The War Desk

War

Conflict, defense, and military affairs shaping battlefields and strategy worldwide.

18 stories · Edition of 2026-07-12 · Curated by AI at Invalid Date

WAR

Ukrainian Strikes Target Russian Fuel Infrastructure Sea of Azov, Prompting Route Closures and Price Increases

104d ago · Source: understandingwar

Ukrainian forces struck 28 Russian seaborne vessels, including 21 tankers, in the Sea of Azov on the night of July 10‑11, according to the Ukrainian General Staff and the commander of the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces, Major Robert “Magyar” Brovdi. The attacks targeted tankers transporting petroleum products that violate international sanctions and other vessels supporting Russian military logistics, and they prompted Russia to close maritime routes through the Kerch Strait and the Don‑Azov Canal, citing security concerns.

Starboard Maritime Intelligence reported a 55 percent decline in vessels with active automatic identification system (AIS) transponders in the Sea of Azov between June 30 and July 11, falling from 267 to 120. AIS signals can be spoofed or jammed, and Russian forces have been reported to jam AIS transponder signals in the region.

The strikes are part of a broader Ukrainian effort to isolate occupied Crimea and disrupt Russian logistics, particularly the transport of petroleum and grain. Interfax cited data from the Russian Federal State Statistics Service indicating that consumer gasoline prices rose 6.88 percent in June 2026, with AI‑92 up 7.3 percent, AI‑95 up 6.7 percent, AI‑98 up 3.1 percent and diesel up 7.1 percent. Shortages were reported in at least 78 of Russia’s 83 federal subjects and in occupied Ukraine, affecting civilian consumption and military logistics.

On July 10 President Volodymyr Zelensky signed decrees establishing the Long‑Range (Global) Influence Command and the Joint Rapid Response Forces within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, appointing Brigadier General Dmytro Voloshyn as commander of the latter. Russian forces launched six Iskander‑M and S‑400 ballistic missiles, four Kh‑59/69 guided cruise missiles, two Kh‑31 anti‑radar missiles and 121 Shahed‑type strike drones overnight; the Ukrainian Air Force reported downing 111 drones and two cruise missiles, with missiles and drones striking 11 locations and debris falling on three.

Additional Ukrainian strikes hit Russian energy infrastructure, including the Titan‑Barrikady research and production centre in Volgograd (estimated damage $105 million), the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, units of the Slavneft‑Yanos oil refinery, and multiple aviation fuel tanks at the Borisoglebsk military airfield. Russian forces reported limited advances in northern Sumy Oblast and in the Kharkiv region, while Ukrainian forces conducted counter‑attacks near Kupyansk, Borova and other fronts. The intensified campaign continues to strain Russian fuel supplies and logistics, while Ukraine expands its long‑range strike capability with new commands.

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PLA Conducts Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile Test in South Pacific

104d ago · Source: understandingwar

On July 6, the People’s Liberation Army Navy conducted a test of a submarine‑launched ballistic missile in the South Pacific, with the missile landing between Tuvalu and the Gilbert Islands of Kiribati, according to maritime notices from the People’s Republic of China. The test is the first publicly reported SLBM launch since 1982 and follows a 2024 Pacific missile test that landed near French Polynesia. Chinese state media reported the launch but did not identify the missile model or exact launch location, noting possible sites in the Bohai Sea or South China Sea. Analysts say the launch is intended to demonstrate a second‑strike capability and to enable strikes on the United States from within PRC internal waters. The missile is believed to be a JL‑3, a system with a reported range of 10,000 kilometers, although Taiwanese officials say it may be a JL‑2 with a range of 8,000 kilometers. The launching vessel was likely a Type 09IV ballistic missile submarine, the PLA’s only active SSBN. US officials estimate that China could possess between 20 and 30 missile‑armed submarines by 2040, up from its current fleet of about a dozen. In the same period, the PLA increased coast‑guard patrols east of Taiwan, deactivating automatic identification systems on ships after roughly 24 hours to impede tracking. PLA publications have emphasized the integration of artificial‑intelligence algorithms into military operations and the development of domestic AI chips. Personnel promotions were announced on July 3, with two officers elevated to full general and new assignments within the Central Military Commission. Separately, the PLA and Russia commenced joint naval exercises near Qingdao from July 6 to July 13, and Japan signed a memorandum to expand defense cooperation with the Philippines, including a transfer of five Japanese destroyer escorts to the Philippine Navy. Australia and Fiji signed a mutual defense treaty on July 6, establishing visiting forces agreements and a mutual defense clause. The series of developments highlights China’s expansion of its nuclear undersea capabilities and its broader strategic outreach in the Indo‑Pacific, while regional partners deepen security ties in response.

