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Russian Authorities Report Surge in Military Gear Smuggling to China by Chinese Nationals

Russian authorities have reported a series of incidents involving Chinese nationals allegedly smuggling military equipment out of Russia, according to the state-run newspaper Izvestia, The items reportedly include 6B45 body armor, 6Sh117 patrol backpacks, and load-bearing vests from the Russian Army’s advanced Ratnik combat system. Under Russian law, such equipment is classified as military or dual-use goods and requires special export licenses for international shipment. (Read More)​​

12 Killed in US Airstrikes on Yemen’s Capital, Houthis Say

U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s capital killed 12 people and injured at least 34, according to Houthi officials on Monday. The strikes are part of an ongoing U.S. campaign targeting the rebel group. The attacks hit several parts of Sanaa, including Attan, a sanitation project in Asir, and a market in the Farwa neighborhood of the Shuub district. That market has been targeted before. Footage on social media showed damaged cars and buildings from the strikes. (Read More)​​

Ukrainian FPV Drone Downs $7 Million Russian ‘Forpost’ UAV

Ukrainian forces recently shot down a Russian “Forpost” reconnaissance and strike drone, according to a video released by the commander of Ukraine’s 414th Separate Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Brigade. In a Telegram post, the brigade said that the operation was carried out by a first-person-view (FPV) drone operated by the “Topota PM” unit. This marks the first confirmed instance of an FPV drone intercepting a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV. (Read More)​​

Raytheon and Tawazun Council Sign Deal to Build Coyote Drone Interceptors in UAE

U.S. defense contractor Raytheon signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Tawazun Council to begin local production of the Coyote Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) interceptor, the company announced on Monday. The signing took place in Abu Dhabi and was witnessed by U.S. Ambassador to the UAE Martina Strong and H.E. Dr. Nasser Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Tawazun Council. (Read More)​​

Chinese J-10 Fighter Jets Spotted Over US Navy Port in Saudi Arabia

A photo circulating on social media shows Chinese J-10 fighter jets flying over King Fahd Port in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The port is a major logistics hub for the U.S. Navy, where ships dock to resupply the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. Reports and open-source flight data claimed that between five and six Y-20 transport aircraft arrived in Egypt on April 15, carrying Chinese personnel and J-10 jets. (Read More)​

DOD Wants Communications Tech to Enable Commandos’ Drone Swarms | DefenseScoop

The U.S. Air Force is seeking advanced communications tech—radios, antennas, and datalinks—for small drones supporting special operations in contested environments. A new pre-solicitation calls for high-readiness systems deployable in 18 to 30 months, encouraging innovative solutions from non-traditional vendors. (Read More)​

British Man Burned Alive by Mob in Northern Ecuador

A man believed to be British was killed by a mob in northern Ecuador on Sunday after being accused of shooting a local resident during a festival. The incident occurred in Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon region. According to local reports, police arrested the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, around 6 a.m. after witnesses claimed he shot someone during celebrations for the Kichwa Indigenous community. (Read More)​​

Two Mexican Nationals Arrested After Traffic Stop Uncovers 180,000 Rounds of Ammunition

Two Mexican nationals were arrested in Colorado after deputies discovered 180,000 rounds of ammunition in their van during a routine traffic stop. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, the suspects were identified as Caesar Ramon Martinez Solis, 41, and Humberto Ivan Amador Gavira, 24. (Read More)​​

‘I thought I’d died.’ How Land Mines Are Continuing to Claim Lives in Post-Assad Syria | AP News

Four months after the Syrian civil war ended, 21-year-old Suleiman Khalil lost his right leg and severely injured the other when he stepped on two hidden land mines while harvesting olives near his village in Idlib. His story highlights the ongoing danger of unexploded ordnance across Syria, where land mines left by government forces, allies, and opposition groups have killed at least 249 people and injured 379 since the fall of Bashar Assad on December 8, according to INSO and Human Rights Watch. (Read More)​