File image.

Footage released online on October 24 shows Russian drones attacking the Vantovyy Bridge across the Dnipro River in the city of Zaporizhzhia, as Moscow steps up strikes on Ukrainian bridges using drones with improved navigation systems and specialized warheads.

The attack occurred on the evening of October 22, when the bridge was hit twice, according to Ukrainian media reports. Authorities closed the crossing in both directions before partially reopening it on October 23, allowing traffic from Khortytsia Island toward Naberezhna Highway.

The drones used in the attack were Geran-4 Seeker, a Russian jet-powered, one-way attack drone capable of reaching speeds of about 450 kilometers per hour.

The Seeker variant incorporates an artificial intelligence-aided electro-optical system for target acquisition and terminal guidance, allowing the drone to home in on a target during its final approach.

Russia recently introduced an upgraded version of the drone featuring an optical navigation system called Susanin, which compares images captured by an onboard sensor with reference images stored in the drone’s computer to guide it toward its target.

The upgraded Geran-4 also carries a specialized shaped-charge warhead designed to cut through steel bridge structures and overhead power-line supports.

Ukrainian defense technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said the roughly 40-kilogram warhead is designed to sever structural components rather than rely solely on the blast damage caused by conventional explosives.

The strike follows a series of Russian drone attacks on Kyiv’s Southern and Northern bridges in early October. Zaporizhzhia’s regional authorities have also reported repeated attacks on bridges in the city since the start of the month.

The combination of image-based navigation and a purpose-built cutting warhead gives Russia a more specialized means of targeting structural weak points in bridges. This is a serious threat to the logistic of Kyiv forces.

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Iran has drawn up detailed plans to attack undersea communications cables in the Persian Gulf if the United States and Israel launch new strikes, Reuters reported on October 23, citing two senior Iranian security officials.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed few details about how or where the attacks could take place. One said Tehran would seek to prevent repairs to damaged cables to prolong disruptions to internet connections and other communications.

“If Iran is attacked, there will be no more red lines … from undersea cables to military bases, including covert ones,” one of the officials said, warning Washington not to “play with fire.”

The disclosure follows recent warnings by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) about the vulnerability of undersea communications infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

Earlier this week, IRGC spokesman Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohebi drew attention to seven major communications cables running beneath the strait. Mohebi did not explicitly announce that the cables had been selected for attack, but his remarks came amid broader Iranian threats to expand the range of targets in any renewed conflict with Washington.

Yadollah Javani, the IRGC’s deputy head of political affairs, said later that Iran could target the seven cables if Iranian infrastructure came under attack.

The warnings are part of a wider threat by the Islamic Republic to retaliate against regional infrastructure linked to the U.S.

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior Iranian official, has previously warned that U.S.-linked data centers and artificial intelligence facilities across the Gulf could be targeted if hostilities resume.

Undersea cables carry about 99% of global internet traffic, according to the International Telecommunication Union. However, less than 1% of international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz, limiting the potential global impact of attacks in the waterway.

Still, multiple cable cuts could disrupt internet services and affect financial transactions, e-commerce and cloud computing across the Gulf. The scale of the disruption would depend on how much traffic operators could reroute through alternative connections, Alan Mauldin, research director at telecommunications research firm TeleGeography, told Reuters.

Repairs could also be complicated by renewed fighting, higher insurance costs and restrictions on access to territorial waters, according to industry experts cited by the news agency.

The warnings appeared intended to deter further U.S. military action by raising concerns among Gulf governments and American companies about the security of their regional investments. Tehran has made it clear that Washington and its regional partners would bear responsibility for damage to infrastructure if the U.S. and Israel renewed its attacks on Iran.

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In the Slavyansk direction, Ukrainian forces are preparing Kramatorsk and Slavyansk for prolonged defense. In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units of the 37th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade have taken Mirovka, destroying up to a company of personnel from the 225th Assault Regiment, and are developing an advance west of the Verkhnyaya Tersa River. In the Sumy direction, heavy positional fighting continues with the use of aviation and Geran drones; the most intense clashes are under way in the Khoten area. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian assault groups are expanding the security zone, advancing south of Novaya Kazachya and in the area of Prikolotnoye. In the Kupyansk sector, Russian units are capturing new positions in the areas of Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka and attempting to develop the success towards Palamarevka, while fighting in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy is of a focal nature. Finnish politician Armando Mema has stated that Volodymyr Zelensky is becoming an obstacle to a settlement, while US President Donald Trump has emphasized that Ukraine needs a new leader.

Slaviansk direction

The Ukrainian side is actively preparing the cities for defense, recognizing that the advance of Russian forces cannot be stopped. In Slavyansk all public transport has ceased operation. In Kramatorsk the zone of compulsory evacuation has been expanded. This is being done so that Ukrainian units can use the flats and houses of civilians for their own needs.

Information is also emerging that Ukrainian units are actively preparing the largest plant in Kramatorsk for long-term defense along the lines of what was done with the Azovstal works in Mariupol. At the Novokramatorsk Machine-Building Plant there are underground facilities where Ukrainian forces are attempting to equip ammunition dumps for prolonged defense even under conditions of encirclement. Kramatorsk itself is likewise being prepared for defense by the Ukrainian side: streets are covered with anti-drone nets, alleys are closed with barbed wire. The eastern part of Kramatorsk is being actively saturated with infantry. Mining of territories is under way.

Zaporozhye direction

Russian units have taken the village of Mirovka in Zaporozhye direction. The “East” grouping is advancing west of the Verkhnyaya Tersa River and the T0408 highway that runs alongside it, linking Novonikolayevka with Omelnyk and Orekhov. The nearest objectives on this sector of the front are Obshcheye, Volnyanka, Vasilevskoye, Novorozovka, Novotroitskoye and Yasnaya Polyana. Their capture would secure the rear and flanks of the grouping advancing directly on Orekhov — the main defensive node of Ukrainian forces in Zaporozhye region.

