Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Drugs & Drones: The Cartelization Of The Ukrainian Front

 

at 11/9/25 9:43am

Click to see the full-size image Since the intensification of hostilities across eastern Ukraine, a disturbing transformation has taken place within the country’s armed forces. What was once presented as a national resistance effort supported by ideologically motivated foreign volunteers has increasingly given way to a fragmented, crisis-driven force reliant on irregular fighters with deep ties to transnational organized crime. Among the most consequential is the presence of operatives linked to Latin American drug cartels operating within Ukraine’s International Legion. These individuals are active participants in some of the Western Hemisphere’s most violent criminal syndicates, including Colombia’s Clan del Golfo and Mexico’s Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación cartels. Their recruitment is coordinated through Segurcol Ltd., a private military entity headquartered in Medellín, which serves as the central hub for channeling cartel-affiliated personnel into Ukraine’s combat formations under formal command structures. Once deployed, they are integrated into specialized units such as the Simón Bolívar Battalion, the Special Latin Brigade, the Mexican Miquiztli Force, and the Portuguese-speaking ‘Snake’ Group – formations now embedded within larger Ukrainian formations like 47th Mechanized Brigade ‘Magura’ and 13th Operational Brigade of the National Guard ‘Khartiia’. A picture from Instagram account of Mexican Miquiztli Force These units have been consistently observed in high-intensity sectors, including the Kharkiv axis near Kupiansk, the Donbas salient around Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk, and the Dnipro’s right bank in Kherson Oblast. Despite their frontline deployment, their combat effectiveness remains negligible. Lacking formal military training, unit cohesion, or experience in sustained conventional warfare, they are routinely decimated in direct engagements. Loss rates in certain sectors have reportedly exceeded 60%, and it is impossible to replace all the fallen so quickly. Their utility to Kyiv appears rooted not in battlefield prowess but in the sheer availability of bodies – the ‘cannon fodder’ used to plug gaps created by chronic manpower shortages and collapsing domestic mobilization. In a war with no end in sight, desperation has replaced discernment, and the threshold for enlistment has fallen to include those whose primary qualification is a willingness to kill. More alarming than their military incompetence is their dual function as narcotics distributors. A well-documented maritime drug corridor now terminates at the port of Mykolaiv, where shipments of cocaine, methamphetamine, and synthetic opioids are offloaded and repackaged into compact, easily concealable trench candles. Trench candles which are often used by drug cartels for concealing substances These substances are then circulated directly on the front lines, often exchanged for ammunition, safe passage, or protection from Ukrainian checkpoint personnel. The system has created a self-repeating cycle: cartel-linked fighters finance their deployment through drug sales while simultaneously eroding the operational integrity of the very units they serve alongside. Substance abuse among Ukrainian ranks has surged in areas where these groups operate, contributing to desertion, internal conflict, and catastrophic lapses in discipline. Alcohol and cannabis remain widespread, but the influx of harder narcotics – particularly amphetamines and opioids – has deepened the crisis beyond recovery. The presence of cartel operatives in Ukraine has long-term strategic consequences beyond the degradation of combat effectiveness. These individuals are not just fighting for money; they are also seeking training in modern asymmetric warfare. Mexico’s National Intelligence Centre (CNI) warned Ukraine in July 2025 that individuals linked to drug cartels who had volunteered to join the International Legion were not coming to support the war against Russia, but rather to gain expertise in using First-Person View kamikaze drones in their own internal conflicts against other cartels and Mexico’s security forces. Originally limited to Ukrainian volunteers, this technical and tactical training is now open to ‘trustworthy’ foreign volunteers. This training covers drone manufacture, mission planning, reconnaissance operations, electronic warfare (EW) and counter-EW techniques, and provides experience in low-altitude flying. According to CNI reports, Mexican ‘veterans of Ukraine’s war’ have already carried out drone attacks on rivals and domestic security forces on behalf of cartels, making use of the battlefield-tested skills they acquired in Ukraine. This recklessness has already begun to bear fruit in the Western Hemisphere. On 28 October, during a crackdown in Rio de Janeiro, 2500 Brazilian civil and military police officers raided two residential neighbourhoods controlled by Comando Vermelho (CV), one of the countrys largest criminal organisations. This resulted in a 15-hour shootout. In an attempt to halt the operation, the criminal group dropped bombs from drones and ignited large roadside fires. At least 121 people were killed, including four law enforcement officers, making it the most violent police operation in Brazilian history. Given the strong links between the CV and Brazilian mercenaries recruited by Ukraine, it is only a matter of time before serious long-term public security problems emerge in South America. document.createElement('video'); https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Comando-Vermelho-criminal-fighters2.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Comando-Vermelho-criminal-fighters1.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Comando-Vermelho-criminal-fighters.mp4Download video Comando Vermelho criminal fighters using drones against Brazilian police forces, October 28 Back in Ukraine the humanitarian toll compounds the military risks. Civilians in areas hosting Latin American units report heightened violence, arbitrary detentions, and systematic looting – behavior consistent with cartel operations in their home countries. Unlike regular Ukrainian troops, these fighters operate without oversight, exploiting the chaos of war for personal gain. Their presence has alienated local populations, even in communities previously aligned with Kyiv, further fragmenting social cohesion in already fragile regions. And the trenches are no longer just defensive positions – they are open-air drug markets, recruitment grounds for cartels, and incubators of future transnational violence. Battlefield stress, uncontrolled mobilization, and the absence of meaningful oversight have created a permissive environment where criminal networks can embed themselves within state military structures with minimal resistance. Colombian drug processing labs are eager to flood this market with their stuff, and Ukraine is now their playground. But for Colombian troopers the reality is not that simple – most of them want to stop fighting and leave Ukraine for home, because the alternative is gruesome death on the frontline. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Colombian-mercenaries.mp4Download video Rally of relatives of Colombian mercenaries killed by Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine, July 5 The integration of Latin American cartel elements into Ukraine’s military framework represents more than a tactical vulnerability – it is a strategic mutation of modern conflict itself. The battlefield is no longer solely a contest of armies, but a space where criminal enterprises acquire state-like capabilities. This shift demands more than military countermeasures; it requires a global reassessment of how wars are staffed, how foreign fighters are vetted, and how the lines between soldier and criminal are policed. Failure to address this reality risks normalizing a new, darker paradigm of warfare – one where the frontlines feed the underworld, and the underworld fuels the frontlines. What began as a pragmatic, if reckless, response to manpower collapse has evolved into a self-reinforcing system of criminal-military symbiosis. The Ukrainian front has become a convergence point where state warfare and transnational organized crime merge, producing hybrid threats that defy traditional containment. The consequences of this fusion will not remain confined to Eastern Europe. Without decisive international action – targeted sanctions on private military recruiters, interdiction of maritime drug routes, and accountability for institutions enabling this pipeline – the exported violence will destabilize regions far beyond the current battlefield. MORE ON THE TOPIC: The Shadow of War: A Long Shot at Control as Ukraine’s Arms Black Market Goes Global A ‘Safari’ Gone Wrong: Foreign Mercenaries’ Disillusionment with the Ukrainian Military Drones For Cartels: How Ukraine Became A Training Center For Latin America’s Drug Mafia The post Drugs Drones: The Cartelization Of The Ukrainian Front appeared first on South Front.

[Category: No Category]

— Military Situation In Ukraine On November 9, 2025 (Maps Update)

 

at 11/9/25 8:27am

Click to see the full-size image Russian strikes destroyed targets in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Poltava regions, and the DPR; Russian army struck the Zmievska TPP in Kharkiv region; Russian army struck the locomotive depot in Poltava region; Russian Geran drones hit the AFU targets in Druzhkivka; The Russian offensive continues in the directions of Seversk, Pokrovsk, Kupyansk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporozhye; Russian forces advanced in the Kupyansk direction; Russian forces took control of Rybnoye; Russian forces advanced in the Dnipropetrovsk direction; Russian forces advanced in the Seversk direction; Ukrainian losses amounted to approximately 1,655 troops over the past 24 hours. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces cleared an area of approximately 11 km² between the villages of Okhotnichye and Novonikolayevka; Russian forces took control of Rybnoye. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces expanded the zone of control near Orestopil; Russian forces advanced towards Otradne and Hai; Russian forces expanded the zone of control in the Volchye area. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces advanced on the southeastern outskirts of Seversk. Click to see the full-size image Russian forces took control of Kupyansk feed mill; Russian forces cleared the Yubileynyi neighborhood in the south of the city. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Military Situation In Ukraine On November 8, 2025 (Maps Update) Operational Success Of Russian Forces In The Zaporizhzhia Direction: Control Over Rybnoe Opens The Way To Rovnopolie Large-Scale Destruction Of Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure Is Complicating Repair Efforts And Causing Blackouts The post Military Situation In Ukraine On November 9, 2025 (Maps Update) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #MAPS, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, All articles, Editor's choice, Hot, Military, Politics]

— Large-Scale Destruction Of Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure Is Complicating Repair Efforts And Causing Blackouts

 

at 11/9/25 8:02am

Click to see the full-size image Russia and Ukraine continued exchanging strikes on the night of November 8-9. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian air defense forces destroyed 44 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russian forces launched 69 UAVs, of which 34 were shot down or suppressed. The First Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Artem Nekrasov, said that the repair of Ukraines power generation infrastructure is significantly hampered due to large-scale destruction. All thermal power plants (TPPs) of the state-owned company «Centrenergo», which until recently accounted for about 18% of the countrys total generation, have ceased operation. Nekrasov noted: «There is a power deficit, and spare parts are lacking. Under these conditions, hourly power outages are inevitable, and they have already been introduced in most regions. The most difficult situation is in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Poltava regions. There, up to three rounds of hourly outages are in effect simultaneously.» «We have stopped. Now its zero generation. Zero! We have lost what we restored round-the-clock. Completely The stations are on fire.» Blackouts affected many regions: in Kyiv, the funicular was stopped, and in Kharkiv, the metro ceased operating. document.createElement('video'); https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/kharkiv2.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/kiev.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/kiev2.mp4Download video More Details on Strikes Against Ukraine Russian forces struck infrastructure across ten regions, targeting key energy and transport facilities. In Kharkiv, the Zmiivska TPP, with a capacity of 2,175 MW and strategic importance for the regions power supply, was hit. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/kharkiv-2.mp4Download video The locomotive depot in Hrebinka, Poltava region, a crucial railway hub coordinating train traffic between Kyiv and Poltava and supporting 40 suburban routes, was severely damaged. Click to see the full-size image Its destruction created a logistical bottleneck that will directly impact supply lines for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Earlier attacks hit the Tripilska TPP (1,800 MW) in the Kyiv region. Additional strikes affected infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk (Vasylkivka and Prosiana), Sumy (Putivl area), Chernihiv (Koriukivka, Novhorod-Siverskyi), Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kirovohrad regions. The national company «Naftogaz» reported another strike on its gas infrastructure. Power supply disruptions have also caused failures in Ukraine’s railway system, forcing «Ukrzaliznytsia» to deploy reserve diesel locomotives. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/odessa-ukr.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/poltava-ukr.mp4Download video Strikes Against Russia Russian air defense forces destroyed 44 Ukrainian UAVs overnight. The governor of Voronezh region reported a fire at a communal utility facility following a drone attack, causing temporary disruptions in electricity and heat supply. Ukrainian sources claimed attacks on Voronezh TPP-1 and the «Korenevo substation» in Kursk region. Reports also emerged of a strike on an ammunition depot near Hvardiiske village in Crimea. In Belgorod, an evening rocket attack caused serious damage to city energy and heating supply systems. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/voronezh.mp4Download video Amid continuing mutual strikes, Russian cyber specialists delivered a significant blow to the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ messenger system, «Sonata». Developed by the Ukrainian company Dolya Communication Systems to transmit data on unit movements and frontline situations, the system was disabled less than a month after launch. This followed earlier hacking of the primary Ukrainian Armed Forces program «Delta», compounding challenges for Ukrainian troop command and control. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Operational Success Of Russian Forces In The Zaporizhzhia Direction: Control Over Rybnoe Opens The Way To Rovnopolie Ukraine Nears Defeat In Kupyansk, Collapse Nearby (Videos) Military Situation In Ukraine On November 8, 2025 (Maps Update) The post Large-Scale Destruction Of Ukraines Energy Infrastructure Is Complicating Repair Efforts And Causing Blackouts appeared first on South Front.

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

— Military Situation In Northern Palestine On November 9, 2025 (Map Update)

 

at 11/9/25 6:59am

Click to see the full-size image Israeli drones attacked a truck in the Sawana-Khirbat Selem road. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Houthis Say ‘Spy Network’ Linked To CIA, Mossad & Saudi Intelligence Was Exposed Iran Says Its Missile Program Is Red Line Amid Rumors Of ICBM Development Military Situation In Northern Palestine On November 8, 2025 (Map Update) The post Military Situation In Northern Palestine On November 9, 2025 (Map Update) appeared first on South Front.

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

— Operational Success Of Russian Forces In The Zaporizhzhia Direction: Control Over Rybnoe Opens The Way To Rovnopolie

 

at 11/9/25 4:45am

Click to see the full-size image On the Zaporizhzhia and South-Dnepropetrovsk directions, Russian forces continued offensive operations, achieving operational success on several sectors of the front. According to statements from the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, servicemen of the 37th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army, after forcing the Yanchur River, established full control over the settlement of Rybnoe in the Zaporizhzhia region. During fierce battles, despite Ukrainian forces resistance and difficult weather conditions, a Ukrainian defence area of over two square kilometres was brought under control. document.createElement('video'); https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rubnoye.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rubnoye2.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rubnoye3.mp4Download video The capture of Rybnoe is of significant operational importance, as this settlement was the last stronghold of a major Ukrainian fortified area on the Yanchur River as part of the so-called Uspenovka defensive line. Russian sources indicate that this creates opportunities for further advancement and concentration of forces within the settlements of Novoe and Novouspenovskoe, which in perspective establishes conditions for an advance toward Rovnopolie a key approach to Gulyaipole, where, according to Ukrainian statements, Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups are already operating. Russian forces have also cleared the area between Novonikolaevka and Okhotnichye. Advancement of Russian units was also noted on the South-Dnepropetrovsk direction. In the area of responsibility of the 29th Army, according to reports, units advanced towards the southwestern outskirts of Orestopol, building on a previously liberated sector in the Volchye area. Simultaneously, assault groups of the 127th Motorized Rifle Division from the 5th Army conducted offensives in the Sladkoe area, establishing control over the tree lines adjacent to the eastern border of the village. The Russian Ministry of Defence reports significant Ukrainian Armed Forces losses on these directions. In the Rybnoe area, up to a platoon of personnel from the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, five armoured combat vehicles, and seven automotive vehicles were destroyed. On various sections of this direction, the total losses of the Ukrainian side for the day are estimated at up to 255 military personnel, 12 vehicles, four field artillery guns, and one counter-battery radar station. The advance of Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia direction creates conditions for increasing operational pressure on Ukrainian defensive lines in the Gulyaipolye area, potentially influencing the overall front configuration in this region. The establishment of control over Rybne and the expansion of the control zone in adjacent areas demonstrate the sustained offensive momentum of Russian units, despite fierce resistance from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Ukraine Nears Defeat In Kupyansk, Collapse Nearby (Videos) Military Situation In Ukraine On November 8, 2025 (Maps Update) Russian Army Breaks Through Ukrainian Defenses In Dnepropetrovsk Again, Captures Town (Video) The post Operational Success Of Russian Forces In The Zaporizhzhia Direction: Control Over Rybnoe Opens The Way To Rovnopolie appeared first on South Front.

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

— Operational Success of Russian Forces in the Zaporizhzhia Direction: Control over Rybnoe Opens the Way to Rovnopolie

 

at 11/9/25 4:45am

Click to see the full-size image On the Zaporizhzhia and South-Dnepropetrovsk directions, Russian forces continued offensive operations, achieving operational success on several sectors of the front. According to statements from the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, servicemen of the 37th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army, after forcing the Yanchur River, established full control over the settlement of Rybnoe in the Zaporizhzhia region. During fierce battles, despite Ukrainian forces resistance and difficult weather conditions, a Ukrainian defence area of over two square kilometres was brought under control. document.createElement('video'); https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rubnoye.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rubnoye2.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/rubnoye3.mp4Download video The seizure of Rybnoe holds significant operational importance, as this settlement was the last stronghold of a major Ukrainian fortified area on the Yanchur River, part of the so-called Uspenovka defensive line. Russian sources indicate this opens up opportunities for further advancement towards the settlements of Novoe and Novouspenovskoe, which in perspective creates conditions for an advance towards Rovnopolie – a key approach to Gulyaipole, where, according to Ukrainian statements, Russian DRGs are already operating. Russian forces also cleared the area between Novonikolaevka and Okhotnichye. Advancement of Russian units was also noted on the South-Dnepropetrovsk direction. In the area of responsibility of the 29th Army, according to reports, units advanced towards the southwestern outskirts of Orestopol, building on a previously liberated sector in the Volchye area. Simultaneously, assault groups of the 127th Motorized Rifle Division from the 5th Army conducted offensives in the Sladkoe area, establishing control over the tree lines adjacent to the eastern border of the village. The Russian Ministry of Defence reports significant Ukrainian Armed Forces losses on these directions. In the Rybnoe area, up to a platoon of personnel from the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, five armoured combat vehicles, and seven automotive vehicles were destroyed. On various sectors of the front, total Ukrainian losses for the day are estimated at up to 255 servicemen, 12 vehicles, four field artillery guns, and one counter-battery radar station. The advance of Russian troops on the Zaporizhzhia and South-Dnepropetrovsk directions creates prerequisites for increasing operational pressure on the Ukrainian defensive lines in the Gulyaipole area, which could influence the overall configuration of the front in this region. The establishment of control over Rybnoe and the expansion of the control zone in adjacent areas demonstrates the sustained offensive momentum of Russian units, despite fierce resistance from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Ukraine Nears Defeat In Kupyansk, Collapse Nearby (Videos) Military Situation In Ukraine On November 8, 2025 (Maps Update) Russian Army Breaks Through Ukrainian Defenses In Dnepropetrovsk Again, Captures Town (Video) The post Operational Success of Russian Forces in the Zaporizhzhia Direction: Control over Rybnoe Opens the Way to Rovnopolie appeared first on South Front.

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

— Inside Trump’s C5+1 Push: Can America Rewrite Geopolitics Of Central Asia?

