Analysis & Reports

AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources

Mi-8 with EW System Transforms Russian Defense Against Drones into a Mobile Dome 2026

Mi-8 with EW System Transforms Russian Defense Against Drones into a Mobile Dome 2026

Weapons & EquipmentMilitary OperationsOperational

Russia is developing a mobile electronic warfare system on the Mi-8 helicopter to counter long-range UAVs, with plans to produce 72 Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters by 2026-2027. This system aims to create jamming zones for GNSS signals, allowing for rapid deployment in response to threats. The initiative reflects a shift in Russian defense strategy due to the increasing effectiveness of Ukrainian UAVs.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovTue Jul 21 2026
107 ballistic missiles in 19 days show the limits of Russia's bet on "Zircon"

107 ballistic missiles in 19 days show the limits of Russia's bet on "Zircon"

Weapons & EquipmentMilitary OperationsOperational

Russia launched 107 ballistic missiles and 20 3M22 Zircon missiles in July 2026, targeting Ukrainian air defense capabilities across Kharkiv, Odessa, and Mykolaiv Oblasts. This marks a significant increase in missile usage, indicating a strategic shift in military operations. Concurrently, Ukraine has targeted Russian oil infrastructure to disrupt missile supply lines and reduce operational costs for Russia's missile campaign.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovMon Jul 20 2026
Tu-95 in Engels destroyed 800 kilometers from Ukraine — strategic aviation loses depth

Tu-95 in Engels destroyed 800 kilometers from Ukraine — strategic aviation loses depth

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

On July 17, 2023, the Ukrainian Security Service destroyed a Tu-95 bomber in Engels, Russia, approximately 800 kilometers from Ukraine. This incident highlights the ongoing degradation of Russian strategic aviation capabilities, as the Tu-95 is a rare asset that cannot be quickly replaced. The attack signifies Ukraine's effective long-range strike capabilities against Russian military infrastructure.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovFri Jul 17 2026
PAC-3 and Fedorov's resignation in 2026 change the price of Russian Iskanders for Ukraine

PAC-3 and Fedorov's resignation in 2026 change the price of Russian Iskanders for Ukraine

Political-MilitaryWeapons & EquipmentStrategic

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov was dismissed amid discussions of military procurement, including PAC-3 missiles, on July 16, 2023. He proposed replacing military leaders to adapt to changing war dynamics. This internal conflict reflects a shift in Ukraine's military strategy, as it seeks to address the challenges posed by Russian ballistic missile tactics. The procurement process is evolving with European funding, indicating a more structured approach to defense.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovThu Jul 16 2026
80 percent of UAVs over LPR show the limits of Russian counter-drone defense 2026

80 percent of UAVs over LPR show the limits of Russian counter-drone defense 2026

Weapons & EquipmentMilitary OperationsOperational

On July 14, 2026, Russian air defense and mobile fire groups in the Luhansk People's Republic neutralized up to 80% of Ukrainian drones, including 107 heavy quadcopters and 188 aircraft drones. The report highlights the ongoing adaptation of Ukrainian operators, who are modernizing their drones to enhance resilience against electronic warfare. This situation reflects a significant shift in aerial combat dynamics, with drones becoming a central element of military operations.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovTue Jul 14 2026
Freyja vs. Iskanders in 2026 Turns Kyiv into a Testing Ground for European Missile Defense

Freyja vs. Iskanders in 2026 Turns Kyiv into a Testing Ground for European Missile Defense

Political-MilitaryWeapons & EquipmentStrategic

In July 2026, Ukraine and nine European nations announced the formation of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition in Paris, aiming to enhance missile defense capabilities against Russian threats. Following this announcement, Russia launched 134 long-range drones and three guided missiles targeting Ukraine. The coalition seeks to leverage Ukraine's combat experience to develop a more cost-effective missile defense system, addressing the challenges posed by Russian ballistic missile attacks.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovTue Jul 14 2026
Iskanders and 121 Drones Over Kyiv Show the Limits of Russian Exhaustion Strategy