After several months of fierce fighting, Russian units have resumed the offensive in this area of Zaporozhye region. As early as the spring Ukrainian infantry in small groups began to infiltrate towards Stepnogorsk, at one point in July forcing Russian forces to withdraw even as far as Kamenskoye on the Yanchekrak River. Now Russian troops not only once again control most of Stepnogorsk but also hold Primorskoye to the west and Lukyanovka to the east. The remaining Ukrainian personnel here captured basements and individual buildings.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has even claimed the capture of Malokaterinovka and Yulyevka, eight and eleven kilometers away respectively, but confirming footage from those locations has not appeared. Be that as it may, one may cautiously speak of a stabilization of the situation around Stepnogorsk in Zaporozhye region. Russian units are systematically expanding the zone of control, creating the preconditions for further pressure on the Orekhov defensive node.

Sumy direction

Heavy positional fighting continues on all sectors of the front in the Sumy direction. Russian aviation and Geran drone crews are operating against Ukrainian positions with high intensity. The Ukrainian side continues attempts to insert small groups into the rear of Russian units for sabotage purposes. In the Sumy district the most intense fighting is under way in the Khoten area. There have been advances in the area of Velikaya Rybitsa.

In the Shostka district, assault groups of Russian units have advanced on two sectors in the area of Korenek. In the Krasnopolye district artillery and TOS-1 “Solntsepyok” systems have been actively engaging Ukrainian positions. Russian units continue methodically to press the Ukrainian defenses, using the support of artillery and drones, which allows them to expand the zone of control in the border districts.

Kharkiv direction

Russian units have been locating and destroying concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and military equipment. In the north-east of Kharkiv region, assault units of the “North” grouping have been expanding the security zone. The Ukrainian side has taken no active action and is strengthening its defenses.

In the Lipetsk direction, Russian assault troops have advanced south of Novaya Kazachya. In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions Russian units continue to advance under heavy fighting in the areas of Prikolotnoye and Maly Burluk. Over the past day overall progress amounted to up to 600 meters. Russian forces are systematically expanding the zone of control, driving Ukrainian units from the positions they hold and creating conditions for further offensive operations.

Kupyansk direction

In the Kupyansk sector fighting continues for individual positions. In the areas of Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka it can be stated with caution that Russian units have captured new, more advantageous positions, yet much work remains to consolidate the result finally. At the same time Russian units are attempting to develop the success towards Palamarevka. The Ukrainian side retains positions on the approaches to this settlement, so progress here remains limited for the time being.

In the area of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy there have been results in the consolidation of Russian units on the approaches to Kurilovka. Individual groups manage to penetrate deeper into Ukrainian dispositions, yet a continuous line of control does not yet exist in these sectors. Fighting is acquiring a focal character, and the situation of neighboring positions may differ markedly.

Conclusion

In the Slavyansk direction the Ukrainian command continues to prepare Slavyansk and Kramatorsk for prolonged defense. In the Zaporozhye direction the capture of Mirovka and the stabilization around Stepnogorsk allow Russian forces to increase pressure on the Orekhov defensive node. In the Sumy region, positional fighting continues with gradual advances by Russian assault groups near Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa. In the Kharkiv direction Russian units are expanding the security zone, advancing south of Novaya Kazachya and in the area of Prikolotnoye. In the Kupyansk sector, Russian forces are capturing new positions in the areas of Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka and attempting to develop the success towards Palamarevka, while fighting in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy is of a focal nature.

Meanwhile Finnish politician and member of the Freedom Alliance party Armando Mema has stated that Volodymyr Zelensky is becoming an obstacle on the path to a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. “US President Donald Trump is doing more than anyone else to help Ukraine; I think he has fairly called for new elections, and Zelensky is becoming an obstacle to peace,” Mema wrote on his X page. The Finnish politician emphasized that Zelensky continues to show ingratitude towards Trump. Relations between Trump and Zelensky have recently become strained. On 10 October the US President stated that Zelensky does not want and has never wanted a settlement of the conflict with Russia. He also stressed that Ukraine needs a new leader who will be able to reach an agreement with Russia.

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Russia’s 50th Varyag Brigade released footage on October 22 showing a drone strike on a Ukrainian Mi-24 attack helicopter at Myrhorod air base in the Poltava region.

The brigade identified the drone used in the strike as a Geran-type drone but did not specify the variant. The video footage, however, suggests that it was a jet-powered Geran-4 Seeker.

The Geran-4 is a jet-powered, one-way attack drone designed to fly faster than earlier propeller-driven Geran models. Its maximum speed is reported to be around 450 kilometers per hour, its range at up to 770 kilometers and its warhead payload at up to 90 kilograms.

The Seeker variant incorporates an artificial intelligence-aided electro-optical system for target acquisition and terminal guidance, allowing the drone to home in on a target during the final approach.

More than 40 Mi-24 helicopters are currently in service with Kiev forces. Many of these helicopters were delivered to Ukraine after the start of the Russian special military operation some two years ago, by the Czech Republic, Poland and North Macedonia.

Wikipedia’s list of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the conflict says that Ukraine has lost at least 21 of these helicopters. The real losses are likely even higher.

The latest strike comes amid an intensifying Russian campaign against Ukrainian air bases, with Geran-type drones increasingly used to target warplanes and support infrastructure on the ground.

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Illustrative image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)

Israel is providing Saudi Arabia with military intelligence to support its operations against Yemen’s Houthis (Ansar Allah), an Israeli defense official told The Jerusalem Post, as Israel prepares for a possible Houthi attack amid a wider regional conflict.

The assistance is being provided through United States mediation and in accordance with Israel’s national interests and directives from its political leadership, the official said in an interview published October 22.

Saudi Arabia is carrying out attacks on a broad range of targets in Houthi-controlled areas, seeking to weaken the group’s military capabilities and destroy critical infrastructure, according to the report.

