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A robotic boat glides through the darkness, reaches an occupied shoreline, and releases an armed ground robot that rolls inland to fight without a single soldier setting foot on the beach. While this sounds like a scene from a future war, it recently played out in southern Ukraine, reflecting Kyiv’s rapid embrace of uncrewed systems as it seeks to counter Russia’s invasion.

No soldiers. Just machines.

Ukraine has carried out the world's first known combat mission in which a sea drone transported and deployed an armed ground robot behind Russian lines on the occupied Kinburn Spit. pic.twitter.com/zyJdFXWxVb

— Ivan Khomenko (@KhomenkoIv60065) July 13, 2026

Described as the first of its kind anywhere in the world, the operation took place on the Russian-occupied Kinburn Spit in Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv region, according to Ukraine’s 123rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, which carried it out on an unspecified recent date.

A map showing the approximate location of Kinburn Spit in Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv region. Google Earth

“A new era of war begins with the decisions of courageous commanders,” the brigade stated today on its Telegram page, adding that the operation was led by the 123rd’s commander, Col. Oleg Makukha. The mission involved the brigade’s 1st Unmanned Systems Battalion, under Maj. Denys Gipik.

The UGV goes onto the spit as seen from the USV. 123rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade screencap

A video published by the brigade shows parts of the operation from an overhead aerial drone as well as from the uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV), and from the vessel that transported it to the shore. The uncrewed surface vessel (USV), powered by an outboard motor, beaches itself before lowering a bow ramp that allows the wheeled UGV to drive ashore. Armed with a machine gun, the UGV is then seen engaging a target beyond the beach. The USV subsequently departs, although it is unclear whether any attempt was made to recover the UGV.

A wider view of the beach as the USV heads toward the shore. 123rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade screencap

The UGV appears to be a member of the Rys family, produced by Roboneers and armed with a 7.62mm machine gun. These platforms typically incorporate a ballistic computer for accurate fire and artificial intelligence that assists with autonomous target detection, tracking, and engagement.

The UGV’s view of the machine gun mount. 123rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade screencap

The Rys family of vehicles is already widely used for logistics, casualty evacuation, combat engineering, and combat support missions. Variants have also been configured for minelaying and demining operations.

A Ukrainian UGV being used for the evacuation of wounded soldiers:

A Ukrainian robotic evacuation vehicle equipped with an armored capsule successfully rescued a wounded soldier from a frontline position.

During the extraction, the vehicle struck two mines on its return route. Despite the blasts, the armored capsule protected the wounded… https://t.co/84Cv2IMueX pic.twitter.com/rjwdARtyJ6

— Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) May 22, 2026

Ukraine has stepped up its use of similar UGVs, which it claims have been crucial in certain engagements. Earlier this year , a Droid TW-7.62, also fitted with a 7.62mm machine gun, is said to have destroyed two Russian drones before opening fire on Russian infantry, killing one and injuring another. The Droid remained in the fight, despite artillery fire, and pushed back another Russian infantry attack.

Interesting use of Ukrainian UGV Droid TW-7.62 equipped with an FN MAG machine gun to shoot down FPV drones over Kramatorsk, Ukraine.

The robot warfare is here. pic.twitter.com/7Y2zj2jdoP

— Dimko Zhluktenko (@dim0kq) March 15, 2026

You can read our in-depth account from inside Ukraine’s effort to build its UGV arsenal here .

Meanwhile, the Kinburn Spit is among southern Ukraine’s most fiercely contested coastal areas.

Russian forces occupied the roughly six-mile-long, narrow spit in the summer of 2022. Overlooking the mouth of the Dnipro River, it became a base for electronic warfare systems as well as missile and artillery strikes against southern Ukraine. Russia also constructed concrete bunkers and reportedly established a drone control station there.

A close-up view of Kinburn Spit. Google Earth

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted the spit since late 2022 with reconnaissance missions, raids, and precision strikes in an effort to erode Russia’s hold on the area. Although Moscow retained control for much of the war, Ukrainian attacks steadily increased the cost of defending the position.

