It would also boost Ukrainian hopes, while demonstrating the defenders’ local technological capability and exposing an embarrassing weakness in the Russian Navy‘s missile defenses.

Moscow also faces the possible loss of European fossil fuel markets, which provide billions of dollars a month to support its war effort. The European Union has long resisted calls to reduce its energy dependence on Russia, but officials revealed on Thursday that an oil embargo was in preparation and should be adopted in the coming weeks.

This is in addition to a previously announced ban on Russian coal imports. Taken together, these measures are sure to increase fuel and electricity prices in Europe, potentially disrupting the economy and provoking a political backlash.

Ukraine continues to prepare for a Russian offensive in the eastern Donbass region – where Moscow has said it will focus its war efforts after its failure to capture the capital, kyiv – as Russian forces tighten the pocket of resistance in the ruined southern port of Mariupol. The devastation there offered a dire warning of what could happen to other cities in the event of a prolonged Russian siege, prompting a mass exodus of civilians from Donbass.

With its deepening international isolation, the Kremlin reacted ominously to growing indications that Finland and Sweden would join the NATO alliance in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On Thursday, the government warned that such an expansion of NATO would lead to an increased Russian military presence, including nuclear weapons, in the region.

CIA Director William J. Burns on Thursday warned of the possibility that Mr. Putin, facing a debacle in Ukraine, could use a tactical or low-yield nuclear weapon, while stressing that he would not had seen no “practical evidence” that such a move was pending. It was the first time he had publicly discussed a concern that has been the subject of much debate in the White House.

“Given the potential despair of President Putin and the Russian leadership, given the setbacks they have faced so far, militarily, none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to arms tactical nuclear weapons or low-yield nuclear weapons,” Burns said, answering questions after a speech in Atlanta.

Prominent voices in Russian state media have recently made increasingly incendiary statements, calling for more brutality in the battles that have already sparked calls for investigations into war crimes by Russian forces.

Much remained unclear on Russia’s setback in the western Black Sea, where an explosion on Thursday morning – Wednesday evening in the United States – and subsequent fire forced many of the roughly 500 crew of the Moskva to abandon ship. There was no word on the casualties. Ukraine said it hit the ship with two Neptune missiles and sank it.

The Russian Defense Ministry initially said that its sailors had managed to extinguish the fire and that the Moskva, commissioned in 1983, remained afloat. But a few hours later, he said, the ship sank as it was being towed to port in a storm.

Western defense officials said they could not be sure what caused the explosion aboard the 12,000 tonne vessel. Three US officials briefed on the incident said there was every indication he had been hit by missiles. Officials warned that early reports from the battlefield can sometimes change, but expressed deep skepticism about the Russian account of an accidental fire.

Ukraine has stressed the need for coastal defense weapons, and the United States announced this week that it would send more. Pentagon officials said other Russian ships drifted away from the Ukrainian coastline, lending credence to the missile strike claim.

“It’s going to impact their naval capabilities, certainly in the short term,” but the long-term picture is unclear, said Pentagon spokesman John F. Kirby, a former Rear Admiral of the Navy. Marine.

Until now, Russian ships could fire missiles at will against coastal cities. They blocked the southern coast of Ukraine and threatened an amphibious landing in the southwestern region. The presence of an effective Ukrainian anti-ship weapon – Ukraine claims the Neptune has a range of around 190 miles – could alter those calculations, although Ukrainian commercial shipping is unlikely to resume anytime soon.

Current and former US naval commanders have said a successful missile attack would represent Russia’s shocking lack of combat readiness.

“That’s not supposed to happen to a modern warship,” said Admiral James G. Foggo III, former commander of the US Sixth Fleet, whose area of ​​operations includes Europe. “If this was a Neptune missile strike, it indicates complacency and the lack of an effective integrated air and missile defense capability.”

Ukraine has endured most of the suffering of the war that began on February 24, with thousands of casualties, widespread destruction and millions displaced, but the backlash on Russia has also been severe. Moscow’s vaunted military has often looked ill-fated, absorbing unexpected heavy losses of men and equipment, while unprecedented sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies have rattled the Russian economy.

