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Myanmar Rebels Use FPV Drone to Down Mi-17 Military Helicopter

A Myanmar military Mi-17 helicopter was downed on May 21 during a supply mission near Bhamo, Kachin State, in what is possibly the first confirmed instance of a helicopter being downed by a first-person view (FPV) drone. Video footage shows the FPV drone, armed with an explosive warhead and controlled via a fiber-optic link, striking a Mi-17 helicopter mid-air as it attempted to land. The live-feed footage captures the moment the drone closes in on the helicopter’s rotor area. (Read More)​​

Germany Deploys First Permanent Foreign Military Brigade Since WWII

Germany has deployed its first permanent military brigade abroad since World War II, stationing the 45th Armored Brigade in Lithuania to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. The unit, comprising 4,800 troops and 200 civilian staff, was formally inaugurated by Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a ceremony in Vilnius on May 23. The move marks a historic shift in German defense policy and signals deeper military integration with Baltic allies. (Read More)​

Russia Reports 485 Drones Intercepted During Massive Ukrainian Assault

Ukraine launched its largest drone assault on Russian territory to date, sending hundreds of long-range UAVs across more than a dozen regions between May 19 and 22. Russia claimed to have intercepted 485 drones, including dozens near Moscow, forcing airport closures and hitting civilian areas with falling debris. The campaign continued with a precision strike on the Energia battery plant in Lipetsk, targeting a key supplier of power systems for Russia’s guided weapons. (Read More)​

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Ukrainian Forces Use 1980s-Era HAWK Missile to Intercept Russian Cruise Missiles

A new video released by Ukraine’s Air Force “West” Command shows a U.S.-made MIM-23 I-HAWK missile striking a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile in western Ukraine. The Cold War-era air defense system, refurbished and transferred as part of Western aid, recorded four successful intercepts during a recent missile barrage. Ukrainian forces say the system remains reliable, effective, and morale-boosting. (Read More)​

L3Harris Breaks Ground on New Rocket Motor Plant in Virginia | Defense News

L3Harris has broken ground on a major expansion in Orange County, Virginia, to ramp up production of solid rocket motors for the Javelin anti tank system, backed by $215 million in Defense Production Act funding. The new automated facilities aim to boost Javelin motor output by 20%, with production set to begin in early 2027. This shift consolidates work from Arkansas to Virginia, supporting broader U.S. efforts to replenish weapon stockpiles sent to Ukraine. (Read More)​

UK Hands Over Chagos, U.S. Base on Diego Garcia to Stay Under 99-Year Pact

The UK has formally transferred sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending its last colonial holding in Africa while retaining a 99-year lease on the U.S.-UK military base at Diego Garcia. Under the agreement, Britain will pay Mauritius £3.4 billion for continued base access, citing the arrangement as vital to Western security in the Indian Ocean. (Read More)​

SPONSORED Stability Demands Experience. UG Solutions Needs You. UG Solutions supports crisis response and security operations in some of the world’s most volatile environments. We deploy experienced operators to secure infrastructure, protect freedom of movement, and support critical response missions alongside multinational partners. Built by operators for operators, UG Solutions was created for those who thrive under pressure and want their skills to make an immediate difference. Whether securing a key facility, patrolling supply routes, or coordinating with international teams, your work directly shapes mission success. We’re actively recruiting Senior Paramilitary Officers to deploy on short notice with Crisis Response Teams. Learn more →

French Government Report Warns of Muslim Brotherhood ‘Entryism’ Threat to Secular Institutions

French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered ministers to draft new policy proposals following a report accusing the Muslim Brotherhood of attempting to infiltrate state institutions and reshape French society from within. The 40-page document alleges a strategy of “entryism” through local associations and religious networks, labeling the movement a threat to national cohesion. Muslim groups named in the report deny any ties to the Brotherhood. (Read More)​​

UK Officers on Trial for Assaulting of 92-Year-Old Amputee in Care Home

Two British police officers are on trial for allegedly using excessive force against a 92-year-old amputee at a care home in East Sussex in 2022. Body camera footage showed officers pepper-spraying, striking, and tasering Donald Burgess within 83 seconds of entering his room, after he reportedly refused to drop a butter knife. Prosecutors say the force was disproportionate; both officers deny wrongdoing and the trial remains ongoing. (Read More)​​

Ukraine Just Crushed a Rare Russian Armored Attack in Belgorod. But Behind the Lines, a Commander Rebellion Is Brewing | Euromaidan Press

Ukraine’s 92nd Assault Brigade repelled a major Russian assault near the Kharkiv border last week, destroying around 10 armored vehicles with mines, artillery, and drones. The 58th Motorized Brigade reported additional Russian losses. The clash highlights Ukraine’s defensive strength and Russia’s growing reliance on lighter vehicles amid equipment shortages. (Read More)​

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