Today was not so long a day as yesterday, but much more tedious. Like several Mondays crammed into a Tuesday! So just another brief update tonight.
We start with President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump:
Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!
We have some much needed financial news today. First, there is another tranche of macro-financial aid from the European Union worth 2.5 billion euros. It is very important. We are also waiting for the approval of the macro-financial aid program for the next year in the amount of 18 billion euros.
Second, the United States of America has announced that it will soon provide $4.5 billion in additional funding to directly support our budget.
I am grateful to the partners for these important steps of solidarity. Due to such decisions of our friends, we maintain social stability and, despite all the Russian strikes, fulfill our social obligations. And these are obligations to millions of people.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, we have been making stable payments to pensioners – that’s almost 11 million older Ukrainians. Indexation of pensions was carried out, as provided by law. 6 million citizens have some form of social support.
This month alone, social payments totaled almost 14 billion hryvnias. This is assistance to those with many children, the poor, single mothers, and people with disabilities. Also more than 2 million internally displaced persons receive assistance from the state. Plus salaries for employees of the budget sector. We do everything to ensure payments for all our defenders.
The financial frontline for Ukraine is now as important as the frontline on the battlefield.
And I thank everyone who helps our state accumulate the necessary funds. Both to our friends in the world and to businesses that, despite everything, continue to work and pay taxes.
As for the energy frontline. Energy and utility workers in many regions continue restoration of the network. We are also preparing responses to possible new terrorist attacks against our energy system.
As of this evening, only stabilizing shutdown schedules are used in 16 regions and in Kyiv. But we must understand that in case of consumption spikes, emergency shutdowns are also possible.
We are also rolling out our new “Points of Invincibility” project to support people across the country. As of this day, more than 4,000 such points have already been prepared. More are planned.
If massive Russian strikes take place again and if there is an understanding that the electricity supply cannot be restored within hours, the work of “Points of Invincibility” will be activated – all basic services will be there, including electricity, mobile communications and the Internet, heat, water, and a first-aid kit. Absolutely free and 24/7.
Points will necessarily work at all regional and district administrations, as well as at schools, buildings of the State Emergency Service, etc.
A special website, nezlamnist.gov.ua, with a map of such points throughout the country is already available. It is constantly updated.
It’s important to see now where these points are in your city, in your community, and keep an eye on the map for updates in the coming weeks as new points are added.
On the website and in all “Points of Invincibility” you will be able to find out where the nearest gas station, bank, pharmacy and grocery store are operating.
All of us must be prepared for any scenario, considering what terrorists are fighting against our people and what they are trying to do.
Local authorities are tasked with informing people about the existence of “Points of Invincibility”. It should be very simple: in government buildings, in pharmacies, grocery stores, in post offices, there should be information about where a person can find support in the event of a long-term power outage.
And it is very important that conscientious business is already joining this initiative of ours. Thanks to all the entrepreneurs who decided to support society now and make their business facilities also “Points of Invincibility” – with generators, Starlinks, water and other stuff.
And please note that on our website nezlamnist.gov.ua there is a special form for business representatives who want to join and become a “Point of Invincibility” for Ukrainians. I am sure: by helping each other, we will all be able to get through this winter together.
The situation on the frontline has not changed over the past day. In all areas of the front, the same dynamics as in the previous days is maintained.
Donetsk region – fierce attacks, constant shelling. I thank all our heroes, who courageously hold out despite everything!
Luhansk region – with battles yet little by little we are strengthening our position and moving forward little by little.
Kherson region and other territories of the south – we are doing everything to reduce the combat potential of the occupiers and eliminate their ability to carry out shelling of our cities.
Step by step, we will bring the Russian army to new defeats, and no shelling of Kherson or any of our cities will help the occupiers.
The sea… On our United24 fundraising platform, we are actively raising funds for naval drones. Unity, as always, gives a great result. Ordinary people. More than 50 Ukrainian companies. International businesses. Plus our Lithuanian friends. Plus the IT community. In total, people from 93 countries joined this initiative of ours! We are gradually building the Ukrainian fleet of naval drones!
I thank everyone who supports us!
Thank you to everyone who fights and works for Ukraine!
Thank you to everyone who helps loved ones get through this difficult time!
Glory to Ukraine!
Here is former NAVDEVGRU Squadron Leader Chuck Pfarrer’s most recent assessment of the situation in Bakhmut:
BAKHMUT/ 1930 UTC 22 NOV/ Political pressure from Moscow has forced RU commanders into a series of costly attacks on Bakhmut. The latest RU thrusts appear to be an attempt to execute a pincer movement. It is assessed unlikely that RU will accomplish this goal in the near term. pic.twitter.com/RUA3NGOdrc
— Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | (@ChuckPfarrer) November 22, 2022
Deputy Pentagon Press Spokesperson Sabrina Singh held a press conference earlier today. The transcript is below:
DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Oh, thank you, thank you. All right.
Q: (inaudible).
MS. SINGH: Well, thank you. I just have a few things at the top here, and thank you for the compliment. And I will then be happy to take your questions.
So good afternoon, everyone. As you know, the secretary is on travel right now. Tomorrow, he will be wrapping up his trip, which included a stop in Canada, Indonesia and Cambodia. The secretary’s currently in Cambodia, where he discussed the region’s most pressing security challenges with our allies and partners at the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meetings Plus.
On the margins of the Ministers Meeting Plus, the secretary met with the People’s Republic of China, Minister of National Defense General Wei. They discussed the U.S.-China’s defense relations and regional and global security issues. The secretary emphasized the need to responsibly manage competition and maintain open lines of communication. He also raised concerns about the increasingly-dangerous behavior demonstrated by PLA aircraft in the Indo-Pacific region, which increases the risk of accident. The secretary also affirmed that the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows. And the secretary reiterated that the United States remains committed to our long-standing One China policy, reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the strait and called on the PRC to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan.
