Ukraine Defense Transformation: Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi and Gen. Andrii Hnatov briefed 300+ service members from 168 brigades/corps on the first stage of Defense Forces reform, focusing on new contracts, unit transfers, AWOL return mechanisms, service terms, mobilization deferments, pay and foreign recruitment. EU Ballistic Missile Defense: Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha told the EU Council that Europe should treat ballistic missile defense as a shared priority, arguing for a European anti-ballistic shield tied to strategic autonomy. US Airpower Incident: A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California; the airfield was closed and emergency crews responded as the investigation begins. Pentagon AI Adoption: The Pentagon says 1.5 million DoD workers now use its generative AI platform daily, up sharply from 80,000 six months earlier. Counter-Drone/ISR Industry: Safran and THEON signed an MoU to form a joint venture for airborne electro-optical/IR systems for unmanned aerial vehicles, targeting ISR and targeting for mass deployment. Defense Procurement (Canada-EU): Canada’s first SAFE contract was awarded to Marconi Technologies for tactical radios for Poland, with deliveries running to 2030. Ukraine Drone Explosive Disposal: Police in Kyiv secured Geran-2 drone debris found near a roadway and moved it for controlled destruction. Global Drone War Human Toll: The UN reports over 1,000 civilian deaths in Sudan from drone strikes in the first five months of 2026.