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Articles by Viktor Kevlyuk
Shahed ‘Rock-Paper-Scissors’: How Cheap Drones Are Targeting Kyiv’s Bridges
Air-defence engagement statistics for September record 20 missile strikes (down 64% compared with August). Air-defence forces shot down 4,967 UAVs (66% of those that attacked, down 15%). The drop in the interception rate is explained by the growing share of the enemy’s jet-powered UAVs in each strike. On 1 October at around 11:30, two Russian drones hit the area of the supporting section of the Pivdennyi Bridge. At the moment of impact, a Green Line metro train was crossing the bridge.
How to hunt missiles and the crews who launch them
The Iraqi armed forces had pre-prepared launch sites, mobile launchers on MAZ-543 chassis, and their own modifications of both the chassis and the missiles. After the air campaign began on 17 January 1991, Iraq responded with missile strikes on Israel (around 38–42 missiles), Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states (around 41–46 missiles) in an attempt to provoke an Israeli response and split the coalition.
Missile defence reality check: why Patriot interceptors can’t be made quickly
At the start of the year, we forecast what the Russian missile-and-air strikes would look like throughout 2026. Its industrial capacity and the way it organised combat employment at the time suggested that in June–July we should expect a certain pause against the backdrop of regular raids of 200–400 UAVs, aimed at wearing down Ukraine’s air defences, because in summer the Russians would focus their attention on Donbas.
Magyar: The Controversial Commander Behind Ukraine’s Drone Revolution
Robert Brovdi, known as Magyar, the charismatic commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, is one of the most striking examples of the Ukrainian army’s transformation into a modern technological force. His influence is already clearly visible and is likely to grow even further in the future, according to Ukrainian military expert Viktor Kevlyuk. Major Robert Brovdi, call sign Magyar, is a controversial figure.
On missile matters. Russia is upgrading its weapons systems and ramping up their production
The aim of the strike remains unchanged — to break the will of Ukraine’s population to continue resisting and to conceal Russia’s own weaknesses, particularly its inability to defend its own territory, including the capital, from strikes by Ukraine’s Defence Forces.
Battle for the sea: can Russia replicate success of Ukrainian naval drones?
The best-known and first confirmed successful use of a Russian naval drone against a Ukrainian warship was the attack on the medium reconnaissance vessel “Simferopol”. A high-speed uncrewed surface vessel (likely a Katran-type drone boat) struck the “Simferopol” while it was moored in the Danube Delta near Romanian territorial waters. At least two Ukrainian sailors were killed in the strike, several others were wounded, and the ship sustained damage.
To export or to ban: a strategic dilemma
This became particularly evident following the large-scale attacks by Iranian drones in the Middle East. According to military officials currently assisting partners from the US and Arab countries in the region in countering such attacks, intercepting a single Shahed drone, costing $70,000, sometimes requires up to eight Patriot air defence missiles, costing $3 million each, or even THAAD anti-missile systems, which cost tens of millions.
Middle East in flames: what major US Israel war against Iran means for Ukraine
"100 Hours" of Operation Epic Fury. pic.twitter.com/XW5ZnRAJJL — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 4, 2026 The strikes have focused on key elements of the Iranian regime, as well as military and nuclear infrastructure. In total, the United States and Israel have hit more than 2,000 targets across the country, with a particular focus on western Iran and Tehran.
Heat in the Small Sky
The tactics have evolved from seeking air superiority (which they never achieved!) to intensive use of guided bombs with planning and correction modules (KAB with UMPK), and from there to battlefield air interdiction campaigns — systematic drone strikes on Ukrainian Defence Forces’ logistics up to 100 km behind the frontline. These operations allow the enemy to weaken defences without direct risk to manned aircraft.
When will Russia be defeated
Group 1: Technological and economic backwardness Allied powers confronted the Russian Empire in Crimea between 1853 and 1856 during the Crimean War. Armed with equipment typical of the time — including sailing ships and smoothbore weapons — the Russian army, flying the same tricolour flag as today, faced forces that arrived on steam-powered vessels and were equipped with rifled firearms. The French forces carried Minié rifles with an effective range of 700–900 metres.
a forecast for 2026
Russia can assemble, purchase or manufacture between six and eight thousand UAVs per month. To prepare for a “super-strike”, it would need to work intensively for 10–20 days. As for missiles, production stands at 90–120 missiles per month; an operational reserve of missiles for a massive strike — that is, 60–120 units — can be accumulated within a month.
