Exit266

🚨 FGKU “Krystall” fuel depot in Engels still burning as of 08:05 UTC. Sentinel-2 imagery shows a massive smoke plume. This MoD-linked site fuels Russia’s strategic bombers. Another blow to Engels-2.

Russian losses to Operation Pautyna/Spiderweb. An ongoing thread as updates are added.

Russian losses to Operation Pautyna/Spiderweb.
An ongoing thread as updates are added.
1/

Stop Hammer Time!
Ukrainian forces may have hit a Russian base at 📍50.4568, 35.6458
Just over the border in Belgorod Oblast.

Helpful illustration of the US military aid to Ukraine already paid for and in the pipeline. If this continues despite Trump deciding "he is out", it's not terrible for Ukraine. Especially if they (and their European partners) are also allowed to purchase weapons at US manufacturers.

The Bolkhov Semiconductor Device Plant (JSC “BZPP”) in Bolkhov, Oryol, Russia, is vital to Russia’s military, producing microchips, semiconductors, diodes, thyristors, and rectifiers for missiles and aircraft. On May 20–21, 2025, Ukrainian drones struck it, causing fires and damage.

The Bolkhov Semiconductor Plant in Russia’s Oryol region supplies microchips for military tech like Sukhoi jets and Iskander missiles. Despite U.S. sanctions, it sources components from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. through intermediaries in China, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Belarus.

I'm raising funds again for two excavators to support Ukraine. Previous deliveries have hugely impacted the battlefield, earning praise from commanders. Your donations are critical, please and read the thread below!

donation link: www.paypal.com/donate?campa...

Some progress made with grounded cargo ship MSC Baltic III

Inset image screengrab from NTV News NL video at ntv.ca/some-progres... worth a watch for salvage ops detailing by Canada Coast Guard.

Satellite image at link.dataspace.copernicus.eu/0elx

Gas rig Russia RADAR and ammo depot position hit by Ukraine SBU with sea and air drones spotted TODAY is located at

45.7571, 32.7025

+info ssu.gov.ua/novyny/sbu-z...

Satellite image at link.dataspace.copernicus.eu/bi7l

YouTube video by What's Going on With Shipping? Estonia Attempts to Stop a Russian Dark Fleet Vessel Flying No-Flag | Jets Are Scrambled

Estonia Attempts to Stop a Russian Dark Fleet Vessel Flying No-Flag | Jets Are Scrambled

youtu.be/GNSS9NUZXh8

Of great interest

#Russia's naval deployment in the #Mediterranean on the morning of May-19 as reported by #OSINT.

A refueling point is set up near Al Hoceima, Morocco and a probable submarine deployment might take be imminent.

russianfleetanalysis.blogspot.com/2025/05/russ...

Estonian PM Vows To Keep Up Checks On Russia's 'Shadow Fleet' By Andrius Sytas TALLINN, May 18 (Reuters) – Estonia will keep checking Russian “shadow fleet” vessels, Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Reuters on Sunday, days after Russia deployed a SU-35 fighter...

Estonian PM Vows To Keep Up Checks On Russia's 'Shadow Fleet'

gcaptain.com/estonian-pm-...

Flag hopping an increasingly popular deceptive shipping tactic among sanctioned fleet There have been 215 flag changes recorded already this year, compared to 200 in the whole of 2024

Flag hopping an increasingly popular deceptive shipping tactic among sanctioned fleet

www.lloydslist.com/articles/202...

Panel on shadow fleet at #LennartMeriConference. Estonian DM said this week was the first time that Russia had sent a fighter jet to protect a ship in the shadow fleet. The ship Estonia tackled was “without a flag”, he says (my understanding is that it had two spurious flags).

Analysis of the 51st Arsenal by the UK MOD.

Ukraine is fielding tethered aerostats for frontline comms & recon.
   •   500m altitude
   •   Up to 25kg payloads
   •   Stay aloft for days
   •   Cheap, reusable, & resilient—even when hit. telegra.ph/Polov%D1%96-...

Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) has unveiled a new sea drone with an 800-nautical-mile range and up to 7 days of operation. Satellite-controlled and resistant to jamming, it can carry 650 kg of weapons.

Candid Image Gives First Evidence Of China's Secretive Armed Underwater Drone - Naval News China continues to innovate in the underwater arena. A fresh image reveals one of its latest creations, an extra-large underwater drone

***BREAKING***

You heard it on BlueSky first….

Candid Image Gives First Evidence Of China’s Secretive Armed Underwater Drone

www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

***UPDATE***

Ukraine is showing off the Sidewinder armed Magura V7 (left). We wrote about it a week back, impressive bit of kit! www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Excellent news!

Anadolu Robotik Starts Sea Tests of Arida-M Counter-Kamikaze USV System - Naval News The Arida-M Counter-Kamikaze USV System, jointly developed by Anadolu Robotik and Sekizaltmış Technology, has successfully completed the initial phase of development and started the sea trial stage.

The Arida-M Counter-Kamikaze USV System, jointly developed by Anadolu Robotik and Sekizaltmış Technology, has successfully completed the initial phase of development and started the sea trial stage 🇹🇷
By @tayfunozberk.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

What competitive strategies could Britain develop to gain asymmetric advantage over adversaries? The Big Ask | No. 19.2025

**Update**

Happy to have contributed to the Council on Geostrategy’s latest “What competitive strategies could Britain develop to gain asymmetric advantage over adversaries?”

www.britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-big-as...

Unmanned Boat Rams a Merchant Vessel off Iran On Saturday, the Royal Navy's UK Maritime Trade Operations office reported a Persian Gulf / Arabian Gulf security incident with all of the charac...

Unmanned Boat Rams a Merchant Vessel off Iran

maritime-executive.com/article/unma...

Some interesting stuff in this SOCOM request for information related to "Human Machine Teaming". Drone navigation, high altitude sensor payloads, and more. They're interested in innovative, cutting edge experimental ideas. sam.gov/opp/6ecbdf07...

The 414th Unmanned Strike Aviation Brigade "Birds of Magyar" are averaging a confirmed hit every 6.5 minutes this May. An overview of recently destroyed targets.

***UPDATE***

Katran USV in Ukraine

***UPDATE***

Footage of a #Ukrainian maritime drone (USV) with AA-11 ARCHER (R-73) missiles (1 present, 1 expended), being engaged by #Russia forces, appears to be a Sea Baby type, not Magura. Likely operated by SBU

No surprise that both Magura and Sea Baby USVs have air defence variants

Delian Alliance Industries Announces Interceptigon Series - Naval News Delian Alliance Industries launch the Interceptigon series: attritable, concealed, and autonomous one-way effectors for coastal defense.

Greek defense firm Delian Alliance Industries announces the Interceptigon series—a new line of attritable, concealed, and autonomous one-way effectors, purpose-built for coastal defense operations in the new era of warfare 🇬🇷
#DEFEA2025
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

1/ THE SINKING OF MOSKVA, PART 6: The Russian missile cruiser Moskva participated in Russia's invasion of Ukraine for only 48 days before being sunk. Her logbook, published here in English for the first time, gives a granular account of her activities. ⬇️