Middle East Spectator — MES
—❗️🇮🇱/🇮🇷 Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu: ‘We have information indicating that Iran wants to attack us before the election’ @Middle_East_Spectator
If I were Iran, I'd attack before the U.S. midterms. Send some ballistic missiles to American bases and force Trump into responding at this crucial point for his term in office. Really capitalise on how unpopular this war is in the U.S. at such a sensitive time in American politics.
But Iran still seems too focused on trying to appear like the "good guys" or "reasonable" on the international stage. No matter what Iran does, western governments will never see them anywhere near that.
Restraint is a good thing for other reasons, but you should also know when is the right time to use your leverage and play your cards to maximum effect.
Now is the best time for that.
But Iran still seems too focused on trying to appear like the "good guys" or "reasonable" on the international stage. No matter what Iran does, western governments will never see them anywhere near that.
Restraint is a good thing for other reasons, but you should also know when is the right time to use your leverage and play your cards to maximum effect.
Now is the best time for that.
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Forwarded from WarFront Witness (Aloushi)
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⚡️🇷🇺🇮🇷🇺🇲🇮🇱 Russia has reportedly evacuated their nuclear scientists from Iran aboard flight RFF740. The flight left Iran with its transponder off before continuing towards Russia over the Caspian Sea.
A similar flight pattern was observed in February, earlier this year, when Israel and the United States launched a wave of strikes across Iran.
@wfwitness
A similar flight pattern was observed in February, earlier this year, when Israel and the United States launched a wave of strikes across Iran.
@wfwitness
Situation on the Omelnyk direction, Zaporizhzhia Oblast:
Over the last few weeks, Russian forces have intensified their assault operations in the Omelnyk direction, making important advances across multiple different areas.
In the northeast, Russian forces pushed the Ukrainians further away from Pryluky, recapturing a series of treeline positions just east of the railway line. From here, they are carrying out deep infiltrations through the treelines north of Vozdvyzhivka where they are attempting to consolidate, and are launching assaults on Ukrainian positions to the north near Kosivtseve and Rizdvyanka. Russian DRGs and individual infiltration groups were also detected operating in and around the village of Lyubytske.
To the south, the Russians regained control over the railway line east of Verkhnya Tersa and cleared the village of Tsvitkove from earlier Ukrainian infiltrations. From here, they were able to establish control over a number of treeline positions southeast of Vozvyzhivka, and are now attempting to infiltrate the southeastern part of the village and the eastern approaches to Lisne. Other Russian assault groups are infiltrating through the large grey-zone north of Verkhnya Tersa, reaching the eastern approaches to Dolynka.
To the southwest, Russian forces continued their gradual advance west of Zaliznychne, and managed to capture a forested gulley south of Hirke. From here, they are launching assaults on Hirke from the south, where clearing operations against Ukrainian positions are underway. Infiltrations west and southwest of Hirke are also being carried out, supported by an ongoing expansion of the control zone along the highway north of Huliaipilske.
Further southwest, following the complete capture of Huliaipilske, the Russians were able to establish control over the fields south of Novoselivka and the southern part of the village. From here, they are infiltrating further west down both banks of the Zherebets River, entering the northern part of Novoselivka and the fields south of Yehorivka. Some small groups of Russian infiltrators have also been able to cross the Zherebets River and enter Yehorivka from the south, from which they are infiltrating north towards Shyroke and west into the eastern outskirts of Omelnyk. Fighting also continues for Chervona Krynytsia and the surrounding areas, where a large grey-zone remains.
+ ~38.66 km² in favour of Russia.
Interactive map: amkmapping.com
#Ukrainemap
Over the last few weeks, Russian forces have intensified their assault operations in the Omelnyk direction, making important advances across multiple different areas.
