Latest news with #DIU
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Russian military train blown up near occupied Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
A Russian military train was blown up on a railway section near the temporarily occupied settlement of Yakymivka in the Melitopol district of Zaporizhzhia Oblast on the night of 31 May–1 June. Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) Details: DIU did not confirm its involvement in the incident. The intelligence service stated that the train was heading towards occupied Crimea. As a result of the explosion on the railway track, the train – which included fuel tankers and freight wagons – was derailed. The intelligence service reported that following the incident, Russian forces increased patrols and inspections at checkpoints. Background: On 24 May, drone operators from DIU units tracked and struck a Russian fuel train on occupied territory in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
The Pentagon launched a military-grade Y Combinator, signaling that defense tech is officially cool on college campuses
The Department of Defense is scouting the next Palantir — and it's starting on college campuses. This week, the Defense Innovation Unit — the Pentagon's emerging tech arm — launched a university accelerator, open for applications through late June. The 12-week program will be a military-grade Y Combinator of sorts, offering early-stage startups funding, mentorship, and DoD connections. Fifteen teams spun out of US universities — working in AI, cyber, space, and more — will evenly split $500,000. The initiative builds on the National Security Innovation Network's earlier Emerge program, which also targeted college founders, according to DIU project manager Josh Carter. "Though its name has changed over the years, its mission remains the same: to help early-stage tech companies founded within the US university system engage with the DoD," he said in an email to Business Insider. It's also tapping into a growing appetite on college campuses for working in national security, in part fueled by geopolitical urgency and venture dollars flooding the space. Students at top colleges like Harvard and Stanford who once chased jobs at Google and Meta are increasingly eyeing Palantir — or even launching defense tech startups of their own. Beyond rising student interest, the accelerator also reflects growing investor intrigue in dual-use startups — ones building tech for both the battlefield and commercial buyers. The DIU believes this business plan gives startups a better shot at longevity. Having public and private sector applications, Carter said, gives startups "a better opportunity to achieve long-term sustainability and growth." A handful of scaling startups are already operating in both arenas. "The most promising companies will prove their product market fit in one end market — either commercial or government — and then leverage that success to break into the other," Mina Faltas, founder and chief investment officer of Washington Harbour Partners, told BI in an email. Hadrian, which is building automated factories that can make parts for hardware companies, especially those in aerospace and defense, raised $117 million in 2024 in a mix of equity and debt from investors including RTX Ventures, the venture arm of defense prime RTX, formerly Raytheon. CHAOS Industries, which develops a software platform for critical industries and defense, raised a $275 million Series C in May, co-led by New Enterprise Associates and Accel. And Scale AI, which provides AI heavyweights like OpenAI with training data, inked a contract with the Defense Department in March. Investors say that becoming dual-use doesn't just happen overnight. "Typically, startups focus first on selling to either commercial or government customers, since the execution of each lane is quite distinct," Faltas said. Jackson Moses, founder of defense tech fund Silent Ventures, said most dual-use startups only expand into a second market once they've matured. "Startups require early, narrow focus to succeed, and I prefer founders to focus on proper upfront market research and a single GTM strategy," he told BI in an email. "Some of the most successful dual-use defense plays organically achieve product market fit over a medium- to longer-term horizon, a function of strategy, execution, and patience." Moses has backed some such startups, including CHAOS. Others are still skeptical of the approach. Jake Chapman of national security-focused firm Marque Ventures says that the industry's obsession with dual-use can be a distraction for founders and investors. "Too many DoD problems are defense problems, not dual-use problems," he told BI in an email. "If we insist on directing all our early-stage support to dual-use companies, we turn defense tech startups into second-class citizens."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Polish president presents Ukraine's Defence Intelligence chief with one of Poland's highest honours for foreigners
