On November 27, Russia deployed Tu-22M3 long-range bombers armed with Kh-32 supersonic cruise missiles over the Baltic Sea, accompanied by fighter jets. The five-hour flight in international airspace was monitored by foreign military aircraft, including Swedish Air Force QRA fighters who intercepted and identified the Russian bombers. The bombers originated from Olenya air base, recently reactivated for long-range aviation, and the mission rehearsed a maritime strike profile targeting NATO assets. This exercise, along with a separate Arctic Ocean patrol by a Tu-160 bomber, is considered part of routine long-range aviation training, but is seen by NATO as strategic signaling.
Read More
Ukraine launched a significant strike against a chemical plant in Russia’s Bryansk region, utilizing British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles that successfully bypassed Russian air defenses. This attack, targeting a facility producing explosives and rocket fuel components, marks a notable escalation in the conflict. The UK’s permission for Ukraine to use these missiles inside Russia, which began last year, is likely to draw further criticism from the Kremlin. This action also comes amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics, including potential peace talks.
Read More
Ukraine has developed two long-range cruise missiles since the start of the war, rivaling the capabilities of Europe’s only comparable system, the French MdCN, which currently exists only in a naval version. The Ukrainian RK-360L, with a range of 1,000 kilometers and a 260-kilogram warhead, is operationally similar to the MdCN but offers the practical advantage of ground-based launch from mobile platforms. While the French MdCN relies on technology derived from the SCALP system, the Ukrainian Neptune’s targeting precision has been proven in combat, and Defense Express notes that the Ukrainian missile is likely cheaper and faster to manufacture. Ukraine has also developed the FP-5 Flamingo and a domestically produced ballistic missile, expanding its offensive capabilities.
Read More
Recent analysis indicates a significant decline in Russia’s ability to launch bomber-launched cruise missiles against Ukraine, with its capacity now halved compared to the previous year. This reduction is attributed to Ukraine’s “Operation Spider’s Web” drone attacks, which have damaged Russian bombers, as well as Western sanctions that have strained missile production due to reliance on foreign components. Furthermore, Ukrainian drones have targeted Russian missile manufacturing facilities, but despite these challenges, Russia continues to utilize drone swarms in its attacks.
Read More
A new North Korean destroyer, launched with Kim Jong Un in attendance, suffered a significant accident during its launch ceremony, sliding off its transport and sustaining bottom damage. The incident, attributed to negligence and inexperience, was described by Kim as a “criminal act” resulting in the censure of responsible officials. The damaged vessel, possessing capabilities similar to North Korea’s first destroyer, is slated for repair before a key party meeting. Despite this setback, North Korea also launched multiple cruise missiles on the same day.
Read More
A Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Engels-2 airbase resulted in the destruction of 96 air-launched cruise missiles via secondary explosions, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. The strike, one of several targeting the base, also eliminated significant fuel reserves intended for Russian aircraft, significantly impacting their operational capacity. Satellite imagery confirms substantial damage to the base, including craters and destroyed bunkers. While Russia reported intercepting 54 drones, the attack’s success represents a notable blow to Russian air power.
Read More
The reported assassination of Mikhail Shatsky, a Russian scientist instrumental in the development of cruise missiles, near Moscow has sparked a flurry of reactions, ranging from condemnation to celebration. Ukrainian intelligence services have openly claimed responsibility for the killing, asserting that Shatsky, a deputy director of a Moscow-based ballistics engineering unit, was a legitimate target due to his involvement in Russia’s military-industrial complex and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This claim hasn’t been officially acknowledged or denied by Russian authorities.
The details surrounding Shatsky’s death remain shrouded in some ambiguity. Photographs circulating on pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels depict a man matching Shatsky’s description lying dead in the snow; however, definitive confirmation of the identity has not been independently verified.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood