Analysis & Reports

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...

Russia is projected to rebuild its military to 1.3 million troops by 2026, despite significant losses. The country is ramping up production of tanks and infantry vehicles while expanding its drone capabilities. However, it faces challenges in air power and recruitment, with a declining number of fighter jets and strategic bombers. The military's future effectiveness remains uncertain as it navigates these issues.

Russia launched a significant wave of ballistic missile attacks targeting Kyiv over the weekend, prompting Ukraine to stockpile home-built interceptors and successfully shoot down 18 of 41 missiles. In retaliation, Ukraine struck three Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea and logistics facilities, resulting in multiple casualties. Ukrainian President Zelensky called for further assistance from allies to enhance air defense capabilities.

Russian engineers modified a Mi-8 helicopter into a flying drone jammer to disrupt Ukrainian long-range strike drones' navigation signals. The system features multiple antennas and is designed for electronic warfare. This development aligns with Russia's plans to expand its Mi-8 fleet, enhancing their capabilities in electronic warfare operations.

A satellite image confirmed the destruction of a Tu-95 bomber at Engels air base in Russia on July 16, 2023, following a drone strike. This loss represents a significant reduction in Russia's long-range strike capacity, as the Tu-95 is an aging aircraft that cannot be easily replaced. The incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in Russia's air defense and bomber protection efforts.

Russia intercepted and destroyed 140 Ukrainian drones between 20:00 on the 18th and 08:00 on the 19th in Moscow and Belgorod Oblasts. Ukraine reported that from 18:00 on the 18th to the early morning of the 19th, Russia launched 41 missiles and 125 drones, including 10 Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, targeting Kyiv. Ukraine successfully shot down 126 targets, resulting in 1 death and 16 injuries in Kyiv.

Russia is testing a new laser system named 'Lightning' designed to counter all types of drones. The system is currently undergoing trials within the country and is intended to protect static targets such as military facilities and critical infrastructure. It features AI technology for target recognition and can operate for up to 15 minutes on battery power, with a range of 5 kilometers.

Russian forces conducted 19 cluster strikes targeting Ukrainian ports and military infrastructure on the 17th, while Ukrainian forces repelled attacks and shot down 1879 drones. Ukrainian forces also launched long-range strikes against Russian targets, including a successful attack on the Engels Air Base, damaging a Tu-95 strategic bomber. Both sides continue to engage in active military operations across multiple fronts.