SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Thanks very a lot for becoming a member of us. In the present day’s background briefers will embody [REDACTED] and me, [REDACTED]. For attribution, please seek advice from [REDACTED] as “a senior protection official,” and to me as “a senior army official”.
And with that, I’ll flip it over to the senior protection official for opening remarks, after which we’ll take your questions.
SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Nice, good afternoon. In the present day, we’re persevering with to see widespread and brutal Russian assaults focusing on Ukraine’s crucial infrastructure. Ukraine has been capable of defend towards a few of these assaults, however injury to the electrical grid and water provide are critical issues immediately harming the civilian inhabitants. Air protection capabilities proceed to be a U.S. precedence, and we’re working actively with associate nations to enhance Ukraine’s defenses.
Earlier than I get to questions, I might like to focus on two issues this afternoon. First, I will simply contact on highlights from the division’s most up-to-date safety help bundle launched on Friday, after which I wished to take this chance to explain in a little bit of depth the proactive steps that the Division of Protection is taking to forestall the illicit diversion of U.S.-provided weapons following the discharge of a U.S. authorities plan on this subject final week.
So first, briefly on safety help, on Friday, the division introduced the twenty fourth drawdown of kit from DOD inventories for Ukraine since August of 2021, a bundle of safety help valued at as much as $275 million.
5 capabilities from this bundle: First, extra ammunition for HIMARS, which the Ukrainians proceed to make use of in methods which can be altering the dynamics on the battlefield, disrupting Russian forces behind the entrance strains and creating alternatives for Ukrainian forces to maneuver; second, 500 precision-guided 155-millimeter artillery rounds, which allow Ukraine to counter Russian threats at a distance and with excessive accuracy; third, greater than 1,300 anti-armor methods, capabilities which can be a seamless want for Ukrainian forces to counter Russian armor. Anti-armor capabilities included on this bundle embody the shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon, or SMAWs, and AT4s; after which fourth, 125 Humvees. These are versatile autos that may conduct a number of missions, and at this level, now we have now dedicated a number of hundred Humvees to Ukraine, and so they have an impressive functionality to take care of these autos; after which final, 4 satellite tv for pc communications antennas, which improve Ukraine’s potential to entry various present industrial satellite tv for pc communication capabilities over Europe. These will help companies like broadband entry and supply sturdy communications to Ukraine’s fielded forces.
Now I might like to show consideration to this query of how we’re stopping the diversion of U.S.-provided weapons to Ukraine. As we proceed to supply safety help packages at a gentle charge, I need to emphasize that the division has not seen credible proof of the diversion of U.S.-provided weapons. As an alternative, we see Ukraine’s frontline items successfully using safety help day-after-day on the battlefield. Nonetheless, we’re keenly conscious of the attainable threat of illicit diversion and are proactively taking all out there steps to forestall this from taking place.
Final week, my colleagues on the State Division launched the U.S. plan to counter illicit diversion of sure superior standard weapons in Jap Europe. DOD totally helps this plan, and is taking an energetic position as a key implementer. Guaranteeing accountability of superior weapons donations is a prime precedence, and over the previous a number of months we have taken vital steps to adapt our accountability practices in help.
As a matter of coverage, we conduct a rigorous threat evaluation as a part of our safety help bundle improvement course of, and we think about various components previous to approval. These embody the chance of diversion, whether or not a recipient can adequately safe U.S.-origin materials and if the gear is simply too delicate to switch.
Secretary Austin has repeatedly mentioned DOD’s emphasis on this along with his Ukrainian counterpart, and the Ukrainian authorities has dedicated to appropriately safeguard and account for U.S.-origin protection gear. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have additionally agreed to help U.S. end-use monitoring efforts, and so they have assigned devoted personnel to help these efforts. Although our potential to execute regular monitoring procedures stays impacted by safety circumstances, beneath these circumstances we’re each working with Ukraine to adapt our processes in nation and we’re participating our allies and companions to strengthen exterior controls as properly, and I simply need to contact on these two issues earlier than handing it off once more.
So inside Ukraine, DOD conducts enhanced end-use monitoring alongside 4 strains of effort. First, we make complete data of U.S. weapons donations at our distribution nodes instantly previous to switch to Ukraine.
Second, as soon as in nation, Ukraine logs and tracks Ukraine safety help from the border logistics hubs to the entrance line. Ukraine additionally gives expenditure and injury reviews to seize losses. To help Ukraine’s potential to report within the present fight surroundings, we’re additionally growing new and modern methods to enhance information assortment and administration. Ukraine continues to supply info transparently and overtly.
Third, DOD is conducting hands-on coaching with the Ukrainian Armed Forces on U.S. finest practices to allow them to present higher information, for instance, from websites near the entrance strains that U.S. personnel can’t go to.
