Crimea: Onlookers watch huge explosion

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The US may bring in more troops from America to bolster the Baltic region against any possible threat from Russia, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said. Speaking at a press conference with Latvia’s Defence Minister Artis Pabriks, he said the US would conduct more military exercises with Baltic nations such as Latvia, and look to provide increased training. In the first visit to Latvia by a US defence secretary in nearly three decades, he added plans to do continuous rotations of forces into the Baltics will likely use troops from US brigades in Romania and other parts of Europe, but “we can also bring in forces from the United States.” The announcement comes as Putin reels from explosions at a Russian airbase in occupied Crimea. The explosions were reportedly caused by a Ukrainian Special Forces unit who have been making the Russians’ lives hell in Crimea. The Russian Federation denies the explosions came as a result of Ukrainian attacks.

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Russia ‘highly unlikely’ to be capable of fulfilling some export orders

Russia is unlikely to be able to fulfill some export orders for armoured fighting vehicles due to the “exceptional demand” for vehicles for Russia’s own forces in Ukraine and increasing Western sanctions, the Ministry of Defence said.

The latest intelligence briefing explained: “Russia is highly unlikely to be capable of fulfilling some export orders for armoured fighting vehicles because of the exceptional demand for vehicles for Russia’s own forces in Ukraine, and the increasing effect of Western sanctions.

“Belarus has recently released details of a new domestically upgraded T-72B main battle tank (MBT). Belarus probably developed this alternative solution in place of an MBT modification programme previously contracted to Russian state-owned company UralVagonZavod.

“Russia has long considered the defence industry to be one of its most important export successes.

“However, its military-industrial capacity is now under significant strain, and the credibility of many of its weapon systems has been undermined by their association with Russian forces’ poor performance in the Ukraine war.”

Good morning

Good morning from London. I’m Tara Fair, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.

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Twitter: @TaraFair_

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