Norway has removed KNDS Deutschland’s EuroPULS from its rocket artillery competition, leaving U.S. and South Korean systems as the remaining options. This decision occurs amid deepening defense partnerships between Berlin and Oslo, making the exclusion a notable point of contention within the partnership. The U.S. offers HIMARS and GMARS systems, while South Korea’s K239 Chunmoo presents an alternative with local production capabilities. Ultimately, Norway’s choice will influence NATO’s deep-fires architecture, impacting the balance between U.S. influence, Asian suppliers, and Europe’s drive for strategic autonomy.
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Ukraine hunts Russian reinforcements near Pokrovsk with coordinated HIMARS, drone, and air strikes, and it sounds like things are finally heating up. The news is focusing on the Pokrovsk region, and the buzz is all about coordinated attacks – a real trifecta of HIMARS strikes, drone reconnaissance, and air support. It’s a strong combination, and hopefully, it means that Ukraine is making headway in pushing back against the Russian forces. We’re talking about a significant tactical advantage here.
This push towards Pokrovsk is crucial because of the reinforcements Russia is trying to pour in. It’s a game of cat and mouse, with Ukraine using every tool in its arsenal to disrupt the Russian supply lines and prevent them from consolidating their positions.… Continue reading
Reports from Russian Telegram channels indicate that Ukrainian HIMARS rockets struck a thermal power plant near Belgorod on September 28, leading to power outages across the region. Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the strike on critical infrastructure, although the extent of the damage remains unknown. This attack aligns with Ukraine’s recent intensification of strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, a strategic move impacting Moscow’s revenues and armed forces’ logistics. Furthermore, Belgorod, located near the Ukrainian border, has been a regular target of Ukrainian strikes.
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Ukraine will receive Patriot and HIMARS missiles as part of a U.S. weapons aid package, confirmed by President Zelensky. This aid package, financed by NATO allies through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) framework, aims to fulfill Ukraine’s most urgent battlefield needs. The Patriot systems are crucial for defense against ballistic missiles, while HIMARS have proven critical in Ukrainian forces’ successes, with the potential to target areas within Russia. The initial two aid packages, valued at $500 million each, will utilize contributions from NATO members, including the U.S., to purchase American weapons and equipment.
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Exercise Talisman Sabre, the largest war-fighting drills in Australia’s history, commenced with live-fire exercises featuring the newly acquired HIMARS. The three-week event involves over 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations, including the United States and Australia, with activities also taking place in Papua New Guinea for the first time. Chinese surveillance ships are anticipated to monitor the exercises, as they have done in previous iterations, prompting adjustments in Australia’s operational approach. The exercise began shortly after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China, during which he indicated that the surveillance would not be a point of contention.
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A Ukrainian HIMARS strike reportedly eliminated a Russian convoy near Makiivka, within the occupied Donetsk region, on June 13th. The Telegram channel ASTRA published video purportedly showing the aftermath, including burning vehicles and a cratered road, though this footage remains unverified. The strike, which Ukrainian media reported killed eight Russian servicemen and two civilians, underscores the ongoing effectiveness of U.S.-supplied HIMARS in the conflict. The Institute for the Study of War noted recent Ukrainian advances northwest of Makiivka, coinciding with this reported engagement.
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NASA’s Curiosity rover has detected the largest organic molecules yet found on Mars within a 3.7-billion-year-old rock sample. These long-chain molecules, including decane, undecane, and dodecane, are potential fragments of fatty acids, crucial building blocks of life on Earth. While not definitive proof of past Martian life, this discovery, detailed in the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, suggests complex organic chemistry occurred on Mars and strengthens the case for returning Martian samples to Earth for more thorough analysis. The finding also boosts hopes of detecting further biosignatures, despite the planet’s harsh radiation.
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Ukrainian special forces, in coordination with intelligence and artillery units, successfully destroyed four Russian helicopters—two Ka-52 attack helicopters and two Mi-8 transport helicopters—in a single HIMARS strike within Russia’s Belgorod Oblast. The attack, targeting a concealed Russian staging area, highlights the effectiveness of long-range precision strikes deep within Russian territory. The destroyed helicopters, including the advanced Ka-52, represent a significant loss in both military capability and financial value, estimated at approximately $40 million. This operation follows a series of successful Ukrainian strikes in occupied Crimea and underscores ongoing Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Russian military operations.
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The United States abruptly halted a crucial intelligence feed to Ukraine at 2 PM Kyiv time, including real-time targeting data for HIMARS systems and long-range strike information. This action, reportedly linked to a Trump administration decision to suspend military aid, effectively froze key intelligence channels between Washington and Kyiv. The UK was also barred from sharing US intelligence with Ukraine. Sources expressed outrage, connecting the intelligence cutoff to a perceived lack of gratitude from the Ukrainian government.
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A Ukrainian strike reportedly targeted the headquarters of Russia’s 35th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade in the occupied city of Selydove, resulting in the deaths of numerous commanders. Unverified drone footage and social media posts from both Ukrainian and pro-Russian sources corroborate the attack, with some suggesting a U.S.-supplied HIMARS system was used. The strike, if confirmed, would significantly hinder Russia’s ongoing offensive towards Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. While the Russian Ministry of Defense has yet to comment, the incident underscores the ongoing intense fighting in the area.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood