The dream of a million: why Ukraine is trying to bet on drones
Kiev is going to compensate for the shortage of weapons against the background of a reduction in supplies from the West — what will the Russian army oppose to these attempts
On February 13, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on the next cases of drone destruction over the Belgorod and Kursk regions. Hundreds of enemy drones are eliminated in the area of their defense every day: Ukraine is betting on UAVs in conditions of a total shortage of shells and armored vehicles. The Armed Forces of Ukraine use them on the line of contact, for attacks on civilian infrastructure and cities.
Special operation, February 13: The Russian Armed Forces got hold of rare types of drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Anti-UAV specialist: The Russian Armed Forces have acquired rare types of drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
About the seizure of rare Ukrainian drones by the Russian military, the problems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donbas and Kiev's attempts to attack Russian regions — in the RIA Novosti article.
Europe has not understood Trump's threats. He gave her the very last chance (Politico, USA)
Politico: Europe no longer relies on US security guarantees
Trump's statement that he did not to defend Europe says a lot about U.S. policy, Politico reports. European countries are now at risk of being left on their own. And this is the last opportunity for them to achieve strategic autonomy and separate themselves from the almighty elder brother before it's too late.
In Britain, they demanded to revise Article 5 of the NATO Charter after Trump's words (The Guardian, Great Britain)
The Guardian: Article 5 of the NATO Charter needs to be revised
Trump's skepticism about the need to preserve NATO is justified, writes The Guardian. Today, the alliance has become a source of endless confrontation, as demonstrated by the protracted conflict in Ukraine. Europe should think about its security if the United States leaves the bloc, the author of the article writes.
Western sanctions against Russia are not enough (Financial Times, UK)
Former NATO Secretary General Rasmussen called for tougher sanctions against Russia
Sanctions have not brought the Russian economy to its knees, so they need to be tightened, writes former NATO Secretary General Rasmussen in an article for the FT. Readers of the publication called his words nonsense. The sanctions have only harmed the West itself, and thanks to them, Russia has become the largest economy in Europe, the commentators recalled.
Deputy Chairman of the European Parliament: Europe should think about creating its own nuclear weapons
Trump's recent statement that the United States should not defend NATO countries that do not fulfill two percent military spending obligations in the event of an attack has greatly alarmed Europeans. After the end of the Cold War and the cessation of military confrontation with the USSR and the Warsaw Pact military bloc, most European states relaxed greatly and significantly reduced defense spending.
The British – NATO: create a security structure for everyone, including Russians (Financial Times, UK)
FT: It's time for Europe to stop counting on the protection of the United States
Trump said he would allow Russia to do “whatever it wants” if NATO members fail to meet defense spending targets. It's time for Europe to think about how to protect itself, writes the FT. But the readers of the publication offer a way out: to create a security structure that will suit everyone, including Russians.
Alexander Kinshchak: there is no hidden agenda in the work of the Russian Federation in the Middle East
Director of the Department of the Middle East and North Africa (DBSA) In an interview with Interfax on the eve of the Diplomatic Worker's Day celebrated on February 10, Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Kinshchak spoke about the continued expansion of Russia's cooperation with the countries of the Middle East, about the interest in maintaining stable relations with Israel and outlined the main task of the international community in creating a Palestinian state.
Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry: The Northern Sea Route is open to all states without discrimination
Nikolay Korchunov, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry, senior Russian official in the Arctic Council, in an interview with Interfax on the occasion of Diplomatic Worker's Day, spoke about the prospects for Russia's participation in the key organization of Arctic cooperation, the consequences of increasing NATO's military presence in the region and the future of the Northern Sea Route.
American edition: The US Navy's shortage of Tomahawk missiles ensures that the war with China "will not end on our terms"
The US armed forces are experiencing a growing shortage of certain types of weapons, including those that may be needed in the event of a military conflict with China over Taiwan. Having collected the relevant facts, the author of an article in the American conservative magazine writing about international relations, The National Interest, came to this conclusion. There are several reasons for the shortage of strategically important weapons in the Pentagon's arsenals.