 

at 11/9/25 1:56am

Click to see the full-size image Trump’s C5+1 outreach targets critical minerals, energy security, and a strategic foothold in the Eurasian heartland. Yet Russia’s deep ties and China’s decades-long investments raise doubts about how far US influence can really go there. Written by Uriel Araujo, Anthropology PhD, is a social scientist specializing in ethnic and religious conflicts, with extensive research on geopolitical dynamics and cultural interactions The C5+1 summit brought together the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan with President Donald Trump. The format, created in 2015, aims to boost cooperation between the US and Central Asia on security, trade, and connectivity. It has evolved into a platform through which Washington seeks influence in a region traditionally shaped by Russian and Chinese presence. Trump’s renewed push is largely about rare-earth minerals and energy security: the American president has repeatedly framed access to strategic resources as a national priority. Central Asia’s reserves of rare-earth metals, particularly in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, are central to this renewed interest. These minerals underpin everything from smartphones to advanced weapons systems. Today Beijing dominates the sector, processing 90% of the world’s rare earths, and recently restricted exports of several critical elements. The goal, at least on paper, is to diversify US supply chains, particularly as Washington remains dependent on Russian uranium imports. According to CSIS analysts Gracelin Baskaran and Kamal Aubakirov, Kazakhstan alone accounts for roughly 45% of global uranium production, while Uzbekistan provides about 7%. Combined, they produce more than half of the planet’s uranium. From an American perspective, securing these supplies would reduce US energy vulnerability and support Trump’s revived nuclear agenda. It all sounds straightforward enough on PowerPoint slides, but the geopolitical terrain is far more complex. Back in 2023 I wrote about how Washington’s foreign policy resembles the swing of a pendulum, often oscillating between countering Russia or China, and more recently (under Biden) trying to confront both simultaneously. Be as it may, today’s context is even more complicated. The US remains overstretched in Europe and the Middle East—despite efforts to offload the Ukraine burden — while courting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific, and now aims to sink deeper roots in the Eurasian heartland. This is an ambitious shopping list to say the list — for a power that has been showing signs of strategic fatigue. In any case, Trump’s “deal-making” style is now being tested abroad. But geopolitics is not real estate. As researcher Stephen M. Bland notes, Central Asian nations are cautious. They have witnessed cycles of US engagement that surge during crises and fade once Washington’s attention shifts. Journalist Yevgeniya Mikhailidi notes that China has committed over $120 billion in contracted projects across Central Asia, with $75 billion already invested in energy, roads, logistics, and manufacturing — $66 billion in Kazakhstan alone — locking in 25 to 40-year influence. Russia, for its part, remains the region’s “operational ecosystem” with labor migration, security ties, and institutional habits deeply tied to Moscow. The US counters such entrenched influence offering exploratory deals in aircraft, locomotives, and mineral extraction. So much for parity. The blunt truth is that the US is late to the game. Washington may struggle to compete; but the best outcome for Trump may simply be staying in the room.  Central Asia is not choosing sides. To put it simply, the region’s geography, trade, and history tie it to both Russia and China. This is not a matter of political loyalty but a hard-wired geopolitical reality. In addition, connectivity remains a challenge for any Western strategy in the region. As Baskaran and Kamal Aubakirov stress, Soviet-era routes still funnel exports north through Russia. The Middle Corridor alternative requires $21.4 billion to become viable, with most upgrades funded by Chinese or Russian capital. European pledges lag, making Western diversification an uphill climb. Moreover, Central Asia is not a geopolitical vacuum waiting to be filled. The region intersects with South Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and beyond. It is a zone where water conflicts, border issues, ethnic tensions, and great-power rivalries overlap. The US, however, approaches the region with a binary mindset: either align with Washington or risk being classified as part of the “other” camp. I have often argued that pushing countries to “choose” between one pole or another is counterproductive in a multi-aligned world. Today, this is even more true. Multipolarity has matured, and Central Asia is seeking balanced relations, not patronage. Trump’s challenge, again, is that Washington is already overburdened elsewhere. The country remains stuck in the Middle East, unable to decide whether to “stay or leave,” as I highlighted earlier this year. The US wants to reduce its footprint there but also cannot abandon the region’s oil, finance networks, and geopolitical relevance. Maintaining bases without a clear mission only invites more tensions. The same dilemma exists in Europe, where the US is deeply tied to a conflict that continues consuming attention and resources. One does not need to be a strategist at the Pentagon to see that adding Central Asia as yet another strategic theater is no easy task. To sum it up, Washington risks overpromising with C5+1, chasing rare minerals, supply-chain control, and Eurasian influence while juggling crises across the Middle East, East Asia, and Europe. Central Asian states welcome US interest for diversification but demand predictability — something Washington rarely delivers. Without anchoring full value chains from extraction to refining, the region will stick with patient, proximate partners like China and Russia. America wants to dominate sea, land, and global order, but its 2025’s to-do list is brutally long. Atlantic exceptionalism may ignore limits; reality does not. Unless Washington commits to serious, sustained, long-term economic integration — not merely transactional extraction — then this summit will be remembered as yet another attempt to enter Central Asia with big promises that failed to shift the geopolitical balance. MORE ON THE TOPIC: Maduro’s Days Are Numbered: Trump Declares Trump Says No Tomahawk Missiles For Ukraine ‘For Now’ Trump Says U.S. Troops Could Be Deployed To Nigeria To Defend Christians The post Inside Trump’s C5+1 Push: Can America Rewrite Geopolitics Of Central Asia? appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #USA, All articles, Asia, Editor's choice, Military, No Category, Politics]

— French Le Monde Acknowledges Russia’s Military Superiority Over EU/NATO

 

at 11/9/25 1:48am

Click to see the full-size image Written by Drago Bosnic, independent geopolitical and military analyst On November 4, the still-reputable French Le Monde published an interview with prominent European intellectuals on the prospect of EU/NATO confrontation with Russia. The well-known French newspaper said that the conversation was made possible thanks to nine directors of European think tanks, notably the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI). Interestingly, the messaging, although filled with the usual anti-Russian propaganda, was still far more realistic than what we normally see in the Western press. The IFRI was represented by three researchers, namely Dimitri Minic, Tatiana Kastouéva-Jean and Paul Maurice. They highlighted EU/NATOs vulnerabilities in the event of a high-intensity conflict with Russia and called on the troubled bloc to increase the balance of power with Moscow. The three pundits — Dimitri Minic, a historian; Tatiana Kastouéva-Jean, a specialist in Russian domestic and foreign policy; and Paul Maurice, a specialist in contemporary history — emphasized the insufficient efforts of the European defense industry. When asked whether EU/NATO had the means for a direct conflict with Russia, Minic said that the Eurasian giants strength lies in its air-land capabilities, with ground forces larger than those of Europe. He still peddled the usual narrative about autocratic Russia that can take losses and the political Wests supposed qualitative advantage in terms of training, command and combined arms tactics, but admitted that Moscow possesses a decisive advantage in terms of sheer numbers, firepower and mobilization capacity. Minic singled out the Kremlins ability to increase production of missiles, such as the Iskander and the Kh-101, which are essential for deep strikes in Ukraine, particularly to target vital energy and railway installations. As that was too much realism, he still had to conclude that EU/NATO has military superiority in the air, sea and space domains and that it can shift the battlefield. Then Paul Maurice added to that assessment, stating that the troubled Western bloc shouldve used the last three years to strengthen its military capabilities, warning theres a lack of preparedness for war and that more than [engaging in] denial, we must talk about the major difficulties in implementing policies, partly due to the structure of the European Union with twenty-seven members. Obviously, this was also an attempt to justify giving the bureaucratic dictatorship in Brussels even more executive power over nation-states across the old continent. Maurice then pointed out that EU/NATO developed more agile formats to be more efficient, such as the E5 [an informal group composed of Germany, France, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom] or the Baltic + Weimar format [the Weimar Triangle encompassing Germany, France and Poland]. However, he singled out American involvement within NATO, calling it central for the countries of the old continent, as it represents a form of psychological dependence for Europe. This admission further reinforces the notion that Brussels is not independent in its strategic planning and that NATO is just an extension of the Pentagon. For his part, Dimitri Minic reiterated support for Ukraine and the solidarity of the allies as Europes bulwark against Russia. When asked what would happen if one of these pillars weakened, he insisted that the risk of an open armed confrontation between Russia and Europe, regardless of its scale, would increase. Minic argues that President Vladimir Putin seeks to isolate Kiev from the West, particularly the United States and that US President Donald Trump is being used by the Kremlin to try to divide Europe. This is the standard practice of putting pressure on the Trump administration to ensure continued Russo-American hostility, as the Deep State-aligned Brussels always seeks to present Trump as either controlled by Russia or at the very least manipulated by evil Putin. Minic added that in this confrontation, Europe must maintain as strong a transatlantic link as possible, while remaining true to its values, because if Russia were to prevail in Ukraine tomorrow, it could redeploy some of its troops to another front and attempt a coup. He singled out the Baltic states as NATOs Achilles heel, lamenting that NATO forces there are a deterrent force, not designed to withstand a large-scale invasion. Minic also warned that European military mobility has its limits: heterogeneous or inadequate infrastructure, differing standards, and so on. This is a rather strange assessment, given the previous claim that the political West has a significant qualitative advantage. However, as previously mentioned, we cant expect too much realism from Brussels. Speaking of which, Minic was then asked about the likelihood of a Russian military victory in Ukraine. As expected, he sordidly dodged the question by suggesting that Vladimir Putin is emboldened by Washingtons ambiguities and Europes hesitations, adding that what could sway the Kremlins course is the realization that it can no longer move forward without making economic, social, and political sacrifices that would jeopardize its autocracy. Without revealing how this could be done, Minic simply continued with the usual narrative that Europe must provide constant and massive aid to Ukraine and continue to assert its power in the face of Russia. He added that President Putin is determined and that he did not wage this war to reclaim four territories and increase Russias GDP. Obviously, Minic would never admit that a massive increase in Russian GDP is precisely what happened and that the Eurasian giants economic growth dwarfs that of the vast majority of EU/NATO member states, despite thousands of Western sanctions and even the unadulterated theft of Russian forex reserves. Although he insisted that one of Moscows goals was the supposed vassalization of Ukraine, which is another pillar of Western propaganda about the nature of the NATO-orchestrated Ukrainian conflict, Minic was certainly right that President Putin is seeking a revision of the European security architecture. The latter is effectively one of the stated goals of the special military operation (SMO) and has never been kept a secret by the Kremlin. On the contrary, Russia repeatedly tried to reform the entire European security architecture strictly within the framework of indivisibility of security. In simpler terms, everyone has equal rights to safety. However, this was too much for the US-led political West, which proclaimed the Wolfowitz Doctrine (essentially a supercharged Monroe Doctrine) almost immediately after the (First) Cold War (February 18, 1992), followed by the Pentagons infamous full-spectrum dominance doctrine that is still in place (released on May 30, 2000 under the official name Joint Vision 2020). However, none of the three European pundits was interested in such trivial historical facts (although theyre the root cause of the ongoing crisis) and focused mainly on the bloodthirsty tyrant Putin. For instance, Tatiana Kastouéva-Jean insists that we will never reach a peace agreement with Vladimir Putin, indirectly suggesting he should be removed from power before any peace talks. She stated that at best, we must expect a frozen situation of the neither war nor peace type and that he has made this conflict the key project of his successive terms as head of Russia, convinced that both the continuity of his power and his place in history depend on it. Dimitri Minic then added to this by claiming that, by 2030, the geopolitical context leads us to assess the pessimistic scenario of a Russian war beyond Ukraine, with minimal American support if Europe does not continue to help Ukraine and, above all, if it does not build a credible conventional military deterrent. In other words, for EU/NATO, conflict is inevitable. However, it gets worse, as Minic then said that we should fear less a massive armed attack against the old continent or an uncontrolled use of nuclear weapons, than an intensification of indirect Russian confrontation, because in countries bordering Russia, such a scenario could culminate in a new special military operation'. In simpler terms, some of the most prominent intellectuals in the political West think that a massive conventional war and even a thermonuclear exchange are actually less dangerous than what would essentially be a border skirmish. When asked what he meant by indirect confrontation, Minic essentially described hybrid warfare, a common Western accusation against Russia. For the past thirty years, Russian military elites have theorized about circumventing armed struggle, which is no longer considered as central to achieving their political objectives. This involves non-military actions, such as psychological and information operations, or indirect military actions, such as acts of sabotage, assassinations, or the use of private military companies to reach their targets, he said, adding: If these measures fail, they are intended to pave the way for a final, brief but decisive, direct military operation. From this perspective, the war that ensued from the initial failure of the special military operation was not anticipated by Moscow. Russia underestimated Ukraine and the West, which it views as cowardly and decaying. When asked about Donald Trumps failed peace initiative and threats to help the Neo-Nazi junta launch longer-range attacks on Russian territory, Minic stated that the delivery of Tomahawk cruise missiles, although unlikely, would represent a major escalation for the Kremlin and that a demonstrative conventional response from Russia against an Eastern NATO country should not be ruled out. He then wondered whether Trump is considering this and preparing for it. Minic acknowledged Russian security interests over former Soviet and Tsarist territories, but still linked them to old imperial obsessions, insisting that the Russians believe they have a right to rule Eastern Europe and influence the destinies of the entire old continent', even quoting Boris Yeltsin: Bill, give us Europe. The Americans have no business in Europe. The late Boris Yeltsin reportedly said this during a conversation with Bill Clinton in 1999. In other words, even perhaps the most compliant leader in Russian history (who obviously made a joke) is not enough for the political West, which seeks nothing short of blind obedience. Minic then continued, saying that Russia sees itself as a great world power, which is [an] illusion [that] is costing it dearly. Obviously, a country like Russia cannot be anything less than a great power (the Eurasian giant is actually more than that). However, the fact that the political West refuses to acknowledge this reveals yet another reason for the ongoing crisis. Somewhat bizarrely, Minic then said that the war in Ukraine didnt begin in 2014, but actually in 2004, as soon as Kyiv chose a Western and democratic future. In a twisted way, he effectively admitted that the political West started the conflict by launching the 2004 Orange Revolution. The only difference is that Minic either still lives in the illusion that this was a conscious and democratic Ukrainian choice or is simply being intellectually dishonest. However, his conclusion was rather comedic, saying that the Kremlin sees in Ukraines potential success a failure for itself and above all an existential danger for its autocracy. In other words, the dictatorial Russia is supposedly terrified of democratic Ukraine. Almost every Russian, Ukrainian or anyone else with an ounce of brain reading this is nearing the state of suffocation by laughing at the very idea that NATO-occupied Ukraine could ever be a free or democratic country. In Minics own words, the political West had approximately 20 years (since 2004, at the very least) to build its vaunted freedom and democracy in former Ukraine. What we got instead is a Nazi monster that NATO uses as a tool of genocide against the Ukrainian people. Well, perhaps thats because theres no real difference between Western democracy and Nazism, as both have resulted in tens of millions of deaths and dozens of countries destroyed. And just like Nazi Germany blamed everyone else but itself, the political West is doing the same whenever it needs an excuse for invading a country. Whether its Serbia/Yugoslavia, Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Venezuela or countless other countries, its somehow always their fault for being invaded by NATO. Interestingly, although she kept regurgitating the usual Western propaganda narratives about Russia, at the very end, Tatiana Kastouéva-Jean acknowledged that theres a loss of the European models exemplary status in Russia and that, after the fall of the USSR, many Russians dreamed of living like in Europe, but today, they want their own path, probably by pacifying relations with the West, but without adopting its values. Dimitri Minic then concluded that one of the Wests major failures is not having taken Russias discourse seriously. Precisely these two points are at the crux of the ongoing crisis. Russia simply wants to be left alone to choose its own path and taken seriously when it comes to its basic national security interests. Unfortunately, the political West had other ideas, resulting in catastrophic long-term consequences. MORE ON THE TOPIC: The Japanese Thatcher Young Ukrainians Flee Suicidal Military Tactics While Kiev Regime Targets Hungary And Romania Europe Seeks Military Schengen In Preparation For War Against Russia The post French Le Monde Acknowledges Russias Military Superiority Over EU/NATO appeared first on South Front.

