Medvedev: Russia to Send Nukes to Crimea, Donbas
In comments on social media, deputy chair of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, claimed Russian nuclear weapons are likely to be deployed to Crimea and areas of occupied Ukraine. Medvedev said the protection of territories that joined Russia would be strengthened by the armed forces and such protections would include not only mobilizations but “strategic nuclear weapons and weapons based on new principles.” Medvedev warned NATO provocations would be met with a “hypersonic retaliation” and called on the west to recognize that Russia had “chosen its path” and “there is no turning back.”
Analyst Comments: Russia is attempting to stop efforts to retake Crimea and Donbas ahead of today’s referendums on independence in Luhansk and Donetsk. Russia sees the staging of nuclear weapons as a means to cement their gains and incorporate these areas into the Russian Union State. The best case scenario is that Russia is able to leverage this escalation into a settlement where Ukraine and the West abandon efforts to retake Crimea and Donbas in return for a Russian nuclear withdrawal. The worst case scenario is that Ukrainian and Western officials incentivize Russia’s use of tactical nuclear weapons to defend its territorial gains.
Treasury Continues Its War Against Russia
U.S. officials are targeting Turkey in the ongoing fight against Russian finances. Treasury officials are warning at least five of Turkey’s largest banks connected to Russia’s Mir international payments system that they could be at risk of sanctions evasion violations. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo traveled to Turkey in June to meet with financial institutions on illicit Russian financing. Meanwhile, the Department of the Treasury continues to announce further actions against foreign finance and Russian businessmen attempting to skirt sanctions.
Analyst Comments: Treasury’s warning to Turkish financial institutions is about enforcing sanctions on Russia, but more importantly it’s part of the gray zone war aimed at financially destroying Russia. Treasury wants foreign countries, ostensibly within the U.S. sphere of influence, to disconnect all ties to Russian finance, further isolating Russia.
Putin Declares “Partial Mobilization”
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “partial mobilization” of the country’s reserve forces, citing threats to Russian territorial integrity. “When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people.
by drpropaganda 
