Maybe I was slightly overenthusiastic last week and with hindsight I should held back the brief by a day, but the crystal ball didn’t function correctly that day. After much anticipated media talk about when the Russian fleet off Syria would go into action, it finally got deadly serious on the 15th Nov. I am not going to dwell much on the bigger picture of what this means for the Russian Navy, but just add to what has already been mentioned in the last 2 naval Sitreps.
Naval Briefing 01 November 9th, 2016
Naval Briefing 02 November 14th, 2016
After a 28-day hiatus, Russian air and naval forces finally launched air strikes, targeting terrorists’ weapons production facilities, especially those that produced toxic substances, in Idleb, Homs and Aleppo regions. Russian Defence Minister Shoigu said “It’s clear that it’s a well-organized industrial production, that’s why we carry out strikes [on terrorist plants].” In the week prior to the airstrikes, several poison gas attacks had been made by the “moderate rebels” during their offensive in Aleppo. The fact that these worrisome attacks had to be dealt is beyond question.
This is a historic first for the Kuznetsov: never before has a Russian (or even a Soviet for that matter), carrier group gone into combat. Short video on the strikes and the Kuznetsov’s role & defences: (Note the NATO Lynx helicopter & ship in the distance at the end!)
Some of so called Western pundits have now switched tactics and say that Russia fails again with the Kuznetsov, by saying it is more pointless posturing and lies over the Syrian campaign. Yet they still managed to go into overdrive over the “last bombed hospital in Aleppo” soundbite.
First Phase
To recap the main news reports from the 15th November operation:
- Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Admiral Grigorovich, (& maybe a sub too).
- P-800 Oniks missiles were fired from Bastion coastal defence units based near Baniyas in Syria.
- Top cover, (combat air patrols) by carrier-based Su-33’s (from Kuznetsov). Maybe also some naval Su-33s with ordnance based temporarily at Hmeymim.
There have been no reports whatsoever of Kuznetsov using its Granit missiles in the operation. It may be possible that they aren’t even on the ship in the first place but this is speculation at this stage. One thing is for sure is that NATO’s feathers are even more ruffled than before; since Russia has ably demonstrated the capabilities of the P-800 Oniks supersonic anti-ship missiles at inland targets in Syria. No word out on the deployment of the KA-52s, but arguably they ought to be active somewhere. They had earlier in the year got compact active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar from the Russian company KRET, in readiness for the Syria deployment.
Essentially, there is now a two-way protection envelope over Syria, first being the fleet, themselves protected by the Bastion-P missile system; second is the S-400 & S-300 systems deployed in Syria that also covers the sea area (2).
Su-33s
It is reported that there are 10 Su-33s (1) and only 3 MiG-29s onboard the Kuznetsov, so the fixed wing air wing is very small compared to a US aircraft carrier and hence the air firepower available is fairly limited & hence the overall impact, compared to the aircraft based at Hmeymim. Judging by the video footage of the take-offs, the Kuznetsov’s planes participated in the strikes, but not in a bombing capacity. Although there were video images taken on-board the Kuznetsov that showed a Su-33 with a FAB-500M load on deck, but none actually taking-off. So it cannot be confirmed whether the carried-based Su-33s have used their new targeting computer, the SVP 24, ‘Gefest’, (2) in ‘anger’. This system enables them to “deliver conventional ordnance with accuracy approaching guided munitions.”
Advance apologies to dumb MSM journalists, but I guess that trying to take out terrorists with the majority of carrier-based planes carrying AAMs just isn’t going to work in practice however desperate.
Air-to-air is order of the day for Kuznetsov Su-33s. 2 x R-27R, 2 x R-73. Note also wingtip ECM pods.
Air-to-air is order of the day for Kuznetsov Su-33s. 2 x R-27R, 2 x R-73. Note also wingtip ECM pods. pic.twitter.com/mJSXlXSLCH
— CombatAir (@CombatAir) November 15, 2016
The second phase
On the 17th Nov, after a pause due to bad weather, another joint operation striking at IS & AN positions was undertaken with:
- Su-33s from the Kuznetsov,
- Hmeymim based Su-30 fighters airbase providing air cover,
- Russian air force long-range bombers Tupolev-160,
- & at least two Tupolev-95M (another first-ever)
The Tupolev-95M launched the latest X-101 cruise missiles over the Mediterranean, making a ‘interesting’ 6000 km detour round Western Europe to do so.