After which fourth, to confirm this information, U.S. personnel have not too long ago resumed on-site inspections to evaluate weapon shares in nation at any time when and wherever the safety circumstances enable. The return of our protection attaché and Workplace of Protection Cooperation personnel in nation has allowed us to renew this crucial operate.
After which lastly, exterior to Ukraine, america is working with our allies and key companions to safe borders and construct regulation enforcement capability to forestall illicit diversion throughout the area. DOD continues to focus on the significance of accountability in our international engagements, and we additionally conduct coaching for regional companions.
Secretary Austin made transparency and accountability a key focus on the final Ukraine Protection Contact Group assembly in Brussels on October twelfth. These are all significant steps to adapt our processes for the present fight surroundings. We’ll proceed to work with our colleagues throughout the U.S. authorities and with our worldwide companions to make sure accountability of safety help now and sooner or later. Thanks.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Thanks very a lot, ma’am.
And women and gents, I will simply present a fast overview of the state of affairs on the bottom in Ukraine as senior protection official highlighted, Russia continues to conduct missile strikes towards Ukraine in — Ukraine’s infrastructure to incorporate their energy grid, which has induced widespread energy outages.
Within the Kharkiv area, we assess that Ukrainian forces have liberated some extra villages as they proceed to press towards the east, with heavy preventing and artillery strikes within the neighborhood of Svatove and Kreminna, as — and has — has been the case, Russian forces on this space are targeted on reinforcing their defensive strains.
Close to Bakhmut, no main updates to supply. We do proceed to see heavy preventing as Russian forces try and pursue offensive operations.
In the meantime, within the Kherson area, we proceed to see deliberate and calibrated operations by Ukrainian forces as they press Russian forces alongside the three important axes we have beforehand described. We assess that the Russians on this space proceed to strengthen their defensive strains as properly.
Lastly, we’re monitoring the reviews and Russian statements concerning an alleged assault towards Russian Navy vessels in Sevastopol. We do assess that there have been explosions there however I am not going to have a injury evaluation to share nor am I going to have any additional info to supply by way of what could have induced these explosions.
And with that, we’re pleased to take your questions. We’ll begin with Lita Baldor, AP.
Q: Hello, thanks. One fast observe up on the Protection Official’s feedback after which a second query. You talked about U.S. doing on-site inspections when and the place safety permits. Are you able to develop on that a little bit bit? Are they in a position — is (the DAB ?) and that crew capable of get near the entrance strains? Are you able to do — give us a extra detailed sense of that? After which secondarily, if there’s — you have no extra — I collect out of your feedback you have no extra info on the — on the alleged assaults that Russians are alleging that Ukraine and/or the Brits did. Are you able to inform us your evaluation of ships with the ability to depart or not? Are grain shipments getting out or is there a bigger Russian effort to cease that? Thanks.
SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Thanks. By way of the inspections, I am not going to get into particular particulars on places of the place these inspections have taken place however I’ll let you know that in — in every occasion, our crew from Kyiv, our — from the U.S. embassy has discovered the Ukrainians to be very clear and capable of help inspections as we had been doing previous to the invasion. And by way of the — the query of ships, now we have seen open supply reporting that there — there have been ships with grain which have continued to — to get out however that is — it is a very nascent report and we’re watching it intently.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Thanks, Lita. Okay, let’s go to Howard Altman, Struggle Zone.
Q: Thanks. I’ve acquired a pair questions. One is — is on the grain cargo. There’s been some reviews that the Russians have fired on ships within the grain cargo effort and there — there have been some deaths. Are you able to affirm that? After which I’ve another questions.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Yeah, thanks, Howard. We have — we have seen nothing to point that Russians have been firing at grain ships.
Q: The place — I — on Friday, I talked to the pinnacle of Ukraine’s army intelligence. He mentioned a few issues — quite a lot of issues however one factor he mentioned was that they count on that the Iranian quick vary ballistic missiles will probably be delivered to the Russians subsequent month. Do you concur with that? One other query is you additionally mentioned that the Russians have their finest troops in Kherson Metropolis, able to defend that. Are you able to remark about these two issues? Thanks.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Yeah, thanks, Howard. So on the — on the previous query, once more, we have seen press reviews about alleged Iranian missiles to be despatched to Russia to be used in Ukraine. Once more, I haven’t got any info to supply on that. So far as Kherson, I — I do not know that we have characterised which form of troops Russia is sending the place. Once more, broadly talking, what we see is Russia digging in in that area to defend Kherson Metropolis and — and their outer strains, however once more, that is one thing we’ll proceed to observe intently. Thanks.
All proper, let’s go to Meghann Myers, Army Instances.
Q: What’s the outlook for troop mobilizations — U.S. troop mobilizations in Europe going ahead? The 18th Airborne Corps is again, there’s been some rotations out and in. Is the expectation to maintain it at 100,000 troops total, about 20,000 activated, or is that quantity going to be in flux within the subsequent few months?