[Category: #EU, #RUSSIA, All articles, Editor's choice, Military, Politics]

— TOS Attack: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From November 8, 2025

 

at 11/8/25 1:33pm

File image. On November 8, several videos documenting some of the Russian military’s recent operations against Kiev forces surfaced online. Ten of the videos show dozens of attacks with FPV suicide drones, grenade-dropping drones, and interceptor drones that targeted Ukrainian troops, posts and equipment, across several directions within the special military operation zone over the last few days. document.createElement('video'); https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV2.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV11.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV10.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV9.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV8.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV5.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV6.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV7.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV3.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV4.mp4Download video Another video shows an attack with a Molniya-2 fixed-wing suicide drone on a house occupied by Ukrainian troops somewhere in the Sumy direction. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FPV1.mp4Download video One more video shows an attack with a TOS thermobaric rocket launcher on Ukrainian fortifications in a forest along the border in the direction of Khakriv. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/TOS.mp4Download video Three other videos show recent airstrikes with UMPK-equipped guided glide bombs and a LMUR guided missile that targeted positions of Kiev forces close to the settlements of Mirnograd in the Donetsk direction, the settlement of Senkovo in Kharkiv and another area in the direction of Zaporizhzhia. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FAB1.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FAB2.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FAB3.mp4Download video Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced in its daily briefing that missile, drone and artillery strikes hit “transport infrastructure facilities that supported the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) as well as temporary deployment areas of the AFU and foreign mercenaries in 147 areas” over the last 24 hours. The ministry also said that Russian air defense shot down during the same period two guided aerial bombs and 178 fixed-wing drones. According to the ministry, Kiev forces have lost 667 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 95,554 drones, 635 air defense systems, 25,907 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, 1,611 multiple rocket launchers, 31,166 artillery pieces, and 46,163 support vehicles since the start of the special military operation. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 Nears Defeat In Kupyansk, Collapse Nearby (Videos) Russian Army Breaks Through Ukrainian Defenses In Dnepropetrovsk Again, Captures Town (Video) The post TOS Attack: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From November 8, 2025 appeared first on South Front.

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

— U.S. Army Shares Photos Of Bombers, Fighter Jets Near Venezuela In New Escalation

 

at 11/8/25 12:32pm

Click to see full-size image. (U.S. Army) The U.S. military has released photos showing strategic bombers and fighter jets flying over the Caribbean Sea, in a new sign of escalation against Venezuela. Photos showing a pair of B-52 Stratofortress the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility and conducting aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker were shared by the Air Force Global Strike Command to X on November 7. In the post, the command said that its aircraft “routinely conduct global operations in coordination with other combatant commands, services & participating US govt agencies to defend the US & its Allies” The flight took place a day earlier. Data from aviation tracking websites, including Flightradar24, indicate that the B-52 flew along the coast of Venezuela, of course without violating the country’s airspace. This was the fourth instance of U.S. bombers approaching the country in recent weeks. Notably, at least one of the bombers was equipped with its underwing weapons pylons, in addition to an electro-optical Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod. Click to see full-size image. (U.S. Army) Click to see full-size image. (U.S. Army) The very next day, SOUTHCOM shared a photo on showing two F-35B Lightning II fighter jets “conducting routine flying operations” in its area of responsibility. The command said in the post that U.S. military forces were deployed to its area of responsibility “to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland.” The fighter jets were both armed with AIM-9-series heat-seeking, short-range air-to-air missiles on their external weapon hardpoints, which is unusual. Click to see full-size image. (U.S. Army) Tensions have been mounting between the U.S. and Venezuela since August, when the Trump administration doubled the reward for the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro Maduro to $50 million on drug trafficking charges then deployed an amphibious ready group with thousands of marines to the Caribbean on a so-called “counter narco-terror operation”. In October, the administration escalated further by ordering the deployment of an entire carrier strike group close to the coast of Venezuela. The U.S. military has already carried out 17 strikes against boats allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing 69 people. Three were killed in the latest strike, which was announced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on November 7. In a post to X, Hegseth said that the strike targeted a boat that was “trafficking narcotics” in the international waters of the Caribbean.  Recent reports by U.S. media suggest that the administration of President Donald Trump is nearing a decision on an attack against Venezuela. The War Zone revealed in a report published on November 7 that the U.S. military was preparing to further expand its deployment in the Caribbean. “There are site surveys ongoing to see if more military assets should be sent to the region,” a U.S. official told the news website. Three U.S. military aircraft, a P-8A reconnaissance plane, a C-40 Clipper used for transport, and a AC-130 Ghostrider gunship, were recently spotted in El Salvador,, according to The New York Times and photos by The Latin American Aviation Historical Society. Fantastic shots from @The_LAAHS showing AC-130J 15-5825, C-40 N235JF, and P-8A 168999/169012 on the ramp at CSL Comalapa in El Salvador. https://t.co/xTMGgxFZEU pic.twitter.com/G0XfzNypgi — LatAmMilMovements (@LatAmMilMVMTs) November 7, 2025 Venezuela has bracing for an attack by the U.S., with Maduro even approving plans for “armed resistance” and asking for weapons from Russia, China and Iran. While the U.S. maintains that operations in the Caribbean are meant to crack down on drug trafficking, reports coming out from Washington suggest that a regime change in Caracas is the ultimate goal. Trump himself refused to rule out such a possibility in the past. The country has the largest oil reserves in the world, which explains why the U.S. is willing to risk another never-ending war. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 Nears Defeat In Kupyansk, Collapse Nearby (Videos) Russian Army Breaks Through Ukrainian Defenses In Dnepropetrovsk Again, Captures Town (Video) The post U.S. Army Shares Photos Of Bombers, Fighter Jets Near Venezuela In New Escalation appeared first on South Front.

