America probably used just over 5,000 munitions of different sorts in the first four days of the war, and 11,000 or so in the first 16 days, according to analysis by Jahara Matisek, Morgan Bazilian and Macdonald Amoah of the Payne Institute of Public Policy in Colorado. That would make Epic Fury “the most intensive opening air campaign in modern history”, they note, eclipsing the first three days of NATO’s bombing of Libya in 2011.
An even bigger problem relates to air defence. Iran’s initial salvoes of ballistic missiles and drones have burned through a significant chunk of American and allied interceptors. In the first week of the war, America is estimated to have fired around 140 Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptors and more than 150 THAAD interceptors. Stocks were already low. America had reportedly fired a quarter of its THAAD inventory last year while defending Israel against Iranian strikes. “We have enough Patriots to keep going,” notes Mark Cancian of CSIS. “But every one we fire is one fewer that we could have for Ukraine or the Western Pacific.”
Replenishing all this will take years. The cost of replacing the first four days’ worth of munitions would be $20bn-26bn, estimate Messrs Matisek, Bazilian and Amoah. The problem, however, is more to do with scarcity than cost. America is thought to have used more than 300 Tomahawk cruise missiles in the opening days of the war, but the Pentagon had planned to buy just 57 new ones in the current fiscal year. There have been no deliveries of THAAD interceptors since 2023 and the Pentagon has not placed any new orders this year. A puny 39 interceptors are slated for delivery in 2027—six years after they were ordered.
The Pentagon has grand plans to speed up procurement with big, multi-year contracts. It wants to raise production of Tomahawks from 60 to 1,000 a year, and PAC-3 MSEs from 600 to 2,000, for example. But Congress has not agreed to pay for this. And the supply chain for munitions is opaque and gummed up. The motors missiles use are a good example. Some materials, such as propellant, are available from only one or two firms, often after a long wait. Other components involve critical minerals controlled by China.
“Congress can appropriate $26bn overnight,” note Messrs Matisek, Bazilian and Amoah. “It cannot appropriate gallium, neodymium or ammonium perchlorate into existence.”
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Keep in mind, these are just the numbers for the USA's expenditures. Israel, the Gulf countries, and the USA combined burned through 800 PAC-3 interceptor missiles in the first 72 hours according to the Jerusalem Post.
🌒 @EastCalling
An even bigger problem relates to air defence. Iran’s initial salvoes of ballistic missiles and drones have burned through a significant chunk of American and allied interceptors. In the first week of the war, America is estimated to have fired around 140 Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptors and more than 150 THAAD interceptors. Stocks were already low. America had reportedly fired a quarter of its THAAD inventory last year while defending Israel against Iranian strikes. “We have enough Patriots to keep going,” notes Mark Cancian of CSIS. “But every one we fire is one fewer that we could have for Ukraine or the Western Pacific.”
Replenishing all this will take years. The cost of replacing the first four days’ worth of munitions would be $20bn-26bn, estimate Messrs Matisek, Bazilian and Amoah. The problem, however, is more to do with scarcity than cost. America is thought to have used more than 300 Tomahawk cruise missiles in the opening days of the war, but the Pentagon had planned to buy just 57 new ones in the current fiscal year. There have been no deliveries of THAAD interceptors since 2023 and the Pentagon has not placed any new orders this year. A puny 39 interceptors are slated for delivery in 2027—six years after they were ordered.
The Pentagon has grand plans to speed up procurement with big, multi-year contracts. It wants to raise production of Tomahawks from 60 to 1,000 a year, and PAC-3 MSEs from 600 to 2,000, for example. But Congress has not agreed to pay for this. And the supply chain for munitions is opaque and gummed up. The motors missiles use are a good example. Some materials, such as propellant, are available from only one or two firms, often after a long wait. Other components involve critical minerals controlled by China.
“Congress can appropriate $26bn overnight,” note Messrs Matisek, Bazilian and Amoah. “It cannot appropriate gallium, neodymium or ammonium perchlorate into existence.”
Keep in mind, these are just the numbers for the USA's expenditures. Israel, the Gulf countries, and the USA combined burned through 800 PAC-3 interceptor missiles in the first 72 hours according to the Jerusalem Post.
