The War Zone. Your daily source for military, defense, and geopolitics coverage.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is unafraid to use lethal force against Iran in response to its brutal crackdown on protesters. Iran

World Waits For Trump’s Next Move On Iran As Protests Grow Deadlier

Anti-regime protests rage on for a 15th day as Trump mulls military action against Iran.

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The Ukrainian Armed Forces using the U.S.-made V2X Tempest, a high-mobility vehicle with a launcher for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles that is optimized for the counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) role. Mounting Hellfires on a high-mobility vehicle provides a valuable new means of employing these weapons, not only against drone threats, but potentially also other targets, too.
AGM-114 Hellfire

Hellfire-Armed Drone-Killing Buggy Appears In Ukrainian Service

Based on a high-mobility chassis, the Hellfire-toting Tempest is a recent addition to Ukraine’s drone-hunting force.

The latest iteration of Russia’s Geran long-range one-way attack drone features a jet engine and is apparently being considered for launch from aircraft, to boost its range. The new drone, apparently first used at the beginning of this year, underlines Russia’s continued development of these drones, which bear the brunt of its relentless strikes on Ukraine, which ramp up during the winter months. It further points to Russia seeking to field drones that are better able to evade Ukraine’s air defenses, which are increasingly tailored to these kinds of threats.
Russia

Russia’s New Geran-5 Long-Range Kamikaze Drone Could Be Air-Launched

The latest jet-powered version of the Geran long-range one-way attack drone is being studied for launch from Su-25 attack jets.

Developed during the Cold War, the Hind-G1 was a dedicated NBC reconnaissance version of the Mi-24, first flown in prototype form in 1978.
Ukraine

The Story Of Ukraine’s Rare Mi-24 Hind Radiation Detection Helicopters

While no longer equipped for nuclear, biological, and chemical recce, a tiny force of Mi-24RKhR helicopters still fights for Ukraine.

NANTWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 24: A general view inside the former RAF Hack Green secret nuclear bunker on May 24, 2023 in Nantwich, England. Hack Green played a central role in the defence of Britain for almost sixty years. It was chosen during WW2 to protect the land between Birmingham and Liverpool from hostile attack and as a location for the new RADAR equipment. The bunker went on to be used for shelter and protection during the Cold War. As relations between East and West thawed many of the UK's nuclear bunkers were sold off. The Secret Bunker is now privately owned by the Siebert family and is run as a museum trust. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Bunker Talk

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

If that annoying hum you’re hearing stops, we’re about to die.

Iranian officials are threatening protesters with death.
Iran

Iran Threatens Protesters With Death

After nearly two weeks of demonstrations, Iran’s Ayatollah publicly addresses the unrest as U.S. intel reassesses the severity of the situation.

Kratos has confirmed to TWZ that the landing gear-equipped version of its XQ-58 Valkyrie drone being developed for the U.S. Marines will still be able to make rocket-assisted takeoffs from static launchers.
XQ-58

Marine XQ-58 Valkyries Will Launch Via Rockets Or Runways

Rocket-launched USMC XQ-58s will still need to touch down on runways after their missions, presenting opportunities and a few tradeoffs.

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Major protests in Iran spread for another day.

Days Of Rage, Nights Of Flames Across Iran

Increasingly intense protests have spread across Iran over rising prices, devalued currency and government crackdowns.

Despite parallels drawn between the two operations, one asset that featured prominently in the Bin Laden mission in 2011 that looks to have been notably absent in the force that descended on Caracas over the weekend is stealthy Black Hawk helicopters.

Why Stealth Black Hawks Weren’t Used For Maduro Capture Mission

While stealth helicopters, which may or may not still exist, were central to the Bin Laden raid, the Venezuela operation was different in key ways.

A newly published video interview with a Ukrainian Air Force fighter pilot sheds more light on the operations of the country’s F-16 fleet in its war with Russia. The interview with the pilot, whose name is not provided, is a rare opportunity to hear about how the Ukrainian Air Force has gone about introducing its first Western fighter jet. The Viper is now heavily engaged on various fronts, combatting cruise missiles and drones, as well as striking ground targets, including in close proximity to friendly troops.

Ukrainian F-16 Pilot’s Account Of The Challenges Of The Air War

After a protracted campaign to get its hands on F-16s, a Ukrainian pilot details how the jets are now a critical part of the Ukrainian Air Force.

Shahed-136 crashed with a shoulder-fired heat seeking missile attached.

Russian Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drones Now Carrying MANPADS Missiles

The Shahed-136 is now toting a shoulder-fired heat seeking missile as Russia continues to expand the drone’s capabilities.

