Ukraine downs Russian fighter jet with F-16 in historic first, US general says

US General Dan Caine told a Senate hearing that the Ukrainian Air Force recently achieved a historic milestone: a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian fighter jet in the first known air-to-air victory by the aircraft.

What the general said about the F-16 dogfight

"Recently, we had the first air-to-air kill where a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian fighter. I think their (Ukraine - ed.) ability to scale a layered defense has come along the way over the past couple of years with the help and assistance of many," Caine said.

Who the US general wants to see win the war

During the hearing, Caine was asked directly about the US position on the war.

In the war between Russia and Ukraine, who do we want to win?" he was asked.

"I want Ukraine to win," the general replied.

When asked whether Russia is a friend of the United States, Caine was more cautious.

"I think it's a complicated relationship... But no, I don't think they're our friends," he said.

Ukraine downs Russian fighter jet with F-16 in historic first, US general says

They still try with the frontal armored assault

Bring a tank to a drone fight

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/s/UhvB4reyjL

Wildberries seem to be on the top of the target list, untill their all gone

Fire reported overnight at Engels air base, home of Russia's heavy bombers:

https://kyivindependent.com/fire-reported-overnight-at-engels-air-base-home-of-russias-heavy-bombers/

Ukraine's blitz on Russia's commercial warehouses enters 6th night, hitting Belgorod, Rostov oblasts

https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drones-reportedly-strike-warehouses-energy-infrastructure-in-mass-attack-on-russias-belgorod/

Military factory in Russia's Kirov in flames after reported Flamingo attack, local authorities report casualties

https://kyivindependent.com/military-factory-in-russias-kirov-in-flames-after-reported-flamingo-attack-local-authorities-report-casualties/

A major factory producing missile and aviation parts in the Russian city of Kirov was damaged in a Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile strike that left six dead and dozens more injured, Russian and Ukrainian authorities as well as local media reported on July 24.

Early in the morning, Kirov Oblast Governor Aleksandr Sokolov reported a missile attack on the city, located almost 800 kilometers northeast of Moscow.

Soon after — despite harsh penalties for uploading the results of such strikes in Russia — photos and videos emerged on Telegram channels showing smoke rising from the Avitek factory in the north of the city.

Avitek, part of Russian defense production giant Almaz-Antey, produces interceptor missiles for Soviet-era air defense systems including Tor and Osa, which are used in Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as other miscellaneous aircraft parts.

Six factory workers were killed in the attack, and another 26 injured, Sokolov said in the afternoon, adding that the fire had been extinguished.

...

Flamingo producer Fire Point posted a video of the launch, confirming previous reports that it was one of the company's signature cruise missiles that damaged the facility.

https://x.com/FirePointUA/status/2080553856455283094

Edited July 25Jul 25 by Schoggibueb
png added

I wonder what the residents of St. Petersburg think when they see this out their front windows

Russian weapons going to Iran or visa versa.

Doesn't matter everythings a target these days

The European Union has launched a fresh assault on Russia's war machine, unveiling sweeping sanctions aimed at crippling the production of long-range attack drones and disrupting Moscow's ambitions to build a home-grown rival to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network.

The measures form part of the EU's 21st sanctions package, which targets dozens of companies and individuals accused of sustaining Russia's military-industrial complex as the war in Ukraine grinds on.

Drone Supply Chain Comes Under Fire

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the package includes more than 50 military-industrial entities, including key players involved in producing Russia's long-range drones.

Officials said the bloc has adopted a more focused strategy by targeting the entire manufacturing and supply chain behind the Garpiya attack drone. More than 30 entities have been sanctioned, including companies producing warheads, rocket boosters, launch systems and other critical components.

The EU also expanded restrictions on suppliers of dual-use technologies in third countries, including firms in China and India, whose products have been found in Russian missiles, drones and armoured vehicles.

Pressure Builds Over Civilian Attacks

Brussels says the sanctions are intended to increase pressure on the Kremlin as Russian drone attacks continue to hit Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.

EU officials pointed to waves of long-range strikes targeting energy facilities, residential areas and civilian sites, arguing that disrupting drone production is essential to reducing Russia's ability to sustain its bombardment campaign.

Kallas said Moscow would only be pushed towards negotiations if it faced sustained economic and industrial pressure.

Starlink Rival Also in the Crosshairs

The sanctions also target Russia's emerging low-Earth orbit satellite programme, Rassvet, which is being developed by aerospace company Bureau 1440 as an alternative to Starlink.

The project aims to deploy hundreds of satellites over the coming decade to provide high-speed communications with potential military applications. EU officials indicated weakening the programme could limit Russia's long-term battlefield capabilities.

Long-Term Strategy Takes Shape

Analysts welcomed the focus on military technology but cautioned against expecting immediate results. Russia manufactures multiple types of long-range drones, meaning disruption to one production network alone is unlikely to alter the strategic balance.

Even so, experts argue restricting advanced communications systems and degrading Russia's defence industry could have lasting consequences, not only for the war in Ukraine but also for Europe's wider security as governments prepare for a prolonged period of confrontation with Moscow.

From Garpiya drones to a Starlink rival: Europe strikes at Russia’s military might

Ukrainian special forces say they have struck members of Russia's notorious Rubikon drone unit in occupied Zaporizhzhia, killing three UAV operators accused of carrying out repeated attacks on civilians. The operation marks the latest in a series of targeted strikes against Russian drone specialists as Kyiv intensifies efforts to disrupt Moscow's expanding unmanned warfare campaign.