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East Calling
The War Zone writes, The reality is that, even for the F-35, there are risks, especially as the air campaign moves more toward direct attacks, bringing aircraft closer to potential threats. While the U.S. has claimed air supremacy over Iran, it certainly…
Military Chronicle:
Iran has reportedly managed to hit a fifth-generation F-35 fighter with a Mersad-16 missile. It is reported that passive guidance + an infrared homing head bypassed the aircraft's radio frequency jamming. The AN/AAQ-37 system activated automatic evasion, softening the impact, but the hit still occurred. The aircraft was not destroyed immediately, but in any case, this is an intriguing precedent worth examining more closely. Now, apparently, the US and Israel will be somewhat wary of operating freely in Iranian airspace.
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This is really an important development from a psychological perspective. If the supposed "invisible," super-advanced F35 can be damaged by the "defeated" Iranian air defense, then what is the real survivability of this airframe in a true high-threat environment?
🌒 @EastCalling
Iran has reportedly managed to hit a fifth-generation F-35 fighter with a Mersad-16 missile. It is reported that passive guidance + an infrared homing head bypassed the aircraft's radio frequency jamming. The AN/AAQ-37 system activated automatic evasion, softening the impact, but the hit still occurred. The aircraft was not destroyed immediately, but in any case, this is an intriguing precedent worth examining more closely. Now, apparently, the US and Israel will be somewhat wary of operating freely in Iranian airspace.
This is really an important development from a psychological perspective. If the supposed "invisible," super-advanced F35 can be damaged by the "defeated" Iranian air defense, then what is the real survivability of this airframe in a true high-threat environment?
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Brief Frontline Report – March 19th, 2026
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Part 1
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Units of the 'South' Group, as a result of ongoing operations, have liberated the settlement of Fedorovka 2 in the Donetsk People's Republic."
Units of the "South" Group are splitting the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense through alternating advances on the flanks of operational sectors and are reaching positions that allow them to create a serious threat to the stronghold areas of the enemy's defensive line protecting the forefield of the Slavyansk fortified area—the settlements of Rai-Alexandrovka and Orekhovatka. Both settlements are transport hubs where radial and front-line supply roads intersect, providing supply and maneuver for enemy units.
On March 17, the settlement of Kaleniki was liberated, severing communication and coordination between the enemy grouping operating on the left flank of the defense and the central sector and right flank.
On March 19, the Russian Armed Forces liberated the settlement of Fedorovka 2 (48°45′48″ N 37°51′03″ E, population 84 in 2001). To the east, an assault is underway on the large settlement of Nikiforovka, and the liberation of Fedorovka 2 will allow for the completion of its liberation. From the settlement of Fedorovka 2, along the Pugachev Yar ravine, Russian units advancing to the C-051419 front-line supply route (about 3 kilometers) sever the coordination between the Rai-Aleksandrovka area and the enemy's right flank of defense, where, relying on the Seversky Donets-Donbas canal, the enemy is defending on the Orekhovatka - Nikanorovka - Yurkovka sector.
Having cut off the Rai-Aleksandrovka area from its flanks, the Russian Armed Forces will gain a favorable configuration for storming this area. The advance of "South" group formations to the Kaleniki - Rai-Alexandrovka line creates a threat to the entire Ukrainian Armed Forces defense sector located to the north, along the right bank of the Seversky Donets River.
See Part 2
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Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
🌒 @EastCalling
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Part 1
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Units of the 'South' Group, as a result of ongoing operations, have liberated the settlement of Fedorovka 2 in the Donetsk People's Republic."
Units of the "South" Group are splitting the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense through alternating advances on the flanks of operational sectors and are reaching positions that allow them to create a serious threat to the stronghold areas of the enemy's defensive line protecting the forefield of the Slavyansk fortified area—the settlements of Rai-Alexandrovka and Orekhovatka. Both settlements are transport hubs where radial and front-line supply roads intersect, providing supply and maneuver for enemy units.
On March 17, the settlement of Kaleniki was liberated, severing communication and coordination between the enemy grouping operating on the left flank of the defense and the central sector and right flank.
