Israel has carried out a large-scale military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, an action reportedly prepared over the years, which resembles tactics used in Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, according to UNIAN. 

According to Israeli media, the Israel Defense Forces established a covert base for strike drones within Iranian territory. From this hidden launch site, a wave of kamikaze drones attacked key components of Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.

Al Jazeera reports that the drones struck earth-to-earth missile launchers at Iran’s Asfaghabad military base near Tehran.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that the military “will continue its mission to disrupt Iran’s nuclear ambitions.”

Simultaneously, Israeli fighter jets reportedly bombed uranium enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow, as well as missile bases in Kermanshah and Khorramabad. Other major cities, Tehran, Isfahan, and Tabriz, were also hit, with precision strikes aimed at top military leadership and nuclear scientists, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports. 

The holy city of Qom, home to much of Iran’s clerical elite, also came under attack.

According to unconfirmed reports cited by Iranian state media, the strikes killed several high-ranking figures, including IRGC Commander Hossein Salami, Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and nuclear physicist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.

Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Efi Defrin says the operation was a preemptive warning against Iran’s near-completion of a nuclear weapon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran had already stockpiled enough enriched uranium for nine nuclear bombs and planned to produce 10,000 ballistic missiles within three years.

A Russian intercept of a Ukrainian drone’s video feed has revealed how Ukrainian FPV kamikaze drones use smart terminal guidance systems that enable automatic target engagement, even when the signal is disrupted.

According to Defense Express, footage from a Ukrainian FPV drone—its video signal reportedly intercepted by Russian forces—shows the sequence of how a drone with a target confirmation system functions under battlefield conditions.

The intercepted video was published by NIP Tysk Telegram channel.

FPV kamikaze drones now use smart guidance

Russians intercepted the video signal of a Ukrainian FPV drone showing key tech in action:

– RXLOSS mode kicks in when signal is blocked.
– RCSMOOTHING helps stabilize pilot input.
– A menu guides the operator as the drone locks onto… pic.twitter.com/7GqPIhrliF

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 29, 2025

The drone enters RXLOSS (signal loss) mode multiple times early in the footage, indicating moments where the communication link between the aircraft and operator was blocked or degraded. The signal loss condition in FPV systems can often occur under electronic warfare (EW) interference.

At the 46-second mark, the screen displays RCSMOOTHING, a function that supports stabilization of operator control inputs. At 56 seconds, the interface presents a menu with guidance prompts and a status message indicating that the drone is awaiting target confirmation.

Forbes: Ukrainian AI drones claim 80% hit rate—yet human pilots remain superior

By 1:02, the drone locks on to a target, and the on-screen message changes from “Aim” to “Attacking.” At this stage, the drone autonomously flies toward the locked point, initiating a strike without further input from the operator.

Alternative to fiber-optic drones in EW-heavy conditions

Defense Express notes that these FPV drones equipped with confirmation and guidance systems are emerging as an alternative to fiber-optic-controlled drones, particularly in environments saturated with electronic warfare.

Unlike fiber-optic drones—which become inoperable if their cable is cut—these drones can operate wirelessly and carry heavier payloads. Their ability to continue a strike mission after signal degradation gives them tactical resilience, especially during the final approach to a target.

However, the system also has limitations. It still requires manual piloting to reach a viable launch point before autonomous engagement can begin. If the drone loses connection too early, the mission may fail before the auto-strike phase can activate.

Additionally, as Defense Express reports, the system currently lacks the ability to precisely target specific weak points on vehicles or fortifications, which can be critical for successful destruction of armored vehicles and hardened assets.

Ukrainian drones hit Russian military train with fuel in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast (video)

A drone strike carried out by Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Defense Ministry destroyed a Russian military train carrying fuel in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast reportedly on 24 May. The operation targeted the Tokmak–Molochansk–Fedorivka railway section, located some 50 kilometers south of the frontline.

According to a 25 May report by HUR, the drone unit of the agency’s active operations division struck the moving train while it was transporting fuel for Russian military equipment. The agency confirmed that “at least three fuel tankers were destroyed,” severely disrupting the occupiers’ logistics.

HUR described the operation as part of a broader armed campaign aimed at “obstructing and paralyzing Russian military logistics” across occupied Ukrainian territories. Footage of the strike was released on HUR’s official website, showing explosions engulfing the tankers.

Rail logistics under increasing pressure

As noted by the defense-focused outlet Militarnyi, the route itself sustained damage during the attack, further complicating Russian efforts to transfer and support troops in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Crimea.

The Cyberboroshno OSINT community reported that the train was hit in the settlement of Novobohdanivka in Melitopol district, located about 50 kilometers from the active combat line.

Militarnyi highlighted ongoing efforts by Russian forces to restore and expand rail infrastructure on occupied territory, particularly in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts. These include constructing a new railway connection between Rostov-on-Don and occupied Crimea through Zaporizhzhia’s Berdiansk, intended to reduce reliance on the Crimean bridge and improve transport safety for military cargo. Additionally, Russia plans to resume freight operations with Melitopol and to upgrade the Mariupol–Rostov-on-Don line to strengthen connections with occupied Crimea.