| ZELENSKY: 'WE ARE OPERATING WITH A MINIMUM OF WEAPONRY': Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a personal appearance at this morning's meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — his first visit to Germany's Ramstein Air Base — to drive home the point that while promises of rockets, missiles, and air defense systems are welcome, they must be delivered faster to fend off Russia as winter approaches. "We are operating with a minimum of weaponry. Yes, we are grateful, grateful very much for every support package that is provided to Ukraine from you, from your countries, but we need more weapons to drive Russian forces off our land and especially in the Donetsk region," Zelensky chided the representatives from the 50 countries supporting Ukraine, singling out countries that have promised Patriot missile batteries and other air defense systems. "Thank you so much again, but the number of air defense systems that have not yet been delivered is significant. This is what was agreed upon, and this is what has not been fully implemented," Zelensky complained. "The world has enough air defense systems to ensure that Russian terror does not have results, and I urge you to be more active in this work with us on air defense." "We do want to end this war. We want peace. We want to save our people, first of all our country. And it is Putin who doesn't want peace and is obsessed with territorial conquests. He wants our cities, or the ruins that remain of them, and that is why we need strength," Zelensky said. "We need to force Russia to seek peace. We need to make Russian cities and even Russian soldiers think about what they need: peace or Putin? And it is realistic to push them to choose peace … The fighting in the Donetsk region depends on this. If Putin does not have any achievements there, he will not have any achievements anywhere or in anything.'" AUSTIN: 'WE HEAR YOUR URGENCY AND WE SHARE IT': Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was sitting next to Zelensky as he spoke, vowed to "push even harder" to step up support for Ukraine, and described the current battlefield situation "a dynamic moment" in which Ukraine as "continues to seize the initiative" with its seizure of more than 800 square miles of Russian territory in the Kursk region. "On behalf of everyone here, we hear your urgency, and we share it," Austin said. "I'm pleased to say that President Biden will announce today an additional $250 million Security Assistance package for Ukraine. It will surge more capabilities to meet Ukraine's evolving requirements and will deliver them at the speed of war." What was unsaid, however, was the subject Zelensky hinted he would bring up once the news media departed: his long-simmering dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden's refusal to permit Ukraine to use long-range weapons to strike deeper into Russia. In remarks yesterday, Zelensky pointedly singled out the U.S., U.K., Germany, and France for withholding permission. "We lose people every day. It is these four countries that determine our ability to solve these problems." In briefings at the White House and the Pentagon yesterday, the Biden administration indicated it remains unwilling to lift the limits on U.S.-supplied ATACMS long-range rocket systems. "There's been no change in our policy with respect to long-range missile capabilities and where and what and how Ukraine can use those capabilities," said John Kirby, national security communications adviser, to reporters in a conference call. "Our intelligence assesses that 90% of Russian aircraft launching the glide bombs and the firing missiles against Ukraine are at airfields that are 300 kilometers (186 miles) away from Ukrainian-controlled territory. So these airfields now put that out of ATACMS range. So ATACMS would not be able to reach these airfields," said Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon's deputy press secretary. "And even if Ukraine, you know, were to use ATACMS against the very small percentage of the airfields that remain in range, we've seen the Russian military move those airfields back. So again, the impact would be very little and of very little strategic value." A recent analysis by the Institute for the Study of War directly disputes that, arguing there are hundreds of legitimate military targets in Russia within range of Ukraine's US-provided ATACMS missiles, which is illustrated in an interactive map. "The redeployment of Russian aircraft from 16 Russian air bases in range of ATACMS does not reduce the importance of allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS against hundreds of other Russian military objects," the ISW said, noting there are "no fewer than 245 known Russian military and paramilitary objects," that are in range. KURSK: 'WE HAVE TURNED THE TABLES': Despite doubts from some analysts that Ukraine's Kursk offensive has taken troops away from the important eastern from where Russia continues to threaten the city of Pokrovsk, Zelensky said today the counteroffensive thwarted Russia's plans to open a second front and capture the city of Sumy in the north and inflicted heavy casualties on Russian forces. "We have turned the tables and are pushing the war into Russia through our counteroffensive. Today, we control an area of more than 1300 square kilometers (807 square miles) in the Kursk region, and this includes 100 settlements," Zelensky said. "During the first months of our operation in the Kursk region, the Russian forces have lost about 6,000 soldiers killed and wounded in Kursk." "This is the borderland from which Putin was preparing to expand the war into Ukrainian territory. He was preparing to launch a new offensive against our city of Sumy," he said. "Thanks to our actions, there is currently no threat that Russia will launch a new offensive operation on our territory against the city of Sumy, as was the case in May this year when Putin launched [an] assault against our city of Kharkiv." In his first television interview since taking command of Ukraine's military, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi told CNN's Christiane Amanpour that the Kursk offensive had