BACK STORY With DANA LEWIS Dana Lewis

This week who are these Russian Nationalists who attacked Russian territories from Ukraine?

They have promised more attacks and the overthrow of President Putin and they appear to have backing from  Ukrainian Authorities.

Host Dana Lewis  talks to a member of the Freedom of Russia Legion, Ilya Ponomarev who says they were indeed armed by Ukraine and received clearance to attack Russia.

And an expert on far right movements in and out of Russia, Lucas Webber who is the co-founder of Militant Wire.com discusses the threat these groups pose to Russia.

On this Back Story former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton on Russia and China, and the war in Ukraine.

And, Author of Flying In The Face of Fear, fighter pilot Kim 'Killer Chick' Campbell, on lessons learned about life and leadership from the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt over Iraq.

On this Back Story Dana Lewis speaks to UK (Ret) Rear Admiral John Gower, who says Russia is increasing the nuclear threat level as President Putin pledged to move tactical nuclear weapons to neighbouring Belarus.

Gower also speaks about why nuclear submarines for Australia are needed, but cautions about why arming those SSNs with cruise missiles,  if indeed the U.S. proceeds with rearming it's cruise missile arsenal with nuclear warheads raises risks.

And in Kyiv, Valeriia Kolomiiets, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine for European Integration says the Wagner Group fighting for Russia, is in her view committing war crimes. She discussed the many war crimes being investigated by a European tribunal, and the Int. Criminal Court in the Hague.
 

Did Russia just mortgage the Kremlin to China?

At a 2 day summit in Moscow, Chinese leader Xi and Russian President Putin spoke of their close friendship.

Russia isolated by international sanctions because of it's bloody invasion of Ukraine, now counts on China to buy it's oil and gas and possibly provide lethal military aid.

On this Back Story Host Dana Lewis talks to U.S. Ambassador Douglas Lute, on attempts by China and Russia to upend the World order.

And Security and Russia expert Debra Cagan on Russia's nuclear threat, and how she likens China to the mafia, and the price of protecting Russia.

On this Back Story Tuft's Univ. Michael Beckley predicts China is going to take the step of providing lethal aid to Russia in it's war in Ukraine. That's despite dire warnings form Western Nations including America. 

And Kyiv Post reporter Jason Smart on the information war between Ukraine and Russia, and why opinions matter in sustaining the war effort. 

On this Back Story the Wagner Group, meddling in Africa, fighting in Ukraine, who are they? Guns for hire, unleashed by the Kremlin.   We talk to Soufan Center expert Colin Clarke. 

And from Kyiv, Life Line Charity's Paul Niland on the war in Ukraine.