Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Russia Strikes Ukrainian Ports, Railways And A Key Bridge, While Ukraine Targets Oil Refineries And Belgorod

 

at 8/9/26 11:39am

Click to see the full-size image From August 7 to 9, Russian strikes focused on Ukraines port, fuel, and railway infrastructure, as well as facilities which, according to Russian reports, are linked to military production and the supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainian attacks, in turn, targeted Russian oil refineries, civilian infrastructure in Belgorod, sites near Novorossiysk, and several regions deep inside Russia. Strikes on Ukraine August 9 On the night of August 8–9, Russian forces carried out a combined strike on military facilities in eight regions of Ukraine. According to Ukrainian monitoring sources, 202 unmanned aerial vehicles were recorded, along with five Banderol loitering munitions, two Oniks missiles, six Iskander missiles, and four Kh-31/Kh-59 missiles. The main weight of the attack fell on Odesa region. document.createElement('video'); https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/odesa9-1.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/odesa9-2.mp4Download video In Odesa, fuel-storage facilities, military supply warehouses, and a port transshipment complex were hit. Similar storage facilities were struck in the port of Chornomorsk. In the settlements of Biliari and Novi Biliari, 27–28 km northeast of Odesa, fuel tanks intended for Ukrainian forces were also damaged. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/odesa9.mp4Download video A key consequence of the attack was the reported damage to the road bridge at Mayaky. The bridge had become an important overland route linking Odesa with the Danube ports after the bridge at Zatoka was put out of service earlier in August and traffic through the Black Sea ports of Chornomorsk and Odesa was disrupted. The bridge was closed, causing a multi-kilometer traffic jam. The disruption could further complicate overland access to the Danube ports and place additional pressure on Ukraines logistics network. At the same time, Russian drones struck railway infrastructure in three regions. In the Lozova area of Kharkiv region, a railway crane, a repair-and-recovery train, and a locomotive were destroyed. Locomotives were also put out of service in Kudashivka, Dnipropetrovsk region, and Bilany, Sumy region. Russias Defense Ministry said that these assets had been used in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/train2.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Sumy.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/train.mp4Download video In the morning, three Banderol loitering munitions struck targets in Kharkiv region. Drone storage facilities and electronic warfare equipment were hit in four settlements, including Savyntsi, Zidky, Barvinkove, and Volokhiv Yar. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/kharkov.mp4Download video A major fire broke out in Dnipro. In Zhytomyr, NASA FIRMS thermal data indicated fires at workshops belonging to Kromberg & Schubert Ukraina, a company that manufactures electrical cable systems and wiring harnesses for Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Skoda, and Porsche vehicles. A large-scale strike also hit Naftogaz Group facilities in eastern, western, and central Ukraine. On the night of August 9, Ukrnafta production sites, including a drilling site, came under attack. The company reported significant damage and said that operations at one asset had been halted. In addition, drones struck seven Ukrnafta filling stations in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv regions on August 7 and 8. Naftogaz production facilities in central Ukraine were also hit the previous day. Up to 50,000 square meters of Nova Poshta terminal space were damaged, according to Ukrainian estimates. The losses for the company alone could reach $50 million. August 8 On the night of August 8, Russian forces carried out a massed strike with ground-launched precision weapons against a military-industrial enterprise and a fuel depot in Kyiv. Russias Defense Ministry said that the Kyiv-111 plant, operated by Fire Point LLC, had been hit. Moscow described the facility as a producer of components and warheads for FP-5 Flamingo ground-launched cruise missiles, and said it stored components for solid-fuel boosters. The Kyiv-3 fuel depot, operated by Grandterminal LLC, was also struck. According to the Russian side, the site supplied petroleum products to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and fuel trucks dispatched to eastern Ukraine were refueled there daily. Strike drones hit two dry cargo ships south and east of Odesa that were transporting weapons and military supplies to Ukrainian ports. In the port of Mykolaiv, a dry cargo vessel carrying military equipment and a weapons depot were also hit. Another dry cargo ship delivering military supplies was struck in the Black Sea. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/odesa-3.mp4Download video In Dnipropetrovsk region, warehouses and a filling station in Pavlohrad were hit, while a train carrying military equipment was attacked near Vyshneve. Explosions were also heard in Kryvyi Rih and Synelnykove. Strikes hit facilities in Sumy and Kremenchuk. The Ukrainian supermarket chain Fora reported an attack on its food warehouses and warned of possible shortages of certain goods. August 7 During the evening of August 6 and the morning of August 7, three dry cargo ships carrying military cargo were struck: two in the Black Sea east and southeast of Odesa, and one at a berth in the port of Chornomorsk. Fuel-storage tanks in the port of Pivdennyi were also destroyed. Geran drones destroyed a railway locomotive and struck a 110 kV substation in Lozova, Kharkiv region. A building housing technological equipment at the Olyshivka underground gas storage facility in Chernihiv region was also hit. According to Forbes Ukraine, Russian strikes have damaged more than 400,000 square meters of Ukrainian commercial warehouse space since early July. The affected businesses include Fozzy Group, which operates Silpo, Fora, and Thrash!, as well as Novus, Rozetka, Epicentr, Nova Poshta, Toyota Ukraine, and hundreds of smaller companies. Strikes on Russia August 9 On the night of August 9, Russian air defense systems shot down 153 Ukrainian UAVs over 17 Russian regions. The attacks nevertheless caused damage in several locations. The heaviest attack was directed at Belgorod. According to updated local-authority figures, three people were killed and 25 injured, including children. Several apartment buildings, an administrative building, and social and commercial facilities were damaged. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/belgorod2.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/belgorod3.mp4Download video Drone debris fell on the grounds of two enterprises in Novorossiysk and on a private house in the settlement of Verkhnebakansky, causing a fire in an outbuilding. Russian sources also reported an attack on an S-400 air-defense position near Gelendzhik, although the extent of any damage was not independently confirmed. August 8 In Samara region, a fire broke out at the Syzran oil refinery following a nighttime attack. In Krasnodar Krai, the regional operational headquarters reported debris falling on the grounds of the Ilsky refinery. Ukrainian drones also attacked the Turkish-flagged dry cargo ship MV Güllük off the coast of Novorossiysk. August 7 Three drones crashed onto the roof of a Wildberries warehouse in Yekaterinburg. Eight hundred employees were evacuated, and the fire was contained. The period from August 7 to 9 showed the continued importance of logistics, fuel infrastructure, ports, railways, and energy facilities in the air campaign. Russian strikes focused heavily on southern Ukraines maritime infrastructure and transport network, while Ukrainian drone operations continued to target Russian refineries, border regions, and sites far from the front line. Alongside military operations, the information confrontation continued. The Russian hacker group BEREGINI claimed to have obtained documents indicating the involvement of NATO-linked structures in intelligence support for strikes on Russian territory, including fuel and energy facilities and vessels of the so-called shadow fleet. These claims have not been independently verified. Western reporting has also described an expansion of U.S. intelligence support for Ukraine. The issue has added to disagreements over Washingtons role in the conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has argued that increased pressure on Russia could help create conditions for negotiations. Russian commentators, however, argue that expanded intelligence support and alleged assistance with targeting undermine Washingtons claim to act as a mediator. Under this logic, negotiations risk becoming not a means of ending hostilities, but a continuation of the conflict through political means. Whether increased military pressure can create conditions for diplomacy, or instead further complicate a settlement, remains one of the central questions facing the conflict. The post Russia Strikes Ukrainian Ports, Railways And A Key Bridge, While Ukraine Targets Oil Refineries And Belgorod appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #FROMTHEFRONT, #MAPS, #RealWarInUkraine, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, All articles, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, Politics, Russian Armed Forces]

— Military Situation In Yemen On August 9, 2026 (Map Update)

 

at 8/9/26 8:09am

Click to see the full-size image During the past 48 hrs, the Yemeni army in response to Saudi blockade of Yemen for many years, have launched attacks—using dozens of ballistic missiles and suicide drones—on bases and positions of Saudi, Sudanese, and the Saudi-backed government in occupied areas of Yemen and southern Saudi Arabia, killing more than 70 mercenaries; The Yemeni army struck Al-Ruwayk and Sahn al-Jinn bases near Marib; The Yemeni army struck a base near Al-Abr; The Yemeni army struck ammunition and military equipment depots at the Al-Wadiah border crossing; The Yemeni army struck Seiyun Airport and the ammunition depots in Seiyun; The Yemeni army struck coalition forces gathering near Maris; The Yemeni army struck assembly points of forces and weapons depots at the port of Al-Mukha; The Yemeni army struck Aramco refinery facilities in Jizan. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Houthis Strike Saudi Refinery Again Israel Is Planning To Attack Iran On Its Own To Provoke War Iran Sets Six Conditions To Reopen Hormuz The post Military Situation In Yemen On August 9, 2026 (Map Update) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #MAPS, #MIDDLEEAST, #SAUDIARABIA, #YEMEN, All articles, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, Politics]

— Houthis Strike Saudi Refinery Again

 

at 8/9/26 2:13am

Illustrative image. A new attack targeted Aramcos Jazan refinery in southwestern Saudi Arabia early on August 9, with Yemens Houthis (Ansar Allah) claiming responsibility. Early in the morning, the Saudi Energy Ministry said a fire was put down at the refinery, which processes 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produces refined products including gasoline and ultra-low sulfur diesel. Aramcos industrial security teams had brought the fire under control and the relevant authorities were completing procedures to deal with the incident, the ministry said on X, without clarifying the causes of the fire. Data from NASAs FIRMS system indicate that the fire was extensive. Later, however, the Houthis claimed responsibility. In a brief statement, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the group carried out the attack with a drone, claiming that it was in response to alleged Saudi drone attacks on the provinces of Saada and Hajjah in Yemen. The Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia last month, and since then the group has carried out a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi airports, oil facilities, and tankers in the Red Sea. The Jazan refinery was among the first targets to be hit by the group. It was struck on July 27. The attack caused a major fire that went on for days and forced Aramco to shut the facility down. The Houthis ability to successfully target the refinery again shows that Saudi Arabia is facing serious air defense problems. In the face of this escalation, Saudi Arabia is reported to be preparing an offensive against the Houthis, including a potential ground operation, in cooperation with the Yemeni government. At the same time, the kingdom is said to be engaged diplomatically through Oman in an attempt to de-escalate. Notably, the latest attack came just a few days after Saudi Arabia inked a joint defense pact with both Turkey and Pakistan, with reports indicating that the two could support the kingdom in Yemen. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Another Deadly Houthi Strike Hit Saudi-Backed Forces (Videos) Houthi Preemptive Strike Claims Dozens Of Saudi-Backed Fighters (Videos) The post Houthis Strike Saudi Refinery Again appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #SAUDIARABIA, #YEMEN, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]

— Russian Army Seizes Key Heights, Disrupts Ukrainian Logistics In Kharkov

 

at 8/8/26 4:25pm

Click to see the full-size image In the Kharkiv direction, Russian units captured Aniskino and Zakhárovka, advanced toward Vasilevka, creating a threat of encirclement for the Ukrainian grouping on a sector of nearly 360 square kilometers. In the Zaporozhye direction, assault groups reached the southeastern outskirts of Orekhov, consolidated in the city, and are advancing toward the center, while also taking control of Pavlovka. In Sumy region, North forces advanced on sixteen sectors up to 500 meters, continuing fighting in Pisarevka, Marino, and Khoten. In the Kupyansk direction, fighting continues on the outskirts of Moskovka; the main forces of the 1st Tank Army are operating on the left bank of the Oskol, storming Kovsharovka. Against this backdrop, Turkey restricted the passage of commercial vessels through the Dardanelles into the Black Sea following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on cargo ships. Kharkiv direction Units of the North grouping are developing their offensive on the Burluk direction, pressing Ukrainian forces on several sectors simultaneously and creating a threat of envelopment across a wide area of the Kharkiv border region. Troops of the 11th Tank Regiment, during fighting, pushed Ukrainian units out of their positions in Aniskino and established control over this settlement. To the west, Russian troops cleared the territory of Zakhárovka and, through a series of attacks, pushed Ukrainian formations out of neighboring Ivanovka. Forward assault groups are already advancing toward Vasilevka, though visual confirmation of their entry into the village is not yet available. In the longer term, the clearance of Vasilevka will allow further offensive development eastward, toward units advancing from the Ivashkino side. In this case, the Ukrainian grouping on a territory of nearly 360 square kilometers would find itself under threat of encirclement. The elimination of this pocket would allow the establishment of control over a vast section of the Kharkiv border area and free up additional reserves for developing the offensive toward Prikolotnoye; its capture would open the road to Veliky Burluk. Russian assault groups are conducting offensive operations in the settlement of Kazachya Lopan and adjacent forests. On the Volchansk sector, assault units advanced on four sectors up to 100 meters. Firefights continue in Ivanovka, near Shevchenkovo, and in the forests of the Volchansk district. document.createElement('video'); https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/221371.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/120954.mp4Download video Zaporozhye direction Units of the Dnepr grouping continue to develop their offensive toward Orekhov and Yurkovka from the west, effectively beginning a full-scale assault on the city. Russian assault groups not only entered the southeastern outskirts of Orekhov in the Bolshaya Kamennaya ravine area but also consolidated there. They are now advancing toward the center and have reached Preobrazhenka. Ukrainian units continue to control the western part of the fortified area north of the city, on the slopes of the dominant heights. Strongpoints in the eastern part of this fortified area are being attacked from the Novoselovka and Volshebnoye side by the Vostok grouping. Russian troops have also managed to consolidate in the western part of Malaya Tokmachka; fighting continues for its central part. West of Orekhov, airborne troops pushed Ukrainian units out of Pavlovka, forcing them to fall back to the defensive line near Novoyakovlevka. Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups are already operating in the Yurkovka area. In the western part of Malaya Tokmachka, Russian forces are pushing through the Ukrainian defense and occupying new lines: from the liberated territory of the correctional facility, they have managed to advance another two kilometers toward Orekhov. Successes have also been achieved in the Novodanilovka area: troops of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division broke through the Ukrainian defense near Orekhov, consolidated in the city itself, and in Preobrazhenka. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20588.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/54867.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20585.mp4Download video Sumy direction Assault groups of the North grouping continue to push deeper into Sumy region. Strikes were carried out against concentrations of personnel and equipment of Ukrainian units in the areas of the city of Sumy, Yastrebiny, Katerinovka, Novopetrovka, the villages of Korenyok and Sadki, as well as Krasnopolie. In the Shostka district, firefights are ongoing in Ulanovo and on the approaches to Volnaya Sloboda. In the Sumy district, Russian assault units advanced on sixteen sectors, with a total advance of up to 500 meters. Firefights continue unabated in Pisarevka, Marino, the settlement of Khoten, adjacent territories, and in forest areas south of Ivolzhanskoye. The offensive on a broad front is forcing the Ukrainian side to disperse its reserves and become embroiled in fighting on several directions simultaneously. https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/21027.mp4Download video https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/221310.mp4Download video   Kupyansk direction In the Kupyansk direction, fighting continues on the outskirts of Moskovka. In the Kupyansk-Uzlovoy area on the right bank, no significant changes have been recorded. The main forces of the 1st Tank Army continue to operate on the left bank of the Oskol on the sector between Kolesnikovka and Kruglyakovka. The situation here has remained difficult for a long time and has not yet allowed a significant expansion of the control zone either toward Borovaya or toward Kupyansk-Uzlovoy. At the same time, Russian units continue assault operations toward Kovsharovka. Conclusion In the Kharkiv, Zaporozhye, Sumy, and Kupyansk directions, Russian units continue to exert systematic pressure, expanding their control zones and inflicting losses on the Ukrainian side. In the Burluk direction, the capture of Aniskino and Zakhárovka, along with the advance toward Vasilevka, are creating a threat of encirclement of a large Ukrainian grouping across an area of nearly 360 square kilometers, which in the longer term opens the road to Veliky Burluk. On the Orekhov sector, Russian forces have for the first time consolidated within the city limits of Orekhov, reached the center, and continue to envelop the city from the west, while simultaneously disrupting logistics with strikes on crossings. In Sumy region, the advance on a broad front is forcing the Ukrainian command to expend reserves. In the Kupyansk direction, the initiative remains with Russian units, despite the difficult terrain and the stubborn defense of Ukrainian forces on the left bank of the Oskol. According to Bloomberg, Turkey has restricted the passage of commercial vessels through the Dardanelles Strait into the Black Sea following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on civilian ships. Turkeys General Directorate of Coastal Safety notified several vessels bound for Novorossiysk of the suspension of permit issuance or the need for additional time for application review. The restrictions also affected some ships heading to Ukraine. In recent days, the dry cargo ship MV Güllük under the Turkish flag off the coast of Novorossiysk and the vessel MV Reyhan Sarı, carrying vegetables and fruit, were struck; four people were injured in the latter attack. According to the captain of the latter, Ukrainian units launched six to seven drones at the vessel. Against this backdrop, Turkish exporters demanded that authorities secure a cessation of strikes in the Black Sea, warning that such actions by Kyiv could lead to a rupture of commercial ties with Turkey itself. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Turkey To Sell Ukraine MLRS, ATACMS Missiles Ukraine Admits Losing Yet Another Helicopter Military Situation In Ukraine On August 8, 2026 (Maps Update) The post Russian Army Seizes Key Heights, Disrupts Ukrainian Logistics In Kharkov appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #FROMTHEFRONT, #MAPS, #RealWarInUkraine, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, All articles, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, Politics, Russian Armed Forces, Suggested Analyses]

— Israel Is Planning To Attack Iran On Its Own To Provoke War

 

at 8/8/26 1:54pm

Illustrative image. (Israeli Air Force) Israel is preparing its armed forces for the possibility of attacking Iran unilaterally, Israels Channel 13 reported on August 8. According to the news channel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are working on strategies to strike the Islamic Republic without support from the United States, following recent reports about Washington allegedly exploring a diplomatic exit from the military conflict. Earlier in the day, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper arrived in Israel, where he will discuss several topics with senior Israeli military officials, including the war in Iran and the Gaza Strip. CNN reported overnight that Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, is looking for an “off-ramp” from the war with Iran. In addition, a U.S. official had reported progress between Iran and Oman a day earlier that could soon reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Although Israel retains the ability to attack Iran without support from the U.S., the scope of damage it could inflict is extremely limited. The IDF does not have the means to attack Iran’s last alleged nuclear site, Pickaxe Mountain, which is buried deep underground. It even lacks the ability to mount effective strikes against the Islamic Republic’s missile tunnels. All other known above-surface targets, like missile and drone manufacturing facilities, were hit at the height of the war earlier this year. Still, Israel can carry out targeted killings or even attack civilian infrastructure in Iran. In any case, the Islamic Republic is guaranteed to respond. The main purpose of any sole Israeli attack would likely not be a direct military one, but rather to drag the U.S. back into the war and sabotage the deal in the making. In the case of an attack by the IDF against civilian infrastructure in particular, the Iranian response would likely not be limited to Israel. The Islamic Republic has already warned that it will hit back against similar facilities across the region. Thus, Israel may also be aiming to drag Gulf states back into the war. While U.S. President Donald Trump has shown an ability to restrain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the latter has acted on his own in the past. The clearest example of this is the 12-day war last year, which eventually saw the U.S. join in and target Iranian nuclear sites. All in all, the latest report shows that Israel is deeply displeased with recent progress in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and remains in favor of an all-out war. Of course, this is not surprising, considering that Israel has succeeded to a large extent in putting the heaviest burden of the war on the U.S. and Gulf states. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Iran Sets Six Conditions To Reopen Hormuz Greek Apache Helicopters To Hunt Iranian Drones For UAE The post Israel Is Planning To Attack Iran On Its Own To Provoke War appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #IRAN, #ISRAEL, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]

— Turkey To Sell Ukraine MLRS, ATACMS Missiles

 

at 8/8/26 1:09pm

Illustrative image. (U.S. Army) The United States Department of State has notified Congress of a proposed permanent transfer of Turkish-held U.S.-made weapons systems to Ukraine, including M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers and ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles, according to documents printed in the Congressional Record on August 6. Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, entered two separate arms transfer notifications into the Congressional Record, noting that Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires Congress to receive prior notice of certain proposed arms sales, with a 30-calendar-day review period. The first notification, numbered RSAT case 26-11496 by the State Department, covers the transfer of 12 M270 MLRS launchers, 2,524 M26 unguided Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM) rockets and 47,000 M509A1 203mm DPICM howitzer rounds, with an original acquisition value of approximately $255.9 million, according to the transmittal sheet. The second notification covers, per the same sheet, 70 M39 ATACMS missiles, with an original acquisition value of approximately $28 million. The M39 Block I version of the ATACMS has a range of 165 kilometers and is armed with a cluster warhead with 950 M74 bomblets. Ukraine began receiving missiles of this type directly from the U.S. close to three years ago, and the deal in the works with Turkey came amid reports suggesting that the U.S. Army has completely depleted its ATACMS stockpiles during the conflict with Iran. Kyiv forces also received at least 16 MLRS from the United Kingdom, Norway, France, Germany and Italy soon after the start of the Russian special military operation. The launcher can fire the ATACMS, M26 rockets, and other munitions. Most of these launchers have been wiped out, however. Both notifications list the Government of Turkey as the country proposing the transfer and the Government of Ukraine as the recipient. The MLRS, DPICM rocket and howitzer round transfer would proceed via Turkish private entities MKE A.S., ASFAT A.S. and ARCA Savunma San. Tic. A.S.; Bulgarian private entity VTIC International Ltd.; and U.S. private entities Pansophico and Patriot Defense Group, according to the notification. Meanwhile, the ATACMS missile transfer would proceed via Turkish private entity MKE A.S. and U.S. private entities Pansophico and Patriot Defense Group, the notification states. Turkey seeks to reduce its inventory of older defense articles to focus its financial resources on modernization and sustainment of existing systems, both notifications state. Ukraine seeks to acquire these systems to bolster its offensive and defense fire support capabilities as it resists the Russian invasion. Ukraine already possesses munitions of the same or essentially similar type, the notifications add. Both notifications say the transfer is proposed to be made immediately after the congressional notification period is complete and list August 3 as the date the notification was delivered to Congress. The U.S. government is prepared to authorize this transfer, having taken into account political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control considerations, according to the congressional notification transmittal sheets, both signed by Christopher Bergaust, senior bureau official in the State Departments Bureau of Legislative Affairs. The sheets state the transfers are consistent with U.S. security assistance objectives and were routed to the Speaker of the House, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Turkey, a key NATO member, has supplied weapons to Kyiv forces, including combat drones, armored vehicles and precision-guided missiles, since the start of the Russian special military operation. At the same time, it refused to break special ties with Russia, or impose sanctions on the country. The MLRS and ATACMS deal being worked out could, however, cross a red line of Moscow, as Ukraine is guaranteed to use these weapons in attacks on Russian territories. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Ukraine Admits Losing Yet Another Helicopter The Numbers Don’t Lie: Ukraine Is Losing The Infrastructure War The post Turkey To Sell Ukraine MLRS, ATACMS Missiles appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #RUSSIA, #TURKEY, #UKRAINE, #USA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]

