Latest news with #combat
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-Woke Dad Who Fled With Family to Russia Sent to War Zone
An American father who moved to Russia to avoid LGBTQ+ 'indoctrination' for his kids is being sent to the front line against Ukraine despite being assured he would serve in a non-combat role. Derek Huffman, 46, feels he is being 'thrown to the wolves' after being told that his job in the military would be as a correspondent or as a welder, his wife, DeAnna, said in a recorded plea for prayers, which has since been removed from her YouTube page. Huffman has no prior military experience, DeAnna said, adding that his limited training was conducted in Russian. She suggested this language barrier has made her husband particularly unprepared for the horrors of combat. 'Unfortunately, when you're taught in a different language, and you don't understand the language, how are you really getting taught?' she pondered. 'You're not. So, unfortunately, he feels like he's being thrown to the wolves right now, and he's kind of having to lean on faith, and that's what we're all doing.' Huffman joined the military in the hope of gaining Russian citizenship for his family through an expedited process. He also felt such service would allow him to 'earn' the respect of his new countrymen, which is something he once said migrants in the United States refuse to do. 'The point of this act for me is to earn a place here in Russia,' he told Russian state media last month. 'If I risk myself for our new country, no one will say that I am not a part of it. Unlike migrants in America who come there just like that, do not assimilate, and at the same time want free handouts.' Undocumented migrants cannot join the U.S. military during peacetime. A program launched by former President George W. Bush allowed such immigrants to seek citizenship by serving in the military, but that pathway was shuttered during President Donald Trump's first term. DeAnna, 42, suggested her husband had been misled during the military recruiting process. She added that, after a month of service, her family had yet to receive any pay. 'When he signed up and had all of that done, he was told he would not be training for two weeks and going straight to the front lines,' she said. 'But it seems as though he is getting one more week of training, closer to the front lines, and then they are going to put him on the front lines.' Huffman moved his family to a rural village outside Moscow this spring. It was launched by American blogger Tim Kirby—who has lived in Russia for two decades—in 2023 to attract Americans seeking to escape the 'liberal gender norm.' That project has been a flop, with United24Media reporting that only two families, including the Huffmans, have moved in. Huffman, a native Texan, brought his wife, three daughters, and their family Husky, 'Baby,' with him to Russia. The couple also has three sons from prior marriages who opted to remain in the United States. Huffman's admiration for Russia runs deep. The Russian state-operated news agency RIA Novosti reported last month that the couple honeymooned in Moscow. 'The city charmed us with its rich history, vibrant culture, and welcoming atmosphere,' DeAnna told the outlet. 'Before that, we figured out whether moving to Russia would fit our family's needs and values. However, it wasn't until we saw Moscow in person that we truly felt a connection.' DeAnna said that she was not surprised that her husband wanted to volunteer for the Russian military, even as it is in its third year of a bloody war with Ukraine. Ukrainian officials estimated this week that over a million Russian soldiers have been killed in the conflict, which continues to rage on despite Trump's demands for peace. 'It didn't come as a surprise to me,' she said of his joining the military. 'He always spoke so highly of the country, its president, and its people, and he has a strong passion for doing the right thing.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Any ceasefire deal will be thanks to your combat': Zamir credits Givati Brigade
"In the coming days, we will know whether or not we have an agreement. I want to say to you: if there is a deal and the hostages return, it will be thanks to your combat,' Zamir said. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir told commanders of the Givati Brigade on Wednesday that if Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire agreement in the coming days, it will be due to the efforts of their soldiers. 'We are approaching a very crucial crossroads. In the coming days, we will know whether or not we have an agreement. I want to say to you: if there is a deal and the hostages return, it will be thanks to your combat,' Zamir said. Speaking during a situational assessment and field tour in Gaza, Zamir emphasized the brigade's role in the progress made on the ground. 'Your achievements are significant, we already have operational control of 75% of the Gaza Strip,' he told the soldiers. Zamir was joined on the tour by Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, 162nd Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Sagiv Dahan, and other senior officers and brigade commanders. During the tour, the IDF chief expressed appreciation for the brigade's accomplishments and observed combat activity in the Beit Hanoun area. 