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Australian SAS officers knew about unlawful ‘throwdowns’ on dead Afghans, report says

28 October 2026 at 22:05

Nothing done to stop planting weapons on dead Afghans, ADF inspector says, as ‘breakdown of command’ allowed ‘egregious behaviour’

Some Australian SAS officers knew that soldiers under their command were using “throwdowns” – planting weapons on dead Afghan civilians to portray them as combatants – but did nothing to stop the unlawful practice, a previously unpublished military report has said.

Posted online this week, the executive summary of a 2021 investigation into the “cultural context” of the special operations command by the inspector general of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) is scathing about the “breakdown of command” and the erosion of military discipline during special forces operations in Afghanistan, which “resulted in episodes of potential and actual egregious behaviour”.

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© Photograph: LS Paul Berry

© Photograph: LS Paul Berry

© Photograph: LS Paul Berry

Russian Army Advances Towards Konka River in Zaporozhye

28 October 2026 at 21:28

Click to see full-size image. (Russian Ministry of Defense)

In the Zaporozhye direction the “Dnepr” grouping is advancing towards the Konka River line, while units of the “East” grouping have recorded a deep breakthrough between Vozdvizhevka and the Verkhnyaya Tersa, creating a threat to Ukrainian logistics. In the Sumy direction Russian units of the “North” grouping continue to push deeper into the region, fighting near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia, Nikolskoye, Korenek and Turya. In the Kharkiv direction heavy fighting continues towards Kharkiv and on the Volchansk sector, where advances of up to 700 meters have been recorded. In the Slavyansk direction positional fighting persists around Rai-Aleksandrovka and Nikolayevka, with Ukrainian units being pushed out of Dibrova and the woodland near Ozyornoye. In the Kupyansk direction Russian forces have repelled a Ukrainian counter-offensive and are consolidating in the areas of Bolshaya Shapkovka, Polomarovka, Kovalevka and Sobolevka, preparing conditions for a further advance towards Monachinovka. Meanwhile the presidents of the Czech Republic and Finland, Petr Pavel and Alexander Stubb, discussed by telephone the development of a common European position on peace negotiations concerning Ukraine following Stubb’s and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s conversation with Vladimir Putin.

Sumy direction

Ukrainian units have not undertaken significant offensive action and have concentrated on defense. Elements of the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade are being returned to the Sumy region. Electronic-warfare crews from the same brigade have also been redeployed to the area to strengthen counter-drone efforts.

Local reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have accumulated and partially relocated reserves near the Oleshnya River, thereby expanding the grey zone around Ivolzhanskoye. However, it is premature to speak of consolidation in the riverside area, as the Ukrainian side is relying mainly on small groups for movement.

In the Sumy district Russian assault troops advanced on ten sectors by up to 600 meters amid heavy fighting. In the Shostka district units of the “North” grouping continue to press towards Korenek. In the Krasnopolye district Russian assault groups are engaged in small-arms fighting near Turya.

Kharkiv direction

Activity around Tsupovka and Novaya Kazachya is gradually declining as the summer–autumn campaign draws towards its close. Russian units are attempting to capture and hold Novaya Kazachya, but Ukrainian forces, using Tsupovka as a base, are dislodging them with counter-attacks. Stabilisation will be possible at best if Novaya Kazachya can be taken and the line held. Ukrainian logistics, which rely on Kharkiv and the valley route through Dergachi to Slatino, remain more convenient in this sector.

Russian troops have driven Ukrainian units out of Alisovka in the Kharkiv region. The settlement lies directly on the E105 highway that previously linked Belgorod and Kharkiv. The capture of Alisovka has allowed an advance along the road and created a threat to Liptsy from the west.

On the Volchansk and Velykyi Burluk sectors fierce fighting continues around Prikolotnoye. Total advances on four sectors over the past 24 hours reached up to 700 meters.

Near Velykyi Burluk the newly formed 50th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is suffering heavy losses. It was transferred to attempt a break-out from the encirclement in the north-east of Kharkiv region but has been unable to enter combat owing to catastrophic under-strength and losses inflicted by Russian aviation.

