Ukraine drone attack damages Russian warships in Caspian Sea
Ukraine has taken its fight to a new front, reportedly striking Russian naval targets nearly 930 miles from its borders. Early Wednesday, Nov. 6, Ukrainian drones hit the port city of Kaspiysk in Russia’s Dagestan region. At least two missile ships were damaged, according to Ukrainian intelligence sources.
The vessels, identified as the Tatarstan and Dagestan, are part of Russia’s Caspian Flotilla. The fllet is a critical naval force tied to missile strikes on Ukraine.
This marks the first reported Ukrainian operation in the Caspian Sea. Experts said it signaled a significant expansion of Kyiv’s campaign far beyond the Black Sea.
Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed its air defenses intercepted a drone over Kaspiysk. However, it hasn’t provided details about the extent of the damage.
Footage circulating online appears to show drones striking port facilities and vessels. Officials said that footage has yet to be verified.
This morning, Ukrainian attack drones successfully struck Russia's Caspian Sea flotilla in the port of Kaspiysk, over 1000 km behind the frontline.
Seen here, a Ukrainian drone flies low over the harbor and slams into a row of docked Russian warships. pic.twitter.com/06vbjUfblQ
The Caspian Flotilla plays a vital role in Russia’s military logistics. It facilitates the movement of warships and supplies between the Caspian and Black Seas. Analysts suggest the strike could disrupt Russia’s ability to mobilize naval resources and project power in the region.
This operation is the latest in Ukraine’s persistent campaign to target high-value Russian military assets. Kyiv has hit targets in Crimea, Moscow-controlled areas and even deep into Russian territory, keeping pressure on Russian forces.
Despite lacking a large navy, Ukraine’s use of long-range strikes is proving highly effective. These attacks have forced Russia to remain on the defensive.
Analysts say this bold move demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to challenge Moscow far from the battlefield, reaching areas once considered secure by Russian officials.
US shifts to air power strategy in Middle East, USS Lincoln departs
The Pentagon is reshaping its military presence in the Middle East, with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier set to leave the region. For the first time since the onset of the Gaza war, the U.S. won’t have an aircraft carrier in the area.
Defense officials, however, stress this change doesn’t signal a reduction in America’s ability to respond to threats. Instead, the U.S. is leaning on air power to maintain its readiness.
B-52 bombers, known for their long-range strike capabilities, and additional fighter squadrons are being deployed across the region. Naval destroyers and other assets will also remain in place to provide flexibility and rapid response capabilities.
Pentagon officials state this configuration offers deterrence and readiness comparable to an aircraft carrier group, though through a different approach.
Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder emphasized the new deployments provide a “significant amount of capability on par with what we’ve been doing in the Middle East.”
The shift comes amid mounting global pressures, as U.S. forces balance ongoing support for Ukraine, rising tensions in the South China Sea and operations in the Red Sea.
Recent months have stretched resources thin, with U.S. forces intercepting missiles and drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi militants and supporting allies like Israel.
Defense officials cite efficiency as a key driver behind the shift. Bombers and fighter jets, paired with advanced surveillance systems, offer robust air power without overextending resources. This adaptation is part of the Pentagon’s broader strategy to manage multiple global security challenges simultaneously.
The departure of the Lincoln marks a significant moment in U.S. strategy. The ship had been stationed in the region to help deter threats from Iran and its proxies. The carrier’s presence has been pivotal in reinforcing security and projecting strength during a volatile time in the Middle East.
Still, officials argue that bombers and land-based fighters, supported by naval destroyers, can effectively maintain the U.S. deterrence mission. They highlight the flexibility of air power in addressing threats ranging from maritime instability to regional conflict.
This recalibration reflects a strategic balancing act as the Pentagon juggles global demands. By reallocating resources, the U.S. aims to sustain its commitments in the Middle East while remaining prepared for challenges elsewhere.
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian unit accused of war crimes in Kursk
Ukrainian forces have reportedly destroyed a unit from Russia’s 155th Marine Brigade, a military group that has been accused of war crimes during the ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian military confirmed the incident, which took place in the Kursk region, where Russian forces have suffered heavy losses.
The 155th Marine Brigade, part of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, has been accused of executing Ukrainian prisoners of war and committing other atrocities throughout the conflict.
Ukrainian officials reported that personnel from the brigade were engaged in combat with Ukrainian paratroopers, resulting in significant casualties among Russian troops.
