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Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Neo-Nazi group ‘actively seeking to grow in US' with planned paramilitary training event
An international neo-Nazi terrorist organization is boldly continuing to build in the US and planning a new paramilitary training event without fear of local authorities or the FBI, which once dismantled it in a nationwide effort. The Base, founded in 2018 by a former Pentagon contractor living in Russia and now suspected of Kremlin-sponsored espionage, once boasted close to 50 stateside members before the bureau made more than a dozen arrests in a years-long counter-terrorism operation. But since the presidential election campaign last year and what many then believed to be a surefire victory for Donald Trump, the Base saw an opportunity in a potential administration uninterested in policing white supremacy and went about ramping up its ranks. Related: Energized neo-Nazis feel their moment has come as Trump changes everything Now, the Base has a presence in Ukraine, performing sabotage operations inside the country against the embattled government, and new and dangerous cells emerging across Europe, and it appears to be growing in the US, where the FBI under the Maga acolyte Kash Patel has signalled it isn't prioritizing investigations of far-right extremism. In its early history, part of what first piqued the interest of authorities was the Base's courting of military veterans who could help drill its foot soldiers in a series of training camps across the US. Eventually implicated in an assassination plot, mass shootings and other actions in Europe, the Base went so far as to have a fortified compound and cell in Michigan, led by a US army dropout. Online evidence from its various accounts, several of which live on Russian servers to avoid censorship on American sites, shows the Base has real plans for a national gathering this summer where members intend to train in paramilitary drills as in years past. 'The Base in [the] USA is preparing for an upcoming national training event,' reads one of its recent posts soliciting crypto donations. 'This one might be our most attended training event in [the] USA in a while. We could really use some financial support to help our members with travel expenses.' The post continued: 'When you donate money to the Base, you're investing in a White Defense Force that's aiming to protect white people from political persecution and physical destruction.' The Base then published a new photo of armed members claiming to be in the midwest, which follows a trend in 2025 of the group bragging about its unafraid American presence. As a sort of taunt to its enemies, on the day of Trump's inauguration the Base released a photo of four members somewhere in Appalachia, in what was the largest number of American members in one photo in over a year. Related: Alleged former members of neo-Nazi group claim its leader is Russian spy 'The upcoming national training event indicates that the group is seeking to grow and is willing to take the risk of advertising it publicly in advance,' said Joshua Fisher-Birch, an analyst of far-right terrorism who has been following the Base's movements for close to a decade. 'The Base appears to be actively seeking to grow in the US.' Fisher-Birch notes that even if the gathering involves 'fewer than 20 people', it is by no means 'low profile' and suggests the group sees momentum is on its side. 'An event entails planning, coordination, travel and face-to-face meetings between different regional groups, indicating that they operate in an environment where they view the potential amount of risk as acceptable,' he said. 'The group has previously stated multiple times that being a member or training with them is a risky endeavor; however, planning a meetup, which they will inevitably use for propaganda purposes, is a different approach than even a year ago, when the group advertised regional activities.' In response to queries about the Base's latest movements, the FBI told the Guardian that it only investigates people who have or are planning to commit a federal crime and pose 'a threat to national security'. 'Our focus is not on membership in particular groups but on criminal activity,' said a spokesperson for the FBI. 'Membership in groups is not illegal in and of itself and is protected by the first amendment.' But in Michigan and in Georgia, members of the Base were charged with their criminal associations to the group. The Trump administration's security posture on the far right is to downplay its significance. Yet experts unanimously agree: it is the top domestic terrorism threat facing the country. Instead, Patel, the FBI's director, has gone about removing agents from pursuing the far right, while one of Trump's first actions in his second term was to provide unconditional pardons, en masse, to all of the January 6 insurrectionists. Fisher-Birch also pointed out that the Base had taken itself more seriously and upped its activities in Ukraine to the tune of calling for the murder of government officials and acts of sabotage – with the clearly stated goal of forming a white ethnostate in the west of the country. Already, the Ukrainian cell has uploaded geolocated videos of some of these attacks, one showing the burning of a military vehicle and what looks like a government electrical box. In a video released on a Russian video-sharing site in mid-May, Rinaldo Nazzaro, the founder and leader of the Base, who is living in St Petersburg, released a video describing the importance of new training videos proving to potential recruits that his group is not just online, but in the real world. 'It's propaganda through actions, not just words,' he said. It isn't clear where the paramilitary training will take place, but Nazzaro is known to have purchased land in the Pacific north-west that he intended to use as a headquarters for the Base and its activities.