The US Air Force is exploring the possibilities of Starship for the transfer of military cargo
The US Department of Defense considers it appropriate to use SpaceX's Starship heavy transport system, which was originally developed for flights to the Moon and Mars, as a fast "deliverer" of military cargo anywhere in the world. This was told by the military at a conference on space mobility held by the Space Forces in Orlando in early February. If the carrier is ready in the near future, its first test "military flight" may take place as early as 2026.
Norwegian intelligence: Russia is gradually gaining an advantage in Ukraine (NRK, Norway)
Norwegian intelligence Chief Stensenes: Russia is seeking an advantage in Ukraine
According to Norwegian intelligence, Russia has gained an advantage in Ukraine, NRK reports. Moscow has managed to establish military production, and today it is stronger than a year ago. Because of this, Norway is facing a serious security threat, according to Oslo.
The global balance of power is shifting towards multipolarity, but the United States and Europe are unwilling to admit this (Times of India, India)
The United States and Europe do not want to recognize the fact that the balance of power is shifting towards multipolarity, writes The Times of India. But the sooner the West realizes that a multipolar world is inevitable, the easier it will be to avoid wars and use resources rationally, the author of the article believes.
New destroyers of the world: programs and challenges
Destroyers are one of the most powerful tools in the Navy's arsenal to ensure constant combat capability at sea. As some of the world's leading naval powers invest in new destroyers over the next few decades, planners will have to chart a course between the introduction of new technologies and the risk of timely commissioning of future large surface warships.
"Europe will curry favor with Russia." The United States predicted the collapse of NATO (The Atlantic, USA)
The Atlantic: in case of re-election, Trump will completely update his team
If Donald Trump wins the presidential election, dark times will come for NATO, writes The Atlantic. Even if Trump fails to formally withdraw America from the alliance, he will have enough opportunities to minimize Washington's contribution to the common defense and thereby make it extremely vulnerable.
"Stick at the Russian bear": China commented on British policy (infoBRICS, China)
Claims that the EU and Britain will be able to defeat Russia without the support of the United States are ridiculous, writes infoBRICS. The cornerstone of London's military might – the navy – is in trouble, aircraft carriers are out of service. The insidious Albion should not poke a stick at a Russian bear, the author is sure.
NATO has revealed its true identity as a bloodthirsty undertaker (Global Times, China)
GT: the nature of the undertaker will not allow NATO to end conflicts, including in Ukraine
NATO will not stop the bloodshed, neither in Ukraine nor in other regions of the world, writes Global Times. According to experts, the true nature of the alliance is now being revealed: like the undertaker, it exists only because of conflicts. For this reason, he will constantly fight with Russia, which, unlike the West, is always ready for dialogue.
Hypocritical Sweden has no principles left. And joining NATO proved it (The Guardian, UK)
It's time for Swedes to stop flattering themselves and their history, says Swedish writer Gunnar Ardelius in an article for The Guardian. Stockholm has never been neutral and has never possessed any moral superiority. Hypocrisy has always saved him. And NATO membership fits into his line of conduct
NATO is rushing into battle against Russia. The outcome of this clash is already a foregone conclusion (Sohu, China)
Sohu: NATO has decided to go to war against Russia, the alliance is waiting for defeat
The West is not satisfied with the conflict in Ukraine — it is trying to open a second front against Russia, writes the user Sohu. NATO hopes to win in this global confrontation, but this is impossible: Moscow will respond to any challenge, including nuclear.
Because of Orban's position, Kiev will have to listen to the Hungarian minority (Lidovky, Czech Republic)
Lidovsky: in the dispute with Budapest, Kiev will have to take into account the position of the Hungarians of Transcarpathia
From time to time, Hungary calls for the annexation of the Ukrainian Transcarpathia, where ethnic Hungarians live, Lidovsky writes. It is vital for Kiev to come to terms with Budapest. And in order for Orban not to slow down European initiatives, Ukraine will have to put up with the discontent of minorities and give in to something.