DefenceTalkThe United States has begun a new military exercise with Estonia amid no indication of a Russian troop pullback from its border with Ukraine. Pentagon Spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren announced today that Exercise Spring Storm began earlier this week. At the same time, he said there has been no change in the Russian posture […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-announces-more-exercises-with-east-european-allies-partners-59545/

DefenceTalkUS officials voiced concern Thursday at the sale of French warships to Moscow as they mulled tougher sanctions on Russia for the political upheaval triggered by the Ukraine crisis. “We have regularly and consistently expressed our concerns about this sale even before we had the latest Russian actions and we will continue to do so,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-concerned-at-sale-of-french-warships-to-russia-59534/

DefenceTalkA US warship arrived on Thursday in Georgia’s port of Batumi, the US embassy said, sending a message of support to NATO allies amid the spiraling crisis in neighboring Ukraine. The USS Taylor’s “presence in Georgia reaffirms the United States’ commitment to strengthening ties with NATO allies and partners like Georgia, while working toward mutual […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-warship-arrives-in-georgia-amid-ukraine-crisis-59532/

DefenceTalkRussia plans to reinforce its Black Sea Fleet based in Crimea, which it annexed from Ukraine in March, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday. “This year, the Black Sea fleet will receive (new) submarines and new-generation ships,” Shoigu said in televised comments, without giving details of numbers. New air defense units will also be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-reinforce-crimea-fleet-minister-59507/

DefenceTalkNATO’s troop build-up in Eastern Europe amid tensions with Russia over Ukraine could become permanent, the military alliance’s top general said Tuesday. NATO countries drew down their defense budgets following the end of the Cold War, as they started to look upon Russia as a partner, US General Philip Breedlove said. But Russia’s “annexation of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eastern-europe-troop-surge-could-become-permanent-general-59504/

DefenceTalkBlood flowing from a bullet wound, the grey-haired man lies in the middle of the roadblock waving weakly for help as shots ring out nearby and thick black smoke from burning tires curls into the sky. “I’ve called an ambulance. They have to come, they have to come,” a man screams, ducking for cover behind […]https://www.defencetalk.com/blood-and-gunfire-in-ukraine-army-attack-on-rebel-checkpoint-59497/

DefenceTalkRussia is trying to test NATO’s mettle and members of the transatlantic alliance must bolster military spending in the face of Moscow’s challenge, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Friday. The 28 members of NATO have responded to Russia’s intervention in Ukraine with “resolve,” Hagel said, “but over the long term, we should expect Russia […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-must-invest-in-defense-to-counter-russia-us-59492/

DefenceTalkFour Danish F-16 warplanes landed in Estonia on Wednesday, marking the first time NATO planes will be stationed in the ex-Soviet state and Russian neighbor. The aircraft and a supporting team of 60 people arrived at the Amari air base in the west of the Baltic state at a time when NATO is reinforcing its […]https://www.defencetalk.com/danish-nato-warplanes-land-in-estonia-amid-ukraine-crisis-59472/

DefenceTalkUkraine’s armed forces are on “full combat alert” against a possible Russian invasion, Kiev said Wednesday, as authorities admitted they were “helpless” to prevent pro-Kremlin insurgents tightening their grip on the increasingly chaotic east of the country. Rebels stormed the regional police building and town hall in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, local officials […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-on-combat-alert-as-rebels-gain-ground-59470/

DefenceTalkFighter jets from Poland, the United Kingdom and Denmark take over NATO air policing duties over the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on Thursday (1 May 2014) as part of enhanced collective defence measures agreed to by Allies earlier this month. French fighter aircraft arrived in Poland on Monday (28 April 2014) to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/allies-enhance-nato-air-policing-duties-in-baltics-states-poland-romania-59450/