In the northeast, Russian forces pushed the Ukrainians further away from Pryluky, recapturing a series of treeline positions just east of the railway line. From here, they are carrying out deep infiltrations through the treelines north of Vozdvyzhivka where they are attempting to consolidate, and are launching assaults on Ukrainian positions to the north near Kosivtseve and Rizdvyanka. Russian DRGs and individual infiltration groups were also detected operating in and around the village of Lyubytske.
To the south, the Russians regained control over the railway line east of Verkhnya Tersa and cleared the village of Tsvitkove from earlier Ukrainian infiltrations. From here, they were able to establish control over a number of treeline positions southeast of Vozvyzhivka, and are now attempting to infiltrate the southeastern part of the village and the eastern approaches to Lisne. Other Russian assault groups are infiltrating through the large grey-zone north of Verkhnya Tersa, reaching the eastern approaches to Dolynka.
To the southwest, Russian forces continued their gradual advance west of Zaliznychne, and managed to capture a forested gulley south of Hirke. From here, they are launching assaults on Hirke from the south, where clearing operations against Ukrainian positions are underway. Infiltrations west and southwest of Hirke are also being carried out, supported by an ongoing expansion of the control zone along the highway north of Huliaipilske.
Further southwest, following the complete capture of Huliaipilske, the Russians were able to establish control over the fields south of Novoselivka and the southern part of the village. From here, they are infiltrating further west down both banks of the Zherebets River, entering the northern part of Novoselivka and the fields south of Yehorivka. Some small groups of Russian infiltrators have also been able to cross the Zherebets River and enter Yehorivka from the south, from which they are infiltrating north towards Shyroke and west into the eastern outskirts of Omelnyk. Fighting also continues for Chervona Krynytsia and the surrounding areas, where a large grey-zone remains.
+ ~38.66 km² in favour of Russia.
Interactive map: amkmapping.com
#Ukrainemap
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Situation on the Orikhiv direction, Zaporizhzhia Oblast:
Over the last two weeks, Ukrainian forces have been carrying out a series of counterattacks and clearing operations in the Orikhiv direction, amid continued Russian assault operations on the western flank of the city.
Following the arrival of new reinforcements, including from the 7th Corps, Ukrainian forces began conducting a series of clearing operations and counterattacks in Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka, as well as in the surrounding areas, aimed at blocking Russian forces within the city and pushing their main forces away from the city limits.
In the east, Ukrainian forces managed to eliminate the Russian infiltration zone north of Mala Tokmachka, and cleared the northern part of the town from earlier Russian infiltrations. They also managed to regain control over some positions in the town centre, where heavy fighting is now ongoing with Russian forces.
To the west, the Ukrainians cleared the western part of Mala Tokmachka from earlier Russian infiltrations and re-established control over positions along the railway line and highway. They also managed to clear the village of Preobrazenka from earlier Russian infiltrations, thereby completely re-establishing control over the northern bank of the Konka River in this sector, and most of its southern bank. Other Ukrainian assault groups are carrying out clearing operations in Orikhiv, where they were able to push the Russians away from the city centre, back to the southeastern-most streets, where fighting is now underway. They also managed to clear the northwestern outskirts of Novodanylivka and are attempting to reinforce their position in the northern part of the village in order to block the remaining Russian soldiers within Orikhiv.
Further west, Russian forces continued their assault operations towards Orikhiv from the west, and managed to expand their zone of control along the highway and the treelines to the south. This has allowed infiltrators to begin entering the northern streets of Novoandriivka, with some even managing to penetrate as far as the highway intersection northeast of the village. Additional infiltrations into the western part of Novoandriivka are also being carried out.
+ ~14.80 km² in favour of Ukraine.
+ ~0.84 km² in favour of Russia.
Interactive map: amkmapping.com
#Ukrainemap
Over the last two weeks, Ukrainian forces have been carrying out a series of counterattacks and clearing operations in the Orikhiv direction, amid continued Russian assault operations on the western flank of the city.
Following the arrival of new reinforcements, including from the 7th Corps, Ukrainian forces began conducting a series of clearing operations and counterattacks in Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka, as well as in the surrounding areas, aimed at blocking Russian forces within the city and pushing their main forces away from the city limits.