President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda has presented Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), with the Gold Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland – one of the highest state awards available to foreign nationals. Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Quote: "For outstanding contribution to the development of international cooperation and partnership connecting the Republic of Poland with other states and nations, President of Poland Andrzej Duda has presented Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, with one of the highest honours the Republic of Poland can bestow on foreigners – the Gold Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland." Details: The award was presented on behalf of the Polish president by Colonel Dominik Duda, Deputy Head of Poland's Intelligence Agency. During the ceremony, he stressed the importance of the Polish-Ukrainian partnership in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. Polish officials stated that the role played by Ukraine's military intelligence in countering Russian aggression is a key factor in ensuring the security of the entire European continent. Quote from Budanov: "I sincerely thank President Andrzej Duda for his trust and willingness to recognise the close Polish-Ukrainian relationship! Today's war is a fight for freedom, for our principles and the values of a united Europe. Only together can we resist the Russian horde and overcome this age-old threat to Poland and Ukraine. Our nations will always stand as one stronghold in the struggle for a peaceful future without war." More details: President Duda also presented the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland to Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. For reference: The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland is presented to foreign nationals who have made a significant contribution to fostering good neighbourly relations and international cooperation. Previous recipients include former US President Ronald Reagan, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Heartstopping drone footage shows Ukrainian assault on Russian war train leaving it a burning wreck
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the moment Ukrainian drones turned a Russian war train into a raging fireball — in a daring strike caught on dramatic aerial footage. Video released by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (DIU) shows the fuel-loaded train exploding into flames as it trundles through occupied Zaporizhzhia. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The Russian war train just moments before Ukraine's precise attack Credit: Ukraine Defence Intelligence 8 Explosions rip through the train as Ukrainian forces target Putin's supply line Credit: Ukraine Defence Intelligence 8 Thick smoke can be seen from afar after the strike Credit: Ukraine Defence Intelligence 8 The footage shared by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence got dozens of comments online Credit: Ukraine Defence Intelligence The clip, titled 'Railway Rumble,' captures the precision assault as explosive-laden drones zero in on the target mid-motion — triggering a series of fiery blasts that engulf at least three tankers in a huge inferno. In one powerful sequence, the train is seen snaking along the Verkhnii Tokmak–Molochansk–Fedorivka railway before the drones strike with deadly accuracy, sparking a fireball that rips through the wagons. Pravda reports the daring op was carried out by elite GUR (military intelligence) drone operators in an occupied area of southern Ukraine on May 24. 'Spectacular footage of a combat operation in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhia region,' Ukraine's DIU said. 'On May 24, 2025, the masters of strike UAVs… tracked down and hunted down a train of Russian invaders with fuel.' The mission destroyed a key logistics lifeline supplying Vladimir Putin's forces in Zaporizhzhia and annexed Crimea, Ukrainian officials said. 'The railway supply of Russian occupation forces… has been disrupted,' DIU added. 'The armed struggle, aimed at hindering and paralyzing the military logistics of the Muscovites, continues.' Fans flooded the DIU's Facebook page with praise. One wrote: 'Thank you for your work. Take revenge for every dead person in Ukraine.' Putin's biggest aerial blitz of Ukraine war leaves 3 children among the dead Another added: 'Glory to the heroes! Boundless gratitude, love and respect to you, our Warriors of Light!' A third said simply: 'Beautiful, very beautiful… Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!' The strike came just hours after Putin unleashed his most brutal air assault of the war — killing 13 people including three siblings, aged just 8, 12 and 17. In the early hours of Friday, Russia launched 367 drones and missiles in a wave of attacks across Ukraine — the biggest aerial bombardment since the 2022 invasion. 8 An explosion of a drone lights up the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike on Saturday Credit: Reuters 8 Footage showed emergency responders trying to extinguish fires as smoke billowed from cars and houses Credit: AP 8 A woman carries her dog as she walks on a street with pieces of broken glass at the site of a residential building that was damaged after the Russian attack Credit: AP NATO scrambled fighter jets while emergency responders battled fires in Kyiv and other cities as explosions rocked the nation through the night. The three children, Roman, Tamara and Stanislav Martyniuk, were killed alongside their injured mum when strikes hit the Zhytomyr region west of the capital. Their devastated school, Korostyshiv Lyceum No. 1, said: 'Year 11 student Roman, Year 6 student Tamara and Year 3 student Stanislav – will no longer come to their classrooms, sit at their desks or smile at their friends. The war has cut their lives short.' At least four more were killed and 26 injured in Kyiv. Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said: 'It was the most massive strike in terms of the number of air attack weapons on the territory of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.' President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the massacre as a 'terrorist strike' and called for new sanctions. 'Each such terrorist Russian strike is a sufficient reason for new sanctions against Russia,' he said. 'Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day.' The fresh blitz came as both sides began a rare prisoner exchange, with 697 soldiers freed in total across two days — part of a 1,000-person deal agreed during Istanbul peace talks earlier this month. Despite hints of diplomacy, Moscow has continued its offensive — and Ukrainian forces, in turn, are fighting back hard.
