International

Ukraine’s long-range drones using Western tech to hit Russia

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2024

Ukraine’s long-range drones using Western tech to hit Russia

Western technology and finance are helping Ukraine carry out hundreds of long-range strikes inside Russia.

That is despite Nato allies still refusing to give Ukraine permission to use Western-supplied munitions to do so – mostly because of fears of escalation.

Ukraine has been stepping up its long-range strikes inside Russia over the past few months, launching scores of drones simultaneously at strategic targets several times a week.

The targets include air force bases, oil and ammunition depots and command centres.

Ukrainian firms are now producing hundreds of armed one-way attack drones a month, at a fraction of the cost it takes to produce a similar drone in the West.

One company told the BBC it was already creating a disproportionate impact on Russia’s war economy at a relatively small expense.

The BBC has been briefed by a number of those involved in these missions. They include one of Ukraine’s largest one-way attack drone manufacturers, as well as a big data company which has helped develop software for Ukraine to carry out these strikes.

Francisco Serra-Martins says the strategy is already creating huge dilemmas for Moscow. He believes that with extra investment, it will turn the tide of the war in Ukraine’s favour.

Eighteen months ago, the company he co-founded, Terminal Autonomy, didn’t even exist. It is now producing more than a hundred AQ400 Scythe long-range drones a month, with a range of 750km (465 miles). The company also makes hundreds of shorter range AQ100 Bayonet drones a month, which can fly a few hundred kilometres.

The drones are made of wood and are being assembled in former furniture factories in Ukraine.

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Mr Serra-Martins, a former Australian Army Royal Engineer, set up the company with his Ukrainian co-founder, backed by US finance. It is one of at least three companies now producing drones in Ukraine at scale.

The AQ 400 Scythe drone is made of wood and has a range of 750km

He describes his drones as “basically flying furniture – we assemble it like Ikea”.

It takes about an hour to build the fuselage and half that time to put the brains inside it – the electronics, motor and explosives.

The company’s Bayonet drone costs a few thousand dollars. In contrast, a Russian air defence missile used to shoot it down can cost more than $1m.

It is not only cheap drones making the difference.

Palantir, a large US data analysis company, was one of the first Western tech companies to aid Ukraine’s war effort. It started by providing software to improve the speed and accuracy of its artillery strikes. Now it has given Ukraine new tools to plan its long-range drone strikes.

British engineers from Palantir, working with Ukrainian counterparts, have designed a programme to generate and map the best ways to reach a target. Palantir makes clear it is not involved in the missions, but has helped train more than 1,000 Ukrainians how to use its software.

The BBC has been shown how it works in principle. Using streams of data, it can map Russia’s air defences, radar and electronic jammers. The end product looks similar to a topographical chart.

The tighter the contours, the heavier the air defences. The locations have already been identified by Ukraine using commercial satellite imagery and signals intelligence.

Louis Mosley of Palantir says the programme is helping Ukraine to skirt around Russia’s electronic warfare and air defence systems to reach their target.

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“Understanding and visualising what that looks like across the entire battle space is really critical to optimising these missions,” he says.

The execution of the long-range drone strikes is being co-ordinated by Ukraine’s intelligence agencies, who work in secrecy. But the BBC has been told by other sources about some of the detail.

Scores of drones can be fired for any one mission – as many as 60 at one target.

The attacks are mostly carried out at night. Most will be shot down. As few as 10% may reach the target. Some drones are even shot down along the way by friendly fire – Ukraine’s own air defences.

Ukraine has had to work out ways to counter Russian electronic jamming. Terminal Autonomy’s Scythe drone uses visual positioning – navigating its course and examining the terrain by Artificial Intelligence. There is no pilot involved.

Palantir software will have already mapped the best routes. Mr Serra-Martins says flying a lot of drones is key to overwhelming and exhausting Russia’s air defences. So too is making the drones cheaper than the missiles trying to shoot them down, or the targets they are trying to hit.

Prof Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute says Ukraine’s long-range drone attacks are creating dilemmas for Moscow. Although Russia has a lot of air defences, it still cannot protect everything.

