TYB
https://clickhole.com/6-nasa-missions-to-put-a-urinal-on-the-moon-that-ended-in-disaster-and-2-that-ended-in-success/
6 NASA Missions To Put A Urinal On The Moon That Ended In Disaster And 2 That Ended In Success
March 24, 2026
everal times in NASA’s history, the organization has attempted to put a urinal on the moon. Sadly, these missions have not all been successful. In fact, many have ended in complete disaster for everyone involved.
However, sometimes they have also managed to pull it off. It’s a mixed bag for the folks at NASA. Here are six NASA missions to put a urinal on the moon that ended in disaster and two that ended in success.
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Mission Name: Cloacina 1
Mission Date: July 29, 1958
Mission Status: Failure
On the first day that NASA began operating, aerospace engineers from the organization gathered at Cape Canaveral to launch Cloacina 1, a mission named after the Roman goddess of sewers.
The goal of the mission was to put a urinal on the moon in order to “figure out if the moon likes when that happens.”
No rockets had been built yet, so NASA engineers paid a local body builder to throw the urinal as high as he could into the sky and hope that it landed on the moon.
Unfortunately, the bodybuilder was only able to throw the urinal about a mile into the sky before it fell back down to Earth and crushed the smartest scientist in the world, whose name nobody remembers.
The loss of the very smart scientist set the space program back years.
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Mission Name: Cloacina 2
Mission Date: July 30, 1958
Mission Status: Failure
Showcasing the organization’s trademark resilience and perseverance in the face of tragedy, NASA engineers reconvened at Cape Canaveral the very next day to launch the Cloacina 2 mission.
While this mission employed much of the same basic technology as the failed Cloacina 1 mission front he previous day, including the bodybuilder, NASA engineers also attempted to increase the likelihood of success by taping a balloon and a gun to the urinal, and also painting a bright red racing stripe on it.
Despite these modifications to the urinal, however, the bodybuilder was only able to hurl it into the lower mesosphere before it plummeted back to Earth, flattening both the newly appointed smartest scientist in the world along with the most handsome man in the United States.
Following the failure of Cloacina 2, the bodybuilder was sentenced to 30 years in prison for being so bad at space travel.
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Mission Name: Zeus Of Piss 2
Mission Date: April 19, 1965
Mission Status: Failure
The first Zeus Of Piss mission, Zeus Of Piss 1, involved astronauts looking at a picture of the moon while taking a piss on Earth.
Zeus Of Piss 1 was a resounding success, and NASA proved that it was possible for humans to think about the moon while taking a piss on Earth without suffering any negative physical consequences outside of a minor nosebleed.
The next year, NASA attempted Zeus Of Piss 2, a mission designed to learn if it was possible for humans to think about the Earth while taking a piss on the moon. In order to do this, they needed to get a urinal onto the moon.
Unfortunately, the unmanned spacecraft carrying the urinal that NASA launched into space never made it to the moon because NASA had made the mistake, common in the early days of space travel, of simply pointing the rocket in the general direction of the moon in the night sky and firing it straight into the air.
It wasn’t until the Zeus Of Piss 2 spacecraft flew past the moon, missing it by over 450,000 miles, that NASA realized that this “point and launch” method of space travel was ineffective.
1/2
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Mission Name: Apollo 11
Mission Date: July 16, 1969
Mission Status: Success
In 1969, NASA finally achieved its dream of putting a urinal on the moon. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin successfully landed on the moon and installed a fully functioning urinal.
As Armstrong took the first human piss on the lunar surface in history, he famously said, “That’s one big foot of my own, and everyone’s jumping up and down.”
Those immortal words will forever be associated with the first time a man took a piss on the moon. Michael Collins was there too, unfortunately.
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Mission Name: Apollo 13
Mission Date: April 11, 1970
Mission Status: Failure
The astronauts got halfway to the moon, but then had to turn around because they forgot to not have their spaceship explode. Upon returning to Earth, the astronauts involved were sent to jail.
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Mission Name: Cloacina 3
Mission Date: November 16, 1981
Mission Status: Failure
In 1981, NASA revived the controversial Cloacina program with the intent of putting another urinal on the moon.
While critics pointed out that there was already a perfectly good urinal on the moon, NASA officials argued that there needed to be two urinals on the moon so that astronauts could hold hands while pissing in space.
At the time, they believed that two astronauts holding hands while pissing on the moon at the same time would help humans learn more about quantum mechanics.
Massive technological advancements allowed NASA to use a much taller bodybuilder with much longer hair to throw the urinal up into the sky.