And one more item: Over the weekend on the margins of the Halifax International Security Forum, the — the secretary met with a bipartisan, bicameral delegation led by Senator — Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator James Risch. The secretary thanked senators and members of Congress for their continued support for Ukraine, urged for the confirmation of the department’s 11 highly-qualified civilian nominees and encouraged the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act. Congress returns to Washington next week, and the department hopes that Congress will finalize and pass the NDAA. At a time when the United States faces challenges from China, and an acute threat from Russia, it is essential that we have the authorities we need to keep the American people safe, deter our adversaries, and support a lethal, resilient and healthy joint force.
And lastly, before I take your questions, I just want to note that today is Justin Brown’s last day in our office. You all are familiar with him and his smiling face that greets you every day, so hopefully, you can say goodbye to him before you leave for your holidays and just wish him well. He is going to be staying in the building, but I would encourage you to talk to him about what he’s doing next.
And with that, I’d be happy to take your questions. I’m going to see if anyone from AP is on the line. If not, we can move on. Phil Stewart, and then I can come back in the room.
Q: Thank you. Last night in the readout from the secretary’s conversation with his Chinese counterpart, it spoke about the increasing activity by Chinese — dangerous activity by Chinese PLA aircraft. Hoping you can give us some sense of the frequency, the kinds of interactions that were deemed to be dangerous, and yeah, any kind of fidelity about those activities.
And then separately, today, the — and I — then I’ll have a follow-up on Iran separately. Thanks.
MS. SINGH: No problem. So I’m not going to be able to go further than what was laid out in the readout, which I believe is hopefully in your inbox, and also available on defense.gov. The secretary just reiterated the concerns about dangerous behavior that we’ve seen demonstrated by PLA aircraft. But in terms of how many incidences and where, I’m just not going to be able to go further beyond the readout itself.
Q: Okay. And — and the IAEA today also said that Iran was enriching uranium up to 60 percent at — at Fordow, and also that it was going to — plans further enrichment at — at both Fordow and Natanz. I’m just wondering whether or not you have any reaction to this latest announcement about Iranian — expanded Iranian enrichment.
MS. SINGH: I’ve seen the reports, and thanks, Phil, for the question. I’ve seen the reports. Unfortunately, I don’t have more to add at this time. What Iran is doing and the capabilities that they’re trying to procure, we continue to monitor. But I have nothing further to add right now.
Thanks. We’ll go into the room. Oren?
Q: After the Speaker Pelosi visit, China announced that it had cut off a series of — of communications lines such as meetings between Chinese and U.S. defense leaders, the annual naval meetings. Is there any indication from the secretary’s meeting that some of those might be reopened or restarted in — in the near future?
MS. SINGH: Well, in particular on those meetings, I don’t have — I don’t have any announcements to make. But I think from what you’ve seen with the president engaging his Chinese counterpart, the vice president also engaging just on her travel just this week, and then with the secretary engaging General Wei, I think what you’re seeing is an opening of lines of communication, and we welcome that, and we want to continue to see these lines of communications restored and remaining open. And so if I have more to share in terms of anything else that we participate in or any other conversations, I’d be happy to follow up.
Yeah, Janne?
Q: Thank you. Nice to see you.
MS. SINGH: Nice to see you.
Q: I have two North Koreans questions. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un unveiled intercontinental ballistic missile unit for the first time. What do you think his intentions were?
MS. SINGH: Well, I wouldn’t be able to get in the mind of Kim Jong-un. I would ask you — I would direct that question back to the DPRK.
Q: — the second one, thank you. And what can you say about the possibility that if the Hwasong-17 ballistic missile is loaded with a nuclear warhead, it will definitely hit United States mainland?
MS. SINGH: Well, I certainly wouldn’t be able to speculate on that. We — as you know and you’ve heard from this podium, that we continue to monitor the — the destabilizing actions that North Korea has taken with their missile launches. But on a particular issue when it comes to whether something might hit the mainland, I just wouldn’t be able to speculate on that.
I’m going to go ahead and go to the room. Yes? Sorry, Brandi, go ahead. Sorry, go ahead. I’ll come back to you. Sorry.
Q: It’s a quick one.
MS. SINGH: Sure.
Q: Just checking in on this — the NDAA for 2022 required reports from the Pentagon on unidentified aerial phenomena, starting October 31st of this year and then annually until 2026 after, delivered to appropriate congressional committees. Do you have an update for us on that report, whether we’ll see an unclassified version soon? Anything there?
MS. SINGH: I don’t have an update on the report. I believe it’s still with ODNI for review. Until we get that, I wouldn’t be able to — I don’t have anything for you at this time.
Q: And as far as you know, it hasn’t been delivered to the committees?
MS. SINGH: As far as I’m aware but you would have to ask those committees.
I’m going to go back to the phones then come to the room here. Howard Altman?
Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Are you aware, is the Pentagon aware of ongoing drone attacks by Ukraine in Sevastopol right now? Can you talk about that?
MS. SINGH: Well, we’ve certainly seen — Howard, I — I think I heard your question — we’ve certainly seen drone attacks from the Russians, and you — we saw the barrage, I believe, last week and leading up right into what the Secretary spoke to after the contact group, but I don’t have any more specifics beyond what was reported last week.
Q: No, no, I’m sorry, I was talking about the ongoing attacks right now, Ukraine attacks in Sevastopol, Crimea.
MS. SINGH: — no, nothing — nothing further to read out at this time. I mean, it is a dynamic and active battlefield that we’re seeing within Ukraine and we’re seeing the Ukrainians certainly push back and are using the weapons and systems that not just that we have provided but that other partners and allies have provided.
And, you know, we have seen them make gains, we’ve seen them, as early as last week, take back Kherson City, but I have nothing further to read out on any other movements in other cities.
