Four Ukrainian Marines killed by fellow servicemen

Four Ukrainian Marines killed by fellow servicemen

In a region of Donetsk territory under Ukrainian government control, four naval infantrymen were killed by their fellow Marines during an alcohol related incident. Ukraine’s press center released the following statement, “Representatives of the military law enforcement service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine are investigating the causes and details of the death of servicemen […]

Why I use a two-point sling

Why I use a two-point sling

To put it simply: the one-point sling is not versatile enough. It’s really good at a specific role, and that is accommodating a direct action based use of the weapon. It is extremely good in this capacity but because it is such a specialized piece of kit, it lacks the versatility of the two-point. I […]

Meditations on life and death through combat

Meditations on life and death through combat

“Always grip your sword with the thought of killing.” “To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.”  – Miyamoto Musashi   All training for lethal combat regardless of form should be routed in death. That is not to say that escalation of force and rules of engagement do not apply […]

Respect your enemy, hate the condition, love the act

Respect your enemy, hate the condition, love the act

“Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering…” – Master Yoda One thing I absolutely despise is the use of dehumanization towards an enemy. Dehumanizing an enemy has never helped men be any better at fighting or killing them. If anything it has made men worse at the task. It […]

United States considers providing weapons to Ukraine

United States considers providing weapons to Ukraine

As the White House completes plans to send anti-armor weapons as well as small arms to Ukraine, the Russian government is taking notice. The move has been long anticipated by the Ukrainian government who is waging a war with Russian backed separatists using surplus munitions and weapons. United States officials declared that among the shipment, […]

Ukraine’s choice in new service rifle sends a clear message to Russia.

Ukraine’s choice in new service rifle sends a clear message to Russia.

While Russia has chosen their new line of service weapons and gone with the latest in the Kalashnikov series of rifles, Ukraine has gone a different route. Ukraine has opted for a modernized version of the American designed M4 carbine, designating it the M4-WAC47. During the testing and evaluation, it will be determined if Ukraine’s […]

Ukraine introduces bill to label separatists as terrorists

Ukraine introduces bill to label separatists as terrorists

A reintegration bill regarding the retention of Donbass is being discussed by Ukrainian parliament members; there is an overall consensus of refusing to identify the out of control separatist territories of Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (the DPR and the LPR) as legitimate terrorist organizations. The corresponding proposed amendment received only 76 votes out of the […]

Ukraine SitRep 1/3/18

Ukraine SitRep 1/3/18

As the world moves on, Ukraine fights on as clashes in the east continue between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatists. This year the nation has seen a surprising number of assassinations and attempts on prominent figures as well. Despite the proclaimed cease fires, the war still rages and both sides receive and hand out […]

Why North Korea succeeded at getting nuclear weapons — when Iraq and Libya failed

Why North Korea succeeded at getting nuclear weapons — when Iraq and Libya failed

North Korea was considered too poor, authoritarian and vulnerable to succeed with its nuclear and missile programs. And yet Pyongyang has acquired advanced nuclear weapons capabilities — and, at the end of November, tested an intercontinental ballistic missile. Why has North Korea succeeded when other countries such as Iraq and Libya have failed? Three factors are central to North Korea’s success. This […]

Training with the Ukrainian army’s elite snipers: Range time

Training with the Ukrainian army’s elite snipers: Range time

Read part one here. Following our initial introduction and preliminary course of fire on the first day, the overall course structure was roughly laid out and presented to us, as students attending the sniper training. It was a course that consisted of a focus on marksmanship principles with long distance application paired with camouflaging and […]

The US is sending anti-tank missiles to Ukraine — and it’s not clear what comes next

The US is sending anti-tank missiles to Ukraine — and it’s not clear what comes next

President Donald Trump approves of sending Javelin anti-tank missile systems to the frontlines of Ukraine’s war against Russian-backed separatists. The missile system is one of the most advanced on the market, and has been repeatedly requested by the Ukrainian government. Russia has reacted very negatively to the news, and the move may provoke bigger clashes […]

Training with the Ukrainian army’s elite snipers

Training with the Ukrainian army’s elite snipers

It’s an early morning in Eastern Ukraine, we stand outside, My friend and I, smoking cigarettes in a gazebo next to the parade grounds of an unknown Regiment; our field packs, battle rattle, and rifles in tow. I felt a little awkward showing up for a sniper course carrying an AK74 but also figured we’d […]