military forces

Israeli officials say forces killed a senior Hamas commander in Gaza, announcing the death of one of the militant group's leading figures. The strike comes as Israel's military campaign in the territory continues. Details about the commander's identity, the circumstances of the killing, and Hamas's response were not immediately available.

US forces have completed their withdrawal from Iraq, ending a military presence of roughly two decades that began with the 2003 invasion. Observers warn the departure leaves a power vacuum that Tehran is well placed to fill, given its influence over Iraqi political factions and armed groups. The withdrawal marks a major shift in the region's balance of power and raises questions about Iraq's future stability.

The New York Times reports that satellite imagery shows Israel continuing to expand its military footprint inside Gaza even as a cease-fire is supposed to be in effect. The images suggest ongoing entrenchment and construction by Israeli forces in the territory. The report is drawing attention because it points to a gap between cease-fire commitments and activity on the ground, raising questions about the durability of the truce and the prospects for a lasting settlement.

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree, effective immediately, increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The order replaces all previous decrees on army size and marks the seventh expansion of Russia's forces since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, continuing a steady pattern of manpower increases.

Vladimir Putin has ordered an expansion of Russia's armed forces, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more North Korean troops are being deployed to fight alongside Russian forces in the war in Ukraine. The twin announcements point to Moscow deepening its military resources and foreign partnerships as fighting continues, and have drawn attention to Pyongyang's growing role in the conflict.

President Putin has signed off on an expansion of Russia's armed forces, adding 15,500 active personnel and raising the total to 1.55 million troops. The move signals Moscow's continued effort to grow its military despite heavy losses in the war against Ukraine. The increase, announced via a decree, is being widely covered as a sign that the Kremlin is preparing for a prolonged conflict.

Israeli forces have killed Izz al-Din al-Beik, a Hamas commander, in an attack in Gaza. The strike was reported by international media including Al Jazeera. It comes amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, in which Israel has repeatedly targeted senior figures in the group's military wing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russia in its war against Ukraine. The claim points to a deepening of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, which has already sent thousands of troops to support Russian forces. The announcement comes as Kyiv urges Western allies to step up support in response.

British authorities have released suspects detained over an alleged terrorist plot targeting a U.K. military base that hosts U.S. forces. The releases, reported by the Wall Street Journal, have prompted questions about the strength of the evidence and whether charges will follow in the investigation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a new expansion of Russia's military, according to reporting picked up by international outlets including The Brussels Times. The decree adds to a series of build-ups announced since the invasion of Ukraine, as Moscow seeks to enlarge troop numbers and strengthen its armed forces. The move is being watched closely by NATO members and European governments concerned about long-term Russian military capacity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree expanding the size of the Russian armed forces for the fourth time in 2025, according to Euronews. The move comes as Russia's war in Ukraine continues to generate heavy troop losses, forcing the Kremlin to repeatedly raise recruitment targets. It underscores the mounting strain the conflict is placing on Russia's manpower and military planning.

British authorities are investigating whether Iran or Russia played a role in a foiled attack near a military base used by US forces in the UK. The probe is examining possible foreign involvement after the plot was disrupted before anyone was harmed. Officials have not confirmed which country, if either, is suspected, and details of the alleged plot remain limited as the investigation continues.

A possible terror attack at a U.K. air base used by American forces is raising security concerns, according to reporting by The New York Times. The incident has drawn attention to the vulnerability of joint U.S.-U.K. military installations and prompted questions about protective measures at bases hosting American personnel on British soil.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will send soldiers and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia to help protect Yanbu's critical oil-export facilities from Houthi attacks. Macron also did not rule out an additional deployment of French Air Force fighter jets, marking a significant step-up in France's military involvement in the region.

A policy analyst told French broadcaster RFI that Washington has 'alienated' Sudan's army amid what he described as a 'complex war' raging in the country. The remarks point to strained relations between the United States and Sudan's military leadership as the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues, with outside powers struggling to shape the course of the fighting or broker peace.

