Russia struck the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv with aerial bombs Wednesday for the first time since 2022, killing at least one civilian and wounding 16 others, local officials said. The airstrikes caused widespread damage, hitting several residential buildings and damaging the city’s institute for emergency surgery. Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine in recent days, launching several missile barrages on the capital Kyiv and hitting energy infrastructure across the country in apparent retaliation for recent Ukrainian aerial attacks on the Russian border region of Belgorod. This comes as Ukrainian troops struggle with a shortage of personnel and ammunition and face growing Russian pressure along the front line that stretches over 620 miles. 

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces shot down 26 out of 28 attack drones launched overnight by Russia, Kyiv’s military said today. The Iranian-made Shahed drones were destroyed over parts of eastern, southern, and southeastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian air force added. Zaporizhzhia region governor Yuriy Malashko said on social media that two women had been wounded when debris struck a residential neighborhood in the regional capital. The air force added that Russia’s overnight attack included several types of missiles, while the military’s southern command reported on Telegram that those launched from planes over the Black Sea had “lost their combat capability.” Odesa region governor Oleh Kiper said Russia carried out a separate missile strike later in the morning, but added that no injuries had been reported. He did not specify the target.

Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin said late Wednesday that Russia has no designs on any NATO country and will not attack Poland, the Baltic states, or the Czech Republic, but warned that, if the west supplies F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, they will be shot down by Russian forces. Speaking to Russian air force pilots, Putin said the U.S.-led military alliance had expanded eastwards towards Russia since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union, but stressed, “We have no aggressive intentions towards these states.” “Of course, if [F-16s] will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located,” he added.

Separately, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss support for Ukraine during talks in Paris next week with French President Emmanuel Macron, the State Department announced Wednesday. “Secretary Blinken will meet with French President Macron to discuss support for Ukraine, efforts to prevent escalation of the conflict in Gaza, and a number of other important issues,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a press briefing. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, arrived in New Delhi today for a two-day visit to boost bilateral ties and cooperation with India, which has remained an ally of Russia’s since the Cold War. India has so far avoided criticizing Russia over the war in Ukraine, but has pushed for diplomacy and offered to contribute to peace efforts. Associated Press, Reuters, The Guardian, Reuters, CNBC, Voice of America

California judge recommends disbarment of pro-Trump attorney John Eastman: A judge in California recommended on Wednesday that the lawyer John Eastman be stripped of his law license, finding he had violated rules of professional ethics by persistently lying in his efforts to help former President Trump overturn the results of the 2020 election. In a 128-page ruling, the judge, Yvette Roland, said that Eastman had willfully misrepresented facts in lawsuits he helped file challenging the election results and acted dishonestly in promoting a “wild theory” that Trump’s vice president, Mike Pence, could unilaterally declare him the victor during a certification proceeding at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. “In sum, Eastman exhibited gross negligence by making false statements about the 2020 election without conducting any meaningful investigation,” Judge Roland found. In addition to disbarment, Judge Roland recommended that Eastman pay $10,000 in fines. Roland’s recommendation will be reviewed by the California Supreme Court, which will ultimately decide whether Eastman can retain his law license. 

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department environmental lawyer whom Trump wanted to take over the Justice Department in the days before the January 6 Capitol riot repeatedly asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a disbarment hearing Wednesday. He also asserted law enforcement privilege, deliberative process, and attorney-client privilege. Much of the hearing before the three-member Board of Responsibility in D.C. focused on a letter that Clark sent to his superiors at the time, Jeffrey Rosen and Richard Donoghue, which indicated that the Justice Department was investigating irregularities in the state’s election and state lawmakers. Clark had suggested that the letter be sent to Georgia to encourage the state to void President Biden’s electoral win. New York Times, NPR, NBC News, CBS News

White House releases first government-wide policy to mitigate AI risks: The White House this morning released its first government-wide policy aimed at mitigating the risks of artificial intelligence , requiring agencies to take further action to report the use of AI and address risks the technology may pose. Federal agencies will be required to designate a chief AI officer, report how they use AI, and add safeguards, according to the White House memo. The memo does not indicate whether the position will be a political appointee or not, and the administration expects that it will vary across agencies, a senior administration official said. Agencies will also be required to create “AI use case inventories” that list each of its AI uses annually, and submit the inventory to the White House Office of Management and Budget, as well as post it for the public. 