Iskanders and 121 Drones Over Kyiv Show the Limits of Russian Exhaustion Strategy

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesWeapons & EquipmentHybrid

Russian forces launched a combined attack on Kyiv on July 11, firing 12 ballistic missiles and 121 drones. Ukrainian air defense managed to intercept 111 drones and 2 guided missiles but could not stop the ballistic missiles. The assault resulted in 12 injuries in Kyiv and at least 10 fatalities across Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict and the challenges faced by Ukrainian defenses.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSat Jul 11 2026
5 ballistic missiles and 169 drones over Kyiv show Russia's last trump card in 2026

5 ballistic missiles and 169 drones over Kyiv show Russia's last trump card in 2026

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

On July 8, 2026, Russian Armed Forces launched five ballistic missiles and 169 drones at Kyiv, marking the third such strike in six days. Ukrainian Air Forces reported intercepting 139 drones, while all five ballistic missiles successfully hit four districts. The operation reflects Russia's strategy of using high-cost missile strikes to exert political pressure amid limited ground success.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovWed Jul 08 2026
Russia Fires 653 Drones and 51 Missiles as Ukraine Energy War Accelerates

Russia Fires 653 Drones and 51 Missiles as Ukraine Energy War Accelerates

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentLogisticsHybrid

Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles in a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on July 5-6, 2023. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 585 drones and 30 missiles, but significant damage occurred, including to the Fastiv railway station and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. In response, Ukraine targeted Russian positions in Crimea, demonstrating an ongoing exchange of strikes between the two nations.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSun Jul 05 2026
496 Drones and 74 Missiles Over Kyiv Change the Economy of the Russian Strike

496 Drones and 74 Missiles Over Kyiv Change the Economy of the Russian Strike

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

On July 2, 2023, Russian Armed Forces conducted a massive aerial attack on Kyiv, deploying 496 drones and 74 missiles, including a significant number of ballistic missiles. The assault lasted several hours, forcing over 50,000 residents to seek shelter in the metro. This operation reflects a strategic shift towards overwhelming Ukraine's air defense capabilities, as Russia aims to pressure Ukraine's military resources and response times.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSun Jul 05 2026
74 missiles and 496 drones over Kyiv show the new economy of Russian coercion

74 missiles and 496 drones over Kyiv show the new economy of Russian coercion

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

On July 2, 2023, Russian forces launched a massive airstrike on Kyiv, deploying 74 missiles and 496 drones. Despite Ukrainian air defenses intercepting 48 missiles and 476 drones, 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones successfully struck 33 locations. The attack lasted over 11 hours, with civilians taking shelter in the metro as a precaution against the strikes.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSat Jul 04 2026
550 Drones and Missiles Over Kyiv Show the New Norm of Russian Long-Range Warfare

550 Drones and Missiles Over Kyiv Show the New Norm of Russian Long-Range Warfare

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

On July 4, Russian forces launched 550 drones and missiles targeting Kyiv, marking a significant escalation in their long-range warfare strategy. Ukrainian defenses intercepted a substantial number of these attacks, but 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones successfully struck 33 targets. President Zelensky highlighted the urgent need for additional Patriot missile systems to counter the ongoing threat.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSat Jul 04 2026
Su-30SM and Su-24 Under Attack in Saki — Seven Aircraft in a Week

Su-30SM and Su-24 Under Attack in Saki — Seven Aircraft in a Week

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

Ukrainian drones struck the Saki airfield on July 3, 2026, damaging or destroying seven aircraft, including Su-30SM and Su-24. This was the second attack on the airfield within a week, highlighting the strategic importance of Saki for Russian aviation in Crimea. The strikes are part of a broader effort to pressure Russian military logistics and air defense systems.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovFri Jul 03 2026
74 missiles and 496 drones over Kyiv show the limits of Russia's pressure strategy

74 missiles and 496 drones over Kyiv show the limits of Russia's pressure strategy

