Analysis & Reports

The U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor has a combat radius of 410 miles, raising concerns about its effectiveness against long-range threats from China and Russia. The DF-41 missile from China can strike targets up to 9,320.5 miles away, while Russia's Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B drone has a range of 3,728 miles. The report highlights the importance of improving airbase defenses to protect against these advanced threats.

The U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor, costing $350 million per plane, is compared against China's J-20 and Russia's Su-57 in terms of capabilities and production numbers. The F-22 excels in frontal stealth and maneuverability, while the J-20 offers superior speed and payload. Current production numbers show only 187 F-22s, with J-20s projected to reach 300, while Su-57 production remains low at 21-30 units.

Russia is establishing and upgrading ten drone bases near the borders of Belarus and Ukraine, potentially for attacks on NATO member states. These bases include around 60 new launch pads for drones capable of striking targets hundreds of miles away, posing a new threat to NATO's eastern flank. NATO is closely monitoring these developments and investing in counter-drone systems to mitigate risks.

Russia launched a GLONASS navigation satellite from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on August 24, 2023, at 2:40 a.m. UTC using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket with a Fregat upper stage. The satellite reached an orbit consistent with GLONASS parameters, and its designation is likely Kosmos-2619. The U.S. Space Force confirmed the launch and cataloged two objects from it.

Ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov warned that Ukraine is gradually losing the war against Russia and needs urgent strategic changes. He highlighted the lack of innovation and a cohesive military plan, while Russia continues to launch ballistic missile attacks. Fedorov also called for wartime elections, which has sparked controversy, and emphasized the importance of developing advanced military technologies to improve Ukraine's defense capabilities.

The Russian Baltic Fleet fitted several warships with improvised netting and camouflage to protect against drone strikes following a confirmed attack on the corvette Boikiy at Kronstadt on June 3. The measures include various visual countermeasures and are not part of a standardized protection program. This incident marks the first confirmed Ukrainian drone strike on a Baltic Fleet installation.

Yevgeny Grigoryev, the general director of the TulaDrone Research and Production Center, was arrested on August 14, 2023, in Tula on fraud charges. His arrest was not known to employees until it became public, and he had not been present at work since that date. The TulaDrone center is part of Russia's national drone development initiative, which has seen significant investment.

North Korea is preparing to send 8500 personnel, including 400 drone operators, to Russia in August 2026. This military exchange signifies a strategic partnership, allowing North Korea to gain modern warfare skills while providing Russia with needed manpower. The presence of drone operators indicates a shift in the nature of military cooperation, moving beyond mere supply of artillery to a more integrated military training and operational collaboration.

Dmitri VolkovTue Aug 25 2026Loading...

Two Russian Rassvet satellites are heading toward reentry after failing to perform necessary orbit-raising maneuvers, as reported in late August 2023. This follows the loss of the first satellite from the constellation in June. The satellites were part of a launch from Plesetsk on July 19, 2023, aimed at establishing a broadband network to counter Starlink.

Russia launched a classified military satellite from Plesetsk on August 24, using a Soyuz-2-1b rocket. This occurred a day after Ukrainian drones reached the Arkhangelsk region in an attempt to disrupt the launch, leading to the downing of 40 drones by Russian forces. The satellite's payload, designated 'Kosmos', successfully reached orbit as planned.

The UK is set to provide Ukraine with documentation for producing Storm Shadow missiles, prompting Russia to threaten British factories. This development indicates a shift in military strategy, as Russia perceives the potential for Ukraine to establish a distributed production capability. In response, Russia is likely to enhance reconnaissance and increase threats against Ukrainian industrial sites.

Dmitri VolkovTue Aug 25 2026Loading...

Ukraine is producing dozens of Behemoth kamikaze drones, which have been used in strikes against the Chonhar Bridge and other targets in occupied territories. The drone, developed by GLEFA and Culver Aerospace, has a range of 300 km and carries a payload of 75 kg. Reports indicate that the Behemoth is already in operational use by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Ukraine held the world’s first military parade composed entirely of unmanned systems in Kyiv on August 24, 2026, showcasing various ground, naval, and aerial drones. The event marked Ukraine’s Independence Day and highlighted the formal establishment of the Unmanned Systems Forces as a dedicated military branch. This parade featured dozens of ground robotic systems and naval kamikaze drones, emphasizing Ukraine's advancements in drone warfare.

A volunteer air defense unit from the BARS-Kursk brigade shot down a Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile using machine-gun fire in Kursk Region on August 22 to 23, 2026. The missile was reportedly flying at approximately 500 km/h at a low altitude when it was engaged. Russian officials released footage of the incident, but the claims have not been independently verified.

Russia has reportedly received and deployed the North Korean KN-30 heavy ballistic missile, with six launch systems capable of firing up to 120 missiles. This missile has a range of 600 to 900 kilometers and poses a significant threat to Ukrainian regions. Military analysts note its potential to destroy critical infrastructure, such as bridges, in Ukraine.

Russian air defense forces intercepted and shot down 269 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including Arkhangelsk, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Moscow, on August 23, 2023. This action occurred between 8:00 and 20:00 Moscow time. President Putin indicated that Ukraine has been conducting drone and missile attacks on Russian infrastructure for the past 40 days, describing it as a reckless endeavor supported by the West.

Ukraine has conducted drone strikes deep into Russian territory using British-made drones, prompting a strong response from Russia. Turkey plans to transfer U.S. weapons to Ukraine, while NATO provides intelligence support for targeting. Japan is collaborating with Ukraine on drone production, indicating a significant escalation in military involvement from Western nations. Russia has warned that the use of British weapons constitutes direct participation in the conflict.

The Russian Army is implementing training for military cooks in drone operation to facilitate food delivery to frontline troops. This initiative, reported on August 20, 2023, aims to enhance supply efficiency in areas where conventional transport is challenging. The training will cover both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in operating drones and ground unmanned platforms.

The Khabarovsk nuclear submarine conducted its first sea test on August 19, 2023, carrying six Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicles. The Poseidon, known as Russia's 'doomsday weapon', is designed for strategic nuclear delivery and can operate at depths of 1,000 meters. It is capable of traveling 10,000 kilometers in 90 hours, targeting naval bases and coastal military facilities.

Russian forces continued airstrikes on Ukrainian ports and naval vessels on the 21st, targeting military warehouses and a naval patrol boat. In response, Ukrainian forces launched long-range strikes on two significant Russian targets, including an oil refinery and a military airport. Additionally, Russian troops secured a residential area in the Donetsk region.