President Vladimir V. Putin acknowledged some of that cost Thursday during a videoconference with senior government officials and oil and gas executives, referring to “the disruption of export logistics” in that industry and to “setbacks in payments for Russian energy exports”.

Fossil fuels are Russia’s main export, an important part of the Russian economy that employs millions and provides the government with much of the revenue needed to sustain its war machines.

Now EU officials and European diplomats say the bloc is moving towards banning oil imports from Russia, a ban that would be phased in over months to allow countries to organize alternative supplies. They said EU leaders won’t make a final decision until after April 24, when France holds its presidential run-off; a rise in fuel prices could hurt President Emmanuel Macron’s prospects and boost his right-wing opponent, Marine Le Pen, who has praised Mr Putin.

The German government, the most influential country in the European Union, has been particularly reluctant to cut Russian fuel, which would be expensive and could lead to shortages. But pressure from allies and growing evidence of Russian atrocities in Ukraine gradually overcame this resistance. Germany has refused to allow the nearly completed $10 billion Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to go into operation, backed a coal ban and now appears to be on board with an oil embargo.

Another unintended consequence for Mr Putin is the change in position of neutral Scandinavian states. By waging a war that he says was aimed at keeping Ukraine out of NATO – a distant prospect at best – he may have succeeded in driving two countries that had been firmly non-aligned for generations into the arms of the covenant.

Dmitry A. Medvedev, a senior Russian security official, said Thursday that if Sweden and Finland joined NATO, there would be “no more talks about a nuclear-free Baltic region.” Moscow would be forced to “seriously build up” its air and ground forces in the region, said Medvedev, a former president and prime minister, and could deploy nuclear-armed warships “remotely” from the coasts of Finland and Sweden .

Vladimir Solovyov, a TV host considered one of the main voices of Kremlin propaganda, said on Wednesday that Russia should destroy all Ukrainian infrastructure, including basic public services.

Russia “must bring these terrorists to their senses in the most cruel way”, he said during his broadcast on the public broadcaster Russia-1. “We have to talk differently with terrorists,” he added. “There should be no illusions that they can win.”

Russia forced independent news outlets to shut down or leave the country, and criminalized the Kremlin’s challenge to the war narrative. Yet Margarita Simonyan, the director of state-run news agency RT, said earlier this week that the government should restrict reporting even further.

No major power can exist “without having information under its control”, she said, adding: “we are all waiting for this”.

Matina Stevis-Gridneff reported from Brussels, and Richard Perez-Pena from New York. The report was provided by Ivan Nechepurenko and Anton Troyanovsky from Istanbul, Michael Schwirtz of London, and Helen Cooper, Eric Schmitt David E. Sanger and Julian E. Barnes from Washington.

US and NATO officials have warned in recent weeks of a new surge in Russian military activity on the easternmost side of the Russian-Ukrainian border. According to the most recent estimates, around 90,000 to 100,000 Russian troops are deployed along the border area. While that number is down from the roughly 150,000 Russian personnel who took part in the spring construction of Moscow, military experts and Western intelligence sources have expressed concern over the “unusual” and “out-of-the-way” nature. cycle ”of recent movements. The real intentions of the Kremlin remain unknown, as Russian President Vladimir Putin likes.

Ukrainian defense officials have warned that a Russian attack will come as early as January, adding that an invasion scenario could include not only the Donbass region but also amphibious landings at Ukrainian Black Sea ports. But it seems Washington has not ruled out that these activities may be part of a larger Russian pressure campaign to obtain political or diplomatic concessions from the West. Still others argue that a Russian invasion is neither imminent nor fictitious, but should rather be viewed as a serious military contingency. “Moscow is so well positioned that they can move with very little warning,” John Herbst, former US Ambassador to Ukraine and senior director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council, Recount NBC News. “They are certainly threatening. And they’re in a position that if they want to, they can do it.

