Russia's War Against Ukraine

Crossroads · February 17, 2026, 01:46:03 AM

QuoteA new international F-16 fighter jet squadron staffed by Ukrainian, US and Dutch pilots has been assembled in Ukraine

The unit was created "in recent weeks" by the Ukrainian Air Force for immediate deployment. The international squadron is currently playing a central role in the air defence of Kyiv Oblast, which Russia is attacking with drones and missiles, Intelligence Online says.

The unit includes American pilots who "have carried out numerous combat missions in Afghanistan" and a western veteran who performed missions in the Middle East before joining the mission in Ukraine. Among the Dutch pilots are graduates of "leading European air combat schools known for their advanced training in interception and modern aerial warfare".

Intelligence Online says that unlike Ukrainian pilots, who are integrated into the conventional chain of command, the Western veterans are working under temporary contracts, similar to specialised contractors. These agreements cover six-month rotations that are renewable in line with operational requirements.

Pilots from the international F-16 unit frequently patrol during overnight Russian attacks to provide a more rapid response to aerial threats and maximise radar coverage. Intelligence Online notes that the most significant contribution of the Western veterans within Ukraine's air defence structure is their experience and skills in using the fighter jets' high-precision sensors, particularly the Lockheed Martin Sniper targeting pod.

This ultra-high-precision electro-optical and infrared system is used for long-range identification, tracking fast-moving targets and conducting strikes in adverse weather conditions. According to several sources close to the General Staff, the Ukrainian crews already had some understanding of these technological components, but only partially, due to the lack of many years of training on this type of Western system.

The international squadron helps repel Russian aerial attacks almost daily, particularly by intercepting Kalibr and Kh-101 missiles, Geran-5 drones and other assets, Intelligence Online added.

Source: Intelligence Online

On X:

https://x.com/pravda_eng/status/2023615893226291686

Crossroads · February 20, 2026, 08:01:12 AM

The Guardian (UK):

QuoteDrawing on more than 100 interviews with senior intelligence officials and other insiders in multiple countries, this exclusive account details how the US and Britain uncovered Vladimir Putin's plans to invade, and why most of Europe – including the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy – dismissed them. As the fourth anniversary of the invasion approaches and the world enters a new period of geopolitical uncertainty, Europe's politicians and spy services continue to draw lessons from the failures of 2022

A war foretold: how the CIA and MI6 got hold of Putin's Ukraine plans and why nobody believed them

TL;DR: Nobody believed them

Skoop · June 03, 2026, 10:07:52 PM

I've seen some things that apparently the tide might be turning back to Ukraine's favor. The full drone buy in may have given them an edge in the attrition war, they are finally killing more Russians than can be replaced. Not to mention the interdiction lock down as well.

Crossroads · June 09, 2026, 09:19:01 AM

Quote from: Skoop on June 03, 2026, 10:07:52 PMI've seen some things that apparently the tide might be turning back to Ukraine's favor. The full drone buy in may have given them an edge in the attrition war, they are finally killing more Russians than can be replaced. Not to mention the interdiction lock down as well.

Anne Applebaum with a recent article on the topic, with a good few observations, for instance

QuoteEven without negotiations, Russia and Ukraine may be heading toward a new status quo. The transparent frontline zone may now be 20 miles wide, but as drone technology improves, it could soon be 30 or even 40 miles wide. At some point the front line will become not just a no-man's-land but a de facto demilitarized zone, similar to the one that separates North and South Korea, regularly patrolled and maintained by drones.

Well worth a read as a whole, here's a gift link that should pass the paywall.

The Atlantic: Ukraine Is Not Losing. Russia Is Not Winning.