missiles and drones

Russia's latest missile and drone assault on Kyiv, featuring the hypersonic Oreshnik, signals a dangerous escalation. Moscow aims to break Ukraine's resilience and psychologically pressure the West. The attacks target Kyiv as the political heart, overload air defenses, and serve as geopolitical signaling, demonstrating Russia's strategic strike capabilities and readiness for a prolonged conflict.

An Iranian missile struck Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The attack damaged two US MQ-9 Reaper drones, with one destroyed and another severely damaged. Several American personnel sustained minor injuries. Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted the missile, but debris fell onto the base.

Kyiv endured a massive overnight aerial assault, with Russia deploying over 700 drones and 50 missiles, including the hypersonic Oreshnik. The barrage, described as one of the war's most intense, struck government buildings and residential areas, causing casualties and widespread damage. Russia stated the strikes targeted military facilities in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks.

India's defence forces are enhancing aerial protection with the new Joint Air Defence Doctrine, integrating Army, Navy, and Air Force for a unified shield. This move, following successful operations and global vulnerabilities, aims to counter modern threats like drones and hypersonic weapons. Technological advancements, including new missile systems, bolster this multi-layered defence strategy.

Fresh US intelligence suggests Iran has resumed military production, including drones, much sooner than anticipated, raising concerns about its rapid arsenal regeneration. Tehran's strategy of decentralized manufacturing and reliance on commercially available components allows for swift replenishment of weapons like Shahed drones and Fateh missiles, even after recent strikes.

Drones are revolutionizing warfare, with their cost-effectiveness making them ubiquitous. Counter-drone systems are evolving rapidly, increasingly relying on non-kinetic methods like lasers and EMPs to neutralize threats. Advanced detection and identification technologies, including AI and sophisticated sensors, are crucial in this escalating technological arms race.

Russia unleashed a fierce assault on Kyiv, deploying the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile alongside numerous drones and other advanced weaponry. This escalation followed Moscow's accusations of Ukrainian strikes on a student dormitory, which Kyiv denied.

In a dramatic turn of events, Kuwait's air defense forces successfully neutralized incoming missile and drone threats, reflecting the heightened tensions between the US and Iran. This incident unfolds in the wake of Iran's announcement about attacking a US airbase, a reaction to previous American strikes near Bandar Abbas where four Iranian drones met their demise.

Cyprus is seeking to acquire BrahMos cruise missiles and kamikaze drones from India, a move that has alarmed Türkiye. This potential defense deal, possibly part of an EU program, could significantly alter the regional military balance in the Eastern Mediterranean. The acquisition follows a roadmap for bilateral defense cooperation between India and Cyprus.

Russia launched a large overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine, reportedly using Oreshnik, Iskander, Kinzhal and Zircon missiles in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks inside Russia. Ukrainian authorities said two people were killed and 56 injured in strikes across Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Russia used the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, causing widespread damage to homes, schools and infrastructure.

Intense fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war continues as Ukraine launched drone attacks hitting fuel facilities in Yaroslavl Oblast. Russia claims to have intercepted hundreds of drones. Meanwhile, a Russian drone struck an apartment building in Romania, injuring two. The US remains open to mediation, while Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has appealed to Donald Trump for air defence systems.

Russia on May 24 struck Ukraine with an Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile — a weapon Kyiv currently has no capability to intercept. Here’s what we know about this nuclear-capable missile

Russia's Oreshnik missile, capable of Mach 10 speeds and MIRV warheads, struck Kyiv in retaliation for a Ukrainian drone attack. This hypersonic threat overwhelms current air defenses. India's Agni-V, a comparable MIRV-equipped IRBM, boasts Mach 24 speeds and advanced features, enhancing its survivability and strike capability.

A Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people and sparking outrage. President Nicusor Dan called it the "worst incident to hit the national territory" since the war began. NATO and EU leaders condemned the "serious and irresponsible escalation," with Romania requesting faster anti-drone aid. This occurred amidst renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine.

The Indian Defence Research Organisation is racing against time to secure compact, battle-tested turbojet engines suitable for drones and cruise missiles. This urgent call reflects a commitment to swiftly enhance homegrown unmanned combat capabilities, particularly for operations in challenging high-altitude and adverse weather conditions.

Questions are mounting over Supreme Leader Khamenei's direct involvement in Iran's ongoing US negotiations, with reports citing "serious ambiguities" about coordination. This uncertainty follows trips by Iranian officials and a reluctance to hold talks in Tehran or Pakistan, fueling speculation about who is directing the diplomatic process amid heightened Gulf tensions and ongoing clashes.

Iran has reportedly downed over two dozen US MQ-9 Reaper drones, costing nearly a billion dollars and impacting a significant portion of Washington's advanced unmanned fleet. These losses, occurring amid ongoing conflict, highlight the vulnerability of expensive drones in contested airspace. The Pentagon faces challenges replacing these crucial intelligence and strike assets.

US intelligence suggests Iran is rapidly rebuilding military capabilities, including drone production, within months, raising doubts about the long-term effectiveness of US-Israeli strikes. This rapid recovery, potentially aided by Russia and China, occurs amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and significant US military losses during Operation Epic Fury.

Ukraine is revolutionizing drone warfare, producing millions of advanced aerial, naval, and ground systems. Innovations include AI-guided interceptors, jet-powered strike drones for deep penetration, and naval kamikaze vessels. The widespread adoption of parachute recovery systems signifies a strategic shift towards reusable, cost-effective drone operations on the modern battlefield.

Leaked records reveal Iran's Revolutionary Guards secretly acquired advanced Chinese satellite communication equipment via a UAE-based procurement network. The technology, crucial for Tehran's drone and missile programs, was shipped through Dubai, highlighting sophisticated methods to bypass Western sanctions and reach Iran's military apparatus.

A drone attack on the UAE's Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the Arab world's sole operational nuclear facility, has sparked global concern. While authorities assure no radioactive leak, the incident highlights vulnerabilities in nuclear infrastructure. India condemned the strike as a dangerous escalation, urging restraint and dialogue amidst escalating regional tensions.

Oil prices dipped Friday as traders reacted to reports of a potential 60-day extension to a US-Iran ceasefire, which could ease restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz. While US Vice President Vance indicated a deal is close, sticking points remain, and renewed tensions on the ground underscore the ceasefire's fragility.

India’s conflict with Pakistan last year and wars in Ukraine and Iran have put drones at the centre of modern combat, with Indian firms now chasing a surge in domestic orders and demand from West Asia and Nato markets

US forces struck Iranian missile sites and boats near the Strait of Hormuz. This happened during peace talks aimed at ending a three-month conflict. Iran accused the US of a war crime. Reports mentioned explosions and fatalities on Larak Island. Discussions continue on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's uranium stockpile.

Russia is upgrading its Kh-101 cruise missiles with advanced countermeasures to counter Ukraine's air defences. Recent footage shows these missiles deploying flares and potentially radar-confusing chaff. Despite these efforts, Ukraine claims high interception rates, though Russia's hypersonic missiles like Oreshnik pose a greater future threat.

Global conflicts highlight the need for affordable, long-range weapons. The US is procuring thousands of new, mass-producible cruise missiles, the Barracuda-500M, for over $2.6 million each. India, too, is seeking similar low-cost, high-volume strike capabilities, including drones and missiles, under its upcoming Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026.