The Under Reported War 09 - April 20 2025

Today is 1,151 days into Putin’s 3-Day Special Military Operation

Welcome to a weekly roundup of news from Ukraine you probably did not hear. All reports will be linked to their sources so you can read the original if you’d like to. If you have any questions or need more detail I’ll be happy to try to give you answers.

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Sunday April 13th - Saturday April 19th 2025

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Here’s some things you probably did not hear about this week.

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BEHIND THE HEADLINES

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THE SUMY CLUSTER MUNITIONS MASSACRE - UKRAINE STRIKES BACK

Flowers laid at the site of the missile attack on Sumy / Getty Images

We all heard, read about, or watched the horrific cluster munition missile attacks on Sumy and other cities. What you probably did not hear was that Ukraine struck back hard at the Russian 112th Missile Brigade who launched the missile at Sumy. They used waves of drones over two days. Apparently, this is not international news, even though videos are available. Oh well, welcome to The Under Reported War.

• Second Consecutive Day of Ukraine's Deep Strike Attack on Shuya Shows How Badly Russian Air Defense Was Breached
  https://en.defence-ua.com/events/second_consecutive_day_of_ukraines_deep_strike_attack_on_shuya_shows_how_badly_russian_air_defense_was_breached-14212.html
  
  “For the second day in a row, Ukrainian Defense Forces have been conducting a successful long-range drone strike on a highly protected target deep within Russia — the permanent deployment site of the 112th Missile Brigade in the city of Shuya, Ivanovo region.”

Liutyi long-range drone dives and explodes on the barracks of the 122nd Missile Brigade / Screengrab

• Video taken by Russians from inside one of the barracks of the 122nd Missile Brigade in Shuya during a drone strike today
  https://bsky.app/profile/specialkhersoncat.bsky.social/post/3lmwurv232s2t
  
  “Drone attack on the base of the Russian 112th Missile Forces Brigade in Shuya, Ivanovo Region. This is the same Russian brigade that carried out the attack on Sumy this Sunday. More than 10 drones targeted the base in total.”

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HOW NOT TO CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS

A running list of absurd posturing from American ‘negotiators’.

• US ‘demands control’ from Ukraine of key pipeline carrying Russian gas
  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/12/us-demands-control-from-ukraine-of-key-pipeline-carrying-russian-gas
  
  “Senior Kyiv economist describes latest position of Trump administration in talks as ‘colonial-type’ bullying.”

• Trump Derides Zelensky’s Request To Buy $15B Worth Of Patriot Air Defense Systems
  https://www.twz.com/land/trump-derides-zelenskys-request-to-buy-15b-worth-of-patriot-air-defense-systems
  
  “He’s always looking to purchase missiles,” Trump said when asked about Zelensky’s offer. “Listen, when you start a war, you got to know that you can win the war, right? You don’t start a war against somebody that’s 20 times your size, and then hope that people give you some missiles.”

• Trump blames Zelensky for starting war after massive Russian attack
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5q0mev07lo
  
  “Donald Trump has again blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the war with Russia – a day after a major Russian attack killed 35 people and injured 117 others in the Ukrainian city of Sumy.”

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You won’t have heard this but, at March 2025’s rate of advance, it will take Russia over a thousand years to occupy the rest of Ukraine….

• The rate of Russian advances in Ukraine has been steadily declining since November 2024, in part due to successful Ukrainian counterattacks in eastern Ukraine.
  https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-6-2025
  
  “The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) reported on April 5 that Russian forces advanced 143 square kilometres in Ukraine in March 2025 … The MoD reported that the rate of Russian advances in Ukraine has decreased each month since November 2024, as Russian forces seized roughly 730 square km in November 2024, 393 square km in December 2024, 326 square km in January 2025, and 195 square km in February 2025.
  