As of June, the Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. think tank, reported that Russian troops had withdrawn from the spit under sustained Ukrainian pressure, while Ukrainian marines later flew a national flag there using a drone. Russian forces retreated under heavy fire, with the evacuation of surviving personnel continuing, a statement from Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces said on June 25.

Whether Russian forces have since returned in some capacity remains unclear, meaning the latest operation may have been intended as reconnaissance, a technology demonstration, or both.

Regardless of the current disposition of Russian troops, the Kinburn Spit is an ideal proving ground for uncrewed operations. Heavy surveillance, artillery, and drone coverage make conventional amphibious landings exceptionally dangerous, while robotic systems can conduct reconnaissance and combat missions without exposing troops to direct fire.

I held a Staff meeting. Three key issues.

First – UGVs. It is unmanned ground vehicles that are currently one of the most urgent needs of our Defense Forces, and production and supply must keep pace with demand. The volume of contracting for UGVs must be significantly higher…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 27, 2026

The operation reflects Ukraine’s growing reliance on uncrewed systems, with ground robots increasingly taking on high-risk tasks such as logistics, engineering, fire support, and battlefield scouting to reduce the exposure of frontline troops. At the same time, Ukraine has become the world’s leading innovator in uncrewed surface vessels, fielding versatile platforms for strike missions , intelligence gathering, logistics, and, increasingly, the deployment of other robotic systems .

While the mission was likely something of a battlefield proof-of-concept, it provides more evidence of Ukraine’s rapid pace of innovation in the field of uncrewed systems. It could also provide a glimpse of a future where amphibious landings are led by uncrewed systems.

Reflecting on the Kinburn Spit operation, the 123rd Brigade offered a simple prediction: “It’s going to get even more interesting.”

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

The post Ukraine Lands Armed Robot Ashore In Russian-Held Territory Via Drone Boat appeared first on TWZ .

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I was hoping to find a vendor selling Nightstar Sand after starting a new save for the Palworld 1.0 release, but it seems the mid-game crafting ingredient is still only available through good ol' fashioned gathering. You'll have to pick it all up by hand to craft several items from tech tree recipes starting around level 56.

Fortunately, I was farming this stuff in early access, so I know a thing or two about digging in the dirt for the glowy bits. Here's how to get Nightstar Sand in Palworld , along with a few recommendations on how to approach farming a haul respectful of your time.

Palworld Nightstar Sand location

The Dessicated Dunes Pocketpair Feybreak Island Pocketpair Head to the Twilight Dunes or Sakurajima

There's an easy spot to farm Nightstar Sand in the Dessicated Dunes at night. Just take the fast travel point to the Searing Dunes Watchtower, look north, and glide off of the cliff ledge to the glowing sand nodes below.

Nightstar Sand nodes are only visible when it's dark out, but their faint glow begins just as the sun sets in the evening. You can even get lucky and stumble upon it during daylight hours, but that relies on luck and paying close attention to the action prompt. You likely won't need very much, and I had plenty to make the items I wanted after a few nightly trips.

Feybreak Island beaches have way more Nightstar Sand than the dunes, but it's a tough area to navigate at lower levels. Visiting the Searing Dunes location was an easier trip when I was alone or under-levelled.

The Dessicated Dunes have more Nightstar Sand around the Tower of the PIDF, but deposits there seem pretty sparse. I wouldn't spend a lot of time hunting for more sand further away from the fast travel point recommended.

Feybreak Island deposits often extend further inland, so follow trails of Nightstar Sand from the light-colored beaches into the grassy areas. I've gotten around 100 just from one night.

The Dessicated Dunes Nightstar Sand deposits are sparse, so don't pull your hair out scavenging for more. The dunes don't have much foliage either, so you'll see the glow from a mile away.