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Meghann, so proper now, the intent is to maintain troop ranges on the identical stage as they have been. We have now no bulletins to make by way of any adjustments to that within the close to — close to time period. So thanks.
Okay, let’s go to Tom Bowman, NPR.
Q: Yeah, might you present a little bit extra element on the Russian assaults on the crucial infrastructure — you recognize, proportion of individuals with out energy, how — what number of websites have been hit? Are these principally in Kyiv? And in addition, Nice Britain is planning to supply assist to the Ukrainians to restore their grid. Will the U.S. additionally assist as properly?
SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: So I will — Tom, we’re nonetheless form of gathering info on the newest strikes and I haven’t got something greater than what you are seeing in media reporting concerning the latest strikes. In the case of the query of the facility grid and repairs for — for Ukraine’s crucial infrastructure, I can let you know that that could be a subject that we’re speaking rather a lot about inside the U.S. authorities. After all, the Protection Division is de facto in a supporting position to our civilian businesses, who’ve experience in civilian infrastructure. And so we — we’re contemplating how we’d have the ability to help the Ukrainians as they attempt to get their infrastructure again on-line however I haven’t got any particular bulletins right this moment on that.
Q: Might you characterize it in any means, the crucial infrastructure hits — widespread, in depth?
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: So I — I might say proper now what — what we’re seeing, Tom, is widespread impression on Ukraine’s energy grid. Haven’t got particular percentages to supply however widespread.
Q: Okay, thanks.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Thanks. Okay, let’s go to Will Dunlop, AFP.
Q: Thanks — thanks. I had a — a observe up on the grain shipyard query — or situation. How would — how would the U.S. view or reply to any assault on these ships?
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: So I do not assume we will get into hypotheticals, Will. , clearly, the U.S. authorities has highlighted our help for these shipments and the significance of those shipments. And so we, after all, hope that they are going to proceed, and as has been highlighted, it is our understanding that they’re persevering with. So once more, we’ll proceed to maintain a detailed eye on it. Thanks.
Q: Thanks.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: — go to Heather, USNI.
Q: Nice, thanks a lot. I used to be questioning for those who can say for those who’ve heard something about Russia say that they’re not going to observe the UN deal and permit grain ships to undergo the Black Sea? After which are you able to give us a — an up to date — maritime replace of the Black Sea? Are we seeing any Russian ships now or have they gone again to Sevastopol? What is going on on within the Black Sea proper now?
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Yeah, thanks very a lot, Heather. So your — your final query first. Nothing notably new to supply by way of the Russian naval presence within the Black Sea. Once more, as you’ve got heard us say, we’d assess that they’ve in all probability a couple of half dozen ships in that area. However once more, nothing — nothing particularly to replace you on. By way of the — the grain deal, once more, we’re conscious of these reviews. You’ve got heard us say that the Ukrainian agricultural merchandise are crucial to international meals safety, and we definitely help the Turkey- and U.N.-brokered deal for these exports through the Black Sea, and so would name on Russia to stick to the deal’s phrases. However past that, we haven’t any extra updates to supply.
Okay, let’s go to John Ismay, New York Instances.
Q: Sure, hello. You mentioned that we do assess there have been explosions there in Sebastopol. Are you able to say something about what you assess was the reason for these explosions?
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Yeah, once more, John, we’re not — we’re not going to have any info to supply on that presently.
Q: Okay. You’ll be able to’t say if any U.S.-provided unmanned coastal protection vessels had been concerned?
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Once more, I am not going to do a injury evaluation, nor do I’ve some other info to supply.
Q: Okay, thanks.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Let’s go to Jeff Schogol, Process & Objective.
Q: Let me strive a distinct means of asking this query. Is the Admiral Makarov nonetheless within the Russian fleet, or is it a submarine at this level?
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: So once more, Jeff, we’re not going to supply any form of injury evaluation. As I discussed, we do know that there have been explosions within the — in that space, however we’re not going to have any extra info to supply.
Q: Effectively, are you able to say whether or not the ship was broken, whatever the circumstances, and whether or not it is nonetheless in service within the Russian fleet?
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: I might refer you to the Russian MOD for standing replace on their vessels. Thanks, although.
All proper, let me go to Barb Starr, CNN. Barb, are you there?
Okay, nothing heard. Let me go to Dan Lamont, Washington Publish.
Q: Yeah, thanks. On the infrastructure — in — infrastructure points, except for the facility grid, do you — do you may have any learn on different issues that had been hit, be that water, be that different kinds of standard issues that the Ukrainians would wish? After which — after which on the Admiral Makarov, I — only a respectful clarification right here. We’re typically instructed that we won’t belief the Russians on these points, so once we get referred to the Russian MOD, that turns into a problem for us. Thanks.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Yeah, thanks. Dan, on — on the latter half, understood. I am simply not going to have any info to supply in — by way of a — a injury evaluation. By way of the infrastructure, by advantage of {the electrical} grid being impacted, we’re seeing impacts by way of, you recognize, water provide methods, water therapy, issues like that, which is affecting entry to water among the many civilian inhabitants. So once more, one thing that we’re — we’re preserving a detailed eye on. Thanks.