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Ten F-22 Raptors Arrive at RAF Fairford After Deployment to Israel for Iran Operations

104d ago · Source: twz

Ten U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jets arrived at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom on Friday morning, completing a deployment that began at Ovda Air Base in Israel. The aircraft, assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, had been stationed in Israel since late February to support operations against Iranian targets.

The deployment was part of a broader U.S. effort known as Epic Fury, in which more than 200 combat sorties were flown between March 1 and March 9 without detection by Iranian radar. CENTCOM said the stealth aircraft used precision weapons such as GBU‑39/B Small Diameter Bombs and GBU‑32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions to strike strategic sites including the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and the Natanz nuclear facility, while coordinating with B‑2 Spirit bombers and EA‑18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.

During the nine‑day campaign Iranian forces launched dozens of surface‑to‑air missiles, none of which tracked the F‑22s. U.S. officials reported that the strikes also targeted air defense systems and coastal surveillance assets. The operation occurred amid heightened tensions after Iran attacked three tanker ships in the Strait of Hormuz on July 1, prompting the United States and Iran to declare a previously agreed cease‑fire broken on July 8. President Donald Trump said the cease‑fire was over and indicated a willingness to resume negotiations, while Qatari envoys traveled to Iran in coordination with the United States to de‑escalate the situation.

The future of U.S. military presence in the region and the prospects for a negotiated settlement remain uncertain, with a deadline approaching for a diplomatic agreement. The United States has indicated that any resumption of large‑scale combat operations would require time to rebuild forces, a factor that could affect both regional stability and global energy markets.

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Ukrainian Drone Strikes Damage Russian Vessels in Sea of Azov

104d ago · Source: twz

Ukrainian forces reported striking 28 Russian vessels with drones in the Sea of Azov on Saturday, continuing a campaign that has damaged dozens of ships since early July. The attacks follow 13 vessel strikes on Friday, bringing the total number of vessels hit in the past six days to 76, according to the 414th Separate Unmanned Strike Aviation System Brigade, known as "Magyar's Birds." Reuters reported that the strikes have temporarily halted shipping through the Don‑Azov Canal, a waterway linking the Don River to the Sea of Azov, and have led Russia to suspend new vessel applications through the Kerch Strait and to halt navigation on the canal.

The Sea of Azov is a key route for Russian oil and grain exports, with about 25% of Russia's wheat exports passing through the waterway. Industry sources said the disruptions have reduced Russian gasoline output to roughly 65% of the seasonal average, prompting increased imports from Belarus and shipments from India.

Ukrainian officials said the drone operations have also targeted 53 military sites inside Crimea and southern occupied territories, including fleet assets and energy infrastructure. The brigade reported hitting 21 tankers, four tugs, two cargo vessels and one special‑purpose vessel overnight on 11 July, and a total of 76 vessels over the six‑day period.

Videos posted by the brigade and other social media accounts show the aftermath of the strikes, though independent verification of the claims is limited. Analysts noted that the FP‑2 drone, equipped with a 200‑kilogram warhead and a range of up to 370 kilometres, has enabled Ukrainian forces to strike targets across the Sea of Azov.

The impact on Russian energy logistics is being closely watched. Russian officials have publicly expressed concern that the attacks are creating fuel shortages, while the Kremlin has not detailed its response. The continuation of the drone campaign may force further adjustments to shipping routes and could influence broader diplomatic efforts.