Targeted Strike Behind Enemy Lines

According to a source within the Budanov Units, the attack took place at around 10am on July 23 in the occupied city of Dniprorudne, in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region.

The source said operatives remotely detonated a high-explosive charge, killing three Rubikon drone pilots and injuring a fourth. Ukrainian officials described the unit as being responsible for prolonged drone attacks against civilians in the region.

"This crew had been terrorising civilians of Zaporizhzhia for a long time through indiscriminate drone attacks," the unit said, adding that "retribution has reached them".

Campaign Against Elite Drone Operators

The reported strike forms part of a broader Ukrainian effort to eliminate key personnel linked to Russia's drone operations.

In recent days, Ukrainian sources also claimed responsibility for killing Russian serviceman Roman Vnukov, known by the callsign "Batman", in occupied Zaporizhzhia. They also reported the death of military engineer Andrey Tisarev, who was involved in supporting Russia's military campaign.

Pressure Mounts on Rubikon Network

Rubikon has repeatedly featured in Ukrainian operations targeting Russian drone infrastructure. In March, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said they struck a secret Rubikon drone technology centre in occupied Donetsk using long-range drones.

Earlier, in February, Ukrainian forces reported hitting several Russian military sites, including a drone command post linked to the Rubikon network.

Ukrainian intelligence has also claimed that some Russian personnel who received covert training in China may have included operators from the elite Rubikon unit, underlining concerns over the continued evolution of Moscow's drone capabilities.

The latest reported strike highlights Kyiv's strategy of targeting experienced drone operators and command structures, aiming to weaken Russia's ability to sustain precision attacks deep behind the front line as the war increasingly hinges on unmanned technology.

Ukrainian special forces strike notorious Russian Rubikon drone unit

Putin TV shock: 'The balance is not in our favour!'

Russian state television has long projected confidence, defiance and military strength.

But in a startling shift, one of the Kremlin's most prominent propaganda voices has admitted Russia is facing serious problems on the battlefield, declaring that "the balance is not in our favor."

The dramatic remarks came during Vladimir Solovyov's Sunday television programme. Known for delivering fiery rhetoric and threats against the West, the veteran state TV presenter instead warned viewers that Russia could no longer fully protect its own borders.

According to the Daily Express, Solovyov tried to reassure his audience by insisting there was no panic. Even so, he acknowledged that the situation had become extremely difficult, marking a striking change in tone from previous broadcasts.

The presenter discussed the possibility of moving hundreds of thousands of people from Russia's border regions. He suggested relocating residents deep into the Russian Far East as the conflict continues to reshape security concerns.

Perhaps his most eye-catching admission concerned Russia's military preparations.

As reported by the Daily Beast, Solovyov described the destruction of older military equipment as a "giant mistake." "We've encountered a new kind of war," Solovyov said. "Everyone understands this. For us, this war is quite difficult, because there was a certain moment in 2022 when it suddenly became clear that a military doctrine to which all armies in the world used to adhere no longer works."

His comments amounted to a rare public acknowledgement that Russia's military assumptions had failed to match the realities of the conflict.

The broadcast painted a far more cautious picture than viewers have become accustomed to hearing from Kremlin-backed television. Solovyov also appealed directly to Russia's private sector. He argued that civilian companies must urgently help manufacture weapons if the country is to sustain its military effort.

"We certainly can't deal with this without the civilian sector. We certainly can't deal with this without major companies," he said, calling for broader industrial support.

The sombre tone continued as Russian politician Alexei Kondratiev joined the programme. His assessment proved equally bleak, openly admitting that Russia faces an unfavourable military balance.

"The balance is not in our favor," Kondratiev confessed. He also urged Russians not to pursue revolution, warning that past uprisings had brought bloodshed and national destruction. "Any revolution in our country always ended with the death of a nation and lots of blood. We shouldn't succumb to this," he pleaded.

The discussion then turned to military recruitment. Solovyov questioned why women were still being excluded from army reserves and suggested wartime realities should prompt changes to existing laws. "Can't we revise the laws in accordance with the realities of military times?" the presenter asked during the broadcast.

Despite the unusually candid discussion about Russia's military difficulties, Solovyov eventually returned to familiar rhetoric. He attacked the International Criminal Court over its actions targeting Vladimir Putin. "After it burns to the ground, it can be swept into the trash bin of history," he declared.

The broadcast marked a notable departure from the confidence that has characterised much of Russia's wartime television coverage. While the programme ended with renewed attacks on the International Criminal Court, its central message reflected growing concern over the challenges facing Russia's military effort and the demands the conflict is placing on the country.

Putin's propaganda TV admits: "The balance is not in our favor"

Ukrainian forces hit Russian boat depot and Black Sea Fleet facilities in Crimea

Overnight on August 1, Ukraine's Defense Forces carried out a series of strikes against key Russian military targets in occupied Crimea and southern Ukraine, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

One of the main targets was a storage facility for uncrewed surface vessels near Chornomorske in occupied Crimea. According to the military, Russian forces stored, prepared and maintained boats there for combat and special missions in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian forces also struck two railway bridges — the Syvash bridge near Chonhar and a bridge near Vladyslavivka.

The General Staff noted that the bridges are important elements of Russia's military logistics network and are used to transport personnel, equipment, weapons, ammunition and other supplies between occupied Crimea and the temporarily occupied territories in southern Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces also struck a Russian Black Sea Fleet electronic intelligence unit in Sevastopol.

In addition, the strikes hit a repair and recovery base near Pervomaiske, a military supply depot near Podove in the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region, and a drone depot near Tokmak in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Ukrainian forces hit Russian boat depot and Black Sea Fleet facilities in Crimea