Zaporozhye direction

The “Dnepr” grouping is focused on reaching the Konka River line while simultaneously supporting the left flank of the “East” grouping in the encirclement and destruction of the Ukrainian grouping around Orekhov. Fighting continues in Primorskoye and in the Lukyanovskoye area. Heavy combat persists around Orekhov and Preobrazhenka. The front remains broadly stable: the Ukrainian side has transferred special-forces units that are holding the northern outskirts of Orekhov and most of Preobrazhenka. Relying on the network of underground communications and the defensive line constructed east of Orekhov in 2023, they are attempting to infiltrate flanks and rear areas and to insert small groups into Malaya Tokmachka.

Further east, in the sector of the “East” grouping, a breakthrough has been recorded between Vozdvizhevka and the Verkhnyaya Tersa. Although still narrow, the penetration is already deep and is acquiring operational-tactical significance. The situation is gradually shifting in favor of Russian units. It is important not only to cut Druzhkovka from the west but also to establish drone positions on the heights west of the town in order to disrupt logistics more effectively, and to gain a foothold on the outskirts so that offensive operations can be conducted with greater prospects of success during the winter.

Slavyansk direction

The principal task remains the retention of positions secured during the summer–autumn campaign around Rai-Aleksandrovka and on the outskirts of Nikolayevka, together with the final clearance of Ukrainian units from Starodubovka. The expulsion of Ukrainian forces from Dibrova continues, while fighting persists in Ozyornoye and the adjacent woodland. Reports of the clearance of Ozyornoye should not be interpreted as final capture of the settlement; Ukrainian units retain a presence and continue to operate in small groups from the direction of Yampol. Further north, near Kolodezi, the intensity of clashes has somewhat decreased, although probing attacks against Russian defenses continue. In Krasny Liman itself the situation is more complex: fighting affects the urban area and the southern approaches, and Ukrainian forces still hold positions in several districts.

Kupyansk direction

Fighting is currently under way in the areas of Bolshaya Shapkovka, Polomarovka, Kovalevka and Sobolevka, where Russian presence is substantial. Consolidation is essential. If successful, operations can gradually begin to take Monachinovka, a large settlement, strongpoint and strategic road junction.

The capture of Monachinovka would create an immediate threat to Sredniy Burluk. South of it lies marshy lowland where logistics are extremely difficult. The main Ukrainian supply route to Velykyi Burluk runs through Pechenegi. If Sredniy Burluk can be taken, discussion of the operational encirclement of the Velykyi Burluk grouping becomes realistic. On the northern flank, around Dvurechnaya–Kutkovka, fighting continues for positions west of the Oskol.

In Kupyansk itself the main clashes remain concentrated in the urban area. Local successes have been recorded on the north-western approaches, but a continuous line of control within the city has not yet been established. Russian units retain a presence in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, and fighting continues near Kovsharovka and on the approaches to Kurilovka.

 

 

Conclusion

In the Sumy direction the capture of Alisovka and advances near Khoten, Velyka Rybytsia and Korenek create conditions for further pressure on the border positions. In the Kharkiv direction Russian forces are driving Ukrainian units from their positions around Prikolotnoye and Velykyi Burluk while inflicting heavy losses on newly formed brigades. In the Zaporozhye direction the advance to the Konka River and the deep breakthrough between Vozdvizhevka and the Verkhnyaya Tersa are forming the preconditions for the envelopment of the Orekhov grouping. In the Slavyansk direction the retention of key positions and the clearance of the Seversky Donets floodplain are reducing the threat to Russian logistics. In the Kupyansk direction the repulsion of the counter-offensive and consolidation on the western approaches open the prospect of an advance towards Monachinovka.

On the diplomatic track contacts on a settlement continue. The presidents of the Czech Republic and Finland, Petr Pavel and Alexander Stubb, discussed by telephone the development of a common European position on possible peace negotiations concerning Ukraine. On Tuesday Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The conversation held on October 29 between the Finnish president and the Norwegian prime minister with Vladimir Putin was discussed. Prospects for achieving a common European position on possible peace negotiations were also among the topics,” the official website of Prague Castle stated following the Wednesday telephone call between the Czech and Finnish presidents. Both presidents agreed on the need to continue negotiations involving all interested parties in various formats.

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A Ukrainian war robot used AI to complete a 12-mile supply run almost entirely on its own. The unit says it's a combat first.

28 October 2026 at 20:23
Lava regiment UGVs
Mechanics repair unmanned ground vehicles at the Lava Unmanned Systems Regiment workshop in the Kharkiv region.

Diego Fedele/Getty Images

  • A Ukrainian unit says its ground robot completed 93% of a 12-mile supply mission autonomously.
  • The robot used AI navigation, cameras, and 3D mapping to navigate the route.
  • The unit hopes to expand autonomous missions and reduce reliance on services like Starlink.

A Ukrainian military unit said on Wednesday that it successfully sent a ground robot on a 12-mile supply run, using AI to navigate for nearly the entirety of the mission.

The Lava Unmanned Systems Regiment of the 2nd Corps, or Khartiia Corps, of Ukraine's National Guard announced the completion of the autonomous logistics mission in a statement shared with Business Insider, calling it the "first of its kind under combat conditions."

The unit said that the robot completed 93% of its 20-kilometer trip on its own, delivering cargo and returning to its starting point autonomously, with an operator intervening for only 1.4 kilometers of the journey.

Before departure, a separate ground robot equipped with light detection and ranging technology, or LiDAR, mapped the route and terrain in 3D. Cameras on the supply bot detected obstacles while AI-powered navigation guided the robot.

"This mission has shown that autonomous ground systems are already capable of operating in real combat conditions," said Andrii Kopach, who serves as commander of the Lava Regiment's Unmanned Ground Systems Battalion.

"The biggest change is that the operator is no longer a driver but a dispatcher," he said. "Instead of controlling the vehicle every second, they monitor its movement and step in only when needed."

Kopach said that the unit's next ambitions are to enable a single operator to oversee multiple robots at once and expand autonomous missions to casualty evacuations. He added that more AI-powered ground robots would reduce dependence on "a constant control link," such as Starlink, a satellite internet service which recently saw major speed disruptions in Ukraine, negatively affecting front-line operations.

Ground robots have become an important tool for Ukraine, carrying out resupply, casualty evacuation, and assault missions. The Ukrainian military, and Western military leaders studying lessons from the war, hope that increased reliance on ground robots and aerial drones, as well as the increased integration of AI capabilities into these systems, can help reduce the risks to the troops who would otherwise perform those missions on increasingly dangerous battlefields.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Majority Of Jewish Schools In The UK Teaching Kids To “Love Israel”

Over half of the 45 mainstream Jewish schools in the UK say a core part of their mission is teaching children to “love Israel,” possibly breaching UK government rules against the promotion of partisan political views in schools

Six Palestinians Killed In Gaza In 24 Hours

Ministry of Health stated on Tuesday that six Palestinians were killed and 32 injured during the preceding 24 hours, as Israeli shooting and shelling continued across Gaza. Israeli naval vessels fired live ammunition & shells at Gaza's coast and fishermen

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American taxpayers' bill for Iran war grows to estimated $47.1 billion

The Republican president has said new strikes on Iran are an option after the midterms and is sending more military resources to the Middle East, despite initially promising Americans a military campaign that would last only a matter of weeks.

Russia and Ukraine Exchange Strikes: Railway Infrastructure, Energy, Metallurgy, and Chemical Industry Targets Hit

28 October 2026 at 18:25

Click to see the full-size image

On the night of October 28, Russian forces carried out a combined strike against targets on Ukrainian territory. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the attack employed an Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missile and 88 strike UAVs. The main emphasis was placed on logistics and energy infrastructure in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Volyn, and other Regions. In parallel, Ukrainian forces conducted a series of drone and cruise missile attacks against industrial targets on Russian territory, including the largest metallurgical combine and a chemical plant.

Strikes on Ukrainian Territory

Kharkiv Region

  • Logistics center in Kharkiv. According to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the site was used to store military and dual-use cargo intended to supply Ukrainian troops.

  • Locomotive near the settlement of Ordovka.

Dnipropetrovsk Region

  • Pyatykhatky railway station, Kamianske district. Two consecutive Geran-4 UAV strikes during the day. The first strike set a rail trolley on fire, destroyed the driver’s cab, and damaged the overhead contact line and a grain car in a freight train; the second strike set an electric locomotive on fire.

  • Gas station in Shakhtarske.

Chernihiv Region

  • Energy infrastructure in Chernihiv. According to Ukrainian sources, about 210,000 subscribers were left without electricity, and roughly 90 percent of the city was de-energized. The specific target has not been identified.