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Strait of Hormuz Sees Rise in Shipping Transits Amid Ongoing Attacks

104d ago · Source: usni

Transit counts through the Strait of Hormuz rose to 576 in June, up from 233 in May, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. About 70 percent of June’s transits were made by non‑Iranian vessels, and the total represents roughly 80 percent of pre‑war traffic, said analyst Bridget Diakun. The increase followed a 60‑day ceasefire announced on June 17 that resulted in many ships that had been stranded in the Persian Gulf departing the area. The International Maritime Organization reported that about 6,000 seafarers remain stranded, down from roughly 20,000 at the start of hostilities on Feb. 28. USNI News tracked at least 58 attacks on vessels by U.S. and Iranian forces since the hostilities began, including five attacks on commercial ships after the ceasefire. Four of the attacks occurred off the coast of Oman and one off the United Arab Emirates, the IMO said. Analysts note that traffic patterns have continued despite the attacks. Lloyd’s List editor‑in‑chief Richard Meade said the current levels do not reflect a new normal. The U.S. Central Command conducted strikes in retaliation for the recent attack on the MT Cyprus Prosperity, and President Donald Trump announced the end of the ceasefire on Friday. Diakun said she expects transits to decline over the next week as the shipping industry adapts, and she does not anticipate a sustained increase in westbound traffic into the Persian Gulf. BRS Shipbrokers head of research Andrew Wilson said the situation remains volatile until a comprehensive agreement involving all Gulf partners is reached. The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of regional maritime activity as shipping companies adjust routes and operators monitor the security environment.

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Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Coordinates Coalition Air Missions

104d ago · Source: twz

The Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar oversees daily combined air and space operations for coalition forces in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and 17 other nations. The center is a joint U.S. Air Force and partner team that provides command, control, rapid reaction, positive control, coordination and de‑confliction of weapon systems. The discussion post invites community members to talk about weekly topics while requiring respectful discourse, factual statements and a ban on political memes, conspiracy theories and personal attacks. The post also reminds users to use the mute function and to report violations. No specific future agenda was announced.

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U.S. and Iran Exchange Strikes After Iran Attacked Civilian Vessel in Strait of Hormuz

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the United States and Iran exchanged attacks after Iran fired at a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, leading the United States to strike about 1...

104d ago · Source: stripes · 1 min read

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the United States and Iran exchanged attacks after Iran fired at a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, leading the United States to strike about 140 Iranian military targets. The conflict escalated in late February when the United States and Israel launched strikes that degraded Iran’s military and killed many senior officers. A June agreement temporarily halted the fighting, but the United States said it still wants to pursue diplomatic talks. U.S. Central Command reported hitting missile and drone sites, naval assets and communications networks. Missile alerts and sirens sounded in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where U.S. forces are based, but no damage or injuries were reported. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States responded to Iran’s attack on the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus‑flagged container ship, in order to protect civilian mariners. CENTCOM said the strikes were directed by President Trump and aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to attack civilian ships and commercial vessels transiting the strait. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it fired warning shots at a vessel attempting an unauthorized route and said the strait would remain closed until further notice until U.S. interference ceases. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the United States must fulfill its obligations or face repercussions. The latest exchanges have renewed concerns about the durability of the temporary ceasefire and the prospects for a diplomatic resolution.

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United States and Iran to Resume Talks after Strikes, Gulf States Respond

104d ago · Source: understandingwar

The United States and Iran have agreed to resume negotiations after a series of strikes on Iranian territory between July 8 and 9, though Iran's negotiating position and war aims remain unchanged.

Iran seeks to retain control of the Strait of Hormuz, preserve its nuclear program, and protect Hezbollah, while attempting to deter Gulf states from supporting efforts to end its control of the waterway. Open-source intelligence reported that on July 9 unspecified targets were struck in Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchistan; Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island in Hormozgan; and Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province.

Iran launched attacks against Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar on July 9 in response to the U.S. strikes. The United States and Iraq are preparing to sign an agreement under which the United States will invest in Iraq in exchange for Iraq curbing Iranian influence; Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaydi is expected to sign the deal during his upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., beginning June 15.

The agreement also calls for the Iraqi federal government to disarm Iranian‑backed militias and dismantle their financial networks, a requirement the United States has pressed since 2025. Baghdad formed a disarmament committee in early June and has set a deadline of the end of September, coinciding with the planned withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces.