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

On July 2, 2026, Russian forces conducted a massive strike on Kyiv, launching 74 missiles and 496 drones. Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 48 missiles and 476 drones, but 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones hit 33 targets, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. This operation reflects a strategic approach to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses while targeting military and civilian sites.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovFri Jul 03 2026
Falcon shot down for the first time over Ukraine, revealing the weakness of the Russian anti-drone layer in 2026

Falcon shot down for the first time over Ukraine, revealing the weakness of the Russian anti-drone layer in 2026

Weapons & EquipmentMilitary OperationsOperational

Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Sokol drone using a General Cherry AIR interceptor on June 29, 2026, marking the first confirmed destruction of this drone type. The incident highlights weaknesses in Russian drone defense capabilities and the challenges faced by their military in the ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian military reported a high level of combat activity on the same day, indicating an intense operational environment.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovTue Jun 30 2026
477 Drones and 60 Missiles Over Ukraine Show the Limits of Russian Pressure Strategy

477 Drones and 60 Missiles Over Ukraine Show the Limits of Russian Pressure Strategy

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentLogisticsHybrid

On June 29, 2023, the Russian Armed Forces launched a massive airstrike involving 477 drones and 60 missiles targeting Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Lviv. This marked the largest air assault since February 2022. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces struck Russian oil refineries in response, indicating a shift in the conflict dynamics. Putin acknowledged challenges posed by Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure, highlighting the need for enhanced air defense capabilities.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovMon Jun 29 2026
FP-5 Flamingo Strikes Volgograd and Shows the Limits of Russian Defense in 2026

FP-5 Flamingo Strikes Volgograd and Shows the Limits of Russian Defense in 2026

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentLogisticsHybrid

Ukrainian forces struck a key military industrial site in Volgograd on June 27, 2026, using FP-5 Flamingo missiles, highlighting the limitations of Russian defense systems. This attack is part of a larger Ukrainian strategy to disrupt Russian military production capabilities, as Russia has reportedly deployed around 1400 strike drones and 1500 guided bombs in recent operations. The incident underscores the evolving nature of the conflict, with Ukraine increasingly targeting critical infrastructure.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSat Jun 27 2026

129 Russian UAVs overnight demonstrate a new arithmetic of pressure on Ukraine in 2026

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentOperational

Russian forces launched 129 drones at Ukraine on the night of June 26-27, 2026, with 113 intercepted or suppressed by Ukrainian defenses. The attacks targeted multiple locations, creating pressure on Ukrainian air defense systems and resulting in civilian casualties. This operation reflects a strategic shift in Russian tactics, focusing on overwhelming Ukrainian defenses with mass drone attacks.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovSat Jun 27 2026
257 clashes in a day show the new price of Russian pressure near Pokrovsk

257 clashes in a day show the new price of Russian pressure near Pokrovsk

Military OperationsCasualties & LossesWeapons & EquipmentHybrid

On June 26, 2026, Russian forces engaged in 257 combat incidents, with 31 assaults in Pokrovsk and additional attacks in Sloviansk and Huliaipole. Ukrainian reports indicate 1310 Russian personnel losses and significant equipment losses, including 68 artillery systems. The Russian military employed a combination of ground assaults, missile strikes, and drone operations, reflecting a sustained pressure strategy against Ukrainian defenses.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovFri Jun 26 2026
S-400 in the Kerch Strait loses protective dome after strikes on June 24

S-400 in the Kerch Strait loses protective dome after strikes on June 24

Military OperationsWeapons & EquipmentLogisticsHybrid

Ukrainian forces conducted airstrikes on Russian S-400 air defense systems near the Kerch Strait on June 24, 2026, resulting in the destruction of four systems and two Pantsir-S1 systems. Additionally, the Orenburg gas processing plant was targeted, highlighting a shift in Ukrainian strategy towards critical infrastructure. Reports suggest that Russian air defense assets are being redeployed to Moscow and the Kerch Bridge, indicating a potential crisis in air defense distribution.

Dmitri VolkovDmitri VolkovWed Jun 24 2026