A ceasefire framework for Gaza requires an international stabilization force, but no country has publicly committed troops. Contributors would face security risks, political costs at home, and the prospect of policing territory that Hamas still contests. Diplomats are weighing options such as forces from Arab or Muslim-majority states, possibly with Western logistical backing, while the United States presses for deployment. The gap between the plan's military provisions and governments' willingness to fulfil them is becoming a central obstacle to implementation.

Ukraine says its third-phase counteroffensive, Operation Vivaldi, has reclaimed 51 square kilometres of territory. Kyiv claims Russian forces suffered roughly 2,000 casualties, with a further 250 troops taken prisoner. The figures come from Ukrainian military sources and have not been independently verified, as the operation continues along the front.

Vladimir Putin has ordered an increase of 15,500 active-duty troops to Russia's military, raising the total authorised force to 1.55 million personnel. The move continues a pattern of regular troop enlargements since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and analysts see it as a signal that Moscow intends to sustain a prolonged war effort despite heavy casualties.

Niger's military ruler Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in the 2023 coup, has cut ties with Western partners including the United States and France and brought in Russian forces to provide his personal security and support combat operations. The shift marks another step in the Sahel's drift away from traditional Western partners toward Moscow, and is drawing amused and critical reactions online.

New York Times reports a possible terror plot targeting a U.K. air base used by U.S. forces, raising fresh security concerns. Details of the alleged plot and who may be behind it have not been disclosed. The report has prompted questions about security arrangements at American military facilities in Britain.

Ukraine's General Staff reports that Russian forces lost 1,440 soldiers and two air defense systems over the past day of the war. Total Russian combat losses since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, through September 29, 2026, are estimated at roughly 1,532,500 personnel. The figures come from Ukraine's military and cannot be independently verified.

Iran has denied any involvement in an alleged plot targeting a US air base in England. The denial came after reports surfaced of a suspected scheme directed at American military personnel stationed in Britain, heightening tensions between Tehran and Western governments. Iranian officials rejected the accusations, while attention now turns to the evidence being assembled by UK and US authorities.

Several people arrested on suspicion of terrorism near a British air base used by US forces have been released on bail, according to NBC News. The arrests and subsequent releases have drawn attention to security around installations on UK soil that serve American military operations, with authorities continuing their investigation while the suspects remain under bail conditions pending further inquiries.

A Kyiv Post analysis examines a dilemma facing the Kremlin as Ukrainian drone attacks continue to hit Russian oil refineries, forcing trade-offs between protecting domestic fuel infrastructure and retaliating against Ukraine. The piece weighs what Vladimir Putin prioritizes more: defending critical energy assets at home or continuing strikes on Ukrainian territory.

The Wall Street Journal has published an opinion piece offering an inside look at the drone war in Ukraine. The piece examines how uncrewed aircraft have become central to fighting on the front lines, shaping tactics and battlefield outcomes for both Ukrainian and Russian forces. Coverage of drone warfare continues to draw attention as the conflict grinds on and drones redefine modern combat.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree raising the official size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, according to Russian state agency TASS. The increase continues a pattern of expansion since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and signals Moscow's intent to sustain a prolonged military campaign.

The United States is ending its military mission in Iraq, closing out a presence that began with the 2003 invasion and lasted more than two decades. The move marks a major shift in the American military footprint in the Middle East, following years of pressure from Iraqi political factions demanding the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces.

Roughly 250 Russian soldiers have surrendered to Ukrainian forces in the northern Donbas as part of what Ukrainian military commentator Yuriy Ponomarenko calls Operation Vivaldi. If confirmed, the mass capitulation would be one of the larger POW takings of the war and a sign of mounting pressure on Russian positions in the sector. The claim is circulating widely on Russian-language channels, with debate over how the surrender unfolded and what it means for the front line.

A British air base has been identified as the site of a foiled terror plot, and reporting shows the same installation has been used by the U.S. Air Force to launch strikes against Iran. The dual role of the base is drawing attention to its strategic importance and its exposure as a potential target. Further details about the plot, those behind it, and the response from UK and US authorities have not yet been made public.