The next day
Once again, the US/NATO duo once again took a peek at the Russian Navy at work. Following the Russian air strikes, intelligence-gathering & reconnaissance aircraft were duly despatched to the area. One was an USN P-8 on the 15th and the day before it was the turn of the French, DAMO E-2, from the Charles de Gaulle carrier. Unsurprisingly for the naval & air watchers, a number of sorties were made by US Navy P8 planes not just over the eastern Med but also the Black Sea.
As seen in the RT report on-board the Kuznetsov, a Danish helicopter, (Lynx) and warship, (L16 – HMDS Absalon), part of NATO’s SNMG 2, could be seen in close proximity of the carrier. I can’t recall a time when a NATO ship has done this before, especially when a non-NATO warship is in action on combat operations. The Danish warship isn’t exactly escorting the carrier through NATO waters, per protocol, (as was the case for example with the Royal Navy when the Kuznetsov transited the Channel). But now I have discovered what “conducting Maritime Situational Awareness for NATO”, roughly translates into “watching the Russian Navy”. This conveniently ties into one of the “Operation Sea Guardian” mission roles, (ref: 2nd Naval Brief).
In other news – USC shipyard and overhauls
The modernisation of the Slava class missile cruiser ‘Marshal Ustinov’, at the state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) ‘Zvezdochka’ shipyard, has finished and will go back home to Severomorsk.
Missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov is setting off for the permanent base at the #NorthernFleet pic.twitter.com/wO5nU7mSiV
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) November 18, 2016
USC head, Alexei Rakhmanov, said in a recent interview that a total of 12 ships are expected to be supplied to the Russian Navy by the end of this year. USC also reported that the planned Kuznetsov modernisation refit is expected to be moved back to 2018. Yet the tendering process for the contract hasn’t been issued by the Russian MOD. However nothing is certain, but it might mean a longer period operational for the Kuznetsov, most likely in the eastern Med.
Originally scheduled for the start of 2017, the work on the Kuznetsov will apparently concentrate on the “carrier’s flight deck, including replacement of the deck covering, tailhooks, aircraft arresting gear and other elements of the take-off system,” In other words, improving the air wing capability as a whole.
The planned 3-year refit is also designed to upgrade the condition of Kuznetsov, while the “top brass” considers plans for a future carrier design. Personally I share the same opinion as The Saker in his article on the Kuznetsov. Ideally, the Kuznetsov would a full modernisation program, would need new boilers fitted, removal of the Granit missile silos and replaced with lighter/smaller silos and the installation of high-tech radio/radar equipment. It is not beyond the scope of USC to accomplish an extensive overhaul, given that they gained, (albeit painfully), experience on the comprehensive conversation of the Indian carrier, ‘Vikramaditya’.
United Shipbuilding Corporation has revealed detailed of the Admiral Kuznetsov modernization
It has been reported that as part of its extensive upgrade, the mothballed Kirov class missile cruiser ‘Admiral Nakhimov’ will have vertical launch starters (VLS) for cruise missiles including Kalibrs, Oniks, the new Tsirkon, as well a naval variant of the Pantsyr-M. That’s what I call serious firepower capacity.
The latest ship scheduled for a refit sometime in 2018, is the Pyotr Veliky, after the Nakhimov is completed. (Source: www.navyrecognition.com)
Elsewhere in the Med
Following on what was reported in last week’s on NATO’s Op Sea Guardian, an exercise is currently taking place in the eastern Med, from the Turkish port of Aksaz. “Mavi Balina” 16 is an annual multinational major anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise, hosted by Turkey & involving NATO’s SNMG2. The participants will conduct “advanced ASW and testing experimental tactics”.
The list includes ships from: Canada, (HMCS Charlottetown?), Spain, Bulgaria, (Verni), Romania, (Contraamiral Horia Macellariu), the US, (USS Carney) and Pakistan (PNS Alamgir)! There are observers from USA, Bahrain, Algeria, Georgia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Romania & Saudi Arabia.
