “McChrystal: 4,000 More Troops In Afghanistan Is A Good Start”

Way Up North

• “What Canada’s New Defense Policy Means for the Arctic”
• “Arctic area to be expanded with three Karelia districts — Three districts in Russia’s Karelia — Loukhsky, Kemsky and Belomorsky — may be added to the country’s list of Arctic areas, according to Yelena Lashkina, aid to and press secretary of the Russian Minister of Economic Development …”

What’s Canada Buying?

• “Canada’s top general keeping door open to F-35s in open fighter-jet competition”
• Colonel Ted’s take:  “Lies, damned lies, capability gaps and Super Hornets”
• Wanted:  “Meal Kits … There is a requirement for the Regional Cadet Support Unit (Northwest)) to purchase complete Prepared Meal Kits to replace the military Individual Meal Packs (IMP) which have been removed due to the operational tempo of the military …”
• Wanted:  “IMP Program- Retort Pouches”
• Wanted:  “Weapons Systems Modelling and Simulation … The Weapons Systems (WS) Section uses the WeaponsSystemsLibrary (WSL) for its work involving weapons systems modelling and simulation. This library uses the Matlab/Simulink environment, which is very familiar to and valued by members of the Section. The Section would therefore like to continue working with this library …”
• “CAE wins key battles for its military business”

Canada’s New Defence Policy

• “Donald rump lauds Justine Trudeau for increasing Canada’s military budget by 70 percent” – “Trump praises Trudeau for Canada’s increased military spending”
• “(UK) Defence Secretary welcomes new Canadian Defence Policy” (GOV.UK info-machine)
• “Liberals barely deserve pass on defence review”
• “CDA Institute Initial Reflections on the new Defence Policy “Strong, Secure, Engaged” “
• “(NATO Association of Canada) Director Jeff Hull on BNN Talking About Canada’s Role in NATO Against Cyber Attacks”
• “Civilian oversight key to offensive cyber operations, says expert”

Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)

• “What happened to Lionel Desmond? An Afghanistan veteran whose war wouldn’t end”
• “A soldier first: transgender veteran of Afghanistan war fights for identity”
• “Government of Canada investment in Invictus Games Toronto 2017”

Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF

• “DND appeals not-guilty verdict in military sexual assault trial”

Other

• “Fighting in the dark: What Canadians still don’t understand about war”
• “HMCS Chicoutimi Struck by Orca-Class Training Vessel”
• “RCAF concludes NATO surveillance and intercept mission”
• “Armed drones may be prone to targeting errors” (Ceasefire.ca)
• “Canadian Army Mounting the Queen’s Guard in London” – “Edmonton Garrison military musicians headed to Buckingham Place” – “Edmonton Garrison’s military band will play at Buckingham Palace”
• “Army members share spiritual experiences at the International Military Pilgrimage”
• “Canadian NORAD Region aircraft practice intercept and escort procedures with United States Air Force bombers”
• “The inner workings of an international exercise — Wing logistics keeps Exercise Maple Flag participants fed, moving, housed, fueled, and much much more …”

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR + Cold War 2.0 Update as of 181220UTC June 2017

#Ukraine

• “Vladimir Putin refers to ‘territories now called Ukraine’ in ominous comments during annual phone-in” (To Inform is to Influence) – “Putin to Poroshenko: Close Your Offshore Accounts Before Becoming European” – “Russia Takes ‘Wait-and-See’ Position on Ukrainian Crisis” – From Putin call-in transcript: “… the regions that are considered Ukraine today were Russia’s regions, and if the President of today’s Ukraine quotes Lermontov as saying that he is leaving for some other place, Lermontov referred to entire Russia, including the areas that today are known as Ukraine …”
• “Prime Minister: U.S. sanctions policy is a powerful instrument in the issue of countering Russian aggression in the east of Ukraine” (UKR cabinet info-machine)
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 16 June 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 18 June 2017 – “Militants attacked 66 times, five Ukrainian soldiers wounded” – “Kiev forces violate ceasefire eight times, two LPR militiamen wounded” – “Donbas conflict: 22 shelling reported in ATO area over the day” – “Kiev forces fired almost 4,000 rounds at DPR in a week” – “Ukraine reports 66 enemy attacks, 5 WIA’s in last day” – “OSCE: 47 civilians killed, 222 injured in Donbas year to date” – “Ukrainian military shells Lugansk Republic 12 times over 24 hours” – “Day in Donbas: 22 enemy attacks, 3 WIA’s”
• “Oh, Those Russians …”  “Electronic warfare systems in Donbas. Specialists from EW company of Russian 19th Motorized Rifle Brigade detected” (InformNapalm.org) – “Almost 100 servicemen of the Marine Corps of the Black Sea Fleet were solemnly awarded black berets — About 100 marines of the spring draft of 2017 solemnly took a military oath in Sevastopol …” (RUS MoD, in Russian) – “Caspian Flotilla marines deployed to North Caucasus from Crimea for drills” – “Subdivisions of the Marine Corps of the Caspian Flotilla were transferred from Crimea to Dagestan for tactical training” (RUS MoD, in Russian) – “The Black Sea Fleet hosted the final show-contest of amateur talent “Your talents, the fleet!” “ (RUS MoD, in Russian)
• Really?  “Donbas militants shoot their comrades-in-arms not to pay salaries — intel”
• “Comments by the Information and Press Department on the latest report issued by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine” (RUS MFA)
• “Makeyeva: Humanitarian aid program is a material step in uniting Donbass”
• “Red Cross brings 17 tonnes of building materials to occupied Donbas”