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ukraine says Russia violating its own 3-day ceasefire, calls it a ‘farce'
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv was notifying the US and European states about Russia's actions. PHOTO: REUTERS Ukraine says Russia violating its own 3-day ceasefire, calls it a 'farce' KYIV - Ukraine's foreign minister said on May 8 Russia had repeatedly violated its own three-day ceasefire hours after it began and called the initiative a 'farce', while Moscow said Kyiv had continued fighting. There was, though, a drop-off in combat activity after the ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin came into force in the early hours of May 8 , with a respite in the drone and missile attacks that had rattled Ukrainian cities earlier this week. 'Predictably, Putin's 'Parade ceasefire' proves to be a farce,' Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X, referring to the truce which coincides with a May 9 parade on Moscow's Red Square to commemorate the end of World War II. 'Russian forces continue to attack across the entire frontline,' Mr Sybiha wrote. 'From midnight to midday, Russia committed 734 ceasefire violations and 63 assault operations, 23 of which are still ongoing.' He said Kyiv was notifying the United States and European states about Russia's actions. The Russian defence ministry, cited by Interfax news agency, said that Ukraine, in turn, had carried out 488 attacks on Russian targets and twice tried to break through the border in the Kursk region. The two sides did not immediately comment on each other's battlefield reports, which Reuters could not independently confirm. Ukraine has not committed to abide by the ceasefire, calling it a ruse by Mr Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Mr Putin says he is committed to achieving peace. A Ukrainian military spokesman said Russia had continued assaults in several areas on the eastern front and prosecutors said two people had been wounded along with the 55-year-old woman killed by bombs fired at the northern Sumy region. Reuters witnesses near the front in eastern Ukraine said on May 8 that they heard around eight rounds of outgoing artillery fire and distant sounds of impacts. In their sector, a small Russian raiding party had tried to advance, but been stopped by Ukrainian drones, they said. Overall, the level of activity was well below normal for that part of the front, they said. No Russian missiles or drones were recorded in Ukraine's airspace as of 8am local time (1pm, Singapore time) after the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in at midnight, the air force said. The Russian ceasefire falls on the 80th anniversary of the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany, for which Mr Putin is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders ahead of a military parade on Red Square on May 9. Ukraine, like the West, marks the anniversary on May 8. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the day by taking a rare walk in central Kyiv to pay his respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a vast mound of Ukrainian flags planted on a grassy verge on the central square. There was no sign of his security detail in the selfie video he filmed as he passed pedestrians on the city's main drag, at one point pausing to say 'hi' as cars tooted their horns and deriding the May 9 planned pomp-filled ceremony in Moscow. 'There will be a parade of cynicism. You simply cannot call it anything else. A parade of bile and lies. As if not dozens of allied states, but Putin personally defeated Nazism,' he said. Ukraine launched successive drone attacks on Moscow this week, which had forced the closure of airports in the Russian capital and the grounding of airliners. Ukraine wants longer, 30-day ceasefire Mr Zelensky said on May 7 that his country stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia to give diplomacy a chance but that Russia had not responded. 'This clearly and obviously demonstrates to everyone who the source of the war is,' he said in his nightly video address. Mr Zelensky's top aide said Ukraine had held online talks with US, French, British and German senior officials and discussed ways to pressure Russia into agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire. He did not say when the talks took place. In his evening remarks, Mr Zelensky appeared to acknowledge the numerous drone attacks that have been targeting Russian sites, including the city of Moscow, as the World War II commemorations approached. 'It is absolutely fair that Russian skies, the skies of the aggressor, are also not calm today, in a mirror-like way,' he said. The US proposed the 30-day ceasefire in March and Ukraine agreed. Russia has said such a measure could only be introduced after mechanisms to enforce and uphold it are put in place. Both countries are under pressure from US President Donald Trump to bring a swift end to the war, the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed surprise at remarks from US envoy Keith Kellogg that Mr Putin may be obstructing a comprehensive ceasefire. 'The only obstacle to the ceasefire is Kyiv, which violates agreements and is unwilling to seriously discuss the terms of a long-term ceasefire,' Ms Zakharova said. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Ukraine cities quiet as Russia-backed ceasefire begins
