Uncrowned Guard

Ukrainian strikes hit Moscow region and occupied CrimeaUkraine said it carried out a coordinated long-range attack overnight on May 16–17 targeting military-industrial and fuel infrastructure in Moscow Oblast and Russian-occupied Crimea. The Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, said the operation was conducted jointly with the Armed Forces and included strikes on the Moscow Oil Refinery, air defense systems, and infrastructure at the Belbek military airfield in Crimea. Russian authorities and local reports said residential buildings were also damaged and that at least three people were killed. Moscow said its air defenses intercepted 1,054 Ukrainian drones, eight guided aerial bombs, and two newly developed Ukrainian missiles during the attack. Those figures, like many battlefield claims from both sides, could not be independently verified. Zelensky frames attacks as evidence of shifting momentumPresident Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation as a “significant” demonstration of Ukraine’s long-range strike capability and linked it to what he called a broader shift in momentum on the battlefield. In his May 17 evening address, he said Western partners were increasingly recognizing changes both in attitudes toward the war and in the vulnerability of targets on Russian territory. Zelensky said Moscow’s extensive defensive measures around the capital were no longer preventing Ukrainian strikes from reaching strategic sites. He also suggested that Russian oil infrastructure should expect continued pressure, referring specifically to refineries, oil facilities, and industrial enterprises. He characterized the attack as a response to Russia’s continued strikes on Ukrainian cities. Growing scale of deep-strike campaignUkraine has repeatedly targeted facilities tied to Russia’s war effort, including oil refineries, fuel depots, and weapons-related production sites. Recent attacks, however, indicate a higher tempo and an apparent ability to penetrate heavily defended areas around Moscow. Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti, citing the Defense Ministry, reported that 3,124 Ukrainian drones were downed over Russia and Russian-occupied territory during the previous week. It also said 572 drones were intercepted in a May 13 attack that primarily targeted oil and gas infrastructure. The reported increase in Ukrainian drone activity reflects Kyiv’s effort to place additional strain on Russia’s military-industrial base and logistics network far from the front line. Front-line claims remain contestedZelensky also used his address to argue that battlefield dynamics have shifted in Ukraine’s favor. He said Ukrainian monitoring showed more Ukrainian “active operations” than Russian ones over the 24-hour period spanning May 16–17 and pledged to increase supplies needed to sustain those efforts. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has previously said Ukrainian forces captured more territory in February than Russian troops. Zelensky separately said in March that Ukraine had liberated more than 400 square kilometers of Russian-occupied territory in the eastern parts of the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Independent verification of such claims remains difficult because of fluid front lines and contested “gray zone” areas where control is unclear. Kremlin signals openness to renewed talks with EuropeAfter the Moscow attack, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia could resume dialogue with European states. Speaking on May 17, he said growing discussion in Europe about eventually speaking with Moscow was a positive sign and that the Russian side would be ready for renewed communication. The remarks came amid debate in Europe over future diplomacy with Russia as uncertainty continues around U.S. efforts to end the war. Peskov criticized EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as an unsuitable potential negotiator, while Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned against talks that could allow Moscow to buy time. Finnish President Alexander Stubb had earlier argued that European leaders should move toward direct dialogue with Russia, saying U.S. policy no longer fully aligns with European goals. View full article

Reported Military ProcurementCuba has sought to acquire drones and other military equipment from Russia within the past month, according to an Axios report published May 17 citing unnamed U.S. officials. The same report said Cuban officials have discussed possible attacks on the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, targets in Key West, and U.S. military vessels. A senior U.S. official told Axios that Cuban authorities are also studying how Iran has withstood sustained U.S. military pressure during recent strikes. U.S. officials presented those discussions as part of a broader Cuban effort to evaluate asymmetric military options close to U.S. territory. Existing Drone Stockpile and Intelligence RoleAccording to the report, Havana has already purchased more than 300 Russian and Iranian drones of “varying