Volyn Region

  • PS-330 Lutsk-Northern substation, Lutsk. According to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the facility supplied power to military-industrial enterprises producing UAVs and components.

  • PS-330 substation, Kovel. A similar target; power outages were recorded in Kovel after the strike.

Kirovohrad Region

  • Railway facility in Znamianka.

Odesa Region

  • Bulk carrier underway toward the port of Chornomorsk. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the vessel was delivering cargo to supply the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Reports also indicated strikes on targets in Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Kherson, Kyiv, Cherkasy, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia Regions. A blackout was recorded in central Kyiv, with electricity absent in parts of the central districts.

Strikes on Russian Territory

According to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense, 531 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down overnight over Russian territory across 13 federal subjects.

Lipetsk Region

  • Novolipetsk Metallurgical Combine (NLMK), Lipetsk. The largest metallurgical enterprise in Russia, with a capacity of about 17 million metric tons of steel per year. According to Ukrainian sources, it was attacked with FP-5 cruise missiles; a fire was reported in the area of the combine. The governor of Lipetsk Region confirmed that UAV debris had fallen and vegetation had caught fire, while denying a “major fire at an industrial enterprise.” A total of 45 UAVs were shot down over the Region.

Tula Region

  • Azot chemical plant, Novomoskovsk. According to Ukrainian sources, the plant was attacked by UAVs, with the AM-70 ammonia production unit reportedly hit. Russian authorities confirmed the attack on the chemical plant and damage to residential buildings, without providing details about production capacity.

Kursk Region

  • Building housing servers for the regional healthcare system, Kursk. Damaged as a result of a UAV attack; disruptions to certain medical services are possible. Over the day, 168 UAVs were shot down over the Region, and three people were injured.

For the week of October 19–25, according to Russian data, attacks on civilian targets killed 50 civilians and injured 263.

On October 28, two opposing directions are evident: Russian strikes are concentrating on Ukrainian railway logistics, energy, and warehouse infrastructure, while Ukrainian drones are attacking large industrial sites deep inside Russia, including metallurgy in Lipetsk and chemical production in Novomoskovsk. The strikes on the substations in Lutsk and Kovel are of particular significance, as they point to an attempt to weaken the power supply to western Ukraine’s logistics and production capacity.


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Patriot Deployment Signals Growing Preparations for Possible Iran War

28 October 2026 at 17:41

File image.

The United States military is moving an additional Patriot air-defense system from Texas to Israel as signs mount that Washington and Tel Aviv are preparing for possible renewed attacks on Iran after the American midterm elections on November 3.

The Wall Street Journal reported on October 28 that the transfer, identified through flight-tracking data and confirmed by two officials familiar with the movement, is intended to strengthen Israel’s missile defenses ahead of a potential new round of fighting.

The deployment comes amid broader U.S. military preparations. Washington has moved troops away from Middle Eastern bases considered vulnerable to Iranian retaliation and is replenishing munitions, while bomber aircraft and fighter jets are being prepared for possible strikes, the Journal reported.

In addition, the U.S. has warned several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible short, intense military campaign against Iran after the elections.

President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on whether to launch new attacks but is leaning toward a major post-election campaign that could target Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with his thinking.

Speaking at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, a day earlier, Trump said, “You’ll see Iran in a couple of weeks, if you don’t mind,” without providing further details.

The White House declined to comment on “sensitive military plans that may or may not exist,” adding that “President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”

Meanwhile, regional mediators have continued efforts to revive negotiations with Tehran, although those efforts have yet to produce a breakthrough, the Journal reported.

A senior Iranian official involved in recent talks told Reuters on October 28 that Tehran had received only “unacceptable ideas and not an offer,” adding that Iran would show no flexibility on its nuclear program.

The central dispute over the terms and sequence of negotiations clearly persists. Washington wants Iran’s nuclear program included from the outset, while Tehran says its conditions, including an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil exports, must be met first. Given this, a return to fighting seems more than likely.

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Russia Tests Optical Navigation System to Help Drones Defeat Jamming

28 October 2026 at 17:18

File image.

Russia has tested an autonomous navigation system designed to guide drones when satellite navigation signals and external communications are unavailable or jammed.

The system, called SOVA, or Comparative Optical Visual Authentication, was developed by VA Technologies and uses computer vision to compare images captured by an onboard camera with satellite maps, allowing a drone to determine its position in real time, the Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies told TASS on October 28.

