Ukraine Defence Ministry

Russia's Su-34 fighter-bomber is making headlines from two directions. Rostec has handed the Defence Ministry a second 2026 batch of upgraded Su-34M bombers, while Ukraine's SBU claims a drone attack on the Khanskaya airfield in Adygea destroyed two Russian aircraft. The combination of new deliveries and reported losses is driving discussion of the jet's role in the war.

Finnish radar satellite operator Iceye and network equipment maker Nokia have signed an agreement with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence to develop a sovereign satellite communications capability. The partnership would give Ukraine independent, secure satcom infrastructure, reducing reliance on foreign providers at a time when communications resilience remains critical to its war effort and long-term security planning.

Russia's defence ministry announced on Monday that units of its 'East' grouping had taken control of the village of Obscheje in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. The claim comes as fighting continues along the front line, with Moscow regularly reporting territorial gains that Kyiv does not confirm. The village is small, underscoring the slow, grinding nature of the current fighting.

Russia's Defence Ministry wants expanded powers for the military police to search for deserters, according to the National News Service. The proposal would give military police broader authority in tracking down servicemen who have left their units without permission. The report is drawing attention as the war in Ukraine continues to drive debates over conscription, desertion and enforcement measures in Russia.

Ukraine has deployed more than a dozen autonomous robotic turrets to defend Kyiv's airspace, the country's defence ministry announced. The systems are designed to counter Russian drones, which Moscow keeps upgrading. Officials frame the turrets as part of Ukraine's broader push to build smarter, automated air-defence solutions as the drone war over the capital intensifies.

Finnish satellite operator ICEYE and Finnish telecom firm Nokia have announced a partnership with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence to develop a sovereign satellite communications capability for the country. The collaboration is intended to strengthen Ukraine's defence communications infrastructure amid the ongoing war with Russia, reducing reliance on foreign satellite services.

Russia has delivered a diplomatic note to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to comments by Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, who said Russia is not merely an aggressor but a greater threat. The formal protest underscores continued friction between Moscow and The Hague amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry intelligence directorate estimates Russian industry can supply its armed forces with up to 15 Su-34 fighter-bombers and up to 12 Su-35S fighters annually. The assessment, published by the Main Directorate of Intelligence, underscores Russia's continued ability to replace combat aircraft losses. Ukraine says it has already struck such aircraft on the ground, highlighting the importance of deep strikes against Russian air bases.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry reports that a Sargan 3000 unmanned surface vessel launched a Sting interceptor drone and destroyed a Russian Shahed over the sea. The ministry says it shows Ukrainian forces adapting to evolving Russian threats, with unmanned systems now fighting at sea as well as on land and in the air.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry has clarified that military medical commissions must examine soldiers released from captivity no later than 30 days after their repatriation. The clarification sets a clear legal deadline for the medical review of repatriated service members, addressing concerns about delays in assessing their health and determining their fitness for further service.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defence reports that Ukrainian forces have destroyed 408,000 Russian drones since the start of 2026, including nearly 248,000 fixed-wing drones. The figures underline the enormous scale of Russian drone attacks in the war and the pressure on Ukrainian air defences. The claim comes from the Ukrainian government and has not been independently verified.

Ukraine's defence ministry says it is negotiating with Lockheed Martin to secure more Patriot interceptor missiles and improve the availability of its F-16 fighter fleet. The talks aim to sustain air defences against Russian missile and drone attacks while keeping more of the donated Western jets operational. The announcement underscores Kyiv's reliance on US-made systems as the war with Russia continues.