  [The] MoD's report is consistent with evidence ISW has observed of decreasing monthly Russian advances between November 2024 and March 2025.“

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One day soon (I hope), after the minerals deal farce is over, I will provide a detailed analysis of the facts behind the bullshit.

• US softens demands on Ukraine minerals deal after Washington talks, Bloomberg reports
  https://kyivindependent.com/us-softens-demands-on-ukraine-minerals-deal-after-washington-talks-bloomberg-reports/
  
  “The Trump administration has lowered the payback for the provided aid it seeks under a minerals agreement with Ukraine from $300 billion to $100 billion, Bloomberg reported on April 16, citing undisclosed sources.”

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NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE (Drone Line: A 9-Mile Death Zone Along The Entire Front)

Now backed by millions of First Person view (FPV) drones, and electronic warfare (EW) resistant reconnaissance drones, Ukraine’s recent shift to fighting at arm’s length on the frontline became clear this week as Russian losses mount up. Here’s what happened over just one day of oddly frantic attacks last week:

FPV drones from a marine unit halting an armoured assault in Zaporizhia / Screengrab

• "Yesterday, Russian forces launched a large-scale assault in southern Ukraine with ~320 troops, ~40 armored vehicles, 3 tanks & 10 buggies. Ukrainian defenders hit them with drones & artillery. After a 2-hour battle, 29 vehicles and 140 Russians were destroyed. No Ukrainian positions were lost."
  https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lmytylphhk2w

The same thing happened outside Pokrovsk, Donetsk oblast / Screegrab

• "Today, the 14th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Red Kalyna" repelled a massive assault in the Pokrovsk direction, with over 240 Russians reportedly killed or wounded. Losses include ~96 motorcycles, ~21 armored vehicles, 2 cars, and 2 artillery systems."
  https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lmzcxo5im22w

More accumulated Russian wreckage. This time near Velyka Novosilka / Screengrab

• "Footage from the 71st Jaeger Brigade, repelling a mass Russian mechanized attack. Possibly the Velyka Novosilka axis as this brigade is active there. Lately, Russia has (re)started using large mechanized columns again."
  ˚https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lmyu2ospes2w

The de-mechanisation of the Russian army appears to be accelerating. Many similar assaults occurred along the entire frontline. The Russians got nowhere. And the sky did not fall. Here are just a few of the drone strikes reported:

• The Nemesis 412th Regiment Destroyed 17% of All Russian Artillery Losses in March
  https://en.defence-ua.com/news/the_nemesis_412th_regiment_destroyed_17_of_all_russian_artillery_losses_in_march-14161.html
  
  “Nemesis launched a full-scale hunt for Russian artillery systems, hitting a total of 282 howitzers and guns in March out of 1,644 russian artillery systems taken out by Ukrainian Defense Forces during that month.”

• ​Ukrainian Drones Target and Destroy Multiple Russian Artillery Systems and Logistical Trucks in Donetsk Region (Video)
  https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_drones_target_and_destroy_multiple_russian_artillery_systems_and_logistical_trucks_in_donetsk_region_video-14166.html
  
  “Concealed behind trees and abandoned homes, Russian guns were still no match for Ukrainian UAVs scanning the battlefield from above.
  
  Two Soviet-era D-30 howitzers were taken out with precision hits to their breech mechanisms, rendering them unusable. Each strike further demonstrated the vulnerability of conventional russian artillery to modern UAV tactics.”

• Ukrainian Drone Operators Destroy North Korean M1989 Koksan SPG in Russia’s Kursk Region
  https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_drone_operators_destroy_north_korean_m1989_koksan_spg_in_russias_kursk_region-14181.html
  
  “FPV drone operators of the Terra aerial reconnaissance unit, part of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, detected and struck a 170 mm M1989 Koksan self-propelled gun of North Korean origin.”

