All articles tagged with #russian military
European intelligence sources say a string of high-ranking Russian officer killings is exposing a rift inside Putin’s security system: the FSB resists handling protection for generals while the military gains battlefield clout, fueling internal tensions and potentially affecting Kremlin politics ahead of September elections.
More than 500 Ukrainian drones attacked Russia overnight, with air defences intercepting 556 drones across 14 regions and Crimea. In the Moscow region, three people were killed and four wounded as debris damaged residential buildings and a construction site near an oil/gas refinery; Moscow authorities said over 80 drones were shot down in the city with minor damage reported. Kyiv framed the strikes as justified, while diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled as fighting continues.
An ISW assessment finds Russia ceded about 116 square kilometers in April 2026—the first such loss since Aug 2024—while Ukraine gained ground in Sumy and Zaporizhzhia, reflecting a slower Russian advance and a shift to attritional warfare aided by drones and Ukraine's harassing tactics; Moscow faces recruitment challenges and communications restrictions after Starlink and Telegram blocks, suggesting large-scale offensives are unlikely this year.
A Russian Ka-226 helicopter crashed in Dagestan, killing five people including four employees of the defense company KEMZ, with the cause of the crash still under investigation. The incident highlights ongoing issues in Russia's aviation sector amid sanctions and military conflicts.
The ISW reports that Russian forces are regrouping and reinforcing in western Donetsk, likely preparing for a major offensive, while attempting to disrupt Ukrainian logistics. Recent movements include Russian advances into Kupyansk and Ukrainian advances near Lyman, indicating ongoing active combat in the region.
Ukraine may have achieved a significant strategic advantage over Russia by inflicting a potentially devastating loss on the Russian military, shifting the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine conducted a sophisticated drone attack on Russian air bases, damaging or destroying a significant portion of Russia's strategic bomber fleet, including long-range Tu-95 and Tu-22M aircraft, marking a major escalation and demonstrating Ukraine's capability to strike high-value targets across Russia, including in Siberia.
Russian goalie Ivan Fedotov's journey to the NHL was delayed due to mandatory military service and contractual disputes with CSKA Moscow, but he has finally joined the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old, who stands at 6-foot-7, is eager to contribute to the team's playoff push and is open to a contract extension. Fedotov's perseverance through adversity has impressed the Flyers' management, and he is now focused on making an impact in the NHL after successful stints in the KHL and the 2022 Olympics.
A Russian military Il-76 transport plane crashed during takeoff in the Ivanovo region with 15 people on board, including eight crew members and seven passengers. The Defence Ministry suspects an engine fire as the cause and has dispatched investigators to the scene. This incident adds to a series of disastrous events involving high-value aircraft amid the Ukrainian war, with reports of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West against sending troops to Ukraine, cautioning that it could lead to nuclear war and the destruction of civilization. He referenced French President Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of sending Western troops to Ukraine and emphasized Russia's capability to strike Western targets with nuclear weapons. Putin also highlighted Russia's military progress in Ukraine and announced plans to bolster its military presence along its Western border to counter NATO expansion. Additionally, he discussed Russia's economy, social support programs for families, and health policy, while praising those who have served in the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the military to prepare for further advances into Ukraine following the fall of the town of Avdiivka, where he claimed Ukrainian troops fled in chaos. Putin emphasized the need to treat captured Ukrainian soldiers in accordance with international conventions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba blamed the U.S. Congress' delay in approving a large aid package for the loss of Avdiivka, warning that Russia does not intend to pause or withdraw. The conflict in Ukraine has intensified, with both sides reporting casualties and losses as Moscow seeks to grind down Ukrainian forces.
After the Ukrainian army's 110th Mechanized Brigade ran out of ammunition and had to retreat from Avdiivka, the Russian army attacked in multiple sectors. However, the Ukrainian 65th Mechanized Brigade successfully repelled a Russian assault group, inflicting heavy casualties and destroying numerous Russian tanks and fighting vehicles. Despite Russian losses, they are mobilizing more troops and restoring long-stored vehicles to make up for their casualties, while the Ukrainians struggle with ammunition shortages due to blocked U.S. aid.
The Russian 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade suffered significant losses in southern Ukraine, leading to a reconstitution and redeployment. Despite attempts to rebuild, the brigade faced further defeats at the hands of Ukrainian forces, resulting in the loss of modern T-80 tanks and a reversion to using outdated T-55 tanks from the 1950s. This reflects broader challenges within the Russian military, which has struggled to maintain front-line strength amidst sustained conflict with Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that Russian troops are maintaining the initiative in Ukraine and are effectively carrying out their objectives. He praised the Russian military for repelling Ukrainian attacks during the counteroffensive and stated that Western attempts to defeat Russia have failed. Putin emphasized the need to improve military communications, intelligence, and counterartillery capabilities, as well as expand the country's nuclear forces. While open to talks, he warned that Russia will not give up what it considers its own interests.
The hacker group Sandworm, linked to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, has claimed credit for a cyberattack on Kyivstar, one of Ukraine's largest mobile and internet providers. The attack resulted in essential services being blocked and limited access to the company's infrastructure. While the Ukrainian government and cybersecurity experts have not publicly attributed the attack to Sandworm, a group called Solntsepek, believed to be a front for Sandworm, claimed responsibility in a Telegram post. The attack on Kyivstar is seen as one of the most disruptive cyberattacks in Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022, with potential implications for intelligence-gathering, military communications, and civilian alerts.