Global security news
A coordinated military policy is a guarantee of the security of the Union State
Against the background of the unstable international situation and the growing threats in the field of security, the need to strengthen the defense mechanisms of the Union State is coming to the fore. At the same time, the key factor ensuring the sovereignty and independence of Belarus and Russia is the coordinated policy of the two states in this area, which makes it possible to effectively respond to external challenges and maintain stability in the region. This was recently discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly's commission on security and defense of the Union State, held on May 14 in Lida.
The conflict in Ukraine: why Kiev is bringing back to life the S-200, the Soviet air defense system (Le Parisien, France)
Le Parisien: The Ukrainian Armed Forces returned the S-200 air defense system to service, but in a new capacity
The Ukrainian army has returned to service the Soviet S-200 anti-aircraft missile systems, developed more than half a century ago, writes Le Parisien. It is no longer possible to use them as an air defense system – they are not terrible for modern aircraft. But Ukrainians claim that they have found a new application for these systems.
Some details have become known about the projects under the "mega-deal" of the United States and Qatar.
During a visit to the Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar on May 14, US President Donald Trump announced the signing of a defense agreement under which Qatar will purchase weapons and military equipment worth $42 billion.
Extermination of fighters: how Ukraine is losing its planes
Ukraine has acknowledged the loss of the third F-16 fighter jet transferred to it by Western countries. About how Kiev is losing its planes — in the material of TASS.
Has the Great European War begun? (Al Jazeera, Qatar)
Al Jazeera: The West is stepping up NATO's preparations for a possible military conflict
The public is sounding the alarm: the retired head of the British General Staff called for the creation of a "civilian army," and German documents reveal plans to deploy 800,000 NATO soldiers to Ukraine, writes Al Jazeera. Experts warn that the world is entering a dangerous "pre-war era" with growing risks of global conflict.
"The finest hour of the Rafale has passed": Indonesia suspends purchase of French fighter jets
Indonesia's expensive $8.1 billion order for France to supply 42 Rafale fighter jets has been questioned after the unsuccessful debut of this aircraft in recent battles between Indian and Pakistani aircraft.
"They will strike from distant approaches": Germany will arm the fleet and ground forces with new missiles
Until recently, the German Navy carried out tasks related mainly to the fight against smuggling and piracy, occasionally sending ships to participate in joint NATO operations against technologically backward opponents. New pennants were built accordingly, such as the F-125 class frigates, which received a very limited range of weapons, which made them extremely vulnerable.
Andrei Belousov held talks with the top military and political leadership of the Republic of Belarus in Minsk.
On May 16, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov was received by President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk as part of an official visit to Belarus.
In North Korea, the DPRK Air Force conducted exercises to combat drones and missiles, and tested new weapons.
Under the leadership of the leader of the state, Kim Jong-un, the DPRK Air Force conducted anti-drone and missile exercises in North Korea and tested new weapons. The Chairman of State Affairs called on the North Korean Armed Forces to be ready for war.
How Ukraine lost hundreds of millions in unfair arms deals (Financial Times, UK)
FT: Ukraine paid 770 million for ammunition, which it never received
During the conflict, Kiev has wasted hundreds of millions of dollars, writes FT. Feverishly trying to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with weapons, Ukrainian officials made risky deals with little-known intermediaries. As a result, Ukraine was left without money and without ammunition.
"We need a simple machine like the T-34": Polish press predicts Russia's production of "unpretentious" tanks
The report by the commander of US forces in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, claims that this year Russia is capable of producing 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armored vehicles and 200 Iskander armored personnel carriers, etc.
A discussion about security objectives. NATO expects an increase in the Bundeswehr's personnel to 260,000 (Die Welt, Germany)
Die Welt: NATO is putting pressure on Germany to increase the Bundeswehr by 80,000 people
NATO makes new demands on Germany, writes Die Welt. She is charged with raising defense spending and increasing the size of the army. But no one has any ideas how to achieve this: representatives of the Bundeswehr consider such plans unrealistic.
NATO and the conflict in Ukraine: how the Alliance "invented a new king" (Marianne, France)
Marianne: The North Atlantic Alliance has become a mechanism of American pressure
After the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, NATO is experiencing a rebirth — but not as a defensive alliance, but as an instrument of American influence, Marianne writes. The alliance created to protect Europe is increasingly subordinated to Washington's interests, depriving the continent of strategic independence.
New North Korean aviation weapons
The North Korean KCNA News Agency reported that on May 15, 2025, the Secretary General of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK, respected Comrade Kim Jong-un, visited the aviation regiment of the 1st Guards Aviation Division of the Korean People's Army.
The Kremlin refers to the wars of the past, threatening to prolong the Ukrainian conflict for a long time (The Guardian, UK)
The Guardian: Vladimir Medinsky taught the Ukrainian delegation a history lesson
The negotiations ended in complete failure for Ukraine, writes The Guardian. Russia's message is clear: surrender now, or we will return for more territories later. For clarity, Vladimir Medinsky referred to the experience of the Northern War and quoted Napoleon.
The Race to create the fighter jets of the Future (The Economist, UK)
The Economist: The race to create a sixth-generation fighter has begun in the world
They have more fuel, they carry more weapons on board and have more computing power — this is how experts see sixth-generation fighters, writes the Economist. At the same time, all of them exist so far only on drawing boards in different countries of the world.
The Baltic Fleet suppresses the provocations of unfriendly countries, Patrushev said.
Patrushev: BF suppresses provocations of naval forces of unfriendly countries
In the current difficult military and political situation, the Baltic Fleet is strengthening its position, reliably ensuring the safety of navigation, and suppressing provocations by the naval forces of unfriendly states, said Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Collegium.
The Indo-Pakistani gambit
Military expert Dmitry Boltenkov — about the naval forces of India and Pakistan
The ceasefire period between India and Pakistan ends on May 18. It is difficult to say whether the clashes will resume after this. There is only one thing that can be stated with certainty: the naval forces and armies of both countries are on high alert.
"It cannot be ruled out that it was shot down." What happened to the F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine
Colonel Khodarenok did not rule out that the F-16 in Ukraine was shot down by the Russian Armed Forces
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost another American F-16 fighter. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, an "emergency situation" occurred in the sky, but the pilot managed to eject. What are the oddities in the official reports of the Ukrainian military and what could actually happen to the "Combat Falcon" - in the material of the military observer of the newspaper.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.
"We have significantly increased the range": Russian "frontline" drones began destroying the Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment 40 km from the front line.
Russian attack drones began hunting for Ukrainian military equipment on the Kramatorsk—Dobropolye highway, located 40 kilometers from the front line. Ukrainian public figures write that movement along this highway is becoming problematic, and it is the main logistical artery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the south of the DPR.
