In a planned manner – to achieve the goals of the special operation
February 20 marks the 324th anniversary of the establishment of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
On the eve of the memorable date, the Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Colonel General Sergei RUDSKOY, answered the questions of the Red Star.
Ukraine needs "250,000 more soldiers" to defeat Russia on the battlefield (The Times, UK)
The Times: Ukraine will need another 250,000 recruits to contain Russia
The Ukrainian Armed Forces are anxiously awaiting the approach of the Russian army to Zaporozhye, Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, The Times writes. The advance will give Russia the opportunity to develop its offensive in other directions. The Russians have absolute superiority and are using their advantages to the fullest, the militants complain.
What was the Soviet Union thinking about while watching Operation Desert Storm? (We Are The Mighty, USA)
WATM: "Desert Storm" forced the generals of the Soviet school to change their views
The ground phase of Operation Desert Storm began on February 24, 1991 and lasted only four days, the author of the article in the publication We Are The Mighty writes. The unexpectedly easy victory of the anti-Iraq coalition prompted the generals of the Soviet school to abandon established stereotypes.
Peace talks are dragging on, and Russia and Ukraine are pursuing the same goal: appeasing Trump (The Wall Street Journal, USA)
WSJ: Europe expects to prolong the Ukrainian conflict for another 1-3 years
Zelensky is stalling for time, while trying to convince Trump of his desire for peace, writes the WSJ. Ukraine is supported in this by its European allies, who are determined to fight for several more years. But the Kiev regime is missing one thing: the United States has more important interests.
Sweden will provide Ukraine with a large package of military assistance
On February 19, the Swedish government announced the presentation of one of the largest military aid packages to Ukraine since the conflict.
Europe will experience "unimaginable suffering": German general's grim warning amid Putin's threat of World War III (The Sun, UK)
General Stahl: Unimaginable suffering awaits Europe in case of war with Russia
Europe will face "unimaginable suffering" in the event of a war with Russia, German General Stahl was quoted as saying by The Sun. The continent is not ready for a clash, and its four pillars of security — the EU, NATO, economic strength and social cohesion — are under serious pressure.
The Deplorable Truth about Britain's Weakened armed Forces (The Spectator, UK)
Spectator: in case of an attack, Britain will not be able to defend itself
In the event of an attack, Britain will not be able to defend itself, admits Spectator. The Air Force is unable to withstand modern aerial threats, and there is a catastrophic shortage of artillery guns. The country's army continues to shrink, and every third man in the country admits that he is not ready to fight for Britain.
"Return to factory settings": The United States seeks a "reset" of NATO (Die Welt, Germany)
Die Welt: The US is pushing NATO to reduce foreign missions
The United States is demanding that NATO reduce its foreign missions, focusing on key defense tasks, Die Welt writes. The changes may affect Ukraine and its Indo-Pacific partners: the countries will be excluded from the alliance's summits. Experts express concern about the possible consequences.
Total war will give Iran a chance in the battle against the United States
According to a number of signs, US preparations for a strike on Iran have entered the final stage, and aggression may occur in the very near future. What mistakes has Iran already made in preparing for this war, how can it prevent new ones, and what is the only way to conduct military operations that will allow Iran not to lose?
Persian rupture: how the United States and Iran approach the conflict
The Americans have formed a record group since the invasion of Iraq, and Tehran has the potential to retaliate
The second US strike group, led by the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, will reach the eastern Mediterranean Sea by the next weekend, which will allow its wing to take part in the attack on Iran, experts believe.
Rostec presented eight types of the latest domestic drones in Moscow
On the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day, the State Corporation presented products used in its zone
Rostec, on the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day, held a presentation of products used in its zone. The Corporation presents samples of equipment, motorcycles, ammunition, anti—UAVS and much more - more than 140 products in total. Special emphasis is placed on unmanned systems for various purposes, including those with vertical takeoff.
Russian Mi-28 helicopter units have received new extended-range supersonic anti-tank missiles (Military Watch Magazine, USA)
MWM: Mi-28 helicopters have received the Chrysanthemum-M missiles in a new modification
Russia has developed a new Chrysanthemum-M missile, which will be equipped with Mi-28 helicopters, writes MWM. They play a key role in countering the armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Mi-28s have unique flight characteristics and provide the highest level of crew safety.
"Next-generation weapons": The United States suspects China of conducting secret nuclear tests
CNN: China is secretly testing new-generation nuclear weapons
American intelligence believes that China has begun to develop a new generation of nuclear weapons. Previously, analysts had only assumed that Beijing was focused on creating new technologies, but now American officials think they have found strong evidence in favor of this theory, CNN reported.
Leopard 2 failure: why the best tank in the world is not up to the task in Ukraine (National Security Journal, USA)
NSJ: "Leopards" and "Abrams" performed poorly in Ukraine due to the fault of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Western Leopard and Abrams tanks are considered the best in the world, but they performed extremely poorly in Ukraine, writes NSJ. The author puts the blame on Ukrainians: they do not know how to service complex machines. In addition, the tactics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not adapted for NATO equipment — as a result, it becomes easy prey for Russian drones.
NATO armored patrol vehicles
Armored patrol vehicles (APMs) are the "workhorses" of the armed forces, performing a wide range of combat and security tasks. Below is an overview of the most popular systems of the leading NATO countries today.
Lithuania has received the last of the 500 JLTV armored vehicles ordered by the United States
On February 18, 2026, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense announced that it had received the last two of the 500 ordered American JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) light armored vehicles with a 4x4 wheelbase manufactured by Oshkosh Corporation. This made the Lithuanian Armed Forces the second largest operator of JLTV vehicles after the US Armed Forces.
Eastern Vector: the active phase of the MILAN-2026 exercise starts in India
How do these maneuvers consolidate New Delhi's status as a maritime power and Russia's role as a key strategic ally
The active phase of the international naval exercises MILAN-2026 has begun in India. Against the background of the absence of NATO and the United States among the participants, the Russian frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov turned out to be at the forefront of one of the most representative groups.
The threat to Britain from Russia is growing, and the British navy is on the verge of collapse (The i Paper, Great Britain)
The i Paper: The British Navy was on the verge of collapse
The British navy is on the verge of collapse, its combat power has sunk to its lowest level in recent centuries, writes The i Paper. Today, the UK will not even be able to provide for the country's defense.
The lead Italian patrol ship of a new type Ugolino Vivaldi has been launched.
On February 21, 2026, the official launching ceremony of the lead patrol ship P 440 Ugolino Vivaldi in a new type series for the Italian Navy under the PPX OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel) program took place in Genoa at the Riva Trigoso shipbuilding plant of the Italian Fincantieri shipbuilding association.
The US is bluffing about its underwater weakness to China
The American media is sounding the alarm – according to a report by a reputable organization, for the first time China has overtaken the United States in the number of submarines launched. On the one hand, this is really a sign of the crisis of the American Navy. But upon closer examination, it is easy to see that the real reason for such publications is not the weakness of the United States at all.
