A Ukrainian fighter pilot was killed during a combat mission on Saturday, when his F-16 Viper jet was shot down, Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) confirmed on Telegram. UAF identified the pilot as Pavlo Ivanov, 26. “We extend our deepest condolences to Pavlo's family. He died in battle, defending his native land from the occupiers,” its statement read. (Read More)
Over 100 Killed in Paramilitary Attacks on Sudan's Refugee Camps
More than 100 civilians, including at least 20 children and nine aid workers, were killed in Sudan’s Darfur city of El-Fasher over the weekend after coordinated attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the United Nations (UN) confirmed on Saturday. The UN reported that the RSF, engaged in conflict with Sudan’s regular army since April 2023, launched “coordinated ground and aerial assaults” on Friday, targeting El-Fasher as well as the Zamzam and Abu Shouk displacement camps. (Read More)
Graduates of Elite IDF Academy Join Growing Calls to End the War in Gaza
About 170 graduates of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) prestigious Talpiot program have joined growing calls for the government to prioritize the release of hostages over continuing the war in Gaza. In a newly released statement, the graduates voiced support for the recent protest by Israeli Air Force (IAF) reservists and criticized the government’s war strategy, accusing it of advancing “political and personal interests” rather than genuine security needs. (Read More)
North Korea Builds Its Largest Warship Yet, Satellite Images Show
New satellite images published by CNN show that North Korea is building what may be its biggest warship yet. The guided-missile frigate (FFG) is under construction at the Nampo Navy Shipyard, about 60 kilometers southwest of Pyongyang, according to satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs on April 6. (Read More)
Leidos Successfully Tests Black Arrow Cruise Missile from AC-130J Gunship
American defense firm Leidos recently announced the successful completion of a guided flight test of its Small Cruise Missile (SCM), known as Black Arrow, from a U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunship in November 2024. Black Arrow is a 200-pound class cruise missile designed to carry different types of payloads. It can be used for both kinetic strikes and electronic warfare missions. (Read More)
Ukraine’s Elite Drone Unit Is A Lethal, Fast Growing Tech Start Up | Forbes
Ukraine’s Birds of Magyar, led by Robert Brovdi (callsign Magyar), has become one of the country’s most effective drone strike units, evolving from a volunteer platoon in 2022 into a full regiment under the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade. Built on tech startup principles, the unit designs and operates its own strike drones, delivering significant battlefield impact against Russian forces. (Read More)
Green Beret Posthumously Awarded Silver Star for Valor in 2017 Niger Ambush
Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, a U.S. Army Green Beret killed in a 2017 ambush in Niger, was posthumously awarded the Silver Star last week. Black was a Special Forces medical sergeant with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was one of four American soldiers killed in the ambush by over 100 Islamic State fighters near the village of Tongo Tongo, along with Staff Sgts. Jeremiah W. Johnson, Dustin M. Wright, and Sgt. La David T. Johnson. Four Nigerian troops were also killed. (Read More)
Hamas Releases New Video of Israeli-American Hostage Edan Alexander
Hamas released a video Saturday showing Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, who has been held hostage in Gaza since October 7, 2023. In the video, Alexander said he has been in captivity for 551 days. He accuses the Israeli government and the American administration of “deserting” him in Gaza. (Read More)
Exclusive: Saudi Arabia plans to pay off Syria's World Bank Debts, Sources Say | Reuters
Saudi Arabia is planning to pay off Syria’s $15 million debt to the World Bank, potentially unlocking international grants for reconstruction and public sector support. This would mark Riyadh’s first known financial aid to Syria since Assad’s ouster and signals growing Gulf support for the country’s recovery. The move follows a World Bank delegation's visit to Damascus and Syria’s upcoming participation in the IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington. (Read More)
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Rescuers work at the site of a damaged building after a missile strike. (Vitaliy Holovin / Shutterstock.com) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Trump Urges Putin to Halt Strikes After Deadly Attack on Kyiv, Reportedly Involving North Korean Missile U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine, following a deadly missile strike on Kyiv...
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Screenshot of footage from a soldier of the Donetsk police rifle battalion in the Toretsk region. (Telegram / Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Video Shows Ukrainian Soldiers Eliminating Russian Soldiers at Close Range in Donetsk Region Footage circulating on social media shows a Ukrainian battalion ambushing and killing three Russian soldiers in...
Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Indian Security forces in the Kashmir region (Tawseef Nazir / Shutterstock.com) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Explosions Rock Major Russian Ammunition Depot in the Vladimir Region A series of explosions occurred at a major Russian military ammunition depot in the Vladimir region, northeast of Moscow on Tuesday. The facility, known as the 51st Arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery...