r/CredibleDefense • u/AutoModerator • 14d ago
Active Conflicts & News Megathread August 25, 2025
The r/CredibleDefense daily megathread is for asking questions and posting submissions that would not fit the criteria of our post submissions. As such, submissions are less stringently moderated, but we still do keep an elevated guideline for comments.
Comment guidelines:
Please do:
* Be curious not judgmental, polite and civil,
* Link to the article or source of information that you are referring to,
* Clearly separate your opinion from what the source says. Minimize editorializing. Do _not_ cherry pick facts to support a preferred narrative,
* Read the articles before you comment, and comment on the content of the articles,
* Post only credible information
* Read our in depth rules https://reddit.com/r/CredibleDefense/wiki/rules
Please do not:
* Use memes, emojis, swear, foul imagery, acronyms like LOL, LMAO, WTF,
* Start fights with other commenters and make it personal,
* Try to push narratives, fight for a cause in the comment section, nor try to 'win the war,'
* Engage in baseless speculation, fear mongering, or anxiety posting. Question asking is welcome and encouraged, but questions should focus on tangible issues and not groundless hypothetical scenarios. Before asking a question ask yourself 'How likely is this thing to occur.' Questions, like other kinds of comments, should be supported by evidence and must maintain the burden of credibility.
56
u/Gecktron 13d ago
Interesting report on the STARK Virtus loitering ammunition in action in Ukraine
Hartpunkt: Quantum Systems and Stark provide insight into Ukrainian hunter-killer capabilities
The video shows excerpts from an operation by Ukrainian troops in which a Vector reconnaissance drone manufactured by Quantum Systems detects a camouflaged Russian self-propelled howitzer in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is then engaged by a Virtus loitering munition manufactured by Stark. [...]
[STARK representatives didnt] wanted to disclose the exact number of systems delivered. Nevertheless, the Stark manager revealed that the company is currently setting up proportional production and development of the Virtus in Ukraine, as it considers a local footprint necessary for rapid exchange with the troops and successful cooperation. [...]
A self-propelled howitzer located in a covered position was identified. The team then independently decided to launch the Virtus loitering munition and deploy it against the target. This system was also moved to the open area under secure conditions and launched there without any additional infrastructure. Beforehand, the Virtus had to be ‘married’ to a warhead. What at first glance sounds like an unnecessary waste of time is, according to the Stark manager, more of a feature than a bug. This allows the troops to precisely adapt the warhead charge to the identified target. For example, the loitering munition is loaded with a shaped charge warhead when armoured targets need to be engaged. If, on the other hand, unprotected targets are being attacked, explosive fragmentation warheads are more suitable.
Hartpunkt was shown an Ukrainian Hunter-Killer team using Quantum Systems Vector drones and the Virtus loitering ammunition from STARK.
According to the report, Hunter-Killer teams consist of a handful of soldiers and 1-2 pick-up trucks. Once they detect a high value target with their recon drone, they independently decide to engage. For that, they pick a suitable warhead and mount it on the loitering ammunition. The Virtus then launches vertically without need for any other infrastructure.
To minimize the interference from EW, the loitering ammunition isnt directly controlled by the team. Instead its given way points and autonomously uses them to move towards the target area. For the final approach, the drone controller marks the target trough the recon drone, and the loitering ammunition engage the target autonomously.
While the video doesn't show the hit, Hartpunkt were shown videos of both the hit and the damage assessment afterwards.
Why is this interesting?
While it had been reported a few months ago that the STARK Virtus and Helsing HX-2 have been tested in Ukraine, we now finally saw them in action. Hunter-Killer teams being able to chose the most suited warhead for the situation is also interesting. We have seen quite a few examples of the wrong version of russian Lancets hitting targets without effect.
Also, worth pointing out, STARK, just like Quantum Systems, is setting up partial production and development facilities in Ukraine. To better implement feedback from Ukrainian troops.
13
u/IntroductionNeat2746 13d ago
To minimize the interference from EW, the loitering ammunition isnt directly controlled by the team. Instead its given way points and autonomously uses them to move towards the target area. For the final approach, the drone controller marks the target trough the recon drone, and the loitering ammunition engage the target autonomously.
I guesstimate that if not already being fielded in experimental stages, fully autonomous loitering munitions will be within a few months from now. It's just such a natural evolution and seems like all the pieces are already in place.
