military forces

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.

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 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.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says North Korea is preparing to deploy another 10,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russia, adding to forces already sent to the front. The claim, reported by Reuters, highlights Pyongyang's deepening role in the war and is drawing attention as Kyiv urges allies for continued military support against Russia's ongoing invasion.

British authorities have released suspects detained over an alleged terror plot targeting a U.K. military base that hosts U.S. forces. The Wall Street Journal reported the release, which is likely to raise questions about the strength of the evidence against those detained and about security arrangements at bases used by American personnel on British soil.

The commander of Hamas's forces in northern Gaza has been killed in a strike, months after surviving an assassination attempt in May. The killing removes one of the group's senior military figures in the area, where fighting has continued. The strike is the latest in a series of targeted killings of Hamas commanders during the ongoing Gaza war.

Foreign Policy publishes an analysis arguing that no actor currently holds the leverage to end the war in Ukraine. The piece examines why neither Kyiv, Moscow, nor Western capitals can force a settlement, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Commentators are weighing what continued stalemate means for civilians, military planning, and international politics heading into another year of fighting.

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.

British authorities have released suspects detained over an alleged plot targeting a military base used by US forces, while Iran has denied any involvement in the case. The development leaves the investigation's direction unclear, with no charges announced and Tehran dismissing the allegations. The case has drawn attention given tensions between the UK, the US and Iran.

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.

Reports claim Russian forces carried out large-scale strikes on Kyiv, saying the attacks hit Ukrainian military hubs and killed 'NATO specialists'. Russian officials have repeatedly framed strikes against foreign personnel in Ukraine as targeting Western involvement in the war. Ukraine has not confirmed such claims, and figures on casualties or damage remain unverified. The reported strikes add to ongoing Russian bombardment of the Ukrainian capital amid the continuing war.

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.

Donald Trump said several men arrested at a British air base used by US forces were planning to inflict 'big damage'. The arrests took place at a UK military facility hosting American personnel, though details of the suspects' identities, alleged plot and how close they came to acting have not been disclosed. The remarks come amid heightened security concerns around US-linked sites in Britain.

Counter-terrorism police have arrested five men as part of an investigation into a major incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England. The base is a Royal Air Force site regularly used by US forces. Details about the nature of the incident and the men suspected have not been released, and authorities are continuing inquiries.

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.

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.

Several terrorism suspects arrested near a British air base used by American forces have been released on bail. The arrests were made close to the facility, which hosts US operations, and the release on bail suggests investigators have not yet brought formal charges. The case has drawn attention given the base's role and ongoing security concerns around US-linked military sites 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.

A British air base at the center of a foiled terror plot has previously been used by the US Air Force to launch strikes against Iran, according to reporting carried by NBC outlets. The dual role of the base — as both the target of an apparent attack plan and a launch point for American military operations — is drawing attention to its strategic importance and the security implications for US-UK operations.

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.

A farmer's report to authorities is credited with disrupting a suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England. The vigilance of the landowner reportedly prompted police action at the airbase, which hosts US Air Force operations and has been the site of recent security concerns. The story is drawing wide attention, with many praising the farmer's quick thinking and discussing the base's security.

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.