Open Source Intelligence Monitor focused on Europe and Conflicts across the World. RT ≠ Endorsement. Want to Support my Work? ko-fi.com/osintdefender
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Happy Birthday to the U.S. Navy who turns 251 today. On October 13, 1775, Congress authorized the formation of the Navy.
251 years later, the Navy operates roughly 290 ships, including 11 nuclear powered aircraft carriers, dozens of submarines and well over 100 surface combatants, along with thousands of aircraft. Those ships and aircraft are deployed around the world today.
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Elon Musk ordered the slowdown of the military version of Starlink that Ukraine relies on, according to U.S. officials and people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Wall Street Journal. Musk wrote on X after it became public that “any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.” Trump told reporters Monday he didn’t know who was responsible, “but I would like to find out.”
The Journal reports Musk and Trump spoke by phone soon after the slowdown became public, according to two people, and one said they also discussed it before. Some U.S. officials told the Journal Musk acted unilaterally and Trump did not order retribution against Ukraine.
That conflicts with earlier reports. Reuters reported the order came from inside the White House, and The Telegraph reported Musk proposed it to Trump. A senior U.S. official told Reuters the president made no such request.
Source: wsj.com/world/ukraine-starli…
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United Kingdom Counter Terrorism Policing has arrested two men again on suspicion of assisting Iran’s foreign intelligence service in the investigation into the Sept. 27 incident at RAF Fairford, according to multiple outlets. One is a 24 year old British national first arrested outside the base. The other is a 25 year old dual British and Iranian national first arrested in London.
Seven men have been arrested in total, and five remain on bail. Laurence Taylor of National Counter Terrorism Policing said: “This is very much a live investigation, and our evidence gathering continues, but at this time our position remains the same; we consider it highly likely that there is Iranian state involvement.” Iran has denied any involvement.
Days after the first arrests, the U.S. moved all its long range bombers out of RAF Fairford back to their home base in the United States. As of today, none have returned.
Source: cnn.com/2026/10/20/uk/two-me…
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This also comes against the backdrop of increasing rhetoric from within Iraq and Iran to take actions against the Iraqi Kurds, as the U.S., the Iraqi Kurds’ erstwhile primary backer has withdrawn from the nation.
Despite U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s comments attempting to divorce Russian ventures and cooperation with Iran from the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, Iranian officials continue to seek to draw a line between the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War and events in the Middle East, with IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency reporting (likely falsely) that Ukraine has deployed a number of small-UAS operators to Iraqi Kurdistan near the border with Iran.
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Despite U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s comments attempting to divorce Russian ventures and cooperation with Iran from the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, Iranian officials continue to seek to draw a line between the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War and events in the Middle East, with IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency reporting (likely falsely) that Ukraine has deployed a number of small-UAS operators to Iraqi Kurdistan near the border with Iran.
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White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Norway today before traveling to Russia to further negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a change from past visits, where he has often prioritized meeting with President Putin first.
This comes amidst increased European-U.S. tensions and an ongoing diplomatic row between Ukraine and the U.S., with both being centered around restricted military and operational aid to Ukraine and U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s increasing characterization of Russia as the more responsible actor in the war, and the U.S.’s increased pressure on Ukraine to take concessions that they deem to be out of the question (particularly territorial concessions).
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The UK will provide FGR4 Typhoons, A400s, and additional advisors to Saudi Arabia to support defensive efforts against the Houthis, according to a notice to the UK’s parliament by UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting. The UK is already providing air defense and air-refueling support to the Saudis and the additional resources and personnel provided by the UK will hopefully potentiate the efforts of existing joint integrated air defense frameworks already in place.
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OSINTdefender retweeted
Last month I said that one of the biggest indicators on how Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi plans to steer a sovereign Iraq will be how he responds to attacks from state actors/NSAs on Iraq’s sovereign territory. I said this amidst ongoing renewed Iranian strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan. So if these reports are true, my previous assessment that Zaidi was largely working on actions to limit Iranian influence for show until the U.S. complied with their portion of the withdrawal deal, with the goal of deepening ties with Iran in a post-U.S. in Iraq dynamic may track.
Iran's 🇮🇷 ambassador to Iraq 🇮🇶 claims Iraq has agreed to expel or extradite members of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups from the Kurdistan region
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The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island (LHD-8) amphibious ready group, with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), are headed to the Middle East, two U.S. officials told Fox News. The ships are expected to arrive by the end of November, adding about 10,000 sailors and Marines to the region. Fox reports about 6,000 are in the carrier strike group and about 4,200 in the MEU and Makin Island group, a typical size for such a force.
The Roosevelt would be the third aircraft carrier in the Middle East, joining the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and USS George Washington (CVN-73). Makin Island would be the second amphibious assault ship with an embarked MEU in the region, alongside USS Boxer (LHD-4) and the 11th MEU. The deployment comes as President Trump has said renewed military action against Iran remains possible after the November 3 midterm elections.
