Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
Russia claims control of two settlements in Ukraine, Ukraine claims to repel Russian attack
Russian forces attacked Ukrainian energy and transportation infrastructure, destroying 303 drones and 6 unmanned boats. Ukrainian forces repelled 189 assaults and shot down 1775 Russian drones, while also targeting Russian military facilities in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Crimea.
Ukraine strikes two helicopters deep inside Russian territory
Ukrainian drone operators struck two Russian military helicopters in Voronezh Oblast on April 29, 2025. The operation, executed by the 429th Unmanned Systems Brigade 'Achilles' and the 43rd Separate Army Aviation Brigade, resulted in the confirmed destruction of both a Mi-8 transport and a Mi-28 attack helicopter. This strike demonstrates Ukraine's advanced drone capabilities and the changing dynamics of the battlefield.
Drone diplomacy wins Ukraine valuable allies, but now it must deliver
Ukraine has engaged in drone diplomacy, securing defense and drone deals with Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands, while enhancing military cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and others. President Zelenskiy aims to strengthen alliances amid concerns over U.S. support reliability. Ukraine has developed effective drone capabilities and plans to export weapons, leveraging its military expertise to boost diplomatic relations.
‘Not Worth the Trouble’: Why the U.S. Navy Never Built Deep Diving Titanium Submarines
The Soviet Union constructed 8 titanium-hulled submarines from 1969 to the early 1990s, achieving unmatched speed and depth capabilities. The U.S. Navy opted not to pursue titanium submarines due to high costs and engineering difficulties, instead focusing on steel-hulled submarines with superior acoustic performance. This strategic decision allowed the U.S. to maintain a larger and more effective submarine fleet.
The U.S. Navy Has a Russian Hypersonic ‘Battleship’ Problem
The Russian Navy is upgrading the Admiral Nakhimov battlecruiser with 60 hypersonic missiles and various advanced weapon systems. This modernization enhances its offensive capabilities, posing a significant threat to U.S. and NATO forces. The upgrades include new air defense systems and close-in weaponry, potentially rivaling U.S. Navy destroyers in maritime engagements.
Russia Unleashes One of Its Largest Aerial Barrages of 2026 on Ukraine: 666 Aerial Weapons Target Dnipro and Cities Across the Country
On April 25, 2026, Russian Armed Forces launched a significant aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying 666 aerial weapons, including 47 missiles and 619 drones. The attack primarily targeted Dnipro, resulting in at least 7 civilian deaths and 57 injuries. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept a majority of the incoming threats, but several missiles and drones still struck various locations across the country, highlighting the challenges faced by Ukrainian defenses.
Dmitri VolkovSat Apr 25 2026Loading...
Russia Unleashes One of Largest Aerial Barrages of the War as Ukrainian Drones Strike Deep into the Urals
Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on multiple Ukrainian cities overnight on April 24-25, 2026, neutralizing 610 aerial targets. The assault resulted in at least five civilian deaths and over 32 injuries, with significant damage reported in Dnipro and Kharkiv. Concurrently, Ukrainian drones struck deep into Russian territory, reaching the Ural Mountains for the first time, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
Dmitri VolkovSat Apr 25 2026Loading...
Russia claims to strike multiple targets in Ukraine, Ukraine claims to strike Russian oil depot.
On the 23rd, Russian forces conducted strikes on 138 locations in Ukraine, targeting energy and transportation infrastructure. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces attacked Russian troop and equipment gathering areas, claiming to have shot down 1941 drones. Additionally, Ukrainian drones struck an oil pumping station in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, igniting a fire.
In a first, Ukraine’s drone force launches interceptor drone from USV to destroy Shahed
Ukraine's elite drone force destroyed a Russian Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle using an interceptor drone launched from an unmanned surface vessel in the Black Sea on April 19, 2023. This operation, conducted by the 412th Brigade Nemesis, marks a significant milestone in drone warfare. The successful engagement highlights Ukraine's innovative tactics in countering Russian drone threats at sea.
Russia claims to strike Ukrainian defense facilities, Ukraine claims to strike Russian oil refineries.
Russian forces conducted airstrikes on Ukrainian defense industrial facilities and transportation infrastructure over the past 24 hours. In response, Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai. The Ukrainian military reported 206 combat incidents in frontline areas during the same period.