Strike on submarine Black Sea Fleet and Baba Parazka
Assessing the consequences of the strike based on videos posted on social media is difficult, but knowledgeable people with extensive naval backgrounds say the following. If Ukraine’s naval counterintelligence officers used a 150 kg warhead, the submarine must have sustained a breach roughly 1.5 by 1.5 metres in size. Such a hole would inevitably damage or destroy the submarine’s internal communications, systems and mechanisms. Most likely, one or two compartments were flooded.
The situation in the Zaporizhzhya Region: more complex and perilous than near Pokrovsk
The Russian achievements from 1 September to mid-November are roughly as follows: — Advance near Stepnohorsk – up to 5 km along the flooded area formed after the Kakhovka Reservoir dam was blown up.
The anxious winter of 2026
In 2023, the then head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, General Serhiy Popko, announced that a multi-level air defence system consisting of various types of weapons had been built around Kyiv. In 2025, the current head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, announced the allocation of 260 million hryvnias for the ‘Clear Sky’ project — the launch of a full-fledged system for intercepting Russian UAVs attacking Kyiv.
Battle for the small sky
Gaining UAV dominance at low altitudes on the front line has become an almost critical element of modern warfare. UAVs conduct aerial reconnaissance, correct fire, strike targets, and support ground missions. The side that achieves superiority at low altitudes, i.e. 1,000–2,000 m, controls the battlefield, receives data in real time, maintains high situational awareness, and can respond quickly to threats.
Transformation of Ukraine’s military doctrine lags behind Russia’s strategic planning
In 2019, the head of the Russian General Staff announced a new (as of that year, of course) military doctrine, which, according to the aggressor, provided for the country’s superiority “over any potential adversary.” The document’s main points: to ensure technical, technological and organisational superiority over any potential enemy; it is unlikely that the production of modern weapons will be established in a short period of time after the start of military operations, so everything...
Sumy in three days?
Russia made its first attempt to fight in Sumy Region on 10 January near the village of Zhuravka near the state border. It was a raid by several small groups of enemy infantry trying to outflank the flank of the Defence Forces in Kursk Region. These actions were supported by Russian aircraft and UAVs. The 67th Mechanised Brigade repelled the attack and pushed the enemy back abroad.
War Math: Six-Month 2025 review
In May, the trend was even more interesting: the enemy's daily losses of tanks halved, from 7-8 to 4, and of armoured personnel carriers - by 1.5 times, from 15-17 to 10, but the enemy lost more guns and mortars by 2.5 times, from 18 to 45, and vehicles by 4 times, from 27 to 116. What does this mean? The Russian army has fewer tanks and armoured personnel carriers on the battlefield. Let us emphasise that it is on the battlefield.
Malyuk and the Karlssons: Ukraine’s drones cripple Russian strategic bombers
Julian Röpcke, senior editor of the Security Policy and Conflict section of the German publication Bild, wrote on X: “This is the biggest attack ever on Russia’s strategic forces.” In the same post, German politician Nico Lange – former chief of staff to the previous German defence minister – added that “the reduction in the number of Russian strategic bombers is a net positive for the security of Germany and Europe.” It is worth noting that Mr Lange was detained by the SBU in June 2010 on...
The battle for youth
The enemy primarily targets the most vulnerable group – children left without the protection of guardians. For Russians, engaging with children and youth forms part of a broader campaign to assimilate the population of occupied Ukrainian regions. The objective is to militarise these children and prepare them for future service in the Rissian army.
The battle of mobilisation resources
According to official data, as of 1 January 2022, there were 41.4 million inhabitants in Ukraine, of whom 20.5 million were men.
Assault on the Slovyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration ‒ Part Two
On the Kupyansk direction, the Russian military has been making efforts since late autumn to expand its bridgeheads on the western bank of the Oskil River (there are four of them) and is attempting to extend its zone of control towards the border with Ukraine, while simultaneously aiming to envelop Kupyansk from the north and, if successful, from the northwest.