achieved its goal, including relieving pressure on the city of Pokrovsk. "Over the last six days, the enemy hasn't advanced a single meter in the Pokrovsk direction. In other words, our strategy is working," Syrskyi said. "The enemy has concentrated their most trained units in the Pokrovsk area, but we've taken away their ability to maneuver and to deploy their reinforcement forces from other directions." "It turns out that even though they did not take any units from the Pokrovsk direction — well, except for one Marine Brigade — they are now unable to maneuver their reserves as they used to," he said. "This weakening definitely has been felt in other areas. We know the amount of artillery shelling, as well as the intensity of the offensive, has decreased. In fact, the Pokrovsk direction remains the most problematic for us. Whereas the situation has stabilized in other areas. So, I think this strategy was chosen correctly, and it will bring us the desired result." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Good Friday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE ANOTHER SHOE DROPS: A day after revealing a massive Russian disinformation campaign that funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to American conservative influencers to spread Russian propaganda and anti-Ukraine narratives, the Justice Department indicted a Russian-born U.S. citizen and his wife for violating U.S. sanctions by working for a Russian state television network and laundering the proceeds. "Dimitri and Anastasia Simes participated in a scheme to violate U.S. sanctions for the benefit of sanctioned Russian broadcaster Channel One Russia and to launder funds obtained from that scheme," the Justice Department said in a release. Simes and his wife are alleged to have been paid more than $1 million and provided a personal car and driver by the Russian network, which was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. "Dimitri and Anastasia Simes maintain a home in Huntly, Virginia. They remain at large and are believed to be in Russia," the Justice Department said. The charges they face carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count. DOJ CHARGES RUSSIAN COUPLE FOR VIOLATING US SANCTIONS PUTIN'S DUBIOUS ENDORSEMENT: While the Justice Department indictment of the "Doppelganger" project showed it was clearly aimed at boosting the fortunes of third-time presidential candidate Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin would have us believe that Kamala Harris is his preferred candidate because Trump is too tough on him. In a question and answer session following a speech at an economic forum, Putin gave what appeared to be a disingenuous endorsement of Harris. "We had a favorite, Mr. Biden, but he was yanked from the race," Putin said with a half-smirk. "Now that he's not participating in the election campaign, he recommended supporting Kamala Harris. So, that is what we are going to do." "Her laugh is so fascinating. It means that everything is good," Putin said. "Mr. Putin ought to stop talking about our elections period. He shouldn't be favoring anybody one way or another. The only people who should get to determine who the next President of the United States is is the American people," John Kirby, national security communications adviser, said in response. "And we would greatly appreciate it if Mr. Putin would, A, stop talking about our election, and B, stop interfering in it." PUTIN SAYS HE WANTS HARRIS TO WIN 2024 ELECTION WHY PUTIN FAVORS TRUMP: Kremlin watchers say the game Putin is playing couldn't be more obvious. "First and foremost, they would like to have Donald Trump back in office because Donald Trump has said that he will end the war with Ukraine that Russia launched overnight," Evelyn Farkas, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, said on CNN. "And most people understand that to mean that Ukraine will have to capitulate." "Donald Trump has been a friend of Vladimir Putin's, if you will. He's always said nice things about him. So that is something that the Kremlin wants. They favor him as a candidate," Farkas said. "The other part of it, of course, is that regardless of the Donald Trump part of the equation, they also want to continue to erode support for Ukraine. Russia believes that this is a war of attrition that they can win if they keep fighting because they have more men, they have more material, they have more money, that they can just basically run down the Ukrainians and essentially also get us to back away from the Ukrainians," she said. "And if the American public, if members of Congress start to buy into this narrative that they shouldn't support Ukraine, then the Russians have also succeeded." OPINION: DECODING VLADIMIR PUTIN'S US ELECTION MIND GAMES THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: DOJ charges Russian couple for violating US sanctions Washington Examiner: McMaster would not serve in second Trump presidency but open to advise from 'outside' Washington Examiner: Putin says he wants Harris to win 2024 election Washington Examiner: Opinion: Decoding Vladimir Putin's US election mind games Washington Examiner: Judge Chutkan grants Jack Smith's request to jumpstart Jan. 6 case with immunity arguments Washington Examiner: What to know about right-wing influencers unwittingly targeted by Russians Washington Examiner: Editorial: China's New York spy is a wake-up call Washington Examiner: DOJ charges Russian couple for violating US sanctions Washington Examiner: Opinion: Decoding Vladimir Putin's US election mind games Bloomberg: Deep Strikes Into Russia Have Limited Value, Pentagon Says New York Times: Top Target Is Ukraine's East And Foe's Incursion Failed, Putin Says Wall Street Journal: Training Is In The Spotlight After F-16 Crash In Ukraine Reuters: U.S. And China Commanders To Discuss Conflict Prevention ‘In Next Few Weeks’ Stars and Stripes: First Submarine Fully Integrated For Coed Crews To Join Navy Fleet Next Week AP: The Navy secretary broke the law by voicing his views on Trump and Biden, a watchdog says AP: The real story of January 6 is found in mountains of shocking evidence AP: Physician sentenced to 9 