• Nemesis Regiment Dismantles Russian Water Crossing Strategies, Targeting Boats and Heavy Transport Vehicles (Video)
  https://en.defence-ua.com/news/nemesis_regiment_dismantles_russian_water_crossing_strategies_targeting_boats_and_heavy_transport_vehicles_video-14182.html
  
  “With bridges targeted and destroyed, Russian forces are now relying on boats to cross rivers.”

• ​Ukrainian Forces Destroy Two Russian Borisoglebsk 2 Electronic Warfare Systems in Kherson Region (Video)
  https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_forces_destroy_two_russian_borisoglebsk_2_electronic_warfare_systems_in_kherson_region_video-14193.html
  
  “Borisoglebsk-2 is an expensive electronic warfare system capable of carrying out up to 30 tasks simultaneously. Its main purpose is to detect and jam communication channels and other systems operating on radio frequencies, including satellite and radio navigation signals.”

• New Russian Offensive Has Gained Little Ground So Far
  https://www.twz.com/news-features/new-russian-offensive-has-gained-little-ground-so-far
  
  “A new Russian offensive to gain territory in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions is underway, but has yet to capture much territory. Despite having amassed tens of thousands of troops on the border…”

A heavy bomber drone in service with Birds of Magyar / Birds of Magyar

If you wonder (as I have) how valid these reports are, then I encourage you to read these two pieces of excellent reporting from Forbes Magazine. Use the ‘archive’ links if you cannot get past the paywall.

• Ukraine’s Elite Drone Unit Is A Lethal, Fast Growing Tech Start Up
  https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/04/14/ukraines-elite-drone-is-a-lethal-fast-growing-tech-start-up/
  https://archive.ph/WZFd9
  
  “Ukraine’s legendary ‘Birds of Magyar’ is one of the most successful drone units of all time… The numbers show this one unit is contributing a significant fraction of Ukraine’s combat power. Magyar has achieved this by using the skills of a tech entrepreneur in a military context.
  
  Kills on specific targets which can be verified earn a drone operator points. For example, destroying a top-end Russian T-90M tank earns a reward equivalent to about $10,000. This comes in the form of points which can be spent on new drones. This process rewards the high performers and ensures that drones go to the units which make best use of them.
  
  In previous wars such a system might have led to inflated claims, like the controversial U.S. ‘body counts’ in Vietnam or the Russian system in which commanders regularly lie their superiors about their progress, the Ukrainian have a strict audit process. But every drone strike is automatically recorded by its own camera and can be cross-indexed with Ukraine’s Delta battlefield information system which merges data from drones, satellites and other sources. Follow-up drones carry out damage assessment and kill claims are strictly audited.”

• Hidden Killers: Inside Ukraine’s Combat Drone Statistics
  https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/04/16/hidden-killers-inside-ukraines--combat-drone-statistics/
  https://archive.ph/molBO
  
  “In March [Birds of Magyar] hit over 5,000 targets… [It is] interesting to compare the Birds of Magyar statistics with the overall figures for Ukraine. In March and April, Birds of Magyar accounted for 6-10% of the total number of tanks and other armored vehicles, but only 1-2% of the amount of artillery. The Ukrainian military claim to destroy more far more artillery than armored vehicles, but for Birds of Magyar these figures are reversed.
  
  This is surprising given that Birds of Magyar have perfected their technique of destroying artillery pieces by having an FPV approach at dead slow speed and blast a hole in the gun barrel, a tactic regularly displayed in their videos.
  
  This indicates somebody else is claiming most of the artillery kills. This may be a reflection of the lack of artillery at the section of front where Birds of Magyar are fighting; or another unit with specialist equipment may be tasked with destroying artillery.“

A Ukrainian crew load an anti-tank grenade onto a Baba Yaga quadcopter night bomber / Ukrainian Ministry of Defence

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THE DRONE WAR (LATEST INNOVATIONS)

This week, yet another more deadly Ukrainian-built FPV entered service.

