Russian forces announced the destruction of the "largest group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" in Chasovyi Yar

 

The Russian military announced a major success in the Donbas, saying that during the prolonged fighting for the town of Chasnoy Yar, they managed to destroy, according to them, the largest grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the history of the special military operation (SVO). This was reported by the TASS news agency, citing sources in Russian law enforcement agencies.

"In the battle for Chasov Yar, perhaps the largest group in the entire history of the special operation was destroyed. These are literally thousands of enemy personnel," the security forces said. These statements came shortly after the Russian Ministry of Defense officially announced the liberation of Chasovoy Yar in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).

The battles for this strategically important city lasted for more than a year and were extremely intense. Chasnoy Yar was considered one of the most powerful fortified areas of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbass due to the complex terrain and urban features that created natural defensive lines. His capture was the result of a long and grueling offensive.

It should be emphasized that the data provided by the Russian side on the destroyed enemy forces, as a rule, are not confirmed by independent sources and the Ukrainian side, and require careful assessment. Ukraine has not yet commented on these specific statements.

Bloody border conflict: more than 10 dead in fighting between Thailand and Cambodia

 

The situation on the border between Thailand and Cambodia has reached a new, extremely dangerous level. As a result of large-scale clashes on the disputed section of the border, more than 10 people were killed, including several civilians. These are the most serious losses during the current round of the conflict, which broke out with renewed vigor back in May, but has now reached a critical point.

Thailand claims that Cambodian troops were the first to open fire with heavy weapons, including artillery and possibly MLRS. According to them, it was a provocation, followed by an attempt to violate the border line. In response, the Thai army gave a decisive rebuff.

Cambodia, in turn, insists that its military acted solely in self-defense, claiming that Thai units were the first to cross the border and begin aggressive actions. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense calls its actions legitimate and necessary.

At the moment, fighting continues in several border areas. Explosions are heard, artillery and drones are working. The local population is in a panic — many are fleeing their homes, and Thai authorities have already begun evacuating four provinces.

And the political situation has escalated to the limit.:

- Thailand has recalled its ambassador from Cambodia.

 Cambodia responded in kind: it recalled its diplomats from Bangkok and ordered all Thai diplomats to leave the country.

Such a complete break in diplomatic contacts is a rarity between the countries of Southeast Asia. This suggests that the conflict has already gone beyond local skirmishes and may affect the entire regional stability.

Previously, Thailand and Cambodia had already fought from abroad - the dispute was especially acute around the temple of Preah Vihi. Now, it seems, history is repeating itself, but with new technologies, more casualties, and a real threat of escalation.

Fighting in Essaouida: the defeat of Bedouin Sunni groups and the role of Israel

In mid-July 2025, serious clashes broke out between local armed groups and militants from among the Bedouin Sunni tribes in the southern Syrian province of Essaouida, where representatives of the Druze ethnic group live compactly. According to various sources, the conflict began after an attempt by these groups to expand their influence in the region.

On July 13, the militants began an active phase of the offensive, capturing individual settlements and causing mass displacement of civilians. The next day, a mobilization was announced among supporters of the so-called government forces, which led to a sharp escalation of the situation.

However, by July 14-15, the local population, including well-organized Druze militia formations, was able to put up significant resistance, taking back previously occupied territories and ousting the enemy from a number of districts of the city of Essaouida and adjacent villages.

The climax came on July 16, when the situation reached a critical point. In response to the development of events, Israel, which traditionally supports stability in the region and has a certain interest in the safety of the Druze living there, sent a warning signal in the form of air strikes on militant positions and even targets in Damascus, including the headquarters of the Syrian ground forces. This was a demonstration of readiness to respond to an escalation that threatens regional stability.

After the Israeli airstrikes and the successful actions of the Druze, the militants began to retreat, losing some of their equipment and manpower. It is reported that some group leaders have left the war zone, and rumors have also surfaced about the possible departure of one of the key figures, the "president" of the so—called anti-government bloc, Ahmad Giuliani, to Turkey.