months in prison for punching police officer during Capitol riot National Defense Journal: Russia's T-80 Tanks Are Getting 'Smoked' In Ukraine War DefenseScoop: New DOD Supercomputer Designed to Thwart Chem and Bio Threats Inside Defense: F-35 Program Breaches the $2 Trillion Cost Threshold in New Report to Congress Breaking Defense: Wittman: No 'Reservations' About Loyal Wingman CCA Drones' Affordability The War Zone: World's Only Privately Owned F-16 Aggressors Get Infrared Search and Track Pods National Defense Journal: The U.S. Air Force's F-15C Fighter Will Never Be Forgotten Air & Space Forces Magazine: SDA Tests Laser Comms Between Satellites—But Faces Hurdles Before Next Launch Breaking Defense: Ensured SATCOM, GPS Alternatives Tops Among Space Force Budget Wishes Air & Space Forces Magazine: USAF Going 'Line by Line' to Slash Sentinel's Rocketing Costs Defense One: Air Force Merges ICBM Program Management Offices Colorado Springs Gazette: Air Force Academy Freshman Dies on Campus Colorado Springs Gazette: Full Cadet Wing Attendance No Longer Required for Air Force Football Games, Marking the End of a Tradition Militarycom: Space Force Sweaters? Dress Uniform Development Marches on with Plans for a Pullover Air & Space Forces Magazine: 7,500 Hours: Longest Flying A-10 Pilot Ever Retires After 37-Year Career THE CALENDAR: FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 6 10:15 a.m. Ramstein Air Base, Germany — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. hold a news conference following a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group https://www.defense.gov/News/Live-Events 5 p.m. Orange, California — House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific "Global Ties, Local Impact: Why Taiwan Matters for California," with Lanhee Chen, American Public Policy Studies, Hoover Institution: Danny Chen, founder, Green Maple Law Group: and Harry Lin, founder, Harry C. Lin, CPA A Professional Corporation https://www.youtube.com/live MONDAY | SEPTEMBER 9 9:15 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies Defending Democratic Institutions Project virtual discussion: "The Cyber Safety Review Board: Reflecting on the Past and Charting the Future," with Robert Silvers, undersecretary for policy, Department of Homeland Security https://www.csis.org/events/cyber-safety-review-board-reflecting-past-charting-future 4:30 p.m. House Triangle — Press conference on Rollout of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Afghanistan Report, with Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 10 10 a.m. 2141 Rayburn — House Judiciary Committee hearing: “The Biden-Harris Border Crisis: Victim Perspectives" http://judiciary.house.gov 2 p.m. 2141 Rayburn — House Judiciary Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee hearing: “The Biden-Harris Border Crisis: Noncitizen Voting” http://judiciary.house.gov WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 11 9:30 a.m. 1310 Longworth — House Administration Committee hearing: “American Confidence in Elections: Looking Ahead to the 2024 General Election,” with testimony from Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D); Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd (R); Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D); and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose ® https://cha.house.gov/ 10 a.m. 2172 Rayburn — House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing: “Great Power Competition in Africa,” with testimony from John Bass, acting undersecretary of state for political affairs http://foreignaffairs.house.gov 11 a.m. — Brookings Foreign Policy Initiative on Nonstate Armed Actors virtual discussion: "Afghanistan under the Taliban: Power dynamics, regional relations, and U.S. policy," with Tamim Asey, senior fellow, King's College London; Tricia Bacon, associate professor, Department of Justice, Law and Criminology, American University; Orzala Nemat, founder and director, Development Research Group LTD; Ron Neumann, president, American Academy of Diplomacy; and Vanda Felbab-Brown, senior fellow and director, Initiative on Nonstate Armed Actors, Brookings https://connect.brookings.edu/register-to-watch 2 p.m. 2172 Rayburn — House Foreign Affairs Europe Subcommittee hearing: “Countering Malign PRC Influence in Europe,” with testimony from Ivana Karaskova, China analyst and China team lead at the Association for International Affairs; Dalibor Rohac, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; and Peter Rough, senior fellow and director of the Hudson Institute’s Center on Europe and Eurasia http://foreignaffairs.house.gov THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 12 10:30 a.m. 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW — Henry Stimson Center in-person and virtual "Ground Forces and Great Powers: A Conversation with U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth," with Brian Finlay, president and CEO, Stimson Center https://stimsoncenter.zoom.us/webinar/register THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 19 10 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW— Center for Strategic and International Studies International Security Program and the U.S. Naval Institute for a Maritime Security Dialogue in-peron and virtual discussion: "America's Warfighting Navy," with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti; Seth Jones, CSIS senior vice president and ISP director; and retired Navy Capt. Bill Hamblet, editor-in-chief, Proceedings, U.S. Naval Institute https://www.csis.org/events/americas-warfighting-navy 1 p.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing: “Oversight of Extremism Policies in the Army" http://www.armedservices.house.gov | | | | "Over the last six days, the enemy hasn't advanced a single meter in the Pokrovsk direction. In other words, our strategy is working. The enemy has concentrated their most trained units in the Pokrovsk area, but we've taken away their ability to maneuver and to deploy their reinforcement forces from other directions." | | Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukrainian forces |
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