Today’s Headlines and Commentary

Subscribe to receive this newsletter directly to your inbox.

President Biden will meet with NATO allies and other European leaders to unveil a new round of sanctions against Russia in retaliation for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, writes NBC News. According to the Wall Street Journal, the new onslaught of sanctions reportedly will target over 300 members of the Russian State Duma. 

Satellite technology shows Russia removed most of its military aircraft from a strategic airport in Kherson, Ukraine, reports the New York Times. According to officials, the images—released by the space imaging company Planet Labs—indicate that Russian forces withdrew multiple helicopters from the airport. Officials suspect that the removal of aircraft potentially indicates military setbacks faced by Russian forces in southern Ukraine.  Ukrainian forces are reportedly engaged in efforts to retake the territory in the Kherson region. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces seized a humanitarian convoy on its way to assist 100,000 civilians trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol, according to the Washington Post. Civilians in Mariupol are living in worsening, inhuman conditions. Zelenksyy said in a speech, “There are about 100,000 people in the city in inhumane conditions. In a complete blockade. No food, no water, no medicine. Under constant shelling, under constant bombing.” The Ukrainian president said that he and other Ukrainian officials are trying to bring aid and assistance to these people, but “almost all our attempts, unfortunately, are disrupted by the Russian occupiers by [their] shelling or deliberate terror.” Drivers and employees of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service participating in the captured humanitarian convoy were reportedly taken prisoner by Russian forces. 

The FBI issued a warning to the U.S. energy sector about potential Russian cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, reports CBS News. The FBI reportedly detected “abnormal network scanning activity” connected to Russian IP addresses of at least five U.S. energy companies and at least 18 companies linked to sectors such as the defense industrial base, financial services and information technology. Federal law enforcement suspects that the scanning “likely indicates early stages of reconnaissance, scanning networks for vulnerabilities for use in potential future intrusions." According to the FBI, intelligence suggests that the suspicious activity is associated with cyber actors “who previously conducted destructive cyber activity against foreign critical infrastructure."

Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelenskyy plans to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, writes the Wall Street Journal. According to a spokesperson for the Ukrainian president, “Kyiv is hopeful Beijing will play a more prominent role in bringing this war to an end.” China is a key factor in negotiations with Moscow because of its previously established “strategic partnership” with Russia, and Xi Jinping’s potential sway over Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Poland deported 45 Russian citizens suspected of espionage, according to the Washington Post. Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminskui reported that the country expelled 45 Russian spies “pretending to be diplomats.” Those expelled include individuals who worked directly for Russia’s secret services or aided the work of Russian secret services while benefiting from their diplomatic status in Poland. 

Belarus has granted refugee status to a Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendant, reports the NPR. Evan Neumann is currently under federal indictment in the United States for multiple charges of assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. One month after the Capitol attack, Neumann fled to Ukraine and then traveled to Belarus in August 2021. Neumann was given a Belarusian identification document from the country’s department of citizenship and migration office. Belarusian officials claim that the U.S. charges against Neumann for his alleged role in the insurrection are politically motivated. In an interview with Belarusian state-run media, Neumann said of his refugee status that “I am very grateful, and it is bittersweet. So, very happy and very sad at the same time. Belarus is very nice and I feel safe in Belarus, especially compared to my compatriots in America."

Despite its previous pledge, the Taliban announced it will not offer higher education for girls in Afghanistan, writes the Associated Press. Taliban officials reported that the government will not reopen schools to girls above the sixth grade. The Taliban had previously promised to keep girls’ schools open in an attempt to appease the international community’s criticisms of limited women’s rights and opportunities in the country. The decision to close the schools was so unexpected that the country’s Education Ministry was not aware of or prepared to enforce the decision when the announcement came on Wednesday. Some girls in higher grades in Afghanistan showed up to school and upon their arrival were told to return home.  

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Jen Patja Howell shared an episode of the Lawfare Podcast in which Benjamin Wittes sat down with Gen. John Baker to discuss Gen. Baker’s history as the chief defense council at the military commissions, why the process has gotten so bogged down and the promise of the current negotiations.

Weifeng Zhong explained why Washington policymakers should seek to encourage American companies to participate in the standard-setting process for the open radio access network and let the industry find the best solution. 

Email the Roundup Team noteworthy law and security-related articles to include, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for additional commentary on these issues. Sign up to receive Lawfare in your inbox. Check out relevant job openings on our Job Board.