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☆ Russia is highly likely using an amphibious plane from the 1960s to hunt for a new threat to its Black Sea Fleet, Western intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine has battered Russia's Black Sea Fleet with cruise missile strikes and sea drone attacks. To deal with the new sea drone threat, Russia is increasing its maritime air patrol operations. AdvertisementAdvertisementRussia is highly likely relying on a decades-old amphibious plane to seek out a dangerous Ukrainian threat to its Black Sea Fleet, according to Western intelligence. This includes cruise missile strikes on a key shipyard and the fleet's headquarters and attacks with uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) — or sea drones — on Russian ships. It remains to be seen if the Be-12 makes a difference in curbing the threat of Ukraine's sea drones.

Persons: —, Michal Fludra, sonobuoys Organizations: Fleet, Service, Kyiv, Black, Sig, Naval Aviation, Aviation, Getty, Kacha Air Base Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Crimean, Kyiv, Novorossiysk, Russian, Kerch, Moscow, Crimea, Kaliningrad, Soviet, Sevastopol, Black

☆ NFL roundup: Puka Nacua, Rams outlast Colts in OT
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

The Rams went 75 yards on their overtime drive with Nacua scoring his first career TD on a third-down play. Kyren Williams scored two first-quarter touchdowns and had 103 yards on 25 carries for the Rams (2-2). Tua Tagovailoa threw for 282 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 25-for-35 passing for the Dolphins (3-1). Buccaneers 26, Saints 9Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes and the Tampa Bay defense did not allow a touchdown in a win against host New Orleans. Josh Dobbs completed 28 of 41 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns, both to Michael Wilson, for the Cardinals (1-3).

Persons: Matthew Stafford, Trevor Ruszkowski, Puka Nacua, Nacua, Kyren Williams, Stafford, Anthony Richardson, Drew Ogletree, Michael Pittman, Richardson, Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Allen, Diggs, De'Von Achane, Tua Tagovailoa, Wil Lutz, Sean Payton, Russell Wilson, Marvin Mims Jr, Lutz's, Justin Fields, Jake Elliott, Sam Howell's, Jahan Dotson, Joey Slye's, Jalen, Brown, Howell, Trevor Lawrence, Darious Williams, Lawrence, Williams, Brandon McManus, Bijan Robinson, Desmond Ridder, Justin Jefferson, Kirk Cousins, Alexander Mattison, Sam Franklin Jr, Bryce Young, Harrison Smith, Young, D.J, Wonnum, Lamar Jackson, Brandon Stephens, Geno Stone, Kyle Hamilton, Mark Andrews, Jackson, Dorian Thompson, Robinson, Deshaun Watson, Myles Garrett, Stroud, Nico Collins, Watt, Collins, Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Baker Mayfield, Mayfield, Cade Otton, Trey Palmer, Thompkins, Alvin Kamara, Kamara, Derek Carr, Blake Grupe, Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, Cam Taylor, Britt, Khalil Mack, Justin Herbert, Herbert, Mack, Derrick Thomas, Aidan O'Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo, Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, Leighton Vander Esch, DaRon Bland, CeeDee Lamb, Hunter Luepke, Dak Prescott, Mac Jones, Jones, Bailey Zappe, Christian McCaffrey, McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, Josh Dobbs, Michael Wilson Organizations: Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil, Rams, BYU, Colts, Bills, Dolphins, Buffalo, Miami, Broncos, Bears, Chicago, Denver, Eagles, Philadelphia, Washington, Jaguars, Falcons, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Vikings, Panthers, Minnesota, Carolina, The Vikings, Ravens, Browns, Cleveland, Texans, Steelers, Houston, Pittsburgh, Stroud, Buccaneers, Saints, Tampa, New, Bucs, Bengals, Cincinnati, The Titans, Titans, Chargers, Raiders, Las Vegas, NFL, Cowboys, Patriots, Dallas, The Cowboys, 49ers, Cardinals, Arizona Locations: Indianapolis , Indiana, USA, Miami, Orchard Park, N.Y, Washington, Atlanta, London, Charlotte, N.C, Carolina, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Tennessee, Nashville, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Inglewood , Calif, New England, Arlington , Texas, Francisco, Santa Clara, Calif