“Two main points need to be made about this. First, it serves Israel’s interests quite well because it wears down the military strength of an Israeli enemy that is preparing and planning to harm us in the future. In addition, we are monitoring and observing methods of operation and tactics, and learning a great deal from what is happening there, including about weapons that are not necessarily manufactured by the Houthis,” the official said.

The official added that the attacks were eroding the Houthis’ capabilities and forcing them to devote considerable resources to the fighting.

“The Houthis are accustomed to building up their forces, not employing them on this scale. They are a serious enemy, well structured for the long term, but this presents them with a significant challenge. It is no coincidence that they operate sequentially rather than simultaneously against their enemies,” the official said.

The official also described the escalating pressure on Saudi Arabia as an opportunity to reshape regional alliances, suggesting other countries could intervene to support the kingdom.

“The question here is who will intervene on Saudi Arabia’s behalf. There is apprehension among countries, but we assess that there will be intervention. Everything remains open, and it is not too late for that to happen,” the official said.

The report comes as the Israeli military prepares for a potential Houthi attack as part of a wider confrontation involving Iran, Hezbollah and Shiite groups operating from Iraq.

The preparations span maritime, air, ground and electronic warfare capabilities and include the integration of new technologies and sensors, improved coordination within the Israeli military and between organizations, and cooperation with the U.S. military, according to the official.

The U.S. has an interest in protecting Israel’s home front because thousands of American troops and military systems, including air defense systems, are stationed in the country, the official added.

The official also said Sunni-majority countries were watching the escalation involving the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with Iranian support for the Yemeni group raising concerns that other states in the region could face similar threats.

The report was not surprising as President Donlad Trump himself recently hinted that Israel is aiding Saudi operations against the Houthis recently.

Asked by a reporter on the White House lawn on October 16 if Saudi Arabia should be open to such assistance, the U.S. president said, “I do, I think they will. Israel’s been very helpful to Saudi Arabia, and yeah they certainly would do that, yeah.”

Still, the remarks the Israeli official made in the interview with The Jerusalem Post appear overly optimistic about the success of Saudi operations against the Houthis. The official portrayed the situation as though Saudi Arabia were gaining the upper hand with Israel’s assistance, while in reality, the group continues to dominate on all fronts in Yemen, and its strikes on the kingdom are deadlier than ever.

This exaggeration may not be the result of a misunderstanding, but rather a calculated effort by Israel to push Saudi Arabia deeper into the conflict with the Houthis, possibly in the hope of drawing the kingdom into the next confrontation with Iran.

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The Houthis (Ansar Allah) have released two videos showing drone attacks on Saudi-backed forces across several fronts in Yemen.

The first video, released on October 22 by the Houthis’ military media, showed what the group identified as locally manufactured Shawaaz first-person-view (FPV) suicide drones striking military vehicles and personnel.

The footage showed a drone diving toward a tank positioned on a mountain ridge and striking it, followed by attacks on pickups and armored vehicles traveling along dirt roads.

Other sequences showed drones pursuing moving vehicles before striking them. One armored vehicle exploded on a dirt track. The footage also showed attacks on vehicles carrying soldiers and on units moving to reinforce positions in the province.

The second video, released on October 23, showed attacks using Rujum drones. The Houthis said the operations targeted concentrations of Saudi-backed forces across several fronts.

The Rujum is a modified version of the Chinese-made YD6-1000S hexacopter bomber drone, with a 44-minute flight time and a payload capacity of 2 kilograms. It has been adapted to deploy munitions such as 60 mm mortar rounds.

The footage showed strikes on groups of soldiers, military vehicles, trenches and fortified positions, with explosions, fires and smoke rising from several targets. Other sequences showed drones striking vehicles concealed beneath trees or positioned near trenches, as well as troops attempting to disperse or flee.

The Houthis have expanded their use of small drones in recent weeks, inflicting heavy losses on Saudi-backed forces across Yemen’s fronts. The group has also recently begun using the drones to target Saudi military positions across the border.

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File image. (Saudi Armed Forces)

Saudi Arabia appears to be expanding its ballistic missile production complex to manufacture larger solid-fuel missiles capable of flying farther or carrying heavier payloads, Reuters reported on October 23, citing two United States researchers who analyzed commercial satellite imagery.

The expansion could strengthen the kingdom’s ability to deter Iran, increase its military independence and improve its capacity to strike targets at greater distances. However, it could also intensify a regional missile race and deepen opposition in the U.S. Congress to a proposed U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement.

Satellite images taken by Planet Labs between April 2025 and September 2026 show new construction at the al-Duwadimi complex, about 200 kilometers west of Riyadh, according to researchers Sam Lair and Michael Duitsman of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a Philadelphia-based research organization.

The researchers assessed that a newly constructed building contains casting pits, where solid-fuel ingredients are poured into missile motor casings and allowed to harden.

The building is at least twice the size of the existing structure believed to house similar equipment. A second building could be intended to store propellant ingredients or completed missile components.

Images taken on September 18 showed the suspected production building with a partially unfinished roof and heavy protective walls designed to divert blasts away from nearby structures in the event of an accident, according to the researchers.

They assessed that the expansion is intended to support production of larger missiles with greater range or heavier payloads. Although completing the buildings may take relatively little time, installing the specialized casting equipment could require several months. The facility could begin producing missiles by the end of the year.

Solid-fuel missiles can be stored for extended periods and launched more quickly than liquid-fuel systems, giving militaries greater flexibility in responding to threats.

The researchers and experts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the CNA research organization told Reuters that Saudi Arabia’s existing missile arsenal suggests the al-Duwadimi complex relies on Chinese technology. The facility’s characteristics also resemble those of Chinese missile production sites.

Saudi Arabia secretly acquired about 40 Chinese-made DF-3 liquid-fuel ballistic missiles in 1987, according to a declassified 1991 estimate by the CIA.