On March 19, the Russian Armed Forces liberated the settlement of Fedorovka 2 (48°45′48″ N 37°51′03″ E, population 84 in 2001). To the east, an assault is underway on the large settlement of Nikiforovka, and the liberation of Fedorovka 2 will allow for the completion of its liberation. From the settlement of Fedorovka 2, along the Pugachev Yar ravine, Russian units advancing to the C-051419 front-line supply route (about 3 kilometers) sever the coordination between the Rai-Aleksandrovka area and the enemy's right flank of defense, where, relying on the Seversky Donets-Donbas canal, the enemy is defending on the Orekhovatka - Nikanorovka - Yurkovka sector.
Having cut off the Rai-Aleksandrovka area from its flanks, the Russian Armed Forces will gain a favorable configuration for storming this area. The advance of "South" group formations to the Kaleniki - Rai-Alexandrovka line creates a threat to the entire Ukrainian Armed Forces defense sector located to the north, along the right bank of the Seversky Donets River.
See Part 2
Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
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Brief Frontline Report – March 19th, 2026
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Part 2
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Units of the 'Center' group of forces, as a result of decisive actions, have liberated the settlement of Pavlovka in the Donetsk People's Republic."
The "South" Group is approaching the Slavyansk-Konstantinovka fortified area of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the east, while the neighboring "Center" Group, with its right flank, is forming deep envelopments operating to the southwest. Formations operating in this sector are reaching Ukrainian Armed Forces defensive positions located on the Druzhkovka - Novonikolaevka - Zolotoy Kolodez line, along the beds of the Gruzskaya and Kazennyi Torets rivers.
On March 19, the settlement of Pavlovka (48°31′37″ N 37°24′36″ E, population 42 in 2001) was liberated. In this settlement and in the settlement of Priyut, the enemy positioned forces covering the Raiyskoe - Torskoe - Krasny Kut line. By advancing to this line, Russian units create a barrier against enemy actions targeting Russian units approaching the city of Konstantinovka from the southwest, in the Stepanovka - Dolgaya Balka - Berestok sector. They will also create a bridgehead for further operations against the settlement of Druzhkovka.
See Part 1
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Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
🌒 @EastCalling
Summary by Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov.
Part 2
Message from the Russian Ministry of Defense: "Units of the 'Center' group of forces, as a result of decisive actions, have liberated the settlement of Pavlovka in the Donetsk People's Republic."
The "South" Group is approaching the Slavyansk-Konstantinovka fortified area of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the east, while the neighboring "Center" Group, with its right flank, is forming deep envelopments operating to the southwest. Formations operating in this sector are reaching Ukrainian Armed Forces defensive positions located on the Druzhkovka - Novonikolaevka - Zolotoy Kolodez line, along the beds of the Gruzskaya and Kazennyi Torets rivers.
On March 19, the settlement of Pavlovka (48°31′37″ N 37°24′36″ E, population 42 in 2001) was liberated. In this settlement and in the settlement of Priyut, the enemy positioned forces covering the Raiyskoe - Torskoe - Krasny Kut line. By advancing to this line, Russian units create a barrier against enemy actions targeting Russian units approaching the city of Konstantinovka from the southwest, in the Stepanovka - Dolgaya Balka - Berestok sector. They will also create a bridgehead for further operations against the settlement of Druzhkovka.
See Part 1
Read this report and many others on Marat Khairullin's Substack! That's where I post the high-definition maps, and frankly, the formatting on Substack makes the reports easier to follow. Any questions for Marat and Mikhail will be answered there.
#MaratBattlefieldSummaries
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On the site, they are accused of receiving medals participating in events glorifying Russian military personnel, as well as allegedly attempting to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The database includes Varvara Voronchikhina, Alexei Bugaev, Ivan Golubkov, Anastasia Bagian, as well as her coach Sergey Sinyakin.
* — the resource is recognized as extremist in the territory of the Russian Federation.
Source: Zvezda
There's no bottom in the Universe, that the Ukraine would not be able to hit through.
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These systems are used for the air defense of military and administrative-industrial facilities, as well as entire districts.