Meanwhile, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency on Wednesday published draft rules on how critical-infrastructure companies must report cyberattacks to the government. Officials hope reports from companies in a range of industries will allow them to better spot attack patterns and determine tactics used by cybercriminals and nation-states to help improve defenses. Under the rules, companies that own and operate critical infrastructure would need to report significant cyberattacks within 72 hours and report ransom payments within 24 hours. The Hill, Reuters, Wall Street Journal
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Defense One: Lawmakers Want Answers from Pentagon on AI Developments with Australia, UK

U.S. and UK sanction individuals, companies who fundraised for Hamas: The U.S. and UK said on Wednesday that they jointly sanctioned two individuals — Aozma Sultana and Mustafa Ayash — and three entities for providing financial support to a media network that they said supports Hamas and promotes terrorism. Ayash founded Gaza Now, a media company, and Sultana was the director of al-Qureshi Executives and Aakhirah Limited. All three companies were sanctioned. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Gaza Now began an online fundraising campaign for Hamas after October 7. Al-Qureshi Executives and Aakhirah Limited gave thousands of dollars to Gaza Now and advertised the network as a fundraising partner for Hamas.

Separately announced Wednesday, the U.S. imposed sanctions this week on six people — Yu Pu Ung, Ri Tong Hyok, O In Chun, Han Chol Man, Jong Song Ho, and Jon Yon Gun — and two companies — Russia-based Alis LLC and UAE-based Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate — in China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates that allegedly helped fund North Korea’s weapons program. South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is sanctioning the same individuals and accused them of financing the North’s nuclear and missile program, according to a separate news release. The combined effort reflects Washington and Seoul’s goal of curbing North Korea’s “efforts to generate revenue for its illicit and destabilizing activities,” Brian Nelson, Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in the department’s release. Reuters, Associated Press, Stars and Stripes

U.S. congressional delegation pledges continued defense support for Taiwan: A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation pledged continued support for Taiwan today, days after Congress approved $300 million in military aid for the self-governed island that’s claimed by China. Congress also approved $400 million on Saturday to counter the Chinese government’s influence in the region, as part of its Defense Appropriations Act. The delegation of Representatives Jack Bergman (R-MI), Donald Norcoss (D-NJ), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) sought to reassure Taiwan’s leadership of continued support. “We will continue to assure our colleagues that the strategic relationship is key for the future security of the region,” Bergman said during a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. Associated Press

China’s WuXi AppTec shared U.S. client’s data with Beijing, U.S. intelligence officials told senators: U.S. intelligence officials in late February reportedly told senators working on a biotech security bill that Chinese pharmaceutical firm WuXi AppTec had transferred U.S. intellectual property to Beijing without consent. The classified briefing to about a dozen senators was led by the FBI, the State Department, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Those officials reportedly said that WuXi AppTec, whose services range from conducting research and development to making pharmaceutical raw materials and manufacturing drugs, and other Chinese entities had engaged in activity in the U.S. contrary to U.S. national security interests. Among the agencies’ concerns was information reflected in recent intelligence reporting that WuXi AppTec transferred an unnamed U.S. client’s intellectual property to Chinese authorities without consent. WuXi and China have denied the allegations. Reuters

Guatemala’s president says U.S. should invest more to deter migration: Guatemala’s president, Bernardo Arévalo, came to Washington this week to meet with President Biden and Vice President Harris as the White House hopes to demonstrate progress on addressing border security and immigration, issues that remain top voter concerns. Arévalo welcomed the economic development and security assistance announced by Harris on Monday as a long-term solution to preventing his country’s citizens from leaving and signaled he'd prefer to see that kind of cooperation continue. However, in longer meetings with Harris, Arévalo said he told her that Guatemala needs more U.S. economic investment — not just taxpayer-funded American relief — in order to encourage people to stay put. “Cooperation is not sending money. Cooperation can be by creating conditions in which we can invite you to invest in Guatemala and establish factories, work that can begin to produce and create jobs,” he said. CBS News