capabilities” and dispersed them to storage sites across the island. U.S. officials did not publicly detail the models or operational status of the systems. Axios also reported that Cuba continues to host espionage facilities used to collect signals intelligence for China and Russia. U.S. officials cited the island’s proximity to the United States as a central concern, arguing that drone technology and intelligence infrastructure positioned roughly 90 miles from Florida increase strategic risk even if Cuba’s conventional military capabilities remain limited. U.S. Warning Following Ratcliffe VisitThe issue reportedly featured in CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s May 14 visit to Cuba. A CIA official told Axios that Washington used the visit to warn Havana against military escalation and to signal that U.S. sanctions relief would require political change and an end to Cuba’s role as a platform for foreign adversaries. The official said Ratcliffe’s message was that Cuba should no longer enable hostile activity in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. officials nonetheless indicated they do not currently view Cuba as a major direct military threat. One senior official told Axios that concerns are centered less on conventional aircraft or large-scale force projection and more on the island’s location and its links to Russia and Iran. Links to Russia’s War in UkraineU.S. officials also told Axios that Cuba has contributed about 5,000 soldiers to Russia’s war against Ukraine. They said Cuban participation has exposed Havana to lessons from drone warfare and Iranian-backed tactics used by Russian forces. Ukraine downgraded diplomatic relations with Cuba in October and closed its embassy in Havana, citing the significant number of Cuban nationals recruited to fight for Russia in the full-scale war. U.S. officials portrayed that battlefield exposure as one factor shaping Cuba’s growing interest in unmanned systems. Potential U.S. Response and Raul Castro CaseAxios reported that the intelligence gathered on Cuba’s military activity could inform future U.S. policy decisions, particularly amid the reported presence of Iranian military advisers in Havana. No formal U.S. action was announced. Separately, the U.S. Department of Justice is expected to unseal an indictment against Raúl Castro tied to the 1996 downing of civilian aircraft, according to the report. Although Castro stepped down as president in 2018 and left the Communist Party leadership in 2021, he remains widely regarded as one of Cuba’s most influential political figures. View full article

Mid-air collision during Idaho air showFour naval aviators ejected safely after two U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growlers collided during an aerial demonstration at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, said all four crewmembers were recovered after ejecting and were being evaluated by medical personnel. First responders were sent to the scene following the accident. The aircraft were part of the Navy’s E/A-18G Growler Demonstration Team performing at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show. Each E/A-18G carries two aircrew: a pilot and an electronic warfare officer. Timeline and location of the crashAccording to the Navy, the collision occurred at about 12:10 p.m. involving two E/A-18Gs assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129, or VAQ-129, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. A spokesperson for Mountain Home Air Force Base told Task & Purpose the crash occurred roughly two miles northwest of the installation during the demonstration. Witness images and local media footage showed smoke rising near the crash area after impact. The Idaho Statesman reported that an air show announcer told the crowd, “We had four good parachutes. The crews were able to eject.” Footage shows rapid ejection sequenceA video circulated on social media appeared to show the two Growlers flying in close formation before making contact. In the footage, the aircraft seem to remain entangled briefly, pitching upward before both crews eject. The ejections appear to take place within seconds of the initial collision. The unmanned aircraft then descend together and crash, followed by a fireball on impact. Separate photos and videos showed four parachutes descending near the crash site. Task & Purpose reported that images posted by KBTV and footage shared on the Amn/nco/snco Facebook page captured the sequence from collision through impact. Aircraft and unit backgroundThe E/A-18G Growler is the Navy’s carrier-capable electronic attack aircraft, derived from the F/A-18 family. It is equipped for missions that include detecting, disrupting, and targeting enemy radar and other electronic systems. VAQ-129, the squadron involved in the incident, serves as the fleet replacement squadron for the Growler community. Like most Navy Growler units, it is based at NAS Whidbey Island, which also hosts initial training for pilots and naval flight officers assigned to the platform. A separate Whidbey Island-based E/A-18G crashed during a training flight near Mount Rainier in 2024. Air show contextThe aircraft were participating in the two-day Gunfighter Skies Air Show, which featured military demonstration teams and vintage aircraft. According to reporting cited by Task & Purpose, this year’s event marked the first Gunfighter Skies show held in eight years. KTVB also published an interview with Navy Lt. Kevin Lynch, identified as a member of the demonstration team, that appeared to have been recorded before the accident. The base has previously seen a fatal air show accident: a hang glider performer died during a 2018 crash. No fatalities were reported in the Growler collision, and all four naval aviators survived the incident. View full article