I’m going to go to Jeff Seldin, VOA.
Q: Thanks very much for doing this. A — a question about the fighting, the Turkish airstrikes against Syrian Kurdish positions in northern Syria — we’ve heard calls from the — the coalition, from CENTCOM for de-escalation and warnings that this is — is going to destabilize the region. What more is the Pentagon doing, especially now that Turkey’s President Erdogan has suggested he — in addition to airstrikes, he’s going to send in tanks? And also, how does this impact the U.S. forces on the ground in — in Syria and also in Iraq? And is there any update on — on how many troops the U.S. has in — in that region?
MS. SINGH: Sure. Thanks for the question. I’ll try to get to I’ll try to remember all of them.
In terms of what we are doing, we continue to monitor what is happening on the ground. This is a, I mean, these — is happening as — you know, as I’m up here, as we speak. So we continue to monitor what’s happening on the ground, and from all aspects of this department, we continue to urge for de-escalation on all sides.
And, you know, in our conversations and what we have said publicly, is that these strikes, from all sides, risk our mission, which is to defeat ISIS, the enduring defeat of ISIS. And so we are going to continue to monitor what’s happening on the ground and make sure that our forces are safe — and there has been no change to our force posture right now in the region — but for further questions on our forces, I would direct you to CENTCOM.
Okay, great. I’m going to come back in the room. Yes?
Q: Thanks, Sabrina.
MS. SINGH: Sure.
Q: Last Tuesday, the White House announced it was sending to the Hill a $37.7 billion request for more aid for Ukraine — okay — and in that release and in the briefing, there was multiple aspects of that request broken down by money sums. One of those was for $21.7 billion in defense aid and equipment for Ukraine and to replenish DOD stocks, those two items in that $21.7 billion subset.
However, they redirected me to ask the Pentagon, of that $21.7 billion, how much of that is going to go to replenish DOD stocks and what is the priority in replenishment?
MS. SINGH: Well, I don’t certainly have an itemized breakdown for you here on our budget and what’s going to be deemed from highest to least, in terms of replenishment. That’s not something that I would be able to read out from here.
Q: Yes, I appreciate that. My question was how much of that $21.7 billion is going to go to replenish the stocks? That’s not a budget item, that’s an authorization request by the White House to which the Pentagon, according to the White House, had feed — had feedback into.
MS. SINGH: So again, I would not be able to tell you how much of that $21.7 billion is going back to replenishment. I just wouldn’t be able to do that from here. We are constantly —
(CROSSTALK)
Q: — you take the question please?
MS. SINGH: I am not going to take the question because I’m answering your question. I’m not going to be able to itemize that out right now. I am going to tell you what we are doing, is that we are — we continue, with every PDA that we announce, with every security assistance package that we announce, we assess our own readiness and capabilities and also what needs to be replenished. I just don’t have a number or a dollar figure for you right now on what that looks like and I don’t think that’s something that we would broadcast from here, or at least something that I could broadcast from here at this time.
Great. Yes?
Q: Thank you, Sabrina. So I just want to go back to the situation in northern Syria —
MS. SINGH: Sure.
Q: — the (inaudible) situation there. So you said that you were seeking de-escalation. However, the CENTCOM was more clear on the — on the situation. There’s a statement where the spokesperson says, quote, “that CENTCOM proposes what the Turks are doing in northern Syria, these strikes.” Is this the — the same position that the — the department has? Are you — do you oppose the Turkish military operation? And are you concerned about further widening of that operation in Syria?
MS. SINGH: We’ve been consistent on this, not only from CENTCOM, but this podium her, that we oppose all of the strikes that are happening right now from all sides. They have a major impact on increase in escalation in Syria and Iraq and take away from our goal, which is the enduring defeat of ISIS. So we have encouraged de-escalation. We are going to continue to monitor what’s happening on the ground there, but we’ve continued not just Turkey, but all sides, to de-escalate. And, you know, are going — we’re going to continue to monitor what is happening on the ground there.
Q: Who do you mean, all sides? Can you name that sides that are involved in de-escalation?
MS. SINGH: I think there’s been open-source reporting on the fact that — I mean, as you know, Turkey was attacked just last week I believe, there have been strikes within Syria and Iraq that we’ve seen; we encourage all sides to de-escalate this conflict and to remember that, you know, again, our goal here, the United States military’s goal, is the enduring defeat of ISIS. These strikes take away from that goal. And, you know, again, it risks the hard-earned progress that the global coalition has made when it comes to the defeat of ISIS.
Yes?
Q: Thank you (inaudible).
MS. SINGH: Yes.
Q: (Inaudible) is reporting that a U.S. destroyer transited through the Taiwan Strait or November 5. What message did the U.S. military intend to send to China by this transit a week before the President Biden and President Xi’s meeting in Asia?
MS. SINGH: Well, you know, as the — as the secretary spoke at — about at Halifax, as we’ve said from here, the United States is going to continue to sail, operate and fly in open waters and international waters. And that was one of our routine Taiwan transits that we did. I believe it was last week or the week — week ago and it was completely safe and professional.
Yes?
(CROSSTALK)
MS. SINGH: Can I come — I’m going to come back to you. Tony ?
Q: Thanks, Sabrina.
MS. SINGH: Sure.
Q: Are there any looming PDAs this week?
MS. SINGH: I don’t have anything to announce right now.
Q: You might be able to announce something in the next day or two before — you know — like tomorrow or Friday?
MS. SINGH: I am — I don’t have anything to read out at this time. If I do, I will certainly let you know.
Q: Okay, SpaceX, six weeks ago —
MS. SINGH: Sure.
Q: — the world was transfixed with this. The Pentagon shut down —
MS. SINGH: I remember. Yes.
Q: — (inaudible). Six weeks later, has the Pentagon come to any kind of final decision on this? A, we’re going to pay going forward. B, we’re not. C, we’re — we keep talking. Where does that stand?
