NORAD Commander Concerned By Russian Military Activity
The commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) says Russia's increased military activity is jeopardizing the security of the United States and Canada.
Admiral William Gortney told the Senate Armed Services Committee in a written statement on March 12 that Russia's continued development of long-range, conventionally armed cruise missiles provides Moscow with options for a deterrent "short of the nuclear threshold."
He said the long-range cruise missiles could be launched from submarines, warships, or aircraft.
Gortney added that if current "trends" continue, NORAD will face an "increased risk in our ability to defend" the United States and Canada against Russian cruise-missile threats.
Gortney said the past year has "marked a notable increase in Russian military assertiveness" around the world, with Russian planes flying outside the country's airspace more than in any year since the Cold War ended.
NORAD is a Canadian-American command, based in the state of Colorado, whose mission is to prevent air attacks against North America and to secure its airspace.
Based on reporting by CNN
Lawyer: Treason Case Against Russian Woman Dropped
A lawyer for a Russian woman who faced treason charges after reporting possible troop movements to the Ukrainian Embassy says the case against her has been closed.
Attorney Ivan Pavlov said on Facebook that "the criminal case against Svetlana Davydova has been closed" due to lack of evidence that she committed a crime.
He said that "all treason accusations have been dropped."
Relatives and officials said Davydova telephoned the Ukrainian Embassy in April and told them soldiers based near her home might be being sent to Ukraine, the site of a conflict between government forces and Russian-backed rebels.
Davydova was detained January 21 at the home she shares in the western city Vyazma with her husband and seven children, including an infant daughter.
After a public outcry, she was freed on February 3 but ordered to remain in Vyazma pending further investigation.