— Ukraine Admits Losing Yet Another Helicopter

 

at 8/8/26 12:15pm

Illustrative image. A Ukrainian helicopter crashed on August 8 during an emergency evacuation from an air base in the Kirovohrad region amid the threat of an incoming Russian strike, killing its flight engineer. Senior Lt. Yaroslav Demchevskyi, who served as the helicopters flight engineer, was killed in the crash, according to the Smila City Council, which was the first official source to report on the incident. The death of two more crew members, Capt. Stanislav Krylov and Senior Lt. Zakhar Klimov, was later reported by Ukraines state broadcaster Suspilne. The crash occurred during the rapid dispersal of warplanes. According to the Telegram channel Voevoda Veshchayet, the emergency evacuation was initiated after Russian strike drones were reported approaching the airfield. The helicopter, reportedly a Soviet-made Mi-8, was scheduled to depart alongside other aircraft but crashed during the maneuver. The exact cause of the crash remains unconfirmed. Potential explanations include a technical malfunction during the hurried evacuation or damage caused by a Russian drone. Ukraine has lost at least 51 Mi-8/17 helicopters — including three described as damaged — since the start of the Russian special military operation, according to Wikipedias list of aviation shootdowns and accidents, which is based on visual evidence or official confirmations only. Kirovohrad has previously been targeted by Russian strikes against Ukrainian warplanes. Last January, Russias Defense Ministry reported destroying Ukrainian Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters using Geran-type one-way drones at a field site approximately 46 kilometers from Kanatove Air Base. Recent Russian strikes forced Kyiv forces to rapidly relocate warplanes, which in turn significantly increased the risk of incidents. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Military Situation In Ukraine On August 8, 2026 (Maps Update) The Numbers Don’t Lie: Ukraine Is Losing The Infrastructure War   The post Ukraine Admits Losing Yet Another Helicopter appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]

— Military Situation In Ukraine On August 8, 2026 (Maps Update)

 

at 8/8/26 11:26am

Click to see the full-size image Russian strikes destroyed targets in Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kyiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Poltava regions and the DPR; According to the Ukrainian Air Force, on the night of August 08, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 151 strike UAVs, six Iskander-M, and S-400 guided missiles; Russian forces struck the Kyiv-111 enterprise, a fuel and lubricant depot at Kyiv-3, and warehouses of the company Delta Plus Ukraine in Kyiv; Russian forces struck two dry cargo ships in the Black Sea, south and east of Odesa; Russian forces struck warehouses in the Dnipropetrovsk region; Russian forces struck a gas station in Pavlohrad; Ukrainian losses amounted to approximately 1,375 troops over the past 24 hours. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces advanced and took positions in the southeastern part of Orekhov. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces took control of the settlement of Anishchino. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces advanced on the outskirts of Nikolayevka. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces took control of a border village southwest of Zhuravlivka in the Kharkiv region. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Military Situation In Ukraine And Ukrainian Attacks On Russian Territory On August 6, 2026 (Maps Update) The Numbers Don’t Lie: Ukraine Is Losing The Infrastructure War More Murders And Chaos. Violent Mobilization In Ukraine On August 7, 2026 (250 Videos) The post Military Situation In Ukraine On August 8, 2026 (Maps Update) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #FROMTHEFRONT, #MAPS, #RealWarInUkraine, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, All articles, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, Politics, Russian Armed Forces]

— Iran Sets Six Conditions To Reopen Hormuz

 

at 8/8/26 11:22am

File image. Irans top security official said on August 8 that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States changes what he described as its hostile policies and meets a set of Iranian demands. In a statement, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, said the U.S. must correct its behavior before the strategic waterway can reopen. He listed six conditions, including ending what he called threats against Irans supreme leader, permanently halting military action against the Islamic Republic and its regional allies, withdrawing American naval and air forces involved in what he described as the blockade of Iran, compensating Tehran for damage caused during the recent conflicts, lifting U.S. sanctions and releasing Iranian frozen assets. Zolghadr stressed that the six conditions reflected the will of the Iranian people, citing nationwide rallies over the past six days. The Supreme National Security Council will not retreat from these demands, whether in war or in negotiations, he said. Separately, Iranian army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia said the Iranian order governing the Strait of Hormuz was irreversible, adding that the U.S. had no choice but to accept the existing reality or face far greater costs than before. Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohebi, a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also called on the U.S. to accept Irans conditions and end its interference in regional negotiations. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the Islamic Republic of Irans specific mechanisms and conditions and has nothing to do with the negotiations between Iran and Oman, the Corps spokesman was quoted by Press TV as saying. The Strait of Hormuz is not merely an economic waterway for us; it is a component of geopolitical and strategic power, he added. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Islamic Republic and Oman are very close to reaching an agreement on a new mechanism for managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but the full reopening of the strategic waterway depends on U.S. compliance with its obligations under the memorandum of understanding signed last June. Negotiations with Oman on the legal framework and management of the Strait of Hormuz, including the designation of shipping routes through the waterway, are currently underway, and we are very close to reaching an agreement, Araghchi told reporters. However, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz hinges on other conditions, including compensation for violations of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MOU) by the United States, he said. A U.S. official had reported progress between Iran and Oman a day earlier that could soon reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for around 20 percent of global oil and gas shipments. Interestingly, the latest Iranian terms do not require the U.S. to acknowledge the Islamic Republics control over the Strait of Hormuz, or any tolls Tehran may impose. These two points were the main sources of disagreement between Tehran and Washington that caused the collapse of the MOU amid a heated clash that went on for 13 days last month. While Iran may have eased some of its secondary terms on paper, its actual control over the waterway remains solid, as evidenced by an attack that set a United Arab Emirates tanker ablaze earlier in the day. There has not yet been any reaction from the U.S. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Greek Apache Helicopters To Hunt Iranian Drones For UAE Strike Sets UAE Tanker Ablaze Near Hormuz As IRGC Warns U.S. The post Iran Sets Six Conditions To Reopen Hormuz appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #IRAN, #USA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]

— Military Situation In Northern Palestine On August 8, 2026 (Map Update)