“The developer of the solution, VA Technologies, is a finalist in the third cohort of the CUST Special-and Dual-Use Projects Accelerator. The SOVA system is based on computer vision technology. During flight, the system compares images from an onboard camera with a satellite map of the terrain and determines the UAV’s [unmanned aerial vehicle] location in real time.

During testing, a drone equipped with the SOVA system completed a route that had no clear landmarks and included substantial differences between the satellite map and the actual terrain,” the company said.

The test drone followed a star-shaped route, visiting four waypoints before returning to its launch site. The test used satellite imagery from the spring of 2025 rather than an updated map, deliberately introducing discrepancies between the stored imagery and the actual terrain.

One section of the route highlighted the system’s ability to correct navigation errors when the landscape did not match the stored images.

“The second waypoint on the satellite map was located over dark plowed land, while the actual terrain featured a light-colored field covered with stubble. With no landmarks to guide it, the UAV deviated from its course. However, upon reaching a tree line, the SOVA system promptly corrected its course and successfully reached the third waypoint,” the company said.

The center said the developer estimates that SOVA could substantially improve mission reliability when satellite navigation is unavailable.

“According to the developer, in the absence of GPS, SOVA is capable of increasing the UAV mission reliability rate to 99%,” the CUST noted.

The tests come as Russia has begun incorporating similar optical-navigation technology into its one-way attack drones used against Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate said earlier in the month that Russia had equipped its upgraded Geran-4 jet-powered attack drones with a system called Susanin, which uses an optical sensor to compare images of the terrain with reference images stored in the drone’s computer. A similar system was identified on the K5 variant of the Geran-5.

Ukrainian drone analyst Serhii Beskrestnov has also told Business Insider that comparable systems were already being used on smaller Molniya, V2U and Lancet drones.

The rapid development and deployment of such systems reflects a broader Russian effort to make drones more resilient to electronic warfare, which has become a central feature of the conflict in Ukraine.

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Military Situation In Yemen On October 28, 2026 (Map Update)

28 October 2026 at 17:05

Click to see full-size map.

  • Saudi Arabia said on October 27 that its air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and the Eastern Province, while the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting four drones heading toward southern Saudi Arabia;
  • The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) advanced south of Taiz city, capturing several hills;
  • The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) advanced in the Kahbub area in the Lahij province;
  • The Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) attacked Saudi positions in the cities of Jeddah and Yanbu with a number of cruise missiles and suicide drones;
  • Explosions were reported in Aden on October 28 after Ansar Allah called for the evacuation of Aden Airport, alleging that a Saudi military cargo aircraft carrying weapons was present at the facility.

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Putin Says Russia Is in Touch With Starlink’s Founder While Building Its Own Rival

28 October 2026 at 16:21

File image.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on October 28 that Russia remains in contact with Elon Musk over satellite constellations, praising the SpaceX founder as a “genius” while touting Moscow’s efforts to build its own satellite internet network to rival Starlink.

“We are in close contact with our American partners, including Mr. Musk,” Putin said during a visit to an exhibition held alongside the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow.

Putin further noted that cooperation was important to prevent satellites from interfering with one another despite political disagreements between the two countries.

“Musk is a genius, truly a genius,” Putin said. “How many spacecraft does he have in orbit? More than 5,000. And we are only taking our first steps.”

Russia’s homegrown satellite internet project, called Rassvet, is being developed by Bureau 1440, a subsidiary of Russian technology group IKS Holding.

Bureau 1440 is building a low-Earth-orbit constellation designed to provide broadband internet access, with commercial service planned for 2027. Russia has launched more than 30 Rassvet satellites, although the network remains at an early stage of deployment.

Putin said Russia was proud to have begun developing the system independently and emphasized the need for coordination in space.

“On orbit, it is very important not to interfere with one another, to observe a certain discipline and order,” he said, adding that Russia’s space agency Roscosmos and other companies were working closely with their American counterparts.

Putin’s remarks highlighted continued contacts on satellite constellations despite political tensions between Moscow and Washington.

The Russian project has a certain military significance. Ukraine’s military intelligence told the defense publication Janes in September that Russian forces had used the first group of Rassvet satellites for communications over Ukraine for several hours in July. The agency warned that a larger constellation could support real-time data transmission and the operation of reconnaissance and strike drones.

