DefenceTalkUkraine’s acting defense minister described the combat readiness of the country’s armed forces as “unsatisfactory” in his report to the acting president, a source familiar with the report told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. Ukrainian media reported over the weekend that convoys of armored vehicles and military trucks had been seen in western Ukraine. The reports […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-defense-chiefs-report-paints-bleak-picture-of-armed-forces-59042/

DefenceTalkMore U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons will deploy to Poland in the coming days and weeks, a Pentagon official said here today. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak spoke yesterday, and Siemoiniak thanked the secretary for looking at options for basing, said Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman. “No decision [have […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-will-beef-up-air-operations-in-poland-58981/

DefenceTalkRussia is considering halting foreign inspections of its strategic weapons arsenal, including nuclear-capable missiles, in response to “threats” from the West over the Ukraine crisis, the defence ministry said Saturday. “The unfounded threats towards Russia from the United States and NATO over its policy on Ukraine are seen by us as an unfriendly gesture that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-warns-could-halt-foreign-arms-checks-58964/

DefenceTalkA US guided-missile destroyer is en route to the Black Sea but naval officials said Thursday it was a “routine” deployment that was planned before the crisis unfolded in Ukraine. The USS Truxtun departed the Greek port of Souda Bay Thursday to carry out joint training with Romanian and Bulgarian forces, the US Navy said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-destroyer-en-route-to-black-sea-for-routine-drills-58956/

DefenceTalkThe United States will bolster military cooperation with Poland and Baltic states to show solidarity with its allies after Russia’s intervention in Ukraine, Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel said Wednesday. The mostly symbolic steps to expand aviation training in Poland and step up the US role in NATO’s air patrols over Baltic countries were clearly designed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-expands-military-support-to-poland-baltic-states-58952/

DefenceTalkChina, which consistently says it opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs, is looking to “maintain principles” on Ukraine, it said Monday after Russia insisted the two were in broad agreement. Moscow has appeared keen to stress that it has a major international ally on its military intervention in Ukraine, and Beijing frequently backs its […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-backs-principles-on-ukraine-as-russia-claims-agreement-58917/

DefenceTalkAs Russian President Vladimir Putin moves to extend Russia’s military presence in eastern Ukraine and the Crimean Peninsula amid civil unrest in the region, more than 3,500 Russian naval infantry and coastal forces from the Western and Central Military Districts took part in unscheduled tactical exercises Monday in the Russian Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad. Captain […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-navy-conducts-training-exercises-58907/

DefenceTalkThe United States on Monday suspended all military engagements with Russia because of the crisis in Ukraine, including military exercises and port visits, as part of Washington’s response to Moscow’s seizure of Crimea. The announcement from the Pentagon came hours after President Barack Obama warned the U.S. government will look at a series of economic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-halts-military-engagements-with-russia-over-ukraine-crisis-58904/

DefenceTalkRussia denies reports that it issued an ultimatum to Ukrainian armed forces in Crimea, according to the Interfax news agency which cites an official from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry described information about the ultimatum as ‘total nonsense’. The Russian Black Sea fleet based in Crimea denied on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/reports-of-ukraine-ultimatum-total-nonsense-russian-defense-ministry-58911/

DefenceTalkUkraine warned Sunday it was on the brink of disaster and called up military reservists after Russia’s threat to invade its Western-leaning neighbor risked sparking the worst crisis since the Cold War. US President Barack Obama and his Western allies took turns admonishing Russia as Ukraine looked on the brink of losing control of Crimea […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-mobilizes-army-as-west-warns-russia-58902/