On July 16th, A new short-range air defense system, the Pantsir-S1, was installed near one of President Vladimir Putin's residences in Valdai, western Russia, amid Ukraine's drone campaign targeting Russian territory. Satellite imagery from Radio Liberty shows the system on a tower about two miles from the residence, with unidentified technology that may include long-range missiles. Additional air defense systems were also reported northeast of Valdai. These systems, known as the SA-22 Greyhound by NATO, can intercept targets up to 25 miles away. Reports have previously indicated similar defenses around Putin's residences and in Moscow, particularly following a drone attack on an oil depot in St. Petersburg. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the recent satellite imagery.

Also on the 16th, China and Russia commenced a joint naval exercise in southern China, shortly after NATO allies labeled Beijing a "decisive enabler" of the Ukraine war. The exercise, which began in Guangdong province and will last until mid-July, aims to demonstrate the navies' capabilities in addressing security threats and maintaining global and regional peace. The drills include anti-missile exercises, sea strikes, and air defense. Despite recent tensions with NATO, China insists the operation is unrelated to international and regional situations. This exercise follows a NATO summit highlighting shared security concerns about China and Russia. Additionally, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter recently encountered Chinese military ships in the Bering Sea, which were operating within international norms.

On July 18th, during Valiant Shield 24 in the Indo-Pacific, a U.S. Navy Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), guided by the U.S. Army's new Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) and Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), successfully intercepted a target, Raytheon announced. This test, involving both physical hardware and simulation, showcased the Army's LTAMDS providing threat tracking data to IBCS, which then initiated the launch and guided the SM-6 to intercept. This integration demonstrates the Pentagon's goal for seamless operations between services and confirms the Navy missiles' compatibility with the Army's missile defense systems. This capability is crucial for countering complex threats and is part of a broader effort to build a layered missile defense architecture. The test also supports future defense plans for Guam and reflects advancements in the Army's missile defense capabilities, including the deployment of Mid-Range Capability weapons and ongoing LTAMDS development.

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