30 October 2025
Nuclear Weapons
President Trump announced that he is permitting the Department of War to test nuclear weapons again on an equal basis with Russia and China. This comes after Russia tested its nuclear-powered ballistic missile and just recently, its nuclear-powered torpedo – the Poisedon — another nuclear wonder weapon from the nuclear testing facility of Novaya Zemlya. Of course, the Kremlin is denying that they are testing nuclear weapons…just nuclear-powered weapons that can contain a nuclear warhead.
US-China
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met in South Korea – leading to a series of announcements on closer trade ties. The US will cut the “fentanyl tariff” on Chinese goods entering the US from 20% to 10%, Trump says. In return, China will start “the purchase of massive amounts of soybeans” and other farm products, according to the US president.
NATO-Russia
Two MiG-29 fighter jets from the Polish Air Force intercepted a Russian Il-20 Soviet-era aircraft used for reconnaissance and electronic listening missions, which was performing a flight over the Baltic Sea. No flight plan for the aircraft was logged, and the transponder was off. The Russian plane did not enter Polish airspace.
Canada
The news that Saab is considering a production facility in Ukraine for the 100 to 150 Gripen order for the Ukrainian Air Force comes with the news that Saab is also considering opening a facility in Canada. The Canadian government is reviewing its purchase of the F-35, and the Gripen is one of the contenders if that review does not favour the F-35. That review was supposed to be out at the end of summer, and now the Canadian winter is coming.
Ukraine
Russian troops have entered the city of Pokrovsk as part of an 11,000-man push to encircle the city. It is estimated that Ukrainian defenders are at a 8:1 disadvantage in terms of personnel. It was not until late autumn of 2024 that Russia reached the city’s outskirts, and not until mid-2025 that they were able to penetrate it. The situation may be deteriorating, but not all is lost.
Afghanistan-Pakistan
Pakistan’s defence minister states that talks could resume if the Taliban signals “a shift in attitude”. A Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander was among four terrorists who attempted to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan.
Social media wires
Russia uses a drone to place a flag at the entrance of Pokrovsk
Feature Photo: “Ivy Mike” – CTBTO, Flickr, 2025
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.