The glowing sand is mostly used to make weapons, tools, and accessories, so you won't need a hefty supply for things like ammo or potions. Here are a few crafting recipes for reference:

Advanced Bow: (20) Nightstar Sand, (25) Carbon Fiber, (40) Plasteel

Beam Sword: (20) Nightstar Sand, (30) Plasteel, (100) Palladium, (1) Computer

Metal Detector: (20) Nightstar Sand, (30) Plasteel, (100) Palladium, (15) Computer

Double Air Dash Boots: (30) Nightstar Sand, (30) Plasteel, (100) Palladium, (30) Dark Fragments

Palworld Hardwood : Get to choppin'

Palworld best base locations : Home sweet home

Palworld Cryogenic Coolant : Icy upgrades

Palworld Ancient Bone : Accessory ingredients

Palworld Panthalus : Legendary whale pal

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Several upgrades have been made to the original turbo-diesel of this Defender.

The exterior has also been transformed and is painted in Oak Green Metallic.

A Texan rancher originally commissioned this Defender and is now selling it.

This is Lange, a thoroughly re-engineered classic Land Rover Defender from Heldeburg, and it costs well over twice as much as a brand-new Defender OCTA that opens at $158,800 in the States. So what does all that money buy?

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Read: Helderburg’s Defender Costs As Much As A Used Ferrari SF90 And Still Runs A Diesel

Plenty of shops will restore and upgrade an old Defenders , usually swapping in a modern V8 and a fresh gearbox along the way. Heldeburg took the harder road with this one. Rather than tearing out the original 300Tdi turbo-diesel , the company kept it and reworked it for 42 percent more power, holding onto the mechanical character that makes an old Defender worth wanting in the first place.

According to the company, a Texas rancher first commissioned Lange as something to cover his land in. He ran it for a couple of years before stepping up to a larger Defender 130 from Helderburg, which is why the original is now up for grabs. The asking price is $348,720.

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What Else Is New?

Beyond upgrading the Land Rover’s engine, the company added a new performance brake system, modern power-assisted steering, a locking 4×4 differential, new suspension with upgraded shocks, sway bars, and stabilizers, promising to boost stability on the highway while still ensuring it has all the off-road chops you’d expect from a Defender.

The exterior is finished in Oak Green Metallic and is said to be in immaculate condition. Helderburg also added a full matte-black roll cage to the exterior. This isn’t just for aesthetics either. The cage runs through the bodywork and mounts up to the frame, so occupants should be kept safe if the Defender ever rolls while out on the open road or while off-roading. Similarly, there’s a strong steel bumper with red tow hooks, new headlights, and a black grille.

The cabin is also far removed from this Defender’s former self . In addition to featuring a modern infotainment system, it includes a new three-spoke, wood-rimmed steering wheel and has been trimmed in a stunning combination of black and brown quilted leather. With bench seats in the third row, it can carry up to eight people.

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Commons health committee also recommends end to junk food advertising on billboards and public transport

Fast food chains such as KFC should be stopped from opening near schools, and advertising for junk food on billboards and public transport should be banned to help curb obesity, MPs will say today.

The Commons health committee will also urge ministers to stop giving in to food industry lobbying and get tough to tackle a problem that costs the UK £74bn a year and causes huge illness.

Supermarkets should be forced to display fruit and vegetables prominently, for example near entrances and checkouts, to help boost sales.

All food must start carrying front-of-pack, traffic light-style labels telling consumers how healthy or unhealthy they are, which some supermarket chains already use.

The government should urgently progress its previously announced intention to compel food producers to reveal what percentage of their sales come from healthy and unhealthy products.

Ministers should “be more courageous [and start] standing up to challenge from industry”, which often seeks to delay the introduction of measures to limit bad diet.

Continue reading...

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Alaska Airlines is making changes in Hawaii.

The Seattle-based carrier will add two new routes from its hub at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL): daily service to Idaho's Boise Airport (BOI) from Dec. 17 through March 21, 2027, and Saturday-only flights to Spokane International Airport (GEG) in Washington from Dec. 19 through April 17, 2027.

Both new HNL routes will be flown with Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

At the same time, Alaska will end Hawaiian Airlines ' service to New Zealand. Flights from HNL to Auckland Airport (AKL) on an Airbus A330 will not resume in November as planned.

Hawaiian began flying the HNL-AKL route in 2013, schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.

Alaska said the changes are "designed to align capacity with evolving travel demand."

The airline will add flights during peak periods from HNL to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas with the A330s freed up from the AKL route.

