Russian warlord's fiery feud with Putin's generals threatens to bury Russia's ambitions

Fighting between top Russian military officials and the chief of mercenary group Wagner threatens to undermine the mission in Ukraine and other conflicts. 

"Prigozhin basically forgot who was the top assassin in Russia," Rebekah Koffler, president of Doctrine & Strategy Consulting and a former DIA intelligence officer, told Fox News Digital. "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin does not want to be upstaged by one of his minions, so to speak.

"By criticizing the Russian military, he implicitly criticizes Putin as well, because Putin did not prepare this whole plan by himself," Koffler added. "So [Prigozhin] is exposing the incompetence, and Putin can’t possibly like that." 

Putin has increasingly relied on the Wagner Group, founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, as the war in Ukraine has continued and his forces started to feel their losses. Prigozhin, who made his money through food services and contracts to cater the Kremlin, claimed he founded Wagner to support the 2014 mission in Donbas. 

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With the increasing reliance on his private forces, Prigozhin appeared to enjoy greater sway at home, but he may have too freely wielded his clout and alienated the Russian military command with whom he needed to collaborate. 

And that carelessness may have caused a rift that has backfired on Prigozhin, putting him at odds with the newly appointed chief of Russia’s general staff and defense minister, according to the Financial Times.

Prigozhin, known as Putin’s chef, has recently resorted to increasingly angry rants, accusing the military command of "treason" for shorting his men of much-needed ammunition and ending his ability to endlessly recruit from prisons, a program that proved highly controversial with the Russian public. 

One of Prigozhin’s close associates compared the mercenary chief to "Icarus," who flew too close to the sun and got burned. 

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Prigozhin had gained his position by embracing the role as leader of a group that wasn’t part of the military and, therefore, could foster anger against the country’s military leadership for repeated failures in Ukraine. The inability to take Kyiv, as well as the "grinding" tactics in Donbas, proved immensely unpopular. 

His forces also made gains at a time when Putin was desperate for wins, such as capturing the town of Soledar. Wagner spent more time at the front lines, giving Prigozhin more points with Putin. Other Putin allies even started to consider starting their own mercenary groups. 

With his success and increasing influence, Prigozhin appeared to try and take power from Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, according to a close associate and two Western officials. The associate claimed that Prigozhin referred to Shoigu as "our biggest enemy, not the Ukrainians."

But with the appointment of Valery Gerasimov as the new chief of the general staff, the top official for Russia’s military, Prigozhin has suddenly found himself on the outside. Gerasimov’s tactics may not have found results, but he has used his position to greatly diminish Prigozhin’s influence. 

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The Financial Times reported that even the harshest of Gerasimov’s critics, such as Mikhail Teplinsky, head of Russia’s paratroopers, have come around to support him. 

Teplinsky spoke out after seeing heavy losses at the start of Gerasimov’s tenure, with one Ukrainian intelligence officer arguing that the new chief prefers to "throw paratroopers at the most dangerous flashpoints, and they really just get killed."

The paratrooper commander disappeared for weeks then reappeared in a taped message that celebrated the military holiday with a portrait of Gerasimov behind him. 

Prigozhin has continued to stand defiant, telling the governor of Russian city Svedlovsk, "During the 1941-45 war, … Stalin simply shot people like you," and "I’m sure that the time is not far off when people will reach boiling point and raise you and people like you up on pitchforks." 

Evgeny Kuyvashev, the Sverdlovsk governor, hit back on Friday by saying that Russia "won’t get very far" if the country lets "every businessman who makes money on school meals tries to run the country." 

Reuters contributed to this report. 

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Biden’s speech rallying NATO was all for show, says retired lieutenant general. Here’s why

President Biden's speech rallying NATO members was all show since those nations don't provide enough military funding to defend each other, according to a national security adviser to former President Trump.

"If you're not putting 2% of your GDP into defense, then some of your systems may not be able to fight in defense of the alliance when called upon," retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg. told Fox News. 

In a Wednesday address to a group of eastern European nations, Biden stressed the importance of a strong and unified NATO. The message came soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his nation would no longer participate in a nuclear treaty with the U.S., days ahead of the anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine.

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Putin "doubts our continued support of Ukraine. He doubts whether NATO can remain unified," Biden said in his speech from the Royal Castle in Warsaw. "But there should be no doubt, NATO will not be divided, and we will not tire."

"Article 5 is a sacred commitment the United States has made," Biden continued. "We will defend literally every inch of NATO."

Article 5 stipulates that an attack on any NATO member is treated as an attack on all, requiring a joint response.

"Everybody kind of understands what Article 5 is," Kellogg said. "An attack on one is an attack on all."

He said equally important is Article 3, which states that NATO countries must fund their defense well enough to defend themselves and the collective alliance against an attack. 