Iraqi militia groups have sought to circumvent disarmament. Some reported handing over inoperable weapons while retaining functional ballistic missiles and drones, which officials say are the main obstacle to full disarmament. Two senior Iranian sources told Reuters that Iran views control of the Strait of Hormuz as critical leverage and will not discuss its nuclear program unless the United States acknowledges that control; Iran has conditioned any talks on a cessation of Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

U.S. sanctions on July 10 targeted eight individuals and six entities, including Dubai financier Ali Ansari, who oversees assets linked to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf was reported as unchanged.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah appears to be discouraging the Lebanese government from using force to disarm the group. President Joseph Aoun said he will discuss cooperation with Hezbollah on disarmament during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on July 21, but analysts note that Hezbollah is unlikely to disarm voluntarily and has warned that any forced disarmament could trigger civil conflict.

The Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council announced on July 10 a legal initiative with Prime Minister Zaydi to reduce penalties for officials who return stolen public funds, a measure viewed as having limited enforcement capacity. The initiative follows a 2022 amnesty that failed to recover over $5 billion in embezzled funds.

The overall situation remains fluid, with the outcome of the U.S.–Iran talks and the Iraqi disarmament effort still uncertain.

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Hizballah Campaign Forces Lebanon into Iran Negotiation Framework

104d ago · Source: warontherocks

Hizballah’s coordinated drone and rocket attacks from April 15 to June 14 created a continuous risk of uncontrolled escalation and led the United States to incorporate Lebanon into the June 15 framework agreement with Iran.

U.S. and Iranian officials announced the framework on June 15, focusing on the nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz, while a ceasefire between Israel and Hizballah had held since April 16. American diplomats had previously treated Lebanon separately, but Hizballah’s attacks linked the two fronts.

Data from Alma Research and Education Center and Hizballah statements show 1,155 attacks in the period, including 540 drone strikes and 615 rocket, missile and artillery incidents. From May 12 to June 14, drone attacks made up 228 of 379 total drone missions, following Israel’s cross‑Litani incursion on May 4.

The pattern reflects a risk strategy described by Thomas Schelling, in which measured escalation raises the possibility of spillover that can be used as leverage in negotiations. Iranian officials repeatedly stated that any agreement excluding Lebanon would be meaningless, and state media described Hizballah as central to Iran’s national interests.

The inclusion of Lebanon ties the broader Iran deal to a conflict the United States did not start, obliging Washington to manage a war it cannot abandon without jeopardizing the larger agreement. Israel’s continued presence in southern Lebanon now conflicts with U.S. goals to de‑escalate and withdraw, while Iranian diplomatic pressure seeks to preserve Hizballah’s role as a bargaining chip.

The United States has indicated it may use diplomatic pressure and limit arms transfers to influence Israeli behavior, but no clear mechanism exists to resolve the contradiction between supporting Lebanese sovereignty and tolerating Iranian influence through Hizballah. The situation remains unresolved as attacks continue and diplomatic talks stall.

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U.S. Says Iran Talks Continue Despite Strait of Hormuz Skirmishes

104d ago · Source: stripes

A U.S. official said Thursday that talks between the United States and Iran over a permanent peace deal are continuing despite two days of clashes in the Strait of Hormuz that threatened a fragile interim ceasefire.

These technical talks aim to negotiate a permanent agreement to replace the interim arrangement signed in mid‑June. The United States launched airstrikes against Iranian military sites after Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait, while Iran struck U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce; Washington says Iran is attacking commercial shipping, and Tehran says the United States is interfering with its control of the waterway.

Mediators, including Qatar, have been engaged in recent days to ease the tension, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The escalation follows several days of funeral rites in Iran for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died in an airstrike at the beginning of the conflict and was buried on Thursday in Mashhad. His son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen publicly since taking office, prompting questions about his participation in the negotiations.

The flare‑up coincides with the U.S. Treasury’s decision to revoke a waiver that allowed Iran to sell oil globally, representing the biggest challenge to the interim deal. Maritime traffic through the Strait has declined this week, and Brent crude rose more than 6 % to $76.50 a barrel, though it remains below the $125 peak reached in late April.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the ceasefire appeared “over,” but added that he would not prevent the negotiations from proceeding. The United States says Iran can access frozen funds only if it meets the conditions of the memorandum of understanding, while Iran insists that ships must obtain its permission to transit the Strait and that a permanent management system, possibly involving fees, will be implemented. The United States and many other world powers consider such a system unacceptable because it would restrict free passage.

