Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter{beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story  Austin makes political message in unannounced trip to Ukraine Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday appeared to take a swipe at former President Trump, criticizing “some who say that both sides are to blame” in the war that began when Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022.© AP “There are some who don’t understand — or say they don’t understand — what is at stake between the free world and an aggressive tyrant like Putin. And I say: Let them come to Kyiv,” said Austin, who was speaking at the Kyiv Diplomatic Academy after making a surprise visit to Ukraine. “There are some who say that both sides are to blame for Putin’s war of aggression. Let them come to Kyiv,” he continued. “Let us never forget how this war began.”  Austin did not name Trump or far-right Republicans who have opposed sending more aid to Ukraine and have been critical of defending the country.  Trump has repeatedly said he would quickly end the war and has played up his relationship with Putin.  Last week, in an interview with “PBD Podcast,” Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is “one of the greatest salesman I’ve ever seen,” a comment he has frequently made at rallies because the Ukrainian leader has gotten billions in U.S. aid. Trump also talked about the destruction of Ukraine in the war and appeared to blame Zelensky for it. “He should never have let that war start,” Trump said, referring to Zelensky. “That war’s a loser. Ukraine, remember, is not Ukraine anymore.”  Trump met Zelensky during the Ukrainian leader’s visit to Washington last month, and he again pledged that he was “going to get it resolved very quickly,” referring to the war.  Austin met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Zelensky while in Kyiv. The Defense secretary announced a $400 million security package for Ukraine during the visit.  Zelensky said in a post on the social platform X that the leaders “discussed critical defense priorities, including Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, preparations for the winter period, and the expansion of long-range weapon use against Russian military targets.”  Zelensky also said he talked about his victory plan, which he first presented to President Biden in September but was not officially revealed until last week. Read the full report at TheHill.com.  Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future:  Navy fires top commanders of ship repair facility in JapanThe Navy over the weekend fired both the commanding and executive officers of a U.S. naval ship repair facility in Yokosuka, Japan, citing “a loss of confidence in their ability to command,” according to a service statement. Capt. Zaldy Valenzuela and Cmdr. Art Palalay on Sunday were relieved of their duties as commanding officer and executive officer, respectively, at the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan …  Full Story  Navy identifies 2 female pilots killed in Washington state crashThe Navy has identified the two crew members who went missing and were later declared dead after their EA-18G Growler jet crashed in Washington state last week. Naval aviator Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman, 31, and naval flight officer Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay “Miley” Evans, 31, both from California, were found dead after their routine training flight crashed in rugged terrain east of Mount Rainier on Tuesday, the Navy said in …  Full Story  Advanced US anti-missile system now ‘in place’ in IsraelThe advanced U.S. air defense system the Pentagon rushed to Israel is now “in place,” according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, along with the deployment of 100 American troops to operate it in Israel, is meant to add to the country’s anti-missile defenses following an attack from Iran earlier this month. “The THAAD system is in place,” Austin told reporters en route …  Full Story  White House says Biden is ‘deeply concerned’ about leaked Israel documents The White House said Monday President Biden remains “deeply concerned” about the leaking of sensitive Pentagon documents that detailed Israeli preparations for an attack on Iran and plans for a potential Iranian counterattack. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that a Defense Department investigation is seeking to “determine the manner in which they did become public,” …  Full Story   On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, today to reveal a new lethal aid package for the country.President Biden will host a bilateral meeting with Slovenia Prime Minister Robert Golob tomorrow.Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be in Israel and other countries in the Middle East through Friday to discuss bringing the war in Gaza to an end.  On Tap Tomorrow  Events in and around the defense world:  The National Defense Industrial Association will hold its 26th annual Expeditionary Warfare Conference, with top Marine Corps and Navy officials, at 8:30 p.m.  Hudson Institute will host a book discussion: "Duty To Deter: American Nuclear Deterrence and the Just War Doctrine," with author Rebeccah Heinrichs, Hudson Institute senior fellow; at 10 a.m.  The Stimson Center will have a conversation on “Navigating a Shifting Nuclear Landscape from Energy to Defense,” with Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins, at 10 a.m.  The Center for Strategic and International Studies will hold a talk on “The Spiral of Tensions: North Korea, Russia, and Ukraine,” at 11 a.m.  What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: With brain injuries a growing problem, the US military tests how to protect troops from blasts (The Associated Press) Dem-aligned group blasts GOP lawsuits challenging overseas ballots (Military Times) A soldier chose a radical way to publicize troop fatigue: He deserted (The New York Times)  Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Harris holds slim leads in 4 swing states, Trump polling ahead in 2 others With about two weeks left before Election Day, Vice President Harris holds slim leads over former President Trump in four critical battleground states, … Read more The Memo: Trump leans into populism, crudeness and possibly a second term Former President Trump is leaning into a mix of populism, aggression and outright crudeness in the final stretch of the election campaign — and it … Read more  Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: How do the laws of war apply to terrorists?How the Navy can solve its submarine shortage Biden is handcuffing our allies, emboldening Putin and the Axis of Evil  You're all caught up. 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