Exodus sparks accusation of 'ethnic cleansing'
Exodus sparks accusation of 'ethnic cleansing'
Residents of Nagorno-Karabakh are fleeing in mass
Armenians Flee Nagorno-Karabakh Amid Fears of Ethnic Cleansing
Ukraine Strikes Black Sea Fleet HQ
The Uncounted Losses of the Russian Air Force
Ukraine Aid Exempted If Gov Shuts Down
US Soldier Returned from North Korean Custody
ISIS Official Captured in Syria Raid
What a Shutdown Means for Defense
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Armenians Flee Nagorno-Karabakh Amid Fears of Ethnic Cleansing
Following the 24 hour military operation launched last week by Azerbaijan into Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian civilians have been leaving the enclave in staggering numbers in what Armenian Prime Minister referred to as ‘ethnic cleansing’. An estimated 65,000 out of a population of 120,000 have already crossed into Armenia and that number is expected to rise as long lines of cars and busses are stacked up at the border.
The death toll from the operation has reached 68 with another 105 still listed as missing. After the Artsakh forces laid down their arms, there was widespread concern that anyone associated with the local government or defense forces would be persecuted by the Azeri government. So far much of that is still unknown. There are rumors that amnesty will be granted but also statements about hunting down war criminals so they can be brought to justice.
The former leader of the region, Ruben Vardanyan was arrested as he attempted to flee into Armenia with Azeri forces saying he had been handed over to other state agencies.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66934776
Ukraine Strikes Black Sea Fleet HQ
On September 22nd, Ukraine carried out a strike against the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea. Reports since the attack are varied with Russia thus far claiming that one servicemember is missing with Ukraine adding that as many as 34 officers were killed including the fleet’s commander Admiral Viktor Sokolov.
Russia stated that the Storm Shadow strike was carried out with the direct intelligence assistance of the United States and United Kingdom. Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman added that the aim of this ‘terrorist attack’ was to distract attention from Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive and to trigger panic in [Russian] society.
This Tuesday, four days after the strike, Russia released a video showing Sokolov in a meeting with defense minister Shoigu designed to show that the admiral was not among those killed in the Sevastopol attack. Ukraine responded by saying they are working to confirm their information from the strike.
Whether or not the admiral was killed in the attack, this appears to have been the most significant Ukrainian strike against a Russian military headquarters so far in this war. There have often been command posts targeted on or near the front, sometimes including senior level staff, but nothing quite to this level. Of course the actual battle damage assessment is still largely unconfirmed and it may take some time to fully understand the impact to the Russian military.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66926400
https://tass.com/politics/1681049
The Uncounted Losses of the Russian Air Force
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