Per @Liz_Friden The U.S. is sending the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East, two U.S. officials confirm to Fox News. The ships will arrive in the Middle East by the end of November, the officials said. These new deployments will add about 10,000 Sailors and Marines to the Middle East.
The USS Roosevelt will be the third aircraft carrier in the Middle East, joining the USS George H.W. Bush which arrived to the region in April, and the USS George Washington which arrived in mid-August to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln. This will provide more options for the U.S. as President Trump is reportedly considering ramping up strikes on Iran after the Midterms.
The USS Roosevelt departed its home port of San Diego on Sunday and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from San Diego on Monday along with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group. The Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Ready Group typically include about 4,200 Marines and Sailors. The USS Roosevelt carrier strike group includes about 6,000 Sailors.
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According to a release from UKMTO, there was an incident 121nm east of Duqm, Oman involving military forces and a tanker. Per the release, “the tanker was subject to interaction as a part of ongoing military activity in the region.”
While no commensurate release has been made by CENTCOM or the EU’s Operation ATALANTA, prior such releases from UKMTO have come after an interdiction or disabling of a tanker by U.S. forces participating in the blockade of vessels traveling to and from Iran.
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Pakistan’s principal decision-maker Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran, Iran today to continue Pakistani efforts to mediate a return to a tenable ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Some reports have indicated that Pakistan is expecting to announce a “breakthrough” in negotiations this week, however past Pakistani declarations have often come to naught.
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At the time of writing, all reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has died are not credible. South Korean outlets have reported him alive and actively visiting locations, with Yonhap specifically reporting him visiting a garment factory.
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According to @BarakRavid of Axios, during an unannounced visit, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited Israel today and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While details on what was discussed during the meeting have yet to come out, the meeting comes just a week prior to Israeli elections, a potential renewal of joint U.S.-Israeli large scale strikes on Iran, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s endorsement of Prime Minister Netanyahu.
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Ukraine’s 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade says it evacuated a wounded soldier from a front line position using a heavy hexacopter drone in a first of its kind operation.
According to the brigade, a soldier from the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade was injured at a position that could not be reached by conventional evacuation means due to heavy enemy drone activity and mines. Specialists from the 92nd Brigade’s unmanned ground systems company used a heavy hexacopter made by Ukrainian company Gurzuf Defence to rescue the injured soldier.
The brigade says the soldier survived and is now receiving treatment. It credited the 92nd, 30th and 14th Separate Mechanized Brigades, the 10th Army Corps and Gurzuf Defence.
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The U.S. Air Force has identified the servicemember who died after falling while repelling from the stadium’s ceiling at a USTA-Air Force game as U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
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The U.S. and UK sank the decommissioned frigate ex-USS Klakring (FFG 42) in the North Atlantic during Exercise Atlantic Thunder 2026, a live fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) led by US 6th Fleet, held last month.
Weapons fired at the hull:
- SM-6 from USS Paul Ignatius (DDG-117)
- Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from HMS Portland (F79)
- Naval Strike Missile from HMS Portland (F79)
- Sea Venom (Royal Navy)
- Mk 48 torpedo from USS Massachusetts (SSN-798)
U.S. and RAF P-8s and U.S. Air Force F-15Es also took part in the exercise.
Klakring was an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate in active U.S. Navy service from 1983 to 2013. She was named for Rear Admiral Thomas Klakring, a three time Navy Cross recipient who commanded the submarine USS Guardfish in WWII.
The exercise was also the Royal Navy’s first live firing of its new ship killing missiles, NSM and Sea Venom, against a ship.
Source: navy.mil/Press-Office/News-S…
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A National Guard member assigned to Joint Task Force–District of Columbia, supporting the 'DC Safe and Beautiful' mission, was shot in the leg last night in the 400 block of 8th Street SE on Capitol Hill, according to D.C. police. Interim Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said 7-8 National Guard members in a van saw a fight break out around 11 p.m. and got out to intervene. A person involved in the fight pulled a gun and, after the Guard members ordered him to drop it, fired at them, hitting one guardsman in the leg. Three Guard members returned fire and struck the suspect in the abdomen.
Both men were hospitalized with non life threatening injuries. The guardsman was treated and has since been released, and the suspect is in custody. Police haven’t determined which Guard member’s round hit the suspect, and no charges have been announced.
About 4,300 National Guard members from 11 states and D.C. were supporting the mission as of late August, one year after it began.
Photo: nitter.siddz.com/PenguinSix/status/2112…
There are preliminary reports of a shooting on Capitol Hill involving a National Guardsman and a suspect on the 8th Street / Barracks Row area.
