Three Swimmers Killed by Sea Mines on Odesa Beaches

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The China Coast Guard 3104 after it's collision with the PLA Navy 164 (Screenshot via PCG)

Armed Conflict

Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict

Chinese Destroyer Smashes Into Own Coast Guard Ship While Pursuing Philippine Vessel

A Chinese Navy (PLAN) guided-missile destroyer collided with a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) cutter Monday while pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel. In a news release, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the incident occurred about 10.5 nautical miles east of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the South China Sea, where the Philippine cutter BRP Suluan was delivering fuel and provisions to fishermen under the Kadiwa Operation. (Read More)

Security Footage Shows Killing of Medical Worker in Southern Syria Hospital

An undated footage released by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reportedly shows fighters loyal to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government executing a hospital employee. The video shows staff at Sweida National Hospital kneeling before armed men. One is struck on the head and is shot first with an assault rifle and then a pistol. SOHR identified the gunmen as members of the Defence and Interior Ministries. (Read More)

3 Killed by Sea Mines in Prohibited Black Sea Swimming Zones, Ukraine Officials Say

Three swimmers died on Sunday after encountering sea mines in prohibited coastal areas along Ukraine’s Black Sea coast in Odesa Oblast, regional officials reported. Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said that one man was killed near Karolino-Buhaz, about 60 kilometers south of Odesa, and a man and woman died in Zatoka. Both beaches are closed to the public due to the risk of mines. (Read More)

Tech in Battle

Technology Transforming Warfare

Special Operators to Deploy Wearable to Keep Tabs on Vitals, Help Warn About Chemical Threats | Breaking Defense

By the end of 2025, U.S. special operations forces will begin using a new LifeLens Technologies wearable that tracks vital signs and detects chemical or hazardous material exposure. Developed under the Army’s Wearable All-hazard Remote-monitoring Program (WARP), the chest-mounted sensor integrates with environmental monitors and software to give commanders real-time health and hazard data. (Read More)

SpaceX Launches 24 More Satellites to Support Amazon’s Global Broadband Plan

SpaceX launched 24 satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, an effort to expand global broadband access by deploying 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit. The launch on Monday marked SpaceX’s 100th mission of 2025. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 8:35 a.m. ET, marking its 97th orbital launch of the year. The mission succeeded on its third attempt following two weather-related delays over the weekend. (Read More)

Russian MiG-29 Fitted With An “Interceptor Drone” Is A Laughable Mess | TWZ

A video from Russian volunteer group Project Archangel shows a quadcopter drone zip-tied to a MiG-29SMT fighter’s wing, claiming it as a counter-UAS test. With no launch mechanism and doubtful flight survivability, experts say the setup is impractical and likely a publicity stunt rather than a real combat capability. (Read More)

Special Interest

Stories We Found Interesting

Finland Charges Oil Tanker Crew over Baltic Cable Damage

Finnish authorities have charged crew members of the Eagle S oil tanker, suspected of damaging five undersea cables in the Baltic Sea last December. On Monday, Finland’s deputy prosecutor general’s office filed charges of aggravated sabotage and aggravated interference with telecommunications against the captain and the first and second officers of the Cook Islands–flagged vessel. (Read More)

Syria’s Government Refuses to Attend Paris Talks on Kurdish Integration

Syria’s interim government announced Saturday that it will not attend planned talks in Paris on integrating the Kurdish-led administration into the state. The decision came after a Friday conference organized by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), where minority community representatives called for a decentralized political system and a new constitution guaranteeing cultural and religious rights. (Read More)

Remains of British Man Who Died in Antarctica Found in Melting Glacier 66 Years Later | Independent

The remains of British meteorologist Dennis “Tink” Bell, who died in 1959 after falling into a crevasse on King George Island, Antarctica, have been recovered from a melting glacier 66 years later. Discovered by Polish researchers in January, the remains were confirmed by DNA testing in London. Bell was 25 and serving with the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey at the time. The British Antarctic Survey says the find brings closure for his family and colleagues. (Read More)

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