On Tuesday, a Russian Soyuz rocket successfully launched two Iranian satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, into orbit, highlighting the strengthening cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. The launch took place from the Vostochny launchpad in far eastern Russia, also carrying two Russian Ionosphere-M Earth observation satellites and several smaller satellites. This event marks the first instance of Iran’s private sector satellites being launched, following previous successful launches of Iranian satellites by Russia, including the Khayyam and Pars-1. The launch occurs amid increasing ties between Russia and Iran, particularly regarding military support, as Western nations accuse Tehran of supplying drones for use in […]
Category: Russia
Experts Discuss Ukraine’s Use of Western Military Equipment
#analysis The ongoing war in Ukraine is consuming Western-supplied tanks and fighter jets as Ukrainian forces employ them in high-risk, high-reward strategies, according to military experts. They argue that the West should expect losses if Ukraine uses these assets effectively. Michael Bohnert from RAND Corporation suggests that if weapons like F-16s or Abrams tanks survive the war, they likely weren’t used to their full potential. William Alberque from the Stimson Center adds that using these weapons, even if destroyed, is justified if they help inflict significant losses on Russia. Despite sending older models, Western allies must embrace the risks involved […]
US imposes sanctions on Chinese companies accused of helping make Russian attack drones
The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on two Chinese companies for helping Russia build long-range attack drones used in Ukraine. This marks the first U.S. penalties targeting Chinese firms for collaborating with Russian defense companies to produce complete weapons systems. The sanctions aim to disrupt direct ties between Beijing and Moscow, as China’s Garpiya drones have been used by Russia to target Ukrainian infrastructure, resulting in casualties. The Chinese Embassy denied the accusations, calling them false and criticizing U.S. unilateral sanctions. The sanctions also target Russian companies and individuals involved in facilitating the production and shipment of these drones. Original […]
Lukashenko Supports Russia’s Expanded Nuclear Policy Amid ATACMS Concerns
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has endorsed Russia’s recent changes to its nuclear weapons policy, calling them overdue and likely to curb Western provocations. Lukashenko, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, said Moscow’s nuclear warnings had already been heard by the West before the policy update in September. Putin announced that Russia would expand the scenarios for using nuclear weapons, including responding to large-scale attacks involving aircraft, missiles, or drones, particularly those supported by nuclear powers. This shift came as a response to U.S. and U.K. discussions about permitting Ukraine to use long-range missiles, such as the U.S. ATACMS, to […]
Ukrainian Army Deploys AI-Guided Drones In Combat
A Ukrainian soldier from the 118th Mechanized Brigade tested a new AI-assisted FPV drone, resulting in a direct strike on a Russian soldier in southern Ukraine. The incident demonstrated the enhanced precision and lethality of Ukraine’s evolving drone technology, which uses artificial intelligence to improve targeting in the final moments of flight. Both Ukraine and Russia have been deploying thousands of FPV drones each month, transforming modern warfare by targeting vehicles, trenches, and individuals. Ukrainian operators, often more skilled than their Russian counterparts, are adapting quickly to new technologies to maintain their edge in drone warfare. Commander Robert Brovdi stated […]
Russia’s S-70 Hunter Drone Was Armed When Shot Down By Friendly Fighter Over Ukraine
#analysis Photos of the wreckage of the Russian S-70 Okhotnik-B (Hunter-B) UCAV shot down over Ukraine reveal it was carrying a precision-guided glide bomb, indicating the drone was undergoing operational trials. The drone, potentially a fourth prototype, was shot down by a Russian fighter, likely to prevent sensitive technology from falling into Ukrainian hands. The S-70 was likely testing its performance in a contested environment, possibly engaging Ukrainian targets. This incident underscores the increasing use of advanced unmanned systems like the S-70 in the Ukraine conflict, with its stealth and strike capabilities being of interest to Russia’s military. Despite its […]
What is the Fath-360, Iran’s ballistic missile now arming Russia?
#analysis The Fath-360 is an Iranian ballistic missile recently delivered to Russia, raising concerns among pro-Ukraine nations. It has a range of 120 km and carries a 150 kg warhead, making it comparable to Russian artillery missiles like the 9M54 family. While not providing a major new capability, the Fath-360 offers Russia additional firepower in the short-range category, potentially helping preserve their longer-range missiles. Its use may force Ukraine to expend air defenses against less critical threats, adding pressure to Kyiv’s resources. Furthermore, the missile’s deployment underscores Russia’s reliance on foreign suppliers due to domestic production challenges. Original article
European militaries rush to catch up on space traffic mapping
#analysis The rapid growth of space activity has led European militaries to increase their focus on space traffic mapping to address emerging threats. The number of active satellites has more than tripled in the last four years, and most of this activity is occurring in low Earth orbit, creating new challenges for military surveillance systems designed for geostationary orbits. Companies like Safran, Vyoma, and True Anomaly are working with defense departments to improve space awareness and tracking capabilities. Military leaders stress the importance of collaboration between civilian, commercial, and military sectors to enhance space-domain awareness and avoid potential crises. As […]
Exclusive: Russia has secret war drones project in China, intel sources say
Russia has established a weapons program in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones for the war in Ukraine, according to European intelligence sources and documents reviewed by Reuters. The IEMZ Kupol subsidiary of Russia’s Almaz-Antey has developed and flight-tested the Garpiya-3 (G3) drone in China with local expertise. Kupol plans to mass-produce the G3 and other drones in China for deployment in Ukraine. The White House expressed concern over potential Chinese involvement, while NATO and British officials urged China to stop supporting Russia’s war effort. Kupol has already received seven drones, including G3s, from Chinese manufacturers, marking the […]