Analysis & Reports

Elon Musk's decision to cut off Russian forces' access to Starlink on February 5, 2026, led to significant operational challenges for the Russian Army, resulting in Ukrainian forces reclaiming over 200 square kilometers of territory. The communication breakdown severely impacted Russian military coordination, with reports of scrambling for alternative satellite systems. Ukrainian counterattacks advanced rapidly, exploiting the disruption in Russian command and control capabilities.

Marcus ChenThu Feb 19 2026Loading...

The U.S. Navy is reinforcing military deployments around Iran, with the Ford-class aircraft carrier moving towards the Gibraltar Strait. Concurrently, the Lincoln carrier strike group operates near Oman. Israel has heightened its alert level, preparing for possible joint military action with the U.S. against Iran, as diplomatic negotiations show no signs of progress. Over 150 military transport flights have delivered equipment to the region, indicating an imminent military operation.

NATO launched a large-scale military exercise named 'Steadfast Lancer 2026' on the Baltic coast of Germany on the 18th, involving approximately 10,000 troops from 13 countries. The exercise includes over 1,500 vehicles and 17 ships, focusing on rapid troop deployment to NATO's eastern flank. The United States did not participate directly in this exercise.

Ukrainian forces reclaimed 201 square kilometers in Zaporizhzhia Oblast from February 12-16, 2026, following the disruption of Russian communications due to the loss of Starlink terminals. This operational failure led to significant challenges in command and control for Russian troops, halting their assault actions in several sectors. The transition to less effective geostationary satellites further complicates Russian military operations.

Dmitri VolkovTue Feb 17 2026Loading...

On February 16, 18 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the U.S. Air Force departed from Lakenheath Air Base in the United Kingdom to the Middle East, supported by tanker aircraft. This deployment is one of the largest single movements of F-35s in recent months and is a direct response to escalating tensions with Iran.

Russian troops lost access to thousands of smuggled Starlink terminals in February 2023, severely disrupting their communications and drone operations. This loss coincided with Ukraine's recapture of Kosivtseve in Zaporizhzhia. SpaceX's implementation of a whitelist system cut off Russian forces, leading to chaos in their command and control. Military analysts noted that this dependency on commercial technology poses risks for both Russian and NATO operations.

Alexandra ReevesMon Feb 16 2026Loading...

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is being deployed to the Mediterranean from the Caribbean amid rising tensions with Iran and ongoing nuclear talks. This deployment follows the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) already in the region, positioning two carrier strike groups to enhance U.S. military presence and leverage in negotiations. The Ford's air wing includes advanced aircraft such as F-35C stealth fighters and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, providing significant operational capabilities.

UK Prime Minister Starmer announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and High North region in 2023.

Germany is poised to take on greater command responsibilities within NATO, with a new command structure confirmed on February 6, 2023. This shift will see European allies, particularly Germany, assuming more leadership roles, including positions previously held by the U.S. The German military's influence is expected to grow significantly, with plans for the Chief of Defense to lead the NATO Military Committee by mid-2027.

Six U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighters departed RAF Lakenheath on February 11, heading to the Middle East. This deployment aligns with heightened tensions regarding Iran's nuclear negotiations, as President Trump indicated potential military action if talks fail. The aircraft, part of the Vermont Air National Guard, were seen flying in formation with KC-135 Stratotankers, suggesting a significant military presence is being established in the region.

Russian forces lost access to Starlink internet terminals in February 2023, leading to a command and control crisis and territorial losses in Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian forces capitalized on this disruption, recapturing areas previously held by Russia. The loss of reliable communication has left Russian units struggling to adapt, highlighting their dependency on foreign technology for military operations.

Alexandra ReevesThu Feb 12 2026Loading...

The UK plans to double its military presence in Norway from 1000 to 2000 troops over the next three years to counter increasing Russian military threats. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace will discuss this initiative with NATO allies in Brussels. As part of this deployment, 1500 Royal Marines will participate in NATO's Cold Response exercise in March, aimed at improving operational capabilities in extreme Arctic conditions.

Russia plans to increase its military presence along NATO's eastern flank by 2-3 times, potentially positioning 200,000-450,000 troops against the Baltic states, Poland, and Finland after the Ukraine conflict concludes. This assessment, provided by Estonia's intelligence chief on February 10, 2026, highlights a significant shift in Russia's military strategy, indicating preparations for long-term confrontation with NATO. Meanwhile, NATO's response remains insufficient, raising concerns about the alliance's readiness.

Alexandra ReevesWed Feb 11 2026Loading...

The U.S. plans to transfer command of NATO's Southern Joint Command in Naples to Italy and the Northern Joint Command in Norfolk to the UK. This shift is part of a broader strategy to encourage European allies to assume greater defense responsibilities. NATO member states have reached an agreement on the new distribution of senior military roles, marking a significant change in the alliance's command structure. The implementation of these changes is expected to take several months.

NATO announced a command restructuring plan, transferring leadership of Joint Force Command Norfolk to the United Kingdom and Joint Force Command Naples to Italy. Joint Force Command Brunssum will now be led by Germany and Poland on a rotational basis. The US will maintain the Supreme Allied Commander Europe position while taking charge of all three theater component commands. These changes aim to enhance the role of European allies in NATO leadership.

NATO announced a command restructuring plan, transferring leadership of Joint Force Command Norfolk to the United Kingdom and Joint Force Command Naples to Italy. Joint Force Command Brunssum will now be led by Germany and Poland on a rotational basis. The US will maintain the Supreme Allied Commander Europe position while leading all three theater component commands. These changes aim to redistribute leadership responsibilities among European allies and are set to be implemented over the coming years.

On February 6, NATO announced a restructuring of its command structure, transferring operational commands to the UK, Italy, and a German-Polish rotation while consolidating U.S. control over theater component commands. This shift indicates a move towards European strategic autonomy, but raises concerns about Europe's readiness to manage these commands without American support. The U.S. appears to be reducing its military commitments in Europe, reflecting a broader strategic pivot.

Alexandra ReevesTue Feb 10 2026Loading...

Russian forces faced severe communication failures in Ukraine after SpaceX restricted Starlink access, leading to operational paralysis. Thousands of contraband Starlink terminals had been used for tactical communications, but the new whitelist system implemented by SpaceX has left frontline units scrambling for inadequate alternatives. This disruption undermines Russia's ability to coordinate operations effectively, particularly in their ongoing air interdiction campaign.

Alexandra ReevesMon Feb 09 2026Loading...

Ukraine has launched Mission Control, a digital command-and-control system for drone operations, aimed at unifying planning and execution across the country. This system integrates data from various military domains and is designed to enhance battlefield analysis and operational efficiency. Ukraine produces over 5 million drones annually, and the initiative reflects a strategic shift towards data-driven warfare. The system also emphasizes cybersecurity, ensuring that operational data remains secure.

Ukraine has launched Mission Control, a digital command-and-control system for drone operations, aimed at unifying planning and reporting across the country. This initiative is part of Ukraine's strategy to enhance its military capabilities against Russia's numerical superiority. The system integrates with the DELTA battlefield management ecosystem and is designed to provide real-time visibility and improve operational efficiency. Ukraine produces over 5 million drones annually, including various types for combat.