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

— Houthis Say ‘Spy Network’ Linked To CIA, Mossad & Saudi Intelligence Was Exposed

 

at 11/8/25 10:49am

File image. The Interior Ministry of the Houthi-led government in the Yemen capital, Sanaa, announced on November 8 that it had exposed a “spy network” run by the United States’ CIA, the Israeli Mossad agency and the intelligence service of Saudi Arabia. The spy network was exposed as a result of a “high-level security operation, conducted in several stages,” the ministry said in a statement, noting that the operation “uncovered the enemys plans, the methods of its treacherous agents, and their connections.” According to the ministry, the network was run by a joint operations room based in Saudi Arabia that coordinated “sabotage and espionage efforts against Yemen” and “established numerous small cells, each operating independently but all linked to the enemys central operations room.” These cells were provided with “sophisticated equipment, as well as tools for conducting surveillance and monitoring,” it alleged. They were also trained on the provided equipment, report writing, coordinate transmission, and methods of camouflage and concealment to avoid detection and capture. American, Israeli, and Saudi officers were involved in the training, which took place in Saudi Arabia, according to the ministry. “The spy cells monitored Yemeni infrastructure and attempted to uncover the military and security structures, military manufacturing sites, and ballistic missile and drone launch sites used by our valiant army against the criminal Zionist enemy. They also gathered information and conducted surveillance on civilian state leaders, military and security commanders, their headquarters, and their activities,” the statement reads. The ministry also claimed that the network contributed to the bloodshed of Yemeni civilians in several operations launched by the American and Israeli enemy against homes, markets, and public places.” “They provided the enemy with information and coordinates of some service facilities targeted by the enemy, with the aim of harming the interests of the Yemeni people and exacerbating their economic and living conditions,” it said in the statement. These activities are meant “to destabilize security and stability [in Yemen], to stop and weaken the popular and official stance, and the military operations that support and assist Gaza and Palestine,” according to the ministry. The Houthis engaged in a heated confrontation with Israel following the outbreak of the war in Gaza. The group attacked ships linked to Israel and launched dozens of missiles and drones at targets in the country. Israel responded by launching multiple waves of strikes against Yemen, killing the Houthis prime minister and mortally wounding the group’s chief of staff last August. Earlier this year, the U.S. also launched strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. However, the two sides reached a ceasefire in May. Out of all the members of the so-called “Axis of Resistance, including Iran itself, the Houthis maintain the best operational security. Both the U.S. and Israel admitted facing intelligence difficulties when operating against the group. The situation was very similar with Saudi Arabia before a ceasefire was reached in Yemen a few years ago. Thus, the group’s allegation of joint intelligence work between the three sides is not surprising. The accusations against Saudi Arabia are particularly interesting, as the Houthis could use them to escalate against the kingdom. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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: Picking Its Next War: Israel Held High-Level Meeting On Houthi ‘Threat’ Another Mysterious Airstrip Appeared On Yemeni Island Close To Houthi Areas The post Houthis Say Spy Network Linked To CIA, Mossad Saudi Intelligence Was Exposed appeared first on South Front.

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

— Military Situation In Northern Palestine On November 8, 2025 (Map Update)

 

at 11/8/25 8:53am

Click to see full-size map. Israeli drones struck the town of Bint Jbeil. A van was targeted and seven civilians were injured; Israeli drones struck a vehicle traveling from Shebaa to Rashaya. Two brothers were assassinated. Israeli military claimed that they were both members of Hezbollah; Israeli drones struck a vehicle in Baraachit in Bint Jbail district. MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Iran Says Its Missile Program Is Red Line Amid Rumors Of ICBM Development Iran Came Close To Killing Israeli Ambassador In Mexico, Used Venezuela As Base   The post Military Situation In Northern Palestine On November 8, 2025 (Map Update) appeared first on South Front.

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

— Ukraine Nears Defeat In Kupyansk, Collapse Nearby (Videos)

 

at 11/8/25 8:46am

File image. On October 8, the Russian military expanded its control within Kupyansk in Kharkiv after repelling multiple Ukrainian counterattacks. In its daily briefing, the Russian Ministry of Defense said that the 6th Army of the Zapad [West] Group of Forces inflicted more losses on Kiev forces inside Kupyansk and repelled a counterattack by Ukraine’s 1st National Guard Brigade near Osinovo to the south of the city.  Another attempt to break through close to the destroyed crossing over the Oskol River near Petrovka was thwarted by Russian troops, according to the ministry. “Over the past 24 hours, up to 55 troops, 18 pieces of weapons and hardware including two armoured fighting vehicles, two U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery systems, seven pickup trucks, and four electronic warfare stations were neutralised close to Kupyansk,” the ministry said. In a video released by the ministry later, a commander of the 121st Motorized Rifle Regiment with the call sign “Lavrik” reported more advances in Kupyansk. “Today, we performed a mission of mopping up Lesya Ukrainka street from enemy troops, liberated the last four buildings. Now, the street is under our control,” Lavrik said. “We continue to mop up the streets from the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine): Levadny entry road, Pervaya Zapadnaya, Senkovskaya,” the commander continued. “Ten enemy soldiers attempting to hold their last positions were neutralised during combat operations. We inflict fire damage on the enemy, who was deployed in a forest belt on the southern outskirts of the city,” he added. Just a day earlier, Russian media reported additional gains in the eastern outskirts of Kypyansk, with Russian troops approaching Kucherivka. The Zapad Group of Forces is now in control of most of Kupyansk, with some Russian sources even claiming that the city is 90% under control. The battle is not over yet, however. Russian military blogger Yury Podolyaka on November 8 described the fighting in Kupyansk as intense, with Kiev forces mounting strong counterattacks to dislodge Russian troops from the citys right-bank district. Kiev is attempting to hold onto Kupyansk at all costs because losing control of it will likely lead to a collapse further south along the Oskoil. Still, the Russian military appears to be days away from capturing the entire city. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 November 8, 2025 (Maps Update) Russian Army Breaks Through Ukrainian Defenses In Dnepropetrovsk Again, Captures Town (Video)   The post Ukraine Nears Defeat In Kupyansk, Collapse Nearby (Videos) appeared first on South Front.

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

— Military Situation In Ukraine On November 8, 2025 (Maps Update)

 

at 11/8/25 7:14am

Click to see full-size map. Russian strikes destroyed targets in Sumy, Shostka, Konotop, Chernihiv, Nizhyn, Pryluky, Horodnya, Semenovka, Kharkiv, Chuguev, Vovchansk, Velykyi Burluk, Lozovaya, Zaporizhzhia, Huliaipole, Orekhov, Dnipropetrovsk, Sinelnykove, Pavlohrad, Odessa, Kyiv, Bucha, Vasylkiv, Hostomel, Kryvyi Rih, Cherkasy, Kremenchuk, Kirovohrad, Svitlovodsk, Mykolaiv and the DPR regions; Russian army struck the Zmievska TPP and the gas comprehensive treatment unit in Kharkiv region; Russian army struck the Prydniprovska TPP with 6 Iskanders and at least 15 Geran-2 drones in Dnipropetrovsk region; Russian army struck the Trypilska TPP, Vasylkiv, the Antonov airfield in Hostomel in Kiev region; Russian cruise missiles hit gas infrastructure in Poltava region; Russian Geran drones hit transport and energy infrastructure in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region; Russian army struck the river port, a CHP and the Black Sea Shipbuilding Plant in Mykolaiv; The Russian offensive continues in the directions of Seversk, Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Konstantinovka; Russian forces advanced in the Konstantinovka direction; Russian forces took control of Uspenovka; Russian forces took control of Volchye; Russian forces advanced in the Pokrovsk direction; Ukrainian losses amounted to approximately 1,625 troops over the past 24 hours. Click to see full-size map. Russian forces advanced in the eastern part of Konstantinovka; Russian forces advanced in the southeastern part Ivanopolye. Click to see full-size map. Russian forces took control of the Dinаs district. Fighting continues in the settlement of Rovnoe. Click to see full-size map. Russian forces advanced on the southern outskirts of Orestopol and took control of Volchye. Click to see full-size map. Russian forces advanced and entered the settlements Novoe and Novouspenivske; Russian forces took control of Uspenovka, the largest fortified defense stronghold of the AFU on the left bank of the Yanchur River. MORE ON THIS TOPIC: Russian Army Breaks Through Ukrainian Defenses In Dnepropetrovsk Again, Captures Town (Video) Massive Russian Strike With Hundreds Of Drones Wrecks Ukrainian Defense, Energy Facilities (Videos)   The post Military Situation In Ukraine On November 8, 2025 (Maps Update) appeared first on South Front.

