Border settlements in both Russia and Ukraine have been subjected to near-daily shelling and drone attacks since Moscow launched its full-scale military offensive in February 2022.

“The village came under shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces. Two adults and a teenager were killed by the enemy strike,” Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a post on Telegram.

He said two more people, including one child, were also wounded in the attack on the village of Arkhangelskoe, around five kilometers (three miles) from the border with Ukraine.

The area sits just across from Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, where Moscow launched a major new offensive in May in a bid to create a “buffer zone” to protect its own border villages from shelling.

The post Russia Says 3 Killed by Ukraine Border Strike appeared first on The Defense Post.

Further details from US officials are expected early this week.

While the package would also include air defense missiles, rockets, and artillery weaponry, the AGM-154 glide weapon equipping Ukraine’s F-16s is considered crucial for Kyiv, considering recent Russian advances in the east.

With a range of over 70 miles (112.6 kilometers), these weapons would allow Ukrainian pilots to target enemy troops and armor from a safer distance.

This US military donation would be the largest provided to Ukraine since May and could be the last before the US presidential elections scheduled for November 5.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently visiting the US to present his war “Victory Plan” to be discussed with President Joe Biden, and both presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

The post US Considers Sending AGM-154 Glide Weapon for Ukraine’s F-16s appeared first on The Defense Post.

The platform adds to more than 20 other MRAP systems commissioned under Kyiv’s military since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

The milestone follows Ottawa’s military aid to Kyiv in January 2023 worth 90 million Canadian dollars ($66.3 million) in response to the aggression, which included Senators in their basic armored personnel carrier configuration.

All 200 vehicles under the donation were delivered in April 2023, with most distributed to the Ukrainian State Border Service units stationed in the northern city of Chernihiv.

One month later, the Senator’s Ontario-based developer Roshel unveiled the platform’s new MRAP variant. The company finalized the delivery of the 1,000th Senator to Ukraine by year’s end.

The Senator MRAP

Roshel’s Senator MRAP has a length of 6 meters (20 feet), a seating capacity for up to 10 personnel, and payload support for about 2 tons of cargo.

The 4×4 vehicle is equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 330-horsepower V8 6.7-liter diesel engine.

Its chassis, based on the Ford F-550 pickup truck, is covered with NATO-standard armor that can withstand blasts from 7.62×39-caliber rifles, multi-direction mines, charged TNTs, and 155-millimeter artillery.

Additionally, the system was designed with a V-shaped body to redirect shock waves and shrapnel to the sides, increasing soldiers’ survivability during attacks.

In September 2024, Roshel revealed the integration of the Tavria 14.5 Remote Controlled Weapon System into the Senator.

The post Ukrainian Military Adopts Canadian Senator Anti-Mine Vehicles appeared first on The Defense Post.

US officials are asking the war-torn nation to clearly outline its combat objectives for requesting expanded use of US-supplied long-range missiles.

Ukraine has stated that it plans to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of 300 kilometers (186 miles), to strike Russian airfields, command centers, and weapons depots deep in enemy territory.

President Joe Biden’s administration currently allows Kyiv to use the weapon only for strikes within Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.

US officials remain skeptical that lifting the restrictions would have a significant impact on the war, noting that it may also come with greater risks.

Growing Pressure

The US has been facing increasing pressure from NATO allies to allow Kyiv greater freedom to hit targets inside Russia to level the battlefield.

Moscow’s forces have been using long-range aircraft, missiles, and drones to attack Ukraine, quickly gaining the upper hand in the ongoing war.

Washington has expressed concerns that doing so would further escalate the war and allow Russia to reverse-engineer some of America’s most sophisticated weapons.

It has also argued that the Ukrainian military is already using long-range drones to strike deep into Russia, which is a cheaper and more strategic method than firing costly missiles.

Additionally, the White House downplayed the capabilities of its ATACMS, stating they would be ineffective now because Moscow has likely moved its most immediate threats to facilities beyond the missile’s range.

“I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed.

Russian Warning

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any strikes using Western weapons deep inside its territory will lead to a significant change in the nature of the conflict.

He said such a move would be viewed as an escalation of the war, making the US and its NATO allies directly involved.

“And if this is so, then, bearing in mind the change in the very essence of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us,” Putin told reporters.

The post US Seeks Clarity From Ukraine on Expanded Use of Long-Range Weapons appeared first on The Defense Post.

Some of the Australian Army’s obsolete patrol vehicles, troop carriers, and Land Rovers are on eBay-style auction websites, inviting “off-road enthusiasts” to place their bids, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The phrase “there’s a vehicle to suit every adventure” can be seen in the postings to promote the military-grade products.

According to local reports, a long-range patrol vehicle used by the Special Air Services in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars was sold for 113,000 Australian dollars ($77,246).