Russian military gunned down nine more Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Kursk region, as reported by DeepState.
On 10 October, Russians undressed and shot at point-blank the drone operators in the area of Zelyonyi Shlyah. The Ukrainians surrendered according to the rules of… pic.twitter.com/pduBycWQF2
The destruction of the brigade occurred near the village of Sudzha, which Ukrainian forces reportedly seized during their offensive into Russian territory.
Kyiv’s 95th Airborne Assault Brigade took credit for the operation, stating it had “brutally avenged all the innocent victims of Russian aggression.”
Footage and images of dead Russian soldiers from the battle has been circulating online, though their authenticity has not been independently verified. The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the reports.
The Kursk region has seen intensified fighting in recent weeks, with Ukrainian forces staging multiple incursions since August, reportedly gaining control of hundreds of square miles of territory.
Russia’s 155th Marine Brigade has been linked to other controversial incidents during the conflict, including a widely shared video purportedly showing a soldier standing beside the severed head of a Ukrainian combatant. Ukraine’s prosecutor-general has opened an investigation into the incident.
Ukraine targets Russian bomb stockpiles, fighter jets in airfield attack
Ukrainian drones struck a key Russian military airfield in Voronezh Oblast overnight on Thursday Oct. 3, targeting crucial assets like guided bomb warehouses, fighter jets and fuel storage. The attack, reportedly coordinated with Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, aimed to disrupt Russia’s bombing operations against Ukraine.
Ukraine’s assault comes as part of its ongoing efforts to limit Russian airpower, especially after Russia intensified its use of precision-guided bombs, known as KABs.
President Volodymyr Zelensky recently highlighted the severity of the threat, noting that nearly 900 guided bombs were launched at Ukraine within just one week.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted 113 Ukrainian drones, including 25 over Voronezh, though satellite data from NASA confirmed fire hotspots at the airfield, indicating significant damage.
Russian social media also reported explosions and multiple drone sightings, adding to the reports of a successful strike.
This drone attack marks another move in Ukraine’s broader strategy to weaken Russia’s military infrastructure and reduce air assaults on Ukrainian cities.
White House announces $8 billion in aid to Ukraine to help Kyiv ‘win this war’
In an effort to help Ukraine “win this war,” President Joe Biden announced on Thursday, Sept. 26, $8 billion in military weapons and equipment is going to Kyiv. The announcement comes against the backdrop of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly.
The Biden administration held talks with U.S. Congress to allow it to use $5.6 billion in military aid for Ukraine before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, which is when the White House’s authority is set to expire.
The White House was expected to notify Congress it intends to move ahead with the $5.6 billion “drawdown” from U.S. weapons stockpiles. Exactly which weapons and equipment will be sent is still reportedly “in flux.”
The White House also revealed an additional $2.4 billion in aid under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative Program, which allows the Biden administration to buy weapons for Ukraine from companies rather than pulling from U.S. inventory. The aid includes weapons to fight off drone attacks as well as material to help Kyiv ramp up its munitions production.
In addition to the aid announced, the United States is also sending a $375 million package that reportedly includes a “precision-guided glide bomb,” capable of traveling more than 80 miles.
Despite the announcements, the White House insists that it will look for even more help from the U.S. Congress in the coming months, seeking to approve more funding for Ukraine. So far, Congress has approved $175 billion in aid and military assistance for Ukraine and allied nations since Russia’s invasion more than two years ago.
Putin orders major expansion of Russian military by 180,000 troops
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to expand the size of the country’s armed forces by 180,000 troops, increasing the total military personnel to nearly 2.4 million. The decision comes as Moscow continues its protracted military campaign in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Getty Images
The new decree will increase the number of combat troops to 1.5 million, a move designed to bolster Russian forces as they face increasing pressure from Ukrainian counteroffensives. The expansion will officially take effect on Dec. 1, 2024.
This is the third major troop increase since the start of the war. Last year, Putin ordered a mobilization of 300,000 reservists after Ukrainian forces made significant territorial gains in eastern Ukraine. That mobilization sparked protests and led to a mass exodus of Russians fleeing the draft. Since then, the Kremlin has shifted its recruitment efforts toward volunteer soldiers, offering high wages to fill the ranks.
Reuters
The latest troop boost follows a recent incursion by Ukrainian forces into Russia’s southern Kursk region, marking the first foreign invasion of Russian territory since World War II. Russian officials have also reported ongoing efforts to push back Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbas region, where fighting has intensified in recent months.