5
u/Thoth_the_5th_of_Tho 13d ago
One advancement that would be nice, is separating the munition from the software, so the same targeting software can be implemented on multiple weapons, and an improved version can be similarly rolled out across your arsenal, rather than needing to update each weapon individually.
2
u/audiencevote 13d ago
Also, worth pointing out, STARK, just like Quantum Systems, is setting up partial production and development facilities in Ukraine.
Aren't they basically the same company anyways? (Or at least, one is an offspring of the other, so I'd expect very close collaboration)
1
u/Gecktron 13d ago
They have the same founder, so both are very similar, but as far as I know, legally speaking these are two separate companies.
24
u/Feisty_Web3484 13d ago
Steve Rosenberg BBC Russia correspondent reading the Russian daily news papers
This video highlights the growing shortage of fuel in some russian regions due to the attacks by ukraine on Russian oil refineries and other factors. Moscow is unaffected by the fuel shortage.
20
u/Serotonin_Receptor 13d ago
Ukrainian attack drone parts found in Estonian field | ERR
A Ukrainian attack drone crashed and exploded in a field in Estonia, likely due to GPS jamming, during Sunday’s attack on Ust-Luga. As nobody got hurt and it was not a Russian drone the general sentiment seems to be that shit happens. The crash site is ~200km from Ust-Luga.
Flight path is unknown or not publicly acknowledged at least, I wonder where it launched from. There was another drone that was monitored by the border guard that crashed on the russian side.
This is the first time a drone crashes here, there have been multiple incidents in the Baltics with Russian Shahed/Gerberas from Belarus, recently in Lithuania and last year in Latvia.
47
u/Well-Sourced 13d ago edited 13d ago
Ukraine keeps sending units to Donetsk and has managed to recapture a few villages. Russia takes some as well.
On the frontline there has been a little more movement than usual on some stretches. Much has been made of Ukraine's gains, and they are happening with 4 hamlets/villages returned to 🇺🇦control, but more were captured by Russia, including Zaporizke inside Dnipropetrovsk region. [Map]
US-supplied Bradley IFVs of the 🇺🇦225th Assault Regiment are clearing out the tree lines where the 🇷🇺Russian invaders are hiding
I haven't seen Bradley's work for a long time. Also, some battalions of the 225th Regiment moved from the Sumy direction to the Donetsk
Combat work of fighters of the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Ukrainian special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate near the settlement of Tolstoy, Donetsk region. As a result of the operation, 34 rifles, several multiple radios and 16 Russian soldiers were captured.
Ukraine Retakes Mykhailivka and Volodymyrivka in Donetsk Counterattack – Syrskyi | Militarnyi [Map]
![[Map]](https://militarnyi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Volodymyrivka-Zelenyj-Gaj-ta-Myhajlivka-na-mapi-bojovyh-dij-1.jpg){kind=link}
Ukrainian forces have successfully counterattacked and cleared the villages of Mykhailivka, Zeleny Hay and Volodymyrivka in the Donetsk region, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated during a visit to the Pokrovsk sector. “Once again, I express my deep gratitude to my combat brothers and sisters for their service in these great, decisive days,” Syrskyi said.
He did not specify which units carried out the counterattacks but said he visited the 25th Airborne, 68th Jaeger, 32nd and 155th Mechanized Brigades.
Militarnyi reported the liberation of Zeleny Hay earlier, with the operation carried out in the area of responsibility of the 20th Army Corps. The Ukrainian Navy specified that troops from the 1st Marine Battalion of the 37th Marine Brigade took part in the operation alongside other units and the 214th Assault Battalion OPFOR.
The de-occupation of Volodymyrivka and Mykhailivka was disclosed for the first time by Syrskyi, however details have not yet been released.
Moreover, over the past week, Ukrainian forces also liberated part of the settlement of Tovste, pushing Russian troops out.
In addition, in the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions, Ukrainian troops prevented Russian forces from consolidating their position in the village of Oleksandrohrad. The 141st Mechanized Brigade said Russian troops had sent a group into the settlement to stage the raising of a flag on a drone camera. The Ukrainian assault group, operating with reconnaissance drone support, managed to expel the Russian forces.
Kostiantynivka direction: The enemy is consolidating in most of Katerynivka to accumulate resources for a further strike on Kleban-Byk. Our fighters are, of course, countering them, but enemy artillery and aviation hinder our work, so the enemy takes advantage of this and quickly occupies advantageous positions!