These vehicles are now reportedly being used for camping, off-road driving, and commercial purposes.

“The Australian government would rather auction off military equipment than offer it to Ukraine,” retired army major-general Mick Ryan wrote on X. “A story of parsimony and mean spiritedness towards a country in need… Shameful!”

‘A Default Position’

Australia’s Senate’s foreign affairs and defense committee has urged the government to establish a “default position” for handling its decommissioned military assets.

The committee suggests that defense materiel being retired or disposed of should be automatically gifted to Ukraine unless there is a “compelling case.”

As the Senate Inquiry I chaired said in our report this week, Australia should as a default position be providing retiring or surplus defence equipment to Ukraine. https://t.co/codclw9r4X

— Senator Claire Chandler (@SenatorClaire) September 19, 2024

Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations co-chair Kateryna Argyrou said it was a “short-sighted and baffling” move to see retired military equipment being sold online when they could be useful for Ukraine on the battlefield.

“Ukrainian soldiers are outnumbered, exhausted and working with whatever they are given, so it’s upsetting that this equipment hasn’t been considered for Ukraine,” she lamented. “Our community is in touch with frontline troops every day, who tell us these ex-ADF platforms are exactly what they need.”

In addition to adopting a “default position,” the committee is calling for the re-opening of an Australian embassy in Kyiv to oversee military aid.

Support for Ukraine

Despite the controversy, the Australian government maintains its “unwavering support” for Ukraine, having donated over $1.1 billion in military aid since the invasion began in February 2022.

In July, it announced its “largest military aid” package to Ukraine, totaling 250 million Australian dollars ($168.5 million), which included air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons, and guided weapons.

The Australian defense industry has also committed to helping the war-torn nation with EOS Defence Systems, expressing its interest in launching arms production in Kyiv.

The post Australia Puts Obsolete Military Vehicles for Sale Despite Ukraine’s Interest appeared first on The Defense Post.

Since invading in February 2022, Moscow has carried out near daily drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, including targeting areas close to Ukraine’s western borders with EU and NATO members.

Romania and Latvia said earlier this month that Russian drones and missiles flew through their airspace during an overnight attack on Ukraine.

Ministers from nine countries on NATO’s eastern flank expressed their “profound concern over the repeated incursions” into allied airspace by “Russian drones and missiles”, and urged “a collective answer within NATO.”

They also called on the alliance to help “boost our capabilities of detecting, identifying and, if necessary, engaging low and slow flying objects.”

“A robust and coordinated response on an allied level is needed, as well as the swift implementation of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence rotational model,” Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar told reporters after a meeting of the defence ministers in Bucharest.

The group — the so-called “Bucharest Nine” — consists of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga earlier on Wednesday asked Kyiv’s neighbors to explore the possibility of shooting down Russian missiles and drones.

Kicking off a regional tour in Romania, he described Russia’s aerial attacks as a “global threat.”

Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets to monitor a Russian drone that flew across its airspace towards Ukraine earlier this month, an incident that has reignited a discussion over whether the country should intercept stray Russian drones.

The current legal framework prevents such engagements during peacetime. Though officials have stressed any drones that intentionally target Romanian territory will be shot down.

Several drone fragments have also been found in Romania throughout the war.

NATO has said it had no indication any of the incidents were an “intentional attack” by Russia against alliance states.

The post NATO Members Call for Response to Stray Russian Drones appeared first on The Defense Post.

The longtime Russian leader on Monday signed a decree boosting the number of active troops by 180,000 soldiers — making the Russian army the second largest in the world by active troop size.

Russia has become increasingly militarized during the Kremlin’s Ukraine offensive and it is the third time Putin has ordered a troop boost since launching the conflict in February 2022.

“In close cooperation between federal and regional authorities, it is necessary to solve the key task of ensuring that the armed forces are manned with prepared, trained people, prepared by personnel,” Putin said during a meeting with defence officials.

“I am referring in particular to the units and compounds of permanent combat readiness of the new military districts,” Putin added.

Russia restructured its military districts earlier this year — forming the Moscow and Leningrad military districts — in response to tensions with the West.

The post Putin to Boost Troop Numbers to 1.5 Million Active Soldiers appeared first on The Defense Post.

Satellite images show several bombers and fighters operated by Moscow’s forces with car tires placed on their wings and the top of their fuselage while stationed at Engels Air Base in Russia’s Saratov Oblast.

According to Schuyler Moore, Chief Technology Officer of US Central Command, the tactic likely aims to disrupt incoming attacks by confusing image-matching weapons searching for hostile aircraft.

“If you put tires on top of the wings, all of a sudden, a lot of computer vision models [will] have difficulty identifying that that’s a plane,” she said during a recent discussion about artificial intelligence (AI) and technology.

Previous analyses suggest that the tires were meant to break up the aircraft’s infrared signatures so incoming missiles would miss their targets. Others speculated that they may be for added protection.

