Ukrainian Strike Hits Russian Ammunition Depot in Donetsk Oblast
A Ukrainian strike reportedly hit a Russian ammunition depot in Khartsyzk, a town in Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast, on Wednesday, triggering a series of explosions and a fire. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, shared a video of the strike on Telegram and identified the target as a Russian ammunition depot in the city of Khartsyzk. (Read More)
DOJ Charges Two Chinese Nationals for Spying on US Navy and Attempted Military Recruitment
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged two Chinese nationals for allegedly collecting intelligence on U.S. Navy personnel and bases, as well as attempting to recruit members of the U.S. military to work for China. According to a DOJ press release, Yuance Chen, 38, a conditional permanent resident, and Liren “Ryan” Lai, 39, who has been in the U.S. on a visitor visa since April, were arrested in Happy Valley, Oregon, and Houston Texas on June 27. (Read More)
Israel Intercepts Houthi Missiles Fired from Yemen and Gaza
Israel's air defenses intercepted three missiles from Yemen and Gaza late Tuesday, after warning sirens sent residents across central Israel and parts of the West Bank into shelters. No injuries or damage were reported. Shortly before the missiles were intercepted, Israel also intercepted two rockets launched from Gaza. (Read More)
The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF) officially commissioned their first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) unit during a ceremony Wednesday at the Air Defense Forces Institute in Jeddah, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement. Lt. Gen. Mazyad Al-Amro, RSADF commander, presided over the event, handing the unit’s flag to the commander of the 1st Air Defense Group. (Read More)
Pentagon Suspends Weapons Shipment to Ukraine Over US Stockpile Concerns
The Trump administration has paused several U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine, including Patriot missile defense system and precision-guided munitions, as part of a Defense Department review of military stockpiles, White House officials confirmed Tuesday. Politico first reported the news, stating that the decision to pause the shipment of missiles and ammunition to Ukraine stems from concerns about U.S. military stockpiles. (Read More)
US and Turkey May Resolve F-35 Sanctions by Year-End, Ambassador Says
The U.S. and Turkey could resolve long-standing defense sanctions imposed over Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, U.S. Ambassador Thomas Barrack told Turkey’s Anadolu Agency. According to Barrack, Presidents Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to direct their officials to find a solution by year-end. (Read More)
Germany and the United Kingdom will sign a bilateral treaty committing each nation to assist the other in the event of a strategic threat, according to Politico, citing officials involved in the talks. The agreement, developed over 18 rounds of negotiations since August 2024, builds on a joint declaration made last year by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. (Read More)
Israel Agrees to US-Backed Ceasefire Plan in Gaza
Israel has agreed to a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and hostage exchange in Gaza, an Israeli official confirmed Wednesday. The confirmation follows President Donald Trump’s announcement that Israel had “agreed to the necessary conditions” to finalize a ceasefire in Gaza. (Read More)
Brotherly to Bruising. Russia and Azerbaijan Swap Raids in Spiraling Diplomatic Feud After Two Men Die in Yekaterinburg | Mediazona
Tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan have escalated after two Azerbaijani men died during a Russian police raid in Yekaterinburg. Azerbaijan responded by raiding Sputnik’s Baku office and arresting Russian nationals on criminal charges. Photos of beaten detainees on both sides have inflamed the situation. Diplomatic protests, canceled events, and mutual accusations now define the growing standoff. (Read More)
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. A screenshot from a video released by Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces shows a heavy “Baba Yaga” quadcopter bomber drone positioned on the bow of a Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel (USV).(Source: Ukraine Ministry of Defense / Southern Defense Forces) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Dutch and German Intelligence Accuse Russia of Expanding Chemical Attacks Dutch and German intelligence...
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. A 15-meter low-profile vessel (LPV) seized by the Colombian Navy during an anti-smuggling operation in Pacific waters in March. (Photo: Colombian Navy) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Covert Action: Evaluating the Future Leadership of US Strategic Covert Operations | FPRI Two new essays from the Foreign Policy Research Institute debate whether the CIA or DoD should lead U.S. covert action,...
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Russia air force multirole jet fighter-bomber Sukhoi Su-34 (JetKat / Shutterstock.com) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Ukrainian Strike on Russian Air Base Damages Five Su-34 Fighter-Bombers More details have emerged following the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) long-range drone strike on Russia’s Marinovka air base in Volgograd Oblast, carried out overnight on June 27. Initial findings...