 

at 8/8/26 11:10am

Click to see the full-size image The Israeli army carried out an explosion in Al-Qantara; The Israeli army carried out an explosion in Tallusa; Israeli artillery shelled Al-Mansouri; Israeli artillery shelled Mays al-Jabal; Israeli drone dropped explosive on Ali al-Taher Hill; Israeli enemy vehicles moved into the town of Hadatha; The Israeli army shelled outskirts of Shebaa town with machine guns. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Military Situation In Northern Palestine On August 6, 2026 (Map Update) Iran Showcases Downed U.S., Israeli Drones (Videos) Mossad Chief Fired Two Senior Officials Behind Failed Iran Regime-Change Plot The post Military Situation In Northern Palestine On August 8, 2026 (Map Update) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #ISRAEL, #LEBANON, #MAPS, #MIDDLEEAST, All articles, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, Palestine, Politics]

— Greek Apache Helicopters To Hunt Iranian Drones For UAE

 

at 8/8/26 8:03am

Illustrative image. (U.S. Arm\Army Spc. Javier Arencibia) Greece is considering sending two of its AH-64D Apache attack helicopters to the United Arab Emirates to help strengthen the Gulf state’s defenses against drone attacks, Kathimerini reported on August 8, citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, the helicopters and their crews are being prepared, and the deployment is expected to take place when conditions permit. The Greek helicopters will reportedly serve as “drone hunters,” a role in which Apache helicopters have proven to be effective. The report said that a delegation from Greece recently traveled to Abu Dhabi to prepare the mission and inspect facilities that would host the helicopters and their crews. It noted that the helicopters and their crews would be stationed at a base hosting other international forces, primarily units from the United States. While the base was not named, the most likely guess is Al Dhafra close to the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi. The sources who spoke to Kathimerini said the mission would provide Greek crews with valuable experience in countering drones. The deployment aligns with a bilateral defense cooperation agreement signed in 2020. Greece maintains a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia, under which a Greek Patriot air defense system and approximately 120 troops have been deployed near the Red Sea port city of Yanbu since 2021. That system has intercepted several missiles and drones targeting Yanbu and surrounding areas in recent months. Saudi Arabia covers the operational costs of the Patriot deployment and has funded upgrades to convert the Greek systems to the advanced PAC-3 configuration. The latest report said that lessons learned in the UAE, along with experience gained from the Patriot deployment in Saudi Arabia will be be incorporated into Greek military operational plans. The UAE is also expected to offer similar incentives if the Apache deployment proceeds. In fact, reports from last year revealed that Greece is looking to upgrade its existing Apache fleet in cooperation with Israel while considering the acquisition of additional helicopters from the U.S. While Greece is benefiting from defense cooperation with Gulf states, its expanding military presence in the region could cause tensions with Iran and its allies. Early on in the U.S.-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic, Cyprus was targeted more than once with drones reported to have been launched from Lebanon by Hezbollah. This shows that Greek interests are already within Irans ring of fire. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Strike Sets UAE Tanker Ablaze Near Hormuz As IRGC Warns U.S. Houthis Strike Saudi Tanker, Blamed for UAE Blasts (Video, Photos)     The post Greek Apache Helicopters To Hunt Iranian Drones For UAE appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #IRAN, Editor's choice, Greece, Hot, Military, UAE]

— Strike Sets UAE Tanker Ablaze Near Hormuz As IRGC Warns U.S.

 

at 8/8/26 5:48am

Illustrative image. (Tasnim News Agency) The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said on August 8 that one of its vessels was targeted by a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred during the early hours of Saturday, the United Arab Emirates’ official WAM news agency reported, citing a statement from the company. Earlier, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that a vessel believed to be an oil tanker caught fire in the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz. Citing satellite data from NASA FIRMS system, the agency reported that the vessel was ablaze and that an oil-spill response and firefighting vessel, the ADNOC AR01, had arrived at the scene. The UAE strongly condemned the attack on the vessel, holding Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responsible. In a statement, the Emirati Foreign Ministry said the attack constituted a flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, which affirms freedom of navigation and rejects attacks on commercial shipping or any disruption to international maritime routes. The ministry stressed that targeting commercial vessels and using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage or for economic coercion amounts to “acts of piracy” by the IRGC, posing a direct threat to regional stability, the safety of its populations, and global energy security. It further called on the Islamic Republic to immediately halt these hostile attacks, cease all acts of aggression, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz unconditionally to safeguard regional security and ensure the stability of the global economy and international trade. The attack on the ADNOC vessel indicates that the Islamic Republic is keeping its finger on the trigger, despite recent reports of a near-deal with the United States and Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier in the day, an IRGC spokesperson cautioned that reopening the waterway is unrelated to Iran-Oman negotiations and is instead conditional on the U.S. accepting Iran’s terms. “The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the specific mechanisms and conditions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is unrelated to the negotiations between Iran and Oman,” Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Guard spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi as saying. A U.S. official had reported progress between Iran and Oman a day earlier that could soon reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for around 20 percent of global oil and gas shipments. Prior to that, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tehran and Muscat were putting the final touches on arrangements to jointly manage the waterway. Officials from the Islamic Republic noted, however, that any reopening of the strait would depend on the U.S. ending restrictions on Iranian shipping. Iran maintains tight control over the Strait of Hormuz. The upcoming deal with Oman is intended as a temporary solution, and major differences clearly remain between the Islamic Republic and the U.S. Even if the waterway reopens, the situation is likely to remain tense, with skirmishes expected to continue. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Reports Indicate Upcoming Hormuz Deal Will Be Fragile Iran Showcases Downed U.S., Israeli Drones (Videos) The post Strike Sets UAE Tanker Ablaze Near Hormuz As IRGC Warns U.S. appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #IRAN, #USA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, UAE]

— Drone Attack On Refinery Highlights Chaos In Western Libya (Videos)

 

at 8/8/26 4:19am

Click to see full-size image. (X) A drone struck a fuel tank at Libyas Zawiya oil refinery in western Libya on August 8, causing a leak but no injuries or fire. In a statement, the Zawiya Oil Refining Company said the drone hit the wall of an untreated naphtha tank early in the morning, creating two holes and causing naphtha to leak from the tank. The company added that its personnel contained the incident and stopped the leak, noting that no fire broke out and no one was injured. The refinery expressed concern over the presence of military equipment within its premises, warning that it poses a serious risk to lives, property and the surrounding environment. It called on all parties to keep the refinery and its facilities away from clashes and armed activities, stressing the strategic importance and sensitivity of its operations. Video footage from the scene showed the wreckage of what appeared to be a first-person-view suicide quadcopter. This indicate that the attack was launched from a nearby area. Just four days earlier, several people were reported killed and injured in clashes between the First Support Force, led by Mohamed Bahroun, also known as al-Far, and the 103rd Battalion, led by Othman al-Lahab, in Zawiya and the nearby city of Surman amid reports of a jailbreak. Al-Far and al-Lahab are among the most prominent armed leaders in western Libya. Their factions are supposed to be integrated within the Government of National Unity (GNU) based in the capital, Tripoli. At the time of the clashes, Zawiya Oil Refining Company called on employees in unsafe areas not to report to work, declaring a day off. Zawiya has witnessed several rounds of armed clashes in recent months that left people dead and injured, and damaged vital facilities.  Libya plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country is now split between the GNU in the west and a rival government based in Benghazi in the east, backed by the House of Representatives and the LNA. While the east has long been stable under the control of the LNA, the west remains unstable as the GNU continues to rely on rival armed factions unified only by name. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Libyan Army Shows Off New Tanks With Drone Protection (Photos, Video) Gaddafi’s Prominent Son, Saif Al-Islam, Killed In Libya The post Drone Attack On Refinery Highlights Chaos In Western Libya (Videos) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #LIBYA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military] [Link to media]