Post-merger map changes

The pace of network changes is picking up since Alaska closed its merger with Hawaiian in 2024. In June, the airline ended five routes to Mexico in favor of added capacity between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii. And, in 2025, it ended Hawaiian's flights to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Fukuoka Airport (FUK) in Japan, and Incheon Airport (ICN) near Seoul from HNL.

At the same time, Alaska debuted new intercontinental flights from its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) base. Nonstops to Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT) and ICN began in 2025. This summer the carrier is adding service to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR), Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Iceland and Fiumicino Airport (FCO) near Rome .

The goal, as Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci puts it, is to build the airline into a global carrier.

"We are creating the fourth global airline in our country to compete against the Big 3," he said in January referring to American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

Prior to the latest changes, seats on Alaska and Hawaiian from HNL were down nearly 1% this year compared to 2025, Cirium schedules show. Seats from SEA were up nearly 2%.

Alaska Atmos loyalty members can still access New Zealand on one of the carrier's Oneworld alliance partners. For example, American serves AKL from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Qantas Airways from Sydney Airport (SYD).

Related reading:

The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare

Best airline credit cards

Flight delayed or canceled? Here's what to do next

The best credit cards to reach elite status

What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations

Summer sticker shock: Airfare up 15% as high jet fuel costs take hold

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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In 2023, I reported that the development team of then-upcoming fighting game Diesel Legacy included Mike Zaimont, previously a developer on Skullgirls and Indivisible who had been accused of sexual misconduct at Lab Zero, the indie studio behind those games. Diesel Legacy released to little fanfare more than a year later, but the next fighting game from the team behind it, Gameplay Group International, has accumulated significantly more buzz. That game is Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, due out on July 23.

After a viral media post brought Zaimont's likely involvement in Avatar Legends' development to light, the game's publisher has confirmed his role on the game.

"Mike Zaimont holds a position as an individual contributor at the developer Gameplay Group International working specifically on backend programming, engine architecture and netcode," a PR representative for publisher Paramount Game Studios wrote in a statement to PC Gamer.

When I reported on Diesel Legacy's development in 2023, the publisher's then-CEO Christina Seelye said that she hired Zaimont because "you have to create a way for [people] to show the world that they've changed and decided to do better," and that she believed he "was committed to it and that he didn't want everything that went down to be the end of his story. He wanted the opportunity to have the redemptive arc that's in so many stories that we all love."

Zaimont's former colleagues from Lab Zero who I spoke with disagreed with that framing. When the company fell apart, two of its former developers, creative director Mariel Cartwright and CEO Francesca Esquenazi, sued Zaimont over wrongful termination and retaliation. He counter-sued, which the employees I spoke with pointed to as one indication Zaimont hadn't actually made up for his past behavior, which included making a joke about the death of George Floyd in 2020 and an accusation of "frequently mentioning his genitals, forcing unwanted physical contact, making sexual comments about himself or about employee's bodies, insulting coworkers privately or openly in front of other coworkers, or using very personal details to threaten or demean coworkers when they didn't go along with what he wanted" at Lab Zero.

The lawsuit wasn't settled until April 2026, at which point a joint statement between Cartwright, Esquenazi and Zaimont "agreed to resolve" the lawsuit. Terms of the settlement were not made public.

Zaimont remains a controversial figure in the fighting game community, with Legend of Korra comic book artist Irene Koh raising his involvement with Avatar in a viral Bluesky thread last week.

Hey y'all, I wanted give people a heads-up that Mike Z is still working on the Avatar Legends dev team, for anyone who wanted to know before deciding whether to buy/support the game. (If you don't know who that is or need a refresher, here's the Kotaku article: kotaku.com/workers-leav...)

— @koh.money ( @koh.money.bsky.social ) 2026-07-15T00:54:40.994Z

"As an Avatar + fighting game fan, I was extremely disappointed to hear that he's involved. I'm proud of my work on the Korra comics & contributions to the IP over the last decade," Koh wrote, after publisher Paramount seemingly went radio silent after being asked about his involvement.

Paramount has now disclosed Zaimont's role in development, but he hasn't returned to having a public presence online since 2020.

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