Prof Bronk says Ukraine’s long-range strikes are showing ordinary Russians that “the state can’t defend them fully and that Russia is vulnerable”.

Ukrainian drones have been spotted more than 1,000km (620 miles) inside Russia. They have been shot down over Moscow.

But the focus has been on military sites. The map below highlights just a handful of the dozen targets hit over the past few months. They include five Russian airbases.

Prof Justin Bronk says targeting Russian airbases has so far been the only effective way Ukraine has to respond to Russia’s glide bombs.

It has forced Russia to move aircraft to bases further away and reduce the frequency of their attacks. Satellite imagery shows how Ukrainian drones have successfully damaged hangars at its Marynovka airbase.

Ukraine clearly believes it could do even more with the help of Western-made long-range weapons. But so far, allies have rejected Kyiv’s pleas.

There is still a lingering fear, especially in Washington and Berlin, that it could drag the West further into the conflict. But that hasn’t stopped Western companies and finance from helping Ukraine.

Ukraine is still largely having to rely on its home-grown efforts, convinced that bringing the war to Russia is a key to winning this war.

Francisco Serra-Martins also believes Western manufacturers are still “woefully unprepared” to fight high-intensity warfare – producing far fewer long-range weapons at a much higher cost. He says what Ukraine really needs now “is a lot of good enough systems”.

The BBC has talked to one Ukrainian company which is already developing a new cruise missile, at least 10 times cheaper than a British-made Storm Shadow missile.

Despite the West’s misgivings, Ukraine is planning to step up its attacks on Russia. Mr Serra-Martins says: “What you’re seeing now is like nothing compared to what you’ll see by the end of the year.”

Ukraine’s long-range drones using Western tech to hit Russia

BBC

International

China Coal Mine Explosion Leaves at Least 82 Dead

Published

4 days ago

May 24, 2026

Trends Admin

China Coal Mine Explosion Leaves at Least 82 Dead

At least 82 people have been confirmed dead and two others remain missing following a devastating coal mine explosion in China, officials said, after rescue authorities revised an earlier higher death toll in the chaotic aftermath of the disaster.

The blast occurred on Friday at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi province, one of China’s major coal-producing regions, and is now being described as the country’s worst mining disaster since 2009.

According to state media reports and officials, about 247 workers were on duty at the time of the explosion, which struck at around 19:29 local time (11:29 GMT). More than 100 workers were rescued from the site as hundreds of emergency responders were deployed to the scene.

Authorities initially reported a higher death toll of around 90 before later revising the figure down to 82, citing confusion in the early stages of the rescue operation.

Officials explained that the situation at the mine was chaotic immediately after the explosion, which led to an unclear headcount and inconsistent reporting of casualties.

A total of 128 injured miners are currently receiving hospital treatment, with at least two reported to be in critical condition. Many of the victims are believed to have suffered from inhaling toxic gases released during the explosion, though the exact substance has not yet been officially confirmed.

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One injured miner, identified as Wang Yong, recounted the terrifying moment the blast occurred, describing a sudden plume of smoke and a strong sulphur-like smell spreading through the mine.

“I smelled sulphur, the same smell you get from blasting. I shouted at people to run. As we were running I could see people collapsing from the fumes. Then I blacked out too,” he said, adding that he later regained consciousness and helped another worker escape.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered that “no effort must be spared” in rescue and treatment operations, while also calling for urgent medical care for the injured.

China’s State Council has also announced a full investigation into the incident, promising that those found responsible for any safety violations or negligence will face strict punishment.

The Liushenyu explosion has renewed concerns over coal mine safety in China, where industrial accidents have historically been linked to safety lapses despite repeated government crackdowns.

Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue searching for the missing workers and assess the full extent of the disaster.