'We will ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel for generations to come,' he said. Zamir also honored three soldiers from the 401st Brigade who were recently killed. 'Sadly, this war comes with a heavy cost. Two days ago, we lost three soldiers from the 401st Brigade. It is a painful and heavy price we have to pay in order to defend ourselves. We continue to strike and eliminate Hamas terrorists.' He highlighted the scope of the IDF's operations in recent weeks. 'In recent weeks alone, we have struck over 1,300 terrorists, some of whom were Nukhba terrorists from October 7. We will continue striking terrorists relentlessly until the defeat and dismantlement of Hamas.' If a ceasefire is reached, Zamir said the IDF would pause its activity and reposition along lines determined by the deal. However, 'If no deal is reached, my directive to Southern Command is to intensify and expand combat operations as much as possible, beyond what we are currently doing.' IDF will extend operation, continue efforts He added that the IDF would extend operations to additional areas and continue efforts at the same pace. To conclude, Zamir referenced Lt. Hadar Goldin, a Givati Brigade soldier killed in Rafah during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, whose body has been held by Hamas in Gaza for over a decade. 'Hadar Goldin is the last hostage from Operation 'Protective Edge.' In his actions, Hadar is a symbol of bravery, modesty, and humility. We have a great obligation to bring him home. This week marks 4,000 days since Operation 'Protective Edge.' We are making tremendous efforts to bring Hadar back to his family, and we will not rest or stop until we bring him and all the other hostages home.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Russian soldiers surrender to Ukrainian patrol made up of robots
This is the astonishing moment Russian soldiers surrendered to a Ukrainian patrol made up entirely of robots and drones. Footage shows both FPV and kamikaze ground drones striking a Russian dugout, before troops emerge holding a handwritten sign reading 'We want to surrender'. In a historic first, the soldiers were taken prisoner without a single Ukrainian infantryman present - marking the world's first successful combat capture using only unmanned aerial and ground drones. As the first drone - reportedly carrying an anti-tank mine - detonated, the Russian soldiers realised the imminent danger and quickly created a cardboard sign to signal their surrender before a second drone could strike. An overhead drone then guided the Russians directly to Ukrainian lines, where they were taken prisoner without resistance. Ukrainian infantry later moved in to secure the captured position - without suffering a single casualty. Kyiv had previously attempted to gain control of the area through traditional means, but without success. The logic behind the combined use of aerial and ground drones is simple but effective - with each having unique capabilities. While aerial drones excel in reconnaissance, target identification, and precision strikes, ground-based UGVs can carry a far larger amount of explosives. It comes after in March Ukraine's first all-robot offensive destroyed a Russian frontline unit without a single soldier being on the ground. The attack on a Russian position north of the embattled Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, saw the nation's 13th National Guard Brigade Khartiya launch around 50 unmanned aerial vehicles. The five-hour attack, believed to be the first of its kind, left several Russian corpses in its wake, and has now lead to other Ukrainian units planning similar missions. Lt. Andriy Kopach, who specialises in land drones, told the Wall Street Journal that as the early morning assault began, Ukrainian troops knelt in deep snow to release five unmanned ground vehicles at different spots several miles from the front-line to prevent crossing signals and confusing the robots. These five ground vehicles were mounted with massive machine guns and ammunition belts. Footage showed the ground vehicles traipsing across snow-covered land near Kharkiv. They were assisted by a swarm of first-person-view (FPV) drones, including one mounted with an assault rifle and many that dropped explosives, as they approached enemy lines. All of this was coordinated from a command post near the frontline. Video footage showed several Ukrainian soldiers sitting in a command post in front of dozens of screens, on which real-time battle information was relayed to them from the swarm of land and air drones at their disposal. One clip appeared to show a mobile land drone driving towards a Russian bunker during the battle and detonating itself.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Astonishing moment Russian soldiers surrender to Ukrainian patrol made up entirely of robots and drones
