An air defense unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces scans the sky with a spotlight while operating a truck-mounted heavy machine gun during a nighttime operation. (paparazzza/Shutterstock.com)
Russia Strikes Back After Drone Attack on Bombers as Ukraine Hits More Airfields and Fuel Depots
Ukrainian drones struck the Kristal fuel depot in Engels, setting off massive explosions at a facility supplying Russia’s strategic bomber base. Hours later, Russia launched a nationwide barrage of 407 drones and 44 missiles, killing at least four, including firefighters in Kyiv caught in a double-tap strike. Footage from both sides shows raging fires and widespread destruction in one of the war’s most intense exchanges to date. (Read More)
Netanyahu Confirms Arming Gaza Clans Amid Criticism Over Jihadist Links and Aid Theft
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his government is supplying weapons to local clans in Gaza, describing it as a strategy to weaken Hamas and protect Israeli troops. The move has drawn sharp backlash from opposition figures and security officials, with critics warning that Israel is empowering groups linked to Islamic State and criminal networks. Among the recipients is a Rafah-based militia led by Yasser Abu Shabab, reportedly armed with rifles seized from Hamas. (Read More)
Wagner Group Declares Mission Complete, Withdraws from Mali After 3.5 Years
Wagner Group has officially withdrawn from Mali after three and a half years of combat operations supporting the country’s military junta. The group claimed it had fulfilled its mission by helping recapture regional capitals and build a local army, but its exit follows heavy losses, including a 2023 ambush by Tuareg rebels. Russia’s Africa Corps, composed largely of former Wagner fighters, will remain in place as Mali continues to face growing insurgent violence. (Read More)
Anthropic Launches ‘Claude Gov’ AI Models for U.S. National Security Applications
Anthropic has launched “Claude Gov,” a suite of AI models developed for classified U.S. national security operations. Built with input from federal agencies, the models are already in use within secure environments and are designed to better handle sensitive material, intelligence data, and mission-specific tasks. The rollout marks Anthropic’s deeper push into the defense sector, joining a growing field of AI firms competing for government contracts. (Read More)
Japanese Lunar Lander ‘Resilience’ Likely Crashed During Moon Landing Attempt
Japanese space startup ispace has failed in its second attempt to land on the Moon, after its Resilience lander lost contact less than two minutes before touchdown. The company attributed the failure to a laser rangefinder malfunction that left the craft descending too fast, resulting in a crash at 187 km/h. Despite the setback, ispace says it will continue its lunar program and investigate the cause of the failure. (Read More)
German Navy Starts Looking for Combat USV | Naval News
The German Navy is preparing to test unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) under its Future Combat Surface System (FCSS) program. Sea trials set for late 2025 in the Baltic Sea will assess autonomy, ISR, weapons integration, and manned-unmanned teaming. At least 18 USVs are planned to operate alongside K130 corvettes, with a focus on high readiness and advanced capabilities. (Read More)
Trump Nominates New Leaders for CENTCOM, AFRICOM, SOCOM
The Pentagon announced President Trump’s nominees to lead CENTCOM, AFRICOM, and SOCOM. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper is set to succeed Gen. Michael Kurilla at CENTCOM, while Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson would become the first Air Force officer to lead AFRICOM since its creation in 2007. Vice Adm. Frank Bradley, a Navy SEAL and current JSOC commander, is nominated to take over SOCOM - all pending Senate confirmation. (Read More)
Lebanese Army Warns of Ceasefire Monitoring Freeze After Israeli Airstrikes on Beirut Suburbs
The Lebanese Armed Forces condemned recent Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and warned they may suspend cooperation with the international ceasefire monitoring mechanism. The army said the attacks, which coincided with Eid al-Adha, violated U.N. Resolution 1701 and undermined coordination efforts. Israel claimed the targets were linked to Hezbollah drone production, but Lebanese officials denied any military presence at the sites. (Read More)
People Are Sharing The Worst Examples Of Shrinkflation They’ve Found In Stores, And These Are Absolutely Maddening | Buzzfeed
BuzzFeed rounded up real-life examples of “shrinkflation,” where products shrink in size but keep the same price. From smaller fries and tortillas to lighter cracker boxes and reduced candy packs, shoppers are noticing and documenting the changes. The post includes photos and user-submitted comparisons that highlight just how widespread the trend has become. (Read More)
Alert Line Last week, the economics of war profoundly shifted. Ukraine deployed 117 cheap commercially available drones to disable & destroy 1/3rd of Russia’s Strategic Bomber fleet. The loss in dollar terms to Russia? Estimated at $7Bn. Cost to the Ukraine? Likely less than $250,000, all in. If this isn’t a wake-up call regarding why we need defense acquisition reform, I don’t know what is. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Screenshot from Israeli intelligence...
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Israeli Air Force F-16 planes fly in formation over the Mediterranean Sea (LeonP / Shutterstock.com) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Israel Launches Airstrikes on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities and Command Centers Israel announced that it had launched coordinated strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities early Friday, in a major operation aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons....
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. A U.S. Soldier assigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment peers through the scope of a Smartshooter SMASH 2000L attached to an M4A1 carbine rifle (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Magaña) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict US Orders Evacuation from Iraq Embassy as Iran Threatens Regional Bases The United States is evacuating personnel from its embassy in Baghdad in response to Iran’s threats...