Unfortunately, due to a computational error, the bodybuilder ended up throwing the urinal horizontally through the air instead of straight up into the sky and into outer space.
The urinal collided with a nearby car and the resulting explosion killed 45 astronauts.
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Mission Name: Zeus Of Piss 3
Mission Date: August 19, 1994
Mission Status: Failure
Zeus Of Piss 3 aimed to utilize advancements in space shuttle technology to safely transport a new urinal onto the surface of the moon. Unfortunately, a navigation error resulted in the crew of the shuttle accidentally landing on Mars.
Although the crew was able to install the urinal on the surface of the red planet and establish a thriving civilization there which now consists of about 650,000 men, women, and children, NASA considers Zeus Of Piss 3 to be one of its most humiliating setbacks.
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Mission Name: Cloacina 4
Mission Date: February 9, 2009
Mission Status: Success
The technological breakthroughs of the digital age enabled NASA to recruit a bodybuilder whose hair was so long that it went all the way to the floor.
Due to this crucial engineering innovation, the bodybuilder was able to throw the toilet all the way to the moon. Sadly, when the urinal crashed into the lunar surface, it crushed a man, but fortunately, it was some boring guy who wasn’t even good at guitar.
The bodybuilder was given a $50 gift card to Apple Music as a reward for his heroic role in the mission, and NASA was able to finally achieve their decades-long dream of having two urinals on the moon.
NASA is currently developing the Artemis missions to send astronauts back to the lunar surface to piss in these urinals, and then once they do that they will be done with space forever.
2/2
South Korea and NASA Expand Joint Research for L4 Deep Space Mission
2026.03.24 12:00 KST
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) is expanding its joint research with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on L4 exploration, deep space exploration, and space weather.
KASA announced on the 24th that it is holding the '2nd KASA-NASA Bilateral Team Meeting for Deep Space Exploration' at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) from the 24th to the 27th.
This is the second meeting, following the first one held in March of last year at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
It was organized as a follow-up to the cooperation agreement and joint statement signed by both parties in September 2024 to flesh out the mission concept for exploring the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 4 (L4) and to specify joint research on deep space communication and space weather.
A Lagrange point is a location in space where the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth and the orbital motion of a spacecraft are balanced.
It is gaining attention as an exploration base because a probe can remain there with significantly less fuel. There are five such points, from L1 to L5, with L4 and L5 considered the most stable locations for an object to maintain its position.
NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and researchers from both South Korea and abroad have proposed L4 as an advantageous observation point for monitoring and predicting space radiation from solar activity. By conducting simultaneous observations from multiple directions in conjunction with existing observation points between the Sun and Earth (L1) and on the far side of Earth (L5), the accuracy of space weather forecasting and warnings can be greatly improved.
Researchers from NASA Headquarters, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Johnson Space Center, along with those from domestic research institutes and universities such as KASI, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), are participating in this meeting. Scientists from both countries will discuss deep space exploration strategies as equals.
Participants will share their research findings in groups focused on deep space optical communication, space weather, and space radiation, and will establish a mid- to long-term plan for the joint development of an L4 heliospheric observatory and its space weather observation payloads.
Deep space optical communication is a laser-based technology that offers 10 to 100 times higher transmission speed and capacity than conventional radio wave communication, along with superior security.
It is regarded as a next-generation core technology for exploration of the Moon, Mars, and L4, as well as for commercial space communications.
Space weather refers to the collective effects of solar activity on the Earth and the space environment. It can cause GPS interference, communication failures, and satellite loss.
Spacefaring nations like the United States and European countries operate government-led forecasting systems. In March of this year, Lloyd's of London, a global insurance specialist, projected that potential global economic losses from space weather damage could reach up to $2.4 trillion (approximately 3,598.8 trillion won).
Space radiation consists of high-energy particles emitted by solar activity, which can cause satellite malfunctions and expose aircraft passengers to radiation.
NASA classifies space radiation as a top health risk for astronauts. Consequently, governments worldwide consider establishing space weather and space radiation forecasting and warning systems a key task for protecting national critical infrastructure.
Noh Kyung-won, Vice Administrator of KASA, stated, "Since the launch of KASA, the Korea-U.S. collaboration in deep space exploration has rapidly expanded from the L4 mission concept to areas like deep space optical communication.
