military forces

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel, effective immediately. The decree replaces all previous decrees on army size and marks the seventh expansion of Russia's manpower levels since the start of the war in Ukraine. Observers note the move continues a steady pattern of force growth through presidential decrees rather than formal mobilization.

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.

The Israeli military says it has discovered a tunnel roughly 600 meters long in Gaza, which it describes as a Hamas hideout used for militant activity. Footage circulating online shows the tunnel's interior and its subsequent demolition by Israeli forces. The find is being presented by the IDF as part of its ongoing campaign to dismantle underground infrastructure in the territory.

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.

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.

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.

British authorities are investigating whether Iran or Russia was behind a foiled attack near a military base used by United States forces in the United Kingdom. The probe examines possible state involvement in the plot, which was stopped before anyone was harmed. Officials have not detailed the nature of the attack or named any suspects, and it remains unclear what evidence prompted suspicion of foreign involvement.

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.

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.

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.

Ukraine has launched a new military offensive, dubbed Operation Vivaldi, recapturing several towns from Russian forces, according to reports citing the operation's progress. The same reports claim around 2,000 Russian troops have been killed or put out of action in the fighting. If confirmed, the advances would mark a notable gain for Kyiv in its ongoing counteroffensive efforts, though independent verification of the figures remains limited amid the fog of war.

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.

British authorities have released the suspects detained over an alleged plot targeting a UK military base used by American forces, while Iran has denied any involvement in the incident. The releases and Tehran's outright rejection of the accusations leave key questions about who was behind the alleged plan unanswered, and the case is drawing attention amid already heightened tensions between Western governments and Iran.

Russia says its forces carried out strikes on Ukrainian military targets, while Ukraine reports hitting a Russian drone launch site. The duelling claims come as the war continues with both sides targeting infrastructure and military assets deep behind the front lines. Neither claim could be independently verified, and the fuller operational impact of the reported strikes remains unclear.

United States forces are preparing to withdraw from Iraq, ending a military presence of more than two decades that began with the 2003 invasion. The move marks a major shift in the American footprint in the Middle East and closes a long chapter of US involvement in Iraqi security affairs.

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.

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.

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.

EU defence discussions in Brussels are being overshadowed by an unresolved shortfall in funding for Ukraine. As member states weigh future support, the funding gap has become a central sticking point, raising questions over how Europe will sustain military and financial aid to Kyiv and what role the bloc will play if United States backing remains uncertain.

The Israeli military says it has killed the militant responsible for abducting Noa Argamani during the Hamas-led October 7 attack, according to a report by Haaretz. Argamani became one of the most recognisable faces of the hostages taken that day and was later rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024.

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.

Donald Trump is facing a strategic dilemma over the conflict with Iran: continuing a costly military confrontation or pursuing a withdrawal that could carry significant political costs at home. Commentators are weighing the financial burden of the war against the reputational damage a retreat could inflict, with observers questioning how the administration can extricate itself without appearing weak.

China has carried out a military exercise in the South China Sea following a confrontation at a disputed shoal. The drill comes amid ongoing tensions with neighbouring claimant states and highlights Beijing's readiness to project force in contested waters. Observers are watching whether the show of strength escalates friction over the disputed maritime territory.

British authorities have arrested five people on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack near an air base in the U.K. that is used by U.S. forces. Details about the suspects, the base, and the alleged target have not been released as investigations continue. The arrests highlight ongoing security concerns around sites with American military personnel in Britain.

Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday that its forces carried out overnight drone strikes on Ukrainian logistics centres, port and transport infrastructure, communications facilities, and vessels. Moscow claims the targets supported Ukrainian military operations, though the full extent of damage and any casualties has not been independently confirmed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian forces neutralized more than 10,600 Russian military personnel at the front over the past week. He made the claim in one of his regular addresses on the course of the war. If accurate, the figure would point to continued heavy fighting and high Russian casualty rates along the front line, though independent verification of wartime casualty claims from either side is difficult.

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.