MS. SINGH: So, I don’t have any — there’s been no changes, no updates. We saw the SpaceX statement that was put out a few weeks ago you referenced, that they are going to continue payments for the Starlink satellites and capabilities. So right now, that’s the policy. That’s what is happening, and I have nothing to read out at this time.
Q: There’s no — you’re not talking anymore with SpaceX at the moment? That it’s a dead issue or —
MS. SINGH: Well, we’re in contact with SpaceX on a range of issues, not just Starlink, on other issues as well. So, I have nothing to — nothing further to announce when it comes to our Starlink capabilities. But, you know, if that changes, I will certainly let you know.
Q: Okay. Can I go back to Tom’s question on the 21.7?
MS. SINGH: Sure. Yes.
Q: Nobody expects you to be able to itemize —
MS. SINGH: Yes.
Q: — what is on, I mean that’s the — would be unrealistic and unfair.
MS. SINGH: Sure.
Q: But can you go back and in the — over the next week and get a breakdown of the broad areas where this money is going to, that’s a realistic transparent expectation, certainly not asking you to itemize right now…
MS. SINGH: Well, this is just a request that has been submitted as well, so nothing has been passed, so therefore, how would I be able to breakdown the itemization of something that could change?
Q: Congress though, this is what we want to spend the money on, so notionally, in the next week or so, can you give a breakdown, notionally the categories, that’s all I’m asking.
MS. SINGH: I can’t right now. I mean, notionally —
Q: (Inaudible) right now to do it.
MS. SINGH: But let — I’m just saying that number that has been submitted to Congress could also change, right? Congress might not approve that number. So, the fact is like I can certainly — I believe in transparency here, I want to be transparent with you, of course. I just don’t have that breakdown for you today, and to what Tom was asking either. I’m happy to — like, when we have more information, I’m happy to read that out, but at this time, I just don’t.
Q: I know. I’m not expecting you to not know now but Congress is only going to approve it if you give them a breakdown of what you’re going to — what you want the money for. That’s all I’m asking.
MS. SINGH: That’s right, and I just don’t have that right now.
Q: Okay, fair enough.
MS. SINGH: Okay.
Q: — concerned that Congress is —
MS. SINGH: I’m going to go to another question and then I’m going to come back to you. Yeah?
Q: Thanks, Sabrina. I had a question about TikTok. Are there any discussions to review or amend the policy on TikTok? You know, right now, it can’t be used on government devices but yet it’s used widely on personal devices, and there are a lot of concerns about the security around that.
MS. SINGH: So right now, our policy hasn’t changed. If it does, I would certainly be able to update you on that. But for — in terms of personal use and devices, that’s not something we monitor. We, of course, are monitoring the — or encouraging folks to be safe on their government devices. So I just have nothing in terms of our policy.
Q: You can’t say whether there’s any discussion right now that —
MS. SINGH: Not at the moment — not at the moment. I mean, nothing has changed in our policy, but if that does, I’m happy to — happy to update you.
Yeah?
Q: Thank you for taking my question.
MS. SINGH: Yeah.
Q: So in the face of the tremendous damage that Ukraine has sustained because of Russian bombing to their infrastructure and civilian populations suffering in the cold and so forth, the DOD has taken a piece of this puzzle, in — in conjunction with another group. And can you say anything about the — how far the plans have come, in terms of addressing the emergency needs, these very urgent needs on the ground in Ukraine, for —
MS. SINGH: In terms of what’s happening — like the — from the damages that were sustained from last week?
Q: — the infrastructure — yeah, the heat, plumbing —
MS. SINGH: Sure.
Q: — all of that, and I know there has been a group that’s formed, but I’m just wondering if you —
MS. SINGH: Yeah, the —
(CROSSTALK)
MS. SINGH: Yeah, I mean, the Ukraine Contact Group, part of that group’s meeting is to determine what Ukraine needs, not just on the battlefield but also in terms of to sustain their own infrastructure, and that’s something that we continue to be in touch with our Ukrainian counterparts to determine what they need, which is what you will see in each PDA.
And I know Tony asked about when the next PDA might be rolled out, and I don’t have an announcement for you on that but we’re in constant contact with what the Ukrainians might need.
We’re certainly aware that there have been extreme damages to their electrical grid and infrastructure, and that’s something that we’re thinking through, in terms of what we can provide them, and then, you know, also we’ve — we know they’re heading into a really tough, cold winter, which is why we’ve provided boots, gloves, hats, which Tom has asked about before, on — in terms of what that looks like, and we’ve provided that to the Ukrainians cause we know that we’ll need that on — that they’ll need that on the battlefield.
And so just to get back to the heart of your question, we continue to assess what they need, and that continues to change. And we’ve seen these strikes by these Iranian-made drones have devastating impacts on civilian infrastructure, on targets that are not military targets.
And so we’re going to continue to do what we can to provide them what they need, and it’s — and it’s not just us — you know, it’s our partners and allies around the world that are working together to make sure that the Ukrainians have what they need for this winter.
Yeah, Gordon? Nice to see you.
Q: Nice to see you. Just on that, you have now another group of bipartisan lawmakers asking the Secretary to reconsider his decision — or apparent decision on the Gray Eagle drones, the advanced drones for Ukraine. Do you have any responses to if the — if it’s still under consideration or what the rationale is for deciding not to give them those (inaudible)?
MS. SINGH: I would say that nothing has been decided. We are always assessing and evaluating what we can send to Ukraine, but in terms of the Gray Eagles, no decision has been made. We are — you know, we have to examine what impact it would have on us, and specifically for the Army, but nothing has been ruled out.
Q: Great. Do you know anything about the rationale, though, thus far for not providing that?
