My weekly Big Five post covers five of the most interesting articles from the previous week on national security and modern war. The latest edition is now available at Futura Doctrina.
mickryan.substack.com/p/the-big-five…

The Black Sea Fleet prepares for Victory Day review
#Victory79

The latest #Ukraine update from Institute for the Study of War and Critical Threats

“The EU has reached a deal to seize profits from Russia’s frozen assets to fund weapons and aid for Ukraine within months. EU senior diplomats meeting on Wednesday agreed a compromise on using the estimated €4.4bn windfall profits to aid Ukraine” theguardian.com/world/article/…

An important post by Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦. We must collectively shift from a strategy of ‘helping #Ukraine defend itself’ (ie. tread water) to a strategy for ‘Ukraine to defeat Russia in Ukraine’, along with the right resources. This vibrant, young democracy deserves our best support.

Russia can lose. And it should lose, for the sake of the world – and for its own sake.
amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/05/08…

A terrific report from Samuel Bendett - well worth spending the time to read.

I have just published a two-part series on the development of concepts related to military adaptation, the key writings about it, and how it has been applied historically including during the war in Ukraine. You can read Part 2 at Futura Doctrina: mickryan.substack.com/p/ukraine-and-…

Today’s #Ukraine update from Institute for the Study of War and Critical Threats

‘Robot Marines’ In Every Formation: Corps’ Robotics Chief Casts Vision

Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Systems chief for the USMC lays out just how critical robotics will be in a future fight.

Story: twz.com/sea/robot-mari…

“After everything that’s transpired over the past decade—and especially given what Russia has become—Ukraine must not be made a Russian colony again.” From ⁦Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦⁩ at ⁦The Atlantic⁩ theatlantic.com/international/…

I have just published a two-part series on the development of concepts related to military adaptation, the key writings about it, and how it has been applied historically including during the war in Ukraine.

You can read Part 1 at Futura Doctrina here: mickryan.substack.com/p/ukraine-and-…

Ukraine’s domestic security service, the SBU, claims to have uncovered a network of Russian FSB agents who planned to assassinate president Volodymyr Zelensky and other top political and intelligence officials. Two of the agents allegedly involved were colonels in the department…

Can’t wait to read this. Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦

This is useful context for examining Russia’s brutality in #Ukraine & its military reforms. Like China, there is a far larger context to their aggression & military expansion. I am not sure the West is ready for this large-scale societal confrontation.
wapo.st/3UOljHE

Amidst fierce fighting and heavy Russian fire, Ukrainian soldiers often can't rely on medevac –  they are left to drag out the wounded on their own, sometimes 5-7 km. Commanders have to sometimes prioritize the equipment over the wounded due to shortages.

kyivindependent.com/unequipped-and…

The latest #Ukraine update from Institute for the Study of War and Critical Threats

This is part of a strategic attempt by China to bully their neighbours. Australia should respond asymmetrically: kick out Chinese diplomats from the massive Chinese embassy in Canberra or their huge regional consulates each time this occurs. abc.net.au/news/2024-05-0…

This regional collaboration is a key part of building professional, effective 21st military institutions. Technology is important, but the human element of deterrence and warfare (including regional partnerships) is critical. Thanks Brigadier Dave McCammon

The latest update from Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧. The interesting thing is not the casualty figures but the last point on the longer term cultural and structural impact the current ‘mass over quality’ approach might have on the Russian Army.