All proper, let’s go to Idrees, Reuters.
Q: Only for the senior protection official, two fast questions. Very first thing: What number of website inspections have there been in Ukraine for — for — for the weapons? And — and — and secondly, you talked about the U.S. authorities as an entire is the way it can carry a number of the infrastructure again on-line. What position would DOD probably even play in that? Trigger clearly troops would not be stepping into, proper? So what are the, I suppose, breadth of potentialities the U.S. — the DOD might particularly do?
SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Certain. So on the primary one, I am not going to element the specifics of the positioning inspections, by way of numbers, however there have been a number of of those inspections. By way of, you recognize, the DOD position — so our major position is to help the Ukrainian Armed Forces. So after they have requested from us, you recognize, gear that they want to have the ability to help their operations, say, all through the winter, now we have responded. That is why we have supplied, you recognize, chilly climate gear, as an illustration. However there are — there are different gear wants that we’d have the ability to fulfill, ought to they request that. In any other case, our position is to help our civilian company counterparts if they need to request our help as they help the Ukrainians. However proper now, we’re in form of the wants evaluation part and we haven’t any particular requests that we’re to answer.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Let’s go to Mike Glenn, Washington Instances.
Q: Yeah, thanks. That is for both of you who can reply it. I used to be questioning for those who can touch upon these reviews that the Wagner Group or another parts are attempting to recruit U.S.-trained Afghan commandos to combat on their behalf in Ukraine? And if in case you have any concept concerning the variety of related international fighters who’re — who’re working — you recognize, preventing for the Kremlin in Ukraine, if that is a problem? Merely, the Afghan commando query.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIAL: Yeah — yeah, so we have — we have seen these — we have seen the press reporting on that. We have no particular info to supply. We do know that the Wagner Group does attempt to recruit international fighters, however because it pertains to Afghanistan, nothing to — to cross alongside. Thanks.
Okay, let’s go to Joe from Al Arabiya.
Q: Hey, thanks. For Senior Protection Official, you talked about the U.S. working actively with associate nations to enhance Ukraine’s air protection capabilities. Might you elaborate or give any extra element on what the U.S. is searching for allies and companions to supply to Ukraine? And simply the second for both of you — have you ever guys — might you — might you affirm, are there any updates on seeing Iranian army advisors or IRGC personnel coaching Russians on using drones inside Belarus? Thanks.
SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Okay, nice. So on air protection, let me simply put in context your query concerning the allies and companions by simply recalling that up to now, america has already supplied 1,400 Stingers, which is brief vary air protection, and our allies and companions have additionally supplied appreciable numbers of quick vary air protection methods. The U.S. have additionally dedicated eight NASAMS and related munitions, and two of these will probably be in Ukraine within the very close to future, with six extra to be supplied later. We even have dedicated to a set of counter-unmanned aerial methods, together with the VAMPIRE system and different radar methods, since we all know that the — the usthreat can also be a — a critical risk proper now. The U.S. additionally helped help Slovakia’s donation of an S-300 system earlier within the struggle. This was extremely essential to — to guard Ukrainian infrastructure at that cut-off date. And the U.S. additionally sourced many spare components to maintain Ukraine’s Soviet-type air protection — air protection methods up and operating. Extra not too long ago, by way of worldwide companions Germany, has dedicated 4 of the IRIS-T system. And that is been put to exceptionally good use in Ukraine.So we’re, you recognize, encouraging others to — to have a look at offering this method. Spain has responded to the decision to supply the HAWK air protection system. And that is additionally a system that we’re encouraging different international locations to supply. I discussed these NASAMS that the U.S. is offering, properly, various international locations have dedicated munitions for the NASAMS. That is the AMRAAM missile. And we’re nonetheless encouraging different allies and companions to supply extra munitions. And there is a host of donations of Soviet-type air protection methods which can be nonetheless coming on-line. I hope that is useful.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICER: After which, Joe, in your — your latter query about Belarus. So, as you recognize, we did have, you recognize, indications that Iranians had been in Crimea supporting Russian drone operations. However because it pertains to Belarus, I am not at the moment monitoring something like that, not on my finish. Thanks.
Proper. Let’s go to Joe Gould, Protection News. Joe?
SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Do not assume he is there.
SENIOR MILITARY OFFICER: Okay. Then I will strive Barbara Starr one final time. Barbara, are you there?
Okay. Thanks very a lot, everyone. Admire your time right this moment.