In remarks made at a NATO meeting in Latvia on Wednesday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared to lend credence to the latter theory. “We do not know if President Putin made the decision to invade Ukraine”, noted Blink. “We know he’s building the capacity to do it in the short term, if he so chooses. So, despite the uncertainty over intentions and timing, we must prepare for all eventualities while working to get Russia to turn the tide. Blinken met his counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in Stockholm on Thursday. Blinken has repeatedly expressed the Biden administration’s concerns over “Russia’s plans for further aggression against Ukraine,” adding that Washington has “a firm and unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the United States. ‘Ukraine’. Blinken called on Russia and Ukraine to re-commit to implementing the Minsk Accords, a besieged peace deal that paves the way for the reincorporation of the eastern separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (RPD and RPL) in Ukraine. The Kremlin responded by reiterating its long-standing position that Moscow has no commitments under the Minsk accords and that all negotiations should be conducted only between Kiev and the separatist republics. Lavrov did not appear to directly comment on US concerns about Russia’s military build-up in his public remarks. Blinken dismissed concerns, previously expressed by Kremlin officials, that Ukraine may prepare to launch a major offensive against the separatist republics. “Ukraine is in no way a threat to Russia, nor does it seek a confrontation that would justify Russian military intervention. The only threat is that of a new Russian aggression against Ukraine, ”he said. noted.

The Biden administration says it is ready to impose “high impact” sanctions in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, a claim echoed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. “We have all made it very clear that there would be a high price to pay and that sanctions are one of the options,” Stoltenberg told Reuters earlier this week. These potential sanctions will likely include measures to cut Russia off from the global SWIFT transaction system, a move that some experts say will lead to a short-term blow to the economy of Russia.

Kremlin officials continue to assert that Russian military movements are not based on aggressive intentions and that Russia has the right, in any case, to mix its troops within its borders as it sees fit. “The movement of our military equipment or our army units through the territory of the Russian Federation is exclusively our business,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “Russia has never threatened anyone, is not threatening and does not represent a danger to anyone.”

Nonetheless, Moscow has continued to sharpen its rhetoric vis-à-vis Ukraine since President Joe Biden took office in January. In a long historical essay published this summer, Putin suggested that post-Soviet Ukraine cannot and must not exist outside of Russia’s sphere of influence. Putin and senior Moscow officials have long argued that Ukraine’s NATO membership is a bright red line for Moscow, but the Kremlin’s wording has changed slightly in recent months. “You asked about Ukraine, where are those red lines? Putin said at a recent investment conference. “They are above all in the creation of threats against us which could come from [Ukraine]. “Putin’s emphasis on threats ‘coming from Ukraine’ rather than Ukraine’s foreign policy course, reflects growing fears among Russian officials that Ukraine may choose to unilaterally host the infrastructure NATO military without officially joining the alliance.

“If some kind of strike system appears on the territory of Ukraine, the flight time to Moscow will be 7-10 minutes, and five minutes in the case of a deployed hypersonic weapon,” Putin said, adding : ” What do we have to do ? do in such a scenario? We will then have to create something similar to those who threaten us in this way. “

The Ukrainian crisis will likely be at the forefront of topics discussed by Biden and Putin in an upcoming phone conversation that is would have been expected behind the scenes by Moscow and Washington. According to Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president should pressure Biden on concrete negative guarantees regarding NATO’s eastward expansion and the “deployment of weapons systems that would threaten us. [Russia] in the territories of neighboring countries, including Ukraine.

Mark Episkopos is a national security reporter for the National interest.

Image: Reuters.

Ghost Recon Breakpoint Operation Motherland adds a host of new content to the game. The main draw is Conquest mode, a whole new way to play the game and advance the story of Auroa beyond the end of the operation. Greenstone. There is so much more to find in the game, which is why we’ve put together this guide for all the new weapons, gear, and vehicles you can find on your journey back to the island.

New equipment

There is a plethora of new gear to unlock and collect around Auroa. For some of these items you will need to level up and unlock them, while others can be found around the world as new weapon and vehicle skins can. The following is each new piece of equipment you can get.