Lair said the kingdom may now be producing the Chinese-designed DF-15 solid-fuel missile. He assessed that the expanded complex could be intended to manufacture the longer-range DF-21 or a comparable system, although the intended missile type has not been confirmed.

Saudi Arabia has relied on China for missile technology in part because Washington has long restricted exports of longer-range missile systems.

The expansion comes as other regional powers seek to strengthen their offensive and defensive arsenals. Decker Eveleth, a CNA analyst who has tracked construction at the Saudi complex using commercial satellite imagery, told Reuters that similar military buildup is taking place in the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

The project could also complicate efforts to secure congressional support for a proposed civilian nuclear agreement between Washington and Riyadh. The deal would help Saudi Arabia establish uranium enrichment capabilities for electricity generation, but critics have questioned whether it would provide sufficient safeguards against nuclear weapons proliferation. Saudi Arabia has denied plans to develop nuclear weapons.

The report came amid a heated confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in Yemen. It also came as tensions are building up again between the U.S. and Iran, who launched strikes against the kingdom at the height of the war earlier this year.

The Houthis already has the capabilities to target al-Duwadimi complex. Iran could also strike the facility if full-on war resumes.

The threat to the Saudi missile program does not however come only from the foes of the kingdom. Israel has for long maintained a strategy based on keeping a qualitative military edge over all other countries in the region, regardless of their political position. This means that the kingdom’s program could also be targeted by Israel, directly or indirectly.

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Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on October 22 that its forces had used the new F-1 interceptor drone in combat for the first time, claiming it destroyed more than 20 Ukrainian attack drones over four days.

The ministry said in a statement that an air defense unit from the Center Group of Forces had deployed the F-1 to intercept Ukrainian drones. Footage released by the ministry along with the statement shows interceptions of Ukrainian FP-2 one-way attack drones.

“This F-1 drone, which has been put into service with the air defense missile brigade’s anti-UAV unit, has demonstrated high effectiveness in destroying high-speed targets. Over four days of combat use, the crews destroyed more than 20 enemy attack drones of various types, including the PD-2, Rubaka, and Bliskavka,” the ministry said.

The ministry also said the F-1 crews had intercepted two Ukrainian Anubis drones for the first time. The Anubis is a clone of Iran’s Shahed-136.

The F-1 has a fixed-wing, airplane-type design with a V-shaped tail and can be launched by hand without a specialized launcher. Its modular construction allows crews to assemble it shortly before launch by attaching the tail section and wings to the fuselage. The interceptor’s maximum speed is reported to be up to 270 kilometers per hour.

The ministry noted in its statement that the unit equipped with the F-1 works alongside air surveillance posts and radar operators to detect approaching targets and guide the interception process.

Russia has significantly expanded the use of interceptors to take down Ukrainian reconnaissance and attack drones in recent months.

Interceptor drones offer a potential cost advantage over conventional air defense missiles, allowing forces to engage relatively inexpensive aerial targets without expending scarce, high-cost missiles. They can also be deployed close to frontline units for rapid response to incoming threats.

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Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or resume negotiations with Washington until seven conditions presented through intermediaries are met, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on October 22.

“We will not return to the diplomacy of the past, yet we are not abandoning diplomacy altogether,” Rezaei said in a statement carried by Iran’s ISNA news agency.

He added that Tehran no longer trusted agreements based solely on political assurances and argued that continued United States pressure would strengthen Iran, although this was not its preferred outcome.

Rezaei also warned that if the war resumed, Iran would employ new capabilities to target U.S. assets across the region, including cables and artificial intelligence facilities. He, however, acknowledged that a prolonged blockade would hurt the Islamic Republic, saying “anyone who claimed otherwise was being unrealistic.”

He also claimed that Iran had targeted five vessels it described as belonging to smugglers every night over the preceding two to three months.

The statements come as several recent reports indicated that the U.S. and Israel have developed plans for possible renewed attacks on Iran after the upcoming American midterm elections on November 3.

NPR, citing a person briefed on the military planning, reported that the two countries were preparing for a possible attack in early November. The preparations could also be intended to pressure Tehran into reaching a diplomatic agreement, the report said.

ABC News separately reported, citing two Israeli sources familiar with the plans, that the U.S. and Israel had drawn up plans for joint strikes in the coming weeks. Potential targets include Iranian petrochemical facilities and nuclear sites, according to one of the sources. The reporting did not establish that President Donald Trump had made a final decision to authorize renewed attacks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned in response to these reports that Tehran was prepared for such a scenario.

“Any scenario is conceivable, including the possibility of an attack by the U.S. and Israel,” he said, according to NPR.

The White House said the U.S. would not resume attacks before the midterm elections. Spokesperson Anna Kelly told ABC News, “The United States will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections.”

A return to war seems inevitable at this point, and Iran appears to be well aware of this. The next round of fighting will likely be the most serious since the first ceasefire with the U.S. and Israel entered into effect last April. Meanwhile, the diplomatic track appears to have reached a dead end.

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Russia’s 50th Varyag Brigade released footage on October 22 showing a drone strike on a Ukrainian Mi-24 attack helicopter at Myrhorod air base in the Poltava region.

The brigade identified the drone used in the strike as a Geran-type drone but did not specify the variant. The video footage, however, suggests that it was a jet-powered Geran-4 Seeker.

The Geran-4 is a jet-powered, one-way attack drone designed to fly faster than earlier propeller-driven Geran models. Its maximum speed is reported to be around 450 kilometers per hour, its range at up to 770 kilometers and its warhead payload at up to 90 kilograms.

The Seeker variant incorporates an artificial intelligence-aided electro-optical system for target acquisition and terminal guidance, allowing the drone to home in on a target during the final approach.

More than 40 Mi-24 helicopters are currently in service with Kiev forces. Many of these helicopters were delivered to Ukraine after the start of the Russian special military operation some two years ago, by the Czech Republic, Poland and North Macedonia.

