Russian Attack Submarine Sunk in Missile Strike on Black Sea Port Claims Ukraine

Kilo-class submarine Rostov-on-Don heading for the Mediterranean Sea. Photo by Yörük Işık‏ used with permission

Russian diesel-electric attack submarine Rostov-on-Don was sunk Friday in Sevastapol, international news outlets reported.
The BBC and Reuters, citing Ukrainian general staff online postings, said a missile attack sank the Kilo-class attack boat while it was at anchor in the Black Sea port.

This would be the second successful missile attack on the submarine in 11 months.

Then, the...

https://news.usni.org/2024/08/04/russian-attack-submarine-sunk-in-missile-strike-on-black-sea-port-claims-ukraine

Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln Heads to Middle East as Iran Threatens Strikes Against Israel

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) departs Naval Station North Island on July 11, 2024. US Navy Photo

West Coast carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is setting sail to the Middle East from the Pacific to relieve the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and its strike group. Meanwhile, the Navy is sending additional ships to the region following threats from Iran, Pentagon officials announced on Friday evening.
“To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, the Secretary has...

https://news.usni.org/2024/08/02/carrier-uss-abraham-lincoln-heads-to-middle-east-as-iran-threatens-strikes-against-israel

U.S. and Philippine Warships Patrol South China Sea

Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS-26) conducts a Maritime Cooperative Activity with Philippine Navy’s Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), in the South China Sea, July 31, 2024. US Navy Photo

U.S. and Philippine warships rendezvoused near a disputed South China Sea feature to conduct a joint maritime patrol on Wednesday.

USS Mobile (LCS-26) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) met off Leslie Bank, a maritime feature within Manila’s exclusive economic...

https://news.usni.org/2024/08/01/u-s-and-philippine-warships-patrol-south-china-sea

Canadian Frigate Makes Taiwan Strait Transit As China Forces Monitor

Canada Joint Operations Command Photo

Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH-336) conducted a Taiwan Strait transit Wednesday, drawing the ire of China.

The Canadian Joint Operations Command announced the transit at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday on social media site X, saying in the post that Canada operated in accordance with international law.

“Our activities promote peace, resilience, and security in the #IndoPacific,” reads a follow up post.

Montreal is in the Indo-Pacific under Canada’s Operation Horizon,...

https://news.usni.org/2024/08/01/canadian-frigate-makes-taiwan-strait-transit-as-china-forces-monitor

GAO Report on Oversight of U.S. Support to Ukraine

The following is the July 31, 2024, Government Accountability Office report, Ukraine: Oversight of U.S. Direct Budget Support. 

From the report

Why This Matters

Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine is causing a devastating loss of life, creating a widespread humanitarian crisis, and threatening democracy in Europe. In response, Congress has appropriated more than $174 billion across the federal government. From this funding, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has obligated...

https://news.usni.org/2024/08/01/gao-report-on-oversight-of-u-s-support-to-ukraine

Russian Bombers Fly Missions Through Japan’s ADIZ, Australia Unveils First MQ-4C Triton

A Russian Tupolev Tu-95 Bear off Japan. Japanese MoD Photo

Two Russian Tu-95 bombers conducted a 10-hour flight over the Sea of Japan, entering Japan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, three times on Tuesday with Japan scrambling its fighters in response.

Two Russian Tu-95 bombers and two fighter aircraft flew in from Russia Tuesday and headed eastward over the Sea of Japan before changing course off the Oki Islands archipelago to head north toward home, according to a Wednesday Japan’s Joint...

https://news.usni.org/2024/07/31/russian-bombers-fly-missions-through-japans-adiz-australia-unveils-first-mq-4c-triton

U.S. Commits $500M to Modernize Philippine Military, Coast Guard Against External Threats

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken meet with Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines Gilberto Teodoro and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo as part of the fourth U.S.-Philippines Two-Plus-Two Ministerial Dialogue in Manila, Philippines, July 30, 2024. DoD Photo

U.S. and Philippine officials announced new programs to enhance their defense and security cooperation this week, which includes $500 million of foreign military financing from Washington to...

https://news.usni.org/2024/07/31/u-s-commits-500m-to-modernize-philippine-military-coast-guard-against-external-threats

Chinese, Russian Warships Sail Around Japanese Islands

People’s Liberation Army Navy destroyer CNS Kaifeng (124) and frigate CNS Yantai (538). JSO Photo

Several Chinese and Russian ships and a Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle operated around Japan on Sunday and Monday, according to the Japanese Joint Staff Office.

People’s Liberation Army Navy destroyer CNS Kaifeng (124) and frigate CNS Yantai (538) were sighted sailing northwest 31 miles south of Yonaguni Island and then sailed north in the waters between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan, according to a...

https://news.usni.org/2024/07/30/chinese-russian-warships-sail-around-japanese-islands

U.S., Ukrainian Navies Practice Mine Countermeasures Off Scotland For Sea Breeze 2024

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) ships SS Donau (A516) of Germany, EML Ugandi (M315) of Estonia, and CMT Cephee (M652) of France transit in formation with Ukrainian mine countermeasure vessels UKS Cherkasy (M311) and UKS Chernihiv (M310) in the Firth of Clyde Sea as part of the first serial of exercise Sea Breeze 2024, June 25, 2024. DOD Photo

The Russo-Ukrainian War continues to slog toward its third year, with Russia pushing into territories in the eastern part of the...

https://news.usni.org/2024/07/29/u-s-ukrainian-navies-practice-mine-countermeasures-off-scotland-for-sea-breeze-2024

Philippines Performs First Sierra Madre Resupply Since Inking Deal with China

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner receives sailors returning from BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) following the resupply and personnel transfer mission on July 27, 2024. Armed Forces of the Philippines Photo.

Philippine forces successfully resupplied BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) without incident after reaching an agreement with China for provisions and personnel transfers to the Philippine outpost at Second Thomas Shoal. 

This is the first mission the Philippines has...

https://news.usni.org/2024/07/29/philippines-performs-first-sierra-madre-resupply-since-inking-deal-with-china