This is the astonishing moment Russian soldiers surrendered to a Ukrainian patrol made up entirely of robots and drones. Footage shows both FPV and kamikaze ground drones striking a Russian dugout, before troops emerge holding a handwritten sign reading 'We want to surrender'. In a historic first, the soldiers were taken prisoner without a single Ukrainian infantryman present - marking the world's first successful combat capture using only unmanned aerial and ground drones. The operation, conducted by the Third Assault Brigade on July 8 or 9 in Kharkiv Oblast, allowed the Ukrainians to retake territory without their soldiers firing a single bullet. During the assault, which lasted just 15 minutes, FPV drones first struck Russian dugouts, causing chaos among the troops. Moments later, unmanned ground vehicles loaded with powerful explosives moved toward the already battered fortification. As the first drone - reportedly carrying an anti-tank mine - detonated, the Russian soldiers realised the imminent danger and quickly created a cardboard sign to signal their surrender before a second drone could strike. An overhead drone then guided the Russians directly to Ukrainian lines, where they were taken prisoner without resistance. Ukrainian infantry later moved in to secure the captured position - without suffering a single casualty. Kiev had previously attempted to gain control of the area through traditional means, but without success. The logic behind the combined use of aerial and ground drones is simple but effective - with each having unique capabilities. While aerial drones excel in reconnaissance, target identification, and precision strikes, ground-based UGVs can carry a far larger amount of explosives. It comes after in March Ukraine's first all-robot offensive destroyed a Russian frontline unit without a single soldier being on the ground. The attack on a Russian position north of the embattled Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, saw the nation's 13th National Guard Brigade Khartiya launch around 50 unmanned aerial vehicles. The five-hour attack, believed to be the first of its kind, left several Russian corpses in its wake, and has now lead to other Ukrainian units planning similar missions. Lt. Andriy Kopach, who specialises in land drones, told the Wall Street Journal that as the early morning assault began, Ukrainian troops knelt in deep snow to release five unmanned ground vehicles at different spots several miles from the front-line to prevent crossing signals and confusing the robots. These five ground vehicles were mounted with massive machine guns and ammunition belts. Video footage showed the ground vehicles traipsing across snow-covered land near Kharkiv. They were assisted by a swarm of first-person-view (FPV) drones, including one mounted with an assault rifle and many that dropped explosives, as they approached enemy lines. All of this was coordinated from a command post near the frontline. Video footage showed several Ukrainian soldiers sitting in a command post in front of dozens of screens, on which real-time battle information was relayed to them from the swarm of land and air drones at their disposal. One clip appeared to show a mobile land drone driving towards a Russian bunker during the battle and detonating itself.
Al Mayadeen
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Al-Quds Brigades targets dozens of IOF soldiers, casualties reported
An al-Quds Brigades field commander announced on Wednesday a military operation carried out against dozens of Israeli occupation soldiers and a convoy of armed vehicles east of the al-Shujaiya neighborhood in Gaza. The operation began with the detonation of a field of landmines targeting infiltrating Israeli vehicles, forcing soldiers and officers to retreat in panic into nearby residential homes. The commander reported that Resistance fighters targeted the occupation forces inside the houses with a guided missile, followed by a TBG anti-fortification projectile. 'We ambushed the targeted forces and engaged in very close combat using light and medium weapons,' the commander said, confirming that the crew of the armored units, officers, and soldiers were either eliminated or wounded during the operation. Israeli media acknowledged the killing of a soldier from the Egoz unit in Gaza, while four other soldiers were critically injured. According to the latest official figures released by the Israeli military, the number of officers and soldiers killed since the resumption of the war on Gaza in March has risen to 30, bringing the total confirmed military death toll since the start of the ground invasion in Gaza to 438. However, Palestinian sources and independent observers consistently stress that the real number is significantly higher, citing "Israel's" policy of censorship and information blackout aimed at maintaining the morale of its troops and settlers. Yesterday, the Al-Quds Brigades announced that its fighters successfully ambushed an Israeli infantry unit in eastern Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing and injuring several Israeli troops. According to a statement, Resistance fighters had booby-trapped a house where Israeli occupation forces had taken shelter. The house was rigged with anti-personnel and anti-fortification explosives, which were detonated once the troops were inside. When Israeli reinforcements arrived, Palestinian fighters opened fire with machine guns and RPGs, prompting the Israeli military to call in helicopters under heavy cover of fire and smoke to evacuate the remaining soldiers. In a separate operation, al-Quds Brigades confirmed the destruction of an Israeli D9 military-grade bulldozer using a high-powered barrel-shaped explosive device in Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis. Additionally, in a joint operation with Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, Resistance fighters destroyed an Israeli Merkava tank by detonating a powerful side charge known as a "Thaqeb" device in the same area. Read more: Al-Qassam, al-Quds Brigades launch joint ops on Israeli forces in Gaza