Drone strike hits edge of Barakah siteA drone strike sparked a fire Sunday on the edge of the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah nuclear power plant, the country’s only nuclear facility, in what UAE authorities described as an “unprovoked terrorist attack.” No group immediately claimed responsibility, and officials did not assign blame. The UAE Defense Ministry said three drones crossed the country’s western border with Saudi Arabia. Two were intercepted, while the third struck near the plant. Saudi Arabia separately condemned the attack and later said it had intercepted three drones that entered from Iraqi airspace. Per the AP report, there were no reported injuries and no radiological release. Safety systems remained operationalThe UAE’s nuclear regulator said the fire did not affect plant safety and that “all units are operating as normal.” The International Atomic Energy Agency said the strike caused a fire in an electrical generator and that one reactor was being powered by emergency diesel generators. Barakah is a four-reactor facility built with South Korean assistance at a reported cost of $20 billion. It began operating in 2020 and is the only nuclear power plant in the Arab world. The station can supply roughly one-quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs. The attack marked the first known wartime strike on Barakah itself. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed in 2017 that it had targeted the plant while it was still under construction, a claim Abu Dhabi denied at the time. Regional tensions frame the incidentThe strike came amid rising tension around the Strait of Hormuz and a fragile ceasefire in the wider conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The UAE has hosted Israeli air defenses and personnel and has recently accused Iran of launching drone and missile attacks. Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said the attack, “whether carried out by the principal actor or through one of its proxies, represents a dangerous escalation.” Iran and allied Shiite militias in Iraq have previously launched drone attacks against Gulf Arab states during the war. Shortly after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump posted that Iran should move “FAST.” In Tehran, Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said on state television that Iran’s armed forces were ready while diplomacy continued. Different nuclear programs, different safeguardsThe UAE’s nuclear program operates under a strict U.S. “123 agreement,” under which Abu Dhabi agreed not to enrich uranium domestically or reprocess spent fuel. Its uranium is imported, a structure intended to reduce proliferation concerns. That framework differs sharply from Iran’s nuclear program, which remains at the center of long-running disputes with Washington and Israel. Iran says its program is peaceful, but it has enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels and has faced scrutiny over past military dimensions and limits on U.N. inspections. Israel is widely believed to be the region’s only nuclear-armed state, though it has neither confirmed nor denied possessing such weapons. Ceasefire shows further signs of strainThe latest strike underscored the vulnerability of nuclear infrastructure in conflict zones, a risk also seen during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and in reported attacks near Iran’s Bushehr plant. Two people familiar with the matter, including an Israeli military officer, told the AP that Israel is coordinating with the United States on a possible resumption of attacks. Speaking to his Cabinet, Netanyahu said Israel was “prepared for any scenario.” On Iranian state television, presenters on at least two channels appeared armed during live broadcasts, including one segment in which a host received basic firearms instruction from a masked Revolutionary Guard member. The broadcasts added to signs that, despite the ceasefire, the confrontation remains unstable. View full article