Regarding Kleban-Byk: This settlement is currently at the center of the confrontation; the enemy is trying to bypass it from different sides to cut off communications and encircle the village. Constant assaults are carried out using drones, aviation, and heavy artillery.
In Shcherbynivka, the enemy has entrenched but not completely; they are also systematically concentrating their forces and bringing in UAV units to actively target logistics.
In the Oleksandro-Shultyno area, the situation is also difficult — the village is under enemy fire control, and battles are ongoing to hold positions. We still hold the western part; everything else is controlled by the enemy, and the settlement is currently in a suspended state!
The Russians are also expanding their control zone 2 km north of Bila Hora inward! Our fighters are also active in this sector and do not allow the enemy to accelerate the pace significantly!
Overall, the enemy is trying to create a threat of encirclement to further increase pressure on the approaches to Kostiantynivka.
Pokrovsk direction: In the area of Rodynske, there are no significant changes. This remains an unstable section — positions constantly change hands. We push the enemy back, they return again, and so on in a cycle. Neither side currently has stable control over the entire area.
Regarding Myrnohrad, where advances have taken place, our units continue offensive actions. So far, the key objective has not been achieved but work is proceeding steadily. There is gradual progress that may yield results soon if there are no unforeseen complications. North of Myrnohrad, in the area of GP "Centralna," the enemy has intensified attacks, trying to pressure and create a threat to our positions and communications; the fighting is fierce — the situation is tense.
In the area of Pershyi Travnia (Leontovychi), near pond No. 4, the enemy managed to advance into residential buildings. They entered one of the houses where our forces were located and tried to clear the position. The fight continues, the enemy is trying to consolidate but does not have full control.
In the area of Udachne (northwards), the situation remains tense. The farm there has become a gray zone — control is effectively unstable. The enemy entered the village and is trying to consolidate, mostly hiding in basements. They cannot move openly because any of their groups that come to the surface are immediately covered by our drones. Therefore, the enemy acts chaotically, without a system, while we maintain control with drones and fire.
Novopavlivsk direction: In the Filiya area (Dnipropetrovsk region), the enemy has entrenched themselves in the southern part of the village — it can be considered that they already have confident control there. Further, the enemy is trying to expand the bridgehead and is pushing towards the northern part. From the enemy's side, attempts to destabilize the situation are visible: first artillery shelling, then small assault groups are thrown in, trying to enter houses and establish positions.
In this situation, our main task is to prevent them from reaching the village center and spreading wider. This means: constant drone operations, rapid detection of their groups, precise counter-battery combat, and control of access routes. If the enemy is cut off in time on the approaches, their attempts to expand control will be in vain!
Southern Donetsk direction: In Zelenyi Hai, our fighters confidently hold most of the settlement. Only a small part of the southern outskirts remains disputed – it is essentially a gray zone where fighting continues. In Tolstyi, we have consolidated our positions and currently control them.
Regarding Maliivka, Novosergiivka, and Zaporizke (Dnipropetrovsk region) – these settlements are in the red zone. We have no forces there, but the enemy also has few troops – they are trying to bring reinforcements to maintain control. The situation there is tense and may change.
The overall dynamic is that we are trying to hold control over more important positions, while the enemy is forced to spend reserves to hold their strongpoints! Instead of strong resistance on the Donetsk front, they have started to move towards the Dnipropetrovsk region, so to speak, making a diversionary maneuver, and something must be done about it!
40
u/Well-Sourced 13d ago
Russia sent a wave into Ukraine taking out power in Sumy.
Russian attacks kill 2, injure 33 in Ukraine over past day | Kyiv Independent
Russian attacks against Ukraine killed two people and injured 33 others over the past day, regional authorities said on Aug. 25. Ukrainian forces downed 76 out of the 104 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones and decoys, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.
Russian drone attack on Ukraine leaves parts of Sumy region without power | Espreso
On the night of Monday, August 25, the Russian army attacked Ukraine with strike drones. Parts of Sumy region were left without power.
The head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak, reported that in the evening and morning, the Russian army struck Nikopol several more times using FPV drones and artillery. As a result of the attack, a power line was damaged.
At night, Russia deliberately targeted the Pokrovsk community of the Synelnykove district with drones. A residential house caught fire, but the blaze was quickly extinguished. The strike also damaged solar panels, a private house, an enterprise, and a car.
No reports of Ukraine strikes from last night but some damage assessment of recent strikes.
One of 🇷🇺Russia's largest refineries, Novoshakhtinsk, has been burning for the fifth day after a drone attack. Russian channels claim it has been completely destroyed.