Russia poised for decisive assault on Slovyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration
Anyone can see on the DeepState map that it is quite possible to sell the current status quo to the Russians as a victory – a lot of territory has been captured, and the occupied territories are included in the Russian constitution. What more is needed? The whole picture is spoilt for Moscow by the 22% of Donetsk Region that has not been occupied.
On China’s ‘They-Are-Not-There’ troops
This case reeks of China’s covert involvement in the war on Russia’s side. Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video of interrogations of Chinese prisoners and said that the Ukrainian authorities know for certain that 150 Chinese citizens are involved in the fighting – but that there are many more. Everyone who follows the topic has seen the video where the captured Chinese man claims he is a petty criminal who had to go to Russia as a tourist.
What is the purpose of the Defence Forces’ advance in Belgorod Region?
Why is the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine interested in the Krasnoyaruzskiy district? In 2023–2024, it was an important part of the logistics and support systems of the North military group. A helicopter regiment was based there – artillery firing positions and field ammunition depots, recruit training camps, weapons repair bases and a Special Forces brigade communications centre were deployed.
Why did we enter the Kursk Region?
In January-February, the Russian military command (specifically, the Commander of the Leningrad Military District, Colonel-General Lapin, also known as the Commander of the Sever military unit) focused on replenishing the group with men and equipment. On 20-22 January, two infantry regiments of the DPRK Armed Forces arrived. The enemy created a numerical superiority in the priority areas of the frontline - Mala Loknya, Makarivka, Kurylivka.
The glass eye of big brother. What Ukraine is losing without US intelligence
Recently, Joseph Keith Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general, acting national security adviser to the US president during Donald Trump's first term, and currently the US State Department's special representative for Ukraine and Russia, visited Europe.
What is a Corps?
After the Cold War, corps structures continued to exist for some time, but not all armed forces underwent reforms. Among the world’s leading militaries, such organisational structures are present in the armed forces of the United States (four), France (one), Greece (two and a separate logistics corps), Spain (one), Turkey (nine), the United Kingdom (one), India (fourteen), South Korea (six), and Pakistan (nine).
American pause. Ukraine's main problems without US help
In total, since 24 February 2022, the United States has provided Ukraine with $65.9 billion in military assistance. What exactly have we received (the numbers change as the processes are ongoing)?
Accounting of the war - 2025
Requests from Russia to the Ukrainian project Hochu Nayti (I want to find), which helps locate missing Russians, have increased. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 8,548 requests, and since the start of the Great War, around 60,000. On the Ukrainian side, the number of missing persons has also risen, which has a logical explanation: we were retreating, leaving the bodies of our fallen comrades in enemy-occupied territory.
Situation at frontline. Spark of hope
On 26 January, Army Commander General Mykhaylo Drapatyy was appointed commander of the Khortytsya operational and strategic grouping, leading the fight from Kharkiv (the war in Kursk and northern Kharkiv Regions is not his area of responsibility) to the border of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya Regions (Zaporizhzhya and Kherson Regions are not his area of responsibility either). A change of leader always leads to a change in leadership style, and in war, it also changes the behaviour of the troops.
The case of the generals. Selective justice in manual mode
During the Second World War, many countries imposed martial law. Nowadays, martial law provisions are introduced through the constitution or special legislation. For example, in France, these include the laws on the state of siege (1849, 1878) and the Law on the Establishment of a State of Emergency (1955). In the United States, it is the National Emergency Act (1976), and in the United Kingdom, the Emergency Powers Acts (1920, 1964).
"Not About Land Now" — How Ukraine Must Radically Change Its War Strategy
FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Zelensky on Monday in Dnipro is given a demonstration of a new man-portable air-defense systems. Pool /Ukrainian Presidentia/Planet Pix via ZUMA FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Zelensky on Monday in Dnipro is given a demonstration of a new man-portable air-defense systems. Pool /Ukrainian Presidentia/Planet Pix via ZUMA You've reached your limit of free articles. To read the full story, start your free trial today. Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.
Why Biden May Be Just As Bad For U.S.-Mexico Trade As Trump
eyes on the U.S. Commercial truck drivers waiting at the New Mexico border. Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque/ZUMA eyes on the U.S. Commercial truck drivers waiting at the New Mexico border. Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque/ZUMA You've reached your limit of free articles. To read the full story, start your free trial today. Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime. Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.
