The Under Reported War 15 - June 11 2025 - PART II
Today is Day 1,204 of Putin’s 3-Day Special Military Operation
Sorry everyone, I was in the middle of compiling last weekend’s bulletin when I had to be rushed to hospital for surgery. Now appendix-free, I’m back in action. This second part covers under-reported events from the long-range drone war and the allied aid to Ukraine.
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Sunday 25th May - Saturday 7th June 2025
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Here’s some things you probably did not hear about in the last two weeks….
As ever, welcome to The Under-Reported War.
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THE DRONE WAR (THE LONG-RANGE WAR)
Of all the astonishing failures to cover the war in Ukraine accurately, ignoring Ukraine’s effective, ongoing, and extensive attacks on Russia’s petrochemical and defence industries. Here’s a list I compiled before appendicitis struck, of Ukraine’s continuous attacks. It covers just four days:
On the territory of Zaporizhzhia region - on May 24, 2025, drone operators of the HUR units tracked down and targeted a fuel train of Russian invaders.
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_defense_intelligence_blows_up_russian_fuel_train_near_zaporizhzhia_video-14635.html
https://bsky.app/profile/specialkhersoncat.bsky.social/post/3lpxyybgizc2k
25 May 2025
Night-time drone attack on a fuel train, Zaporizhzhia / Screengrab
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In Russia’s Belgorod region, a train was blown up by a bomb planted under the tracks in Novooskolsky district. Rail traffic is suspended, according to local officials.
https://bsky.app/profile/wartranslated.bsky.social/post/3lpzda6uvms2u
25 May 2025
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Overnight, Russia came under a massive drone attack — their own sources report ≈150 UAVs in the sky. Strikes targeted Tatarstan and Yelabuga — the site of Shahed drone production.
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lq2iizb7b22e
26 May 2025
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Drone Attacks Hit Tula and Moscow, Airports Shut Down (Video)
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/explosions_over_russia_drone_attacks_hit_tula_and_moscow_airports_shut_down_video-14637.html
26 May 2025
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Explosive morning in Russia: Ukrainian UAVs -besides targeting a Shahed drone plant- attacked a chemical factory, and an alloy plant in Tula. Reports suggest 100+ drones again. In Tula alone, 12+ explosions were reported. Power reportedly went out in several districts.
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lq2iysbdbs2e
26 May 2025
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According to the head of the CCD, Andriy Kovalenko, despite Russian attacks, unidentified drones struck Yelabuga in Tatarstan, where "Shaheds" are produced, as well as a chemical plant in the Ivanovo region that manufactures components for Russian equipment and weapons, including missiles.
https://bsky.app/profile/wartranslated.bsky.social/post/3lq2sl4bgb22i
26 May 2025
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have struck the Dmitrievsky chemical plant in Kineshma, Ivanovo region. The facility is reportedly on fire following the impact.
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lq2j333ko22e
27 May 2025
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The 304th ammunition depot of the 35th Army is on fire in Amur Oblast. NASA FIRMS satellite shows massive fires in the area.
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lq6amtreos2b
27 May 2025
Fires at the 304th Ammunition Depot / Screengrab
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The Ukrainian General staff comfirmed a successful drone attack on a Russian strategic enterprise that produces cruise missiles. Last night, drones struck a strategic Russian military-industrial complex facility - the MKB Raduga plant, located in Dubna, 130 km north of Moscow.
https://bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3lqad6kasgs2i
28 May 2025
Drones striking cruise missile plant, MKB Raduga, Moscow region / Screengrab
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Russian Telegram channels report a drone attack on the Elma-Zelenograd technology park in Moscow region last night. Reportedly, the Russian microelectronics plant Mikron, which is under US sanctions, was damaged by the attack. Mikron JSC is Russia's largest microelectronics manufacturer.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5jbj2wzit57tfjmmwocupfs7
28 May 2025
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Russian Telegram channels report that an aircraft manufacturing plant and a drone development facility were attacked by drones in Moscow region last night.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5jbj2wzit57tfjmmwocupfs7
28 May 2025
Drones attack a drone facility near Moscow / Screengrab
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Elsewhere both Ukraine and Russia are developing better ways to strike at long range, and to protect drone pilots at long distance.
Ukraine Drone Carriers Launch First Long-Range Autonomous Strikes
https://archive.ph/Q2hA3#selection-3485.0-3485.65
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/05/26/ukraine-drone-carriers-launch-first-long-range-autonomous-strikes/
The StatForce approach has a reusable GOGOL-M mothership delivering two FPV-type attack drones to hit precision targets up to 300 kilometers away. This approach leverages the ability of small drones to have big effects on vulnerable targets such as parked aircraft, air defence sites or infrastructure.
Moscow drone attack footage sparks backlash and controversy
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/moscow-drone-attack-footage-sparks-backlash-and-controversy/ar-AA1D32xH
The pro-Kremlin agency RIA Novosti published a video showing drone operators launching attacks on Ukraine from a Moscow office building. Although the video was quickly removed, it had already surfaced on other platforms.
Video Shows Russian FPV Drone Attack in Ukraine Controlled from Moscow Business Center
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/50842
The video, posted by RIA Novosti, claimed to show military drone operators from Russia’s “Espanyola” brigade controlling an FPV drone strike in Ukraine from a Moscow business center.
Russia’s Espanyol Brigade operators controlling an Ovod FPV attack drone in Ukraine’s Donetsk region from Moscow / Screenshot from the RIA Novosti Telegram
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FOREIGN AID & INVESTMENT IN UKRAINE
The Dutch deliver the last of their promised F-16 fighter-bombers then immediately promise a naval package. Russian frozen assets continue to fund Ukraine’s war effort. This time it’s $3billion of interest accrued on holdings seized by Japan. NATO will provide another €20 billion in military aid. Germany is ploughing €5 billion including the development of attack drones. Canada has announced another aid package of items requested by Ukraine.