We will use this meeting as an opportunity to devise multifaceted support measures so that researchers from both countries can incrementally advance a broad program of joint deep space exploration."
https://www.dongascience.com/en/news/76995
she made it to docking but it was looking a little dicey
Russian rocket en route to ISS suffers major antenna glitch, triggering remote-control astronaut 'backup plan'
March 24, 2026
NASA has revealed that Russia's Progress 94 spacecraft failed to deploy one of its antennae, making it impossible for the uncrewed freighter to autonomously dock with the International Space Station. An orbiting cosmonaut will now have to manually guide the stricken vessel using a "backup system."
An uncrewed Russian rocket carrying vital supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) experienced a significant "glitch" after launch, meaning the cargo vehicle will no longer dock autonomously with the station, NASA warns.
As a result, a cosmonaut (Russian astronaut) may have to use a "backup system" to dock the stricken vessel with the ISS remotely, all while orbiting Earth.
The spacecraft, dubbed Progress 94 (or Progress MS-33 in Russia), launched aboard a Soyuz rocket around 8 a.m. EDT (5 p.m. local time) Sunday (March 22) from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, according to Live Science's sister site Space.com.
Progress is a line of robotic freighters that Russia (and previously the Soviet Union) has used to ferry cargo into space since the 1970s.
Progress 94 is carrying around 5,500 pounds (2,500 kilograms) of cargo — including food, water, fuel, oxygen, hardware, scientific equipment and medical supplies — and was scheduled to dock automatically with the ISS Tuesday (March 24) at around 9:30 a.m. EDT. However, this maneuver will no longer be as straightforward as expected.
Around 40 minutes after liftoff, NASA revealed that one of the Progress spacecraft's antennae did not deploy properly after separating from the Soyuz rocket.
This antenna plays a key role in helping the robotic freighter dock with the airlock on Russia's Poisk module, meaning that docking can no longer be attempted without human involvement.
"Troubleshooting will continue and if the antenna cannot be deployed, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov will manually pilot the spacecraft through a backup system for rendezvous and docking at the space station," NASA representatives wrote on X.
Kud-Sverchkov is part of the Expedition 73/74 crew — alongside fellow cosmonaut Sergey Mikayev and NASA astronaut Christopher Williams — and has been on board the ISS since Thanksgiving.
The veteran cosmonaut, who previously spent six months living in space between October 2020 and March 2021, has served as both flight engineer and commander on ISS missions.
It is unclear exactly what the backup system is or how it is operated.
Despite the setback, "all other systems are operating as designed," and the docking attempt will continue as planned, either with the fixed antenna in place or with Kud-Sverchkov at the controls, NASA officials wrote.
You can watch the docking attempt via a NASA livestream that starts on Tuesday at around 8:45 a.m. EDT.
Repeated issues
This is not the first setback for the Progress 94 mission.
The freighter was originally scheduled to launch in mid-December 2025. However, it was postponed after its launchpad, Site 31, sustained significant damage following the launch of the Expedition 73/74 crew.
It is unclear exactly what happened to Russia's only operational launchpad. Rumors initially hinted that a service platform fell into the "flame trench" below the pad after it was incorrectly secured in place before takeoff.
However, Russia announced that the damage had been fully repaired earlier this month.
Nor is this the only recent mishap involving the ISS.
The setback comes around two months after four astronauts (NASA's Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Japan's Kimiya Yui and Russia's Oleg Platonov ) were sent home from the ISS prematurely after Fincke experienced an undisclosed medical emergency in space.
This was the first medical evacuation in the station's 26-year history.
Before thatElsewhere in low Earth orbit, China's Tiangong space station has also experienced its fair share of recent drama.
In November last year, multiple Chinese astronauts were stranded in space for several weeks after their return capsule was hit by a piece of suspected space junk, triggering the launch of an uncrewed "lifeboat" rocket.
And more recently, NASA's Artemis II mission, which will send humans back to the moon for the first time since 1972, has been repeatedly delayed by multiple mechanical issues.
NASA is now targeting a launch next month, after the rocket was rolled back out to the launchpad last week.
, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams were stranded on the ISS for nine months between 2024 and 2025.
Their initial two-week mission was extended after their faulty return capsule was sent back to Earth without them.
https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/russian-rocket-en-route-to-iss-suffers-major-antenna-glitch-triggering-remote-control-astronaut-backup-plan
Astrophotographer spies Thor's Helmet shining 15,000 light-years away in spectacular photo and extra space
March 23, 2026
The god of thunder appears to have misplaced his helmet in a new deep-space photo from Ronald Brecher, which captured glorious detail in a nebula scene surrounding a colossal star shining 15,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Canis Major, the "Great Dog".