SpaceX’s Starlink network has become a major provider of satellite broadband worldwide, including for Ukrainian military communications during the conflict.

Developing an independent system would give Moscow an alternative for satellite connectivity and reduce its reliance on foreign communications infrastructure.

It’s worth noting that Musk recently faced accusations of restricting the service for Ukrainian forces, while he said the limits followed violations of Starlink’s terms by Kyiv, which he accused of using the civilian network for offensive drone strikes against Russia.

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Israel Kills Four Palestinians in Gaza Despite Ceasefire

28 October 2026 at 16:01

The Israeli military killed four Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, one day after parliamentary elections—elections that failed to halt Israeli attacks on the Palestinian enclave.

RELATED:

Gaza Camp Fire Leaves More Than 800 Homeless After Drone Strike

A medical source at Nasser Hospital confirmed to EFE that 33-year-old Mohamed Alyan al-Bayouk was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Bayouk neighborhood in the southern city of Khan Yunis. The bombardment also left six people wounded.

In a separate Israeli attack on Al-Mawasi, in the southern part of Rafah, three Palestinians lost their lives and seven were wounded—three of whom are in critical condition—the same medical source stated.

At that location, Israeli drones struck a police checkpoint belonging to the Gazan Ministry of Economy, which is responsible for managing the movement of trucks entering the Gaza Strip from the Israeli side.

🇵🇸💢 Israeli forces killed four Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday, including a 6-year-old girl, according to Palestinian news site Felesteen.

Those killed include:

➤ Tahani Mohammed Saeed Shalalfa, a girl, 6, who died of a gunshot wound from Israeli fire in al-Mawasi, the…

— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) October 28, 2026

Despite a ceasefire—ostensibly in effect since October 10, 2025—more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks and fire within the enclave. Furthermore, at least 1.8 million people remain displaced from their homes, most living in tents near the Mediterranean Sea, where they now face their fourth winter.

Since October 2023, Israel has killed more than 74,500 Gazans, according to data from the local Ministry of Health. The majority were civilians, and the victims include more than 20,000 minors.

Most of Gaza remains devastated. Hospitals continue to operate only partially, relying on their own power-generation equipment, while children attend classes in tents. The continued Israeli bombardment makes it clear that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains critical, with a civilian population that is displaced, wounded, and exposed to further attacks.

Trump Credits Netanyahu Comeback to His Endorsement as Right-Wing Bloc Nears Majority

28 October 2026 at 08:33

President Donald Trump credited his endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with helping drive a comeback in Israel's election Wednesday as the latest partial returns showed the premier's right-wing bloc closing in on a parliamentary majority.

The post Trump Credits Netanyahu Comeback to His Endorsement as Right-Wing Bloc Nears Majority appeared first on Breitbart.

Military Situation In Iran On October 28, 2026 (Map Update)

28 October 2026 at 15:23

Click to see full-size map.

  • On October 27, an oil tanker caught fire after striking naval mines east of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Navy;
  • Washington has reportedly urged Gulf Arab states to prepare for a possible renewed military campaign against Iran after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.

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Houthi Missiles Slam Aden Airport as Saudi Cargo Plane Escapes (Video)

28 October 2026 at 15:16

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Yemen’s Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, struck Aden International Airport twice on October 28, after ordering the evacuation of the facility over the presence of a Saudi military cargo plane carrying weapons.

A missile fell inside the airport perimeter shortly before the evacuation warning, a local police source told Agence France-Presse.

A Saudi military aircraft was at the airport when the missile struck, but was not hit and took off shortly afterward, the source said, adding that a second missile later targeted an area under Saudi forces’ control inside the airport perimeter.

“Our armed forces call on those present at Aden airport to immediately evacuate due to the presence of a military cargo plane belonging to the Saudi enemy transporting weapons to kill the sons of the Yemeni people,” Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a statement shortly before the strike.

Video footage that surfaced online after the strike revealed that the runway received at least one direct hit that caused serious damage.

The attack marks another strike near a key gateway to southern Yemen amid a sharp escalation in fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces.

The airport has been targeted repeatedly in recent weeks, including an October 16 attack in which two missiles landed inside its perimeter.

The Houthis have been steadily extending their control around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait and the key city of Taiz. Against that backdrop, the recent strikes on Aden may be part of the group’s preparations for a large-scale offensive against the port city in the near future.

