Russia Debuts Naval USV in First Ukraine Recon Ship Strike

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A screenshot from the video feed from a Russian Naval drone before it struck a Ukranian reconnaissance vessel, beleived to be the Simferopol. (Source: Russia MoD via X) — A screenshot from the video feed from a Russian Naval drone before it struck a Ukrainian reconnaissance vessel, beleived to be the Simferopol. (Source: Russia MoD via X)

Armed Conflict

Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict

Russian Naval Drone Strikes Ukrainian Reconnaissance Ship, Killing One Crew Member

Russian forces conducted their first recorded naval drone attack against a Ukrainian warship on August 28, striking the reconnaissance ship Simferopol in the Danube Delta and killing one crew member. The attack represents a tactical reversal in Black Sea operations, where Ukraine has previously dominated naval drone warfare by destroying multiple Russian vessels and achieving unprecedented aerial kills with drone-launched missiles. (Read More)

Israeli Airstrikes Kill Houthi Prime Minister in Yemen Capital

Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes on his Sanaa apartment Thursday, according to Yemeni media, with no immediate confirmation from Israeli or Houthi officials. Israeli intelligence reportedly targeted a gathering of 10 senior Houthi officials outside Sanaa, including the defense minister and chief of staff, during a cabinet meeting. (Read More)

Israeli Troops Conducted Ground Raid on Syrian Air Defense Base Near Damascus

Israeli forces conducted their first ground raid inside Syria since Assad's fall, targeting a former air defense base near Damascus to dismantle decade-old Turkish surveillance equipment allegedly monitoring Israel. The overnight Wednesday operation involved dozens of troops landing by helicopter for a two-hour mission, following earlier strikes that killed six Syrian soldiers. (Read More)

Tech in Battle

Technology Transforming Warfare

Russia Reportedly Conducting Drone Surveillance of Military Supply Routes in Germany

Russian operatives are reportedly launching surveillance drones over German military supply routes used to deliver weapons to Ukraine, according to The New York Times, with some Iranian-manufactured aircraft potentially launched from Baltic Sea vessels. The suspected espionage aims to identify weapons producers and transportation methods, raising concerns about Moscow's ability to undermine Western supply lines. (Read More)

UK Excludes Israeli Officials From London Defense Exhibition Over Gaza Operations

Britain excluded Israeli government officials from a major London defense exhibition in September over Gaza military operations, though Israeli companies can still participate without official representation. Israeli officials condemned the move as discriminatory and announced complete withdrawal from the event, while Britain called for diplomatic solutions and immediate ceasefire in Gaza. (Read More)

Pentagon Creates New Task Force to Combat Small Drone Threats

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the creation of Joint Interagency Task Force 401 to accelerate counter-drone capabilities, replacing the existing Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office with expanded authorities and faster timelines. The new task force director can approve up to $50 million per initiative and hire outside experts, aiming to compress development from years to months as cheap drone swarms increasingly threaten U.S. forces. (Read More)

Special Interest

Stories We Found Interesting

Video Catches F-16 Crash During Air Show Rehearsal in Poland

Major Maciej "Slab" Krakowian, commander of Poland's F-16 Tiger Demo Team, died Thursday when his fighter jet crashed during airshow rehearsals at Radom airport, with video showing the aircraft failing to recover from a barrel roll maneuver. The scheduled AirSHOW Radom 2025 has been cancelled, and both prosecutor and aviation accident investigation teams have opened formal inquiries into the incident. (Read More)

Genetic Discovery In Study Of Special Forces Soldiers Shows Potential For Aiding Their Mental Health | Stars and Stripes

Army researchers found Special Forces candidates with higher resilience scores were more likely to carry a rare gene variant that regulates brain serotonin. The study followed 73 candidates through grueling survival training, measuring stress hormones and genetic markers. The findings could help predict career success and develop better mental health support for elite soldiers. (Read More)

The Answers Are In The Mountains: Countering Chinese Aggression With Irregular Warfare | Small Wars Journal

The article argues that mountain-specialized Special Operations Forces can counter Chinese aggression in Tibet, Nepal, and Taiwan by partnering with resilient mountain communities in irregular warfare campaigns. Drawing on historical examples like Tibet's CIA-supported resistance and Vietnam's Montagnard tribes, the author proposes cultivating these naturally resistant populations as a deterrent strategy against China's gray zone tactics in mountainous border regions. (Read More)

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