The Irish Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Heartstopping drone footage shows Ukrainian assault on Russian war train leaving it a burning wreck
THIS is the moment Ukrainian drones turned a Russian war train into a raging fireball — in a daring strike caught on dramatic aerial footage. Video released by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (DIU) shows the fuel-loaded train exploding into flames as it trundles through occupied Zaporizhzhia. 8 The Russian war train just moments before Ukraine's precise attack Credit: Ukraine Defence Intelligence 8 Explosions rip through the train as Ukrainian forces target Putin's supply line Credit: Ukraine Defence Intelligence 8 Thick smoke can be seen from afar after the strike Credit: Ukraine Defence Intelligence 8 The footage shared by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence got dozens of comments online Credit: Ukraine Defence Intelligence The clip, titled 'Railway Rumble,' captures the precision assault as explosive-laden drones zero in on the target mid-motion — triggering a series of fiery blasts that engulf at least three tankers in a huge inferno. In one powerful sequence, the train is seen snaking along the Verkhnii Tokmak–Molochansk–Fedorivka railway before the drones strike with deadly accuracy, sparking a fireball that rips through the wagons. 'Spectacular footage of a combat operation in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhia region,' Ukraine's DIU said. Read more on Ukraine war 'On May 24, 2025, the masters of strike UAVs… tracked down and hunted down a train of Russian invaders with fuel.' The mission destroyed a key logistics lifeline supplying Vladimir Putin's forces in Zaporizhzhia and annexed Crimea, Ukrainian officials said. 'The railway supply of Russian occupation forces… has been disrupted,' DIU added. 'The armed struggle, aimed at hindering and paralyzing the military logistics of the Muscovites, continues.' Most read in The US Sun Fans flooded the DIU's Facebook page with praise. One wrote: 'Thank you for your work. Take revenge for every dead person in Ukraine.' Putin's biggest aerial blitz of Ukraine war leaves 3 children among the dead Another added: 'Glory to the heroes! Boundless gratitude, love and respect to you, our Warriors of Light!' A third said simply: 'Beautiful, very beautiful… Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!' The strike came just hours after In the early hours of Friday, 8 An explosion of a drone lights up the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike on Saturday Credit: Reuters 8 Footage showed emergency responders trying to extinguish fires as smoke billowed from cars and houses Credit: AP 8 A woman carries her dog as she walks on a street with pieces of broken glass at the site of a residential building that was damaged after the Russian attack Credit: AP NATO scrambled fighter jets while emergency responders battled fires in Kyiv and other cities as explosions rocked the nation through the night. The three children, Roman, Tamara and Stanislav Martyniuk, were killed alongside their injured mum when strikes hit the Zhytomyr region west of the capital. Their devastated school, Korostyshiv Lyceum No. 1, said: 'Year 11 student Roman, Year 6 student Tamara and Year 3 student Stanislav – will no longer come to their classrooms, sit at their desks or smile at their friends. The war has cut their lives short.' At least four more were killed and 26 injured in Kyiv. Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said: 'It was the most massive strike in terms of the number of air attack weapons on the territory of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.' President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the massacre as a 'terrorist strike' and called for new sanctions. 'Each such terrorist Russian strike is a sufficient reason for new sanctions against Russia,' he said. 'Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day.' The fresh blitz came as Despite hints of diplomacy, Moscow has continued its offensive — and Ukrainian forces, in turn, are fighting back hard. 8
