An investigation reveals that Russian authorities are actively involving children in the design and testing of drones for the war in Ukraine. This involvement begins with seemingly innocuous video games and progresses to advanced competitions, with talented students being recruited by defense companies. Teenagers have been found to be modeling drone components for major enterprises, often encouraged to conceal the military applications of their projects. Furthermore, children have been shown constructing kamikaze drones in factories, violating international conventions. This initiative is part of a broader effort to boost Russia’s drone production, a crucial element of its war effort.
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The Radarom! campaign, a collaborative effort by the Lithuanian people and companies, has successfully procured over 2,000 drones for Ukraine’s defense forces. The campaign raised over €4.4 million, with the funds allocated towards purchasing both Lithuanian and Ukrainian-made drones and equipment. Over €2.6 million was spent on Lithuanian drone production, while €1.7 million was allocated for Ukrainian manufacturers’ equipment. The initiative, organized by LRT in partnership with other organizations, highlights Lithuania’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
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On the night of July 19, Moscow was reportedly targeted by Ukrainian drones for the third consecutive night, as reported by Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. Russian air defense units intercepted 13 drones in under two hours, although no casualties or damage have been reported. The alleged attack follows similar strikes on July 17 and 18, impacting Moscow and surrounding areas. These recent events occur amid reports of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s warnings against attacks on Moscow, as well as offering Russia a deadline to make a peace deal.
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In a groundbreaking operation, the 3rd separate assault brigade successfully captured Russian troops in the Kharkiv region using only first-person view (FPV) drones and kamikaze ground robots. The brigade reported this as the first confirmed assault exclusively utilizing unmanned platforms, where drones guided surviving occupiers to Ukrainian positions after an assault robot prompted the enemy to surrender. This marks a significant advancement in Ukraine’s strategy of implementing robotized military operations, particularly to conserve Ukrainian lives and address troop shortages. The operation concluded with the capture of enemy positions and a nearby forest line.
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In a historic first, Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade reported capturing Russian soldiers using only drones and ground-based robotic systems. The operation, conducted in Kharkiv Oblast, involved FPV drones and kamikaze ground robots attacking Russian fortifications, leading to the surrender of the enemy troops. These captured soldiers were subsequently guided out of the combat zone by drones and taken into custody. This novel approach, which highlights Ukraine’s strategy to minimize troop losses, enabled the brigade to seize both Russian fortifications and a nearby forest line.
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Russia launches a massive overnight attack on Ukraine with 728 drones. Imagine the sheer scale of that, the logistical nightmare of coordinating such a swarm, and the psychological impact of enduring it. No reported casualties, which is remarkable, but can you picture the relentless buzzing, the metallic drone of hundreds of these machines filling the night? It’s like a swarm of mechanical mosquitos, a constant, unnerving presence that would make sleep nearly impossible. This also gives an inkling into the amount of resources used to defend against these drones.
The reality is that Russia seems to be trying to overwhelm Ukraine with a sheer quantity of drones, a tactic reminiscent of the Battle of Britain, a strategy designed to break the will of the people.… Continue reading
Russia unleashed its largest single-day drone attack on Ukraine to date, launching 728 Shaheds and 13 missiles overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 718 objects were neutralized amid the assault, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to emphasize the need for peace efforts. As the attacks continue, and Russia makes advances, former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed growing disappointment with Vladimir Putin and is now considering sending more Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
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Russia has drastically increased its drone production capabilities for use in the war against Ukraine, with the help of Chinese companies. Aero-HIT, a Russian company, has been working with Chinese firms, including Autel and the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), to manufacture drones like the Veles, based on the Autel EVO Max 4T. This collaboration allows Russia to produce thousands of drones monthly, even though China officially denies providing military aid. Aero-HIT has been sanctioned by the US for its drone usage, yet Russia continues to use intermediaries to circumvent these restrictions.
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President Zelensky announced plans to bolster Ukraine’s drone and air defense capabilities during his Monday address. He discussed the need to increase drone usage on the front lines, particularly in areas like Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka, and Orikhiv. Zelensky also met with defense staff to discuss acquiring more air defense systems and securing financial backing for domestic drone production, and indicated that agreements would be finalized in the coming weeks. Additionally, he noted that Ukraine’s allies are supportive of these efforts.
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South Korea has abandoned plans to acquire 36 additional Apache attack helicopters due to rising costs and the increasing vulnerability of helicopters in modern warfare. Funding for the program was nearly eliminated in a recent supplementary budget, with officials citing the need to shift defense priorities towards unmanned systems and advanced technologies. The decision reflects concerns about the cost-effectiveness of the Apache and the impact of drone and missile threats, as demonstrated in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This shift aligns with similar reevaluations of attack helicopter programs in the U.S., Japan, and Australia.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood