Ratcliffe Warns Russia Over 3 Drones Near NATO Hub, Presses Ukraine Peace

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 3

John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow last week to warn Russian counterparts against attacks on NATO territory, urge them to curb support for Iran and press for a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
Three drones were found near Leipzig-Halle airport on the night of Aug. 4-5 — including one with military explosives — after a cargo jet may have hit another, underscoring the risk of civilian casualties at a key Ukraine logistics hub.
The trip also aimed to counter any Kremlin belief that Washington was distracted by the Iran conflict, even as reports of depleted US interceptor stocks could encourage Russia to intensify missile strikes on Ukraine.
The warning comes as the Ukraine and Iran wars increasingly overlap: Ukraine has sent 228 specialists and drones to Gulf states, Russia has aided Iran with battlefield intelligence, and Moscow still relies on Iranian-designed drones.