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

— Russian Army Breaks Through Ukrainian Defenses In Dnepropetrovsk Again, Captures Town (Video)

 

at 11/8/25 6:31am

File image. On November 8, the Russian military captured yet another settlement in Dnepropetrovsk after breaking through Ukrainian defenses there again. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that the Vostok [East] Group of Forces imposed control of Volchye on the Vovcha River after advancing more than three kilometers to the north of Alekseevka. The attack was led by the 36th Guards Brigade of the 29th Guards Combined Arms Army, according to the ministry. During the attack on Volchye, Russian troops eliminated an entire platoon-sized Ukrainian unit and destroyed 13 military vehicles.  It’s worth noting that the Vostok Group of Forces reached Orestopil along the Vovcha to the east of Volchye just a few days earlier. Russian troops are now fighting to capture the settlement. The recent Russian breakthroughs in this part of Dnepropetrovsk indicate that Ukrainian defenses along the Vovcha are about to collapse. From Volchye, the Vostok Group of Forces could advance northwest along the river towards Tykhe, and from there southwest to Hai. The latter, also known as Gai, is already under attack by Russian troops from the southern and eastern direction. Advance is also reported further to the southwest along the Yanchur River, towards Danylivka. Click to see full-size map. To the west in Dnepropetrovsk, the Vostok Group of Forces is engaged in a fierce battle with Kiev forces inside and south of Novopavlivka. Russian troops have reportedly made additional gains in the southern part of the large settlement, mainly along the Solena River. The advance in Novopavlivka is slow and steady, but things could change dramatically in this area once the battle of Pokrovsok is over. The Russian military could allocate more resources to operations there to capture the settlement then push deeper into Dnepropetrovsk, northwards to Mezhova, then possibly Solvyanka. All in all, Kiev forces in Dnepropetrovsk are clearly not ready for an escalation in Russian military operations. Ukraine neglected its own defenses in this area to focus on Pokrovsk and has already begun to pay the price for this decision. A major breakthrough by the Russian military could happen in Dnepropetrovsk within a few months, and it could develop into Donetsk, or Zaporizhzhia. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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: The Fall Of Uspenivka: Ukraine Loses Key Stronghold On Yonchur River Iskander Strike: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From November 7, 2025 The post Russian Army Breaks Through Ukrainian Defenses In Dnepropetrovsk Again, Captures Town (Video) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: No Category]

— Massive Russian Strike With Hundreds Of Drones Wrecks Ukrainian Defense, Energy Facilities (Videos)

 

at 11/8/25 4:04am

File image. Over the night of November 7 and 8, Russia carried out a massive group strike against Ukraine, launching hundreds of suicide drones in addition to dozens of ballistic and cruise missile at targets across the country, including defense facilities and related energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that more than 450 drones and 45 missiles of various types were launched by Russia. There were also strikes in the Dnipro, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions. The Odesa region has been under attack since the evening, Zelenskyy wrote on X. As usual, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed that most of the drones and missiles were intercepted. However, Ukrainian and Russian media reported many hits.  A wave of explosions was reported in Pavlograd, with a chemical plant appearing to be the primary target. Defense facilities in Kremenchuk, Chernihiv, Kiev, and Dnepropetrovsk also sustained damage. Power outages were imposed across several regions of Ukraine. In Kharkov, the Zmievskaya Thermal Power Plant was damaged, forcing the metro to shut down. And in Dnepropetrovsk, the Prydniprovska Thermal Power Plant took a hit, triggering power and water outages in the city. Around 20 explosions echoed near the Kremenchuk Hydroelectric Power Plant. Gas production facilities in Poltava were also damaged. In addition, reports indicate that two military airfields were also struck. In a statement released later, the Russian Ministry of Defense said that the group strike was carried out “in response to terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian objects on the territory of Russia.” The ministry said that “high-precision long-range air-, ground-, and sea-based weapons including Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles as well as attack unmanned aerial vehicles” were used in the strikes, which targeted “enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry and power and gas infrastructure facilities of Ukraine which supported the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine.” “All goals of the strike were achieved. All the assigned targets were engaged,” the ministry added. It’s worth noting that Ukraine launched more attacks on the territory of Russia overnight. The Russian MoD said that 79 drones were intercepted. The largest attack targeted Rostov, where 36 drones were shot down. Ten others were intercepted over Bryansk, nine over Kursk, and eight over Volgograd. Air defenses also destroyed five drones over the Crimean Peninsula and Belgorod. Three were downed in Saratov, while one drone each was intercepted over Voronezh, Smolensk, and Oryol. As a result of the attacks, several Russian airports temporarily restricted flights overnight, including those in Ulyanovsk, Kaluga, Ufa, Penza, Saratov, and Volgograd. In Saratov, one person was injured during a drone strike. Meanwhile in Bryansk, governor Alexander Bogomaz said that drones targeted an industrial facility in Belaya Berezka, Trubchevsky district. Three female employees were wounded there. Since the start of the year, Russia began launching group strikes more frequently in response to Ukrainian attacks on its territories. In recent months, such strikes became more effective, even according to Ukraine itself, which blamed this on insufficient air defense supplies by its allies in the West. Ukrainian attacks on Russian territories also increased in recent months, although they are not becoming more effective. Due to this, Kiev is also asking its allies for more long-range weapons. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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: The Fall Of Uspenivka: Ukraine Loses Key Stronghold On Yonchur River Iskander Strike: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From November 7, 2025 The post Massive Russian Strike With Hundreds Of Drones Wrecks Ukrainian Defense, Energy Facilities (Videos) appeared first on South Front.

[Category: No Category]

— The Fall Of Uspenivka: Ukraine Loses Key Stronghold On Yonchur River

 

at 11/7/25 2:45pm

File image. The Russian «East» group completed operations in Uspenivka in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Units of the Russian «Centre» group have completed the encirclement of Myrnohrad. The head of the EU Military Committee has stated that the deployment of part of the EUMAM UA mission on Ukrainian territory is only possible once the conflict has ended. Zaporizhzhia Sector Units of the Russian «East» group continue to advance towards Zaporizhzhia, moving through the southern part of the Dnipropetrovsk region towards Huliaipole. The western, northern and eastern parts of the settlement of Uspenivka are under the control of Russian units. Fighting continues for control of the settlement of Skladove. Russian units have crossed a water obstacle and are fighting for control of Rybne, where Ukrainian forces are launching counterattacks. Further north, in the south of the Dnipropetrovsk region, there have been clashes for control of Danylivka. Russian units are attacking positions to the north from the directions of Novooleksandrivka and Oleksandropil and have advanced approximately 1 km west of Novooleksandrivka and Vyshneve. Between Sosnivka and Oleksandropil, Russian units have broken through from the south towards Orestopil and attacked the settlement. The 218th Guards Tank Regiment of the 127th Division, 5th Army — part of the «East» grouping — has completed major combat operations in Uspenivka. This settlement was a major fortified stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on the left bank of the Yonchur River. The Yonchur River served as a natural barrier, protecting the northeastern part of the settlement and complicating the advance of assault units. Uspenivka is the second-largest settlement in the Huliaipole district, as well as being the largest on the Uspenivka bridgehead. It stretches over 5.3 km along the river, with a width of up to 1.5 km. The «East» Grouping continues its offensive in a westerly direction. Russian units have advanced and have engaged for the settlements of Novoye and Novouspenivske, establishing control over 8.7 km² of territory. In the Prymorske-Stepnohirsk area, the 7th Guards Air Assault Division is conducting offensive operations and constant aerial reconnaissance, supported by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) crews and a separate UAV battalion. Small assault groups from the 247th and 108th Regiments are operating in the area. In the Orikhiv area, near Mala Tokmachka, Russian forces have reinforced their defensive positions to the south of the Polohy-Orikhiv highway. They achieved a breakthrough into the settlement from the south, but consolidating their gains is proving difficult due to logistical issues, mining by Ukrainian drones, and enemy artillery fire. For Ukrainian forces, Orikhiv is a key defensive line and they have reinforced this area with additional reserves, including FPV drone crews. Nevertheless, Russian assault groups are continuing to advance and consolidate positions gradually.  Pokrovsk Sector Units of the «Centre» group have fully encircled Myrnohrad. Units attacking from Rodynske and the north-eastern outskirts of Pokrovsk have dislodged Ukrainian forces from a stronghold to the north of the cemetery. This has effectively sealed the «Myrnohrad cauldron», through which parts of the Pokrovsk garrison managed to withdraw. Russian units have also entered Rivne from the north and south of the city. Clearing operations are ongoing throughout Pokrovsk itself. Forces are engaged in fierce fighting in the Hrishyne area. Between Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, Ukrainian forces still control a number of fortified strongpoints and are holding positions in a partially encircled forested area. Fighting continues for Lysivka and Sukhyi Yar. In Myrnohrad, Russian forces are advancing on the «Zakhidnyi» microdistrict and are engaged in combat in the northern and north-eastern parts of the city, as well as in the «Skhidnyi» and «Molodizhnyi» microdistricts. To the north, Ukrainian forces are counterattacking in the Rodynske–Lounacharske area in an attempt to break through to the encircled Myrnohrad garrison via Rodynske and the Krasnyi Lyman settlement.  Kupyansk Sector Russian units are making progress in Kupyansk and beyond the Oskil River, and the situation for the AFU is deteriorating. However, the pace of advance is reportedly not as fast as some official sources have claimed. For four days, Ukrainian units have been making persistent attempts to break through to Kupyansk and the Oskil River in order to relieve the encircled units, sustaining significant losses in the process. Units of the 68th Division and 27th Brigade of the «West» Grouping have been repelling these attacks. Assault detachments of the 6th Combined Arms and 1st Tank Armies continue to operate in order to reduce the encircled Ukrainian grouping in the Kupyansk area. Disparate groups of Ukrainian military personnel are being cleared from the settlements of Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi, Kurylivka, and Petropavlivka. Kostiantynivka Sector Active strikes involving aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and artillery are being carried out against AFU deployment points in the city. Russian assault units are fighting for the control of the private sector. Efforts to block the Stupochky and Predtechyne settlements, located between Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka, are ongoing. Ukrainian units are attempting to contain the advance of the Russian assault groups. The positions of the AFUs UAV control points and equipment are reportedly known and are being targeted. Despite controlling the main supply routes, Ukrainian equipment continues to move around the city, although personnel movement has significantly decreased due to the saturation of the front with FPV drones. Despite the destruction of a key supply bridge, the AFU command continues to deploy infantry to hold the tree lines at any cost in order to prevent a breakthrough towards Berestok and Mykolaivka Street. A major Ukrainian fortification is located in the wooded areas on the northern shore of the reservoir, and AFU groups receive air defense cover positions in residential buildings on Horiv Street and the surrounding area.  Sumy Sector There are ongoing heavy fighting engagements across the front in the Sumy region. Intense Russian strikes hit identified positions. Ukrainian units are attempting to launch a counterattack and regain lost ground. Using units of the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade, the AFU conducted one counterattack in the tree lines on the right flank of the «North» groupings advance. This attack was repelled with heavy fire, and one armored vehicle was destroyed and up to 70% of the assault groups personnel were killed or wounded.  Kharkiv Sector Assault units from the «North» grouping are advancing on almost all sectors of the front, supported by Russian Aerospace Forces warplanes, TOS-1A multiple rocket launchers and artillery. Significant successes have been reported in the Khatne sector. On the left bank of Vovchansk, assault groups advanced 500 meters and secured 30 buildings. In the forest to the west of Synelnykove, troops advanced 100 meters and seized one AFU stronghold following intense combat. In the Melove-Khatne area, significant advances were made to the south, with several tree lines being occupied; the total advance reached 900 meters. Russian VKS aviation destroyed an AFU 3rd Separate Assault Brigade position in the Novouzhvynivka area.  Conclusion: In the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian forces have achieved a significant tactical victory by capturing Uspenivka and expanding the bridgehead. This creates favourable conditions for advancing towards Huliaipole, although the AFU are putting up strong resistance and launching counterattacks. The encirclement of Myrnohrad in the Pokrovsk sector could be a turning point in the battle for the area: Russian units are now focused on clearing the cauldron and Pokrovsk itself, while simultaneously repelling Ukrainian counterattacks aimed at relieving the besieged garrison. In the Kupyansk area, the AFU is trying to break the encirclement of its forces. In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian forces are steadily increasing pressure on the city and its surroundings in an attempt to cut off supply lines. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, Russian units are making steady advances with the support of powerful artillery and air power. Attempts by the AFU to launch local counterattacks have so far failed to change the overall dynamic, highlighting persistent issues with personnel and morale within Ukrainian units. Overall, the Russian initiative is being retained, forcing the AFU to defend and react to Russian advances while directing reserves to stabilize an increasingly difficult situation on several fronts simultaneously. Regarding the operational situation near Pokrovsk, as of November 7, several key factors influencing the timeline for its capture can be identified. Russian units have completed the encirclement of Myrnohrad and entered the northern and southern outskirts of Rivne village, thereby effectively sealing the «Myrnohrad cauldron». The Ukrainian command has decided to hold the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration for as long as possible, utilizing all available reserves. This is an attempt to buy time to prepare a new defensive line further back. Russian troops are maintaining the offensive across the entire Pokrovsk front, putting constant pressure on the AFUs defenses. Amid the ongoing fierce fighting in key areas along the front line, the European Union is developing a long-term strategy to support Ukraine. According to Sean Clancy, the head of the EU Military Committee, the scale of any potential EU presence in Ukraine, particularly the number of military trainers, will depend on Kyivs needs, and this issue is being analyzed jointly with Ukrainian representatives. Clancy noted that deployment of the EUMAM UA mission to Ukrainian territory is only being considered after the end of the conflict, and a ceasefire is one of the mandatory conditions for sending trainers. The current mandate of the mission, involving 24 EU countries, has been extended to November 15 2026. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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: Iskander Strike: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From November 7, 2025 Consolidating Gains: Russian Forces Press Advantages In The Donbass   The post The Fall Of Uspenivka: Ukraine Loses Key Stronghold On Yonchur River appeared first on South Front.