The Raroh-10 unmanned aerial system / The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

• ​New Powerful Raroh-10 Drone System Enters Service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces
  https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/new_powerful_raroh_10_drone_system_enters_service_with_the_armed_forces-14151.html
  
  “Designed for speed, precision, and resilience, the Raroh-10 drone system is now officially part of Ukraine’s military capabilities. These drones carry explosive payloads capable of destroying enemy field fortifications, shelters, weapons, and even armored vehicles. Notably, the Raroh-10 drones are designed to resist enemy electronic warfare efforts, significantly increasing their survivability on the battlefield.”
  

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This war is producing defensive innovations almost as fast as in attack.

• ​Ukrainian Tryzub Laser System Shown for the First Time: Revealed at What Range It Can Destroy Targets
  https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/ukrainian_tryzub_laser_system_shown_for_the_first_time_revealed_at_what_range_it_can_destroy_targets-14168.html
  
  “Ukrainian Tryzub laser system can fight drones, helicopters, airplanes, cruise and ballistic missiles.”
  

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Lessons learnt in Ukraine continue to be applied by other countries.

• Virtus Drone by Stark: AI, Autonomy, and Swarm Capability Born from Ukraine’s War Lessons
  https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/virtus_drone_by_stark_ai_autonomy_and_swarm_capability_born_from_ukraines_war_lessons-14185.html
  
  “According to the [German] developers, the drone was designed directly based on combat experience in Ukraine. It features a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system and integrates artificial intelligence into its targeting architecture.”

Virtus kamikaze drone /STARK

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Now it’s getting to grips with the concept unmanned frontline defence, it seems inevitable that, at some point, Ukraine will launch an offensive spear-headed by unmanned war robots. The heaviest losses in this war are taken trying to break through well-laid defences, so why wast manpower doing it when you have robots at hand?

The UNEX UGV / Photo credit: The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

• ​Ukrainian Forces Adopt the UNEX UGV All-Terrain Robotic Platform with Low Ground Pressure, Amphibious Design, and Modular Options
  https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/ukrainian_forces_adopt_the_unex_ugv_all_terrain_robotic_platform_with_low_ground_pressure_amphibious_design_and_modular_options-14213.html
  
  The innovative Ukrainian-made platform can traverse land and water, resist EW systems, and perform combat, logistical, and demining missions. Thanks to its wide tires and optimal weight distribution, the pressure on the ground is lower than that of an infantry soldier, allowing the platform to avoid triggering anti-tank mines. During a demonstration, the amphibious vehicle drove over a ceramic plate and a coffee cup without breaking them.

Again, Forbes Magazine has the best reporting on this:
[Click on the ‘archive’ link to read.}

• How Ukraine Is Replacing Human Soldiers With A Robot Army
  https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/04/18/how-ukraine-is-replacing-human-soldiers-with-a-robot-army/
  https://archive.ph/kCctW
  
  “Last month, Ukrainian officials announced plans to field 15,000 ground robots – Uncrewed Ground Vehicles or UGVs -- in 2025. That is a huge scaling up, and for obvious reasons.”

A Ukrainian Ironclad Uncrewed Ground Vehicle (UGV) / Office of Mykhailo Federov

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THE DRONE WAR (THE AIR WAR)

If you are not still sure what the fuss about first-person view (FPV) drones is all about then watch the video in the link below. The Strela-10 is a modern short-range surface-to-air missile system. It has infrared and optical tracking and was designed to shoot down low-flying targets. You would think FPV drones would be easy prey. Apparently not. This is a major reason why FPV drones dominate the battlefield.

Russian Strela-10 surface-to-air missile system / Open-source photo

• Ukrainian UAV Evades Missile Fire and Destroys Strela-10 System in Daring Kursk Operation (Video)
  https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_uav_evades_missile_fire_and_destroys_strela_10_system_in_daring_kursk_operation-14187.html
  
  “Russian troops detected the UAV and launched two missiles from the Strela-10 system in an attempt to neutralize it. However, the Ukrainian drone pilots expertly evaded both missiles, maintaining control of the drone under fire.”

