Russia

Kaliningrad is more than the Suwałki Gap, and NATO cannot ignore it

In an age of drones and long-range precision weapons, Kaliningrad’s location shows Europe's security isn’t neatly divided between frontline states and everyone else.

Is the Finnish-Norwegian call with Putin a crack in Nordic resolve, or the start of a new path?

Western European leaders have largely avoided speaking with Putin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Kyiv eyes purchase of planned ICEYE, Nokia ‘sovereign’ communication sats

The letter of intent comes on the heels of the political dust up between US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk over a US move to throttle Ukraine's Starshield access that has all but grounded the countries military drones in its war with Russia.

Norway to receive Chunmoos in 2028, reach IOC in 2029: Norwegian army leader

Another component in deterring Russia, Acting Chief of the Norwegian Army Trond Nilsen told Breaking Defense, is having the Finnmark Brigade fully operational by 2032-2033.

Russia’s naval posture in the Mediterranean has ‘significantly decreased’: NATO official

Russia's maritime forces may be stretched thin now, but one analyst told Breaking Defense that's unlikely to be the case "longer term."

Russian satellite stalked ICEYE spacecraft in potentially dangerous on-orbit maneuvers

The Cosmos 2612 came within 500 meters (about a third of a mile) to US-flagged ICEYE-X36 believed to be supporting Ukraine, according to LeoLabs.

Ukrainian defense firms get creative to try and break through export restrictions

Speaking to Breaking Defense in Washington and Lviv, companies made clear that reform efforts to allow weapons exports have not gone far enough.

Latvian official warns Russia ‘tempted to test’ European readiness, sounds alarm over border issues

Airis Rikveilis, the state secretary at Latvia’s Ministry of Defense, told Breaking Defense the military and border guards are working jointly to stem the tide of illegal entries, including via tunnels.

Democratic midterm gains could speed US military aid to Ukraine, lawmaker says

Polling and prediction markets suggest the midterms could deliver "a fairly massive repudiation of the president," said Rep. Jim Himes, ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Polish defense minister calls for US industry to establish European facilities

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz spoke the same day that another senior Polish commander said Patriot deliveries to Poland are expected to be delayed.

At Warsaw Security Forum, Poland’s Tusk raises alarm over ‘real threat’ from Russia

The prime minister urged additional sanctions on Moscow, saying the “path through peace does not lie through weakness.”

Amid unease in Europe, NATO SACEUR bullish on ‘block, blunt, break’ theory of victory

"I want others to know who might be thinking about doing harm against us, that we've got this, and that they better not take any shot at the alliance," said Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, who also serves as commander of United States European Command.

Germany pledges $1.1B military aid package to Ukraine flush with drone interceptors

"Russia must know that we will take steps to defend ourselves against any further escalation," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

In Ukraine, data centers ‘facing increased attacks’ in recent weeks: Ex-official

"Naturally, you cannot move everything underground. … So an important aspect is boosting Ukrainian anti-ballistic and anti-drone capabilities, which are already in critically short supply," Kateryna Chernohorenko, Ukraine's former deputy minister of defense for digital transformation, told Breaking Defense.