Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

Welcome to The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest of Ukrainian commentary and analysis from across the political spectrum only for War on the Rocks members. Each Monday, we bring you a curated selection of articles from Ukrainian media offering insight into how Ukrainians themselves debate the issues shaping their country.American coverage often narrows the view to the battlefield — these pieces widen it, revealing the texture of daily life, politics, and public argument in a nation at war. The perspectives gathered here are varied, candid, and often surprising, together forming a more complete picture of Ukraine as it really is.Frontline and StrategyОбозреватель —…

Conor McGregor has done quite well for himself financially, and Dan Hooker is impressed that the “Notorious” one hasn’t simply walked away from the fight game. McGregor is scheduled to step back inside the Octagon for the main event of UFC 329 on July 11. The Irishman will be meeting a familiar foe in Max Holloway. The two clashed all the way back in 2013, and it was McGregor who emerged victorious via unanimous decision despite suffering a torn ACL during the fight. A lot has changed since the first meeting between McGregor and Holloway. Both have become icons of…

Credit: ThalesDefense Feeds, Paris – The X-Fire launcher Chunmoo missiles concept was unveiled at Eurosatory 2026, presenting a potential new solution for NATO forces seeking longer-range precision strike capabilities.The proposed integration would allow France’s X-Fire rocket launcher to employ South Korea’s Chunmoo family of guided rockets and missiles, creating a system capable of engaging targets at distances of up to 290 kilometers while enhancing interoperability between European and South Korean defense technologies.The concept reflects the growing demand for deep-strike artillery systems following operational lessons from the war in Ukraine, where long-range precision fires have become a decisive element of battlefield…

Paris, 26 June 2026 – On 24 June 2026, Naval Group delivered the De Grasse, fourth in a series of six nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) built in Cherbourg for the French Navy under the Barracuda program managed by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA).  Benefiting from feedback gained from the first three submarines of the program, the delivery of the SSN De Grasse comes exactly four months after the submarine’s first sea trials. Since being rolled out of its construction hall in May 2025, the SSN De Grasse has successively completed its dockside trials, the commissioning of its nuclear boiler room…

In the two years since its participation at Eurosatory 2024, the Netherlands-based Destinus has transformed into a high-tech European developer of modern munitions, with branches in Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, and Ukraine. While two years ago Destinus products were only featured at the booth of Ukraine’s Ukroboronprom, at Eurosatory 2026, the company showcased its products both at its own booth and at the open static display of the German company Rheinmetall, with which it established a joint venture, Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems. click on image to enlarge The Kryla cruise missile was presented for the first time at the exhibition.…

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season often brings its share of anxiety as military families try to navigate a long to-do list before making the big move. Hidden “junk” fees for travel expenses shouldn’t be one of them, but the reality is most families are unaware of them and don’t realize the federal government sometimes doesn’t offer reimbursements to cover them. But Lt. Col. (Ret.) Durward Johnson believes there are ways to work around those fees. Johnson, a former judge advocate general, has served as an attorney for more than 20 years. He recently launched BreckenWander, an online travel booking…

Saab has today signed a contract with the Polish State Treasury Armaments Agency and received an order for the production and delivery of three A26-type submarines. The contract also encompasses a weapon package and a training- and support package. The order value corresponds to approximately SEK 47 billion. Saab will deliver continuously with the final deliveries scheduled during 2038. Saab’s A26 submarine is designed to meet the demanding operational conditions of the Baltic Sea and engineered specifically to operate in complete silence and remain undetected. A submarine significantly contributes to naval Multi Domain Operations through its freedom of movement, stealth…

People’s Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:02, June 29, 2026 WASHINGTON, June 28 (Xinhua) — The United States and Iran have agreed to pause mutual attacks “for now” and hold talks on Tuesday in Doha, the capital of Qatar, to work out their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. media outlet Axios reported Sunday. The two sides will stand down “for now” and “vessels can move freely” as technical talks are set to continue, a U.S. official was quoted as saying. The Tuesday talks were originally set to be held in Switzerland and focused on Iran’s nuclear program. However, renewed tensions…

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 14: Justin Gaethje celebrates his UFC lightweight championship after defeating Ilia Topuria during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

During the Cold War, Europe kept asking whether Washington would risk an American city to save a European one. It was an impolite question, but a useful one, which is why it never quite left the room. It has now packed its bags and moved east. Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron created quite a stir with an important speech on French nuclear weapons policy. Under what he called a new path of dissuasion avancée, or “forward deterrence,” he declared that just as French strategic submarines “dilute naturally in the oceans, guaranteeing a permanent-strike capability,” so also now will…