Tartus port expansion
As mentioned in the first SITREP Naval Brief, preparatory work on the Tartus naval base expansion is gathering pace quite quickly. Currently, heading for Tartus are the MB-31 and SPK-46150 .
The latter is a seagoing self-propelled floating crane, (Project 02690), used for heavy lifting work and offshore construction and MB 31 is towing it. Likewise, the 2 recently delivered Interceptor boats could be part of the port security. Serious resources & equipment are being provided, from hydrographic surveying, port patrol boats and now the specialist offshore equipment. However, very little information is known about upgrading the land facilities though.
Tartus had served since 1977 as a base for the 5th Operational Squadron (ru:5-я Средиземноморская эскадра кораблей ВМФ) which operated in the Mediterranean Sea, back in the Soviet days The planned agreement for the base is for 49 years and will be one of its kind. It will certainly give the Russian Navy a vital foothold to counter NATO domination in the Med, but only if the critical ancillary naval services needed are also made available. My personal opinion is that once the Russian dockyard expansion work is finished, submarines will find a base there, (and maybe even temporarily the Kuznetsov as well).
Video on the role of the fast boats delivered to Tartus:
Back at Sea
This week, the Baltic Fleet’s Ropucha class landing ship ‘Korolev’, has passed the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean, supposedly on deployment to the Black Sea but quite possibly to Syria, as part of the naval military transport shuttle, “The Syrian Express”.
The Dutch Navy had its PR revenge of sorts on the Russian Navy, following the incident with the Dutch submarine & Kuznetsov group. The Dutch warship HNLMS ‘De Ruyter’ published a photo showing the ‘Mirazh’, (Nanuchka class), being towed by the tug ‘Prof. Muru’ (SB 35) from Tartus to the Black Sea. The Mirazh sailed to Syria from the Black Sea Fleet in the 1st week of October but has just been seen going northbound through the Bosporus under its own power, after a 44-day deployment.
Breakdowns do invariably happen, as both the US & UK navy know too well themselves but undoubtedly there will be some armchair internet experts pundits gloating over this, so here is a gentle reminder for the record:
Follow-up (to previous briefs)
The Pacific Fleet ships, the Admiral Tributs and the Bystriy, that left Vladivostok on 17 Oct, have now returned home.
One of the Kuznetsov’s group oiler, the Sergey Osipov, docked for a short while in Limassol, Cyprus, the sailors hopefully had a well earnt shore-leave and discover the delights of ouzo. Also rumoured to be in Limassol is the Vice-Admiral Kulakov but this not confirmed. Watch the internet for sore Avaaz fans complaining about the Cypriots supporting the Russian Navy.
The Yantar is now docked in Bandar Abbas, according to Iran media. On route, it seemed to follow the main submarine cable running down the Gulf. (Unconfirmed rumour has it that the USNS Mary Sears is also in the area, probably playing the naval equivalent of tag).
Looking at the Chinese horizon, here is some follow-up information on the combat-readiness of the Liaoning aircraft carrier.
On a tangent – a sailor’s life
Bonus, thanks has to go to the hard-working ‘matros’ who did a splendid flight-deck paint-job of the Kuznetsov, (as can be seen in the satellite image), the flight deck looks nice in the media videos. (Join the navy, the Rodina needs you to go to Syria but first here’s a paint brush….), (I can also see why the chaplain on-board complained about the amount of swearing!!!)
And then – there is this absolutely hilarious and ludicrous title from a ‘gutter-press’ UK tabloid , if it relates to Russia, then apply really bad words such “aggressive”. In this case it is “horrific” – “ordeal“.
God knows what the Daily Star hacks would make of the RN or merchant navy training courses. I certainly found such courses to be demanding but not horrific, just part and parcel being a mariner. Maybe the Royal Navy could invite those so called UK journalists on an acquaint on the ‘Havoc’, similar to this video:
Meanwhile a glimpse into the Russian Navy damage control & fire-fighting training:
С экипажами #КФл проведены учения по борьбе за живучесть корабля на учебно-тренировочных комплексах https://t.co/w2oiDGtM95 pic.twitter.com/CZoSto6PeY
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) November 10, 2016
Thank you for your time,
LeDahu
Considering what is left in Aleppo is 7km long and 4 km wide, I cannot comprehend why the creeping artillery barrage is not in use yet. Russian has a great experience in using the artillery.