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THE DRONE WAR (THE LONG-RANGE WAR)

Russia had had to put a huge effort into protecting its infrastructure from Ukraine’s long-range drones.

• Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service Reveals Russia’s Struggles in Defending Its Facilities from Drone and Missile Strikes
  https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/ukraines_foreign_intelligence_service_reveals_russias_struggles_in_defending_its_facilities_from_drone_and_missile_strikes-14173.html
  
  “According to the FISU, a significant portion of the equipment used to protect Russian facilities is imported from China, although official documents often list Russia as the manufacturer.
  
  At the same time, the FISU notes that Russia faces two major challenges in organizing these defenses. First, the systems often do not meet their declared performance specifications. Second, the protective equipment is frequently installed incorrectly at the sites.”

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Shahed 136 are the latest version of Iran’s kamikaze drones. Russia is now producing thousands under licence. Ukraine shoot down or decoys 70-90% of them every night, but the remainder gets through.

• Alabuga’s Greatly Expanded Production Rate of Shahed 136 Drones
  https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/alabugas-greatly-expanded-production-rate-of-shahed-136-drones/8
  
  “The Russian manufacturer of these drones, JSC Alabuga, contracted with Iran in early 2023 in a $1.75 billion dollar franchise deal to supply 6000 of the drones to the Russian Army by September 2025 in a three-stage arrangement.”

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THE DRONE WAR (THE NAVAL WAR)

Ukraine’s naval drones can now be equipped with the Tryzub Laser System mentioned in the ‘INNOVATIONS’ section above.

• ​Ukraine Introduces Advanced Alligator-9 Anti-Ship Drone System with Integrated Laser Weapon
  https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/ukraine_introduces_advanced_alligator_9_anti_ship_drone_system_with_integrated_laser_weapon-14171.html
  
  “One of the system’s most notable features is the integration of the Tryzub directed energy weapon, a laser platform designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats.”

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SPACE WAR

Russia seems very keen on attacking American satellite.

• Russia’s Arming For Space War I, Targeting SpaceX Satellite Systems
  https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinholdenplatt/2025/04/16/russias-arming-for-space-war-targeting-spacex-satellite-systems/
  
  “Just days ago, NATO chief Mark Rutte told the German publication Welt that the alliance is apprehensive over the possibility that Russia could place nuclear weapons in orbit to set the stage for a potential mass attack on satellites.”

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FOREIGN AID & INVESTMENT IN UKRAINE

Note the amount of US aid delivered over the past three years is already exceeded by what Europe delivered and then again by the amount of European aid promised. Ukraine will not fall because US aid has stopped. / Kiel Institute for World Economy

Having praised Japan last week for providing even a modest amount of aid, this week it announced a $3 USD billion ‘loan’ to Ukraine. Like the identical EU and UK transfers, this is a lump sum ‘paid back’ using the interest accrued on Russian assets that Japan froze.

The Netherlands has delivered additional air defences to Ukraine, including, critically, another PATRIOT engagement control station. This is the nerve centre of the air defence missile battery.

Incoming Chancellor, Freiderich Merz has signalled Germany intends to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles. If Ukraine wants to blow up the Kerch Strait Bridge connecting Crimea to Russia, this is what they need to do it. Germany, like most of Ukraine’s European supporters, has since 2022 accelerated production of many of the weapons it provides.

Another bi-lateral deal means Ukrainian-designed armoured vehicles will be produced in Spain. This is part of the concerted European effort to build Ukraine’s defence industry. Finally, Ukraine invited the EU to jointly develop a strategic air defence alternative to the PATRIOT missile system.