MS. SINGH: I mean, it’s something that we’re assessing. I wouldn’t be able to go beyond that. I think in terms of — in terms of just on the larger scope of rationale, we feel that what we’ve provided them so far has been — they’ve been more than capable of using and they’ve been more than capable of having instrumental gains on the battlefield.
And so when and if there’s a time that we provide the Gray Eagle, I’ll certainly be reading that out, and I’m sure you’ll be interested as well.
Yeah?
Q: Thank you.
MS. SINGH: Nice to see you.
Q: Thank you. During the meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Secretary Austin highlighted the need to reopen lines of communication and military dialogues in order to manage the competition responsibly. Has there been a positive reaction from the Chinese side regarding the — these dialogues that the U.S. wants to reopen?
MS. SINGH: Well, I wouldn’t want to speak on behalf of the Chinese government. I would direct you to them for further comment. I think that the fact that we’re seeing engagement from them certainly shows an openness and a willingness to want to communicate. And so we welcome that.
Great. Yes?
Q: Thank you.
MS. SINGH: Sorry, I’ll come to the back after that. Yeah?
Q: A spokesperson from Foreign Ministry in Kyiv said that experts from Ukraine and Iran met to discuss the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine. Have — you aware about that meetings? And do you encourage these kinds of meetings between Iran and Ukraine?
MS. SINGH: I’m sorry, can you repeat the question? A Iranian spokesperson — Iranian spokesperson put out —
(CROSSTALK)
Q: — it said a — a Ukrainian spokesperson.
MS. SINGH: Okay.
Q: Okay?
MS. SINGH: Sorry, can you just repeat the question?
Q: They said there’s a meeting between Iranian and Ukraine experts from both sides to talk about or discuss the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine. Have — you aware about that meetings?
MS. SINGH: I’m not — I’m not aware of a meeting like that, no.
Q: Okay. And do you encourage these kinds — these kind of meetings — these meetings?
MS. SINGH: Well, I mean, I think it would be surprising if there was a meeting like that taking place, given the fact that Iran is providing drones to Russia to kill innocent Ukrainian civilians. So I just — I wouldn’t really be able to comment on that any further.
I mean, we’ve seen sort of where Iran is aligned right now and we’re seeing Russia being further isolated by reaching out to countries like Iran and North Korea to resupply what they need. It clearly shows that – their own weaknesses and it clearly shows how isolated they’ve become in the world.
And so I just — I wouldn’t be able to go any — I wouldn’t be able to comment on a meeting I don’t have any awareness about.
Q: Okay, and a second question, thank you.
MS. SINGH: Sure.
Q: Yesterday, General Mark Milley met with the Chief of the Israel General Staff Aviv Kochavi. They discussed the threats that — posed by Iran. So is there any coordination or — between the DOD and the Israeli, recently about any response maybe will be — happen against Iran after the — the Iranian threatens has been arised recently —
MS. SINGH: I have — I — you know, I saw the readout. I don’t — have nothing more to add to that. I would direct you to the Joint Staff for any further information or details on that meeting. Yeah, of course.
Yeah, go ahead.
Q: Yesterday, in the readout — or this morning, in the readout with Secretary Austin, we used the word — or it was used, “discussed,” multiple times. “Secretary Austin discussed Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine.” So basically, they had a conversation instead of talks. When we say Russia, we use “talks”.
Are we planning on having talks with China, something more substantial? Instead? — are they going to go in a room and just discuss talking points?
MS. SINGH: Seems like a bit of parsing of words here. Some of these —
Q: They mean different things.
MS. SINGH: Yeah. Yeah —
Q: One is we just go in and have a conversation; the other is we go in and have high talks.
MS. SINGH: So I would say that the readout and what the secretary said with his — with — to General Wei is that they discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine. I mean, I don’t have more to read out other than what was already announced and what they discussed there. But I guess I wouldn’t — I think we’re trying to parse a little bit about discussed and talks, and I just — I — there’s no — there’s no — I have nothing further to read out in terms of any conversations or talks with Russia, if that’s what you’re getting at.
Q: So they keep using “discussed” all the time when we’re only describing China. We never say the word “talk”. “They went in and had high — high talks.”
MS. SINGH: I think — I understand what you’re saying. I think we’re reading a little too much into some of the wording here, just in terms of discussed, met with, had a conversation. I mean, we’ve used certain — certainly, different words to characterize meetings, but I think the biggest takeaway that I would urge you to consider here is that this was an open dialogue. They discussed a range of topics in Cambodia, one of which included Russia’s war that it’s waged on Ukraine and many other topics. And we want to encourage to keeping this dialogue an open communication with China, but beyond that, I have nothing more to add to the readout.
Q: Sabrina —
MS. SINGH: Yeah, I’m —
Q: One more point —
MS. SINGH: Okay, sure.
Q: — on that. Thank you. On China, China says that even if it has influence over North Korea, it is limited, and it has no authority to control North Korea, and also China used veto to defend North Korea at the UN Security Council resolution yesterday. How would you comment on that?
MS. SINGH: I would direct you to the UN, I’m not the spokesperson for the UN. I you say that, we’ve certainly been very vocal about our — the destabilizing impacts and actions that North Korea continues to take, and we’re going to continue to make clear our concerns, and that’s something that the secretary raised in his — in his meeting with General Wei, and we’re going to continue to do that not just with China, but with other countries around the world.
Yeah, did I see a question back here? Yeah?
Q: (inaudible) —
MS. SINGH: I’m sorry, and then I’ll come to you, and then we’ll probably have to wrap up soon because there’s another event in this room soon. Yeah?
Q: Thank you for taking my question.
MS. SINGH: Sure.
Q: My question is about Japan. So Japanese government-commissioned panel said today that a drastic defense buildup, including preemptive strike capabilities was essential. So does the U.S. support a drastic defense buildup by Japan? And has the DOD had recent discussions with Japanese counterparts about preemptive strike capabilities?