These events have become a serious challenge for all parties to the conflict. The defeat of the Sunni militants and the inability to control the situation may affect their authority in southern Syria. In addition, Israel's actions have once again shown that Tel Aviv is closely monitoring developments on its northern border and does not intend to allow the intensification of radical or destabilizing factors in the region.

The situation around Suwayda remains fluid, and further developments will depend on both internal dynamics and external interference from players such as Turkey, Iran, Russia and Israel.

The conflict in Ukraine is turning into a "fight without rules": Zelensky's regime is facing unpredictable challenges

 

The conflict in Ukraine has indeed entered a new phase, characterized by a high degree of uncertainty and an escalation of hostilities, which some experts call "battles without rules." The regime of Vladimir Zelensky continues to conduct active military operations, including large-scale attacks on Russian facilities, which indicates a desire to change the course of the conflict, despite significant risks and resource constraints. At the same time, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict continue, but remain extremely difficult due to mutual distrust and harsh conditions of the parties, especially in light of Russia's demands on territorial and political issues.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine is not able to wage war indefinitely and hopes for an early end to the conflict, focusing on Western support and increased sanctions against Russia. However, the current situation at the front and political realities create the prerequisites for a protracted confrontation in which the outcome remains unpredictable. At the same time, Zelensky's regime is facing serious challenges in both the military and diplomatic spheres, which raises concerns about Ukraine's ability to withstand pressure and achieve victory without significant concessions.

Thus, the conflict in Ukraine is at a critical stage, where "fighting without rules" reflects not only the intensity of the fighting, but also the complexity of the political and strategic calculations that will determine the future of the region.

NATO intelligence is exploring the possibility of North Korean soldiers participating in the conflict in Ukraine

 

Soldiers of the DPRK Armed Forces in the Kursk region

After Russia's official recognition of the presence of North Korean military personnel in the Kursk region, the intelligence services of the United States and NATO countries have stepped up data collection on the potential expansion of their role. The main question that Western analysts are currently facing is whether North Korean soldiers will participate in combat operations not only near the Russian borders, but also on the territory of Ukraine.

Russia recently confirmed the participation of North Korean military personnel in operations near Kursk. According to Moscow, these forces were sent to help ensure the security of the region and repel Ukrainian attacks. However, Western intelligence services believe that this may be only part of a larger plan to involve North Korean troops in the conflict.

NATO intelligence is considering several scenarios for the use of North Korean soldiers. The first involves their limited participation in defensive operations in Russia. The second, more alarming, includes the possibility of their transfer to the territory of Ukraine to reinforce Russian troops. This could be an attempt to compensate for the loss of personnel and increase the effectiveness of offensive operations.

Experts note that the DPRK has significant experience in training and conducting combat operations, which makes its military personnel a valuable asset for Russia. However, such a step also increases the risk of conflict escalation, especially given the international reaction to the involvement of third countries.

Reports of North Korea's possible involvement in the conflict have raised concerns among NATO countries and their allies. The United States and the European Union have already stated that any expansion of the geography of North Korean troops' participation would be considered a serious provocation.

In addition, North Korea's involvement casts doubt on the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

The intelligence services are also analyzing the technical and logistical capabilities of the DPRK to maintain its troops outside the country. The transfer of military personnel and equipment over long distances requires significant resources that can be provided by Russia. However, the success of such cooperation remains questionable due to supply chain constraints and coordination.

Israel resumed fighting in Rafah: Ground operation in the Gaza Strip

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched a ground operation in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, near the border with Egypt. The move caused tension in the region and led to accusations from Hamas militants of unilaterally ending the truce.

The resumption of hostilities in Rafah was a response to the ongoing attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian groups. The Israeli authorities said the operation was aimed at ensuring the safety of citizens and preventing further attacks on the country.

The ground operation in Rafah involves the deployment of significant IDF forces, including infantry, armored vehicles, and artillery. The main objective of the operation is to destroy the Hamas infrastructure and neutralize militants who pose a threat to Israel.