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Military Situation In Ukraine And Ukrainian Attacks On Russian Territory On October 28, 2026 (Maps Update)

28 October 2026 at 14:58

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  • Russian strikes hit targets in the Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy, Chernihiv regions, and the DPR;
  • According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missile and 88 strike UAVs;
  • Russian forces struck an electronics manufacturing plant (NTU Ukrspeccommunication LLC) in the Kharkiv region;
  • Ukrainian losses amounted to approximately 1,160 personnel over the past 24 hours.

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  • Russian forces took control of Barilovka in the Sumy region.

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  • Russian forces took control of Alisovka in the Kharkiv region.

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  • During the past night, Russian air defenses destroyed 531 Ukrainian drones in the rear regions;
  • Russian air defenses intercepted UAVs in the Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Lipetsk, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tambov, and Tula regions, and in the Moscow region;
  • Ukrainian drones targeted a building housing servers for the regional healthcare system in Kursk;
  • Ukrainian forces attacked the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant in Lipetsk;
  • Ukrainian forces attacked the Azot chemical plant in Novomoskovsk and targeted multi-story and private houses and infrastructure in the industrial zone of the Tula region;
  • In the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR), four civilians were killed and eight injured over the past 24 hours.

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The post Military Situation In Ukraine And Ukrainian Attacks On Russian Territory On October 28, 2026 (Maps Update) appeared first on South Front.

‘Don’t be stinky’: recruitment a ‘huge issue’ facing Aukus submarine program

As USS Colorado showcases the program in Perth, retired admiral Peter Briggs says personnel is one of the ‘huge issues’ it faces

Australia faces an uphill battle to recruit and train enough naval personnel to serve on submarines planned for the future fleet of nuclear-powered vessels under the controversial $368bn Aukus deal, a retired admiral has warned.

As the Virginia-class submarine USS Colorado arrived at HMAS Stirling south of Perth on Tuesday for a month of routine maintenance and to help build Australian expertise, retired admiral Peter Briggs said more people needed to be enrolled in the navy’s submarine program.

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© Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP

© Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP

© Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP

Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35s as S-400 Air Defenses Loom (Photos)

28 October 2026 at 12:32

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Ethiopia has received its first 12 Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets and will acquire four batteries of S-400 long-range air defense systems, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on October 28, in a major expansion of the country’s aerial combat capabilities.

“Today, in accordance with our prior agreement with the Russian government, we have taken delivery of the first twelve Su-35 4++ Generation fighter jets,” Abiy wrote in a social media post.

He also thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for facilitating the delivery a year ahead of schedule, describing the acquisition as a milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen its national defense and deter potential aggression.

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Abiy made the announcement while arriving in Moscow for the Third Russia–Africa Summit, underscoring the growing military dimension of Ethiopia’s relationship with Russia.

The Su-35 is a twin-engine, multirole fighter designed for air superiority and precision-strike missions. It can reach speeds of Mach 2.25 and carry up to eight tons of weapons. Its radar can detect aerial targets at distances of up to 350 kilometers, track 30 targets simultaneously and engage up to eight, according to Russian manufacturer United Aircraft Corporation.

The 12 aircraft give Ethiopia a substantial upgrade in its ability to detect and engage aerial threats, conduct long-range combat missions and challenge opposing aircraft.

The planned S-400 acquisition would complement the fighters with ground-based protection against aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and certain ballistic missile threats. Depending on the interceptor used, the Russian system has an advertised engagement range of up to 400 kilometers. Abiy did not specify when the four batteries would be delivered.

The military buildup comes as Ethiopia faces renewed fighting in Tigray and worsening relations with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile. The two countries exchanged diplomatic expulsions in October amid broader regional tensions, while Cairo continues to demand a binding agreement governing the dam’s operation.

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The post Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35s as S-400 Air Defenses Loom (Photos) appeared first on South Front.

Could humanoid robots soon replace soldiers on the battlefield?

28 October 2026 at 11:30

Battlefield robots were once thought of as the stuff of science fiction. But the Ukraine war has put paid to that view, with uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) – or ground robots – taking on an increasingly visible role. In September 2026, Mykhailo Fedorov, the former defense minister of Ukraine – who is generally credited with […]

The post Could humanoid robots soon replace soldiers on the battlefield? appeared first on Asia Times.

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