China Coal Mine Explosion Leaves at Least 82 Dead

International

Secret Service Shoots Dead Armed Suspect After Gunfire Near White House

Published

4 days ago

May 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Secret Service Shoots Dead Armed Suspect After Gunfire Near White House

A White House security shooting on Saturday evening left a 21-year-old armed suspect dead after he allegedly opened fire at a Secret Service security checkpoint just outside the presidential complex in Washington, D.C.

The suspect, identified as Nasire Best, reportedly approached the checkpoint near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest shortly after 6 p.m. local time before pulling a firearm from a bag and firing at officers.

According to the U.S. Secret Service, officers immediately returned fire, striking the suspect during the exchange. He was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The incident triggered an immediate White House lockdown, forcing journalists and staff members on the North Lawn to shelter in place as armed agents secured the area.

Witnesses described hearing between 15 and 30 gunshots during the brief but intense confrontation, which caused panic around the heavily guarded perimeter of the White House.

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Authorities also confirmed that one bystander was injured during the shooting and taken to hospital for treatment. However, investigators have yet to determine whether the person was struck by bullets fired by the suspect or by return fire from Secret Service officers.

Importantly, no Secret Service personnel were injured in the attack.

At the time of the shooting, President Donald Trump was inside the White House but was not harmed or directly affected, according to officials.

The lockdown was lifted less than an hour later after law enforcement confirmed that the threat had been neutralised.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting the Secret Service with the ongoing investigation.

Preliminary reports from U.S. media indicate that the suspect may have had previous encounters with law enforcement and the Secret Service. Some reports suggest he had attempted to access restricted areas around the White House in the past.

Investigators are currently working to determine the motive behind the attack, while federal authorities continue to examine the suspect’s background and possible intentions.

The Washington shooting near the White House has renewed concerns about security threats targeting high-profile U.S. political institutions, despite the extensive protective measures already in place around the presidential residence.

Secret Service Shoots Dead Armed Suspect After Gunfire Near White House

International

US Ends 60-Year Policy, Orders Nigerians, Others Home for Green Card Processing

Published

5 days ago

May 23, 2026

Trends Admin

US Ends 60-Year Policy, Orders Nigerians, Others Home for Green Card Processing

United States President Donald Trump has introduced a new immigration policy requiring Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking green cards to return to their countries of origin to complete the application process, except under extraordinary circumstances. The directive was announced on Friday through a statement released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) , effectively ending a longstanding practice that had allowed legal immigrants to apply for and obtain permanent residency from within the United States for over 60 years . According to the agency, the policy is intended to restore what it described as the “original intent” of American immigration laws .

USCIS explained that individuals seeking permanent residency through adjustment of status would now process their applications at US consular offices outside the country under the supervision of the Department of State. The agency stated, “We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly. From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances” . A spokesperson for USCIS, Zach Kahler , said the measure would help reduce the number of immigrants who remain in the United States unlawfully after their residency requests are denied .

“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes. When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency,” Kahler said . The immigration agency noted that the new policy would mainly affect temporary visa holders , including tourists, students, and foreign workers residing in the United States on nonimmigrant visas . “Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process,” the statement added.

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USCIS further argued that handling green card applications through overseas consular offices would allow the agency to redirect resources to other immigration-related responsibilities. According to the statement, greater attention would now be given to applications involving victims of violent crimes, cases linked to human trafficking, naturalisation requests, and related immigration services. “The law was written this way for a reason, and despite the fact that it has been ignored for years, following it will help make our system fairer and more efficient,” the agency stated .

The policy change has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant rights advocates, legal experts, and humanitarian organisations , who warn that it could separate families, create new barriers for applicants, and expose some individuals to long waits or dangers in their countries of origin. World Relief , a humanitarian and refugee resettlement organization, warned in a statement: “If families are told that the non-citizen family member must return to his or her country of origin to process their immigrant visa, but immigrant visas are not being processed there, it’s a Catch-22. These policies will effectively create an indefinite separation of families” .

