Missiles

US president tells reporters during Camp David cabinet meeting technology ‘a hard thing to give away’Donald Trump has backed off a promise to let Ukraine manufacture its own Patriot air defense interceptors, telling reporters that handing over the underlying technology was “a hard thing to give away” during a cabinet meeting at Camp David.The retreat, billed by the White House as “something different” for the cabinet to experience together, was the first such meeting at the presidential compound of Trump’s second term. Continue reading...

At least one death with authorities reporting fires and damage to offices and homes, while Ukraine’s forces earlier hit logistics warehouses in RussiaRussia has carried out one of its biggest ever ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, launching a five-hour raid that left at least one person dead and seven injured, with fires and damage across the city.Ukrainian officials said the capital was hit with about 40 Iskander-M and hypersonic Zircon missiles. Residents heard an air raid siren sound at 1.30am. There was the sound of air defences followed minutes later by a series of booms and explosions. Continue reading...

• Five European missile manufacturers have signed a letter of intent to establish the Bliksem EXO consortium. • The partnership aims to develop an exoatmospheric interceptor designed to destroy ballistic missiles in space. • This initiative represents a strategic move to enhance Europe's independent missile defense capabilities and security infrastructure.

Licence would be diplomatic coup for Kyiv but process of making munitions would likely be expensive, complex and longEurope live – latest updatesDonald Trump has told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine may be allowed to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors to counter Russian ballistic attacks. It would be a diplomatic coup for Kyiv, which has been struggling to counter Moscow’s increasing missile threat.The US president’s commitment, however, was vaguely framed, and he admitted he had not spoken to the US defence and aerospace companies Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon) that produce the Patriot system. It also remained unclear how quickly manufacturing of the expensive and complex munitions could be stepped up. Continue reading...

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta to strengthen defense and strategic ties between the two nations. • India plans to supply Indonesia with BrahMos missiles, following a similar deal signed with Vietnam last month. • The meeting is part of a broader regional tour for PM Modi, which includes scheduled visits to Australia and New Zealand.

• The United States has launched military strikes against Iran following attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. • The escalation has led to missile strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, significantly increasing tensions across West Asia. • This surge in hostilities raises immediate fears of a wider regional conflict involving multiple nations and global superpowers.

Multiple explosions heard in Ukraine capital with a hotel and several residential buildings on fireRussian forces have attacked the Ukrainian capital ⁠Kyiv with drones and missiles, hitting residential ⁠buildings, ⁠triggering ​a fire in a hotel on a central boulevard and injuring at least five.Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko, ⁠writing on Telegram, said the hotel roof was on fire. Pictures posted online ⁠showed a fire burning out of control at the ​top of the ‌building on ‌the central Shevchenko Boulevard. Continue reading...

• The United States launched a new round of military strikes against Iranian targets following an attack on a commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. • Regional tensions escalated rapidly, leading Kuwait to intercept missiles and Bahrain to sound emergency sirens. • These exchanges highlight the volatile security situation in the Persian Gulf and the risk of wider conflict between the two nations.

• On June 23, 2026, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran will not engage in negotiations regarding its ballistic missile program. • This stance comes amidst an ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel, signaling a hardening of Tehran's position on its strategic weaponry. • The refusal to negotiate is significant as it removes a key potential lever for diplomatic resolution or ceasefire agreements between the warring parties.

• Finland has developed a dual-use sports hall that doubles as a massive bomb shelter capable of protecting 7,000 people from nuclear threats. • Located just over 100 miles from the Russian border, the facility was created by excavating and expanding a former military rifle workshop. • The project serves as a strategic model for conflict preparedness, blending civilian recreational infrastructure with critical national defense needs.

• France is seeking to join a joint British-German initiative to develop long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory, according to the Financial Times. • Trilateral negotiations regarding Paris' accession to the missile program are expected to take place soon to strengthen European defense capabilities. • Separately, Norway's Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygård has expressed interest in a plan to facilitate the rapid transfer of military personnel and equipment across the EU during crises.

Dozens killed despite ceasefire announced by Zelenskyy, after Moscow asked for Saturday truce for its annual military paradeEurope live – latest updatesKyiv has criticised Russia for attacking several Ukrainian cities overnight with more than 100 combat drones and three missiles, in spite of a unilateral 24-hour ceasefire called by Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Ukraine’s president had announced the truce after the Kremlin said it wanted a ceasefire on Saturday during its annual military parade in Red Square. He promised to reciprocate if Vladimir Putin broke Ukraine’s ceasefire, which ends at midnight on Wednesday. Continue reading...

• Nasdaq and S&P 500 declined on May 4, 2026, following UAE's report of intercepting missiles from Iran amid escalating regional tensions. • Move counters last week's gains where NASDAQ posted a 10-day winning streak led by mega-cap tech on AI optimism and earnings. • Oil and US dollar rose, while gold and silver fell as investors favored risk assets despite conflict worries.

• Russia conducted one of the most intense single-day aerial assaults on Ukraine during the second year of the conflict, firing 659 drones and 44 long-range missiles at major cities. • Ukrainian officials reported widespread devastation including strikes on residential buildings, critical infrastructure, and southern port hubs, resulting in dozens of casualties and extensive damage. • The massive attack underscores the ongoing intensity of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and its humanitarian toll on civilian populations.

• North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from near Pyongyang into the Sea of Japan at 5:20 AM UTC on April 8, 2026, reaching 500 km altitude per South Korean military. • The launch followed US B-52 bomber flights over the peninsula; Kim Jong Un called it a 'warning to imperialists' in state media. • It heightens regional tensions, with Japan evacuating 10,000 residents near landing zones and US vowing 'ironclad' deterrence.

• Iran fired six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, wounding at least 15 US service members and destroying a US military E-3 Century radar aircraft. • The attack resulted in at least 13 US service members killed to date, prompting the Pentagon to prepare for weeks of potential ground conflict in Iran according to The Washington Post. • President Trump is reportedly considering a military operation in response, with 3,500 additional US troops beginning to arrive in the region as part of a broader deployment now exceeding 50,000 personnel.

Both weapons, fired after Starmer authorised US to carry out further attacks from British bases, failed to hit Chagos Island targetMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesIran has reportedly fired missiles towards a joint US-UK base on the island of Diego Garcia after warning that British lives were “in danger” after Keir Starmer backed the US to carry out further strikes from British bases.Tehran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the Chagos Islands but neither hit, the Iranian news agency Mehr reported. Continue reading...