MS. SINGH: I have nothing to read out on conversations that we’ve had with Japan. We certainly are in constant communication with Japan and the Republic of Korea when it comes to our bilateral and trilateral relationship, and we are always, of course, in contact with them when there — when there are continued provocations that we see out of the DPRK. But beyond that, I just don’t have anything further for you.
Yeah, go ahead.
Q: Thanks for taking my question. I would like to know if you have any information about what’s going on in the Nigerian/Moroccan border, what Russian — Russia is — is doing there, and also if — if the Pentagon had any contacts with the Iberian or Moroccan authorities since the military drills started there.
MS. SINGH: I haven’t — I don’t have any conversations or calls to read out in terms of the secretary’s engagement. We’ve seen a Russian presence in North Africa, and continue to grow. We consistently monitor Russian actions, and some of what they’ve been doing, but I don’t have anything to read out in terms of any — any response.
Great, okay, well, thank you all. I wanted to wrap up and just say before we go, happy Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a really great holiday, a restful holiday, and don’t forget to say goodbye to Justin Brown before he leaves.
All right, thank you, everyone. Thanks.
Q: Will there be a briefing Friday?
MS. SINGH: No, no briefing Friday.
Here is the video of the World Health Organization’s recent press briefing regarding the health issues they estimate Ukrainians will be facing this winter:
🎥 Join us for a press briefing on the health impacts of the war in Ukraine and the coming winter with @hans_kluge and @HabichtJarno in Kyiv https://t.co/J1N5fikuuI
— WHO/Europe (@WHO_Europe) November 21, 2022
And The Financial Times has reporting on the power generation and transmission challenges the Ukrainians are facing this winter:
Ukraine’s state energy utility has said rolling blackouts will continue, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy telling citizens they are consuming more electricity than is available and the director of one domestic power company warning that outages will probably last until March.
“Ukraine’s power system still has not fully recovered from the six waves of [Russian] missile strikes and cannot operate at full capacity,” electricity group Ukrenergo wrote on Telegram late on Monday, adding that there would be further blackouts on Tuesday.
In his regular night-time address, Zelenskyy appealed to regional authorities and local communities to encourage residents to reduce their energy use.
Regular barrages of Russian missile and drone attacks over the past six weeks have specifically targeted Ukraine’s power plants and other critical infrastructure, disabling about half of the country’s generation capacity as it heads into winter.
The rising concern over how to keep the country’s power grid functioning comes as EU officials warned that despite efforts to ramp up supplies of equipment, generators and other systems, the bloc is struggling to keep pace with Kyiv’s needs given Moscow’s attacks.
“We are in continuous touch with the commission and other member states to provide as much support as possible [to Kyiv],” said a senior EU diplomat involved in efforts to supply Ukraine with critical infrastructure. “But each week it gets more and more difficult to find the equipment that is needed, given the situation as it is developing.”
Sergey Kovalenko, chief executive at Ukrainian power provider Yasno, said that “Ukrainians will most likely have to live with blackouts until at least the end of March”.
The best-case scenario, said Kovalenko, was no new Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and a situation where “the power deficit can be evenly distributed throughout the country”.
However, if Russia continued its missile and drone barrages on the power grid, he warned, Ukraine “will have to use not only hourly stabilisation shutdowns, but also emergency shutdowns, during which there may be no light for a very long time”.
Holy Shit!
Security Service of Ukraine has raided the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, seat of the Russia-controlled branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and other Moscow Patriarchate monasteries in an operation “to counter the subversive activities of the Russian special services in Ukraine.” https://t.co/fy7njs9E68
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) November 22, 2022
Someone seems to have found my Amazon wishlist!
When your granny joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
📸 Vsevolod Kozhemyako pic.twitter.com/AYHyDOGnqN
— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) November 22, 2022
During the Russian occupation of Kherson the residents kept noting that they smelled burning bodies coming from the landfill. The nose knows:
The landfill site on the edge of Kherson offers some visible hints here and there, among the piles of rubbish, to what locals and workers say happened in its recent past. Russian flags, uniforms and helmets emerge from the putrid mud, while hundreds of seagulls and dozens of stray dogs scavenge around.
As the Russian occupation of the region was on its last legs over the summer, the site, once a mundane place where residents disposed of their rubbish, became a no-go area, according to Kherson’s inhabitants, fiercely sealed off by the invading forces from presumed prying eyes.
The reason for the jittery secrecy, several residents and workers at the site told the Guardian, was that the occupying forces had a gruesome new purpose there: dumping the bodies of their fallen brethren, and then burning them.
The residents report seeing Russian open trucks arriving to the site carrying black bags that were then set on fire, filling the air with a large cloud of smoke and a terrifying stench of burning flesh.
They believe the Russians were disposing of the bodies of its soldiers killed during the heavy fighting of those summer days.
“Every time our army shelled the Russians there, they moved the remains to the landfill and burned them,” says Iryna, 40, a Kherson resident.
Ukraine’s attempts to gain momentum and retake the southern city began at the end of June when long-awaited US-made Himars long-range rockets finally reached one the frontlines there. Kyiv was making good use of them to badly damage bridges across the Dnipro, destroy Russian ammunition dumps and strike enemy artillery and forces.
It was around this time, the residents said, that they first started to fear a new use for the site.
It is not possible to independently verify the claims, and Ukrainian authorities said they could not comment on whether the allegations were being investigated. The Guardian visited the landfill, located on the north-western outskirts of the town, five days after Kherson’s liberation and spoke to employees of the site as well as several more of the town’s residents, who backed up the claims made by others in the summer.
“The Russians drove a Kamaz full of rubbish and corpses all together and unloaded,” said a rubbish collector from Kherson who asked not to be named. “Do you think someone was gonna bury them? They dumped them and then dumped the trash over them, and that’s it.”
Much more at the link!
I think that’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron:
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— Patron (@PatronDsns) November 22, 2022
And a new video from Patron’s official TikTok:
@patron__dsns Усі не встиг перерахувати! Якщо буде багато лайків, зроблю другу частину :) #песпатрон
The caption machine translates as:
I didn’t have time to list them all! If there are many likes, I will make a second part :) #PatrontheDog
Open thread!
Alison Rose
The energy situation seems incredibly tenuous and worrisome, especially if residents aren’t doing as well now as they were when Zelenskyy first asked them to reduce energy usage. I can imagine that’s hard to do when it’s freezing cold, though, and the Points of Invincibility sound like a really smart idea.
Every new thing I learn about russian troops just makes them more and more monstrous and disgusting. Not that I’m surprised.
There are days when I wish I had my own picnic basket filled with grenades.
Thank you as always, Adam.
Grumpy Old Railroader
That Pentagon Press Briefing was a real doozy and some people might be inclined to quickly scroll past it. But I have summarized everything in an easy to read format so you can get an idea of how the Question and answers went. I did edit the answers down to their core message but yeah, these are the actual answers:
MS. SINGH: I’m not going to be able to go further than what was laid out in the readout
MS. SINGH: Unfortunately, I don’t have more to add at this time.
MS. SINGH: Well, in particular on those meetings, I don’t have — I don’t have any
MS. SINGH: I would direct that question back to the DPRK.
MS. SINGH: Well, I certainly wouldn’t be able to speculate on that.
MS. SINGH: I don’t have an update on the report.— I don’t have anything for you at this time.
MS. SINGH: As far as I’m aware but you would have to ask those committees.
MS. SINGH: I don’t have any more specifics beyond what was reported last week.
MS. SINGH: — no, nothing — nothing further to read out at this time.
MS. SINGH: – for further questions on our forces, I would direct you to CENTCOM.
MS. SINGH: That’s not something that I would be able to read out from here.
MS. SINGH: So again, I would not be able to tell you how much of that $21.7 billion is going back to replenishment.
MS. SINGH: I am not going to take the question because I’m answering your question.
MS. SINGH: Well, you know, as the — as the secretary spoke at — about at Halifax, as we’ve said from here, the United States is going to continue to sail, operate and fly in open waters and international waters. And that was one of our routine Taiwan transits that we did. I believe it was last week or the week — week ago and it was completely safe and professional.
MS. SINGH: I am — I don’t have anything to read out at this time. If I do, I will certainly let you know.
MS. SINGH: So, I don’t have any — there’s been no changes, no updates.
MS. SINGH: So, I have nothing to — nothing further to announce when it comes to our Starlink capabilities.
MS. SINGH: Well, this is just a request that has been submitted as well, so nothing has been passed, so therefore, how would I be able to breakdown the itemization of something that could change?
MS. SINGH: I can’t right now. I mean, notionally —
MS. SINGH: BI just don’t have that breakdown for you today,
MS. SINGH: That’s right, and I just don’t have that right now.
MS. SINGH: So right now, our policy hasn’t changed. If it does, I would certainly be able to update you on that.
MS. SINGH: I mean, nothing has changed in our policy, but if that does, I’m happy to — happy to update you.
MS. SINGH: I don’t have an announcement for you on that but we’re in constant contact with what the Ukrainians might need.
MS. SINGH: I would say that nothing has been decided.
MS. SINGH: when and if there’s a time that we provide the Gray Eagle, I’ll certainly be reading that out, and I’m sure you’ll be interested as well.
MS. SINGH: Well, I wouldn’t want to speak on behalf of the Chinese government
MS. SINGH: I’m not — I’m not aware of a meeting like that, no.
MS. SINGH: I wouldn’t really be able to comment on that any further.
MS. SINGH: I don’t — have nothing more to add to that. I would direct you to the Joint Staff for any further information or details on that meeting.
MS. SINGH: Seems like a bit of parsing of words here. Some of these —
MS. SINGH: I don’t have more to read out other than what was already announced and what they discussed there. But I guess I wouldn’t —no — there’s no — I have nothing further to read out in terms of any conversations or talks with Russia,
MS. SINGH: I have nothing more to add to the readout.
MS. SINGH: I would direct you to the UN, I’m not the spokesperson for the UN.
MS. SINGH: I have nothing to read out on conversations that we’ve had with Japan.
MS. SINGH: I haven’t — I don’t have any conversations or calls to read out in terms of the secretary’s engagement.
All right, thank you, everyone. Thanks.
lashonharangue
Thanks Adam. This is OT but kind of in your professional wheelhouse. Did you see this article? https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2022/11/ukraine-irregular-war-changes-are-reshaping-pentagons-info-ops-strategy/380025/
It quoted someone as follows:
Not expecting a response soon but this seemed off to me. Language and area specialists seem much more needed than marketing expertise. Maybe we need a commitment to building that up like we invested in STEM after sputnik.
Gin & Tonic
@lashonharangue:
Quite true. It is obvious that “the West’s” military and intelligence structures fundamentally misunderstood Ukrainians. Looks like they still do. This is the furthest thing from a marketing exercise, it is centuries of subjugation coming to a head.
Gin & Tonic
@Grumpy Old Railroader: In at least one of those cases, that’s a perfectly valid response. The question was about rumored meeting between Ukrainians and Iranians regarding the drones, and went “And do you encourage these kinds — these kind of meetings — these meetings?” Like, WTF? Ukraine and Iran are independent nations, with their own diplomatic corps and their own agency. Why is it up to the US to encourage or discourage two independent nations from pursuing their own objectives?
Adam L Silverman
@lashonharangue: I hadn’t seen it. If what’s being reported is accurate, I’m not sure what they’re working on is an improvement.