— Drone Attack On Refinary Highlights Chaos In Western Libya (Videos)

 

at 8/8/26 4:19am

Click to see full-size image. (X) A drone struck a fuel tank at Libyas Zawiya oil refinery in western Libya on August 8, causing a leak but no injuries or fire, the refinery said. In a statement, the Zawiya Oil Refining Company said the drone hit the wall of an untreated naphtha tank early in the morning, creating two holes and causing naphtha to leak from the tank. The company added that its personnel contained the incident and stopped the leak, noting that no fire broke out and no one was injured. The refinery expressed concern over the presence of military equipment within its premises, warning that it poses a serious risk to lives, property and the surrounding environment. It called on all parties to keep the refinery and its facilities away from clashes and armed activities, stressing the strategic importance and sensitivity of its operations. Video footage from the scene showed the wreckage of what appeared to be a first-person-view suicide quadcopter. This indicate that the attack was launched from a nearby area. Just four days earlier, several people were reported killed and injured in clashes between the First Support Force, led by Mohamed Bahroun, also known as al-Far, and the 103rd Battalion, led by Othman al-Lahab, in Zawiya and the nearby city of Surman amid reports of a jailbreak. Al-Far and al-Lahab are among the most prominent armed leaders in western Libya. Their factions are supposed to be integrated within the Government of National Unity (GNU) based in the capital, Tripoli. At the time of the clashes, Zawiya Oil Refining Company called on employees in unsafe areas not to report to work, declaring a day off. Zawiya has witnessed several rounds of armed clashes in recent months that left people dead and injured, and damaged vital facilities.  Libya plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country is now split between the GNU in the west and a rival government based in Benghazi in the east, backed by the House of Representatives and the LNA. While the east has long been stable under the control of the LNA, the west remains unstable as the GNU continues to rely on rival armed factions unified only by name. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Libyan Army Shows Off New Tanks With Drone Protection (Photos, Video) Gaddafi’s Prominent Son, Saif Al-Islam, Killed In Libya The post Drone Attack On Refinary Highlights Chaos In Western Libya (Videos) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #LIBYA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]

— The Numbers Don’t Lie: Ukraine Is Losing The Infrastructure War

 

at 8/7/26 3:46pm

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function(){ var player = videojs('content_video', { autoplay: false, loop: false, fluid: true, controlBar: { liveTracker: false } }); var shareOptions = { socials: ['fb', 'tw', 'reddit', 'messenger', 'linkedin', 'telegram', 'whatsapp', 'viber', 'vk'], url: window.location.href, title: "Ukraine Is Losing The Infrastructure War", description: "Russia's campaign to choke Ukraine's economy is no longer a threat on the horizon — it is a measurable, documented reality playing out in real time. The numbers coming out of Ukraine's port authority tell the story with clinical precision: in July alone, Ukrainian ports absorbed 67 strikes on port facilities, 35 attacks on civilian vessels in harbor, and 22 hits on ships in the maritime corridor. Daily grain shipments have collapsed to 48,000 tons — one third of the daily volume recorded ", image: "https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Infrastructure_War.jpg", // required for Facebook and Messenger fbAppId: '12345', // optional for Facebook redirectUri: window.location.href + '#close', // optional for VK isVkParse: true, // optinal embed code embedCode : "" }; player.share(shareOptions); player.downloadButton(); }); Download video Russias campaign to choke Ukraines economy is no longer a threat on the horizon — it is a measurable, documented reality playing out in real time. The numbers coming out of Ukraines port authority tell the story with clinical precision: in July alone, Ukrainian ports absorbed 67 strikes on port facilities, 35 attacks on civilian vessels in harbor, and 22 hits on ships in the maritime corridor. Daily grain shipments have collapsed to 48,000 tons — one third of the daily volume recorded in the first half of July. Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers has already been forced to cut minimum export prices. Agriculture Minister Vysotsky estimates direct losses to the sector at between $1.5 and $3 billion, with more than 30 million tons of grain exports now at risk. Alternative overland and river routes cannot reach full capacity before late August at the earliest, and even then will cover only 50 to 55 percent of lost volume. Every idle day in Odessa, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhne costs Ukraine approximately $70 million in foregone export revenue. The head of the National Bank of Ukraine has publicly acknowledged the suspension of exports. The economic siege and the ground offensive are not parallel campaigns — they are two components of a single, coordinated strategy. In Sumy Oblast, a new crisis point has opened in the border zone. On August 5, advance units of Russias 1427th Regiment under the 11th Army Corps seized the village of Ryzhivka, while fighting intensified near the village of Gorky to the north. Ukrainian command now faces a familiar yet painful dilemma: strip other sectors to plug the gap, or hold with understrength units and hope that the line holds. Neither option offers a good outcome. On the Dobropillya axis, the Russian offensive maintains its pace. On August 6, Ukrainian forces lost the village of Krasnoyarske and surrounding areas to the north. The partial encirclement of Dobropillya is becoming an increasingly concrete prospect. Russia is winning this war on spreadsheets as surely as it is winning it on maps. When a country can no longer export its grain, fuel its cities, or hold its front lines, the question is not whether or not it can reverse the tide — it is how long it can stay afloat. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DEAR FRIENDS. IF YOU LIKE THIS TYPE OF CONTENT, SUPPORT SOUTHFRONT WORK: MONERO (XMR): 86yfEHs6pkoDEKCxc6MAnQX8cVHmzhYxMVrNuwKgNmqpWK8dDxjgGnK8PtUNJMACbn6xEGxmRauNTHJhUJpg9Mwz8htBBND BITCOIN (BTC): bc1qgu58lfszcpqu6fd8l98m378wgzugyg9y93lcym BITCOIN CASH (BCH): qr28d80s5juzv2793k5jrq59xrl5fxd8qg9h3zlkk2 PAYPAL, WESTERN UNION etc: write to info@southfront.press , southfront@list.ru If you face any problems sending funds to the addresses given above, please contact us: info@southfront.press and southfront@list.ru. Also be aware that many email services such as Hotmail, Yahoo etc. may block correspondence from info@southfront.press and some others put it in spam. If you want to support SouthFront but have no opportunity to do it via cryptocurrency, please contact us: info@southfront.press and southfront@list.ru. SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS The post The Numbers Dont Lie: Ukraine Is Losing The Infrastructure War appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #DONBASS, #FROMTHEFRONT, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, SouthFront TV, Ukraine Military Report, donbass, russia, ukraine]