Brecher's image reveals the 30-light-year-wide emission nebula NGC 2359, whose bubble-like form was sculpted by the stellar wind blasting out from the colossal Wolf-Rayet star at its heart.
The stellar giant is estimated to be 16 times more massive and 280,000 times brighter than the sun, according to the Lowell Observatory.
A pair of wing-like nebula structures sweep away from NGC 2359's central bubble, giving it the appearance of a vast cosmic helmet remarkably similar to that worn by Thor, the Norse god of thunder.
The burst of activity that formed NGC 2359 — also known as Thor's Helmet — is merely the precursor to the cataclysmic natural light show to follow, when the ageing Wolf-Rayet star ends its life in a supernova explosion that will reshape the nearby interstellar environment.
Brecher captured the ionized glow of the distant nebula using a Celestron 14-inch EDGE HD telescope with a monochrome astronomy camera fitted with a series of narrowband filters in the skies over the city of Guelph,Canada, from March 8-13, 2026.
A little over 8 hours and 124 camera exposures went into the creation of the gorgeous deep space image, which was carefully stacked and processed using the astronomy software PixInsight.
"I didn't think I could capture Thor's Helmet from my location," Brecher told Space.com in an email. "It skimmed the trees through my most light-polluted skies, awash in the glow of the Guelph's Auto Mall. But here we are!"
https://www.space.com/stargazing/astrophotography/astrophotographer-spies-thors-helmet-shining-15-000-light-years-away-in-spectacular-photo
extra
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/rivers-oceans/extreme-blast-of-arctic-air-from-polar-vortex-paints-a-picturesque-plume-off-florida-coast-earth-from-space
https://www.space.com/astronomy/galaxies/triangulum-galaxy-dazzles-in-psychedelic-color-space-photo-of-the-day-for-march-23-2026
Portable UK-backed tech uses space to enable connectivity and extra ESA
24/03/2026
A towable communications station that can be deployed in just minutes will bring satellite-enabled connectivity to situations impacted by patchy coverage, such as crowded events and major incidents.
Backed by the UK Space Agency, the technology – named NOMADLINK – was developed by UK connectivity specialist Excelerate Technology in collaboration with Livewire Digital and Eutelsat.
Reliable connectivity underpins the way we live, work and communicate, but during emergency situations or busy events like music festivals, network coverage can often drop out.
In addition, certain rural communities in the UK experience limited and unpredictable connectivity. NOMADLINK addresses this challenge by offering rapidly deployable secure cellular networks, enabling phone calls, data access and digital transactions.
It relies on hybrid terrestrial and satellite communications to ensure the provision of seamless and reliable connectivity under all conditions.
The system integrates low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit satellite connectivity via vehicle‑mounted terminals operating on Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation, while a 4G extended‑range antenna and dual 5G modems enhance performance where terrestrial networks are available.
Running from March 2026 to February 2027 the project will raise awareness, build partnerships, and secure trials across key UK sectors including emergency services, agriculture, local government, events, and rural industries.
Rebecca Irving, Telecommunications Lead at the UK Space Agency, said: “NOMADLINK is a compelling example of what becomes possible when British innovation, satellite technology and public-private collaboration come together.
The UK Space Agency is proud to support a solution that puts cutting-edge space-enabled connectivity in the hands of emergency responders, rural communities and event organisers who need it most.
This project demonstrates exactly the kind of real-world impact we want to see from the UK’s growing space sector – keeping people connected when and where it matters most.”
You can read the full story on NOMADLINK on the Connectivity and Secure Communications pages of esa.int.
https://www.esa.int/Space_in_Member_States/United_Kingdom/Portable_UK-backed_tech_uses_space_to_enable_connectivity
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Trailer_to_set_up_space-enabled_connectivity_in_emergencies
extra
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2026/03/Smile_fuelled_for_launch
https://blogs.esa.int/orion/2026/03/23/meet-the-team-guillaume-schang/
USSF Space Systems Command Announces Formation of Defensive Cyber Squadrons
March 23, 2026
Summary: Two new Defensive Cyber Operations Squadrons are actively monitoring SSC’s Launch Ranges during Launch Operations to defend in real time from any adversaries attempting a cyber-attack during launch.
The squadrons are located at Space Launch Delta (SLD) 30 at Vandenberg Space Force Base and SLD 45 at Patrick Space Force Base.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – U.S. Space Force’s SSC Space Launch Delta (SLD) 30 at Vandenberg Space Force Base and SLD 45 at Patrick Space Force Base have stood up two new Defensive Cyber Operations Squadrons to actively monitor SSC’s Launch Ranges during Launch Operations.