Ukraine's major cities have enjoyed a quiet night after a three-day ceasefire declared by Russia came into effect after a spate of drone and missile attacks, but prosecutors say a woman had been killed by Russian aerial bombs in the north. A Ukrainian military spokesman said Russia had continued assaults in several areas on the eastern front and prosecutors said two people had been wounded along with the 55-year-old woman killed by bombs fired at the northern Sumy region. Reuters could not independently verify the attacks. No Russian missiles or drones were recorded in Ukraine's airspace on Thursday morning after the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in at midnight, the air force said. The Russian ceasefire falls on the 80th anniversary of the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany, for which Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders for a military parade on Red Square on May 9. Ukraine, like the West, marks the anniversary on May 8. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took a rare walk in central Kyiv to pay his respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a vast mound of Ukrainian flags planted on a grassy verge on the central square. There was no sign of his security detail in the selfie video he filmed as he passed pedestrians on the city's main drag, at one point pausing to say "hi" as cars tooted their horns and deriding Friday's planned pomp-filled ceremony in Moscow. "There will be a parade of cynicism. You simply cannot call it anything else. A parade of bile and lies. As if not dozens of allied states, but Putin personally defeated Nazism," he said. Ukraine has not committed to abide by the ceasefire, calling it a ruse by Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin says he is committed to achieving peace. Ukraine launched successive drone attacks on Moscow this week, which had forced the closure of airports in the Russian capital and the grounding of airliners. Reuters witnesses near the front in eastern Ukraine said on Thursday that they heard about eight rounds of outgoing fire and distant sounds of impacts. In their sector, a small Russian raiding party had tried to advance, but been stopped by Ukrainian drones, they said, but overall, the level of activity was well below normal for that part of the front. Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that his country stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance but that Russia had not responded. Zelenskiy's top aide said Ukraine had held online talks with US, French, British and German senior officials and discussed ways to pressure Russia into agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy appeared to acknowledge the numerous drone attacks that had been targeting Russian sites, including the city of Moscow, as the World War II commemorations approached. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin had said before the Russian ceasefire took effect that 14 Ukrainian drones headed for the capital had been repelled or destroyed. There were no reports from Russia on any Ukrainian attacks on Thursday. The US proposed the 30-day ceasefire in March and Ukraine agreed, but Russia has said such a measure could be introduced only after mechanisms to enforce and uphold it were put in place. Both countries are under pressure from US President Donald Trump to bring a swift end to the war, the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. Ukraine's major cities have enjoyed a quiet night after a three-day ceasefire declared by Russia came into effect after a spate of drone and missile attacks, but prosecutors say a woman had been killed by Russian aerial bombs in the north. A Ukrainian military spokesman said Russia had continued assaults in several areas on the eastern front and prosecutors said two people had been wounded along with the 55-year-old woman killed by bombs fired at the northern Sumy region. Reuters could not independently verify the attacks. No Russian missiles or drones were recorded in Ukraine's airspace on Thursday morning after the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in at midnight, the air force said. The Russian ceasefire falls on the 80th anniversary of the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany, for which Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders for a military parade on Red Square on May 9. Ukraine, like the West, marks the anniversary on May 8. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took a rare walk in central Kyiv to pay his respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a vast mound of Ukrainian flags planted on a grassy verge on the central square. There was no sign of his security detail in the selfie video he filmed as he passed pedestrians on the city's main drag, at one point pausing to say "hi" as cars tooted their horns and deriding Friday's planned pomp-filled ceremony in Moscow. "There will be a parade of cynicism. You simply cannot call it anything else. A parade of bile and lies. As if not dozens of allied states, but Putin personally defeated Nazism," he said. Ukraine has not committed to abide by the ceasefire, calling it a ruse by Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin says he is committed to achieving peace. Ukraine launched successive drone attacks on Moscow this week, which had forced the closure of airports in the Russian capital and the grounding of airliners. Reuters witnesses near the front in eastern Ukraine said on Thursday that they heard about eight rounds of outgoing fire and distant sounds of impacts. In their sector, a small Russian raiding party had tried to advance, but been stopped by Ukrainian drones, they said, but overall, the level of activity was well below normal for that part of the front. Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that his country stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance but that Russia had not responded. Zelenskiy's top aide said Ukraine had held online talks with US, French, British and German senior officials and discussed ways to pressure Russia into agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy appeared to acknowledge the numerous drone attacks that had been targeting Russian sites, including the city of Moscow, as the World War II commemorations approached. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin had said before the Russian ceasefire took effect that 14 Ukrainian drones headed for the capital had been repelled or destroyed. There were no reports from Russia on any Ukrainian attacks on Thursday. The US proposed the 30-day ceasefire in March and Ukraine agreed, but Russia has said such a measure could be introduced only after mechanisms to enforce and uphold it were put in place. Both countries are under pressure from US President Donald Trump to bring a swift end to the war, the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. Ukraine's major cities have enjoyed a quiet night after a three-day ceasefire declared by Russia came into effect after a spate of drone and missile attacks, but prosecutors say a woman had been killed by Russian aerial bombs in the north. A Ukrainian military spokesman said Russia had continued assaults in several areas on the eastern front and prosecutors said two people had been wounded along with the 55-year-old woman killed by bombs fired at the northern Sumy region. Reuters could not independently verify the attacks. No Russian missiles or drones were recorded in Ukraine's airspace on Thursday morning after the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in at midnight, the air force said. The Russian ceasefire falls on the 80th anniversary of the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany, for which Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders for a military parade on Red Square on May 9. Ukraine, like the West, marks the anniversary on May 8. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took a rare walk in central Kyiv to pay his respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a vast mound of Ukrainian flags planted on a grassy verge on the central square. There was no sign of his security detail in the selfie video he filmed as he passed pedestrians on the city's main drag, at one point pausing to say "hi" as cars tooted their horns and deriding Friday's planned pomp-filled ceremony in Moscow. "There will be a parade of cynicism. You simply cannot call it anything else. A parade of bile and lies. As if not dozens of allied states, but Putin personally defeated Nazism," he said. Ukraine has not committed to abide by the ceasefire, calling it a ruse by Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin says he is committed to achieving peace. Ukraine launched successive drone attacks on Moscow this week, which had forced the closure of airports in the Russian capital and the grounding of airliners. Reuters witnesses near the front in eastern Ukraine said on Thursday that they heard about eight rounds of outgoing fire and distant sounds of impacts. In their sector, a small Russian raiding party had tried to advance, but been stopped by Ukrainian drones, they said, but overall, the level of activity was well below normal for that part of the front. Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that his country stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance but that Russia had not responded. Zelenskiy's top aide said Ukraine had held online talks with US, French, British and German senior officials and discussed ways to pressure Russia into agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy appeared to acknowledge the numerous drone attacks that had been targeting Russian sites, including the city of Moscow, as the World War II commemorations approached. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin had said before the Russian ceasefire took effect that 14 Ukrainian drones headed for the capital had been repelled or destroyed. There were no reports from Russia on any Ukrainian attacks on Thursday. The US proposed the 30-day ceasefire in March and Ukraine agreed, but Russia has said such a measure could be introduced only after mechanisms to enforce and uphold it were put in place. Both countries are under pressure from US President Donald Trump to bring a swift end to the war, the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. Ukraine's major cities have enjoyed a quiet night after a three-day ceasefire declared by Russia came into effect after a spate of drone and missile attacks, but prosecutors say a woman had been killed by Russian aerial bombs in the north. A Ukrainian military spokesman said Russia had continued assaults in several areas on the eastern front and prosecutors said two people had been wounded along with the 55-year-old woman killed by bombs fired at the northern Sumy region. Reuters could not independently verify the attacks. No Russian missiles or drones were recorded in Ukraine's airspace on Thursday morning after the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in at midnight, the air force said. The Russian ceasefire falls on the 80th anniversary of the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany, for which Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders for a military parade on Red Square on May 9. Ukraine, like the West, marks the anniversary on May 8. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy took a rare walk in central Kyiv to pay his respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a vast mound of Ukrainian flags planted on a grassy verge on the central square. There was no sign of his security detail in the selfie video he filmed as he passed pedestrians on the city's main drag, at one point pausing to say "hi" as cars tooted their horns and deriding Friday's planned pomp-filled ceremony in Moscow. "There will be a parade of cynicism. You simply cannot call it anything else. A parade of bile and lies. As if not dozens of allied states, but Putin personally defeated Nazism," he said. Ukraine has not committed to abide by the ceasefire, calling it a ruse by Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin says he is committed to achieving peace. Ukraine launched successive drone attacks on Moscow this week, which had forced the closure of airports in the Russian capital and the grounding of airliners. Reuters witnesses near the front in eastern Ukraine said on Thursday that they heard about eight rounds of outgoing fire and distant sounds of impacts. In their sector, a small Russian raiding party had tried to advance, but been stopped by Ukrainian drones, they said, but overall, the level of activity was well below normal for that part of the front. Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that his country stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance but that Russia had not responded. Zelenskiy's top aide said Ukraine had held online talks with US, French, British and German senior officials and discussed ways to pressure Russia into agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy appeared to acknowledge the numerous drone attacks that had been targeting Russian sites, including the city of Moscow, as the World War II commemorations approached. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin had said before the Russian ceasefire took effect that 14 Ukrainian drones headed for the capital had been repelled or destroyed. There were no reports from Russia on any Ukrainian attacks on Thursday. The US proposed the 30-day ceasefire in March and Ukraine agreed, but Russia has said such a measure could be introduced only after mechanisms to enforce and uphold it were put in place. Both countries are under pressure from US President Donald Trump to bring a swift end to the war, the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II.
TimesLIVE
08-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Zelensky and Kyiv residents enjoy rare quiet moment before Moscow's 'parade of cynicism'
Ukraine's major cities enjoyed a quiet night after a three-day ceasefire declared by Russia came into effect on Thursday following a spate of drone and missile attacks, but prosecutors said a woman had been killed by Russian aerial bombs in the north. A Ukrainian military spokesperson said Russia had continued assaults in several areas on the eastern front and prosecutors said two people had been wounded with the 55-year-old woman killed by bombs fired at the northern Sumy region. Reuters could not independently verify the attacks. No Russian missiles or drones were recorded in Ukraine's airspace by 8am local time (5am GMT) after the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in at midnight, the air force said. The Russian ceasefire falls on the 80th anniversary of the World War 2 defeat of Nazi Germany, for which Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders for a military parade on Red Square on May 9. Ukraine, like the West, marks the anniversary on May 8. President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the day by taking a rare walk in central Kyiv to pay his respects to fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a vast mound of Ukrainian flags planted on a grassy verge on the central square.
TimesLIVE
08-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Ukraine's cities quiet as Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicks in
A three-day ceasefire declared by Russia came into effect on Thursday morning with skies over Ukraine's major cities quiet in a change from successive nights of heavy attacks by Russian drones and ballistic missiles. However, a Ukrainian military spokesperson told Reuters Russian troops had continued assaults in several areas on the eastern front. The air force said Russian aircraft had launched guided bombs on the Sumy region of northern Ukraine three times. But the air force also said there had been no Russian missiles or drones in Ukrainian airspace since the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in. There was no word on damage and Reuters could not independently verify the reports of attacks. The Russian ceasefire, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the World War 2 defeat of Nazi Germany, went into effect at midnight Moscow time (9pm GMT). As part of the anniversary events, Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders in Moscow and will review a military parade on Moscow's Red Square on May 9. Ukraine has not committed to abide by the Kremlin's ceasefire, calling it a ruse by Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin says he is committed to achieving peace.
