Donbass War in Ukraine update: Multiple attacks, 1 dead, many wounded

Donbass War in Ukraine update: Multiple attacks, 1 dead, many wounded

Within the past few days, Russian-backed separatist forces have mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian Army (UA) positions in the Donbass region of Ukraine. On February 18, 2019, Ukraine’s Joint Forces Operation released a press statement on their Facebook page announcing that one Ukrainian service member had been wounded in the recent fighting. They also announced that […]

Kalashnikov unveils new kamikaze drone, already being used by Russian military

Kalashnikov unveils new kamikaze drone, already being used by Russian military

During the international defense exhibition known as IDEX 2019, the Kalashnikov Group, the famous rifle manufacturer, revealed a kamikaze-style drone. Judging from the limited information available, the KUB-BLA Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is very small, with dimensions of 1210 х 950 х 165 mm. “This is an extremely precise and very effective weapon, incredibly hard to […]

Analysis: United Nations peace negotiations in Ukraine have stalled, no clear path forward identified

Analysis: United Nations peace negotiations in Ukraine have stalled, no clear path forward identified

The United Nations (U.N.) has announced the peace negotiations focused on implementing the 2014 Minsk Protocol and resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine have stalled. U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca made the comment in a speech before the U.N. Security Council on February 12, at an event marking the fourth anniversary of the accords. Jenca […]

Setting the record straight: British publication ‘Bellingcat’ lied about Azov Regiment in Ukraine

Setting the record straight: British publication ‘Bellingcat’ lied about Azov Regiment in Ukraine

Last year, Bellingcat, a website founded by the British journalist and former blogger Eliot Higgins, published a story titled, “Ukrainian Far-Right Fighters, White Supremacists Trained by Major European Security Firm.” It was written by Oleksiy Kuzmenko, a journalist focused on Ukraine and specific issues pertaining to the region. The comprehensive report was full of assumptions, […]

Fatalities reported during Ukrainian ceasefire, conflict in Donbass region rages on

Fatalities reported during Ukrainian ceasefire, conflict in Donbass region rages on

The conflict in Ukraine has continued to escalate despite an attempt at a ceasefire. Both sides rarely observe a complete ceasefire and small arms engagements and mortar strikes are very frequent. The violent start to the year has put Ukraine and Russia on track for continued clashes over the regularly contested Donbass region. In the past 48 […]

Fortunes changing: The evolution and progress of Ukrainian special operations forces

Fortunes changing: The evolution and progress of Ukrainian special operations forces

Only a few years ago, the Ukrainian military was hard-pressed to counter the Russians and their Donetsk separatist lackeys that were encroaching on eastern Ukraine. With Crimea lost by a combination of hybrid warfare, special operations, and Western diplomatic and political ineptitude, the future of Ukraine looked dire. Since 2014, however, the Ukrainian armed forces […]

Security Service of Ukraine captures Russian-backed separatist while he’s on vacation—in Ukraine

Security Service of Ukraine captures Russian-backed separatist while he’s on vacation—in Ukraine

On Saturday, January 26th, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Ukraine’s primary government security agency, captured a member of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR)—a Russian-backed separatist formation—while the man was on vacation. The SBU made the capture while conducting a raid in Kharkiv, a city in northeast Ukraine. Although it may seem bizarre for a soldier […]

Israeli Special Forces to teach Ukrainian Special Forces how to combat Russia

Israeli Special Forces to teach Ukrainian Special Forces how to combat Russia

Having worked as a trainer and adviser to the Ukrainian military since 2015, I have seen over the years a noticeable difference in the training, equipment, and the general modernization of the Ukrainian military. Today Ukraine seeks to further enhance its military capabilities by sending its special forces to the Israel Military Industries Academy for […]

Russian ‘order of battle’ report suggests an elaborate strategy, not just brute force

Russian ‘order of battle’ report suggests an elaborate strategy, not just brute force

The Russian Federation’s aggressive stance in Eastern Europe is forcing America and NATO allies to reevaluate their defensive postures. The Russian military may not be comparable to its former Soviet glory, but recent strides made in modernization and clever economy of force stratagems have resulted in a leaner, more cunning Red Bear. Russian ambition has […]

Russia put up fake independent news outlets on Facebook, many sponsored by Sputnik

Russia put up fake independent news outlets on Facebook, many sponsored by Sputnik

Early Thursday, Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of Cybersecurity Policy, announced the social media giant removed hundreds of fake pages and profiles on both Facebook and Instagram that misrepresented themselves as independent new outlets and individuals. Many of these fake news outlet pages were linked directly back to Russia’s state-owned news agency, Sputnik. “Today we removed […]

Russian Special Operations Forces are getting high-tech mini subs

Russian Special Operations Forces are getting high-tech mini subs

The Russian Special Operations Forces (SOF) will be receiving an advanced infiltration capability in the form of futuristic mini subs. According to a source from the Russian government, “the Main Directorate of Deep-Water Research of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation showed interest in the apparatus, and it considers these bathyscaphes [which is […]

What’s it like living in Russia and Ukraine as an American expat?

What’s it like living in Russia and Ukraine as an American expat?

I recently spoke with Erinn Murray, a 28-year-old from Indian Harbour Beach, Florida who has spent several years abroad. Although she now lives in the US, I spoke with Erinn about her time living in Russia and Ukraine. NEWSREP: What brought you to Russia? Did you speak the language? Erinn: I decided that I absolutely […]