Russia’s Su-57 Felon and New PAK DA Stealth Bomber are Circling the Drain
Russia's defense industry faces significant challenges in producing the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon and Tupolev PAK DA due to a reliance on foreign components and a shortage of skilled personnel. As of November 2025, production is stalled, and technological deficiencies have been identified in both aircraft programs, raising concerns about the viability of Russia's aviation capabilities.
Escalation on Multiple Fronts: Ukraine Naval Strike on Sevastopol and the Deepening Drone War
Ukrainian forces conducted a naval strike on two large Russian landing ships in Sevastopol Bay on April 19-20, 2026, as part of a broader campaign to degrade Russian naval logistics. In retaliation, Russian forces launched 142 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine, with 29 successfully striking targets. Concurrently, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted the Tuapse Oil Refinery in southern Russia, aiming to reduce Russian refining capacity. The conflict continues to escalate with significant military operations from both sides.
Dmitri VolkovMon Apr 20 2026Loading...
Russia’s Geranium Drones Are Crashing Before Reaching Ukraine. The Alabuga Factory Uses 200 African Teenagers and Chinese Telefly Engines. Each Drone Costs $48,000
Russia's defense industry is struggling to produce reliable Geranium drones, which are self-destructing before reaching Ukraine. The Alabuga factory in Tatarstan employs around 200 African teenagers to assemble these drones, which are based on the Iranian Shahed-136 design. Issues with the drones include faulty Chinese Telefly engines and systemic assembly failures, leading to significant production challenges.
DSA 2026 – EM&E aunav.BEST: a multimission Combat UGV from Spain
EM&E Group unveiled the aunav.BEST unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) at the DSA exhibition in Asia, showcasing its capabilities for explosive ordnance disposal, force protection, and reconnaissance. The UGV features a variable-geometry design and can integrate various payloads, including a remote weapon station. This marks a significant step in EM&E's strategy to expand its presence in the military robotics market.
Russia Escalates Aerial Campaign Against Ukraine With 700-Weapon Strike Package as European Security Architecture Faces Twin Crises
Russia launched a coordinated aerial assault on Ukraine on April 15-16, deploying over 700 strike vehicles, including ballistic and cruise missiles, and drones. The attack resulted in at least 17 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries, with significant damage reported in Kyiv, Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted many of the incoming threats, but some missiles and drones still struck multiple locations. Additionally, Russia is preparing to deploy 20,000 troops to southeastern Ukraine.
Dmitri VolkovSun Apr 19 2026Loading...
Ukraine becomes first to intercept Shahed using naval drone launch
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces intercepted a Russian Shahed attack drone using an interceptor drone launched from an unmanned surface vessel in the Black Sea. This marks the first successful drone-on-drone intercept from a maritime platform, showcasing a significant advancement in military capabilities. The operation was conducted by the 412th Nemesis Brigade, which has developed a diverse unmanned warfare portfolio.
Russia ‘Building’ 7 Tu-160 Bombers and PAK DA Stealth Prototype, Leaked Documents Show
Russia's Kazan Aviation Plant is producing seven Tu-160 bombers and upgrading two Tu-22M bombers, with four Tu-160s deep in modernization expected to complete by 2026. Additionally, the facility is assembling a prototype of the PAK DA stealth bomber for ground testing. This initiative is part of a broader modernization program directed by President Vladimir Putin.
The Math Is Brutal: Russia Has Just 21 Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighters and the Factory Just Caught Fire
A fire occurred at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant in Russia's Far East, affecting the production of Su-57 Felon stealth fighters. As of late 2025, Russia has produced 21 Su-57s, with concerns about future output due to the fire. Algeria's interest in acquiring 14 Su-57s may impact the global fleet, but doubts remain about the aircraft's true capabilities.
Russia’s Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Has Been ‘Coming Soon’ Since 2015. Russian Sailors Still Haven’t Seen the Keel
Russia announced plans for the Project 23000 Shtorm nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in May 2015, but the keel has yet to be laid. The carrier, designed for operations in remote areas, faces delays and budget constraints due to ongoing military operations in Ukraine and economic sanctions. The expected cost is $5.84 billion, with concerns about potential overruns and the project's overall feasibility.
Russia bolsters Air Force with new Su-35S batch
Rostec announced the delivery of a new batch of Su-35S multirole fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces, with deliveries occurring from March 29 to December 25, 2025. The exact number of aircraft delivered remains unspecified, with estimates ranging from 7 to 21. The Su-35S is recognized for its combat effectiveness and is a key component of Russia's air campaign, particularly in air superiority missions.