That makes around $28.5 billion in just two weeks.
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Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans watches the final F-16s depart Dutch airspace en route to Ukraine. / Ministerie van Defensie
Laatste F-16’s voor Oekraïne uit Nederland vertrokken
https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/05/26/laatste-f-16s-voor-oekraine-uit-nederland-vertrokken
The last Dutch F-16s destined for Ukraine have left the Netherlands. The aircraft left Volkel Air Base for Belgium today, where they are being prepared for delivery. In total, the Netherlands has donated 24 fighter aircraft to Ukraine.
Netherlands announces new €400m maritime security aid package for Ukraine
https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/2025/06/4/7213069/
Netherlands Announces €400 Million Maritime Security Aid Package for Ukraine. The package will include over 100 vessels as well as more than 50 unmanned maritime drones.
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Ukraine and Japan’s JICA have signed an agreement enabling a $3 billion disbursement under the G7’s ERA initiative.
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lqukzxrkcc2w
The funds—backed by revenues from frozen Russian assets—will support Ukraine’s priority budget needs and economic development. PM Shmyhal thanked Japan and G7 partners.
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NATO will provide an additional €20 billion in military aid to Ukraine, announced Secretary General Mark Rutte.
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lqupbpm4dc2w
Rutte also discussed long-term support with Defense Minister Umerov and emphasized the importance of securing a lasting peace.
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Germany’s new €5 billion military aid to Ukraine includes €400M for Ukrainian-made long-range weapons.
linkhttps://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lqcelnvybc2k
Funded systems include AN-196 “Liutyi” drones (operational range between 1000-2000km), the new BARS missile-drone (800 km), Flamingo interceptors (50 km), and frontline FPVs.
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Canada has announced new military aid to Ukraine worth over 35 million CAD (approx. $25.5M).
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3lqzdmz57cs2r
The package includes Coyote & Bison APCs, ammunition, and electronic warfare systems.
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Not all donations appear to reach their destination.
Containers With Weapons Found at Polish Flying Club
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/containers-with-weapons-found-at-polish-flying-club/
According to unofficial reports, the case involves air defense systems that were meant to be delivered to Ukraine under a commercial contract.“The containers hold anti-aircraft weapons, including some launchers.”
A container full of weapons found at a flying club in Liashki, Poland / nowiny24.pl
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EUROPE (AND CANADA) REARMS
Demand for explosives is so high in Europe that Rheinmetall is turning to India for supplies. Canada looks away from American for arms again and joins the EU’s ReArm initiative. Like Spain, Belgium is modernising its armed forces and spending big. The long-planned arrival of a German armoured brigade in Lithuania has happened. Like British and American armoured brigades in Estonia and Latvia, these forces are there to act as NATO Article 5 tripwires should Russia decide to invade any of the Baltic nations. Finally, learning from the revolution in warfare that’s happening in Ukraine, the British Army is being re-shaped completely.
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Rheinmetall Turns to India for Shell Explosives: How Europe and Ukraine Can Benefit
https://en.defence-ua.com/industries/rheinmetall_turns_to_india_for_shell_explosives_how_europe_and_ukraine_can_benefit-14653.html
Arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and the Indian Reliance Defense Ltd defense company have agreed on several forms of cooperation, including supplies of Indian explosives and gunpowder needed to manufacture medium- and large-caliber shells, Hartpunkt reports.
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Saab GlobalEye Set To Challenge Boeing E-7 As Canada’s New Radar Plane
https://www.twz.com/air/saab-globaleye-set-to-challenge-boeing-e-7-as-canadas-new-radar-plane
Saab hopes that its Canadian bizjet-based offering will edge out rival Boeing, which seems like a real possibility amid political tensions with the United States.
Canada commits to joining European defence plan in throne speech
https://globalnews.ca/news/11198874/canada-throne-speech-rearm-europe/
Canada will join the European Union’s new defence plan that aims to rapidly increase military arms production in a bid to move away from U.S. reliance, Tuesday’s throne speech confirmed.
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Belgium Unveils Ambitious Plan to Strengthen Its Military: Navy, Fighters, and New Brigade
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/belgium-unveils-ambitious-plan-to-strengthen-its-military-navy-fighters-and-new-brigade/
Belgium plans to form an investment fund of €36 billion, which will finance a large-scale rearmament of the army and the formation of a new mechanized brigade.
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Germany stations troops in Lithuania
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-stations-troops-in-lithuania/video-72640467
in Lithuania. The new German chancellor Friedrich Merz reviewed troops on parade in the capital Vilnius. The 5,000-strong armored brigade aims to deter potential Russian aggression in the Baltics.
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Drones As 80% of the Army: UK is Radically Changing its Military Doctrine Based on Ukraine's Experience
https://en.defence-ua.com/events/drones_as_80_of_the_army_uk_is_radically_changing_its_military_doctrine_based_on_ukraines_experience-14666.html
The British Army has presented its new doctrine, described as the "20-40-40" strategy with a shift from heavy mechanized forces to flexible drone warfare–oriented formations. The decision to transition into new military planning was made after contemplating the lessons from the Russo-Ukrainian war.
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That’s all for now. See you next week.
Martin, I am so glad you survived your surgery and are on the mend. Thank you as always for your excellent updates!
NO KINGS! NO TYRANTS!✌🏽🇺🇦