A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday, Aug. 26, while responding to a large-scale Russian missile attack, marking the first crash of the U.S.-made planes. The jet, piloted by Oleksiy Mes, was reportedly on a mission to intercept Russian missiles when contact was lost as it approached its next target. Mes was killed in…

Ukraine caught much of the world by surprise when it invaded Russia on Aug. 6. Ukrainian Armed Forces now control around 1,200 square kilometers of Russian territory, or roughly 500 square miles. The advance is accomplishing one of the primary goals of the campaign: Create a buffer zone around Sumy Oblast in northern Ukraine. “As…

In July, the electricity grid operators of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania informed Russia that they would exit a 2001 agreement that has kept them connected to a Russian-controlled electricity system. The three NATO members will shift their grid connections to the main European energy network in February 2025 in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of…

After launching the first invasion of Russia since World War II, Ukraine’s objectives for its Kursk incursion are becoming apparent.  Ukraine barely acknowledged the almost two-week-old campaign initially. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently laid out some of the goals his forces are trying to achieve.  According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine needs to shore up its…

A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber erupted into flames midair during a routine flight over Siberia, crashing and killing one crew member. The crash occurred far from any battlefield, and videos shared on social media showed the bomber catching fire before plummeting into an uninhabited area. Russia’s Defense Ministry attributed the crash to a technical malfunction,…

A military theorist once wrote “the backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy” — an idea that perfectly describes the capabilities of the Hawkeye Mobile Howitzer System (MHS). The Hawkeye MHS is made by AM General, the same company that created the Humvee. A howitzer is a type of artillery weapon that is generally…

On Tuesday, Aug. 13, the Armed Forces of Ukraine said it now controls around 386 square miles in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, an area roughly the size of Indianapolis. This region includes nearly 30 different towns or settlements and is home to hundreds of thousands of Russians, many of whom are now fleeing. Previously, Kyiv took…

Growing skepticism is shaping American views on international aid, especially regarding Ukraine. According to a poll released Thursday, Aug. 8, by Defense Priorities and YouGov, most Americans are hesitant to provide unconditional aid to Ukraine amid doubts about its ability to succeed against Russia. This unease reflects broader concerns that U.S. foreign policy may not…

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. The town of Bucha, just outside Kyiv, bore witness to the brutality of Russia’s initial occupation as the bodies of more than 450 men, women and children were found. The occupation highlighted Russia’s severe tactics in the region. In response, Bucha…

United States Forces Japan is getting a glow up, and Japan couldn’t be happier about it. After a meeting between the U.S. secretaries of State and Defense and their Japanese counterparts, the four leaders announced a plan to upgrade the headquarters of U.S. military personnel in Japan to a joint force headquarters. “This will be…