Category: Tweets – Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) / Twitter

🇺🇲🇮🇷Ex-CENTCOM Chief Urges US to Seize Iran’s Kharg Island – Key to 90% of Its Oil Exports

Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, former head of US Central Command, said on CBS’s Face the Nation that the United States should consider seizing Iran’s Kharg Island.

The small island handles about 90% of Iran’s oil exports. McKenzie argued that controlling it would give the US strong leverage in negotiations by directly threatening the Iranian regime’s main source of revenue.

This comes amid rising tensions, recent strikes, and disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.

— @Globalsurv Jul 14, 2026

СРОЧНО! В ЕС приняли ВАЖНОЕ решение насчет Украины – YouTube  youtube.com/watch?v=UMvpVGgr…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 14, 2026

#CIA  #FBI  #SPIDERWEB2
OPERATION SPIDERWEB – 2,
That’s what I strongly suspected; now – these are the facts. Nice job!
share.google/aimode/2l830AZe…
Russian intelligence announced it disrupted a major continuation of Ukraine’s covert deep-strike program, dubbed “Operation Spiderweb – 2.” The Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that the clandestine smuggling operation targeted two highly critical military installations: the Ukrainka airfield in the Far East Amur region (bordering China) and the Shagol airfield in Chelyabinsk. [1]
Smuggling Tactics and Technology
According to state media reports from TASS, the operation utilized a complex relay system to bypass Russian air defenses and border security: [1]

Air Drop Delivery: Fixed-wing drones and balloons were used to fly across the border and drop off first-person-view (FPV) quadcopters in the Bryansk region. [1]
False-Bottom Trailers: Local operatives packed the FPV quadcopters into car-towed trailers equipped with false bottoms. [1]
Household Ruse: The trailers were loaded with common household appliances to mask the military hardware during transit. [1]
Local Assembly: The components were driven thousands of miles deep into Russia and hidden in garages near the target airfields for final attack preparations. [1]

Captured AI Hardware
The FSB claimed to have seized 24 FPV attack quadcopters alongside two ground control stations. The drones were reportedly outfitted with Western-manufactured “neural control modules.” These onboard artificial intelligence chips allow the drones to: [1, 2, 3, 4]

Track and identify targets autonomously.
Execute terminal attack runs even if local Russian electronic warfare jams the radio signal to human operators.
Coordinate mid-air to form an automated, decentralized swarm. [2]

Context of the Original Operation
This infiltration mirrors the tactics of the original Operation Spiderweb, which inflicted billions of dollars in damage on Russian strategic bombers. In that operation, Ukraine successfully hid over 100 explosive-laden quadcopters inside the roofs of wooden mobile cabins. Unsuspecting commercial truck drivers then drove the cargo directly adjacent to high-security bases before the roofs opened remotely via cellular networks to launch the strike. [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
If you would like to explore further, let me know if you want to look into:

The specific types of Western AI components reportedly found in these drones.
The strategic significance of the Ukrainka and Shagol airfields to Russian long-range aviation.
How autonomous swarm technology is changing modern electronic warfare countermeasures. [11]

[1]  businessinsider.com
[2]  yahoo.com
[3]  instagram.com
[4]  armyupress.army.mil
[5]  en.wikipedia.org
[6]  youtube.com
[7]  youtube.com
[8]  wsj.com
[9]  lieber.westpoint.edu
[10]  youtube.com
[11]  csis.org
–

AI Brief
Escalating Middle East Conflict Reshapes Global Security
rss.app/brief/posts/e059d4d7…
Tuesday, July 14, 20267:46 AM
Summary
The U.S. and Iran escalate hostilities with three consecutive nights of military strikes, reinstating a naval blockade and triggering oil market volatility. Ukraine advances asymmetric warfare tactics while EU enlargement talks signal shifting geopolitical alliances. Parallel developments in intelligence restructuring and media censorship suggest a broader realignment of global security frameworks.
Key Stories

US launches third night of strikes on Iran as blockade reinstated — U.S. Central Command conducted five-hour operations targeting Iranian coastal defenses, missile infrastructure, and naval assets across six locations. The strikes coincide with Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and a 20% transit levy announced by President Trump, escalating regional instability. Three U.S. fatalities were reported during operations.

Ukraine deploys covert drone operations deep into Russian territory — Ukrainian forces used disguised trailers and balloons to smuggle FPV drones into Russia, mirroring tactics from Operation Spiderweb that previously struck high-value airfields. The FSB confirmed the infiltration method, suggesting Ukraine is expanding its asymmetric warfare capabilities amid stalled frontline advances.

EU opens accession talks with Ukraine amid security concerns — The European Union formally initiated its sixth negotiating chapter with Ukraine, signaling strategic alignment despite ongoing conflict. The move follows recent U.S. approval of Patriot missile production in Ukraine and coincides with heightened NATO activity in the Black Sea region.

Japan revives centralized intelligence service post-WWII — Japan’s government established its first centralized intelligence agency since World War II, reflecting regional security concerns over China’s influence and North Korea’s nuclear program. The restructuring may indicate a shift toward proactive intelligence gathering in East Asia.

Global media forum highlights censorship and press freedom tensions — The Shusha Global Media Forum addressed challenges in journalism amid rising state restrictions, including Singapore’s landmark libel ruling against Bloomberg. The event underscored growing polarization between press freedom advocates and governments enforcing content controls.
–
x.com/mikenov/status/2076998…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov)Ukraine Used Balloons, Trailers to Sneak FPV Drones Into Russia: FSB – Business Insider  businessinsider.com/fsb-ukra…—  https://x.com/mikenov/status/2076998011457052794

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 14, 2026

⚡️BREAKING: The U.S. has Evacuated its MQ-4C Triton Drone from Jordan to Italy following Iranian Strikes on American Bases

The $240 million Drone was first Deployed to the UAE, then to Jordan, and now it has Left the Middle East

— @IranObserver0 Jul 14, 2026

Putin’s latest visit to China ended in a complete failure as gas pipeline talks collapsed

China has frozen negotiations with Russia over the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline. According to The Wall Street Journal, during Vladimir Putin’s most recent visit to Beijing, Chinese officials asked the Russian delegation not to raise the issue of the project again until the terms of the deal change.

The newspaper reports that Beijing is willing to sign the contract only if Russia agrees to supply gas at domestic Russian prices — a condition Moscow considers economically unacceptable.

The proposed price is around $50 per 1,000 cubic meters, far below Russia’s export rates.

— @nexta_tv Jul 14, 2026

Europe has launched a 10-nation Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition led by Ukraine and allies like France.

To boost Kyiv’s defence, France authorised the domestic licensed production of Aster missiles. The coalition will also fund Project Freya, a Ukrainian-led project to build cheaper interceptors.

🎥: ClashReport
Video
 

— @ukraine_world Jul 14, 2026

#CIA  #FBI  #SPIDERWEB2
OPERATION SPIDERWEB – 2,
That’s what I strongly suspected; now – these are the facts. Nice job!
share.google/aimode/2l830AZe…
Russian intelligence announced it disrupted a major continuation of Ukraine’s covert deep-strike program, dubbed “Operation Spiderweb – 2.” The Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that the clandestine smuggling operation targeted two highly critical military installations: the Ukrainka airfield in the Far East Amur region (bordering China) and the Shagol airfield in Chelyabinsk. [1]
Smuggling Tactics and Technology
According to state media reports from TASS, the operation utilized a complex relay system to bypass Russian air defenses and border security: [1]

Air Drop Delivery: Fixed-wing drones and balloons were used to fly across the border and drop off first-person-view (FPV) quadcopters in the Bryansk region. [1]
False-Bottom Trailers: Local operatives packed the FPV quadcopters into car-towed trailers equipped with false bottoms. [1]
Household Ruse: The trailers were loaded with common household appliances to mask the military hardware during transit. [1]
Local Assembly: The components were driven thousands of miles deep into Russia and hidden in garages near the target airfields for final attack preparations. [1]

Captured AI Hardware
The FSB claimed to have seized 24 FPV attack quadcopters alongside two ground control stations. The drones were reportedly outfitted with Western-manufactured “neural control modules.” These onboard artificial intelligence chips allow the drones to: [1, 2, 3, 4]

Track and identify targets autonomously.
Execute terminal attack runs even if local Russian electronic warfare jams the radio signal to human operators.
Coordinate mid-air to form an automated, decentralized swarm. [2]

Context of the Original Operation
This infiltration mirrors the tactics of the original Operation Spiderweb, which inflicted billions of dollars in damage on Russian strategic bombers. In that operation, Ukraine successfully hid over 100 explosive-laden quadcopters inside the roofs of wooden mobile cabins. Unsuspecting commercial truck drivers then drove the cargo directly adjacent to high-security bases before the roofs opened remotely via cellular networks to launch the strike. [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
If you would like to explore further, let me know if you want to look into:

The specific types of Western AI components reportedly found in these drones.
The strategic significance of the Ukrainka and Shagol airfields to Russian long-range aviation.
How autonomous swarm technology is changing modern electronic warfare countermeasures. [11]

[1]  businessinsider.com
[2]  yahoo.com
[3]  instagram.com
[4]  armyupress.army.mil
[5]  en.wikipedia.org
[6]  youtube.com
[7]  youtube.com
[8]  wsj.com
[9]  lieber.westpoint.edu
[10]  youtube.com
[11]  csis.org
–
x.com/mikenov/status/2076998…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov)Ukraine Used Balloons, Trailers to Sneak FPV Drones Into Russia: FSB – Business Insider  businessinsider.com/fsb-ukra…—  https://x.com/mikenov/status/2076998011457052794

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jul 14, 2026

🇫🇷🇺🇦 Macron: Those who think this war will stop at Ukraine’s borders if we yield or seek to accommodate the aggressor are wrong.

The history of our continent has taught us what capitulation costs. We will not make that mistake again.

— @UkrReview Jul 14, 2026