• Optical camouflage: Unlocked throughout the story
• Bodark Night Vision Goggles: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Helmet of the future soldier: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Title of conqueror: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Gorka pants: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• 6B43 Vest: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Future Soldier Vest: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Russian anti-terrorism armor vest: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Russian vest Defender 2: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Smersh Molle Chest Rig Vest: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Top of the future soldier: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Gorka 4 jacket: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Figurine Fyodor Archinov: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Katya Maksimov figure: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Kostas Tchertkov figurine: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Vassili Kropotkin figurine: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Future Soldier Scarf Face Mask: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Spetsnaz Balaclava face mask: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Bodark A Gear Patch: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Bodark B badge: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Russian Army Speed ​​Patch A: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• USA Flag 3 Gear Patch: Unlocked by default
• John Kozak glasses – Cross-Com glasses: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Oakley Jawbreaker – Cross-Com Glasses: Unlocked upon reaching level 40
• Auroa Police Equipment Patch: Unlocked upon reaching level 60
• Camelback Ambush Backpack: Unlocked upon reaching level 70
• Camelback Ambush open backpack: Unlocked upon reaching level 70
• 1st battalion, 5th SFG title: Unlocked upon reaching level 99
• Titanium gun paint: Unlocked upon reaching level 99
• Mixed material Ghillie pants: Bought in Maria’s store
• Mixed fabric gillie top: Bought in Maria’s store
• Face Mask of the Future Soldier: Bought in Maria’s store
• Mixed Material Ghillie Hood Facewear: Bought in Maria’s store
• Russian Army Speed ​​Patch B: Bought in Maria’s store
• Russian Army Speed ​​Patch C: Bought in Maria’s store
• Azure Glasses: Bought in Maria’s store
• ACH Goggles – Cross-Com Glasses: Bought in Maria’s store
• Jungle Boots DMS Shoes: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• M88 “Afghanka” pants: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Tropical Combat Pants: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Vest 6B3: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• 6B5 Vest: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Crye AVS – Loaded vest: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Anti-aircraft vest M69: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Combat t-shirt: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Gorka jacket 3: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• M88 “Afghanka” jacket: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Tropical combat jacket: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• M1 Helmet – Covered: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Safariland PROTECH Delta X Helmet: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Safariland PROTECH Delta X – Covered Helmet: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• SH-68 Helmet: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• SnowHawk Overhaul Balaclava Facial mask: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Soviet Syriyka Combat Hat Facewear: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Veshmeshok Backpack: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• BCG Eyeglasses: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Revision SnowHawk Ballistic Goggles Eyeglasses: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Soviet military glasses Eyeglasses: Purchased from the Ghost Coins store
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Insignia Gear Patch: Free from Ubisoft Connect
• Scott Mitchell – Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter Figure: Free from Ubisoft Connect
• John Kozak – Tom Clancy’s Future Ghost Recon Soldier Figure: Free from Ubisoft Connect
• Alicia Diaz – Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® 2 Figure: Free from Ubisoft Connect

New weapons

Most players will be concerned about the new weapons that you can get in the game. They are as follows.

• SR-3M: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• SR-3M Scout: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• SR-3M Tactical: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• VSK-50: Unlocked upon reaching level 40
• A CAR: Unlocked upon reaching level 80
• ACR: Bought in Maria’s store
• ACR Aggression: Bought in Maria’s store
• M110: Bought in Maria’s store
• Shorty ASR Resistance: Bought in Maria’s store
• SR-1: Bought in Maria’s store
• Shorty AK-47: Bought in Maria’s store

New vehicles

Finally, there are new vehicles for you to use while on Auroa in Conquest mode. These are the following.

• Auto: Outcast LC-4 Coercion: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Auto: Russian Incursion IC-8: unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Auto: Russian Shepherd RT-5: unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Auto: Russian LC-4 Coercion: unlocked via Ubisoft Connect
• Auto: Russian Exoshell: Purchased from Maria’s Shop
• Auto: Russian Restricted MC-1: Purchased from Maria’s Shop
• Auto: Russian Shepherd RT-5: Purchased from Maria’s store
• Helicopter: Russian Overseer Gatling Mk. II: Purchased from Maria’s Shop
• Helicopter: Russian Overseer Rockets Mk. II: Purchased from Maria’s Shop
• Helicopter: Russian Overseer Mk. II: Unlocked via Ubisoft Connect
• Helicopter: Russian Opheis Mk. II: Unlocked by completing Conquest mode
• Helicopter: Russian Gyps Mk. II: Unlocked by completing Conquest Mode