U.S. military officials stated that Iran does not control the Strait, noting that it has facilitated the transit of more than 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil since early May. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the recent attacks on Saudi and Qatari energy tankers.

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Iran and United States Resume Talks as Strait of Hormuz Attacks Persist

104d ago · Source: understandingwar

The Institute for the Study of War and the Critical Threats Project issued a daily update on July 11, 2026, describing Iran’s ongoing efforts to maintain diplomatic talks with the United States while its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps appears to have authorized recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States has demanded that Iran confirm the strait remains open to all commercial traffic, end attacks on ships, and restore maritime arrangements to their pre‑war status. Iran has rejected a return to the previous system, saying control of the strait is essential strategic leverage.

According to senior U.S. officials, Iranian negotiators told the Trump administration on July 10 that an “errant” hardline faction within the regime was responsible for the attacks on three commercial vessels on July 6 and July 7, though the Institute for the Study of War said the IRGC Navy likely carried out the attacks under strategic direction.

The Institute’s analysis indicates that the IRGC Navy, rather than an “errant” hardline faction, likely coordinated the attacks to reassert control over the waterway, a pattern consistent with its strategy during the ceasefire.

Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and President Masoud Pezeshkian, have publicly supported negotiations, while Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called for revenge for the killing of his father, stating that the effort would involve “every free person around the world,” though he added that his personal survival was not a factor.

The United States has stated it will not finalize a nuclear agreement unless Iran relinquishes its enriched nuclear material, a condition Tehran has not signaled willingness to meet, and Iran continues to harden the Taleghan 2 facility at the Parchin military complex, building a concrete roof to protect it from potential strikes.

The report concludes that internal divisions within Iran’s leadership enable the regime to sustain diplomatic engagement while the IRGC enforces its control over the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the future of maritime arrangements and nuclear negotiations unresolved.

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Western Pacific Naval Activities Include RIMPAC 2026 Exercise and Multiple Nation Deployments

104d ago · Source: usni

From July 7 to July 31, 2026, the U.S. Navy led the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercise in the Western Pacific, involving dozens of ships and unmanned surface vessels from multiple nations. The at‑sea phase began on Monday with departures from Joint Base Pearl Harbor‑Hickam, Hawaii, and included live‑firing drills on Tuesday and Wednesday. The U.S. Navy said the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN‑71) led a contingent that included the cruiser USS Chosin (CG‑65), destroyers USS Paul Hamilton (DDG‑60), USS Decatur (DDG‑73), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG‑108), USS Carl M. Levin (DDG‑120), amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD‑2), attack submarines USS Charlotte (SSN‑766) and USS Columbia (SSN‑771), fleet oilers USNS Tippecanoe (T‑AO‑199) and USNS Guadalupe (T‑AO‑200), dry cargo ship USNS Washington Chambers (T‑AKE‑11), and Coast Guard cutter USCGC Kimball (WMSL‑756). Fast‑attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN‑782) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor‑Hickam on Monday after a deployment that supported deterrence and a free and open Pacific, according to a Navy release. Other navies also participated: the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH‑341) conducted a torpedo firing on Tuesday, and the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force destroyer JS Kongo (DDG‑173) fired an SM‑2 missile on Wednesday; a Chinese Y‑9 electronic intelligence aircraft flew over the East China Sea and was intercepted by Japanese fighter aircraft on July 6. The exercise will conclude on July 13 with joint patrols, and the overall RIMPAC 26 schedule runs through July 31.