Updated satellite image of 🇷🇺Novoshakhtinsk Oil Refinery after drone attack: most of the tanks at the facility burned down
As a result of two recent drone attacks, the SBU recorded up to six hits on the Deng Xiaoping logistics complex in Tatarstan.
OSINT analysts published satellite images showing up to six hits on the new container terminal in the Alabuga SEZ, which consolidates export and import cargo flows in one location. Finished Shahed-type UAVs and decoys are stored there before being sent to launch positions.
There will be more strikes in the future as the stockpile of long range drones and missiles grows bigger.
Ukraine has officially revealed its long-rumored long-range Neptune cruise missile, a weapon capable of striking targets up to 1,000 kilometers away. The missile—unofficially dubbed the “Long Neptune”—was shown publicly for the first time in a government video released on Independence Day.
Ukraine has for the first time publicly shown its long-range version of the R-360 Neptune cruise missile—known unofficially as the “Long Neptune,” Ukrainian defense media outlet Defense Express reported on August 25. The missile reportedly completed testing back in March 2025 and has already been used in combat against Russian targets at ranges up to 1,000 kilometers.
Although development of the weapon has been known since November 2023, no images of it had ever surfaced—until now. On Ukraine’s Independence Day, the government’s official defense portal Zbroya released a video featuring the missile, likely alongside other new weapons systems. The footage did not identify it by name, but the distinctive folding X-shaped wings left little doubt. The Zbroya portal, which published the video, was created as a government hub for Ukraine’s defense industry and as a unifying brand for domestically produced weapons.
Ukrainian officials have previously confirmed that the “Long Neptune” is intended to strike land targets. “If the Long Neptune has been hitting Russian targets since March, its appearance is hardly a surprise to Moscow,” one analyst noted.
Visual comparisons with the original anti-ship R-360 reveal significant differences. The rear section, housing the engine, appears unchanged. But the missile’s central fuselage has been extended and widened—its diameter increased from 38 cm to roughly 50 cm, making room for additional fuel.
The missile’s overall length exceeds 6 meters without the booster, about 1.5 meters longer than the standard R-360. Its wings and tail surfaces are also larger to balance the increased launch weight. The warhead’s exact specifications remain classified; the original R-360 carried a 150-kg warhead.
Originally overseen by the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the platform is now managed by the Ministry of Defense following the ministry’s dissolution in July 2025.
Earlier, Ukrainian photographer Efrem Lukatsky published the first images of the new long-range cruise missile “Flamingo,” which has reportedly entered serial production. The photographs, taken on August 14 at a facility of the Ukrainian defense company Fire Point, show the missile in assembly. According to Lukatsky, the system is designed to strike targets at distances of more than 3,000 kilometers.
8
u/im-yeeting 13d ago
Regarding Neptune, was there ever any update regarding potential Romanian involvement in establishing another production line or providing funding for more Long Neptune?
I can't seem to find much online.
45
u/MilesLongthe3rd 14d ago
Reading Russian newspapers by the BBC's Steven Rosenberg
https://x.com/BBCSteveR/status/1959896650832359618
In today’s Russian papers no sign that Moscow’s position on Ukraine has changed. But plenty of indications of economic problems: “business stagnation”, “one in two Russians looking for a second job", petrol prices “hit new record high.”
And in other news:
https://x.com/delfoo/status/1959858539347746965
New blow in the Russian fuel crisis. On Russia's Kuril Islands they've stopped selling gasoline Ai-92 to the public. They're saying it will be retained for specialized vehicles and that a new batch will come later in the afternoon.
https://x.com/delfoo/status/1959836780615619024
The Russian Volga-Dnepr airline is likely going to be transferred to state ownership by the end of 2025.
11
14d ago
[deleted]
16
u/MaverickTopGun 13d ago
I'm sorry, do you think North Korean soldiers will be doing that sort of uploading themselves?
5
u/futbol2000 13d ago
Mostly Ukrainian ones, which the users of a certain Z subreddit have spent well over a year trying to dismiss as "yet another Buryat."
North Korea publishing what they have so far at least drove those trolls away, but way too many discussions of North Korean intervention have already been drowned out by their firehose.
23
u/IntroductionNeat2746 14d ago edited 13d ago
Are there any recent updates regarding the involvement of Belarus in the conflict? Are they still supplying ammo and equipment? Has Luka spoken about the conflict lately?
Also, are NK troops still directly fighting in Ukraine? Are they only used inside Russia?