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

— The Fall of Uspenivka: Ukraine Loses Key Stronghold On Yonchur River

 

at 11/7/25 2:45pm

File image. The Russian «East» group completed operations in Uspenivka in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Units of the Russian «Centre» group have completed the encirclement of Myrnohrad. The head of the EU Military Committee has stated that the deployment of part of the EUMAM UA mission on Ukrainian territory is only possible once the conflict has ended. Zaporizhzhia Sector Units of the Russian «East» group continue to advance towards Zaporizhzhia, moving through the southern part of the Dnipropetrovsk region towards Huliaipole. The western, northern and eastern parts of the settlement of Uspenivka are under the control of Russian units. Fighting continues for control of the settlement of Skladove. Russian units have crossed a water obstacle and are fighting for control of Rybne, where Ukrainian forces are launching counterattacks. Further north, in the south of the Dnipropetrovsk region, there have been clashes for control of Danylivka. Russian units are attacking positions to the north from the directions of Novooleksandrivka and Oleksandropil and have advanced approximately 1 km west of Novooleksandrivka and Vyshneve. Between Sosnivka and Oleksandropil, Russian units have broken through from the south towards Orestopil and attacked the settlement. The 218th Guards Tank Regiment of the 127th Division, 5th Army — part of the «East» grouping — has completed major combat operations in Uspenivka. This settlement was a major fortified stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on the left bank of the Yonchur River. The Yonchur River served as a natural barrier, protecting the northeastern part of the settlement and complicating the advance of assault units. Uspenivka is the second-largest settlement in the Huliaipole district, as well as being the largest on the Uspenivka bridgehead. It stretches over 5.3 km along the river, with a width of up to 1.5 km. The «East» Grouping continues its offensive in a westerly direction. Russian units have advanced and have engaged for the settlements of Novoye and Novouspenivske, establishing control over 8.7 km² of territory. In the Prymorske-Stepnohirsk area, the 7th Guards Air Assault Division is conducting offensive operations and constant aerial reconnaissance, supported by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) crews and a separate UAV battalion. Small assault groups from the 247th and 108th Regiments are operating in the area. In the Orikhiv area, near Mala Tokmachka, Russian forces have reinforced their defensive positions to the south of the Polohy-Orikhiv highway. They achieved a breakthrough into the settlement from the south, but consolidating their gains is proving difficult due to logistical issues, mining by Ukrainian drones, and enemy artillery fire. For Ukrainian forces, Orikhiv is a key defensive line and they have reinforced this area with additional reserves, including FPV drone crews. Nevertheless, Russian assault groups are continuing to advance and consolidate positions gradually.  Pokrovsk Sector Units of the «Centre» group have fully encircled Myrnohrad. Units attacking from Rodynske and the north-eastern outskirts of Pokrovsk have dislodged Ukrainian forces from a stronghold to the north of the cemetery. This has effectively sealed the «Myrnohrad cauldron», through which parts of the Pokrovsk garrison managed to withdraw. Russian units have also entered Rivne from the north and south of the city. Clearing operations are ongoing throughout Pokrovsk itself. Forces are engaged in fierce fighting in the Hrishyne area. Between Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, Ukrainian forces still control a number of fortified strongpoints and are holding positions in a partially encircled forested area. Fighting continues for Lysivka and Sukhyi Yar. In Myrnohrad, Russian forces are advancing on the «Zakhidnyi» microdistrict and are engaged in combat in the northern and north-eastern parts of the city, as well as in the «Skhidnyi» and «Molodizhnyi» microdistricts. To the north, Ukrainian forces are counterattacking in the Rodynske–Lounacharske area in an attempt to break through to the encircled Myrnohrad garrison via Rodynske and the Krasnyi Lyman settlement.  Kupyansk Sector Russian units are making progress in Kupyansk and beyond the Oskil River, and the situation for the AFU is deteriorating. However, the pace of advance is reportedly not as fast as some official sources have claimed. For four days, Ukrainian units have been making persistent attempts to break through to Kupyansk and the Oskil River in order to relieve the encircled units, sustaining significant losses in the process. Units of the 68th Division and 27th Brigade of the «West» Grouping have been repelling these attacks. Assault detachments of the 6th Combined Arms and 1st Tank Armies continue to operate in order to reduce the encircled Ukrainian grouping in the Kupyansk area. Disparate groups of Ukrainian military personnel are being cleared from the settlements of Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi, Kurylivka, and Petropavlivka. Kostiantynivka Sector Active strikes involving aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and artillery are being carried out against AFU deployment points in the city. Russian assault units are fighting for the control of the private sector. Efforts to block the Stupochky and Predtechyne settlements, located between Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka, are ongoing. Ukrainian units are attempting to contain the advance of the Russian assault groups. The positions of the AFUs UAV control points and equipment are reportedly known and are being targeted. Despite controlling the main supply routes, Ukrainian equipment continues to move around the city, although personnel movement has significantly decreased due to the saturation of the front with FPV drones. Despite the destruction of a key supply bridge, the AFU command continues to deploy infantry to hold the tree lines at any cost in order to prevent a breakthrough towards Berestok and Mykolaivka Street. A major Ukrainian fortification is located in the wooded areas on the northern shore of the reservoir, and AFU groups receive air defense cover positions in residential buildings on Horiv Street and the surrounding area.  Sumy Sector There are ongoing heavy fighting engagements across the front in the Sumy region. Intense Russian strikes hit identified positions. Ukrainian units are attempting to launch a counterattack and regain lost ground. Using units of the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade, the AFU conducted one counterattack in the tree lines on the right flank of the «North» groupings advance. This attack was repelled with heavy fire, and one armored vehicle was destroyed and up to 70% of the assault groups personnel were killed or wounded.  Kharkiv Sector Assault units from the «North» grouping are advancing on almost all sectors of the front, supported by Russian Aerospace Forces warplanes, TOS-1A multiple rocket launchers and artillery. Significant successes have been reported in the Khatne sector. On the left bank of Vovchansk, assault groups advanced 500 meters and secured 30 buildings. In the forest to the west of Synelnykove, troops advanced 100 meters and seized one AFU stronghold following intense combat. In the Melove-Khatne area, significant advances were made to the south, with several tree lines being occupied; the total advance reached 900 meters. Russian VKS aviation destroyed an AFU 3rd Separate Assault Brigade position in the Novouzhvynivka area.  Conclusion: In the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian forces have achieved a significant tactical victory by capturing Uspenivka and expanding the bridgehead. This creates favourable conditions for advancing towards Huliaipole, although the AFU are putting up strong resistance and launching counterattacks. The encirclement of Myrnohrad in the Pokrovsk sector could be a turning point in the battle for the area: Russian units are now focused on clearing the cauldron and Pokrovsk itself, while simultaneously repelling Ukrainian counterattacks aimed at relieving the besieged garrison. In the Kupyansk area, the AFU is trying to break the encirclement of its forces. In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian forces are steadily increasing pressure on the city and its surroundings in an attempt to cut off supply lines. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, Russian units are making steady advances with the support of powerful artillery and air power. Attempts by the AFU to launch local counterattacks have so far failed to change the overall dynamic, highlighting persistent issues with personnel and morale within Ukrainian units. Overall, the Russian initiative is being retained, forcing the AFU to defend and react to Russian advances while directing reserves to stabilize an increasingly difficult situation on several fronts simultaneously. Regarding the operational situation near Pokrovsk, as of November 7, several key factors influencing the timeline for its capture can be identified. Russian units have completed the encirclement of Myrnohrad and entered the northern and southern outskirts of Rivne village, thereby effectively sealing the «Myrnohrad cauldron». The Ukrainian command has decided to hold the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration for as long as possible, utilizing all available reserves. This is an attempt to buy time to prepare a new defensive line further back. Russian troops are maintaining the offensive across the entire Pokrovsk front, putting constant pressure on the AFUs defenses. Amid the ongoing fierce fighting in key areas along the front line, the European Union is developing a long-term strategy to support Ukraine. According to Sean Clancy, the head of the EU Military Committee, the scale of any potential EU presence in Ukraine, particularly the number of military trainers, will depend on Kyivs needs, and this issue is being analyzed jointly with Ukrainian representatives. Clancy noted that deployment of the EUMAM UA mission to Ukrainian territory is only being considered after the end of the conflict, and a ceasefire is one of the mandatory conditions for sending trainers. The current mandate of the mission, involving 24 EU countries, has been extended to November 15 2026. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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: Iskander Strike: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From November 7, 2025 Consolidating Gains: Russian Forces Press Advantages In The Donbass   The post The Fall of Uspenivka: Ukraine Loses Key Stronghold On Yonchur River appeared first on South Front.