Lyrebird
@Grumpy Old Railroader: Well these reporters seem to have more of a clue about doing reporting than the ____holes who were making a fuss about POTUS’ granchild’s wedding. They don’t seem to understand the difference between the DOD and the State Department though. Or how little EITHER of those departments is into giving out clickbait answers
ETA plus what Gin & Tonic said, too. But I admire Ms. Singh’s patient answers. Sorry if I should call her by a different title.
Geminid
@Gin & Tonic: If they met, I wonder what the Ukrainians told the Iranians. Maybe, “Get your trainers out of Ukraine before we kill them all.”
Carlo Graziani
@Gin & Tonic: I can’t remember a single occasion on which I have learned anything useful from these press briefings. I’ve kept reading the transcripts in the hope that some journalist (a) has some sense, and (b) can use it to elicit any kind of previously unknown fact from Mr Senior Defense Official, or Mr Senior Military Official, or Ms. Singh, or whoever’s turn it is to throw meaningless chickenfeed at this pack of cretins to satisfy the ceremonial journalistic rituals of Washington D.C.
It’s a pointless exercise, and pointless to get angry at the entitled stupidity shown by that question, or at any other peculiar type of stupidity exhibited here. There is apparently no incentive to lob any kind of perceptive or interesting question at these affairs. It probably wouldn’t be answered anyway even if someone somehow managed to summon one up.
dr. luba
It’s about time that nest of traitors in the Lavra was sent packing back to Moscow and Mother Russia. Should have been done a long time ago, but they didn’t want to piss off Russia. Well, that’s not an issue any more.
Patron: The pluses of being a dog
1. Everybody loves you and are always petting and holding you in their arms.
2. They feed you all kinds of yummy treats and even cheeeeeese!
3. You can lay and sleep anywhere and whenever you want.
4. It’s easy to meet new people on the street and find new friends.
Martin
@Grumpy Old Railroader: You have thoughts on the possible rail strike?
Martin
Looks like our Club Q shooter has some domestic violence in his past. Guess that domestic violence loophole continues to do its job as intended.
JoyceH
@Martin:
Here’s another one – multiple fatalities in a Virginia Walmart, no details yet.
West of the Rockies
@Martin:
Was that DV against a family member or romantic partner? Hard to suppose the latter, since he looked like a giant nine-year-old.
JoyceH
Judging from some eye-witness vids on Twitter, the Chesapeake VA Walmart shooting was done by a store manager, who started shooting in the break room and then moved out into the grocery area before shooting himself.
Martin
@West of the Rockies: Mom. Looks like a pretty rocky relationship with mom. She’s got some stuff going on as well.
MaryLou
@Gin & Tonic: Um, maybe because we’re in the process of giving one of those nations several billion dollars and the least appearance of ‘lack of appreciation’ will blow up like a grenade in the face of those who support Ukraine.
@West of the Rockies: The DV was against his mother, I believe.
Hangö Kex
Came across to this: https://twitter.com/ColbyBadhwar/status/1595130495012306944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw (via https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/11/22/2137882/-Ukraine-update-Mud-mud-and-more-mud-and-Ukraine-gets-a-new-long-range-weapon)
It seems that the Turks are providing Ukraine with rocket launchers akin to HIMARS only with a 150 km range. If true, if these are any good and provided in quantity (as to the launchers themselves and the rockets for them) this seems like a significant development.
Thanks to Adam, as always. :) The insightful comments and commenters are also highly appreciated. Which reminds me of Carlo mentioning machine translation the other day: if you haven’t already, maybe give a try to https://deepl.com/translate (in my limited use this seems to have been a notch above the others).
Geminid
@Hangö Kex: The Turkiye-Ukraine relationship has a lot of facets, and I wish I knew more about them. One facet is the sharing of military technologies. The Bayraktar drones supplied by Turkiye to Ukraine were a valuable weapon early in the war. They still are; Turkiye apparently has resupplied Ukraine with these drones and their precision guided muntitions.
Ukraine was close to producing its own Baraktars under license when Russia attacked, and one of Russia’s first targets was the drone factory. The two countries had even agreed on a joint project to develop space flight capability.
In early October a Ukrainian delegation led by its first lady and the navy chief visited Istanbul for the launch of the frigate Hetman Ivan Mazepa from a Turkish shipyard. After fitting out the Mazepa is projected to enter active service in 2024; Ukraine’s defense minister has named Sevastopol as the Mazepa’s home port.
Although Turkiye’s population is twice that Ukraine, these neighbors might be said to be peer countries in terms of economic and social development. To my knowledge, they had no major diplomatic or strategic conflicts before the war.
Ukraine could have problems with Turkiye now because of its policy of friendship with both Ukraine and Russia. Almost alone among NATO members, Turkiye has continued trade with Russia at prewar levels, and provided haven to oligarchs and their yachts.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy hasn’t come down hard on Turkiye, though, at least not publically. He is a realist and recognizes how important Turkish support is to Uraine right now, in the grain deal and other matters, and how important Turkiye will be in Ukraine’s future. And, the pragmatic Zelenskyy understands that the stubborn Turkish president will not be moved in the least by public scolding.
Carlo Graziani
@Hangö Kex: Thanks for the translation link, I’ll give it a whirl.
As to the new Turkish missiles, there seems to be some conflicting information. The pubic information on Roketsan’s TRL-230 (manufacturer, Wikipedia) only states a range of 20-70 km. Kos probably picked up a confused/excited tweet without validating the claim.
This looks like a HIMARS M31-equivalent, without GPS guidance, but possibly available more cheaply and in greater quantities, which is probably a very good thing given M-31 supply-chain constraints. It would be nice to be able to hit Dzhankoi, but this munition doesn’t look like the right one.
Bill Arnold
@Carlo Graziani:
Laser-guided, though.
Targets could be painted by drones. Perhaps also by partisans/SOF with equipment, if they’re brave.