Edit: why on earth would someone downvote me?
25
u/MaverickTopGun 13d ago
Russia recently put the Oreshnik, which is hardly a mature technology, in Belarus. It's largely posturing and I think means very little.
Otherwise, I think it's still being used as a "safe" training / staging ground for new troops: https://militarnyi.com/en/news/for-the-second-time-in-a-year-russia-has-deployed-the-71st-division-s-units-to-belarus-what-kind-of-unit-is-it/
Biggest development lately is Iran and Belarus strengthening ties. Hard to tell what this means and how significant it is since Belarus is effectively a Russian vassal state and Russia recently left Iran hanging in their war against Israel.
5
u/WAGRAMWAGRAM 13d ago
Belarus is not 100% a "vasal", it's just extremely economically reliant on Russia because it still has a soviet style industry-heavy economy that depends on cheap Russian ressources + cultural/historical ties. I t has also acted as a diplomatic third party for Russia.
29
u/Appetite4illusions 13d ago
Well there’s the upcoming Zapad drills but these are expected to be very low key in comparison to previous years (only 30000 participating in all and a mere 8000 troops in Belarus proper per Lithuanian intelligence). I mean it’s not like Russia can muster much more at this point. Either way I’d expect Belarus to continue to operate as a safe staging ground for Russia than an active part of any military conflict, it’s far more beneficial that way.
6
14d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
26
u/Fatalist_m 13d ago
I think it's not worth building such a system just to try and blind a drone. If you have a detection system and a turret that can precisely target a drone with a laser, then you already have the most complicated parts of a kinetic anti-drone system. You might as well put a machine gun on it, or a powerful laser that can damage the drone. A Chinese laser has been used by Russians to shoot down drones, Ukrainians are also working on such a laser, but it remains to be seen if it's a cost-effective solution. IMO blinding sensors can be more of a secondary function, for example, if you have a laser that can destroy drones at 2km distance, it can probably blind a recon drone at a much longer distance.
7
u/teethgrindingaches 13d ago
it remains to be seen if it's a cost-effective solution
Lasers are extremely cost-effective compared to guns or missiles, which is why they've been adopted by the PLA in far higher numbers. Drawbacks like range and rate of fire can be mitigated by using lots of them in conjunction with more sophisticated alternatives. But there's a lot of value in having a cheap platform you can push down to maneuver units, and unmanned versions are even more attritable.
4
u/Fatalist_m 13d ago
Cost per engagement is very low but I don't know how much do the systems themselves cost.
3
u/teethgrindingaches 13d ago
Even the infamously penny-pinching PLAGF—something of a running joke—bought a gazillion of them.
3
u/PyrricVictory 13d ago
Guns and missiles shouldn't be in the same sentence. Ammunition, even the fancy guided ones, are cheaper than even the cheapest drone you'll see used in Ukraine.
which is why they've been adopted by the PLA in far higher numbers.
Actual lasers, not dazzlers. Because when an FPV has spotted you and is beelining for you removing FPV's ability to see doesn't fix the problem.
But there's a lot of value in having a cheap platform you can push down to maneuver units, and unmanned versions are even more attritable.
Considering the US, PRC, and EU are all still in the beginning stages of fielding lasers how about some baby steps and we give Ukraine more SPAAGs.
29
u/MaverickTopGun 13d ago
These drones still rely on cameras though. Has there been any work in Ukraine to use lasers to blind drones? Blinding could be temporary but can also be permanent if it is strong enough to damage the sensors.
I couldn’t find much when looking it up except the use of very powerful lasers to damage the drones themselves.
You probably couldn't find it because creating an auto-targeting laser dazzling system intended to target the cameras of a drone while maintaining a useful power supply, range, and not revealing itself to the enemy while being in some form field expedient is actually basically impossible and not a remotely viable solution.
I see this all the time on this sub. Your simple "why doesn't military just do X" isn't supported anywhere and you can't find anything backing it up because it's not simple, scalable, or real. If you aren't finding it, maybe the conclusion is your idea is bad.
•
u/AutoModerator 14d ago
Continuing the bare link and speculation repository, you can respond to this sticky with comments and links subject to lower moderation standards, but remember: A summary, description or analyses will lead to more people actually engaging with it!
I.e. most "Trump posting" and Unverifiable/Speculatory Indo-Pakistan conflict belong here.
Sign up for the rally point or subscribe to this bluesky if a migration ever becomes necessary.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.