While Moscow has not disclosed official casualty figures, reports suggest that personnel shortages have been a key challenge for the Russian military. Despite the increase in manpower, the conflict shows no signs of stopping.
Russia accuses CNN journalist of illegally crossing border into Kursk region
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has launched criminal investigations against several journalists, including CNN’s Chief International Security Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh. He is being investigated for allegedly crossing into Russian territory illegally.
Walsh, along with Olesya Borovik and Diana Butsko, who are two Ukrainian journalists, are accused of crossing the Russian border illegally near the Kursk region.
Last week, the FSB also filed charges against Italian journalists Simoni Traini and Stefani Battistini for a similar violation.
The FSB claims the journalists were in Sudzha, a town now controlled by Ukrainian forces, to film a report amid Ukraine’s ongoing offensive in the region. This legal action follows a CNN report aired on Aug. 16, which showed footage of Sudzha as a near-empty town, with only a few elderly residents remaining.
Walsh and his team traveled with a Ukrainian military convoy, capturing the aftermath of Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russian territory. The report further escalated tensions with Moscow. The Kremlin summoned U.S. diplomats earlier in the week, accusing American journalists of “provocative actions” in their coverage.
Ukrainian troops recently made significant gains in Kursk, marking the largest foreign military incursion into Russia since World War II. The FSB is now preparing to place the journalists on an international wanted list. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison for illegal border crossings.
The FSB’s actions come as Russian forces continue to struggle to regain control of the Kursk region and fend off further Ukrainian advances.
Russian airstrikes damage Ukrainian energy facilities
Russian airstrikes hit nearly a dozen Ukrainian infrastructure sites early Wednesday, May 8, damaging three Soviet-era thermal power plants. Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes injured three people and impacted energy facilities, homes and public transportation across several regions.
“The world slept through the revival of Nazism — at 5 a.m. on February 24, 2022,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. “And today, everyone who remembers the Second World War and lived to this day feels deja vu.”
The world slept through the rebirth of Nazism at 5 a.m. on February 24, 2022. And today, everyone who remembers World War II and has survived to this day feels a sense of déjà vu.
The Battle of Kyiv, the bombings of Kharkiv, Odesa, and Dnipro, mass graves, child deportations,… pic.twitter.com/GRmPFTM641
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 8, 2024
Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, which occurred on the same day Ukraine celebrates Victory Over Nazism in World War II. He called for global recognition of the threat posed by modern Nazism.
“The enemy has not abandoned plans to deprive Ukrainians of light,” Energy Minister German Galushchenko said.
Ukraine is waiting for weapon deliveries from Western allies, highlighting a shortage in defense capabilities. Both the United States and the European Union have committed to new aid packages recently.
Washington has pledged to provide additional Patriot systems and more munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), which were first delivered in 2022.
US pauses shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over Rafah operation
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over an invasion in Rafah. Stormy Daniels testifies in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump, prompting a bid for a mistrial by his legal team. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
US pauses shipment of bombs to Israel amid concerns over Rafah operation
The Biden administration confirmed Tuesday, May 7, that it paused ammunition shipments to Israel last week due to concerns about a major ground operation in Rafah, a Gaza border city. U.S. officials said the shipment included 3,500 bombs, some weighing 2,000 pounds, others weighing 500 pounds. This marks the first time the administration has delayed an arms delivery to Israel since the war began following Hamas’ terror attack in October.
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The pause in arms shipments occurred hours after the Israeli military sent tanks into Rafah in what the U.S. and Israel described as a “limited” operation. Israel forces seized control over the crossing with Egypt, a vital corridor for humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The U.S. has repeatedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a major offensive in Rafah, where over one million Palestinians have relocated.
House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized, R-La., the decision to withhold weapons, stating it does not reflect the “will of Congress” following the passage of the latest foreign aid bill last month.
President Joe Biden, speaking at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the Capitol, did not mention the delay but addressed the surge of antisemitism in America and around the world. He reaffirmed America’s support for Israel.
“To the Jewish community, I want you to know,” Biden said. “I see your fear, your hurt and your pain. Let me reassure you. As your president, you’re not alone. You belong. You always have, and you always will. And my commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad even when we disagree.”
