10 February 2026
Canada
A new report entitled “Marking Time: A Decade of Stalled Progress for the Primary Reserve” has been released by the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman. Recommendations made a decade ago, and with reassurances from the military, have not been fulfilled, leaving ill and injured Primary Reserve members unable to get fair and equal treatment.
The Canadian government has discreetly put down money for key components for 14 additional F-35s, bringing the potential total to at least 30. These key components will ensure that Canada remains in queue for future F-35s, despite an “ongoing review”.
DefenceReport just released a YouTube video about the F-35 debate in Canada.
United States – Russia’s Shadow Fleet
After a 16,000km pursuit, the United States seized the tanker Aquili II in the Indian Ocean. The tanker was designated by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on 10 January 2025, as blocked property linked to Russia’s energy sector. This makes it the eighth oil tanker that the US has seized in recent months.
Kenya-Russia
Kenya will be confronting Russia on its clandestine operation to recruit Kenyan citizens to fight in its war in Ukraine. Kenya estimates that at least 200 of its citizens have been recruited as mercenaries. Pressure has been mounting in Kenya, with symbolic funerals being held for Kenyans killed in the war.
Ethiopia-Eritrea
Ethiopia claims that Eritrean soldiers are fighting with insurgents against government forces in the Amhara region. Eritrea denies this claim. Tensions between the two countries have increased since last year.
South Korea
South Korean investigators have raided multiple sites, including South Korea’s Defense Intelligence Command and the National Intelligence Service, over drone flights into North Korea. North Korea claims that South Korea has been flying drones into the country and provided evidence of drone wreckage after it was shot down. South Korea initially denied the allegation.
Afghanistan
The Afghan Taliban will impose a ban on the import of medicine from Pakistan within a few weeks. More than 70 percent of Afghanistan’s medicines were imported from Pakistan. The Taliban have given 19 days for the pharmaceutical market to find new suppliers and have edicted that any smuggled medicine will be confiscated and destroyed.
Social media wires
Reports of Telegram being restricted in Russia. Once it was the key communication tool for Russians.
A glimpse of Lockheed Martin’s LampreyMMAUV™ drone carrier.
Featured Photo: “Afghan doctor checking tonsils” – Wikimedia Commons, 2026
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale.