Day 414 ~ US Leaks Criticise The UN
Jack Teixeira named as the 21 year old US Air Force National Guard as the source of the leaks
The news of the leaked documents have been key, leading to an arrest, but the damage has been done.
Day 414 (13 April)
The handling of the leaks continues, and the latest is that US intelligence criticised Antonio Guterres the UN Secretary General as appeasing the Russians in order to get the Black Sea Grain Initiative sealed. That was apparent to the entire world and the US is simply stating what many saw as weak UN leadership in order to obtain grain to feed the third world countries. The leaked documents indicate that the US had concerns about Guterres and where his actions might undermine the sanctions put in place against Russia and were, ‘undermining the broader efforts to hold Moscow accountable for its actions in Ukraine.’ It also suggests that he was ‘dismayed’ when von der Leyen from the EU sought to produce more weapons and ammunition. The suggestion is that Guterres would do anything to stop the war and that he didn’t accept that the war would continue.
The original source of the leaks came from someone who worked on a military base in the US. Bellingcat ran the original story that was followed up by the Washington Post. The leak is someone with the codename OG and the leaks were spread on Discord, a social media platform popular with gamers. Discord have stated they are assisting with the investigation into the leaks.
Another leak claims that Serbia has sent aid to Ukraine, which Serbia have denied as they still have Russian ties. The problem is that Serbia wishes to join the EU and by not agreeing to sanctions against Russia it doesn’t help their application as a candidate country.
John Kirby speaking for the White House National Security has confirmed that the US and Latvia had sent special forces personnel to Ukraine, but has added they have not taken part in any active hostilities. Therefore, some of the information from the leaks has been accurate.
A former Wagner mercenary (Andrei Medvedev) who defected to Norway has identified who the people were on the video that allegedly executed a Ukrainian solider. He recognised two of the voices and they call signs, which could lead to verification of the video and another war crime to be prosecuted.
Russian forces are reinforcing areas in Donetsk. Hrafske, a village in the region has additional checkpoints and only registered people can enter for fear of leaks about the location of the units.
The US is to sanction a Hungarian bank that is linked to Russia. International Investment Ban (IIB) is Russian controlled but based in Budapest.
The presence of this opaque Kremlin platform (IIB) in the heart of Hungary threatens the security and sovereignty of the Hungarian people, the European neighbours and NATO allies.
(David Pressman, US Ambassador to Budapest.)
Reports claim that there was a close miss last year in the Black Sea when a Russian pilot misinterpreted a message from a radar operator to fire on a British aircraft. The Russian thought he had permission to fire but the missile had locked and did not launch properly. That could have officially started WW III, and was far more serious than originally reported. This information came from the leaked documents again.
Throughout the day, the identity of the source of the leaks has been hinted at and finally an arrest has been made. Jack Teixeira, a 21 year old US Air Force National Guard with the 102nd Intelligence Wing in Massachusetts was arrested this afternoon suspected of leaking sensitive intelligence documents.
People will ask why a 21 year old has access to such information and how was he able to take it home, as he took photos of the documents in his mother’s house which forensics have matched with what was shared online with the background in the house
.
The Arbitration Tribunal at the Permanent Court in The Hague has ordered Russia to compensate Naftogaz $5 billion in damages for loss of assets due to the illegal annexation of Crimea. Although this is a good outcome, enforcing it and getting Russia to pay is another matter.
The Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva appears to be picking sides by supporting Iranian warships and who has suggested Ukraine give up Crimea for the sake of peace. Probably not such a good ally or one that you can trust, especially as he is on a state visit to China to broker trade deals.
Germany has given Poland permission to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. However, Germany is considering sending jets, but requires permission from Berlin. Other countries have said they cannot send jets as they don’t have any spare. The tank coalition has taken months to get where it is, and the fighter jets look as if they will take equally as long.
Norway has expelled 15 Russian diplomats who they have said were acting as intelligence spies for Russia.
An explosion has occurred in the troubled Zaporizhzia nuclear power plant, but this time the Russians admitted their mine was responsible. The incident happened near the engine room of the fourth reactor, and this is really dangerous, yet what have the IAEA done as observers? They need to prevent such incidents in the first place and their presence seems to have little effect.
The EU has adopted a €1 billion under the European Peace Facility to allow members who have provided ammunition to Ukraine to replenish their stocks and be reimbursed.