Analysis & Reports

Uzbekistan's president recently toured the Nurafshon Makhsus Tekhnika facility in Nurafshan, showcasing new armored personnel carriers and a self-propelled howitzer. The factory, built with a $50 million investment, has produced significant military equipment, including modernized T-64 tanks. The company aims to expand its production capabilities and localize manufacturing efforts, marking a significant step in Uzbekistan's defense industry development.

In July 2026, Russian forces launched over 25 ballistic missiles and 125 drones against Ukraine, exceeding their monthly production capacity. Despite the extensive use of these weapons, the operations have not achieved a decisive breakthrough on the front lines. Ukrainian forces reported successful interceptions of many of these attacks, while also conducting strikes on Russian logistics and military targets.

Dmitri VolkovSat Jul 25 2026Loading...

North Korea has resumed shipments of KN-23 ballistic missiles to Russia, with reports indicating that over 100 missiles have already been delivered. Russian missile specialists have enhanced the missile's accuracy, which is now significantly improved. Another 148 KN-23 missiles are expected to be delivered in 2025, as North Korea continues to support Russia's military efforts in Ukraine.

Ukrainian drone units have been actively targeting Russian ships and maritime infrastructure in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, hitting over 180 vessels in recent weeks. This campaign, led by commanders Robert 'Magyar' Brovdi and 'Ray', aims to weaken Russian control over Crimea and disrupt their logistics. The attacks have reportedly increased to six vessels targeted daily since July, coinciding with intensified Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports.

A Ukrainian FPV drone struck a Russian T-72B3A tank equipped with the Arena-M active protection system near Mayak on July 23-24, 2026. The system failed to prevent the strike, raising concerns about its effectiveness against modern drone threats. This incident occurred within a column of ten Russian tanks, indicating potential vulnerabilities in Russian armored units.

Dmitri VolkovFri Jul 24 2026Loading...

A Russian T-72B3A tank equipped with the Arena-M active protection system was struck by a Ukrainian FPV drone during a combat test near Maiak in January 2026. This incident, part of a larger assault involving ten tanks, highlights the system's failure to intercept drone threats, raising concerns about its operational effectiveness. The Arena-M system was recently upgraded to target drones, but its limitations were evident in this engagement.

Photos of wreckage from Russia indicate that Ukraine has used a Dutch-built Ruta Block 1 cruise missile in combat. This marks the first visual confirmation of the missile's deployment, which has a range of 300 km and a payload of 150 kg. Destinus, the manufacturer, has committed to supplying 700 of these missiles to Ukraine, enhancing its medium-range strike capabilities against Russian supply lines.

Embraer is rapidly expanding its defense market presence with significant orders for the KC-390 military transport aircraft from NATO member countries, South Korea, and Middle Eastern nations. Orders have surged to approximately 40 aircraft as of July 2023, driven by increased defense spending in Europe due to the Ukraine conflict. The KC-390 now holds a 60% market share in the medium military transport aircraft sector, with ongoing efforts to penetrate markets in Uzbekistan and the UAE.

Ukrainian forces launched an FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile strike on the Avitek plant in Kirov early Friday morning, targeting a facility that manufactures ejection seats and anti-aircraft missiles for the Russian military. The attack resulted in explosions and visible damage, corroborated by multiple independent sources. This incident continues a trend of Ukrainian strikes on Russian military-industrial sites.

A Russian Su-57 Felon stealth fighter crashed in Odintsovo, Moscow Oblast during a training flight. The pilot ejected safely before the aircraft went down in a field, reportedly avoiding residential areas. Eyewitnesses indicated that the aircraft exploded after the pilot's ejection, and initial assessments suggest the aircraft has been destroyed.

A Su-57 aircraft of the Russian Air Force crashed in Moscow Oblast during a training flight on July 23, 2026. The pilot ejected safely, and the crash occurred during takeoff in a remote area, with no reported damage on the ground. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the operational reliability of the Su-57 program, which has faced challenges in production and deployment.

Dmitri VolkovThu Jul 23 2026Loading...

Arsenal Machine-Building Plant patented a new coastal self-propelled artillery mount in Saint Petersburg. This design adapts the A-192M naval gun for ground use, featuring a rotating gun mount on a semi-trailer. The patent reflects a long-term development effort and is linked to the stalled Koalitsiya-SV program, indicating a shift in military strategy rather than immediate battlefield necessity.

The Russian Navy's nuclear-powered battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov has entered the final stage of sea trials after extensive modernization, marking its return to service after nearly 30 years. The cruiser, equipped with advanced missile systems, is expected to enhance Russia's naval capabilities in the Arctic region. This modernization effort, costing around $5 billion, underscores Russia's challenges in producing new surface combatants.

A military aircraft, reportedly a Su-57, crashed near Zvenigorod in the Moscow region. The pilot ejected before impact, but his condition remains unclear, with conflicting reports about his fate. The crash may involve friendly fire, marking a significant loss for Russia's limited fleet of Su-57s. The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by the Russian Aerospace Forces during training and operations.

Ukraine struck 13 Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Sea of Azov and Black Sea on July 21-22, as part of a renewed effort to target sanctioned vessels. The Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces reported a total of 126 vessels hit in the Azov Sea and 70 in the Black Sea. This operation is part of Ukraine's strategy to disrupt Russia's maritime operations and energy exports.

Ukrainian drone attacks caused 3 deaths and multiple injuries in Russia on July 22, 2023. Russian air defense intercepted 242 drones, while Russian forces retaliated by destroying 2 ships and damaging port facilities in Odessa. The attacks also resulted in civilian casualties in Belgorod and Krasnodar Krai, with 5 injuries reported at a logistics center in Stavropol Krai.

Russia launched a nighttime strike involving 216 drones and 4 missiles, targeting civilian infrastructure in Kyiv and Odesa on July 21-22, 2026. Ukrainian forces reported intercepting 204 drones and 3 missiles, but damage occurred to residential buildings and gas pipelines. This operation illustrates a shift in Russian tactics, emphasizing mass drone deployment to exert pressure on Ukrainian air defenses.

Dmitri VolkovWed Jul 22 2026Loading...

Ukrainian forces struck a MiG-29 and a Pantsir-S1 air defense system at Khailino airfield on July 21, 2026. The operation was carried out by the 15th Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade, reflecting a significant impact on Russian military capabilities. This strike is part of a series of attacks targeting Russian military infrastructure in the region, indicating ongoing operational challenges for Russian forces.

Dmitri VolkovTue Jul 21 2026Loading...

Embraer signed an agreement with Anduril to integrate Barracuda-500M missiles onto the C-390 Millennium aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow. This marks the first offensive capability for the C-390, with interest from various countries in Europe and Asia. Embraer anticipates delivering the first two C-390s to the United Arab Emirates by 2028, while also expanding production of the Saab Gripen for international clients.

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 VolkovTue Jul 21 2026Loading...