US, Russian Defense Chiefs Speak by Phone as Tensions Mount Over Crimea Missile Attack

Moscow blames Washington for missile attack that killed four Russian civilians.

A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea on Jan. 18, 2022. AP Photo

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken by phone with his Russian counterpart, Andrei Belousov, amid steadily mounting tension between Washington and Moscow.

Held on June 25 at Mr. Austin’s request, the telephone call came two days after a Ukrainian missile attack on Crimea left four Russian civilians dead.