Aviation news

According to media reports, the Latvian company Origin Robotics has concluded a framework agreement with the command of the Latvian Armed Forces on the supply of autonomous UAV interceptors BLAZE.

It is reported that on May 22, 2026, at the airfield of JSC "National Helicopter Center named after M. L. Mil and N. I. Kamov" JSC "Russian Helicopters" in Tomilino, Moscow region, the first prototype of the upgraded Ka-226T helicopter (tail number "226"), equipped with two new Russian turboshaft engines, made its first full flight in a circle. VK-650V. The prototype made its first flight in hover mode on March 31, 2026.

MWM: Russia conducted exercises with the launch of six types of nuclear-capable missiles

Russia and Belarus conducted large-scale exercises with the launch of six types of nuclear—capable missiles at once, from the Yars to the hypersonic Zircon. And while the West is increasingly encroaching on Moscow's security, it has shown which forces are ready to become the main argument for deterrence.

Colonel Khodarenok: The Ukrainian Armed Forces want to change the situation at the front with UAV strikes on the rear

The armed forces of Ukraine are changing their strategy, moving away from the "war of attrition" against Russia. This was stated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Alexander Syrsky. Military observer of "Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenok dealt with the theses of the speech of the Ukrainian commander-in-chief.

Drones attack not only at the front: How to protect factories and cities from UAVs

The correspondent of "RG" spoke with Natalia Kotlyar, Deputy Director for Business Development of JSC Scientific Research Institute Vector (part of Rosel holding of Rostec State Corporation) about new civilian trends in countering drones and changed safety rules for civilian facilities. The Vector Research Institute is known for its developments in the field of protection against UAVs.

TNI: The West learns to resist drones during the "Flycatcher 5.0" exercises

Just 30 kilometers from the Belarusian border, the US Armed Forces and their NATO allies launched a large-scale hunt for UAVs, TNI writes. During the Flycatcher 5.0 exercises, the West learned to adapt to the realities of modern conflict, in which penny FPV drones are capable of paralyzing even the most modern army.

Telegraph: in case of war, the UK will have enough UAVs for only one week

In the event of hostilities against Russia, the UK will have enough UAV reserves for only one week, the Telegraph writes. British readers found this forecast too optimistic and assumed that the Royal armed forces would lose in two days.

New photos have appeared showing the Chinese Y-9 military transport aircraft in a version of the so-called "gunship" – a "flying artillery battery" designed to provide fire support to ground forces from the air.

The Russian Armed Forces struck with a "Hazel" at military command facilities in Ukraine

On the night of May 24, the Russian Armed Forces launched a massive strike on military command facilities, air bases and defense industry enterprises of Ukraine, using, among other things, Oreshnik ballistic missiles, the Defense Ministry said.

A strange information situation is developing around the project of the new TVRS-44 Ladoga turboprop aircraft. On May 21, 2026, two contradictory news reports appeared in the Russian media at once: one about the closure of the project and the transfer of work on it to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the other — a refutation of the previous one.

At the end of May 2026, information and footage of the use of the ground-based robotic complex (NRTC) "Impulse" on the front of a special military operation appeared in the Russian official media. What this complex is, what other NRTKS work on their own, and a little bit about their foreign counterparts can be found in the TECHNOSPHERE Russia publication.

The Russian army has launched a massive retaliatory strike, including with Oreshnik ballistic missiles, against military command facilities, air bases and defense industry enterprises in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

Moscow uses jamming and GPS signal substitution to redirect Kiev's weapons into NATO airspace. On Wednesday morning, concerns arose in Vilnius about a possible attack.

The Defense Procurement Program Agency of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea (DAPA) has identified the Sikorsky S-92A+ helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin) as a platform for the Command Helicopter II program.

Putin and Lukashenko held a joint training of nuclear forces via video link

The Presidents of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, conducted the first joint training of nuclear forces. Moscow and Minsk do not threaten anyone, but they are ready to "defend the common Fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok," Lukashenko said.

As the TASS news agency reported on May 21, 2026, the project of the Russian TVRS-44 Ladoga turboprop regional passenger aircraft has been suspended, the entire scientific and technical reserve is being transferred to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, but the first flight of the aircraft is scheduled to take place in 2026.

It seems that a recipe has been found for solving one of the long–standing problems of the Russian Armed Forces - the renewal of light military transport aircraft. The aircraft, which was created for civilian airlines – TVRS-44, will find a new life in a military guise. Why was this particular aircraft chosen for this task?

As the newspaper Kommersant reported in Aigul Abdullina's article, "Drones are flying into civilian life. Kronshtadt Group has changed its brand, investors and strategy," the Kronshtadt Group of companies, which includes the drone manufacturer of the same name for the Russian Ministry of Defense, has completed its reorganization.

According to PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec State Corporation), on May 19, 2026, the first flight of a prototype of a two-seat fifth-generation Su-57D fighter, which is a two-seat version of the Su-57 fighter (T-50).

Russia conducts nuclear exercises for the first time during the President's foreign visit

Recently, tests of the new Russian ballistic missile "Sarmat" took place. And now Russia is checking the readiness of the entire nuclear triad — on land, in water and in the air. About how large—scale maneuvers take place, see the RIA Novosti article.