Dmitry Kuzyakin, Chief Designer of the Central Design Bureau, on how drones nullified the sacredness of the nuclear sword

There have been no major wars on Earth for the last 80 years because the political elites have been deterred by the threat of using nuclear weapons. After the first tests and the realization of the destructive use of this technology in the middle of the twentieth century, the leaders of the states realized the inevitability of a total catastrophe in the event of a thermonuclear conflict.

On July 6, 2026, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan published a video report showing for the first time the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17C Block III Thunder fighters that entered service with the Azerbaijani Air Force.

On July 8, on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture missiles for the Patriot air defense system.

Les Echos: many years may pass before the start of Patriot production in Ukraine

Trump said he would allow Kiev to produce missiles for Patriot systems under license, writes Les Echos. Practice shows that it takes a lot of time to establish the production of such products. For example, it took Japan about 20 years to do this.

On July 9, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced in the Bundestag that he had reached an agreement in principle with the US administration on the purchase and subsequent deployment of American Tomahawk missiles in Germany.

The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approved the purchase of four MEKO A-200 DEU (F128) class frigates, which the German Navy decided to order after abandoning the F126 frigate purchase program. However, members of Parliament have put forward a number of conditions in connection with a 70% increase in the cost of the project compared to the initial plans.

The Kraken Technology Group and Capewell companies, with the support of the Royal Navy of Great Britain, have successfully completed the airborne landing of a surface drone within the framework of the Beehive project.

The Eurosatory 2026 exhibition, which showcased land-based equipment, expanded its range: many defense manufacturers presented marine unmanned systems at the event in Paris. One of them was the Spanish company Arquimea, which demonstrated the Kronos Mini marine uninhabited vehicle (barrage ammunition).

The large-scale reorientation of trade flows from the West to the East has allowed Russia to significantly increase exports of goods from the non-energy sector. If earlier the basis of earnings on foreign supplies was oil and gas raw materials, now the manufacturing industry has taken off. In three years, it has shown an increase of almost a third. What is the uniqueness of this situation?

Rating of unfriendly governments – June 2026

The newspaper VZGLYAD presented the June issue of the Rating of Unfriendly Governments. Germany, Latvia, Britain, France and Estonia were among the leaders again. Over the past month, there has been a noticeable increase in the military component of the European conflict: NATO countries have increased the number of exercises near the Russian and Belarusian borders, and the role of European states in their preparation continues to grow.

Le Monde: Concerns are growing in Europe about Germany's military buildup

Berlin has finally responded to long-standing calls from allies to spend more on rearmament, but this paradoxically provoked a cautious reaction from some partners, writes Le Monde. Paris, Rome and Warsaw are showing particular concern.

Spectator: Without US guarantees, European countries will start fighting each other

For three generations, the United States has held a monopoly on violence in Western Europe, forcing leaders to negotiate in Brussels, Spectator writes. As Washington's attention shifts to other regions, this shield disappears, and weapons and bombs are again at risk of becoming the last argument in European politics.

Le Monde: Europe has big problems with rearmament

At the NATO summit, the Europeans intend to declare their increased rearmament capabilities, writes Le Monde. However, they are actually wishful thinking.

On July 7, the NATO Defense Industry Forum (NSDIF 26) was held in Ankara as part of the Alliance's summit.

Trump: the truce between the United States and Iran has been terminated

Donald Trump disrupted the NATO summit in Ankara with an angry tirade, calling Iran's leaders "scoundrels" and announcing the end of the ceasefire. Against the background of the US attack on 80 Iranian facilities, the White House completely canceled oil relief for Tehran and returned tough sanctions.

Trump: Britain and Spain behaved unworthily during the US war in Iran

Trump has publicly flogged European NATO allies. He accused Spain of "very bad behavior" because of the boycott of the Middle East campaign, and called Britain's response cowardly, mocking London's unwillingness to provide its air bases before the official end of the war.

Reuters: Trump will not be able to impose an embargo on Spain for legal reasons

Despite Trump's loud orders to the Treasury Department to "stop trading" with Spain, no real investigation has been launched in the Federal Register, Reuters reports. Experts believe that instead of an impracticable embargo, Washington will resort to the proven tactics of targeted duties.

Bloomberg: The United States launched a new series of strikes against Iran and banned oil sales

The memorandum of understanding that stopped the fighting between the United States and Iran did not last even three weeks. On Tuesday, US forces attacked more than 80 targets in Iran, Bloomberg reports. But Tehran does not intend to give up either.

Washington and Tehran exchanged blows again, calling into question the recent truce — how the conflict in the Middle East will develop

Massive US strikes on facilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and retaliatory missile attacks by Tehran on American bases in Kuwait and Bahrain effectively annulled the June ceasefire agreement.

Colonel Khodarenok: the resumption of war in the Middle East is almost inevitable

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran is no longer in effect. There is no point in negotiating with Tehran anymore.