Analysis & Reports

An Iranian commercial ship was attacked in the Caspian Sea, resulting in 1 death and 3 injuries. The vessel, carrying steel and other goods from Astrakhan, Russia, to Anzali, Iran, suffered significant damage, particularly to its bridge, and is now unable to sail. Iranian authorities are currently investigating the incident.

A Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea resulted in the death of one sailor and injuries to another. Iran condemned the attack, labeling it an act of aggression, and summoned Ukraine's chargé d'affaires to express its protest. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy noted that Russia is sharing satellite observations with Iran to facilitate strikes in the region.

On July 25, the Ukrainian military attacked an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea, resulting in one crew member killed and another injured. Iran condemned the attack as an act of aggression and summoned the Ukrainian chargé d'affaires. This incident reflects escalating tensions between Ukraine and Iran, as Ukraine aims to disrupt Iranian military support to Russia.

Ukrainian drone units have struck over 180 maritime targets around Crimea in the past three weeks, focusing on disrupting Russian supply routes. The campaign, which began in the Sea of Azov and expanded into the Black Sea, aims to create logistical challenges for Russia. Ukrainian forces are employing FP-1 and FP-2 drones to conduct these operations, indicating a shift in tactics to weaken Russian control over the region.

Alexandra ReevesSun Jul 26 2026Loading...

Russian forces struck Ukrainian port facilities on July 25, 2023, targeting Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Izmail. Concurrently, Ukrainian airstrikes in Zaporizhzhia resulted in at least 14 civilian deaths and over 30 injuries. In Belgorod, Ukrainian forces attacked 16 towns, leading to 2 deaths and 13 injuries. The conflict continues to escalate with significant civilian impacts.

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.

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.

Russia has attacked at least three civilian cargo ships in the Black Sea, resulting in casualties among crew members. In response, Ukraine has launched drone strikes targeting Russian e-commerce warehouses. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister accused Russia of jeopardizing global food security and announced a request for a UN Security Council meeting to address the situation. This marks a significant escalation in maritime conflict between the two nations.

Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted drone strikes on logistics warehouses belonging to the Russian online retailer Wildberries in Krasnodar Krai and Stavropol Krai, resulting in dozens of casualties. These attacks, confirmed by Ukrainian President Zelensky, aim to disrupt Russian military supply chains. Over the past week, four warehouses have been targeted, causing significant damage and operational losses for the company.

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.

Ukrainian forces conducted strikes on July 23, 2026, targeting a refinery in Ulyanovsk, a pumping station in Bashkortostan, and logistics centers in Voronezh. These operations involved 223 drones and aimed to disrupt Russian military logistics. The attacks have prompted evacuations and raised concerns about the vulnerability of Russian supply chains.

Dmitri VolkovThu Jul 23 2026Loading...