U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawks assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment approach Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic during a forward arming and refueling point exercise, MCOLF Atlantic, May 6, 2025. U.S. Army Soldiers and aircraft from the 160th SOAR utilized MCAS Cherry Point’s training area to conduct a FARP. This training is essential for enhancing the unit’s operational readiness and ensuring efficient support for rapid deployment, as Cherry Point provides the facilities and resources to simulate real world scenarios.

This Is What The Night Stalkers’ MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator Brought To The Venezuelan Op

The hard-hitting attack version of the special operations MH-60 was clearly among the critical assets used in Operation Absolute Resolve.

A surge of aircraft from the U.S. to the U.K. has sparked speculation of a SOF aviation buildup.

U.S. Special Ops Aircraft Arriving In UK Could Point To Looming Oil Tanker Boarding Operation

The arrival in England of AC-130 gunships and cargo jets from the home of the Night Stalkers comes as the U.S. may interdict a fleeing oil tanker.

Maduro captured, U.S. to run Venezuela.

U.S. Will Now “Run” Venezuela After Maduro Capture: Trump (Updated)

Many new details are emerging about the operation to capture Maduro, and here’s what we know.

Details are still emerging about the U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. We now have access to satellite imagery that, while not answering all the questions about how Operation Absolute Resolve unfolded, provides an intriguing look at some of the key locations where it played out.

Destruction Seen At Caracas Base That Was A Focus Of The U.S. Military Operation

The sprawling facility is reported by some as the site where Maduro was plucked away by Delta Force operators.

160th SOAR took part in operation to strike targets in Venezuela and capture Maduro.

U.S. Has Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (Updated)

A major U.S. military operation, which included airstrikes and the use of special operations forces, resulted in the capture of Maduro.

In a building called the "Blue Cube" on the military airbase, a group of Air Force officers and enlisted men montior the flight of the space shuttle. From this location the space shuttle is controlled after it is launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Typically the Air Force only monitors space flights with classified military cargo and equipment. | Location: Near San Jose, California, USA.

Bunker Talk: Welcome To 2026 Pal

2026 sounds like a date in a dystopian movie far off in the future you probably won’t see.

Lt.Kyrylo Budanov has been named Ukraine's new presidential chief of staff.

Ukrainian Spy Master Kyrylo Budanov Explains His New Job As Top Zelensky Aid

Ukraine Situation Report: Zelensky taps his former spy boss as his new chief of staff as Australian Abrams tanks bolster the front lines.

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon flies a routine mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 31, 2025. Equipped with state-of-the-art radars, sensors and an air-to-air refueling capability, the P-8A is scheduled to receive periodic future enhancements to keep pace with the submarine warfare threat.

Danish P-8 Sale Set To Boost Poseidon’s Northern Footprint

Denmark is investing in new maritime patrol aircraft to bolster its capabilities in the Baltic and North Atlantic, with a particular focus on Greenland.

A picture has emerged that looks to show Iran's Mohajer-6 drone has entered service, at least on a limited level, with the Venezuelan military.

Iranian Strike-Surveillance Drones Are Now Operating In Venezuela

Venezuela has been working for years to get Mohajer-6s, which can surveil and strike targets, and other Iranian types could pose even greater problems.

The Diefenbunker is a decommissioned military bunker (now a museum) built as an emergency shelter for the government of Canada. The facility, located in Carp (near Ottawa, Ontario), was built at the height of the Cold War and opened in 1961 by the Canadian Forces.

Bunker Talk: Happy New Year Edition!

There’s no champagne but there is Tang!

Finland seized the Fitburg, a cargo vessel accused of damaging an undersea telecom cable linking FInland and Estonia

First Ship Seized For Undersea Cable Cutting Since NATO’s Baltic Sentry Began

The Turkish-owned cargo vessel Fitburg is accused of damaging an undersea cable running from Finland to Estonia.

Pentagon announces $8.6 billion Boeing contract for F-15 jets for Israel

Israel Rearming Its Eagle Force With The New F-15IA

The Israeli Air Force will continue its enduring relationship with the Eagle after an $8.58-billion deal for at least 25 jets was approved.

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The War Zone — also known by the shorthand TWZ — has become an essential resource for the defense industry, the national security community, and the interested public at large since it was launched in 2016.

 

From its early beginnings to the present day, TWZ’s purpose remains the same.

 

The site stands at the nexus of military technology, strategy, and foreign policy. As a full-spectrum defense news and analysis website, TWZ covers the air, sea, land, space, and cyber domains of warfare, with an infusion of geopolitical context and technological analysis to offer readers deeper, yet easy-to-consume, insights than what they will find anywhere else….

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