"They go hand in glove," he said. "They're both important. They both rely on each other."

In 2014, NATO allies met in Whales and pledged to try to increase defense spending to 2% of their GDP, and 20% of that amount on modernizing their equipment over the next decade in order to fulfill Article 3.

"Most of the countries didn't do that," Kellogg told Fox News. "So, they didn't really fulfill Article 3, which impacted on Article 5."

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Kellogg said Biden's message about a strong and unified NATO rings hollow since about 20 of the 30 allied countries are unprepared to fulfill a call for aid. He pointed to Germany, France, Spain and Italy as among the least prepared. 

"If you don't get to 2% GDP, you will not have the military structure, the military forces to be able to support the rest of the alliance as they enforce Article 5," Kellogg said. "They won't be able to do it because they don't have the forces."

"It's so important we continue to, from the bully pulpit, talk about NATO, talk about their unfunded military establishment," he added. "President Trump did it all the time, and they actually started to increase their defense budget." 

In addition to the U.S., which spends nearly 4% of its GDP on defense, the Baltic countries, Poland and Britain are the most prepared to act swiftly and effectively if Article 5 is invoked, Kellogg said. 

Despite Biden’s remarks that fueled speculation over whether NATO will get involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Kellogg said he does not see that happening anytime soon. 

"It was a diversion because he hasn't come up with a plan to help end this war," Kellogg told Fox News. "I want to know what the policy is to end this war. How are you going to do it? Define that to the American people."

"Instead, he uses rhetoric and talks about Article 5 and NATO but it doesn't impact the fight at all," he said. "Russia's not going to go into NATO. They don't have the capacity to even get to the western part of Ukraine, let alone attack NATO, and they understand very well if Putin does that, it's the end of Russia." 

To watch the full interview with Kellogg, click here. 

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Hong Kong model's ex-husband, family, arrested after body found dismembered

Warning: Details in this story are disturbing. 

Police in Hong Kong arrested four people in relation to the dismemberment and murder of 28-year-old model Abby Choi.

Choi was reported missing on Tuesday, and authorities believe that her body was dismembered, according to the New York Daily News. Police allege that there was a dispute between Choi and her ex-husband's family over finances.

Her ex-husband, 28-year-old Alex Kwong, was arrested at a ferry terminal in Hong Kong on Saturday. 

At the time, Kwong was carrying $63,700 in Hong Kong dollars and several luxury watches worth around $510,000. Police told the South China Morning Post that they believe he was trying to flee Hong Kong when he was arrested.

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Both of Kwong's parents in addition to his brother were previously charged with Choi's murder. 

Choi was last seen by her ex-brother-in-law, who reportedly worked as her driver. The model was allegedly knocked unconscious after she got into his car on Feb. 21, and then was driven to the location where she was allegedly killed.

Chinese officials believe that Choi's ex-father-in-law was the mastermind for the plot to kill the model because of a property dispute worth millions of dollars.

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Police believe that Kwong's family gave false statements to police. Authorities found Choi's legs in a refrigerator and human tissue that was placed in pots of soup at a Lung Mei Village rental home.

Superintendent of the Kowloon West Regional Crime Unit, Alan Chung, told reporters on Saturday that some body parts haven't been found. 

"Tools that are used to dismember human bodies were found in the flat, including meat grinders, chainsaws, long raincoats, gloves, and masks," Chung said.

He added that the rental home which was occupied by the model's ex-father-in-law appeared to have been "arranged by cold-blooded killers meticulously."

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Iran says new long-range cruise missile can strike US ships within 1,000 miles

Iran has unveiled its latest long-range cruise missile, stating that it will be able to strike U.S. ships within 1,000 miles. 

The missile and its long-range capabilities were displayed via state media Saturday.

"Our cruise missile with a range of 1,650 km has been added to the missile arsenal of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guard's aerospace division, told state TV, according to a Reuters translation.

Hajizadeh claimed that Iran has "limited" the missile's range "as a sign of respect to Europe," according to The Associated Press.

He added, "God willing the Europeans will keep this respect."

The display of firepower is the culmination of months of boasting from Iranian officials.

Defense officials have previously noted Iran’s tendency to exaggerate when it comes to its military capabilities. 

"This is the camera mounted on the cruise [missile]. As you see it's flying 40 to 50 meters above ground. It's a phenomenon, and considering its range of 1,650 kilometers no comment is needed. The others should do their own math," Hajizadeh said.

The comments made by a top official in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard come as Western-Iranian ties are increasingly strained over Tehran's supply of drones to Russia and their use in Ukraine. 

Fox News' Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.

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Chinese officials confronts US diplomat, draws 'red lines' over Hong Kong speech

A diplomat with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with a US consul over remarks lamenting Hong Kong's future under the Chinese Communist Party.

U.S. Consul General Gregory May said last month that he was concerned about Hong Kong's status as a business hub without the guaranteed freedoms enjoyed prior to the island's return to China.

"The National Security Law and actions taken by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities may negatively impact company staff, finances, legal compliance reputation and operations," May said in January.

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May went on to warn that "companies should be aware that the risks faced in mainland China are now increasingly present here in Hong Kong."

May's comments incensed Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials, who have for years attempted to suppress criticism of their regime's governance of the island.

High-ranking CCP diplomat Liu Guangyuan reportedly met with May after the comments, complaining about the consul's evaluation of Hong Kong.

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"Liu also drew three red lines for US consul general and US consulate general in Hong Kong, which is not to endanger China’s national security, not to engage in political infiltration in Hong Kong, and not to slander or damage Hong Kong’s development prospect," the diplomat's office told the Associated Press.

The Chinese government moved to stifle opposition following protests in Hong Kong in 2019 against a proposed law allowing extraditions to mainland China. Under the national security law, which took effect in June 2020, police cracked down on opposition politicians, activists and demonstrators.

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Since China imposed its national security law, at least 150 opposition politicians, activists and protesters have been taken into custody on politically motivated charges, including secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements, according to the White House.

Earlier this year, President Biden extended the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program, which protects Hong Kong residents in the U.S. from deportation, due to "increased repression" from the Chinese government, less than two weeks before it was set to expire.

Biden first extended the DED program to Hong Kong residents on Aug. 5, 2021, which deferred the deportation of Hong Kong residents for 18 months. 

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French woman bites off tongue of suspected would-be rapist in country illegally

A French woman reportedly bit off part of an attempted rapist's tongue and handed it to police.

According to France Bleu, the 57-year-old woman was walking her dog at 4 a.m. early Sunday morning when her would-be rapist approached her.

The man forcibly kissed and hugged her while touching himself, the report says.

The woman struggled against him and managed to bite off part of his tongue during the attack. She kept the piece of evidence and handed it to police shortly after.

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The suspect, a Tunisian immigrant in his 30s, claims that the woman jumped him. He was taken into police custody after being found wounded at the scene of the attack.

The accused rapist was reportedly in France illegally. The government issued an order for the man to leave French territory.

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No other details about the crime were immediately available.

Avignon is a city in southern France, over 350 miles south of Paris. It is located near the Mediterranean Sea.

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Argentina mom and her female partner sentenced in murder, sexual abuse of 5-year-old son: reports

An Argentinian mom and her female partner accused of killing and sexually abusing the mother’s 5-year-old son were sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday, according to reports.

The Buenos Aires Times reported that Magdalena Espósito Valenti, the mother of 5-year-old Lucio Dupuy, and her partner, Abigail Páez were previously found guilty of aggravated homicide, and after 15 days of deliberating on a sentence, the Oral Court of Santa Rosa in La Pampa settled on life terms for both women.

The two women are accused of beating Lucio to death on Nov. 26, 2021. 

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The pair were responsible for caring for the child, and both were charged with aggravated homicide in the boy's death. Páez was found guilty on an additional count of sexual abuse, according to InfoBae.

The Times reported that according to the allegations, Valenti and Páez killed Lucio between 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m., after months of abuse.

At one point, the women alleged said that the boy fell during an attempted robbery of their home. The women were arrested after medical tests painted a picture of abuse.

Their attorneys claim neither woman intended to kill Lucio.

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Neither Valenti or Páez were at the reading of the verdict, handed down by Judges Alejandra Ongaro, Daniel Sáez Zamora and Andrés Olié.

The same judges found Valenti guilty of three counts of aggravated homicide, the publication reported, though she was not found guilty of sexual abuse.

Páez, on the other hand, was found guilty of "seriously outrageous sexual abuse," the Times reported, based on her being a guardian of the minor and taking advantage of living together to commit the offense.

Páez was also convicted of two counts of aggravated homicide, qualified by intent and malice aforethought.

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According to the ruling, both Páez and Valenti understood the crime they committed and were to register as sex offenders.

The judges wrote in their decision that Páez "has clear notions of right and wrong, just and unjust, lawful and unlawful, knows that the alleged act constitutes a crime and knows the responsibilities that would correspond to her, that is, she understands the criminality of her acts and can direct her actions."

Prosecutor Verónica Ferrero told the Times that both Valenti and Páez would be jailed for the rest of their lives.

"Because of the article of the Penal Code under which they were sentenced, the defendants cannot ask for parole even when they are over 50 years old," the prosecutor said. "It is a life sentence, they have no possibility of release; they cannot ask for parole after any term has passed." 

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