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Carrier Qualifications Continue for Some Navy Fighter Pilots in Training

104d ago · Source: twz

Some Navy fighter pilot trainees in T-45 Goshawk trainers can still earn carrier qualifications, though graduation no longer requires it. The Navy is evaluating new training methods, including virtual environments, and plans to replace the T-45 fleet with a new jet trainer that will not mandate carrier landing touch‑and‑go training. Recent photos captured 26 student aviators — 17 E‑2 students, seven international military students and two strike students — completing carrier qualifications aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in June 2026. CNATRA and NAVAIR said carrier qualifications are required for E‑2 and foreign student pipelines but optional for strike students when deck time permits. Officials emphasized that carrier qualifications demand high skill, focus and teamwork. The Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) will replace the T-45 and may alter syllabus requirements after 2040, but current discussions remain premature. The Freedom jet proposal and the M‑346N competition are still in source selection, and concerns persist about removing traditional FCLP training in favor of simulated environments that cannot fully replicate live carrier operations. The Navy aims to finalize the UJTS selection next year, after which deliveries will begin, while the existing T-45 fleet continues to support training pending any changes to carrier qualification requirements.

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Congressional Report Examines U.S. Extended Deterrence and Regional Nuclear Capabilities

104d ago · Source: usni

A July 10, 2026, Congressional Research Service report titled "U.S. Extended Deterrence and Regional Nuclear Capabilities" outlines the United States' policy of extending nuclear deterrence to more than 30 allied and partner nations. The 2010, 2018, and 2022 Nuclear Posture Reviews argued that strengthening extended deterrence advanced U.S. nuclear nonproliferation goals. The 2026 National Defense Strategy did not address extended deterrence, saying that allies and partners would take primary responsibility for their own defense with limited U.S. support. Some members of Congress said they were concerned about the Trump administration's commitment to extended deterrence and about allies' interest in acquiring nuclear weapons. The report calls for additional review of the policy to ensure alignment with nonproliferation objectives.

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Russian Gasoline Production Falls to 65% of Seasonal Demand Amid Ukrainian Strikes

104d ago · Source: understandingwar

Russian gasoline output fell to about 65% of seasonal demand in June 2026, according to Reuters, which cited industry sources and its own calculations. The shortfall reached roughly 35% of the 115,000‑120,000 metric tons per day expected during the summer driving season. Russian refineries, including Lukoil‑Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez and Omsk facilities, were forced to halt production after Ukrainian drone strikes damaged primary units. The Saratov Oil Refinery suspended operations on July 7 following a drone attack that disabled its CDU‑6 primary unit; its previous outages in March and May were also linked to strikes. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on July 10 that some refineries have partially reduced production due to drone attacks and that authorities will secure additional gasoline supplies. Regional officials in Russia and occupied territories have imposed fuel sales restrictions and encouraged remote work to curb consumption. Kazakhstan deployed police posts along its border with Russia and tightened entry rules for foreign vehicles after a rise in illegal fuel smuggling reports in June 2026. State‑run polling by the All‑Russian Public Opinion Research Center showed President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating slipping 0.9 percentage points to 66% and trust declining to 72.3% between June 29 and July 5. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on July 9 that Poland has credible information that Russia is planning provocations against NATO states, a warning echoed by French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noel Barrot. Ukrainian forces struck multiple Russian energy sites between July 9 and 10, including the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Krai, the Kurgannefteprodukt terminal in Taganrog, the Azovnefteprodukt depot in Azov, and the Novatek Ust‑Luga terminal in Leningrad Oblast. Russian officials reported drone attacks that caused fires and explosions at these locations. In the northern front, Russian forces continued operations in Sumy Oblast without confirmed advances, while Ukrainian forces conducted long‑range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. In eastern Ukraine, Russian units attempted limited offensives near Kharkiv and along the Oskil River but made no significant territorial gains. Russian drone activity increased over Kramatorsk, with reports of 1,000 Molniya drones being deployed to intensify strikes. Ukrainian commanders reported reduced Russian advance rates and higher Ukrainian casualty figures, estimating 32,000 Russian casualties in the first half of 2026. Ukrainian strikes also targeted gasoline tankers and fuel depots in occupied Crimea and the Sea of Azov, damaging 13 tankers and other vessels between July 9 and 10. Russian air and missile units launched 137 drones and loitering munitions against Ukraine on the night of July 9‑10, most of which were intercepted. Power outages affected occupied regions in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea after Ukrainian attacks on electrical substations.