The squadrons were established to defend the ranges in real time from any adversaries attempting a cyber-attack during launch, among other defensive tasks.
The newest squadron, 630 CYS, was activated March 10, 2026 at Vandenberg. The official activation of the 630 Cyberspace Squadron (CYS) aligns the unit under SLD 30.
"Access to space is critical for our Nation’s national security, national defense and our economy,” said Maj. Torius Davis, commander of 630 CYS.
“Our adversaries know this, and are constantly looking for ways to deny, disrupt or destroy our ability to launch.
Our new Defensive Cyber Operations Squadrons are just one of the ways the U.S. Space Force is staying ahead of the threat.”
The first squadron, 645 CYS was reassigned from Delta 6 to SLD 45 at Patrick Space Force Base effective September 22, 2025. Lt. Col. John Quinn is the squadron commander.
"Years ago, launch sites were mainly concerned with physical security: keeping unauthorized personnel out of sensitive areas and to prevent sabotage or espionage of critical equipment,” Quinn said.
“But as space operations have become more digitized, we’ve had to increase our security protection against a host of potential cyber-attacks.
Much like the anti-jamming capabilities we build into our modern satellites, our new Cyberspace Squadrons will work to secure our launch systems from a myriad of potential threats, from hijacking satellites or ground systems to using malware to gain unauthorized access to our systems.”
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space.
SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of War (DoW) working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations.
For more information, visit ssc.spaceforce.mil and follow @USSF-SSC on LinkedIn.
https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article-Display/Article/4440303/ussf-space-systems-command-announces-formation-of-defensive-cyber-squadrons
DDNRO Warns of Risks from Space Debris at Tech Symposium
March 23, 2026
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – A dramatic rise in the number of satellites on orbit is increasing the amount of space debris, posing a critical threat to the capabilities of America’s national space systems, Maj. Gen. Chris Povak, deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, said Monday.
“The future gets more complex, not less. More satellites, more debris, more competition,” he said.
“Managing these challenges simultaneously continues to be priority number one for this community, to ensure that we continue to fulfill our mission to the American people."
Povak warned of the risks of space debris during his keynote address to the Space Policy, Science, and Technology Symposium hosted by the Purdue University Policy Research Institute.
With space becoming increasingly congested over the past two decades, Povak noted there are hundreds of thousands of objects on orbit – including many that are less than 10 centimeters in diameter and too small to track reliably – that could damage or even destroy a satellite.
According to the U.S. Space Force, more than 80 nations operate satellites in space – a number that has doubled in the past 20 years, enabled by access to advanced technologies, more efficient commercial production methods, and dramatically lower launch costs.
The number of satellites on orbit has grown tenfold over the past decade – from about 1,400 satellites on orbit in 2016 to more than 14,000 today.
Tens of thousands of satellites are expected to be on-orbit in the coming years.
Povak noted that more activity means more debris.
The U.S. Space Force’s Combat Forces Command reports there are currently about 48,000 trackable objects, meaning debris that is 10 centimeters or larger in low-earth orbit and one meter or larger in geostationary orbit, where some of our nation’s most strategically significant spacecraft reside. That’s a 107-percent increase since 2016.
Complicating the challenge is the increase in “debris-creating events.”
For example, in 2007 a Chinese anti-satellite test generated more than 3,000 pieces of trackable debris; a 2021 Russian anti-satellite test produced 1,500 pieces of trackable debris.
Given the magnitude of the problem, detecting and avoiding space debris is a critical focus area for the NRO, Povak said: “Our commitment to responsible space operations is fundamental to our mission assurance and our role as stewards of the space environment.”
To protect its assets, the NRO is leading the global space community in orbital debris mitigation and collision avoidance practices.
For example, Povak said the NRO works with commercial partners to harden satellite construction, enhance autonomy and maneuverability, and innovate end-of-life processes for spacecraft.
The NRO also takes part in national and international dialogues on space sustainability and complies with orbital debris mitigation standards set by the Department of War, National Security Council, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and NASA – ensuring safety for every system from launch to operations to its ultimate disposal.
The NRO is also applying its decades-long legacy of innovation to strengthening the nation’s space-domain awareness and debris detection.
It partnered with the Space Force to develop SILENTBARKER – multiple space vehicles in geostationary orbit that offer a “neighborhood watch” capability.
