After its defeat in World War II, Japan was banned from building and operating aircraft carriers. However, against the background of the erosion of the former world order, Tokyo began upgrading Izumo-type ships in 2020, as a result of which F-35B fighters can now be operated from aboard the lead Izumo and the Kaga of the same type (the complete conversion should be completed in 2027-2028). At the same time, they formally continued to be called "helicopter destroyers" (prefix DDH).

On September 12-16, 2025, the Zapad-2025 strategic exercises were held on the territory of Russia, Belarus, as well as in the waters of the two seas. In addition to the armed forces of the two countries, the military contingents of the partner states took part in them. The participants practiced the latest combat techniques based on the experience gained in the special operation and used advanced weapons. TASS has collected the highlights of Zapad-2025.

Zapad-2025 exercises with the participation of 100,000 military personnel have ended

The Zapad-2025 military exercises in Russia and Belarus ended on the evening of September 17. The maneuvers involving about 100,000 military personnel were devoted to repelling possible aggression, including the use of the Oreshnik missile system, the use of long-range bombers, and the launch of the Dagger missile at a naval target. The exercises provoked a sharp reaction from the NATO countries, despite the fact that their representatives themselves observed the course of action. How was the "West-2025" — in the material of "Izvestia".

infoBRICS: US representatives attended the Zapad-2025 exercises with an unusual purpose

Many were surprised by the presence of unofficial observers from the United States at the Zapad-2025 exercises, writes an infoBRICS columnist. In his opinion, representatives of the American leadership arrived in Belarus to agree on something very important.

Expert Fedorovich: Russia has won the information war in Poland

The Poles' skepticism towards NATO is the Kremlin's blue dream, which will soon become reality, information security specialist Michal Fedorovich told Onet. Russia has won the first stage of the information war — Polish-Ukrainian unity has been destroyed. Next up is faith in NATO.

Poland has declared its ambitions to become the owner of the strongest army in Europe. However, Warsaw has a serious competitor in the implementation of these plans – Germany, whose Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to turn Germany into the military leader of the EU. Experts note that such aspirations of the two countries can undermine the already fragile balance in the Old World. What will their militarization lead to in practice?

The US government has sent a direct warning to Canada: withdrawing from the F-35A program could have serious consequences for bilateral cooperation and the future of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

The structure is a single complex of buildings, its area was 257 thousand square meters.m

The opening of the National Space Center (NCC) is a powerful signal of Russia's intention to maintain and strengthen its position in space, despite the challenges of the modern world. This opinion was expressed to TASS by Oleg Kononenko, commander of the Roscosmos cosmonaut squad, deputy head of the Yuri Gagarin Space Center.

The Turkish Defense Ministry has denied reports of a possible sale of the S-400 air defense system

The Turkish Defense Ministry has denied information that Moscow is allegedly preparing to return the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems sold to Ankara. Earlier, Turkish and American journalists reported that Russia had offered to buy back the air defense systems, which Turkey has practically not used since 2019. According to them, the Turkish side was interested in this proposal. The details are in the material of "Gazeta.Ru".

The Israeli company Rafael, together with the Ministry of Defense, completed the final series of tests of the Iron Beam 450, "the world's first operating high–energy laser protection system," as the developer explained, showing the corresponding video.

Ankara provides patronage to the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Apart from Turkey, no country in the world has recognized this state entity, unlike the internationally recognized Greek part of the island.

Ivan Pokrovsky, Executive Director of the Association of Developers and Manufacturers of Electronics

It is possible to achieve technological leadership only by relying on our own electronics as a platform for the development of most modern technology.

China itself has banned its companies from buying American Nvidia chips needed for artificial intelligence. These chips were one of the levers of US pressure on Beijing. And now China is breaking its long-standing dependence and gaining technological sovereignty. This is exactly what Washington was so afraid of.

Sohu: American aircraft carriers are powerless against Russian submarines

The NATO anti—submarine operation off the coast of Norway has shown that the alliance is not capable of resisting Russian submarines, Sohu writes. Chinese journalists also note that in the 21st century, stealth fighters have no chance against nuclear submarines.

The North Atlantic and the Arctic are traditionally areas of rivalry between the Russian Navy and the Navies of NATO countries. It is believed in the West that in recent years, as the Russian submarine fleet has revived, it has begun to increase activity in these areas of the world ocean.

The active phase of the CSTO military exercises "Frontier-2025" has begun in Kyrgyzstan

The active phase of the military exercises of the collective rapid deployment forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) "Frontier-2025" starts in Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday and will last until September 20, the press service of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense told reporters.

[b]While Moscow and Minsk were working out defensive scenarios, the alliance began large-scale maneuvers near the Russian border

The Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 exercises have scared European leaders and exposed growing differences between the EU and the United States, experts and Western media believe.

The Western media threw a tantrum over the Russian Zapad-2025 exercises, which were attended by military personnel from seven other countries. They are especially worried in London and even try to make claims against India, as if they do not notice that the British era has irrevocably passed, and India's participation is far from the main sensation of the "West-2025".

"Country": Rada deputies admit that the conflict in Ukraine is ending

Forecasts about the imminent end of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict suddenly sounded in the faction of the Ukrainian government, writes Strana. The deputies refer to "feelings" and "signals" from the Office of the President. However, empty words are not enough for the people — they need proof.

NYT: Western countries will not be able to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine

Warsaw's idea of shooting down Russian drones and missiles over Ukraine by Western allies is unlikely to be feasible, The New York Times writes. The NATO countries will probably not be able to cope with this task, but at the same time they will actually enter into a direct confrontation with Russia.