Central Asian migrants hit by backlash in Russia following concert hall attack: An increase in beatings, vandalism and episodes of racism against Central Asian migrants has been reported in Russia since the deadly attacks at Moscow's Crocus City Hall last Friday. Four Tajik nationals have been accused of killing 140 people in the attack, claimed by ISIS. Several other suspects have been arrested, all of Central Asian origin. Forecasting a rise in tensions in the aftermath of the Moscow murders, the embassy of Tajikistan in Russia warned its citizens last weekend not to leave their homes unless necessary. Over the weekend, a migrant-owned business was burned down in the city of Blagoveshchensk in Russia’s Far East, while several migrants were beaten up in Kaluga, a city south west of Moscow. Valentina Chupik, a lawyer who works with migrants without charge, told Russian news that she had received 2,500 reports of “acts of aggression” against migrants in the two days following the Moscow attack. BBC, Washington Post

Quran-burning Iraqi man facing expulsion order from Sweden plans to seek asylum in Norway: The Iraqi-man who carried out several Quran burnings in Sweden over the past several years, Salwan Momika, told a newspaper Wednesday that he would seek asylum in neighboring Norway in the wake of a deportation order by authorities in Stockholm. Videos of Momika’s Quran burnings received  criticism from several Muslim nations, leading to riots and unrest in many places. He is currently being investigated by Swedish authorities for incitement against ethnic groups in Sweden. His actions are attributed to the months-long delay in Sweden’s accession to NATO by Turkey. Associated Press

West Bank-Jordan bridge crossing closed following shooting: The King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge linking Jordan and the occupied West Bank was closed today after a masked gunman opened fire on vehicles. The bridge is currently the only official border crossing and the sole exit and entry point for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to travel abroad via land. Meanwhile, three Palestinians were killed — two of them in a drone strike — during an arrest raid in the West Bank city Jenin on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The military said that the two killed in the drone strike were gunmen, and that the third Palestinian killed by Israeli fire during the raid had hurled explosive devices at troops, who responded by opening fire toward the man. The IDF is continuing its operations at al-Shifa Hospital for a tenth day, with the IDF claiming it has killed 200 militants in the operation.

Separately, a series of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed 16 people and a retaliatory barrage of rockets fired by Hezbollah killed one Israeli man on Wednesday. Israel’s strikes targeted members of a Lebanese Sunni political and militant organization, the Islamic Group, which has joined the Shiite militant group Hezbollah against Israel. Two Hezbollah fighters were also killed, as was a local commander with the Amal Movement, another Shiite group. Separately this morning, suspected drone infiltration alarms sounded in several northern Israeli communities following a Hezbollah missile strike against the northern town of Shlomi, according to the IDF. Times of Israel, Al Jazeera, Associated Press

Netanyahu, White House agree to reschedule delegation to discuss Rafah operation: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office agreed to reschedule a planned meeting in Washington with U.S. and Israeli officials to discuss a possible operation in Rafah, the White House confirmed Wednesday, just days after Netanyahu canceled the delegation following the U.S. abstention from the UN ceasefire resolution approved Tuesday . During Wednesday’s briefing, the press secretary declined to say when the administration is hoping to reschedule the meeting, but emphasized it’s an “urgent” priority.  Meanwhile, Netanyahu told members of Congress visiting Jerusalem Wednesday, including Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Lindsay Graham (R-SC), that his military has “no choice” but to plan for a ground offensive into Rafah. The delegation was organized by pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). He also told the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could “just move” out of Rafah and “move with their tents.” Reuters, Washington Post, CNN, Jerusalem Post
Related:
Washington Post: State Department Human Rights Staffer Quits Over Biden’s Gaza Policy

Houthis renew attacks in Red Sea after three-day hiatus: After a three-day hiatus in attacks, the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen began their attacks in the Red Sea again. U.S. Central Command says that naval ships “successfully engaged and destroyed four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.” The UAS were reportedly “aimed at a U.S. warship” in the Red Sea. No injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships. Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel

Niger says U.S. to submit plan to ‘disengage’ troops: Niger on Wednesday said the U.S. will shortly submit a proposal to “disengage” its soldiers from the country, after the regime said last week that it was withdrawing from a 2012 cooperation deal with the United States. Nigerien Interior Minister General Mohamed Toumba met with U.S. ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon on Wednesday to discuss the issue. FitzGibbon reportedly told Toumba that Washington had “taken note of the decision” by Niger to withdraw from the military agreement and would be “coming back with a plan”on the “methods for disengaging” the more than 1,000 U.S. troops based in Niger, according to the Nigerien ministry’s statement. In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller declined to comment on the Nigerien interior ministry’s statement and said the status of U.S. troops remained “broadly” the same for now. The U.S. has been “in touch with the transition authorities to seek clarification” on statements about the troops, Miller told reporters. Agence France Presse

Putin’s spy chief visited North Korea, Russian intelligence service says: Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia’s foreign intelligence service (SVR), visited North Korea this week to deepen bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang and discuss broader regional security, SVR said today. Naryshkin met North Korean minister of state security Ri Chang Dae and “discussed topical issues of the development of the international situation, ensuring regional security, and deepening Russian-North Korean cooperation in the face of attempts to increase pressure from external forces,” SVR said.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday that it was “extremely hard to believe” that ISIS would have had the capacity to launch the attack on a Moscow concert hall last Friday. As many as 95 people are still missing after last week’s attack on Crocus City Hall near Moscow, when gunmen sprayed concertgoers with automatic weapons and set the venue on fire, Russian news reported Wednesday. Zakharova repeated Moscow’s assertions, for which it has not yet provided evidence, that Ukraine was behind the attack. However, Russia was aware that a terrorist attack was being planned weeks before Friday’s attack, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed Wednesday. The Guardian, Reuters, CNBC
Related:
Wall Street Journal: Russian Court Extends WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich’s Detention
New York Times: Why Russia’s Vast Security Services Fell Short on Deadly Attack
New York Times: Russia Amps Up Online Campaign Against Ukraine Before U.S. Elections

China says ‘deeply rooted’ ties with Pakistan unaffected by terror attack: China said Wednesday that it has asked Pakistan to “speed up the hunt” for those behind Tuesday’s terrorist attack that killed five Chinese workers and their local driver. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news conference in Beijing that both countries were working closely to ensure “effective steps” were taken to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel in Pakistan. Lin said that Islamabad “promised to thoroughly investigate the incident, provide timely updates on the progress of the investigation, (and) strengthen security measures for Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions.” No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, though Islamabad suspected that militants linked to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were behind it. Voice of America

Senior Pakistan judges allege intimidation, torture by military-run spy agency: A majority of federal High Court judges in Pakistan have accused the country’s military-run Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency of engaging in intimidation tactics. The allegations in a Tuesday letter to Pakistan’s Supreme Court include abduction, torture, and secret video surveillance within their homes to influence judicial outcomes. It highlighted several instances of attempted coercion and intimidation by ISI officers “to influence the outcome” of cases, including those related to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa convened an emergency meeting Wednesday of all Pakistani Supreme Court judges to discuss the matter. The judges emphasized the need for inquiry into the alleged interference and intimidation tactics, citing personal security concerns and instances of physical harm inflicted upon their relatives. Voice of America, Al Jazeera

Bolsonaro tells Supreme Court he did not seek asylum at Hungarian embassy: Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro told Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes Wednesday that he had no reason to have sought asylum at the Hungarian embassy, after the court summoned him to explain why he stayed at the diplomatic compound for two nights in February. Leaked video and satellite video published Monday showed Bolsonaro entering the embassy on February 12 and leaving on February 14, just four days after his passport had been seized in an investigation into an alleged military coup plot. He told the court he was not afraid of being arrested and stood by the explanation that he spent two nights at the embassy to maintain good political relations with Hungary. Reuters

Concern over rise in requests for UK to share intelligence despite torture risks: The number of requests for UK ministerial approval for intelligence-sharing with overseas authorities where there was a real risk of torture, unlawful killing, or extraordinary rendition more than doubled from 2021-2022, according to a report published by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner on Tuesday. UK government policy is that it “does not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone” any of these activities, but critics say that the ministerial approval system contradicts this statement. According to the report, 95% of the 104 total intelligence-sharing requests in 2022 were approved, 17 of which had a real risk of cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment (CIDT). However, it is unknown whether approval was given in individual cases. The Guardian

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