— Reports Indicate Upcoming Hormuz Deal Will Be Fragile

 

at 8/7/26 3:41pm

File image. Iran is waiting for its Supreme National Security Council to approve a temporary agreement with the United States and Oman on opening the strait and expects that approval to come shortly, Axios reported on August 7, citing a diplomat from one of the mediating countries. U.S. President Donald Trump has been asserting a deal was imminent since the start of the week, when he called off a major strike against Iranian energy infrastructure. “We’re doing very well. I’m involved in the negotiation. I think we’re doing fine. It could be soon,” Trump said a day earlier while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office. In the meantime, the U.S. will maintain its blockade of Iranian ports, he added. In addition to Axios’s report, an American official stated that progress had been made in talks between Iran and Oman aimed at fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. “We expect a deal soon,” the official said in a statement sent to querying reporters. Earlier in the day, MS Now reported that a framework deal had been reached for Iran and Oman to jointly control the strategic waterway—responsible for around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Under the deal, ships would not be charged tolls. However, the report noted that U.S. support for the agreement was not guaranteed. An American official was quoted by MS Now as saying Washington will only support the deal if it includes no fees and also no “impediments—meaning no approvals or permissions.” The report didn’t say if the framework includes such provisions. Meanwhile, an Iranian official said the deal would establish a new Iran-controlled entry route and an Oman-controlled exit route from the Strait of Hormuz. The same official added that the U.S. and the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization would be involved in the deal’s formal announcement if approved. Despite the reported progress, Iran’s state-owned Press TV reported that a parliamentary committee was reviewing a preliminary bill that would introduce fees for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, while barring U.S., Israeli, and other “hostile” vessels from passing through the waterway. The report cited lawmaker Alireza Salimi, who said the bill would also place restrictions on any ships or cargo deemed to have been involved in “hostile actions” against Iran’s regional allies, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror group. “It would also prohibit the entry and exit of military or warships, as well as vessels involved in espionage, spying, or actions deemed contrary to Iran’s national security,” he said. The draft bill would impose fines of up to 20 percent of a ship’s cargo value for violations of the proposed restrictions, according to the report. The lawmaker noted the legislation was still under expert review and that parliament had invited specialists to submit recommendations before the draft was finalized. While all recent reports indicate that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is near, it is also clear from the same reports that the U.S. and Iran are still in disagreement on how exactly to manage the waterway. This is exactly what happened with the June memorandum of understanding, which eventually led to a serious clash between the two last month. The upcoming deal will likely be temporary. Traffic through the waterway will not likely go back to its pre-war levels, and tensions will certainly remain high. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Iran Showcases Downed U.S., Israeli Drones (Videos) Iran Received Chinese And Russian Air Defenses, Working To Rebuild Its Network   The post Reports Indicate Upcoming Hormuz Deal Will Be Fragile appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #IRAN, #USA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]

— Iraqi Resistance Delays Major Attack On Saudi Arabia

 

at 8/7/26 12:43pm

Illustrative image. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) announced on August 7 that it had delayed a planned retaliatory strike against Saudi Arabia, while insisting the delay would not alter its determination to respond to the recent U.S.-Saudi attack on Iraq. In a statement, the IRI, an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi armed factions, said that it delayed the strike planned for later in the day after receiving a request from prominent Shia leader Hadi al-Ameri and in support of the positions taken by several Iraqi political leaders. The group stressed that the decision is to delay the strike rather than to cancel it, declaring that the blood of the martyrs will never be a commodity to be traded in the marketplace of political calculations. The American enemy and its allies must know that sovereignty is not restored through weak and cautious statements, but revived by the fists of the loyal, it warned. The IRI further urged Iraqi political figures whose positions and power have distracted them from defending the blood of the martyrs and the countrys violated sovereignty to reconsider their stance and return to the right path. The announcement came hours after al-Ameri, the head of the Badr Organization, publicly appealed to the IRI to postpone any response to the recent U.S.-Saudi attack. I appeal to my sons and brothers in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq to postpone any response to the American-Saudi attack that targeted Iraq, and to endure these wounds patiently, for the sake of Iraqs higher interest, al-Ameri said in a video message. The leader stressed in the message that the rights of the martyrs and wounded will be pursued through diplomatic means. The U.S.-Saudi attack targeted several positions of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Baghdad and five other provinces last week, claiming the lives of at least 20 people, including five advisors from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Just a day earlier, Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia is expecting imminent coordinated attacks from the north and south by Iraqi armed factions and Yemens Houthis under the supervision of the IRGC. A senior Saudi official told the news agency that intelligence reports from Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and other regional countries indicated civilian and economic sites could be targeted, including energy infrastructure, ports and airports. The kingdom had also observed drones and missiles being moved, suggesting coordinated operations from both directions, the official added. The IRI decision to delay the retaliatory strike indicates that there are some serious efforts to de-escalate. Still, the situation is not over yet. As the group itself has noted, the operation has been only delayed. Any uncalculated move by Saudi Arabia, even against the Houthis in Yemen, could provoke the armed factions in Iraq. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Another Deadly Houthi Strike Hit Saudi-Backed Forces (Videos) Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan Sign Joint Defense Deal The post Iraqi Resistance Delays Major Attack On Saudi Arabia appeared first on South Front.

[Category: No Category]

— More Murders And Chaos. Violent Mobilization In Ukraine On August 7, 2026 (250 Videos)

 

at 8/7/26 12:43pm

document.createElement('video'); https://s1.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/07.06.26_Ukraine_Mobilization.mp4Download video New video accounts of violent mobilization in Ukraine appear online every day. They depict violence, abductions, murders and chaos on the streets as the new normal in Ukrainian society. Hundreds of videos show mobilized men dying at the hands of officers of the Ukrainian Territorial Recruitment Centres (military conscription offices). Forcibly mobilized persons are beaten and tortured. Those who survive are sent to the front. Those who dont simply vanish. Over the past couple of years, more than 1,100 video accounts of violent mobilization have circulated online. That figure does not include the flood of videos showing violence against Ukrainian citizens for other reasons. Nor does it include footage of insults and violence directed at Ukrainians for speaking Russian or for honoring the victors over Nazism in World War II. All of this is taking place against the backdrop of a severe economic crisis, the impoverishment of the remaining population of Ukraine, heavy losses at the front, the collapse of the social sector, and rampant corruption. Can you imagine what the atmosphere in Ukrainian society is like right now? The general population is intimidated and deeply embittered. At the same time, people understand the nature of Zelenskyys regime. They understand that Ukraines authorities are puppets of the Western powers behind the scenes. Whatever the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, a social explosion and a wave of violence — including violence directed against Europeans — are inevitable. The West understands this very well. That is why it fears an end to the conflict with Russia, or even a freeze in hostilities. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Violent Mobilization In Ukraine. New Footage On June 5, 2026 (190 videos) Ukraine Purges Recruiters Amid Army Mobilization Crisis Ukraine Today, Europe Tomorrow (Videos 18+) The post More Murders And Chaos. Violent Mobilization In Ukraine On August 7, 2026 (250 Videos) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #EU, #RealWarInUkraine, #UKRAINE, All articles, Editor's choice, Europe, Hot, Military, Politics, SouthFront TV, Suggested Analyses] [Link to media]

— Another Deadly Houthi Strike Hit Saudi-Backed Forces (Videos)