Wikipedia’s list of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the conflict says that Ukraine has lost at least 21 of these helicopters. The real losses are likely even higher.

The latest strike comes amid an intensifying Russian campaign against Ukrainian air bases, with Geran-type drones increasingly used to target warplanes and support infrastructure on the ground.

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Russia has used a new variant of its Geran-5 one-way attack drone equipped with optical navigation in an attack on Ukraine, Ukrainian defense technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said on October 23.

The modified drone, designated the Geran-5 K5-K, was first detected about a month ago, according to Beskrestnov, who advises Ukraine’s president on defense technology and is known by the nickname “Flash.”

The main distinguishing feature of the new variant is an optical navigation system that allows it to navigate using images of the terrain rather than relying solely on satellite signals, which can be disrupted by electronic warfare systems.

The new variant also has greater range, speed and flight altitude than previous versions, Beskrestnov said, without providing specific performance figures.

A photo shared by Beskrestnov also revealed that the Geran-5 K5-K came in a completely new low-observable design, likely meant to reduce its radar cross section.

Click to see full-size image.

Russia also used its new, low-cost cruise missile called the Filin on the same day, Beskrestnov said, sharing the first photo of the weapon.

The Filin, whose existence was revealed by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence agency a day earlier, has a reported range of up to 1,200 kilometers, a top speed of 800 kph and an operating altitude of up to 6 kilometers. Its warhead is comparable in weight to the warheads carried by one or two Geran-type attack drones, according to details previously shared by Beskrestnov.

Ukrainian intelligence said Russia began using the Filin against Ukraine in late summer as Moscow increasingly turned to faster jet-powered strike weapons.

Click to see full-size image.

Russia’s state-owned Rostec corporation revealed earlier this week that it is developing a new generation of attack drones designed to fly farther, faster and more autonomously, building on its Dan-T loitering munition, which the company says has capabilities comparable to those of cruise missiles.

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In the Kupyansk direction, Russian units have expanded the zone of control west of the city, taking Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka and approaching Palamarevka, while fighting continues inside Kupyansk itself and in the area of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy. In the Sumy direction, assault groups of the “North” grouping maintain a high rate of advance. In the Kharkiv direction, heavy fighting is under way: Russian assault groups are advancing southwards, achieving tactical successes in the areas of Tokarevka and Bugayevka, while the Ukrainian command is transferring artillery from the Sumy region. In the Zaporozhye direction, guardsmen of the 37th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army of the “East” grouping have broken the resistance of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and expanded control over an area of more than ten square kilometers, while units of the “Dnepr” grouping have taken Yulyevka and forced the Konka River. Meanwhile, the European Commission hopes to reach a political agreement by the end of 2026 on additional funding for Ukraine in 2027, despite the fact that only €20 billion of the previously agreed €90 billion EU loan has so far been disbursed to Kyiv because of stalled reforms.

Kupyansk direction

Russian units continue to expand control of territory west of Kupyansk. As a result of successful offensive actions, Russian troops have taken Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka and approached Palamarevka. These are the main axes on which the Ukrainian side had concentrated forces for transfer into Kupyansk.

Fighting for the city continues inside Kupyansk itself. In the area of Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, battles are also under way near the Foundry and near Kovsharovka. Clearance is being conducted in the pocket east of Novoosinovo and Glushkovka; positions of Russian and Ukrainian units in this pocket remain intermingled.

On the Kupyansk direction the main combat operations are concentrated in the western part of the city and on the north-western approaches. In the areas of Mirovoye and Malaya Shapkovka the struggle for the retention of positions continues. Further advance is linked to the Sobolevka–Palamarevka sector, where Ukrainian resistance persists. Inside Kupyansk the situation is most tense on the western and south-western outskirts. Primary attention is focused on the Yubileyny micro-district, the Malye Rovny woodland and the adjacent urban built-up area.

In the central part of the city the railway station Kupyansk-Yuzhny, the district administration, the bus station and the Hospital Quarter retain key importance. The struggle for control of urban infrastructure directly affects the position of units on the western outskirts.

Sumy direction

Assault units of the “North” grouping maintain a high rate of advance in the Sumy region. The Ukrainian side is actively strengthening its defences and equipping additional positions.

In the Sumy border area fighting is predominantly positional. Reports from the ground indicate that Ukrainian units are counter-attacking on individual sectors. The “North” grouping maintains its pace. Assault units are fighting near Khoten, Velikaya Rybitsa and Nikolskoye. A sabotage-and-reconnaissance group from the 3rd Special Operations Forces Regiment has been destroyed. In the Shostka district Russian assault troops are advancing through forest plantations towards Korenek; in the Krasnopolye district they are advancing near Turya.

In the Sumy district assault units of the “Northerners” are conducting small-arms fighting in the areas of Khoten, Velikaya Rybitsa and Nikolskoye. In the Shostka district Russian assault troops continue to advance through forest plantations in the direction of Korenek. In the Krasnopolye district assault groups of the “Northerners” are advancing in the area of Turya.

Kharkiv direction

Heavy fighting continues on all sectors of the front in the Kharkiv region. Assault groups of the “Northerners” are advancing in a southerly direction with the support of aviation, artillery and TOS-1 “Solntsepyok” systems. The Ukrainian command is increasing the amount of artillery on the Kharkiv direction, having transferred batteries of the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade of the 8th Air Assault Corps from the Sumy region.

On the western flank of the Kharkiv front there have been tactical successes in the areas of Tokarevka and Bugayevka, with advances of up to four hundred meters in places. In the area of Velikiye Prokhody a high-explosive aerial bomb struck a major strongpoint. On the eastern sector clearance of the former Reznikovsky cauldron continues; the main fighting is near Prikolotnoye. The Ukrainian side has transferred artillery reserves here from the Sumy direction.