☆ Ukraine hit Russia’s navy base in Crimea so hard that it is likely pulling some missions back to safer waters, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is likely moving naval operations away from Crimea amid Ukrainian attacks, UK intel said. Russian naval aviation is attempting to assert Russian dominance over the Black Sea, the MOD added. AdvertisementAdvertisementA UK intelligence assessment said that some of Russia's naval operations in the Black Sea have been relocated following recent Ukraine attacks on its Crimean base. The UK's Ministry of Defence said on Monday that the threats had likely pushed some of Russia's Black Sea fleet activities to move to the port of Novorossiysk, on Russia's western coast. Russia abandoned Snake Island, in the northwestern Black Sea, early in its full-scale invasion, but has continued with attacks on it.

Persons: — Organizations: intel, Black, Fleet, MOD, Service, UK's Ministry of Defence, — Ministry of Defence Locations: Russia, Crimea, Sevastopol, Ukraine, Novorossiysk

☆ An Australian 'drone killer' air defense system could make it much cheaper for Ukraine to shoot Russian drones out of the sky
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

At around $1,000 a shot, it is meant to make shooting down Russian drones vastly cheaper. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn Australian defense company has developed a new weapon dubbed the "drone killer" that could help Ukraine face Russia's suicide drone barrages at a low cost. The weapon can be mounted on a truck and operated with a joystick and a screen, Australia's ABC News reported. The US-supplied NASAM missile system, sent to Ukraine last winter, costs around $500,000 to fire. According to ABC, the cost of shooting down a drone with it is estimated to be between $100 and $1,000.

Persons: —, Charlotte Capper, Jake Epstein, That's, Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko Organizations: Service, Optic Systems, ABC News, ABC, EOS, Australian Defense Magazine Locations: Australian, Ukraine, Russia, Australia

☆ Russia picked the Black Sea naval fight it's now losing to Ukraine, which doesn't even have a fleet of its own
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Kyiv's forces have used these weapons to increase attacks on high-profile Black Sea Fleet targets. Russia's Black Sea Fleet warships take part in the Navy Day celebrations in the port city of Novorossiysk on July 30, 2023. A little over a week after the shipyard attack, Ukraine bombarded the nearby headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet during a meeting of Russia's naval leadership. Russia has also seemingly demonstrated poor judgment in assessing Ukraine's capacity to actually carry out such impactful strikes on Black Sea Fleet targets, Harvey said. "The Ukrainians are learning to adapt to a maritime theater and having a significant impact on the Black Sea Fleet without having a fleet," he said.

Persons: —, Adm, Tony Radakin, Vladimir Putin, STRINGER, it's, Sig, Russia, John Harvey Jr, Biden, Harvey Organizations: Service, Black, United Nations, White, Getty, Moscow, Black Sea Fleet, Liberian, Fleet, Leadership, Russia, Security Service, Ukraine, Special Operations Forces, US, US Fleet Forces Command, Emergency, Artillery, MGM, Tactical Missile Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Novorossiysk, Palau, Russian, Ukrainian, Odesa, Kyiv, Kerch, Sevastopol, Crimean, Emergency Sevastopol, Crimea

☆ Putin Meets With New Wagner Boss Andrei Troshev
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Charles R. Davis | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Friday with the new commander of Wagner, Andrei Troshev. At the meeting, Putin referred to Troshev leading "various combat missions," including in Ukraine. Troshev was the second in command of Wagner before the death of former boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. Andre Troshev, a former colonel in the Russian military, took over as head of the Wagner paramilitary organization following the death of previous boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in August. He had been the group's second in command but did not appear to back Prigozhin's short-lived mutiny against Russian military leadership two months earlier.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Wagner, Andrei Troshev, Putin, Troshev, Yevgeny Prigozhin, —, Syria —, Andre Troshev, Yunus, Bek, Dmitry Peskov, Bashar al, Assad, Defense Lloyd Austin Organizations: Service, Russian, Kremlin, Financial Times, Moscow Times, Islamic, Wagner Group, Central African, Defense Locations: Ukraine, Syria, Troshev, St . Petersburg, Islamic State, Russia, Moscow, Washington, Bakhmut, Belarus, Ukrainian, Russian, Africa, Mali, Central African Republic

☆ Iranian forces dangerously flashed a laser at a US Marine Corps attack helicopter
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Iranian naval ships repeatedly shined a laser at a US Marine Corps helicopter on Wednesday. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementIranian naval forces repeatedly flashed a laser at a US Marine Corps attack helicopter flying above Middle Eastern waters, the US Navy said on Thursday, as tensions between the two countries remain high across the region. This unsafe, unprofessional, and irresponsible behavior by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy risks US and partner nation lives and needs to cease immediately," Cmdr. "US naval forces remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows while promoting regional maritime security."