Relaying most on air power and cruise missiles looks like more a show than Go.
With some experience in artillery, using 4 gun 152mm batteries in 4 lines can cover 100m x 100m area, and giving 5 quick round per gun per minute can deliver a barrage of 80 artillery shells 46 kg each that is more devastating than a cruise missile. Using light drones as spotter can control all the area 24/7 with ability to deliver strikes anywhere in minutes.
US Army used this tactic in Vietnam.
The US army killed a lot of people in Vietnam but in the end they turned and run for home.
My guess is there is a fair number of civilians in east Aleppo that want to get out but cannot. When Russian AF bombed east Allepo after the end of the ceasefire they seemed to be mainly using bunker buster – ground penetrating bombs to destroy jihadists underground workings. Since that time it seems to have been left to infantry.
“I cannot comprehend why the creeping artillery barrage is not in use yet.”
This is ‘What People Cannot Understand’ About Situation in Aleppo
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201611221047709640-aleppo-terrorists-situation/
Comprendo?
152 mm guns are more accurate than Cluster bombs that Russia is using in Aleppo.
C’mon, Russian are killing a lot of people in Syria too.
RT accidently shows cluster bombs that Russia “does not” use in Syria, and Russia uses cluster bombs in Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP8VOliyPc8
It is not quite ‘people’ that Russia is exterminating in Syria but mercenary head-choppers from 68 different countries. They deserve far worse than barrel bombs.
As for ‘collateral damage’. No one cares less about collateral damage than the USA. They invented the term to cover up their serially and globally-committed warcrimes.
Or did you actually buy the US bullshit about ‘smart bombs’ and ‘precision’ bombing?
@ vot tak,
Spanish lesson.
Comprende? : Do you understand?
Comprendo? : Do I understand?
Regards,
Carmel by the Sea
Civilians. The Russians do not employ American tactics.
152 mm guns are more accurate than Cluster bombs that Russia is using in Aleppo.
C’mon, Russian are killing a lot of people in Syria too.
RT accidently shows cluster bombs that Russia “does not” use in Syria, and Russia uses cluster bombs in Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP8VOliyPc8
Nice try, shlomo. Also, posting the same troll twice doesn’t produce twice the effect. :D
Any serious military can level what’s left of Aleppo in a week. Russia will not do that because they are sincerely interested in getting the “moderate rebels” without killing 250,000 Syrian civilians.
What you’re proposing is called “war crime”.
Marvelously complete SitRep. The totality of the brief can easily be seen as Russia setting its foundation in Syria and the eastern Mediterranean for a very long haul throughout the 21st Century.
This is not a major navy, but it is acting as it will be over the next ten years and beyond. Considering the limitations of location of its Northern Fleet, the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Sea Fleet, with only the Far East Fleet relatively free to sail wherever in the Asia Pacific region, for Russia to commit to the Mediterranean these assets and investments, is a calculation with broad geopolitical intentions.
Fortunately, Turkey is under some significant flux from which Russia benefits.
That has compromised NATO in many ways.
The Syrian war is now significantly under the field marshaling of Russian MOD. Whenever it ends, it will be a great and significant Russian victory. The Syrian people will decide how that history is written. There is copious evidence already that the Syrians are joyous that Russians have come to rescue them and their nation.
This naval basing and off-shore operations add to the stunning impact of Russian air power and devastating missile technology.
Six months ago, such a naval mission would seem a drastic overreach. Today, it seems to fit perfectly in scale and precision the military reserve force to crush ISIS and AQ. That it stuns NATO and the US observers is even better, whipped cream topping on delicious ice cream.
This is more than military influence. Russian gas and oil interests are crucial economic components for the region. Egypt and Syria have asked for Russian participation in their natural resource development. The economic payoff will continue for decades. So, these naval assets are stakeholders for the Russian treasury.
Finally, psychology is altered for the West. They can see that even with a small “fleet” working offshore Syria, Russia has changed the blue water region just as its S400 and S300 missile systems changed the air space over Syria.
What flavour ice cream? Rum or chocolate?
Seriously, thank you for this in depth comment. I did say ” I am not going to dwell much on the bigger picture of what this means for the Russian Navy.” So essentially you’ve ticked that box for me. I echo your comments, but the only concern I have is of a practical nature: by how much will the expansion include. The base will need an effective shore support infrastructure. Also The Russian Navy is hamstrung by their logistical chain, notably the commercial ships that are in a poor condition. It is working, nevertheless the ad hoc set up.
NATO is in a flap over this and is trying to play cool, that I will mention in a future brief perhaps.
It is a game changer.
Yours aye
LD
China has thousands of unused ships for transport. Trade recession has left them with all sizes and types. Russia could lease whatever they need as the Chinese bring them around to supply Syria in weapons, material, medicines and food. Take them to Russia and then return to Syria. Then the Chinese take them back to Asia.
What Russia lacks, China has. And vice versa.
All this show cannot impress NATO. Russia is not able to make a dent on NATO, unless they go Nuclear. The proud of Russia is gone once and forever, since they sold out “Наша Великая Родина” on 1990.
You’re so wrong, I don’t know where to start. Silence interrupted by the sound of crickets is probably the best response to your misinformed opinion.
Thanks LeDahu for the sitrep.
With NATO ships and aircraft so close to the Russians, as shown in the video, it raises a question about why the Russians went after the dutch sub which was 20km away.
About the daly star nonsense, I suspect what the pampered public skool bois at the rag, given the usual predilections of this crowd, found so horrific was the lack of buggery in the video. :D
Yes.. I wasn’t going to mention that :-) but you forgot the rum and the lash as well (old même about the U.K. RN of old).
In the brief I mentioned the rumour about USNS Mary Sears in the Gulf. Well AIS today shows this:
Position Received: 2 min ago (2016-11-22 17:40 UTC)
Vessel’s Local Time: 2016-11-22 20:40 (UTC +3)
Area: AG – Persian Gulf
So rumour is CONFIRMED.
Good sit-rep. Thanks!
Remark that any understanding of navies must involve the geopolitical, geographical, and geo-economic arena. In the example of the Ru Navy there is a natural tendancy to compare it to the US Navy. This view is worthless. The navy of Ru has an entirely different purpose.
Purpose? Yes. The function of the Ru navy is to assist land and air/space forces critical operations necessary to the euro-asian space.
The function of the US navy follows Mackinder… That’s the function of preventing euro-asiatic economic integration. This since about 1900…
Different purposes, different functions, different structures, different weapons, different strategies, and different ship…not to mention different men. Really different.
There are not many websites where one can learn something new every day.
The Saker is one. But your post stands out for conviction, clarity and instruction.
Thank you.
When Trump pulls support from the so called FSA, Putin should allow the US to have non-combatant, emergency/SAR medics based out if Tartus. It would drive Turkey completely bonkers.
$4.4 Billion USS Zumwalt Destroyer Towed From Panama Canal After Breakdown
https://sputniknews.com/military/201611221047730510-zumwalt-towed-after-engineering-issues/
“While passing through the lower half of the Panama Canal on Monday evening, a new Zumwalt-class destroyer broke down and had to be taken under tow to a berth, according to the US Third Navy Fleet in San Diego.”
The littorial pork barrels and the latest usn carrier have also been suffering from breakdowns and design/construction faults. Perhaps the usn should start contracting with Chinese ship builders…?
If I remember correctly, that tub has broken down 3 times already, and to fix the problem they have fired the commander. Must be the car dealer’s logic – care broke down, blame the driver. Duh.
And don’t forget the $14 billion aircraft carrier Ford. After all that money it’s still plagued with problems, one of them being electric launch and recovery system for aircraft. Without those, it’s just a big cruise ship.
By the way, this sort of thing has always made me wonder “what is wrong with these people?” Discarding old, proven, reliable technology and replacing it with new, expensive, unproven one… Probably the only way to justify their huge price tags to senate commitees. It actually amounts to sabotage and treason, but what do I know?
Great sitrep — thank you!
Totally OT, but perhaps(?) a knowledgeable person here could help me ID a popular Russian movie that includes this scene:
“a man gets off a plane, drives to his neighbourhood, his street, his building, and turns the key to the front door of his apartment, only to discover later that he’s in the wrong city.”
Anybody know the title? I’m very curious…
only to discover later that he’s in the wrong city.
The main character got drunk, his friend put him on a plan and sent him from Moscow to Leningrad instead of another friend.
This movie is called The Irony of Fate
You can watch it here
http://sovietmoviesonline.com/en/comedy/137-ironiya-sudby-ili-s-legkim-parom.html
A great story about love at first sight.
This is great — thank you!
For now NATO is eliminating one by one the Russian Private Military Contractors, and Russian military personnel, but soon this would change.
Ghost soldiers: the Russians secretly dying for the Kremlin in Syria
On Feb. 3, 38-year-old Maxim Kolganov was killed in a firefight with rebels near Aleppo when a bullet pierced his body armor and heart.
It is clear he was spotted with powerful optical devices, able to identify his face (not Syrian) from great distance, and was terminated with an adequate weapon that pierced his class +6 body armor and heart.
An expert from NATO or a well trained by NATO sniper can do this job.
Then, on March 9, the same unit came under shellfire near Palmyra, and Sergei Morozov, also 38, was hit and died on the way to hospital.
This was spotted with powerful optical devices, and was terminated by a quick 4 fire from 4 barrels artillery battery, probably 120mm mortar.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-insight-idUSKBN12Y0M6
As of August 2016, there have been 20 officially confirmed Russian Armed Forces fatalities in the war. Two or three soldiers were reported missing during the Battle of Palmyra, however this was not officially confirmed. In addition, at least 62 private military contractors (PMCs) belonging to the Russian company “Wagner” were killed or wounded by December 2015. Among these, were three or nine PMCs who were killed in a mortar attack on their position in Latakia province in October 2015. Subsequently, another six PMC deaths were reported in February and March 2016, near Latakia, Damascus and Palmyra.
The following is a list of the confirmed fatal casualties among the PMCs:
Date of death Name Age Cause of death Location of death
3 February 2016 Maksim Kolganov 38 Hostile fire Latakia Governorate
8 February 2016 Sergei Chupov 51 Hostile fire (mortar attack) Damascus Governorate
9 March 2016 Sergei Morozov 38 Hostile fire (shelling) near Palmyra, Homs Governorate
9 March 2016 N/A N/A Hostile fire (shelling) near Palmyra, Homs Governorate
17 March 2016 (around) Vadim Tumakov 31 Hostile fire Palmyra, Homs Governorate (possibly)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Armed_Forces_casualties_in_Syria
After elections NATO would support Militants and a Partition of Syria most likely would happen.
Russian ridiculous Air show cannot Impress or make a dent on NATO unless they go Nuclear.
US navy has 9 Aircraft carriers with Nuclear Propulsion and 9 more with conventional propulsion.
The Navy maintains 11 carrier strike groups, 9 of which are based in the United States and one that is forward deployed in Japan
A carrier strike group (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft. A carrier strike group also, on occasion, includes submarines, attached logistics ships and a supply ship. The carrier strike group commander operationally reports to the commander of the numbered fleet, who is operationally responsible for the area of waters in which the carrier strike group is operating.
Will the USS Zumwalt make it to the party too? ;)
Anonymous on November 23, 2016 · at 2:46 pm UTC
Since when are Reuters and wikipedia considered to be reliable sources of information?
please read How Reliable Is Reuters? by Eric Zuesse
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/04/reliable-reuters.html
And please read the saker’s Moderation Policy
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/02/russian-military-advisor-killed-in-syria.html
A Russian military Advisor killed in Syria has been presented with a state award.
https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/russian-martyrs/
A tribute to the 13 Russian heroes fallen defending Syria.
Russian Government and Syrian Government admits. You deny. Are you O.K.
Russians have died in Syria. Some are made public, some are not. But aside from that, do you believe Reuters news is independent journalism?
Are you okay anonymouse