Russian helicopters downed; Griner loses appeal
Amid repeated accusations between the warring parties that the other one plans to escalate their conflict by using a non-conventional weapon, President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned Russia it would be a “serious mistake” to detonate a nuclear arm.
For the last three days the Russians have been making unsubstantiated accusations that Kyiv intends to launch a so-called dirty bomb, which causes terror by scattering radioactive waste when it explodes. The Ukrainians have responded by saying Moscow is establishing a pretext for using a nuclear weapon in a war it’s losing on the battlefield.
Biden said it’s not clear whether the Kremlin is trying to set the stage for a nuclear attack, but repeated previous warnings from his administration against such a move.
“Let me just say, Russia would be making an incredibly serious mistake if it were to use a tactical nuclear weapon,” Biden said. “I’m not guaranteeing you that it’s a false-flag operation yet — don’t know — but it would be a serious, serious mistake.”
Earlier in the day, Ukraine’s nuclear energy operator said Russian forces were performing secret work at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — the largest of its kind in Europe — raising concerns they might be preparing a radiological attack.
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Other developments:
►Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the U.S.-led West of increasing arms supplies and providing intelligence to the Kyiv regime in an effort to “destroy our centuries-old national statehood.”
►Norway’s domestic security agency says it has detained a man who entered the country as a Brazilian citizen but is suspected of being a Russian spy.
►German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Kyiv for his first visit to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion. He said he wanted to “send a signal of solidarity to Ukrainians.” In April, Ukraine made it clear Steinmeier was not welcome because of his previous support of closer ties with Russia, which he later said was a mistake.
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Progressive Democrats take back request that Biden negotiate end to Russia’s war
Facing swift backlash for their timing and message, 30 progressive House Democrats on Tuesday withdrew the letter they sent President Joe Biden the day before urging him to negotiate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Coming two weeks before the midterm elections and amid Russia’s increasingly desperate attempts to reverse course on the battlefield, the letter appeared to undermine U.S. support for Ukraine, pressing Biden to pursue “a proactive diplomatic push, redoubling efforts to seek a realistic framework for a ceasefire.”
Many fellow Democrats and Ukrainian officials, who have said Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t negotiate in good faith, denounced the letter, prompting the stunning reversal. Biden has maintained that it’s up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to decide the terms of a peace deal with Russia.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, chairwoman of the…
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