Persons: —, NAVCENT, It's, Cmdr, Rick Chernitzer, Trump, Michael Kurilla, Washington's, John Kirby, there's, Kirby Organizations: US Marine Corps, US Navy, Service, US Naval Forces Central Command, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Iran's Guard Corps, Pentagon, US Central Command, Bataan, Ready, Guard Corps, National Security Locations: Iran, Arabian, Bataan, Iraq, Syria, Tehran

☆ Wagner fighters, some of the best in the Russian ranks, are back in Ukraine, but they're not as much of a threat without Prigozhin running the show, Kyiv says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

After a long hiatus, Wagner Group mercenaries are back on the battlefield, Ukraine's military says. AdvertisementAdvertisementWagner Group mercenaries are back in Ukraine after a lengthy absence from the battlefield. These fighters appear to be some of the best within the Russian ranks, but the threat is still low without their leader, Kyiv's military says. It's been several months since Wagner mercenaries last saw combat in eastern Ukraine. They captured the city in May, but amid the bloody campaign led to tensions flared between Wagner and the regular Russian military, ultimately leading to the mutiny.

Persons: Wagner, they're, Yevgeny Prigozhin, —, It's, Illya, REUTERS Yevlash, Yevlash, Africa —, Stringer, Mykhailo Podolyak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Podolyak Organizations: Wagner Group, Service, Wagner, Telegram, REUTERS, RBC, Institute for, Southern Military District, Russian Defense Ministry Locations: Belarus, Russian, Bakhmut, Ukraine, Moscow, Russia, Africa, Ukrainian, Washington, Rostov, Don

☆ The US got soldier Pvt. Travis King back from North Korea in a 'complex operation' involving both friends and foes, White House reveals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A US Army soldier who crossed into North Korea is back in American custody, the White House said. Senior administration officials on Wednesday detailed aspects of the "complex operation" to bring him home. AdvertisementAdvertisementA US Army soldier who unexpectedly crossed into North Korea two months ago is now in American custody, senior Biden administration officials revealed on Wednesday. North Korea said earlier that it would expel Pvt. The US did not give any concessions to North Korea in exchange for King.

Persons: Travis King, —, Jake Sullivan, King, Washington Organizations: US Army, Service, Army, Biden, Joint Security, National, King, White, Korean Central News Agency Locations: North Korea, Korea, North, South Korea, Sweden, China, Pyongyang, Swedish, Washington, Beijing, Russia, Ukraine, Korean, Texas

☆ Russia's using its elite paratroopers in an unusual way to hold the line, leaving the force 'airborne in name only,' war analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia is relying on its elite paratroopers, the VDV, to defend against Ukraine's counteroffensive. AdvertisementAdvertisementRussia has turned to its elite paratroopers, the VDV Airborne Forces, to help defend against Ukraine's battlefield advances. As so-called "elite" Russian forces have taken losses, they have at times been backfilled with poorly-trained replacements, degrading the overall capability of the unit. Since those figures were released, VDV units have been transferred to support Moscow's defensive efforts in the face of Ukraine's pressing counteroffensive. The VDV is one of several elite units to suffer severe casualties during the war as Moscow has relied heavily on them.