Brace yourselves, because russians have once again showcased unparalleled innovation. What you are looking at is a satellite image featuring a TU-95 strategic bomber covered with car tires. According to them, this should protect strategic bombers from drones pic.twitter.com/ZjDDzRPOWf

— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) September 3, 2023

A Problem With AI-Driven Targeting

Moore’s analysis of Russia’s deception attempt is reportedly part of a broader discussion about AI-driven targeting.

She noted that some weapons rely on pre-set data and image matching to find targets.

Without effective adaptations, an adversary could simply swap or modify their assets to confuse existing targeting systems.

“We’re not saying that we need to have our own internal AI development team. What we need is for our users to better be able to engage with the models that exist out there,” she explained.

“So that means they need to be able to label new data sets that they think are relevant to them. They need to be able to push those labeled data sets to then retrain a model to look for something different.”

The rooftop tyre infection appears to be spreading around the Russian Air Force, now seen here on an Su-34. pic.twitter.com/ysXW96hINL

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 8, 2023

War Deception Tactics

This is not the first time Moscow has employed unusual deceptive strategies during its invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this year, the Russian military painted images of fighter aircraft on the tarmac of its airfields to mislead Ukrainian forces.

According to a UK Ministry of Defence intelligence report, at least 12 Russian air bases employ the same tactic, demonstrating the country’s large-scale use of deception.

Ukraine has also employed decoys of high-value assets to dupe Moscow into believing it had successfully destroyed them.

The post Russia Covering Warplanes With Tires to Confuse Ukraine Missiles: US Official appeared first on The Defense Post.

The US State Department approved the estimated $600 million sale in July, a steep rise compared to the initial offer of $340 million extended to the previous Slovak government. 

The discount was in part due to the collapse of a deal with the initially envisioned recipient of the platforms, Pakistan.

Slovakia Eyes F-16s, Patriot

Slovakia was offered the copters along with AGM-114 Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles in March 2023 at a third of the original price as compensation for its donation of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets and 2K12 Kub air defense systems to Ukraine.

The new Slovak government, however, prefers to acquire F-16s or a Patriot air defense system from the US, Defense News revealed, citing an unnamed industry official.

Moreover, Bratislava wants the platforms with the discount previously offered by the US on the Viper and Hellfire deal.

Ukraine Wants Aircraft Soon

The development has frustrated US officials, allowing Ukraine to intensify its efforts to get the Bell aircraft, which it has been wanting to acquire since 2022.

“We need these helicopters for our soldiers who are fighting on the frontline in the Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and other regions but also leading an operation in the Kursk region,” Defense News quoted Ukrainian lawmaker Vadym Ivchenko as saying.

Ivchenko wrote a letter to US lawmakers to convince the Biden administration to reroute the attack helicopters to Ukraine “as soon as possible.”

Moreover, Kyiv also intends to locally produce the aircraft.

“We wish to deepen our industrial cooperation with the United States to produce such helicopters in Ukraine,” Defense News quoted the lawmaker as saying. 

“This foreign investment would be guaranteed by the Ukrainian government.”

The post Ukraine Seeks Viper Attack Helicopters Turned Down by Slovakia  appeared first on The Defense Post.

In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine explained that army units are struggling to fend off devastating Russian attacks due to being under-equipped.

He emphasized that Kyiv needs at least 14 fully-equipped brigades “to be ready,” but recent military aid packages were not enough to sufficiently arm even a third of that.

“We need to equip 14 brigades — we still don’t have it. Out of this package, we have not even equipped four brigades… Therefore, we need to produce drones domestically. It’s not enough, but we have done it,” Zelensky stated.

Ukraine is continuing its surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, but reports suggest Moscow is preparing to mount a counter-offensive.

‘We Used All We Could’

Zelensky noted that an eight-month hiatus in US military aid had significantly depleted Ukraine’s weapons reserves.

He was referring to a $61-billion supplemental aid bill for Kyiv that had been stalled in the US Congress until April 2024.

The president explained that the Ukrainian Armed Forces “had used everything they had” to defend themselves from Russian assaults.

“We transferred everything that was in the stockpiles – in warehouses and in reserve brigades,” he said. “We took everything [we] had – all [our] weapons.”

‘Make Ukraine Strong’

Zelensky argued that the number of brigades protecting Ukraine’s territories is irrelevant if “half of them are not equipped.”

He pointed out that Kyiv’s forces lack armored vehicles and artillery shells, with the Russians firing 12 times more rounds than Ukrainian troops.

He also challenged Western nations to make Ukraine strong to see Russian President Vladimir Putin “sit down and negotiate.”

The post Zelensky Says Western Aid ‘Can’t Even Equip 4 of 14’ Ukrainian Brigades appeared first on The Defense Post.