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Canadian, Russian officials set aside differences to talk terrorism”
• ” ‘Take a valium’ with regard to Russia fears, Mulroney says”
• “Russia says Trump is using ‘Cold War rhetoric’ on Cuba” – “Russia criticises U.S. for ‘anti-Cuban’ approach, says it sides with Cuba”
• “Russian, Chinese foreign ministers to meet in Beijing in coming hours — source”
• “Baltic special units practice detaining armed criminals … Fast-response units and special forces — K-komando from Estonia, Omega from Latvia and Aras from Lithuania — participated in the exercise, spokesperson for the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board Barbara Lichtfeldt said. “In Paide, the fast-response units had to manage aggressive protesters who unlawfully occupied a territory, and the task of fast-response units was to put an end to the situation and free the territory,” Lichtfeldt said …”
• “The Russian Army Still Loves Its Artillery”

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MILNEWS.ca #UKR + Cold War 2.0 Update as of 171250UTC June 2017

Cold War 2.0:  Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe

• “Test of a (new?) missile defense interceptor” (Russian strategic nuclear forces blog) – “Combat crews of the Aerospace Forces launched anti-missile missile of the Missile Defence System” (RUS MoD) – “Russia carried out ABM interceptor test” – “Russia tests missile interceptor in Kazakhstan”
• “NATO Secretary General to visit the Republic of Latvia, 19-Jun.-2017” (NATO info-machine)
• “Antoni Macierewicz, Minister of National Defence for Poland; Paul Jones, U.S. Ambassador to Poland; Italian Army Gen. Salvatore Farina, commander of Joint Forces Command Brunssum; U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe; and other military delegates visited the Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland demonstration during Exercise Saber Strike 17 at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, June 16, 2017 …” (Pentagon Info-machine)
• “At BALTOPS, It’s Back to Prepping for High-End Warfare”
• “NATO to strengthen presence in Eastern Europe during West 2017 drills”
• “Russia’s Existential Threat to NATO in the Baltics” (Foreign Policy Research Institute)
• “NATO Extending to Russia’s Border Poses ‘Real Danger’ “ (RUS media)

