Ukraine has created a separate international F 16 squadron within its Air Force, Intelligence Online reports. The unit includes Ukrainian and foreign pilots, among them veterans from the United States and the Netherlands. It was reportedly formed in secrecy to strengthen air defense over Kyiv and the region. According to the publication, the squadron conducts near daily combat duty, intercepting Kalibr and Kh 101 cruise missiles as well as attack drones, often during night patrols.

The EU plans to impose sanctions for the first time on ports in third countries that service Russia’s shadow fleet, Sky News reports. The 20th sanctions package includes the ports of Kulevi in Georgia and Karimun in Indonesia, and may add banks from Laos, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. #Ukraine

Russian media reported a murder attempt on Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev in Moscow. He was shot several times in the back and hospitalized, officials said. The attacker fled. Alekseev is a senior military intelligence officer and a deputy to Igor Kostyukov, who leads Russia’s negotiating group in the UAE. #Russia

An explosion occurred in the engine compartment of the container ship MSC Giada III in the Gulf of Finland as it headed to St Petersburg, Russian media reported. A fire spread to the deck superstructure. All 22 crew members were unharmed. The vessel was later towed to port. #Russia

Russian forces are facing a frontline crisis due to mass Starlink disruptions, according to Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister. He said command and control of occupation forces has collapsed and assault operations have stopped in many areas. #Ukraine

A passenger An-28 aircraft armed with miniguns is shooting down Russian drones over Ukraine, French TF1 got an inside. The crew consists of civilian volunteers who have already destroyed nearly 150 drones during air defense missions. #Ukraine

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he supports reinstating Russia and ending its four year ban from international competitions, Reuters reported. Russia was barred after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Infantino said the ban has been fruitless and backed returning youth teams first. #Sports

The US military shot down an Iranian Shahed 139 drone that aggressively approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, Reuters reported. The drone was flying toward the carrier with unclear intent and was destroyed by an F 35 fighter jet. #Iran

Russia has tripled production of Iskander missiles, according to analysts. The CSIS said China played a key role in restoring Russian military production after Western sanctions. Trade between China and Russia reached nearly 250 billion dollars in 2024, with China accounting for 33.8 percent of Russia’s foreign trade. #Russia