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First In-Residence Sergeants School Held at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Japan

104d ago · Source: stripes

Marine Aircraft Group-12 will conduct the first in-residence Sergeants School at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, from July 6 to August 11, 2026, after a $21 million shortfall eliminated travel funding for the course.

The Marine Corps Formal Schools Training Support Program was short by nearly one-fourth of its $75 million budget for fiscal year 2026, according to a Marine administrative message published in December. Rising travel and lodging expenses reduced the program’s ability to send personnel to off-site schools, prompting unit-funded alternatives.

Sixty-eight Marines from MCAS Iwakuni would normally attend the five-week course in Hawaii or Okinawa, but travel costs of about $240,000 made that option costly. MAG-12 paid roughly $60,000 to bring a mobile training team from the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Hawaii, allowing the class to be held on-site. The course, mandatory for promotion to staff sergeant, includes physical training five times a week, drill and ceremony, Marine Corps history, and warfighting scenarios, according to Gunnery Sgt. Adam Hazlett, senior leadership and warfighting instructor.

Sgt. Ashley Magana, a maintenance administrator for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, said she had been awaiting updates on the residency. Gray said the unit reallocated funds from a low-enrollment class to cover the Iwakuni course. Gray said the experience is an investment in the Marines’ development. Caruso, director of the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, arrived with four instructors from the College of Enlisted Military Education to deliver the curriculum.

The Marine Corps has no plans to cancel the course and intends to continue the in-residence format for the next two years, while evaluating travel costs as part of its formal schools budgeting process.

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USAF Decides B-21 Raider Will Have Two‑Pilot Crew

104d ago · Source: twz

USAF announced that the B‑21 Raider will be operated with a standard two‑pilot crew, the same as the B‑2 bomber, rather than the previously contemplated single‑pilot configuration with a weapon systems officer. An official release said the two‑pilot arrangement optimally supports the aircraft’s mission profile and allows the service to retain the tactical and combat experience of the WSO and combat systems officer communities. The decision follows a June test flight in which a pre‑production Raider was flown by an operational test pilot. The Air Force will establish a pilot transition program for selected weapons system officers and combat systems officers to attend pilot training and then be assigned to the B‑21 fleet. The bomber is expected to begin fielding at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota next year, with the service planning to acquire at least 100 aircraft and to release a precise production figure later in 2025. Gen. Stephen Davis, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, said the two‑pilot crew provides an additional margin of safety, crew rest capabilities, and facilities for food and sanitation during long sorties. While the current plan calls for two pilots, officials noted that advances in artificial intelligence and autonomy could enable an optionally piloted or single‑pilot mode in the future, though no final decision on crew size has been made.

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Kremlin Confirms Talks With Turkey Over Fate of S‑400 Systems Amid F‑35 Push

104d ago · Source: twz

The Kremlin confirmed it is in contact with Turkey regarding the fate of Turkey’s Russian‑made S‑400 air defense systems. Reports say Turkey may transfer the missiles to a Gulf state to persuade the United States to lift sanctions and allow Ankara to resume sales of F‑35 fighter jets.

The United States removed Turkey from the F‑35 program in 2019 after it purchased the S‑400s, citing security concerns. About 30 F‑35s had been assembled for Turkey before the suspension, and the systems have largely remained in storage since the 2017 purchase.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow is discussing the issue with Ankara but declined to comment on the reported transfer. Turkish media cited journalist Abdulkadir Selvi saying the sale could be announced soon, with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar mentioned as possible recipients. Turkey plans to announce today that it will sell the S‑400 batteries to the United Arab Emirates, a move intended to lift restrictions on F‑35 sales.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would consider allowing Turkey back into the F‑35 program if it were more loyal, though congressional approval and verification that the S‑400s are no longer operational would be required. The United States also plans to sell Turkey F‑16 fighters and F110 engines, reflecting improving defense ties. Turkey has signed a deal for Eurofighter Typhoon jets to meet short‑term fighter needs. The transfer of the S‑400s could benefit Russia’s air defenses amid the war in Ukraine, while Turkey would gain industrial and military advantages from F‑35 participation.

The reopening of Turkey’s F‑35 program will depend on congressional action and further verification of the S‑400 status, leaving the outcome uncertain.