Army Evaluates Drone for Casualty EvacuationThe U.S. Army has tested an unmanned aircraft designed to transport wounded troops, expanding a drone portfolio that already includes systems used for reconnaissance, strike missions, and delivery of medical supplies to frontline forces. The demonstration centered on Flowcopter’s FC-100, a heavy-lift drone capable of carrying up to 1,400 pounds. During the trial, operators strapped a test dummy onto the aircraft and prepared it for flight in front of observing troops. The event highlighted a possible future role for unmanned systems in casualty evacuation from contested areas where traditional medical evacuation helicopters may face high risk or be unable to operate safely. Exercise Context and Units InvolvedThe test took place during Saber Strike, a large Army exercise involving more than 15,000 U.S. and NATO personnel training on air defense, counter-drone operations, and battlefield coordination across Eastern Europe. Among those observing were soldiers from the Vilseck, Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The regiment has been involved in Army efforts to test emerging autonomous technologies through initiatives including Transforming in Contact and Project Flytrap. The Army has increasingly used large exercises to expose operational units to new systems under realistic conditions, particularly technologies intended for large-scale combat environments where logistics and medical support may be disrupted. Medical Role Under ReviewArmy officials said the effort is tied to broader work on improving battlefield medical support and decision-making. Capt. James Yu of the 75th Innovation Command said in an Army video that the service is examining technologies that can strengthen both combat effectiveness and care for soldiers in future large-scale operations. The Army has already spent years experimenting with drones that can deliver blood bags and other lifesaving supplies to the front. The FC-100 test extended that concept by examining whether an unmanned aircraft could also remove casualties from danger without sending additional soldiers or medics into threatened areas. That approach could be particularly relevant in situations where airspace is heavily contested, landing zones are exposed, or crewed aircraft cannot be committed without significant risk. FC-100 Design and PerformanceUnlike smaller electric commercial-style drones, the FC-100 uses a hydraulic-powered engine. The aircraft operates through a combination of preplanned flight paths, autonomous navigation, and remote piloting that allows operators to supervise the mission and make adjustments in flight. According to Flowcopter, the drone can remain airborne for up to 11 hours while carrying 110 pounds. With a 330-pound payload, endurance drops to about five hours. At a 220-pound load, the company says the aircraft can travel more than 60 miles. Those specifications suggest the platform could support multiple roles beyond evacuation, including supply, delivery, and recovery missions in areas with limited access. Remaining Limits and Next StepsThe concept also presents clear medical limitations. Unlike conventional medevac helicopters, which carry trained medical personnel and equipment, an unmanned aircraft cannot provide treatment during transport. That means its usefulness would depend on the casualty’s condition, distance to care, and the availability of follow-on medical support. The Army has not announced whether Flowcopter will advance to additional prototyping or broader trials. Even so, the demonstration provided a practical look at how autonomous evacuation and resupply systems could become a more common feature of future battlefield operations. View full article

Footage Released After Deep-Strike ClaimsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 16 published video footage he said showed Ukrainian strikes on Russian military targets located far behind the front line. The attacks were presented as part of Kyiv’s expanding long-range strike campaign against military infrastructure, air-defense assets, logistics nodes, and other support systems used by Russian forces. Zelensky said the strikes reached targets at distances of nearly 1,000 kilometers from the line of contact. He also stated that Ukrainian attacks this week hit facilities tied to Russia’s oil sector and maritime assets. Describing the operations as a response to Russian actions, he said they were “entirely justified.” Aircraft and Air-Defense Systems Reportedly HitAmong the targets identified by Zelensky was a Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft. Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces later said the aircraft was struck on May 15 in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. The Be-200 is a twin-engine amphibious platform capable of operating from both runways and water, and is commonly associated with firefighting, search-and-rescue, and maritime patrol roles. The same set of reported strikes also included a Kamov Ka-27 helicopter, a Pantsir-S1 self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and gun system, and a Tor-series air-defense system identified by Ukrainian forces as a Tor-M2. Zelensky additionally listed a Redut-2US communications system and drones among the targets. Locations and Units Named by Ukrainian ForcesIn a statement, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces said the attacks were conducted in coordination with its Center for