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Pakistan’s principal decision-maker, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is reportedly heading to Tehran, Iran this week, according to some regional news outlets, amidst the threat of imminent U.S.-Iran escalation.
Since the start of the war, Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator, but has struggled to realize the level of success in the role that other regional nations, like Qatar and Oman, have.
This comes as Iran increasingly targets vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to gain back lost leverage and the likelihood of U.S. President Donald J. Trump authorizing expanded strikes on Iran in the near term rises.
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Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy says Russia launched 16 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and the Kyiv region in several waves overnight, along with more than 200 drones, including jet powered Shaheds, and that Ukraine again received no early warning from its partners.
Zelenskyy said a medical clinic, a school, a metro station and residential buildings were damaged. He said Russia hit energy facilities in 11 regions, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Vinnytsia, damaging more than 10 energy sites and leaving at least 550,000 families without power.
Zelensky said Ukraine has accepted every ceasefire proposal, and that Russia’s response has been missiles and drones. He said that blocking deliveries of air defense missiles to Ukraine while Russia gets relief or delays in sanctions is “a denial of reality” by partners. He did not say which partners or which deliveries.
The attack follows a similar overnight barrage October 13th into the 14th, after President Donald J. Trump announced an “energy ceasefire” on October 11th. President Trump said October 13th that the U.S. is still sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
Another Russian ballistic missile attack came in several waves overnight, and once again, there was no early warning from our partners. They again targeted energy facilities and infrastructure, but a medical clinic, a school, a metro station, and ordinary residential buildings were also damaged. In total, the Russians launched 16 ballistic missiles in a deliberate attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region. The Russians also launched more than 200 drones of various types, including jet-powered “shaheds,” with attacks spanning from the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions to the Volyn, Rivne, and Odesa regions. Sadly, there are casualties. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Those who were injured are receiving assistance. Overnight and this morning, Russia attacked energy facilities in the Vinnytsia, Volyn, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv, Ternopil, Odesa, and Rivne regions. In this one night alone, more than 10 energy infrastructure facilities were damaged, and the lights went out for at least 550,000 families. Repair crews are working at the sites.
Ukraine never wanted this war, and we have welcomed literally EVERY attempt by our partners to bring this war to a dignified end. We have responded positively to EVERY ceasefire proposal. Russia's response, time and again, has been ballistic missiles, “shaheds,” and killings. Putin not only doesn't want to end this war – he doesn't even want to take any steps toward de-escalation. EVERY ONE of our partners has experienced this firsthand when they heard Russia's refusals. And it is crucial to call things what they are. To call the aggressor an aggressor and help Ukraine defend lives. When deliveries of missiles for Ukraine's air defense are blocked while Russia is granted relief or delays in sanctions, this is, unfortunately, a denial of reality on the part of our partners. The reality is that the war continues, and it continues solely because of Russian strikes and Russia's desire to drag this war out. I thank everyone who recognizes this reality and helps Ukraine!
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Four Canadian Armed Forces members were killed and 39 injured during a training incident involving a fire at CFB Wainwright, Alberta, at about 4 p.m. MDT on Oct. 17, National Defence announced.
The dead service members, who were all assigned to 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), have been identified as:
Sergeant Morgan Wong
Private Shaun Farrell
Private Aidan Goulding
Private Hayden Lykkemark
Members of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group from 3 PPCLI were conducting live fire training as part of Exercise 'Apollo Shooter' when a fire ignited. High winds let it grow and spread very rapidly, overtaking the unit’s administrative area, according to the release.
Canadian National Defence has not said what started the fire, how the four were killed or how seriously the 39 were hurt. Major General Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, said the military is working to understand the circumstances. General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, said her thoughts are with the injured and their loved ones.
Source: canada.ca/en/department-nati…
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OSINTdefender retweeted
The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) CSG is going to stick around 7th fleet for a short bit to participate in exercise KEEN SWORD that runs through the end of the month.
Japan to CENTCOM is ~2 weeks transit time.
With a flight deck packed with carrier-based aircraft, including stealthy fifth-generation F-35Cs, the USS Theodore Roosevelt pulled into Yokosuka, Japan, on Friday. Roosevelt is the first non-resident U.S. carrier to visit the key naval port, strategically located on the east side of Japan, in more than four years. Yokosuka is home to thee USS George Washington and America’s only forward-based Carrier Strike Group (CSG).
Roosevelt, which serves as the flagship of CSG 9, escorted by guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin and destroyer USS Decatur, completed the journey from San Diego in 19 days − maneuvering around a typhoon in the Western Pacific − and will participate in the upcoming combined exercise Keen Sword 27.
Meanwhile, the USS George H.W. Bush departed Thailand after a five-day port call and returned to the Middle East, and the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived home after a nearly eleven-month combat deployment.
Latest here on TWZ: twz.com/sea/where-are-the-ai…
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