Unexpected Communication Between U.S. and Russian Defense Officials Amid Ukraine Conflict

Unexpected Communication Between U.S. and Russian Defense Officials

Earlier this month, a rather unusual request reached Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III from an unexpected source: his Russian counterpart. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Austin had engaged in dialogue with Russia’s defense minister on only five prior occasions, typically at the Pentagon’s initiative. These conversations were often aimed at preventing miscalculations that could escalate the ongoing conflict.

In fact, just a few weeks prior, on June 25, Austin had proactively reached out to Russia’s newly appointed defense minister, Andrei Belousov. This outreach was part of a broader effort to maintain open lines of communication, according to Pentagon officials. This call marked the first direct conversation between Austin and Belousov since the latter, an economist by training, assumed his position in May, replacing Sergei K. Shoigu, who had been the long-standing defense minister.

On July 12, however, it was Belousov who initiated contact, delivering a warning that caught U.S. officials off guard. According to two U.S. officials and an additional source briefed on the matter, Belousov claimed that Russian intelligence had uncovered a covert operation being planned by Ukraine, one they believed had the tacit approval of the United States. He inquired whether the Pentagon was aware of this alleged plot and its potential to escalate tensions between Moscow and Washington.

Pentagon officials were taken aback by this accusation and confirmed they had no knowledge of any such operation. Nonetheless, the seriousness of Belousov’s claims prompted U.S. officials to reach out to their Ukrainian counterparts with a clear message: if there were any intentions of pursuing such actions, they should be abandoned.

Despite Ukraine’s significant reliance on U.S. military, intelligence, and diplomatic support, there have been instances where Ukrainian officials have not fully disclosed their military strategies to American allies, particularly regarding operations targeting Russian assets behind enemy lines. These clandestine activities have raised concerns among U.S. officials, who argue that such operations have not substantially changed the battlefield dynamics for Ukraine. Instead, they have the potential to alienate European allies and risk broadening the scope of the conflict.