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defence-blog.com • Dylan Malyasov

Russia begins flight testing of rebuilt two-seat Su-57D stealth fighter prototype

United Aircraft Corporation has commenced flight testing of a two-seat Su-57 variant, tentatively designated Su-57D, with a first flight reported on May 19 following earlier ground taxi trials. The twin-seat configuration is reported to support pilot training and may enable drone-coordination missions, with footage released via Russian MoD media.

2026-05-19T11:25:23.543577-07:00

Space Intel Report

EU-backed funding unlocks Ukraine’s “UASAT” “Starlink-lite” broadband satellite constellation (GomSpace, Stetman LLC)

2026-05-19T11:28:37.680935-07:00

ch-aviation

Sudan Airways outlines fleet rebuild as state assesses war-related damage

2026-05-19T06:42:15.667348-07:00

AeroTime

Romanian NATO F-16s shoot down suspected Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia—Baltic Air Policing’s first documented engagement

2026-05-19T04:09:20.248562-07:00

News Timeline

Space Intel Report

EU-backed funding unlocks Ukraine’s “UASAT” “Starlink-lite” broadband satellite constellation (GomSpace, Stetman LLC) A new EU initiative with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is set to provide €140 million in guarantees and €21 million in grants to advance Ukraine’s government broadband “Starlink-lite” satellite constellation. The effort, led by GomSpace and Stetman LLC, is positioned as a path to faster, resilient satcom deployment for government use.

2026-05-19T11:28:37.680935-07:00

EU-backed funding unlocks Ukraine’s “UASAT” “Starlink-lite” broadband satellite constellation (GomSpace, Stetman LLC)

Bloomberg

UK sanctions waivers allow imports of diesel and jet fuel derived from Russian crude via third countries The UK has issued licenses permitting imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil only if processed in a third country, alongside a separate authorization covering maritime transport of Russian LNG. The move follows a US waiver extension that critics say boosts Moscow’s war funding capacity.

2026-05-19T11:26:25.993253-07:00

UK sanctions waivers allow imports of diesel and jet fuel derived from Russian crude via third countries

defence-blog.com

Russia begins flight testing of rebuilt two-seat Su-57D stealth fighter prototype United Aircraft Corporation has commenced flight testing of a two-seat Su-57 variant, tentatively designated Su-57D, with a first flight reported on May 19 following earlier ground taxi trials. The twin-seat configuration is reported to support pilot training and may enable drone-coordination missions, with footage released via Russian MoD media.

2026-05-19T11:25:23.543577-07:00

Russia begins flight testing of rebuilt two-seat Su-57D stealth fighter prototype

ch-aviation

Sudan Airways outlines fleet rebuild as state assesses war-related damage Sudan Airways plans to restart fleet growth and rebuilding after a period of disruption, as the Sudanese state tallies aircraft and infrastructure damage linked to the war. The carrier’s recovery effort centers on restoring usable capacity and reconstituting its operating fleet.

2026-05-19T06:42:15.667348-07:00

Sudan Airways outlines fleet rebuild as state assesses war-related damage

The Atlantic

Intelligence revisits causes of deadliest midair crash involving U.S. troops in Iran war New intelligence is providing additional context into one of the Iran war’s deadliest incidents for American forces—a midair crash that killed six U.S. troops. The update is focused on identifying what drove the collision and refining understanding of the circumstances surrounding the event.

2026-05-19T04:10:07.692811-07:00

Intelligence revisits causes of deadliest midair crash involving U.S. troops in Iran war

AeroTime

❗️

Romanian NATO F-16s shoot down suspected Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia—Baltic Air Policing’s first documented engagement Romanian F-16s operating under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission downed a suspected Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia after it entered Estonian airspace from Russia. Estonian officials said the trajectory drove the decision to take it down, marking the first-ever engagement for the 22-year-old operation.

2026-05-19T04:09:20.248562-07:00

Romanian NATO F-16s shoot down suspected Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia—Baltic Air Policing’s first documented engagement

SpaceWatch Global

NATO GEOINT Mastermind: governs AI for geospatial intelligence using space-based sensors At GEOINT 2026, NATO policy leadership discussed how AI will be used for geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) and what governance and security controls are required for deployment. The alliance framed space-based sensors as central to modern GEOINT operations and tied AI adoption to safeguarding data and accelerating decision advantage.

2026-05-19T01:23:42.078337-07:00

NATO GEOINT Mastermind: governs AI for geospatial intelligence using space-based sensors

Air Data News

Pakistan reportedly deploys JF-17 squadron and air-defense systems to Saudi Arabia under mutual defense pact amid Iran tensions Pakistan is said to have dispatched 8,000 troops, a squadron of JF-17 fighter jets, and Chinese-made air-defense equipment to Saudi Arabia under a long-standing mutual defense agreement. The deployment is being framed as part of a broader military package responding to rising Iran-related security concerns.

2026-05-19T00:05:01.106046-07:00

Pakistan reportedly deploys JF-17 squadron and air-defense systems to Saudi Arabia under mutual defense pact amid Iran tensions

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Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact News

Russia begins flight testing of rebuilt two-seat Su-57D stealth fighter prototype

EU-backed funding unlocks Ukraine’s “UASAT” “Starlink-lite” broadband satellite constellation (GomSpace, Stetman LLC)

Sudan Airways outlines fleet rebuild as state assesses war-related damage

Romanian NATO F-16s shoot down suspected Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia—Baltic Air Policing’s first documented engagement

News Timeline