According to the CivMilAir monitoring website, the United States took to the air in the so-called “Doomsday airplane.”
The E-4B Nightwatch aircraft can be used as a command post in a nuclear conflict, if ground control structures have been either destroyed or damaged, Russian daily Pravda reported.
The aircraft is capable of staying in the air for a whole week if air refueling is provided accordingly. The equipment installed on the E-4B is protected from damaging factors of a nuclear explosion.
It is worth noting that situational codes correspond to the current tension of the military situation. The standard protocol in peacetime is known as DEFCON 5, which decreases as a military situation intensifies.
DEFCON 1 corresponds to the expectation of an immediate full-scale attack, and has never been declared (except for military exercises). DEFCON 5 is a code designating conventional military readiness corresponding to peacetime (peacetime readiness).
DEFCON 4, which was used on April 11, 2018, is similar to the fifth level, although it stipulates for a higher activity of intelligence services. The United States had spent the Cold War under DEFCON 4 almost entirely.
Russia’s Kommersant newspaper cites sources as saying that the Russian Ministry of Defence has not produced any statements on Syria strikes in the last few hours due to the fact that it is currently holding closed negotiations with the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
US Secretary of State nominee Pompeo told senators years of soft US policy toward Russia are “now over”, according to the Associated Press.
The Syrian Arab Army has meanwhile evacuated major airports and military air bases in the country.
The Russian army announced that the situation in Douma is stable. The last jihadists are moving towards Idleb in accordance with the agreements reached. A Russian military police unit will be deployed to the area today to ensure the safety of civilians.
Following a press conference of the Russian army, General Viktor Poznikhir accused the White Helmets of having staged a fake chemical attack in Ghouta.
Despite the Russian statement, British Prime Minister Theresa May said “everything indicates the responsibility of the Syrian regime” in the alleged chemical attack on Ghouta.
On a visit to Damascus, the counselor of the Iranian Revolutionary Guide and former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati announced that Iran stands by Syria against any foreign aggression.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will meet on Monday to deliberate on the alleged chemical attack on Ghouta.
President Vladimir Putin has telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asking him to refrain from any initiative that could affect the stability of the region.
SkyNews reported that Kuwait Airways has announced it has decided to stop flights to Beirut from today until further notice on the basis of security warnings from the Cypriot authorities which say it is dangerous to fly in the atmosphere surrounding Lebanon.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has already informed companies operating in Europe of possible cruise missile launches to Syria within 72 hours, as FWM reported. Most companies are changing their flight plans to Israel, Lebanon and Cyprus.
Oil prices have edged higher on the news of a possible attack on Syria.