The Pantsirs have successfully defeated a wide variety of drones, as well as ATACMS ballistic missiles, Storm Shadow and "Flamingo" cruise missiles, HARM high-speed missiles, HIMARS guided munitions, and other targets, noted in Rostec.
Source: Zvezda
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Russia is the only country that uses regenerated uranium and plutonium as raw materials for nuclear power plants - Likhachev.
Source: СМОТРИ
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This is, what real renewable energy looks like.
🌒 @EastCalling
Source: СМОТРИ
This is, what real renewable energy looks like.
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Direct fall in Joshua Dan, Tel Aviv
One of the shells from the fragmentation missile fell inside the Palmachim Airbase on the coast of Tel Aviv.
🌒 @EastCalling
One of the shells from the fragmentation missile fell inside the Palmachim Airbase on the coast of Tel Aviv.
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Oilprice.com
How are investors still believing this?
Well, it is getting less and less effective. Prices fell $40 per barrel on Trump's first announcement that the war would end soon, but this time they only fell $10. People are starting to figure out these people are full of shit.
🌒 @EastCalling
How are investors still believing this?
Well, it is getting less and less effective. Prices fell $40 per barrel on Trump's first announcement that the war would end soon, but this time they only fell $10. People are starting to figure out these people are full of shit.
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Worshipers Attacked as Al-Aqsa Mosque is Closed
Local sources in Jerusalem report that Israeli forces attacked worshipers in the Bab al-Sahira area, firing tear gas at them while Al-Aqsa Mosque remained closed.
According to these reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of Eid morning as residents gathered to perform Eid prayers near the mosque.
Source: Tasnim
🌒 @EastCalling
Local sources in Jerusalem report that Israeli forces attacked worshipers in the Bab al-Sahira area, firing tear gas at them while Al-Aqsa Mosque remained closed.
According to these reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of Eid morning as residents gathered to perform Eid prayers near the mosque.
Source: Tasnim
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Colombia has banned mercenarism.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro approved a bill on the country's accession to the Convention against Mercenarism, said Alejandro Toro, a deputy from the ruling coalition "Historic Pact".
"Great news! President Gustavo Petro signed Law 2569 of March 17, 2026, banning the use of Colombian mercenaries," the politician said.
In December last year, the Spanish El Pais reported that between 2,000 and 3,000 Colombians were serving as mercenaries in the Ukrainian army. However, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs admits that at least 300 Colombians have died. However, as the publication notes with reference to the families of mercenaries, this number is much higher, taking into account those who are still missing, as their bodies could not be found in the territory controlled by Russia.
The publication cites the story of Marta Sarmiento, whose husband Ricardo, according to the information she received, died in the spring of 2025, but is officially listed as missing, and she continues to receive her husband's salary.
Marta is now a volunteer in the organization "Voices of Those Who Are No Longer", which represents the interests of up to 250 families who, having confirmed - officially or unofficially - the death of their loved ones in the war in Ukraine, began demanding the repatriation of their bodies and the help promised by the Ukrainian authorities. In early December, several of them held a demonstration in the center of Bogota, calling on the Foreign Ministry to get answers from Kyiv.
The newspaper spoke with seven families of Colombian soldiers of the Ukrainian army who died in recent months. The stories contain several common features: the recruits usually have military experience in Colombia and are tempted by offers of high salaries from the Ukrainian authorities. They find out about the possibility through social networks, mainly TikTok, and soon go to war.
"The Ukrainian war is a slaughter for foreigners. In 10 years, no one will remember my father. Those who leave become just numbers in statistics. They will just be another figure on a memorial plaque, not even a statue. And I ask myself: why? So many houses have been destroyed, and there's no end in sight," said a son of one of the deceased to El Pais.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Lima (Peru), which also represents the country's interests in Colombia, informs the families of the deceased that "in the event of death in combat, family members are entitled to a one-time financial compensation". The amount of compensation, set by law, is approximately $3,500 per month, paid in about 80 installments. The embassy admits that "there are reasons why the payment may be delayed or not made". In the "overwhelming majority of cases", it adds, this is due to the lack of documents, although there are other exceptions. For example, a woman who was in a civil marriage with the deceased will not receive compensation, as this type of relationship is not recognized in Ukraine.
