A Ukrainian soldier with an interceptor drone

EA-Times Radio VideoCast: How Russia Lost Territory in Ukraine In February

Saturday’s Coverage: Russia Murders 7+ Civilians in Kharkiv

UPDATE 0821 GMT:

Police in Sweden have seized a suspected vessel of Russia’s “shadow fleet”.

The false-flagged cargo ship Caffa, believed to be transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, was intercepted and boarded off Sweden’s southern coast on Friday. The sanctioned vessel left Casablanca in Morocco on February 24 and was headed for St Petersburg.

ORIGINAL ENTRY:

Amid the US-Israel war on Iran, the American military is providing Ukraine-tested anti-drone systems to countries facing Iranian retaliation.

The MEROPS system is a compact counter-drone platform developed by the US company Perennial Autonomy. It launches small interceptor drones that detect, track, and destroy incoming UAVs, including the Shahed-type attack drones frequently used by Russia and Iran.

Delegations have visited Ukraine’s factories and development centers to observe how engineers refine counter-drone tactics and systems based on battlefield experience. Ukraine is likely to provide trainers for the initiative.

After a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky posted:

Ukrainians have been fighting against Shahed drones for years now, and everyone recognizes that no other country in the world has this kind of experience. We are ready to help, and we expect that our people will also receive the support they need. Protecting life must be a shared priority, and it is very important to coordinate for security both in Europe and in the Middle East.

In his nightly address to the nation, Zelensky spoke of those murdered Russia’s strikes on Saturday. They include 10 civilians killed, including a 13-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, and 16 injured in Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv.

We understand risks created by Iranian strikes and the resulting need for air defense in the Middle East. It is important the protection of life is ensured in Ukraine too.