• Ukraine to receive about $3 billion from Japan under G7 ERA initiative
  https://mof.gov.ua/en/news/ukraine_to_receive_about_3_billion_from_japan_under_g7_era_initiative_ukrainian_finance_minister_and_japanese_ambassador_signed_agreement-5123
  
  Japan will provide Ukraine with a $3B loan under the G7 ERA program. The loan will be repaid using proceeds from frozen Russian assets.

• Command Center for Patriot, F-16 Jets, and €150 Million for HAWK: The Netherlands Strengthens Ukraine’s Air Defense
  https://en.defence-ua.com/news/command_center_for_patriot_f_16_jets_and_150_million_for_hawk_the_netherlands_strengthens_ukraines_air_defense-14169.html
  
  The Netherlands has allocated €150 million for the procurement of HAWK air defense systems for Ukraine and has also delivered a command center for the Patriot system, along with another batch of F-16 fighter jets, to the Ukrainian Defense Forces

• Germany willing to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, says Friedrich Merz
  https://www.ft.com/content/c8c53a95-fbad-440a-bc57-5802e85c5328
  
  “Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles,” he told the public broadcaster ARD on Sunday night. “The British are doing it, the French are doing it, and the Americans are doing it anyway.”
  
  He added: “This must be jointly agreed. And if it’s agreed, then Germany should take part.”

• Merz signals Ukraine could use Taurus missiles to target Crimea, Kerch Bridge
  https://kyivindependent.com/merz-signals-ukraine-could-use-taurus-missiles-to-target-crimea-kerch-bridge/

• Germany Accelerates Weapon Deliveries to Ukraine: Zuzana 2, New “Shahed Killers” & Smart HF-1 Drones
  https://en.defence-ua.com/news/germany_accelerates_weapon_deliveries_to_ukraine_zuzana_2_new_shahed_killers_smart_hf_1_drones-14229.html
  
  Among the most notable additions are four Kinetic Defense Vehicles — specialized anti-drone systems developed by Germany’s Diehl Defence.

Deihl Defence’s Kinetic Defence Vehicle / Photo credit: Hartpunkt

• Spanish Tecnove Will Produce Ukrainian Djura and Kozak Armored Vehicles From Practika
  https://en.defence-ua.com/industries/spanish_tecnove_will_produce_ukrainian_djura_and_kozak_armored_vehicles_from_practika-14179.html
  
  Under the agreement, production in Spain will cover three versions of the Djura and Kozak vehicles: standard personnel carrier, ambulance, and configured for special forces.

• Ukraine Develops Strategic Air Defense System, Invites EU to Join the Effort
  https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/ukraine_develops_strategic_air_defense_system_invites_eu_to_join_the_effort-14184.html
  
  Ukraine has officially invited European Union countries to join the development of a long-range air defense system capable of engaging targets over 100 km away — a project now classified as a strategic-level air defense system.

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EUROPE REARMS (or How Think Tanks Think)

It is so foolish to make a prediction when if many contradictory factors are at play. Western think tanks are piling in on the EU’s new initiatives. The groupthink seems to be that they will come to nothing. It’s heavily qualified, of course, so the pundits have an escape clause if, as usual, they turn out to be wrong in a couple of years.

• Rearming Europe: Challenges and Constraints
  https://warontherocks.com/2025/04/rearming-europe-challenges-and-constraints-2/
  
  “Without a comprehensive and pragmatic approach, the vision of an independent European defense force will remain an aspiration rather than a reality.”

• Can Europe Implement Its Ambitious New Rearmament Plan?
  https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamarjacoby/2025/04/14/can-europe-implement-its-ambitious-new-rearmament-plan/
  
  “Will Member States Meet Expectations For Collaboration And Funding?”

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German advanced HF-1 attack drone operated by Ukrainian Special Operations Forces / Photo credit: Julian Ropcke

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GRIMLY HILARIOUS MOMENTS OF THE WEEK

It’s always worth reminding everyone of this: Today is 1,151 days into VladimirPutin’s 3-day Special Military Operation.

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