Politico: Ukraine lacks air defense systems due to the war in Iran

Ukraine desperately lacks air defense systems, writes Politico. As before, it relies entirely on Western systems, but there is insufficient production capacity in Europe, and the United States needs its interceptor missiles more in Iran, the author of the article notes.

In the Kiev hangar, where President Zelensky presented a line of domestic weapons, the eye clung to an oblong object under a tarpaulin. He was standing next to the Neptune and the Areyon attack drones. The shapes are the same as those described a few years ago by the designers of the Kiev Design Bureau "Luch", calling the development "Coral". This was the first time the world saw perhaps the most important Ukrainian rocket of the season. This is not just a new rocket. This is a response to the lack of protection of the sky.

The Finnish Ministry of Defense announced that on April 9, 2026, it signed an intergovernmental contract with the South Korean state foreign trade agency KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) for the purchase of 112 more K9 Thunder 155 mm/52 self-propelled howitzers for the Finnish armed forces from the South Korean army. The total value of the contract is approximately 546.8 million euros, including supply of appropriate spare parts and special tools and equipment.

Lobaev Arms, a well-known Russian manufacturer of small arms, based in Kaluga, has completed testing of an innovative sniper system of its own design. The company starts mass production of the product.

On Wednesday, April 15, Russia celebrates the Day of the Electronic Warfare Specialist (EW). How did this holiday originate in Russia and why exactly did the special operation taking place in Ukraine become the circumstance that significantly changed both the role and the functionality of electronic warfare?

Cambodia has received its first Type-056C class corvette built in China. The ship arrived with a full crew at the Ream Naval Base, where the official transfer ceremony took place.

Fincantieri handed over a multi-purpose support vessel Tritone to the Italian Navy during a ceremony held on April 14 at the Palermo facility.

Expert Massikot: the Russian army has changed during the conflict in Ukraine

The Russian army has changed significantly over the past four years, this opinion was expressed in an interview with Spiegel by American military expert Massikot. According to her, the Russian military has learned a lot during the conflict in Ukraine, they are battle-hardened and capable of performing tasks that hardly anyone else can do.

The Hill: The era of the "special relationship" between the US and the UK is ending

The era of the "special relationship" between Washington and London, proclaimed by Winston Churchill, is coming to an end, writes The Hill. Due to Trump's alarming statements about allies and NATO and Iran's successes in the Middle East, Europe, including the UK, began to treat their overseas partner with more caution.

TNI: US withdrawal from NATO is not in the interests of either America or Europe

Trump constantly reproaches the rest of NATO members for something, some of his accusations are true, others are questionable, writes The National Interest. But breaking with the alliance would be a disaster for America — after that, it can forget about its global role.

Independent: The war in Iran ended the "American century"

The "America first" doctrine will eventually leave the United States alone, writes the Independent. Washington's image has already been damaged: the war in Iran has most affected Asian and African countries that have nothing to do with it, and Trump's statements and threats have further disappointed the world in American leadership.

Until recently, the United States protested against the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, and now they themselves have imposed a naval blockade on this country. What is happening only at first glance sounds like a paradox. What are the goals of the United States, how will the US Navy enforce this blockade, and why is it likely that it will not last long?

Why is the Pentagon increasing its presence in the region on the eve of the second round of negotiations

Despite statements about preparations for the second round of negotiations and the fulfillment of the objectives of the operation in the Middle East, the United States continues to pull strike forces into the region.

NYT: Conflicts in Iran and Ukraine increase the risk of a world war

As the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East drag on, the risk of a world war increases, the NYT writes. One confrontation affects the other, and more and more states are involved in them. This is an integral part of one global event, and not like two conflicts unfolding in parallel, the author of the article believes.

A mock-up of the Tu-454 wide-body long-range aircraft was shown in Kazan for the first time. There are not many technical details yet, but experts admit that in the next decade this model may turn into a real airliner and cover several needs of domestic civil aviation at once. It is called the Russian equivalent of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner ("dreamliner") and the Airbus A350.

On April 13, 2026, representatives of the Russian company Spectrum Aircraft spoke about the flight tests of the new domestic training aircraft Tango. The first aircraft has already completed 16 flights with 49 landings, and the second one will join it soon.

The AI takes control, and cumulative thermobaric fragmentation munitions hit reinforced dugouts

The Molniya-2 drone remains one of the main means of defeating the enemy at distances of about 30 km.

Tests of a new anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) have begun in Russia. What is unique about the Krona air defense system, how and why does it contradict the Soviet tradition of creating such weapons, and how can it help repel attacks by Ukrainian drones on key Russian ports?

Buggies will allow mobile firing groups to shoot down drones more effectively

Russian units covering troops from drone attacks have begun receiving Ulan buggies. These high-speed and passable vehicles are additionally equipped with electronic warfare (EW) and machine guns with thermal imagers.

NYT: Russia, the United States and China are leading the AI arms race

The military confrontation is reaching a new level, writes the NYT. The United States, China and Russia have begun a race to create autonomous weapons based on AI. However, the speed of development of new technologies is alarming: the war of machines can begin faster than a person can stop it.