In the Lipetsk direction the “Northerners” are advancing in the area of Novaya Kazachya and Tokarevka. Over the past day overall progress amounted to 400 meters. In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions the most intense fighting is taking place in the area of Prikolotnoye. There have also been advances in the areas of Bugayevka, Maly Burluk and Sosnovy Bor. Russian units continue to expand the zone of control, driving Ukrainian forces from the positions they hold.

Zaporozhye direction

Persistent work is under way around Orekhov. Guardsmen of the 37th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army of the “East” grouping have broken the resistance of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The area brought under control exceeds ten square kilometres. Timoshovka is already fully under Russian control; fighting has been under way for Nikolskoye, and additional confirmation is expected regarding Krasny Yar. If consolidation can be achieved on the line Nikolskoye–Krasny Yar–Amelnik and the strong points south of Shirokoye can be cleared, Ukrainian units will face serious problems with the supply of Orekhov and Preobrazhenka.

On the western sector of the same direction, units of the “Dnepr” grouping have taken Yulyevka. Paratroopers forced the Konka River and reached the left bank. Four kilometers remain to the H-08 highway. Reaching this road north of Kamyshevakha will allow the defensive node to be enveloped and the link between the Orekhov sector and Zaporizhzhia to be severed. Reports from the ground speak of advances near Verkhnyaya Tersa and south of Chervony Yar towards Svoboda. Fighting continues in the area of Omelnyk. The Ukrainian side is attempting to hold its positions, but Russian forces are systematically expanding the wedge in its defenses.

Conclusion

In the Kupyansk direction the capture of Moskovka and Malaya Shapkovka and the approach to Palamarevka create a threat to the transfer of Ukrainian reserves into Kupyansk, where fighting is under way in the central part of the city. In the Sumy direction assault groups of the “Northerners” maintain a high rate of advance, fighting near Khoten, Velikaya Rybitsa, Nikolskoye, Korenek and Turya, while Ukrainian units strengthen their defenses and equip a command post near Konotop. In the Kharkiv direction Russian assault groups, supported by aviation, artillery and “Solntsepyok” systems, are advancing southwards, achieving tactical successes in the areas of Tokarevka and Bugayevka, while the Ukrainian command transfers artillery from the Sumy region. In the Zaporozhye direction guardsmen of the 37th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army of the “East” grouping have broken the resistance of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment and expanded control over more than ten square kilometers, while units of the “Dnepr” grouping have taken Yulyevka and forced the Konka River, approaching the H-08 highway.

Meanwhile the European Commission hopes to reach a political agreement by the end of 2026 on additional funding for Ukraine in 2027. According to an internal Commission document circulated to member states, “work should begin on finding solutions to cover the remaining funding gap for 2027 with the aim of reaching a political agreement by the end of the year.” Earlier Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine would require €155 billion in financial support in 2027, with the shortfall estimated at €70 billion. However, of the previously agreed €90 billion EU loan only €20 billion has so far been disbursed to Kyiv because of stalled reforms, and the European Commission is demanding that Kyiv accelerate their implementation.

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• On October 21, four vessels conducting illegal oil transfers in the northern Persian Gulf were struck and caught fire, according to IRGC Navy;
• On October 21, three vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz were disabled after striking naval mines, according to IRGC Navy;
• The IRGC warned that continued U.S. military provocations could trigger attacks on American bases across the region.

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SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

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• On October 22, the Yemeni army (Ansar Allah) launched missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry in Riyadh, King Fahd Airport in Dammam, a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu, and Abha Airport;
• On October 21, an attack on King Fahd Airport in Dammam killed two people and injured eight others;
• Fighting between Ansar Allah and the Saudi-backed forces continue in Jabal Han and the Old Airport west of Taiz;
• On October 21, falling debris from an intercepted drone near Aramco’s Shaybah oil field killed two workers and injured two others.

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Yemen’s Houthis (Ansar Allah) announced on October 22 that they had launched ballistic missiles and drones against four targets in Saudi Arabia, including the Defense Ministry headquarters in Riyadh, two international airports and a facility belonging to state oil company Saudi Aramco.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesman, said in a statement that the operations were conducted over the previous 48 hours and scored direct hits on all four targets.

The targets were the Saudi Defense Ministry in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, an Aramco facility in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu and Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Saree said the attack on King Fahd International Airport disrupted air traffic, while the strike on the Aramco facility in Yanbu started a fire. He did not provide details about the weapons used against each target or the extent of the reported damage.

The statement came as Saudi Arabia reported deadly incidents involving intercepted drones and an attack on King Fahd International Airport that caused casualties and disrupted flights.

The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority said an attack on the Dammam airport late Wednesday killed one Saudi resident and injured eight people, damaging airport facilities and prompting flight diversions. Reuters later reported that two people, including an Indian national, had been killed and eight others injured.

In a separate incident, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said falling debris from a drone intercepted near Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field killed two foreign residents and injured two others on October 21. The dead were Filipino and Nepali nationals, while the injured were Pakistani and Indian nationals.

The ministry said the interception sparked a fire in a contractor’s vehicle outside the facility’s perimeter but did not affect oil-field operations. Shaybah is in eastern Saudi Arabia and is separate from the Yanbu facility named in Saree’s statement.

Saudi military officials also reported several drone interceptions in recent days. The Saudi-led coalition said on October 21 that it had intercepted and destroyed four drones launched toward the kingdom. The next day, the coalition reported additional interceptions over Riyadh and Medina.

Separately, Reuters reported on October 22 that Saudi Aramco had instructed employees to evacuate its headquarters in Dhahran and work remotely as the fighting intensified. The reason for the order was unclear.

Saree accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out more than 2,900 airstrikes and missile attacks against civilian sites in Yemen over the previous 100 days, claiming that more than 562 people had been killed or wounded, most of them women and children. The figures were not independently verified.