Several Colombians who survived the war told the publication that the Ukrainian army pays more to recruits who decide to go to the front, and that's why so many foreigners are dying.
🌒 @EastCalling
Colombian President Gustavo Petro approved a bill on the country's accession to the Convention against Mercenarism, said Alejandro Toro, a deputy from the ruling coalition "Historic Pact".
"Great news! President Gustavo Petro signed Law 2569 of March 17, 2026, banning the use of Colombian mercenaries," the politician said.
In December last year, the Spanish El Pais reported that between 2,000 and 3,000 Colombians were serving as mercenaries in the Ukrainian army. However, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs admits that at least 300 Colombians have died. However, as the publication notes with reference to the families of mercenaries, this number is much higher, taking into account those who are still missing, as their bodies could not be found in the territory controlled by Russia.
The publication cites the story of Marta Sarmiento, whose husband Ricardo, according to the information she received, died in the spring of 2025, but is officially listed as missing, and she continues to receive her husband's salary.
Marta is now a volunteer in the organization "Voices of Those Who Are No Longer", which represents the interests of up to 250 families who, having confirmed - officially or unofficially - the death of their loved ones in the war in Ukraine, began demanding the repatriation of their bodies and the help promised by the Ukrainian authorities. In early December, several of them held a demonstration in the center of Bogota, calling on the Foreign Ministry to get answers from Kyiv.
The newspaper spoke with seven families of Colombian soldiers of the Ukrainian army who died in recent months. The stories contain several common features: the recruits usually have military experience in Colombia and are tempted by offers of high salaries from the Ukrainian authorities. They find out about the possibility through social networks, mainly TikTok, and soon go to war.
"The Ukrainian war is a slaughter for foreigners. In 10 years, no one will remember my father. Those who leave become just numbers in statistics. They will just be another figure on a memorial plaque, not even a statue. And I ask myself: why? So many houses have been destroyed, and there's no end in sight," said a son of one of the deceased to El Pais.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Lima (Peru), which also represents the country's interests in Colombia, informs the families of the deceased that "in the event of death in combat, family members are entitled to a one-time financial compensation". The amount of compensation, set by law, is approximately $3,500 per month, paid in about 80 installments. The embassy admits that "there are reasons why the payment may be delayed or not made". In the "overwhelming majority of cases", it adds, this is due to the lack of documents, although there are other exceptions. For example, a woman who was in a civil marriage with the deceased will not receive compensation, as this type of relationship is not recognized in Ukraine.
Several Colombians who survived the war told the publication that the Ukrainian army pays more to recruits who decide to go to the front, and that's why so many foreigners are dying.
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The US and Japan have agreed on investments in American energy amounting to $73 billion, according to a joint statement from the parties, published by the US Department of Commerce.
As part of the new agreement between Washington and Tokyo, GE Vernova Hitachi will build small modular reactors in the states of Tennessee and Alabama for up to $40 billion. Additionally, gas generation projects will be implemented in the state of Pennsylvania for $17 billion and in Texas for up to $16 billion.
Source: RIA Novosti
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Oh, to be a conquered protectorate of the USA. No matter how badly you are abused, you must continue to grovel and pay tribute.
🌒 @EastCalling
As part of the new agreement between Washington and Tokyo, GE Vernova Hitachi will build small modular reactors in the states of Tennessee and Alabama for up to $40 billion. Additionally, gas generation projects will be implemented in the state of Pennsylvania for $17 billion and in Texas for up to $16 billion.
Source: RIA Novosti
Oh, to be a conquered protectorate of the USA. No matter how badly you are abused, you must continue to grovel and pay tribute.
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According to Nate Silver's (yes, I know) latest polling analysis, Donald Trump’s approval rating is the lowest it has been during his second presidency, as is his net approval rating.
The midterm elections are less than 8 months away.
🌒 @EastCalling
The midterm elections are less than 8 months away.
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Geran Chronicles:
A fire at the Mina Al-Ahmad oil refinery in Kuwait after it was attacked by Iranian drones.
🌒 @EastCalling
A fire at the Mina Al-Ahmad oil refinery in Kuwait after it was attacked by Iranian drones.
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