It is also developing a quantum magnetometer sensor testbed to support space-debris detection and precision navigation – enabling assets to assess risks and avoid collisions with space debris.
“While the challenge of a congested space isn't going away anytime soon,” Povak said, “There are steps that spacefaring nations and organizations can do today to help mitigate the growing threat and domain, even as this community works to develop even more effective solutions to the future.”
https://www.nro.gov/news-media-featured-stories/news-media-archive/News-Article/Article/4441342/ddnro-warns-of-risks-from-space-debris-at-tech-symposium/
>>24422230
Zeus of Piss or GTFO
Ukraine turns down US ‘paradise’ offer – media
24 Mar, 2026 14:02
The US is trying to convince Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbass Region and reach peace with Moscow while promising Kiev security guarantees and sweeping economic benefits in return, Ukrainskaya Pravda reported on Tuesday, citing sources.
However, Kiev has so far refused the offer, with Ukrainian officials trying to divert US attention from the issue – even as Washington is running out of patience.
Several Ukrainian officials told the paper that the issue of Donbass, which joined Russia in 2022 in public referendums but partly remains under Kiev’s control – remains one of the key obstacles towards peace.
Kiev has consistently refused to pull back from the region, a move Moscow has described as a key prerequisite for sustainable peace.
“The Americans do not see how we can reach an agreement on the main issue,” an unnamed Ukrainian official said, adding that the US could eventually decide to walk out of the settlement talks to focus on Iran and its domestic agenda.
The official noted that the US is “even ready to offer us real security guarantees if we withdraw from Donbass.”
A second source remarked that the US-Ukraine talks “feel like there are three sides present at the meetings,” with Ukraine “constantly arguing with the Americans” over the Anchorage framework reached during the Putin-Trump Alaska summit last summer.
“Leave Donbass and we’ll build a paradise for you, as agreed in Alaska,” the source added, describing the US stance.
With US pressure mounting, Ukrainian officials “are spending a lot of time trying to divert the Americans from the idea of withdrawal towards the creation of some economic zones or something else,” a source said.
“But at some point, everything is thrown aside, and we again hear: ‘You need to leave.’ And so it goes in circles.”
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky acknowledged US pressure last month but insisted that Kiev is “not losing the war,” even as it gradually loses ground to advancing Russian troops.
The latest round of US-Ukraine talks took place last weekend, with Ukrainian officials saying they were focused on security guarantees and prisoner exchanges.
However, trilateral talks involving Russia remain on ice amid the Iran war, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the talks were in a ‘situational pause for obvious reasons’ and would resume once schedules were aligned, particularly with the American mediators.
https://www.rt.com/russia/636054-ukraine-rejects-us-paradise-offer-donbass/
extra RT
https://www.rt.com/russia/636056-ukrainian-drone-down-lithuania/
https://www.rt.com/russia/636017-russian-satellite-internet-system/
https://www.rt.com/news/594825-ruins-of-yugoslavia-25/
https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-heard-in-kyiv-as-russia-launched-another-big-attack-after-the-overnight-mass-strikes/
other Russia and Ukraine
https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/europe/drone-warehouse-fire-pardubice-czech-ukraine-b2944791.html
https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/news/poland-nato-jets-ukraine-russia-b2944761.html
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4105166-nearly-1000-drones-in-one-day-air-forces-report-one-of-largest-russian-attacks-on-ukraine.html
https://mezha.net/eng/bukvy/russian_drones_struck-18/
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38622462/horror-moment-russian-kamikaze-drones-blitz-ukraine-45-miles-nato-border/
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4105148-russian-drone-attack-on-vinnytsia-region-leaves-one-killed-and-11-others-injured.html
https://www.ukrinform.net/amp/rubric-ato/4105137-drone-attack-on-lviv-injury-toll-rises-to-13.html
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/72480
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4105131-russian-drone-strikes-center-of-ivanofrankivsk-damaging-maternity-hospital.html
https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraine-shuts-down-key-russian-oil-refinery-in-deep-drone-strike-hitting-war-fuel-supply-17187
https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraine-urges-allies-to-back-deep-strikes-on-russian-drone-factories-linked-to-irans-gulf-attacks-17201
https://kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-hits-passenger-train-in-kharkiv-oblast-killing-one-person/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/drone-crashed-lithuania-came-ukraine-112929347.html
https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-ukrainian-defense-tech-firm-lands-first-us-ukraine-minerals-fund-deal/
Russia launches nearly 1,000 drones in one of war's largest assaults, killing 7 and injuring 55
Updated: March 24, 2026 8:31 pm
Russia launched nearly 1,000 attack drones against Ukraine over the 24-hour period between March 23 and March 24, in what appeared to be one of the largest aerial assaults of the full-scale war, according to the General Staff.