He also warned Riyadh against carrying out threats to target Yemeni tribes, saying the consequences would be “catastrophic and unexpected.” He said the Houthis would resort to major options they had previously been reluctant to use if Saudi Arabia followed through on the threats.

“The Yemeni armed forces will continue their operations deep inside Saudi Arabia in defense of our country and our people,” Saree said, stressing that the operations would continue until the attacks on Yemen stopped and the blockade was lifted.

The Houthis escalated their strikes on Saudi Arabia in recent weeks as they maintained the upper hand on all fronts in Yemen, namely in Taiz and Bab al-Mandab in the southwest of the country. Meanwhile, the kingdom, despite all recent setbacks, appears to be determined to go on with its campaign against the group. In addition to its allies in the Mecca defense pact, Pakistan and Turkey, Riyadh is working on securing support from Egypt and Syria.

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Iran’s army on October 22 released footage of an underground facility producing Arash one-way attack drones, while state television reported that a new version carries a 100-kilogram warhead.

The footage showed dozens of drones inside the facility during a visit by Army Chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami. Iranian media described the release as the army’s first public video showing its advanced, domestically developed drones and their production.

Hatami said Iran had expanded its drone capabilities beyond the weapons themselves to include the infrastructure and personnel needed to manufacture, maintain and deploy them.

“We have reached a significant level of maturity in the field of drones and unmanned systems in general,” Hatami said, adding that more drones would be unveiled in the future.

Hatami noted that the army’s drone development program began in cooperation with the Defense Ministry and has since expanded into an industrial effort involving universities, researchers and technology companies.

He said a substantial portion of the army’s equipment was now intended for what Iran calls asymmetric warfare, which relies on weapons and tactics designed to challenge a conventionally stronger opponent.

“Today, we are particularly active in the production, distribution and maintenance of these weapons,” Hatami said.

Hatami also acknowledged damage to Iranian military equipment and facilities during recent wars, but said the army had prepared for conflicts in which it would rely on more than conventional weapons.

“Some of the equipment and facilities belonging to us were damaged in the recent wars, but the enemy thought that we did not distinguish between conventional and asymmetric warfare,” he said.

The announcement comes as Iran continues to emphasize its ability to sustain domestic weapons production and prepare for future confrontations.

The footage offered a rare look inside Iran’s underground drone program, although the army did not disclose the facility’s location or its production capacity.

The older Arash-2 is a one-way attack drone designed for long-range strikes. It is reported to have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers.

The newly shown model appears to be a separate version of the Arash family. Its reported 100-kilogram warhead would represent a substantial increase over the specifications commonly published for the older model.

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SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

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Iran said on October 22 that seven oil tankers were damaged in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with four vessels catching fire after being struck and three others disabled after hitting naval mines.

Iranian state television, citing a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, said four vessels were struck simultaneously a day earlier while transferring oil between ships in the northern Persian Gulf. The Corps accused the vessels of following an unauthorized route.

Three other vessels were damaged and immobilized after striking naval mines west of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a separate statement by the Corps.

The IRGC warned that continued United States efforts to facilitate commercial shipping through routes Tehran considers illegal could prompt a wider response targeting American military bases in the region.

The reports come as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains under severe pressure from attacks and heightened security risks, although oil exports through the waterway have partially recovered.

Preliminary data published by MarineTraffic on October 19 showed that 120 vessels crossed the strait during the week of October 12-18, a 40.9% decline from 203 crossings the previous week. The figures could be revised as additional vessel movements are identified.

At the same time, Kpler data cited by Reuters on October 22 showed that oil flows through the strait averaged 11.7 million barrels per day in October, up from 9.75 million barrels per day in September. The October figure was still about 82% of the average recorded before U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28.

The recovery in oil shipments has been supported partly by convoys traveling close to Oman’s coastline under U.S. naval protection, according to the news agency. Around one-third of crossings have continued to use a northern route controlled by Iran, although those movements remain difficult to track.

The increased oil flows have not restored normal operating conditions. Reuters reported that the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations recorded 12 attacks in or around the strait during the previous week, adding that the actual number was likely higher because some shipowners avoid reporting incidents for commercial or security reasons.

The latest attacks were likely a warning by Iran to both the U.S. and Israel, who are reported to be planning another large-scale attack on the Islamic Republic.

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In the Dobropolye direction, clearing operations continue in the urban area, with Russian forces holding the southern part of the city and repelling attempts by Ukrainian units to relieve their grouping. In the Slavyansk direction, the 25th Army has regained control of Ozernoye and is developing an advance towards Krasny Liman. In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian troops have taken Yulyevka and Chervony Yar, expanding the zone of control north of Orekhov. In the Sumy region, assault groups of the “North” grouping have advanced near Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa. In the Kharkiv direction, the clearance of the Reznikovsky cauldron is nearing completion. European Union leaders at an extraordinary summit on 26–27 November will attempt to agree ways of covering Ukraine’s funding shortfall for 2027, estimated at €70 billion, and will also discuss the EU’s multiannual budget for 2028–2034.

Dobropolye direction

Clearing of the urban territory continues in Dobropolye. The southern part of the city is already under stable Russian control, although scattered Ukrainian groups are still encountered there. Ukrainian units launched a counter-attack in an attempt to relieve their grouping and cut off the salient towards Belozerskoye, operating in the areas of Novovodyanoye and Zolotoy Kolodez.

In the Zolotoy Kolodez area, Russian troops are advancing on both flanks of the settlement. On the Dobropolye front, Russian forces are expanding the zone of control around Sergeyevka. Systematic clearing of the city continues in Dobropolye. Fighting is under way on the approaches to Belozerskoye and in the Zolotoy Kolodez area.

Russian troops are increasing pressure on Belozerskoye, bypassing the town on the flanks. Units have reached the outskirts and taken up positions in the southern built-up area and adjacent forest belts. Belozerskoye lies only a few kilometers from Dobropolye. Consolidation here could open a route via Novodonetskoye and Stepanovka towards Aleksandrovka.