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

— Iskander Strike: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From November 7, 2025

 

at 11/7/25 1:55pm

File image. On November 7, several videos documenting some of the Russian military’s recent operations against Kiev forces surfaced online. 12 of the videos show dozens of attacks with FPV suicide drones, grenade-dropping drones, and interceptor drones that targeted Ukrainian troops, posts and equipment, across several directions within the special military operation zone over the last few days. document.createElement('video'); https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv4-6.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv12-3.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv10-3.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv11-4.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv9-6.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv8-6.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv7-6.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv6-6.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv5-5.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv1-6.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv2-6.mp4Download video https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fpv3-6.mp4Download video Another video shows an attack with Geran-type fixed-wing suicide drones that targeted an electrical substation supplying Kiev forces near the settlement of Khripovka in the direction of Chernihiv. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/geran1.mp4Download video One more video shows a strike with an Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile on a deployment point of Kiev forces, more specifically of the 411th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment, close to the settlement of Varvarovka in the Donetsk direction. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/iskander-1.mp4Download video An additional videos shows recent airstrikes with UMPK-equipped FAB-250 and FAB-3000 guided glide bombs that targeted a reconnaissance and sabotage unit of Ukraine’s 425th Separate Assault Battalion and another of the 38th Separate Marine Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by dropping a FAB-3000 bomb from the UMPC. It is unclear where exactly these strikes took place. https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/fab1-5.mp4Download video According to the daily briefing of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Kiev forces have lost 668 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 95,376 drones, 635 air defense systems, 25,889 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, 1,609 multiple rocket launchers, 31,134 artillery pieces, and 46,064 support vehicles since the start of the special military operation. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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: Consolidating Gains: Russian Forces Press Advantages In The Donbass Energy Under Attack: Russia’s Systematic Strikes and Their Impact on Ukraine The post Iskander Strike: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From November 7, 2025 appeared first on South Front.

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

— Iran Says Its Missile Program Is Red Line Amid Rumors Of ICBM Development

 

at 11/7/25 12:49pm

File image. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on November 7 that the Islamic Republic is open to talks, but would not coerced into abandoning its nuclear and missile programs. “We are willing to hold talks under international frameworks, but not if they say you can’t have a science, or the right to defend yourself or else we will bomb you,” Pezeshkian said, according to state media. “We want to live in this world in peace and security, but not be humiliated, and it is not acceptable that they impose upon us whatever they want and we just serve them.” “They supply arms to Israel while they tell us not to have missiles for defense, then they bomb us whenever they want,” he added, apparently referring to the United States. The U.S. joined the Israeli short war on Iran last June, attacking three of the Islamic Republic’s most important nuclear facilities before the war came to an end on June 24. The war, which started on June 13, came as Iran and the U.S. were set to hold their sixth round of nuclear talks. In September, United Nations sanctions were reimposed on Iran after the so-called “snapback mechanism” from the 2015 nuclear deal was triggered by the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Pezeshkian’s latest remarks came right after President Donald Trump claimed Iran had asked if the U.S. could lift its sanctions. “Iran has been asking if the sanctions could be lifted. Iran has got very heavy US sanctions, and it makes it really hard for them to do what they’d like to be able to do,” Trump told reporters at the White House on November 6, according to Reuters. “And I’m open to hearing that, and we’ll see what happens, but I would be open to it,” he added. Earlier in the week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the defense and missile capabilities of the Islamic Republic have improved since the 12-day war, stressing that any future talks wont include these issues. The missile and regional issues have always been brought up, and our position has always been clear: if any talks are to take place, they will be limited solely to the nuclear issue, Araghchi said on November 5, according to the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA). The recent developments came amid reports suggesting that Iran is developing an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 10,000 kilometers. The rumors were attributed to the Tasnim News Agency. If accurate, the range would extend Iranian strike capability to Europe and parts of North America, including the U.S. mainland. All in all, both sides appear to be open for talks. However, Iran should be really careful about the intentions of the U.S., as there are some indications that Israel reading another attack. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 Came Close To Killing Israeli Ambassador In Mexico, Used Venezuela As Base Israel Sets Stage For Its Next War   The post Iran Says Its Missile Program Is Red Line Amid Rumors Of ICBM Development appeared first on South Front.

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

— Consolidating Gains: Russian Forces Press Advantages In The Donbass

 

at 11/7/25 12:02pm

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: "Russian Forces Press Advantages in the Donbass", description: "In the early hours of November 6th, the Russians launched a combined missile and air strike on Ukrainian targets. Explosions were reported in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions. The operation targeted energy facilities, railway infrastructure and army depots. The most significant of these was the Zaporizhzhia-Dniprodzerzhynsk traction substation. The power supply to this section of the railway has been temporarily disrupted. Train traffic has been partially affected. The Rus", image: "https://s5.cdnstatic.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Consolidating_Gains.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 In the early hours of November 6th, the Russians launched a combined missile and air strike on Ukrainian targets. Explosions were reported in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions. The operation targeted energy facilities, railway infrastructure and army depots. The most significant of these was the Zaporizhzhia-Dniprodzerzhynsk traction substation. The power supply to this section of the railway has been temporarily disrupted. Train traffic has been partially affected. The Russian army has completed its mop-up operation and secured its positions in the south of Volchansk. The Ukrainians still hold the south-eastern part of the city and Volchanskiy Khutory. The Russian encirclement from the north-east will likely force the Ukrainian army to retreat soon. A Ukrainian drone control center was destroyed by a missile strike near the village of Boguslavka on the southern flank of Kupyansk. Russian assault groups have taken up new positions northeast of the city. A feed mill has been captured. Reports suggest that the Russian army has occupied a stronghold north of Stavki village on the Liman section of the front. Clashes are ongoing in the private sector on the outskirts of Konstantinovka. Capturing this town would open the way to Druzhkivka. It could be the starting point for fighting in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk area. Active fighting continues on the Dobropillia salient. The Ukrainians have carried out successful counterattacks. The control of several positions east of Shakhov and Sofiivka was regained. In turn, the Russians are advancing from the east of this area. On the 6th of November, the Dinas neighborhood in Pokrovsk was cleared of the last remaining Ukrainian troops. The Pokrovsky Machine-Building Plant and the former milk factory have fallen under Russian control. The situation for Ukrainian units in Mirnograd continues to deteriorate. Russian assault groups are infiltrating the city. North of Gulyaipole, a Russian air strike destroyed the deployment point of the 1st Separate Assault Regiment of the Ukrainian army. The Russian bridgehead on the left bank of the Yanchur River in the Uspenovka area is growing. The offensive in this area is being led by the Russian 127th Motorized Rifle Division. Russian units are also reported to be advancing north of Alekseevka and northwest of Vishneve. As of 7th of November, the towns of Pokrovsk and Mirnograd remain the hottest spots on the entire front line. The Ukrainian armys counterattack north of the agglomeration in the Rodninskoe area was unsuccessful. The operational situation for the Ukrainians is at risk of escalating from difficult to critical. The balance of power continues to tip in favor of the Russians. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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. 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[Category: #DONBASS, #FROMTHEFRONT, #RUSSIA, #UKRAINE, SouthFront TV, Ukraine Military Report, donbass, Pokrovsk, russia, ukraine]

As of 11/9/25 12:11pm. Last new 11/9/25 9:50am.