pRussia's possession of nuclear arms is response to threats, Lavrov says; rise in Ukraine battlefield casualties brings total close to half a million | The Guardian |

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow's possession of nuclear weapons protects the country from external security threats, while reminding the west of the risks of a nuclear conflict. "The possession of nuclear arms is today the only possible response to some of significant external threats to security of our country," Lavrov said in an interview for state-owned magazine The International Affairs. Lavrov warned the US and Nato allies risk ending up in "a situation of direct armed confrontation of nuclear powers". "We believe such a development should be prevented. That's why we have to remind about the existence of high military and political risks and send sobering signals to our opponents," Lavrov said.

The number of battlefield casualties in Ukraine is approaching nearly 500,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, US officials have told the New York Times, marking a significant rise in the death toll this year after intense fighting in the east of the country. Russia's military casualties are approaching 300,000, the officials claimed, with as many as 120,000 killed in action. Ukraine was said to have close to 70,000 killed and 100,000-120,000 wounded. Fierce fighting near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine have led to significant casualties on both sides, more than doubling the number of dead since November.

Ukrainian forces could fail to retake the Russian-occupied strategic south-eastern city of Melitopol during their counteroffensive, a US official said. Melitopol has been under Russian control since March 2022 and has roads and railways used by its troops to transport supplies to areas they occupy. The US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, was citing an intelligence report, but the prediction is largely in line with Washington's view that Ukraine's counteroffensive is progressing slower than expected. The official added that despite the report and limited progress towards Melitopol, the US believed it was still possible to change the gloomy outlook.

President Barack Obama on foreign policy: "Don't do stupid things."

Than he appoints HRC on State for political purpose to save the Democratic Party and relied heavily on VP Joe Biden to lead on shaping US foreign policy, mirroring neocons on regime change in the Middle East to secure the existence of Israel ... plus doctrine of Brzezinski and Albright to reckon with Soviet Union Russia.. The people suffer and may trigger the end of humanity in the Northern hemisphere.

'Sapere aude'