In the east, Ukrainian forces managed to eliminate the Russian infiltration zone north of Mala Tokmachka, and cleared the northern part of the town from earlier Russian infiltrations. They also managed to regain control over some positions in the town centre, where heavy fighting is now ongoing with Russian forces.
To the west, the Ukrainians cleared the western part of Mala Tokmachka from earlier Russian infiltrations and re-established control over positions along the railway line and highway. They also managed to clear the village of Preobrazenka from earlier Russian infiltrations, thereby completely re-establishing control over the northern bank of the Konka River in this sector, and most of its southern bank. Other Ukrainian assault groups are carrying out clearing operations in Orikhiv, where they were able to push the Russians away from the city centre, back to the southeastern-most streets, where fighting is now underway. They also managed to clear the northwestern outskirts of Novodanylivka and are attempting to reinforce their position in the northern part of the village in order to block the remaining Russian soldiers within Orikhiv.
Further west, Russian forces continued their assault operations towards Orikhiv from the west, and managed to expand their zone of control along the highway and the treelines to the south. This has allowed infiltrators to begin entering the northern streets of Novoandriivka, with some even managing to penetrate as far as the highway intersection northeast of the village. Additional infiltrations into the western part of Novoandriivka are also being carried out.
+ ~14.80 km² in favour of Ukraine.
+ ~0.84 km² in favour of Russia.
Interactive map: amkmapping.com
#Ukrainemap
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Situation on the Stepnohirsk direction, Zaporizhzhia Oblast:
Over the last few weeks, Ukrainian forces have been carrying out a series of counterattacks aimed at reversing the Russian progress made in the last two months.
In the east, Ukrainian forces cleared the large grey-zone in the fields north of Shcherbaky and Mali Shcherbaky and managed to infiltrate a series of positions directly north of these villages. Russian forces are conducting their own assault operations, attempting to regain control over these lost positions, and have managed to subsequently push Ukrainian infiltrators away from the northern outskirts of both settlements.
To the west, the Ukrainians cleared the large grey-zone south of Novoyakovlivka and recaptured the village of Pavlivka. From here, they managed to regain control over a series of strongpoints along the northern edge of a gulley further south, where they are now engaged in fierce fighting with Russian soldiers who are attempting to counterattack. Ukrainian forces also cleared Lukyanivske from earlier Russian infiltrations.
Further west, both sides are carrying out assault operations and deep infiltrations, resulting in a significant expansion of the grey-zone in both directions. Ukrainian forces are infiltrating from the area of the solar farm towards the northern outskirts of Kamyanske and the southern micro-district of Stepnohirsk where they are attempting to take up new positions. Russian forces are continuing their infiltrations into the northern part of Stepnohirsk, the fields southwest of Mahdalynivka, and the area of the solar farm; and are engaged in fierce fighting for the remaining Ukrainian positions south of the Sukhyy River in the Plavni area.
+ ~44.80 km² in favour of Ukraine.
+ ~2.46 km² in favour of Russia.
Interactive map: amkmapping.com
#Ukrainemap
Over the last few weeks, Ukrainian forces have been carrying out a series of counterattacks aimed at reversing the Russian progress made in the last two months.
In the east, Ukrainian forces cleared the large grey-zone in the fields north of Shcherbaky and Mali Shcherbaky and managed to infiltrate a series of positions directly north of these villages. Russian forces are conducting their own assault operations, attempting to regain control over these lost positions, and have managed to subsequently push Ukrainian infiltrators away from the northern outskirts of both settlements.
To the west, the Ukrainians cleared the large grey-zone south of Novoyakovlivka and recaptured the village of Pavlivka. From here, they managed to regain control over a series of strongpoints along the northern edge of a gulley further south, where they are now engaged in fierce fighting with Russian soldiers who are attempting to counterattack. Ukrainian forces also cleared Lukyanivske from earlier Russian infiltrations.
