ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

A screenshot from the video ISIS has released a video showing a direct anti-tank guided missile strike at a helicopter in a military airport near the town of Arish in Egypt’s North Sinai. On December 19, the Egyptian military announced that an officer was killed and two people were injured as a result of the terrorist shelling in the area. The incident took place during a visit of the interior and defense ministers of Egypt to the military airport. Some sources speculated that the helicopter was assigned to them. However, neither minister was killed or injured in the attack. Video Player 00:00 00:33

Sputnik/ Genady Dubovoy Forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) are ready to counter a possible offensive of the Ukrainian Army in the region of Donbass,  according to statements of the republic’s leadership. Earlier military spokesmen of the both LPR and DPR reported that the situation had escalated at a contact line between the republic’s forces and the Ukrainian Army. Eduard Barusin, Deputy Defence Minister and defence spokesman of the DPR, told the Russian TV channel Zvezda that 20-40 Ukrainian shells hit the DPR area every day. The shelling causes civilian casualties and damages the property. However, according to local sources, the situation on the frontline remains relatively calm and no notable clashes have been reported recently.

FILE IMAGE China has received the second banch of 10 Su-35 multi-role air superiority fighters from Russia under a contract signed back in 2015, the Russian state-run news agency  TASS reported on December 22  citing a source familiar with Russia’s military and technical cooperation with foreign states. According to the source, “China will receive the remaining 10 aircraft in 2018.” The Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation has not commented on the report. Earlier TASS reported that China received the first four Su-35 fighters in late 2016. That report was also based on the agency’s sources.

Barrett M107A1. Photo: Jim Watson / AFP On December 20, the US Department of State officially confirmed that the White House has approved US commercial sale of lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine. “The Department of State has licensed the commercial export of a limited number of small arms and light weapons to Ukraine from U.S. manufacturers,” a State Department official told  the Russian state-run news agency TASS . He added that the US has “never had any policy that restricts such commercial sales.” According to earlier reports, an administration of US President Donald Trump approved a commercial license for exports to Ukraine of Barrett M107A1 sniper systems, munitions and spare parts for them to a sum of $41.5 million. “We have crossed the Rubicon, this is lethal weapons and I predict more will be coming,”  the Washington Post quoted  a senior congressional official. However, the official version of the US State Departement went in another direction. Washington sa

If you’re able, and if you like our content and approach, please support the project. Our work wouldn’t be possible  without your help: PayPal:  southfront@list.ru  or via:  http://southfront.org/donate/   or via:  https://www.patreon.com/southfront ,  BTC:  13iYp9CDYZwgSnFXNtpEKgRRqaoxHPr2MH The Current State of Affairs At present time, Israel’s top political leadership is in the state of outright hysteria regarding  Lebanese Hezbollah .  Senior Israeli officials have repeatedly claimed that Israel will not allow Hezbollah and Iran to concentrate its forces in border areas and to expand their influence in the region, particularly in Syria and Lebanon. The already difficult situation in southern Lebanon and Syria was further complicated by the series of events, which contributed to the growing tensions in the region in November and early December. It started with a resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri announced from Saudi Arabia on November 7, continued with Sa

A screenshot from the video The Russian Aerospace Forces actively used Tu-22M3 strategic bombers during the final stages of the anti-ISIS operation of the Syrian Arab Army and its allies in the Euphrates Valley. The massive strikes by Tu-22M3 bombers destroyed a large number of strong pots, HQs and weapon depots belonging to ISIS and opened a way to the lbieration of the cities of al-Mayadin and al-Bukamal. SouthFront would like to bring to your attention a well-done analysis and documentary about Tupolev Tu-22 / Tu-22M series made by our friend,  Matsimus Gaming : More about: Click to see the full-size image

Illustrative image North Korea has rejected a US suggestion to discuss its nuclear program and described it as an attempt to advance a UN Security Council resolution on new sanctions against the North, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the North Korean Workers’ Party said on December 19. “The US is trying to shift responsibility for tensions on the Korean Peninsula to us with its offensive dialogue. The move is seen as being intended to set the tone for manipulating new UN Security Council resolutions that may include a maritime blockade if we do not accept dialogue aimed at discussing the abandonment of our nuclear weapons… There is no change in our stance that we will not budge an inch in our march toward strengthening our nuclear force,” the newspaper wrote. The statement came a week after US State Secretary Rex Tillerson announced that the US was “ready to talk anytime” with North Korea “without precondition” adding that “the diplomatic effort has to be

Illustrative image Last night, artillery units of the Ukrainian Army delivered a massive strike on the town of Stahanov controlled by forces of the Lugansk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine. According to reports, at least 15 buidlings were damaged as a result of the strike. Pro-Kiev sources also reported that the Ukrainian Army shelled the town of Gorlovka controlled by forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). In turn, DPR forces reportedly shelled army positions of the Ukrainian Army near the settlement of Novoluganskoe. Accoridng to pro-Kiev sources, 4 civilians were injured in this area.