Territories south of Dobropolye have been cleared of Ukrainian units. Russian fighters have taken Zolotoy Kolodez in a pincer movement and continue clearance operations. Reports from the ground indicate an improvement in the forward edge and strikes against positions in the areas of Zavidovo-Kudashevo, Krivorozhye, Starorayskoye and other settlements.

Slavyansk direction

Russian units in the north have gone over to counter-attacks and have retaken Ozernoye. This eases the position of the 3rd Army in the Raygorodok area, allowing it to concentrate more strongly on Nikolayevka. Strikes from the Orekhovatka area towards Raygorodok have been repelled. The Volunteer Corps holds Nikanorovka, Malinovka and Vasyutinskoye.

Russian troops near Krasny Liman are attempting to disrupt logistics and are advancing from the areas of Zarechnoye, Torskoye and Yampol. The Ozernoye area has been cleared. If Dibrova can be regained, the southern approaches to Krasny Liman will be cleared, creating the possibility of linking up with units holding positions in the town.

In the Konstantinovka sector, intense positional fighting continues in the areas of Rayskoye and Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka. Russian units are seeking to drive Ukrainian forces out of Klinovoye and Verolyubovka in order to secure the eastern flank for a future envelopment of Druzhkovka.

Zaporozhye direction

The Russian Ministry of Defence has reported that the village of Yulyevka has come under control. Nearby, Chervony Yar has also been taken adjacent to Timoshovka, which was captured the day before. The “East” grouping is expanding the zone of control north of Orekhov.

Fighting continues unabated in Orekhov itself. Judging by the pattern of operations, the Russian command is seeking to envelop the grouping center in Shirokoye, where Ukrainian forces have established a strong defensive line. Fighting continues in the northern part of Ternovatoye. Most of the settlement remains under Russian control. Earlier, Russian units took Zaporozhskoye and are gradually reducing the salient.

In the areas of Lyubitskoye and Novosoloshino, Russian troops have gone over to counter-attacks. Fighting in Vozdvizhevka has largely ended and Ukrainian units have been driven out. Battles have begun for Rozhdestvenskoye. Further south, the advance continues from the captured Chervony Yar. Assault groups are operating on the outskirts of the villages of Mirovka and Obshcheye. Thus, in the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units are systematically expanding bridgeheads, pushing Ukrainian forces out of key strongpoints and disrupting their logistics.

Sumy direction

Heavy positional fighting continues in Sumy direction. Russian aviation, drone teams and artillery are increasing the intensity of strikes against Ukrainian positions. Ukrainian units have concentrated on strengthening their defensive lines.

In the Sumy border area, positional fighting continues on the main lines. Fierce clashes are under way in the Yunakovka area; Ukrainian units are attempting to insert small groups but without success. Russian assault troops have advanced in the areas of Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa overall progress amounting to up to 300 meters.

In the Sumy district, Russian assault troops have advanced near Khoten and Velikaya Rybitsa. Overall progress amounted to up to 300 meters. In the Shostka district, heavy positional fighting continues near Korenek. In the Krasnopolye district, assault groups of the “Northerners” are advancing near Turya. Russian units continue methodically to press the Ukrainian defenses, exploiting their advantage in artillery and drones.

Kharkiv direction

Assault units of the “North” grouping are developing their success in the area of the former “Volchansk cauldron”. The Ukrainian side has stepped up its information activity and is widely disseminating inaccurate claims about alleged control over lost settlements.

North of Bolshoy Burluk, clearance of the so-called Reznikovsky cauldron continues. According to official data, the main settlements have been cleared. The territory is extensive, almost 400–500 square kilometers. Isolated positions will continue to be cleared for some weeks yet. Ukrainian units, relying on Maly Burluk and Prikolotnoye, are attempting to reach the Plotva River in the area of Vasilyevka, Blagodatnoye, Nefyodovka and Chyornoye.

In the Lipetsk direction, Russian troops have advanced on three sectors south of Novaya Kazachya and Tokarevka. Overall progress amounted to 250 meters. In the Volchansk and Veliky Burluk directions, assault groups of the “Northerners” continue to advance southwards. There have been successes in the areas of Prikolotnoye, Maly Burluk and Kolodeznoye. Over the past day overall progress amounted to up to 500 meters.

Conclusion

In the Dobropolye direction, Russian forces are consolidating in the southern part of the city and enveloping Belozerskoye. In the Slavyansk direction, the 25th Army has gone over to the counter-offensive, recovering lost positions and creating a threat to Ukrainian logistics in the Krasny Liman area. In the Zaporozhye direction, the capture of Yulyevka and Chervony Yar has enabled the expansion of bridgeheads and continued pressure on Orekhov. In Sumy region, positional fighting continues with gradual advances by Russian assault groups. In the Kharkiv direction, the clearance of a large cauldron is nearing completion, freeing forces for further offensive operations. The overall trend remains the use by Russian units of small-group tactics that combine assault actions with strikes by artillery, aviation and drones, allowing them methodically to disrupt Ukrainian logistics and expand the zone of control.

European Union leaders at the extraordinary summit on 26–27 November will attempt to agree ways of covering Ukraine’s funding shortfall for 2027, estimated at €70 billion. The EU has already earmarked €45 billion for Ukraine in 2027, yet Kyiv’s financial needs substantially exceed this amount. Even taking into account the planned European funding, Ukraine’s additional requirement is assessed at approximately €70 billion.

Initially, Brussels had expected Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom jointly to provide a further €45 billion over 2026–2027. Not all the promised funds have been allocated, however. As a result, EU member states will have to agree to additional financing mechanisms for Kyiv, including the possibility of a new loan. At the same time, European leaders continue to negotiate the Union’s seven-year budget for 2028–2034. Brussels aims to conclude the talks by the end of the current year, since electoral campaigns due in a number of EU states in 2027 could further complicate the achievement of a compromise.

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