Further west, both sides are carrying out assault operations and deep infiltrations, resulting in a significant expansion of the grey-zone in both directions. Ukrainian forces are infiltrating from the area of the solar farm towards the northern outskirts of Kamyanske and the southern micro-district of Stepnohirsk where they are attempting to take up new positions. Russian forces are continuing their infiltrations into the northern part of Stepnohirsk, the fields southwest of Mahdalynivka, and the area of the solar farm; and are engaged in fierce fighting for the remaining Ukrainian positions south of the Sukhyy River in the Plavni area.
+ ~44.80 km² in favour of Ukraine.
+ ~2.46 km² in favour of Russia.
Interactive map: amkmapping.com
#Ukrainemap
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AMK Mapping
Situation on the Orikhiv direction, Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Over the last two weeks, Ukrainian forces have been carrying out a series of counterattacks and clearing operations in the Orikhiv direction, amid continued Russian assault operations on the western…
Closer-up view of the approximate situation in Orikhiv, where Ukrainian forces are coming close to re-establishing full control over the city:
In mid-August, following a series of DRG infiltrations, the Russian command initiated a series of assault operations on Orikhiv, infiltrating through Novodanylivka into the city. After weeks of fighting they managed to gain a foothold in the southeastern streets and begin infiltrating towards the city centre.
In response to the threat of losing this critical city - which is crucial to the overall defence of Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Zaporizhzhia City - the Ukrainian command deployed reinforcements to the city and the areas further northeast in early-September, in order to carry out a series of counterattacks. These counterattacks began with clearing operations of the infiltration zone in mid-September, and by the end of September, they had regained the initiative in most of the sector, working heavily to cut off Russian reinforcements leading to the front with drones, while using small assault groups to engage Russian infiltrators on the ground.
As for the current situation, after pushing the Russians away from city centre and shifting the fighting back to the southeastern part of the city, Ukrainian forces began a blocking maneuver from the flanks, which Russia had been unable to secure during the initial storming operations in August and September.
From the east, Ukrainian assault groups cleared the western part of Mala Tokmachka and the nearby railway. From the west, they cleared some positions south of Orikhiv and increased their presence in the outer streets of Novodanylivka. From there, they are attempting to link up and re-establish control over the forests at the cross-roads of Orikhiv, Mala Tokmachka, and Novodanylivka.
Essentially, anyone who controls these forests - which are important for accumulation of infantry - and are located directly between these three settlements, will have a significant advantage. Capturing these forests was one of the first tasks assigned to the Russian assault groups in August, and they were able to establish control over it for infantry accumulations for a period of time. However, it has since shifted back largely into the grey-zone after Ukrainian forces recaptured the areas to the east and west of them, with some positions even being re-established along its northern edge.
In response, Russia attempted to bring in at least 20 more soldiers into Novodanylivka with transport vehicles earlier this week. It's unclear how many survived and if they will be able to resume assaults on the Orikhiv area in the near future.
It's likely that within Orikhiv itself, there are no more than 20 Russian soldiers present at the time of writing. They still have the ability to withdraw through the grey-zone, using the cover of forests and built-up areas to escape. But, it now seems that any successful Russian storming operation on the city will not come before the end of 2026.
In mid-August, following a series of DRG infiltrations, the Russian command initiated a series of assault operations on Orikhiv, infiltrating through Novodanylivka into the city. After weeks of fighting they managed to gain a foothold in the southeastern streets and begin infiltrating towards the city centre.
In response to the threat of losing this critical city - which is crucial to the overall defence of Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Zaporizhzhia City - the Ukrainian command deployed reinforcements to the city and the areas further northeast in early-September, in order to carry out a series of counterattacks. These counterattacks began with clearing operations of the infiltration zone in mid-September, and by the end of September, they had regained the initiative in most of the sector, working heavily to cut off Russian reinforcements leading to the front with drones, while using small assault groups to engage Russian infiltrators on the ground.