Wednesday, May 8, is the deadline for the State Department to report to Congress on whether Israel’s use of U.S. weapons in Gaza is violating international humanitarian laws. Reuters reports the department is likely to miss this deadline. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is also expected to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee today, where he will likely face questions about the administration’s policies.
Russian airstrikes damage Ukrainian energy facilities
Russian missiles and drones struck nearly a dozen Ukrainian infrastructure sites early Wednesday, May 8, damaging three Soviet-era thermal power plants. Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes injured three people and impacted energy facilities, homes and public transportation across several regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, which occurred on the same day Ukraine celebrates Victory Over Nazism in World War II. He called for global recognition of the threat posed by modern Nazism.
Russia has not immediately responded to these latest strikes.
Judge denies Trump’s motion for mistrial after Stormy Daniels’ testimony
The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York denied the former president’s legal team’s motion for a mistrial on Tuesday, May 7. Trump’s attorneys called for a mistrial as they argued that testimony by adult film star Stormy Daniels was “extraordinarily prejudicial.”
During her testimony, Daniels detailed an alleged sexual encounter with Trump, leading to numerous objections from the former president’s team. Trump’s attorneys argued her testimony was not relevant to the case, where Trump is accused of falsifying business records to hide hush money payments his former lawyer made to Daniels amid the 2016 presidential election.
While dismissing the motion for a retrial, the judge noted, “It would have been better if some of these things had been left unsaid,” but argued that Trump’s team should have raised more objections. Trump has denied the encounter with Daniels ever happened and has pleaded not guilty in the case.
Daniels is scheduled to return to the stand for further cross-examination on Thursday, May 9, when the trial resumes.
Body of 6th victim in Baltimore bridge collapse recovered
Crews have recovered the body of the final missing worker from the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, as they prepare to demolish the wreckage.
The worker was among six killed when the container ship Dali lost power, struck a support column, and caused the bridge to collapse, halting most maritime traffic through Baltimore’s port.
Panera discontinuing Charged Lemonade following wrongful death lawsuits
Panera Bread announced it will discontinue its Charged Lemonade beverages nationwide following lawsuits linking the drink’s high caffeine content to at least two deaths.
A company spokesperson confirmed the decision on Tuesday, May 7, stating the drink is being discontinued as part of Panera’s “menu transformation,” but did not address the wrongful death lawsuits.
In October, the family of a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition filed a lawsuit alleging she died after consuming the beverage. In December, the family of a Florida man with a chromosomal deficiency disorder also filed a lawsuit after his death, which they claim was caused by the drink.
Following reports of the lawsuits, Panera updated its warnings, advising that the lemonade was not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, or people sensitive to caffeine.
Panera has previously stated it stands by the safety of its products.
OpenAI partners with publisher of People magazine
OpenAI has partnered with Dotdash Meredith, the publisher of People magazine, to enhance its ChatGPT system. Dotdash Meredith said the collaboration will incorporate “trusted content” from the company’s array of brands — including “Better Homes and Gardens,” “Food and Wine,” and “InStyle” — providing ChatGPT with access to recipes, health information, entertainment coverage and product reviews.
As part of the licensing agreement, ChatGPT users will soon find links to the publisher’s various sites in relevant responses. Additionally, OpenAI will collaborate with Dotdash Meredith to develop new AI products for its readers and improve its ad-targeting tools.
Ukraine says it foiled Russian plot to kill Zelenskyy; 2 Ukrainian colonels arrested
Ukrainian counterintelligence foiled an alleged plot by Russia’s Federal Security Service to kill President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other senior Ukrainian officials. Investigators said the assassination plan came from Moscow, and it implicated two colonels within Ukraine’s State Security Department who allegedly provided financial support and sensitive information to the Russian FSB.
A man suspected of aiding a plot by Russian intelligence services to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been arrested in Poland, prosecutors said Thursday.https://t.co/n72v2Odj5h
According to Ukraine’s Security Service, the scheme included planned missile and drone strikes on locations frequented by President Zelenskyy. Authorities allegedly apprehended one suspect with two drones and explosives intended for use in the attack.
This incident adds to a series of reported attempts on President Zelenskyy’s life since the Russian invasion. Zelenskyy stated in 2022 there had been at least 10 assassination attempts since the conflict began in February 2022.
The two Ukrainian security force colonels were arrested on suspicion of treason—one of them charged with aiding in planning a terrorist act. Both individuals face potential life imprisonment.