Jamaican immigration attorney Dahlia Walker-Huntington told The Gleaner that the move is likely headed for a major legal challenge. “I can bet my last dollar that there will be a lawsuit in short order to stop this. As far as immigration lawyers are concerned, this is against existing law. Adjustment of status is not a policy… a discretionary policy, it is factored into law,” she said. She pointed to section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act , which allows certain qualifying immigrants to obtain a green card from within the US . Attorney Oliver J. Langstadt added that this policy memo is going to result in “heavy litigation,” and that his “colleagues are already brewing for a fight” .

The immigration agency noted that officers are now directed to consider all relevant factors and information on a case-by-case basis when determining whether an alien warrants this “extraordinary form of relief” . The memo doesn’t create new law but could influence officers to treat applicants more skeptically, said Rachel Girod , a partner at Eldridge Crandell. “They’re implying that it’s a negative factor to even just be applying for adjustment of status,” Girod said, arguing USCIS selectively cited decades-old case law to justify a more restrictive approach. Legal challenges could emerge if USCIS begins denying applications based heavily on the memo’s discretionary framework, Girod said .

USCIS did not specify when the change would take effect , whether individuals would be required to remain outside the United States throughout the entire processing period, or whether the policy would affect applications already pending. According to an analyst with the Cato Institute, more than 1 million immigrants in the US are waiting on their green cards . The announcement has sent shockwaves through immigrant communities across the United States, including thousands of Nigerians who are currently in the country legally on various visa categories and were pursuing the path to permanent residency .

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The policy also raises serious concerns for individuals from countries where US consular operations are limited or suspended. Attorney Langstadt noted that with the current pause on immigrant visa processing in 75 countries, insisting that people go overseas means they are “basically walking into a serious problem.” He further stated that there are people who are trying to get their green cards but have overstayed their legal stay in the US, and if they leave and go overseas, they would be subjected to a three or a 10-year bar and will have to file an additional waiver abroad which may or may not be granted .

HIAS , an aid group that provides services to refugees, among other groups of immigrants, said USCIS was forcing survivors of trafficking and abused and neglected children to return to the dangerous countries they fled in order to process their applications for green cards granting them permanent residency in the US . The group argued that this policy could put the most vulnerable migrants at serious risk by forcing them back into harm’s way. The USCIS memo does provide for “extraordinary circumstances” to be considered, but it remains unclear what criteria would qualify for such an exemption .

The latest directive comes amid a broader tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration. In December 2025, the administration temporarily suspended the processing of green card and citizenship applications submitted by Nigerians and nationals of several other countries that were added to a US travel ban, according to reports by CBS News . The suspension affected legal immigration applications handled by USCIS and largely targeted applicants from selected African and Asian countries. Many of those impacted were already residing legally in the United States and were seeking permanent residency or US citizenship . The administration also instructed USCIS to halt immigration petitions, including applications for permanent residency and naturalisation, from nationals of 19 countries covered by a travel ban announced in June, with Nigeria listed under “partial suspension” alongside Angola, Benin, Senegal, Tanzania, and others .

Friday’s policy change is the latest in a series of steps taken by Donald Trump over the last year to tighten immigration to the United States. Last year, the Trump administration moved to shorten the duration of visas for students, cultural exchange visitors, and members of the media. In January 2026, the state department announced that it had revoked more than 100,000 visas in the second Trump administration . The administration has also attacked other immigrants with legal status in the US, like refugees and other protected immigrants .

The move followed a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., during Thanksgiving week in which two National Guard soldiers were injured. US authorities alleged that the attack was carried out by an Afghan national . The administration has cited security concerns as justification for many of its recent immigration restrictions. The December 2025 suspension of green card processing for nationals of travel ban countries was reportedly linked to this incident .

Immigration attorneys are advising clients to seek legal counsel to understand how the new policy might affect their specific circumstances and to explore whether they might qualify for the “extraordinary circumstances” exemption. Walker-Huntington offered advice to those affected: “It’s rough. And I feel for my people today who are getting word of this, and I really just want to tell them, if you have a lawyer, reach out to your lawyer. If you don’t have a lawyer, reach out to a lawyer” . As legal challenges are expected to be filed in short order, the fate of this policy may ultimately be decided by the federal courts.