Depth Damage and involved multiple units. According to the statement, operators from the 1st Separate Center struck the Be-200 and Ka-27 in Yeisk, a city in Russia’s south. The same unit was also credited with hitting a Pantsir-S1 system in occupied Crimea and a dry cargo vessel carrying ammunition in Berdyansk. The 427th Separate Brigade “Rarog” was said to have struck a Tor-M2 air-defense system in the Luhansk region. Separately, the 414th Brigade “Birds of Magyar,” working with the 20th K-2 Brigade, reportedly targeted a Russian training center and a temporary deployment site in the same region. Maritime and Logistical TargetsA dry cargo ship loaded with ammunition was among the most significant logistical targets listed by Ukrainian officials. If confirmed, such a strike would fit a broader Ukrainian pattern of trying to disrupt Russian ammunition movement and reduce the survivability of rear-area supply networks. The reported destruction or damage of communications equipment, including the Redut-2US system, would also align with efforts to degrade command, control, and coordination for Russian units operating near the front. Broader Operational ContextUkraine has increasingly used drones and other long-range strike systems to reach targets well beyond immediate combat zones. These operations have focused on air bases, air-defense systems, fuel and energy sites, shipping, and ammunition storage, reflecting an emphasis on weakening the infrastructure that supports Russian combat operations. No independent verification of each strike claim was immediately available. Russian authorities were not cited in the released material, and Zelensky did not provide exact timing for all of the attacks. Still, the footage and accompanying statements offered one of the clearer official summaries this week of Ukraine’s continuing campaign against military targets in Russian-held territory and inside Russia itself. View full article

Joint operation in Lake Chad BasinU.S. and Nigerian forces killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in a Friday evening operation in the Lake Chad Basin, according to statements from U.S. Africa Command and the Nigerian presidency. President Donald Trump announced the mission on social media, describing al-Minuki as the Islamic State’s “second in command” globally. AFRICOM said al-Minuki served as ISIS’s director of global operations. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the strike also killed “several of his lieutenants,” while AFRICOM reported that other senior ISIS leaders were among the dead. What AFRICOM said about the targetAFRICOM identified al-Minuki as a senior ISIS figure with links to the group’s Nigerian network. The command said he was also known as Abubakar Maniok and described him as a central figure in planning attacks and managing financial operations. The United States had sanctioned al-Minuki in 2023 over ties to ISIS in Nigeria. In its latest statement, AFRICOM called him “the most active terrorist in the world,” underscoring his role in the organization’s international activities. Operational details remain limitedThe strike appears to be the largest U.S. operation in Nigeria since Christmas, when U.S. forces launched multiple missiles at militant targets in Sokoto state in the country’s northwest. AFRICOM has not disclosed how many American or Nigerian personnel took part in the latest mission, and the total number of ISIS fighters killed has not been made public. Video released by AFRICOM showed apparent ground combat followed by several airstrikes. The footage provided visual confirmation of a combined operation but did not clarify the scale of the force used or the full sequence of events. Expanded U.S. involvement in NigeriaThe operation follows a notable increase in U.S. military activity in Nigeria over the past six months. In February, the United States deployed about 100 troops to the country to train Nigerian forces. U.S. officials said the mission was intended to help local forces identify and neutralize extremist groups. That deployment came after the Christmas strikes in Sokoto, which AFRICOM said targeted ISIS camps. The recent expansion has taken place alongside repeated political pressure from Trump, who has accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop widespread violence against Christians and has previously threatened military action. Part of a wider campaign in AfricaThe strike in the Lake Chad Basin fits into a broader U.S. campaign against ISIS affiliates across Africa. American forces have also carried out repeated operations against ISIS’s Somalia branch in recent months, part of an escalating air campaign in that country. Together, the operations in Nigeria and Somalia indicate a sustained U.S. focus on ISIS networks on the continent, with an emphasis on high-value targets, training partnerships, and air-supported missions. While the killing of al-Minuki removes a senior operative, key questions remain about the remaining leadership structure of ISIS-linked groups in West Africa and the likely pace of future joint operations. View full article