"Not About Land Now" - How Ukraine Must Radically Change Its War Strategy
FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Soldiers are seen practicing a casualty rescue drill during a military exercise for civilians. Mykhaylo Palinchak/SOPA/ZUMA FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Soldiers are seen practicing a casualty rescue drill during a military exercise for civilians. Mykhaylo Palinchak/SOPA/ZUMA You've reached your limit of free articles. To read the full story, start your free trial today. Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.
It's Not A "Stalemate": The Ukraine War Is Riding On Even The Smallest Victories
FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Ukraine soldiers patroling at Avdiivka city of Donetsk. Goktay Koraltan/Depo Photos/ZUMA FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Ukraine soldiers patroling at Avdiivka city of Donetsk. Goktay Koraltan/Depo Photos/ZUMA You've reached your limit of free articles. To read the full story, start your free trial today. Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime. Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.
The "Magical Towns" Of Mexico, A Tourism Trap Paid By Marginalized Locals
CÓRDOBA — In this city in the central Mexican state of Veracruz stands the El Patio de la Estrella neighborhood, which has long been inhabited by a variety of marginalized populations, including people of African descent, women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Since 2016, locals in Patio have been resisting forced eviction attempts as part of an ongoing gentrification process.
In Wartime Ukraine, That Fine Line Between Surviving And Collaborating With The Enemy
FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Donetsk celebrates city day and Miner's Day FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Donetsk celebrates city day and Miner's Day You've reached your limit of free articles. To read the full story, start your free trial today. Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime. Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time. Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.
Worldcrunch Magazine #46 — Next Stop: The Moon
HomeGeopoliticsEconomyFuture GreenSocietyBon vivantWeirdIdeasMagazine Ukraine WarGreen or GoneCoronavirusThe New Now Paris CallingTrumpMigrant LivesChina 2.0 FranceUSAGermanyUnited-Kingdom ItalyRussiaChinaNew-Zealand Die WeltLa StampaThe ConversationThe WireKayhan-London Les EchosEl EspectadorLivy BeregWorldcrunchBrowse all sources > About usEditorial MissionEqual OpportunityCorporate Services Already a subscriber? Log in. You've reached your limit of one free article. You can cancel anytime.
Kyiv Air Attack, Greek Fire Record, U.S. Open Weed
ð नमसà¥à¤à¤¾à¤°!* Welcome to Wednesday, where army officers say theyâve seized power in Gabon, Kyiv is under fire in a major Russian air assault in Ukraine, and tennis players complain about wafts of weed at the U.S. Open. Meanwhile, The Puszcza BiaÅowieska, one of Europe's oldest forests, has become a battleground not only for environment causes, but also for a geopolitical standoff over migration.
Denial And Dissent: On The Deeply Conflicted Psychology Of Russian Soldiers
FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Due to misinformation, some Russian troops find the armed forces do not meet their expectations FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War Due to misinformation, some Russian troops find the armed forces do not meet their expectations You've reached your limit of free articles. To read the full story, start your free trial today. Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime. Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.
What Will Justice For Ukraine Look Like? The Nazi Demise Offers A Clue
KYIV — In today's Ukraine, people often recalls the Germans of the 1930s-1940s, but there are two opposing historical narratives. According to the first narrative, the Germans of the past are compared the Russians of today. Just like the Russians, the Germans massively supported their Fuhrer. Just like the Russians, the Germans welcomed the invasion of their army in other countries.
Parenthood, Redefined: 11 Hard Questions About Surrogacy
-Analysis- MURCIA — We live in a rapidly changing society, particularly when it comes to interpersonal and familial relationships. Assisted reproductive technology (hereafter ART) has shaken traditional ideas about sexuality, reproduction and filiation. The act of child creation now goes beyond the sexual encounter between a man and a woman. Not only is reproduction without sex possible, it is also possible that there is no filial relationship between the participants who conceive a baby.
Why Russia Is Now Betting On A Long War In Ukraine
-Analysis- KYIV — There has been a lot of talk about prolonging the war in Ukraine and about who benefits from that situation. British General Rupert Smith defined war as "collective killing for the sake of a collective goal" and advised focusing on political, strategic, territorial and tactical aspects. From this perspective, let's try to answer question "who benefits?" First, we can exclude the U.S. and the "collective West" because they are not participating in the war.
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