As for the current situation, after pushing the Russians away from city centre and shifting the fighting back to the southeastern part of the city, Ukrainian forces began a blocking maneuver from the flanks, which Russia had been unable to secure during the initial storming operations in August and September.
From the east, Ukrainian assault groups cleared the western part of Mala Tokmachka and the nearby railway. From the west, they cleared some positions south of Orikhiv and increased their presence in the outer streets of Novodanylivka. From there, they are attempting to link up and re-establish control over the forests at the cross-roads of Orikhiv, Mala Tokmachka, and Novodanylivka.
Essentially, anyone who controls these forests - which are important for accumulation of infantry - and are located directly between these three settlements, will have a significant advantage. Capturing these forests was one of the first tasks assigned to the Russian assault groups in August, and they were able to establish control over it for infantry accumulations for a period of time. However, it has since shifted back largely into the grey-zone after Ukrainian forces recaptured the areas to the east and west of them, with some positions even being re-established along its northern edge.
In response, Russia attempted to bring in at least 20 more soldiers into Novodanylivka with transport vehicles earlier this week. It's unclear how many survived and if they will be able to resume assaults on the Orikhiv area in the near future.
It's likely that within Orikhiv itself, there are no more than 20 Russian soldiers present at the time of writing. They still have the ability to withdraw through the grey-zone, using the cover of forests and built-up areas to escape. But, it now seems that any successful Russian storming operation on the city will not come before the end of 2026.
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Percentage of each Ukrainian region controlled by Russia, as of October 24, 2026:
Luhansk Oblast: ~26,566 km² (+64 km² in favour of Ukraine since Jan 1) - 99.56%.
Donetsk Oblast: ~21,371 km² (+87 km² in favour of Ukraine since Jan 1) - 80.65%.
(Donbas total: 47,937 km² - 90.11%).
------------------------------
Zaporizhzhia Oblast: ~20,717 km² (+193 km² in favour of Russia since Jan 1) - 76.21%.
Kherson Oblast: ~20,230 km² (no changes since Jan 1) - 71.08%.
(4 Oblasts total: ~88,884 km² - 81.67%).
------------------------------
Kharkiv Oblast: ~1,908 km² (+221 km² in favour of Russia since Jan 1) - 6.10%.
Sumy Oblast: ~517 km² (+231 km² in favour of Russia since Jan 1) - 2.17%.
Mykolaiv Oblast: ~132 km² (no changes since Jan 1) - 0.54%.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: ~46 km² (+398 km² in favour of Ukraine since Jan 1) - 0.14%.
Crimea + Sevastopol: 100%.
Luhansk Oblast: ~26,566 km² (+64 km² in favour of Ukraine since Jan 1) - 99.56%.
Donetsk Oblast: ~21,371 km² (+87 km² in favour of Ukraine since Jan 1) - 80.65%.
(Donbas total: 47,937 km² - 90.11%).
------------------------------
Zaporizhzhia Oblast: ~20,717 km² (+193 km² in favour of Russia since Jan 1) - 76.21%.
Kherson Oblast: ~20,230 km² (no changes since Jan 1) - 71.08%.
(4 Oblasts total: ~88,884 km² - 81.67%).
------------------------------
Kharkiv Oblast: ~1,908 km² (+221 km² in favour of Russia since Jan 1) - 6.10%.
Sumy Oblast: ~517 km² (+231 km² in favour of Russia since Jan 1) - 2.17%.
Mykolaiv Oblast: ~132 km² (no changes since Jan 1) - 0.54%.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: ~46 km² (+398 km² in favour of Ukraine since Jan 1) - 0.14%.
Crimea + Sevastopol: 100%.
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In response to yesterday's Palestinian armed attack on an Israeli checkpoint near Hebron, the IDF has launched a large-scale counter-insurgency operation in Hebron.
