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Two Wars Converge in the Caspian Sea as Ukraine Hits Iranian Supply Line to Russia

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The Iran and Ukraine wars are colliding on the world’s biggest lake. Here’s what to know 11 HR AGO [posted July 27 at circa 11 pm on this blog in DC] By Tim Lister, Leila Gharagozlou CNN WORLD A satellite image of the Caspian Sea. Planet Observer/Universal Images Group/Getty Images The Caspian Sea has become the latest region to be sucked into the growing conflict between Iran and its adversaries – not least because it’s a vital artery in the growing relationship between Iran and Russia. Ukraine at the weekend said its drones had struck two Russian vessels carrying military cargoes in the Caspian, the world’s largest inland body of water. It asserted that both had left Iran for a Russian port. In a post on X Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the targets included “ships that were involved in transporting military cargo from Iran, as well as a warship,” subsequently identified by Ukraine’s security service as a Russian missile boat. Iran countered that one of its co...

Inside Ukraine’s Secretive Unit Knocking Russian Drones Out of the Sky

  including a Loeb, six Sabews and an OPC. He has held a variety of jobs at the Journal, including markets editor for EMEA, senior Canada correspondent, and U.K. politics and general news reporter in London. Alistair has also worked at Reuters and outlets in his native North East of England.

How Russia Uses Sexual Violence to Wage War

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Serhii Boychuk said he suffered sexual torture at the hands of his Russian guards . [more on  Serhii Boychuk and others below] By Alistair MacDonald , Serhi Bosak and Ivegeniia Sivorka The Wall Street Journal Photography by Sasha Maslov for WSJ  July 25, 2026 11:00 pm ET JB:  See also  Chatham House, which notes, " A recent report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine found that sexual violence has been used systematically by Russian authorities as a method of torture in detention settings. The report underscores that conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) affects civilians and prisoners of war alike and constitutes a significant proportion of war crimes being prosecuted in Ukraine." Quick Summary -- Growing testimony suggests Russian sexual violence against Ukrainian POWs and civilian prisoners has been systematic and condoned by senior Russian officials. -- The Unit ed Natio ns has gathered testimo ny about 310 cases of sexual viole...

The Secret Trip That Turned Laura Loomer From Ukraine Skeptic to Supporter

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The right-wing provocateur and Trump ally says she had a change of heart after realizing she was being duped by Russian misinformation: ‘I made a mistake ’ By Philip Wegmann July 24, 2026 7:12 pm ET The Wall Street Journal Quick Summary [JB - such is named for the below text] -- Trump ally Laura Loomer said she was duped by Russian misinformation and now views Ukraine as an essential ally after visiting the country . -- During her trip, Loomer interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and called Trump twice to keep him apprised of her travels.  -- Loomer said her shift began after she realized Russian propaganda channels were leading a foreign- interference operation. This summary was generated with AI and reviewed by an editor Laura Loomer is on a journey . For years, the right-wing provocateur parroted Russian talking points, urging U.S. leaders to abandon Ukraine and calling the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, “an actual Nazi.” But after a trip to war-torn U...