 

at 8/7/26 11:51am

Illustrative image. Yemens Houthis (Ansar Allah) announced on August 7 that they had carried out another missile and drone strike against Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. In a statement, Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said that the group executed qualitative and precise strikes after conducting detailed surveillance on the movements of Saudi-backed forces. According to Saree, the operation targeted troop build-ups, weapons depots, military vehicles, and equipment inside the Sahn al-Jinn military camp. The base is a pivotal military hub situated just north of the capital of Marib, an energy-rich province in central Yemen that sits along vital transit corridors linking the countrys central highlands to its eastern desert regions. The spokesman accused Saudi Arabia of pushing forces into the furnace of an unjust and losing aggressive war. He further declared that Houthis would maintain a posture of strict retaliation, warning that any foreign troop presence aimed at preserving restrictions on Yemen would face swift military action. The Yemeni Armed Forces are proceeding to meet escalation with escalation, Saree said. The spokesman emphasized that the rebels remain committed to enforcing the dual formulas of blockade-for-blockade and targeting aggressive Saudi build-ups wherever they may be, adding that the group will not allow aggressive plans against our country to pass without an immediate and severe response. Addressing Yemeni combatants fighting alongside coalition forces, Saree renewed appeals for local troops to desert their posts and return to their hometowns. We renew our advice to the misled and deceived among our countrymen to leave the camps of the Saudi enemy and return to their areas before it is too late, Saree said, urging them to hurry to save themselves and not be fuel for traitorous factions that have pledged their fate to foreign entities. The spokesman also directly reached out to local tribal leaders in the surrounding region, praising the proud tribes of Marib and its free, honorable people for standing alongside their people against occupation and guardianship. He assured regional leaders that the Houthis stand with them to extract the legitimate rights of our people and lift the blockade.  Qasim Buhaibeh, health minister in Yemens internationally-recognized government, said that two people were killed and 14 others were wounded in the Houthi strike on Marib, noting that the toll is preliminary. The attack targeted residential neighborhoods and camps for internally displaced people in Marib, Buhaibeh wrote, adding that authorities had instructed all health facilities to raise their levels of alert and preparedness. Earlier in the day, the defense ministry in the Yemeni government said its forces had shot down several Houthi drones over Marib.  This was the second such strike by the Houthis this week. Just a day earlier, over 30 were killed, and at least dozens of others were wounded when missiles and drones launched by the group hit several positions of Saudi-backed forces in eastern Yemen. Also on August 6, at least 11 civilians were injured in strikes by the group that targeted Saudi Arabias southern Najran region, according to Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, who didnt provide any further details. The Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, and since then the group has carried out a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi airports, oil facilities, and tankers in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia is reported to be preparing an offensive against the Houthis, including a potential ground operation, in cooperation with the Yemeni government. At the same time, the kingdom is said to be engaged diplomatically through Oman in an attempt to de-escalate. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Houthi Preemptive Strike Claims Dozens Of Saudi-Backed Fighters (Videos) Read Sea Is Heating Up   The post Another Deadly Houthi Strike Hit Saudi-Backed Forces (Videos) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #SAUDIARABIA, #YEMEN, Editor's choice, Hot, Military] [Link to media]

— Iran Showcases Downed U.S., Israeli Drones (Videos)

 

at 8/7/26 11:06am

File image. The Aerospace Force of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on August 7 showcased an underground exhibition with the wreckage of dozens of United States and Israeli drones. The display, featured in a teaser released by the state-run IRIB news agency, includes a near-intact Israeli Hermes 900 combat drone with serial number 923, which was reportedly brought down by the IRGC using electronic warfare.  It also includes remains from more than 30 U.S. MQ-9 Reaper combat drones downed since the start of the war—a figure confirmed by a U.S. official—alongside remnants from the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet shot down right before the first ceasefire, namely an ejection seat, a part of the canopy, and a section of its tail. In addition, the exhibition includes parts from several U.S. and Israeli missiles and munitions that were intercepted by Iranian air defenses. IRGC engineers plan to reverse-engineer the captured technology to upgrade Irans domestic drone capabilities, the semi-official Mehr news agency, which also released footage from the exhibition, reported. According to a Wikipedia compilation of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the latest Iran war, the U.S. suffered the heaviest aerial losses of any party in the conflict, with 74 military aircraft destroyed or damaged. The bulk of the toll came from unmanned systems: 36 MQ-9 drones were lost, along with one MQ-1 Predator, two MQ-4C Triton drones—one of them only damaged—and one Tiguar M drone. Piloted losses included five F-15Es, one of them only damaged; four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, two of them only damaged; two CH-47 Chinook helicopters; two MC-130 transport aircraft; four MH-6 Little Bird helicopters; and single losses each of an AH-64 Apache, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, a CH-53E Super Stallion, an HH-60 Pave Hawk that was damaged, and an SH-60 Seahawk. Eight KC-135 Stratotankers were destroyed or damaged, one KC-46 Pegasus tanker was lost, and two E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft were destroyed or damaged, with an F-35 Lightning II also damaged by suspected Iranian ground fire. Israels military aircraft losses totaled 22, consisting entirely of unmanned systems rather than crewed jets. Eight Hermes 900 drones and four Hermes 450 drones were shot down, several by Hezbollah forces in Lebanon in addition to Iranian air defenses, while six Heron drones and four Eitan drones were also downed over Iranian territory. The IRGC Aerospace Force exhibition highlights some of the achievements of Iranian air defenses during the war. However, the wreckage of the drones and missiles recovered by Iran does carry major technological value that could indeed help the Islamic Republic advance its capabilities. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Iran Received Chinese And Russian Air Defenses, Working To Rebuild Its Network Iran Nears Deal That Would Solidify Its Grip on Hormuz   The post Iran Showcases Downed U.S., Israeli Drones (Videos) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #IRAN, #ISRAEL, #USA, Editor's choice, Hot, Military] [Link to media]

— Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan Sign Joint Defense Deal

 

at 8/7/26 6:56am

Click to see full-size image. (Anadolu Agency) Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement on August 7, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defense cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond. The agreement was signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the holy Islamic city of Mecca in a joint ceremony. The agreement aims to bolster collective deterrence against all forms of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack carried out against any one of the three states shall be considered an attack against all of them, the leaders said in a joint statement. The agreement also provides for the development of defense cooperation among the three states in all its dimensions. A Turkish official told Reuters that the agreement was defensive in nature, was not directed against any specific actor, was open to other regional countries, and did not abrogate or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral arrangements. Meanwhile, an Ankara-based source told the Middle East Eye that the agreement would change the balance of power in the region. If successfully implemented, the source said, the deal will enhance the stability and security of people living in this part of the world. Turkey has NATOs second-largest military. Saudi Arabia is home to Islams holiest sites and is one of the worlds top oil exporters. Pakistan, meanwhile, is the only nuclear-armed Muslim country. The three Sunni-majority nations have been particularly concerned by the growing influence of both Jewish Israel and Shiite Iran. Amid the war with the U.S. and Israel, Tehran has attacked bases hosting American troops and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan and Israel. Both Pakistan and Turkey have avoided significant direct attacks but have been heavily involved in diplomatic efforts to end the war. Its worth noting that Pakistan already had a direct defense pact with Saudi Arabia, and after the start of the war on Iran, it dispatched thousands of troops to the kingdom, along with warplanes and air defenses. Turkey, meanwhile, has been expanding defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, mainly through a multibillion-dollar drone deal. While both nations stand to gain economically from cooperating with Saudi Arabia, the deal could drag them, in one way or another, into the conflict with Iran, or even into a fight with the Houthis in Yemen, who have been escalating attacks against the kingdom for the past few weeks. Historically, though, such defense agreements have rarely been honored in the region. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence NOW hosted at southfront.press Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org. The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com SOUTHFRONT.PRESS MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Read Sea Is Heating Up Houthis Strike Saudi Tanker, Blamed for UAE Blasts (Video, Photos)   The post Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan Sign Joint Defense Deal appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #PAKISTAN, #SAUDIARABIA, #TURKEY, Editor's choice, Hot, Military]

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