The operation is targeting the Ain Deir Baha Neighbourhood, in the western part of the city - which is where both perpetrators had resided. Israeli forces are now carrying out forced evacuations of all residents from the red area shown on the map, organising their evacuation through four different corridors.
The IDF has established military positions in various houses, and are conducting widespread searches for militant infrastructure and weapons, while questioning and arresting suspects. Hebron and the nearby town of Halhul have been fully cordoned off, with roadblocks and checkpoints being established outside both cities. The operation is expected to continue for several days.
The operation is targeting the Ain Deir Baha Neighbourhood, in the western part of the city - which is where both perpetrators had resided. Israeli forces are now carrying out forced evacuations of all residents from the red area shown on the map, organising their evacuation through four different corridors.
The IDF has established military positions in various houses, and are conducting widespread searches for militant infrastructure and weapons, while questioning and arresting suspects. Hebron and the nearby town of Halhul have been fully cordoned off, with roadblocks and checkpoints being established outside both cities. The operation is expected to continue for several days.
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Russia heavily attacked the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia City KAB glide-bombs and Geran-2 drones last night.
At least 18 KAB glide-bombs were used, impacting the villages of Balabyne and Kushuhum, just south of Zaporizhzhia.
Two Geran-2 drones also impacted the vicinity of Zaporizhzhia's Old City.
At least 18 KAB glide-bombs were used, impacting the villages of Balabyne and Kushuhum, just south of Zaporizhzhia.
Two Geran-2 drones also impacted the vicinity of Zaporizhzhia's Old City.
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Ukrainian mid-range drone strikes on energy infrastructure across Crimea, Krasnodar Krai, and Russian-controlled Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts, resulted in widespread power outages across these regions.
Electricity has been partially restored in parts of Crimea, however the majority of the peninsula was completely without power earlier in the night.
Electricity has been partially restored in parts of Crimea, however the majority of the peninsula was completely without power earlier in the night.
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Ukrainian long-range drones struck the Tolyattikauchuk Chemical Plant in the city of Tolyatti, Samara Oblast, resulting in a large fire breaking out.
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Druzhkivka direction, Donetsk Oblast.
Russian DRGs were once again detected operating deep behind Ukrainian lines, at 5 different locations near the villages of Staroraiske, Serhiivka, Rohanske, Novoandriivka, and Andriivka.
These infiltration groups pose a real threat to Ukrainian drone operator positions and artillery crews, and are yet to be fully cleared by Ukrainian forces.
Russian DRGs were once again detected operating deep behind Ukrainian lines, at 5 different locations near the villages of Staroraiske, Serhiivka, Rohanske, Novoandriivka, and Andriivka.
These infiltration groups pose a real threat to Ukrainian drone operator positions and artillery crews, and are yet to be fully cleared by Ukrainian forces.
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Forwarded from Faytuks Network
October has become the worst month on record for commercial ship attacks around the Strait of Hormuz, with 28 confirmed and reported incidents. More than 30 supertankers have been damaged since the Iran war began, including 11 this month, Reuters reports.
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Druzhkivka direction, Donetsk Oblast.
Individual Russian small infiltration groups again entered the village of Kindradivka, just outside Druzhkivka, where they were operating in the eastern houses. Another infiltration group also entered the village of Klynove.
A Russian DRG group was detected operating in the fields northeast of Raiske, on the approaches to Druzhkivka.
Russian soldiers are using the extensive cover in the form of built-up areas and foliage, alongside poor weather conditions, to reduce their chances of being detected by Ukrainian drones.
Individual Russian small infiltration groups again entered the village of Kindradivka, just outside Druzhkivka, where they were operating in the eastern houses. Another infiltration group also entered the village of Klynove.
A Russian DRG group was detected operating in the fields northeast of Raiske, on the approaches to Druzhkivka.
Russian soldiers are using the extensive cover in the form of built-up areas and foliage, alongside poor weather conditions, to reduce their chances of being detected by Ukrainian drones.
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