#Ukraine

• “Comment by the Information and Press Department regarding statements on plans to ramp up the Croatian Government’s working group on cooperation with Ukraine … these counterproductive and inappropriate moves cannot help settle the internal Ukrainian conflict …” (RUS MFA)
• From the Cyber Fight  “Ukraine’s Security Service forbids using Russian e-mails when registering domain names” – “Russia’s VKontakte closes office in Kyiv”
• Updates from All Sides  “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 15 June 2017” – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, June 16, 2017” (UKR MoD) – UKR govt ATO map, 17 June 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Weekly Situation Report, 06/16/2017” – “2 Ukrainian Soldiers Killed, 3 Wounded in Last 2 Days; 1 Separatist Soldier Killed, 1 Civilian” – “Kiev forces shell Lugansk republic 13 times” – “Ukraine reports almost 70 enemy attacks, 1 KIA, 3 WIA’s in last day” – “Kiev commits 71 ceasefire violations over past 24 hours shelling DPR” – “One Ukrainian serviceman killed, three wounded in ATO zone” – “Ukraine’s military launch over 250 shells on LPR territory in 24 hours” – “Kiev forces shell Donetsk republic over 70 times”
• “About 2,700 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Donbas war – Def. Ministry” – “Over 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed, almost 10,000 wounded during ATO in Donbas”  – “Some 2,696 Ukrainian servicemen killed, 9,903 wounded since start of Russian aggression” – “Since the beginning of ATO killed more than two thousand soldiers”
• “Poroshenko advocates for creation of modern ATO veterans rehabilitation system” – “President: Let us intensify our efforts to establish a modern efficient rehabilitation system for ATO veterans” (UKR Pres)
• “Russian Air Defense in Donbas: Barnaul-T and Tor-M1 in the hands of Russian terrorists” (InformNapalm.org)
• “In the Odessa region detained the recruiter of the Russian special services”
• “DPR Emergencies Ministry bomb disposal team renders safe 1,715 UXO this week” – “DPR Emergency Ministry’s deminers neutralized over 1,700 explosives”
• “US Won’t Disclose MH17 Crash Info If Truth Runs Counter to its Stance – Putin”
• “Contact Group on Ukraine to meet 14 more times before end of 2017”
• “DPR and Crimea signed the agreement on cooperation in sphere of trade and industry”
• “Ukraine’s ministry for occupied areas backs annulment of free economic zone in Crimea”
• “Eighty markets pass to DPR state property”
• “UNICEF: Over 100,000 children in eastern Ukraine could stay without drinking water” – “Ukraine: 750,000 children at risk of losing access to safe drinking water, warns UN” (UN info-machine) – “750,000 children at risk of being cut off from safe drinking water after increased shelling in eastern Ukraine” (UNICEF info-machine)
• Lookit Who’s Still Getting Coal from Who  “Some 419,000 tonnes of coal from Russia shipped to TPPs, CHPPs in Ukraine in May”

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Canadians Make It Into #UKR Separatist Media (Again)!

This just in via the Novorossia info-machine (web archived here, PDF of text available here):

Over A Dozen Canadian Soldiers Killed In Donbass, Trudeau Wants More To Come Home In Flag Draped Caskets, Mission Now Extends In Ukraine !

After having lost a dozen soldiers killed fighting in Donbass this spring, Ottawa is now trying to explain it away by giving “permission” for Canadian troops to train Ukrainians killing their own citizens in Donbass. It is now only a matter of time until more Canadians go home in flag covered boxes, having died for what American officials call, “the most corrupt nation on earth.”

This past spring a group of “expert” Canadian trainers got lost in Donbass and about a dozen men total were killed in a quick fight with DPR recon forces who mistook them for a vanguard or spearhead element of a more general NATO attack on Donetsk.

Canada’s military has quietly expanded its bootprint in Ukraine, giving commanders free rein to send their troops anywhere in efforts to run into Russian forces or separatist rebels and create an incident or excuse to further expand the conflict. Despite this being a clear violation of point 10 of the Minsk accords, which says all foreign troops are to leave the Ukraine.

The Canadians first deployed about 600 troops to Ukraine in the summer of 2015 to help train government forces in their fight against Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. Canada has a large Ukrainian population as an entire division of Ukrainian Nazi-SS men settled there.

The Canadians were required officially to previously stay in the western half of Ukraine, far from the conflict that has continued to rage over the last three years, leaving more than 10,000 people dead. But then this spring a group of “expert” Canadian trainers got lost in Donbass and about a dozen men total were killed in a quick fight with DPR recon forces who mistook them for a vanguard or spearhead element of a more general NATO attack on Donetsk.

These restrictions were eased in March when the government extended the mission for another two years and the operational area, a Canadian official told News Front, saying in an interview Wednesday, “After the Spartak incident, the President (Trudeau) did not like having to tell the families of the dead their sons died in a classified NATO operation. These measures are designed to give the military the room to do their job, as they wish.”

Looks like a bit of a re-write (with some political invective added) to the “Canadian special forces team led by Canadian military attache in Kiev killed” (alleged) story from September 2016.  That would be the lead item here — you can check the original source of that story here (links to archived English version of the story) and here (links to an archived version of original Russian story @ some content generation site).

With this, some other previous mentions of Canadians in the separatist media and the latest mention of naughty Canadian troops in Russian-language media in Latvia, does this mean “Canada’s back”?

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