Russia is bypassing sanctions to obtain Starlink terminals for military use through a covert import network.

The UAE (especially a Sharjah-based logistics firm Emaross Group FZE) is a key transit hub, with terminals smuggled via false customs declarations and routed through places like Hong Kong and Europe.

Despite Starlink not operating in Russia, terminals are widely available on Russian markets and are now integrated into military drones, giving Russian forces long-range, jam-resistant communications.

Russian drones such as Molniya-2 variants were fitted with standardized mini-Starlink mounts.

SpaceX denies any involvement, but black-market access continues.

Source: Nordsint

An anonymous crypto bettor made $436,000 on Polymarket by betting that Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro would be captured, placing the wager just hours before the U.S. officially announced it.

The timing sparked suspicions of insider information.

BREAKING: SOUTHCOM announces the seizure of another vessel: M/T Sophia.

SOUTHCOM:

In a pre-dawn action this morning, the Department of War, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, apprehended a stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker without incident.

The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the U.S. for final disposition.

Through Operation Southern Spear, the Department of War is unwavering in its mission to crush illicit activity in the Western Hemisphere. We will defend our Homeland and restore security and strength across the Americas.

Secretary Kristi Noem:

In two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously coordinated boarding of two “ghost fleet” tanker ships— one in the North Atlantic Sea and one in international waters near the Caribbean.

Both vessels —the Motor Tanker Bella I and the Motor Tanker Sophia—were either last docked in Venezuela or en route to it.

The world’s criminals are on notice. You can run, but you can’t hide.

Netanyahu's office posted this video on Instagram.

🇮🇳🇮🇱

LATEST: The U.S. seized two ships today in coordinated boardings.

— The Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera (formerly Bella 1) in the North Atlantic

— Venezuela-linked tanker Sophia in the Caribbean Sea.

A helicopter crashed in Russia’s Perm Krai after hitting zip lines, killing both onboard.

📸 The commander of Syrian Army's 60th Division overseeing operations against the SDF/YPG in Aleppo.

John Bolton:

We’ve removed Maduro. But the regime is still there. There’s no regime change at this point.

Trump:

Without my involvement, Russia would have all of Ukraine right now.

Russia and China have zero fear of NATO without the United States, and I doubt NATO would be there for us if we really needed them.

The only Nation that China and Russia fear and respect is the DJT rebuilt U.S.A.

Trump:

We will always be there for NATO, even if they won’t be there for us.

Trump:

Norway, a NATO Member, foolishly chose not to give me the Noble Peace Prize. But that doesn’t matter! What does matter is that I saved Millions of Lives.

Hegseth:

The United States continues to enforce the blockade against all dark fleet vessels illegally transporting Venezuelan oil to finance illicit activity, stealing from the Venezuelan people.

Only legitimate and lawful energy commerce—as determined by the U.S.—will be permitted.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Venezuela's oil:

We are going to get that crude moving again and sell it just like we did in our businesses.

We’re going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela.

First, this backed up stored oil, and then indefinitely going forward, we will sell the production that comes out of Venezuela into the marketplace.

John Bolton:

I’d be the happiest person around if the rest of the Maduro regime collapsed tomorrow.

John Bolton:

Anybody who thinks the Venezuelan oil industry is going to emerge from the ashes in a matter of weeks or months or even a couple of years doesn’t know how bad the situation is.

Russian Ministry of Transport:

Today, around 15:00 Moscow time, the US Navy boarded the ship "Marinera" on the high seas, and communication with it was lost.

John Bolton on Trump’s Venezuela oil plan:

If your planning is not based on reality, when reality finally strikes, you have no plan B.

John Bolton to María Corina Machado:

My recommendation would be: give the Nobel Peace Prize medal that you get — the Nobel Foundation can make another one just for you — but give it to Donald Trump. Otherwise, you know what he’s going to do.

Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the war between Russia and Japan during his term as President. And his Nobel Prize hangs on the wall of the Roosevelt Room in the White House.

I’ve been worried recently that Trump’s just going to take it off the wall so he can have it for himself — so Mrs. Machado gives him hers. Maybe that’ll take care of that.

NEW: Pakistan and Bangladesh are discussing a defense pact that could include the sale of Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Dhaka.

Source: Reuters