Persons: —, Sergei Shoigu, Shoigu, Diego Herrera Carcedo, Gen, Mikhail Teplinsky Organizations: Ukraine's, Service, VDV Airborne Forces, Russian, Institute for, Victory, Russian MoD, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Paratroopers, Rifle Brigade, 155th Naval Infantry Brigade Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Washington, Russian, Alabino, Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, Kherson, Luhansk, Kyiv

☆ Eagles control clock, top Bucs in battle of unbeaten teams
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jake Elliott booted a 38-yard field goal as time expired for a 10-point halftime lead. Philadelphia began the third quarter with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by Hurts scoring from the 1 to make it 20-3. Elliott tacked on a 26-yard field goal to make it 25-3 with 13:28 left in the contest. Elliott kicked a 36-yard field goal with 3:05 left in the first quarter for the game's first points. Chase McLaughlin answered with a 33-yard field goal for the Buccaneers to knot the score with 8:33 left in the half.

Persons: D'Andre Swift, Olamide Zaccheaus, Brown, Jalen Carter, Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Devin White, Dee Delaney, Reed Blankenship, Jake Elliott, Delaney, Rachaad White, Nicholas Morrow, Elliott, Mayfield, Evans, Chris Godwin, Chase McLaughlin Organizations: Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Eagles, Philadelphia, Buccaneers, Tampa Bay, Tampa, Thomson Locations: Philadelphia

☆ US-made ATACMS cluster missiles could give Ukraine's HIMARS the power to punish Russia's artillery and 'cut off' its army, former US artillery officer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

One variant that could help Kyiv is the M39 cluster missile, which has nearly 1,000 submunitions. Rice has lobbied for Washington to send cluster munitions since July 2022, and his efforts have also focused on cluster rockets and missiles. Fewer of these were produced compared to the older M39 cluster variant, military research indicates. That's what ATACMS cluster missiles will help do, he said. With longer-range M39 ATACMS missiles packed with far more explosive submunitions, this becomes even more of a deadly challenge for Moscow's army.

Persons: —, Biden, ATACMS, Dan Rice, Rice, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Getty Images Rice, Zelenskyy, Maj, Charlie Dietz, Ukraine's, Serhii Mykhalchuk, there's, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Service, MGM, Tactical Missile, Artillery, White, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Army Tactical Missile, Korean Defense Ministry, Getty Images, Department of Defense, State Department, Kyiv, Black, Getty Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russian, Crimean, Washington, France, Desert Storm, Iraqi, South Korea, U.S, Crimea, Donetsk Oblast, Azov, Russia, Kerch, Moscow

☆ Russian officers who hadn't been paid by Moscow sold key intel on the Black Sea Fleet to Ukrainian resistance fighters. Then the headquarters blew up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russian officers reportedly leaked sensitive intel on the Black Sea Fleet to Ukrainian partisans. Ukrainian later targeted the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in a huge missile strike last week. AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter missing their anticipated salary payments, Russian officers decided to leak sensitive information about Moscow's Black Sea Fleet to a Ukrainian partisan movement. It is not clear how much money was offered to the Russian officers, nor are the identities of these officers known. ATESH said they had access to activities of the Black Sea Fleet's leadership though.

Persons: hadn't, —, Viktor Sokolov, ATESH, Mykhailo Podolyak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: intel, Black, Fleet, Kyiv Post, Service, Russian Federation, Friday, Special Operations Forces, Security Service of Ukraine, Ukrainian, Directorate of Intelligence, Sea Navy, PBC, Handout, REUTERS Locations: Ukrainian, Kyiv, Moscow, Crimean, Tatars, Crimea, Sevastopol, Russian, Ukraine, Ukrainian Crimea

☆ New missiles could help Ukraine's future F-16 fighters to take on Russian jets, but the planes will likely be more useful for other missions
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

The Pentagon plans to send highly capable air-to-air missiles that the jets can carry. A US Air Force aircraft fuels craftsman marshals a US F-16 at Rovaniemi Air Base in Finland during Astral Knight 23 Part 6 on August 23, 2023. These capabilities, coupled with its physical design, make the F-16 a formidable opponent for Russian fighter jets like the MiG-31 and Su-35, experts and former pilots say. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn F-16C Fighting Falcon from the 85th Test Evaluation Squadron flies a test mission March 19, 2019 near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Snodgrass said these missiles are "fairly comparable" to Russian air-to-air missiles like the R-27 and R-77.

Persons: Albert Morel Additionally, John Baum, Baum, it's, Guy Snodgrass, Russia's Su, Joshua Hoskins, Snodgrass, Biden, ANDREY SMIRNOV, Doug Birkey, Evgeniy, we've, Tannehill, ABIS Kayla Hayes, Moscow's, Perry Aston Organizations: Pentagon, Aviation, Service, AIM, US Air Force, Rovaniemi Air Base, Astral, Russian, Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Air Missiles, Air & Space Forces Magazine, Washington, Air Missile, US Navy, Getty, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, AP, Kyiv, Avionics, 3C Orion, Marine Corps Base, Australian Defense Force, NATO, Army Tactical Missile, Storm, Alabama National, 187th Fighter Wing, Joint Base, Sweden, Gripen Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Russian, Finland, Fla, Kyiv, Moscow, Russia, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Crimean, Md, Stockholm

☆ Russia's Black Sea Fleet has taken hits, but intel says military leaders may be more worried about an airbase attack near Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine has relentlessly targeted the Black Sea Fleet based in occupied Crimea in recent days. Russia's Black Sea Fleet warships take part in the Navy Day celebrations in the port city of Novorossiysk on July 30, 2023. Ukraine's forces have launched several missile strikes on assets belonging to Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which is based in the occupied Crimean peninsula. On Wednesday, Kyiv said it hit a command post near the port of Sevastopol, and Russia's defense ministry admitted on Friday that the fleet's headquarters in the city was damaged by Ukrainian missiles. Britain's defense ministry attributed the increase in deep strikes to a slow-moving battlefield, where Ukrainian forces continue to make steady territorial gains in their grinding counteroffensive.

Persons: —, Antonov, STRINGER Organizations: Black, Fleet, intel, Kyiv, Service, Chkalovsky, Base, NATO, Ukrainian, Directorate of Intelligence, Getty, Kremlin Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Russia, Moscow, Wall, Silicon, Russia's, Novorossiysk, Crimean, Sevastopol, Ukrainian, Russian

☆ Worried about vulnerable airbases, a US ally landed a F-35A stealth fighter on a highway for the first time in NATO's newest member
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Norway's military did something that's never been done before and landed a F-35A on a highway for the first time. Not only for the Norwegian Air Force, but also for the Nordic countries, and for NATO. Norwegian F-35A taking off from a highway in Finland for the first time. Norwegian F-35A taking off from a highway in Finland for the first time. The F-35A is used by the Air Force while the F-35C is employed by the Navy and Marine Corps aboard carriers.

Persons: that's, Finland —, —, Rolf Folland, Folland, Eivind Byre, Eirik Kristoffersen, Ole Andreas Vekve, it's, Lockheed Martin, Tony Bauernfeind Organizations: Service, Norwegian Armed Forces, Norwegian Air Force, Nordic, NATO, Royal Norwegian Air Force, US Air Force, Air Force, Lockheed, Marine Corps, Marines, Pacific, Navy, Air Force Special Operations Command Locations: Wall, Silicon, Norway, Finland, NATO, Finnish, Nordic, Michigan, Wyoming, Texas, Norwegian, Southern California, Russia, China

☆ Ukraine breached Russia's fearsome defenses with vehicles for the first time, analysts say — a major milestone in its fightback
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Troops appear to have used armored vehicles to get past trenches and "dragon's teeth" defenses. They were reacting to a video showing Marder and Stryker infantry fighting vehicles pushing towards Russian lines. Crucially, he said it showed the vehicles behind Russia's fearsome layers of defenses meant to keep heavy vehicles out. Stryker armored fighting vehicles are versatile eight-wheeled weapons that were sent to Ukraine by the US in January. Marder infantry fighting vehicles, which resemble light tanks and can carry up to six people, were sent to Ukraine by Germany several months later.

Persons: Marder, George Barros, k4mFWGUMAk, K0995dHYQc — George Barros, Barros, Rob Lee, Stryker, Insider's Jake Epstein, Insider's Sinead Baker Organizations: Service, Stryker, Air Assault Brigade, Politico, Russian Locations: Ukraine, Russia's, Wall, Silicon, @georgewbarros, Verbove, Russia, Germany, Robotyne

☆ US Navy 'Ghost Fleet' ships make first-of-its-kind visit in the Western Pacific as Pentagon looks to counter China's military mass with drones
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

US Navy drone boats made a first-of-its-kind visit to a key US ally in the Western Pacific. said Rear Adm. Blake Converse, deputy commander of US Pacific Fleet, in the statement. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe unmanned surface vessel Ranger transits the Pacific Ocean during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, Sep. 15, 2023. IBP 23.2 is a Pacific Fleet exercise to test, develop and evaluate the integration of unmanned platforms into fleet operations to create warfighting advantages. IBP 23.2 is a Pacific Fleet exercise to test, develop and evaluate the integration of unmanned platforms into fleet operations to create warfighting advantages.

Persons: Blake Converse, Jesse Monford IBP, Carl Vinson, Carlos Sardiello, Arleigh Burke, Jesse Monford, USVs, Kathleen Hicks, Hicks Organizations: Navy, Western Pacific, Pentagon, Service, Fleet, US Pacific Fleet, Pacific Fleet, US Marine Corps, Carrier, Initiative, DoD Locations: Western, Wall, Silicon, Western Pacific, Yokosuka, Japan, Pacific, Beijing, Washington, Taiwan

☆ F-35 stealth fighter jets are only capable of flying missions a little over half the time, watchdog finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A new government watchdog report reveals that the F-35 program is plagued by maintenance issues. "Maintenance challenges negatively affect F-35 aircraft readiness," the GAO report said. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn F-35 taxis from the runway onto the flightline after successfully completing a sortie, Dec. 14, 2015, at Luke Air Force Base. A US Air Force F-35 Lightning II flies over the US Central Command area of responsibility, July 17, 2020. US Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Duncan C. BevanThere are three variants of the Lockheed Martin F-35.

Persons: —, Duncan C, Bevan, Lockheed Martin Organizations: Service, Government, Office, Fighter, US Marines Corps, GAO, Luke Air Force Base, US Air Force, Pentagon, US Central Command, Lockheed, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Marines Locations: Wall, Silicon, South Carolina

☆ The mastermind of Russia's treacherous defenses in Ukraine appears to be in a kind of faraway 'exile' as the line is being breached
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russian Army Gen. Sergey Surovikin appears to be in Algeria, according to recent photos. Surovikin is the mastermind of Russia's formidable defensive lines and fortifications in Ukraine. But as Kyiv's forces break through these elaborate fortifications, the mastermind behind them is nowhere near the action. The experts cited several additional photographs of Surovikin purportedly in Algeria, which were published to Telegram by Russian sources. Insider was unable to independently verify any of the recent photographs of Surovikin shared to X and Telegram.

Persons: Sergey Surovikin, Wagner, Surovikin, Dara Massicot, Yevgeny Prigozhin —, Russia's Aerospace Forces Sergei Surovikin, Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, Staff Sergei Rudskoi, Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Metzel, subsume Wagner Organizations: Russian, Wagner Group, Service, RAND Corporation, Twitter, Institute for, Commonwealth, Independent States, CIS, Kommersant, Russia's Aerospace Forces, Staff, Russian Armed Forces, Armed Forces, Sputnik, Russian MoD Locations: Algeria, Ukraine, Africa, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Moscow, California, Washington, Yevgeny Prigozhin — Russia, North Africa, Russian, Sochi

☆ Saboteurs 'blew up' aircraft at a Russian base in the latest in a string of attacks, causing 'hysteria,' Ukrainian military intelligence reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Unknown saboteurs blew up several Russian aircraft at a military base near Moscow, Ukraine reported. Kyiv said the attack damaged two planes and a helicopter and caused 'hysteria' in the Russian military. These attacks, some of which were carried out by drones, have damaged and destroyed several Russian military aircraft and underscored serious gaps in Moscow's force protection capabilities and air-defense network. The Ilyushin Il-20 ground attack aircraft. After the incident and in an attempt to better protect the airbase from future attacks, Moscow turned to a newly created civilian volunteer force to patrol the area.

Persons: that's, HUR, Antonov, Sergei Karpukhin, NIKITA SHCHYUKIN Organizations: Service, Russian, Ukrainian, Directorate of Intelligence, REUTERS, Ukrainska Pravda, Ilyushin, Getty Images Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Chkalovsky, AFP, Russia's, Soviet, Crimean, Russian, Sevastopol

☆ Leaked photos said to be a Russian submarine hit by Ukrainian missiles show severe damages that look beyond repair
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Jake Epstein | Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ukraine's attack on the Sevastopol shipyard last week left a Russian submarine in rough shape. New photos leaked to social media indicate the submarine may be beyond repair, a naval expert says. The attack damaged two vessels, including the Kilo-class attack submarine Rostov-on-Don, and was the latest in a string of assaults on the peninsula, which Kyiv has vowed to liberate from Moscow. It also published satellite imagery showing the damaged Sevastopol shipyard, with a zoomed-in view of the submarine. Britain's defense ministry cited open-source evidence in suggesting that the Minsk had "almost certainly been functionally destroyed."

Persons: submariner, Bryan Clark, Don, Clark Organizations: Service, Fleet, Conflict Intelligence Team, US Navy, Hudson Institute, Ministry of Defense, US Army Locations: Sevastopol, Russian, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Black, Crimea, Rostov, Kyiv, Moscow, Ukraine, Minsk, Russia

☆ Marines ground all flights after string of serious 'mishaps,' including the mysterious disappearance of an F-35 stealth fighter jet
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The US Marine Corps is ordering a two-day pause to all its flight operations this week. In an announcement, the service said this was triggered by a string of "aviation mishaps." The Marine Corps said the announcement follows "three Class-A aviation mishaps over the last six weeks." On August 24, an F/A-18 fighter jet crashed in southern California, killing the Marine who was piloting the aircraft. "This stand down being taken to ensure the service is maintaining operational standardization of combat-ready aircraft with well-prepared pilots and crews."

Persons: Eric M, Smith, it's Organizations: US Marine Corps, Service, US Marines Corps, Marine Corps, Naval Safety Command, US Navy, Base Charleston, Corps, Marines Locations: Wall, Silicon, California, Australia, South Carolina

☆ The US is boosting production for artillery crucial to Ukraine's forces as it struggles to keep up with Russia's war machine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The US is ramping up its artillery production to continue aiding Ukraine and resupply its stockpile. A Pentagon official said the US aims to be producing 100,000 155mm artillery shells by 2025. "But every country struggles with munitions production as war goes on beyond a few months." Western officials, meanwhile, believe Russia is on track to manufacture two million artillery shells a year, the Times reported this week. A Ukrainian soldier carries 155mm shells for M777 artillery at a artillery position in the Donetsk Oblast on August 6, 2023.

Persons: Ukraine's, Mark Cancian, Bill LaPlante, that's, LaPlante, Diego Herrera Carcedo, Technology Douglas Bush, Bush, Cancian, Washington, Biden, sooth, Matt Rourke Organizations: Pentagon, Service, Russia, Artillery, Estonian, New York Times, US Marine Corps, Center for Strategic, Studies, Center, New, New American Security, Anadolu Agency, Getty, US Army, Army, Acquisition, Logistics, Technology, Ukraine, Times, White, Scranton Army, AP Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Washington, Europe, New American, Donetsk Oblast, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Scranton, Pa

☆ Ukrainian soldier says US-made Bradley fighting vehicles are 'priceless' in nighttime assaults, offering visibility better than in daylight
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ukrainian soldiers have relied on US-made Bradley fighting vehicles to stay alive in combat. In a recent interview, one soldier said the Bradleys are "priceless" during nighttime assaults. Ukrainian soldiers and mechanics work on a Bradley at a secret workshop in the Zaporizhzhia region on July 13. But despite the heavy praise by Ukrainian soldiers, Bradleys are not indestructible and they have still fallen victim to Russia's formidable defenses and relentless artillery in the months since. Open-source intelligence collected by the site Oryx shows that 53 of the Washington-provided vehicles have been destroyed, damaged, or abandoned during fighting.

Persons: Bradley, —, Ed Ram, Bradleys, Pat Ryder, Ryder, Biden Organizations: Service, Bradley, Russian, Ukraine's Strategic Communications Directorate, 47th Mechanized Brigade, Washington, Getty, —, US, Pentagon Press, Air Force, NATO Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Soviet, Zaporizhzhia Region, Ukraine, Iraq, Zaporizhzhia, Bradleys, Kyiv, Russian, Washington

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