The barrage included a rare daytime wave on March 24, during which Russia launched more than 550 kamikaze drones across central and western parts of the country, the General Staff reported.
The strikes hit cities and infrastructure across western and central Ukraine, killing at least three people and injuring at least 34, according to regional officials.
The daytime barrage followed overnight strikes across Ukraine, during which at least four people were killed and 21 others injured, local officials reported.
In Lviv, at least 17 people were injured after drones struck civilian areas, Lviv Oblast Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported. Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground reported hearing air defense activity, drones, and explosions in Lviv at around 4:20 p.m. local time.
Yarema Semaniv, a Lviv resident who was having tea at a cafe about 500 meters from one of the strike sites, said the daytime attack felt different from previous Russian strikes on the city.
"People were running from the Danylo Halytsky monument as if it was a terrorist attack," he said. "It was the first time I experienced something like that downtown. This is definitely something new."
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Two districts of the city were hit, with fires breaking out in residential buildings in the historic center and the Sykhiv district. An architectural landmark of national significance, the Bernardine Monastery complex, was damaged in the attack, Kozytskyi said.
The site lies within Lviv's historic center, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fires broke out in buildings within the monastery complex, with the extent of the damage still being assessed.
Strikes also hit critical infrastructure facilities in the Komarno and Dobrosyn-Maheriv communities, Kozytskyi added.
Ivano-Frankivsk, another regional capital in western Ukraine, was also targeted with Russian drones. Two people were killed in the attack on central Ivano-Frankivsk, Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk reported.
Four others were injured, including a 6-year-old child, and are receiving medical assistance. Authorities also reported damage to maternity hospitals and around 10 residential buildings.
Explosions were also reported in Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, and Khmelnytskyi. A 12-year-old girl was injured in a Russian strike on central Zhytomyr and has been hospitalized, where she is receiving medical care, Zhytomyr Oblast Governor Vitalii Bunechko said.
The attack damaged a two-story residential building and shattered windows in nearby structures.
In Vinnytsia, at least one person was killed, and 11 others were injured in the mass attack, regional official Nataliia Zabolotna reported.
In Khmelnytskyi Oblast, a man was injured, suffering a concussion and a brain contusion. He was hospitalized, and the attack caused power outages in parts of the region, with repair crews working to restore electricity, Governor Serhii Tiurin said.
Russian strikes hit energy infrastructure facilities and an administrative building in Ternopil Oblast, causing power outages, regional Governor Taras Pastukh reported.
Kyiv and surrounding areas were also under threat as the daytime assault continued.
Ukraine's Air Force reported at 11:07 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 12:36 p.m. that drones were flying towards Kyiv Oblast and the city of Kyiv from the northern direction. At 12:35 p.m., an air alert was announced in Kyiv, according to the Kyiv City State Administration.
By mid-afternoon, the Air Force reported that the attack continues with "a large number of Russian drones" flying over the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry advisor Serhii Flash said that Russia is constantly changing its tactics for massive strikes, "trying to find vulnerabilities," and break through Ukraine's air defenses.
"The current strategy is to launch strikes spread out over time," he wrote on Facebook.
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Cutting the Cord: IDF Strikes Hezbollah’s "Al-Amana" Gas Station Empire
MAR 24, 2026 15:55
The IDF has struck 10 targets belonging to the Hezbollah-owned "Al-Amana" fuel company.
These gas stations, which generate millions for the terror group and fuel its military vehicles, are being systematically dismantled as part of Israel's economic war on the organization.
In a major strategic shift targeting Hezbollah's financial jugular, the IDF has launched a series of airstrikes against the Al-Amana fuel company.
Controlled entirely by the terror organization, the company serves as a critical pillar of Hezbollah’s independent economy and military logistics in Lebanon.
In the latest wave of attacks, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck five Al-Amana targets across Southern Lebanon, following a previous wave that took out an equal number of sites.
The Network: Al-Amana operates approximately 50 gas stations and 15 distribution centers nationwide, primarily concentrated in Shia population centers like Southern Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley, and Beirut.
The Background: Established in 2005 under the "Atlas" conglomerate, the company was originally managed by the Iranian Martyrs' Foundation before being transferred to Hezbollah’s economic portfolio.
It is currently led by CEO Kassem Muhammad Ali Bazzi.
Global Sanctions: In 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Atlas and Al-Amana for their direct role in financing and facilitating terrorist activities.
Military officials emphasize that these stations are far more than civilian fueling points. They are integral to Hezbollah’s military machine:
Operational Logistics: The stations provide the fuel necessary for Hezbollah’s vehicles during routine operations and emergencies, particularly since the start of Operation "Lion's Roar."
Strategic Hubs: These locations serve as pre-designated meeting points for military operatives transitioning from routine to emergency combat status.
The "Black Bank": Al-Amana generates millions of dollars in annual profit. According to defense data, these funds do not benefit Lebanese civilians; instead, they flow directly into Al-Qard al-Hassan, Hezbollah’s shadow banking system, to fund weapons and salaries.
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/idf-hezbollah-al-amana-fuel-strikes
other Israel
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/idf-reservist-call-up-expansion
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-890963
https://newsable.asianetnews.com/world/iranian-missile-hits-tel-aviv-6-injured-idf-strikes-hezbollah-articleshow-131l5mu
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-home-front-command-extends-restrictions-through-at-least-thursday-night/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israeli-air-force-bombed-key-iranian-explosives-facility-in-isfahan-says-idf/
https://breakingthenews.net/Article/IDF-says-it-struck-Hezbollah-sites-in-Beirut/65935929
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/idf-strikes-hezbollah-command-centers
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-idf-strikes-loaded-missile-launchers-in-western-iran/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/katz-says-israel-will-hold-security-zone-in-south-lebanon-until-hezbollah-threat-removed/
might as well go all out
https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202603192844
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/3/24/iran-war-live-tehran-says-trumps-claims-of-peace-talks-fake
other Iran
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/24/a-tangled-web-leads-from-golders-green-ambulance-attack-to-tehran
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/24/mohammad-bagher-zolghadr-succeeds-slain-larijani-as-iran-security-chief
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/24/what-are-irans-cluster-munitions-that-are-penetrating-israeli-defences
Trump says war won, hints at possible deal with Iran
March 24, 2026
Summary
Tehran is seen as unlikely to accept Washington’s terms even as US President Donald Trump appears determined to reach a deal, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing Israeli sources.
Israel said on Tuesday that it had struck Iranian missile-related sites as well as intelligence facilities in its latest wave of attacks.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned on Tuesday that they could strike Israeli forces in northern Israel and the Gaza Strip if civilians are hit in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
US Marines are due to arrive in the Middle East on Friday as tensions continue in the region, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Iran’s blackout has entered its 25th day, with the public still largely cut off from global connectivity, Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said on Tuesday.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said preliminary conversations between the United States and Iran had been "very, very good", adding Tehran wanted to settle and agreed to "zero" enrichment. Tehran denies it had any talks with the US.
7 minutes ago
BREAKING NEWS
Iran says 'non-hostile vessels' may transit Hormuz with coordination - FT
Iran has told International Maritime Organization member states that “non-hostile vessels” may transit the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iranian authorities, the Financial Times reported, citing a letter.
34 minutes ago
Trump says Iran gave US 'significant prize' tied to Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said Iran had given the United States a “significant prize” worth a “tremendous amount of money,” adding that it was related to the Strait of Hormuz.
"They did something yesterday that was amazing. Actually, they gave us a present, and the present arrived today, and it was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money," he told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
"I'm not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize, and they gave it to us…So that meant one thing to me, we’re dealing with the right people,” he added.
“It wasn't nuclear related. It was oil and gas related, and it was a very nice thing they did,” Trump said.
58 minutes ago
Trump says US talking to 'right people' in Iran to make a deal
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the United States is talking to “the right people” in Iran to reach an agreement to end hostilities.
“We’re talking to the right people … they want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters.
He added that Iran wants to reach a deal very badly.
1 hour ago
US, regional mediators discuss possibility of peace talks with Iran - Axios
The United States and a group of regional mediators are discussing the possibility of holding high-level peace talks with Iran and are awaiting a response from Tehran, Axios reported citing two unnamed sources.
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1 hour ago
Israel says it attacked explosives plant in Isfahan
Israel’s military said it attacked an explosives manufacturing plant in Iran as part of a wave of strikes on Isfahan.
1 hour ago
US orders 82nd Airborne elements to Middle East - reports
The commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Major General Brandon Tegtmeier, and his “command element,” members of his headquarters staff, have been ordered to deploy to the Middle East as the Pentagon and White House weigh sending the unit for possible land operations, Fox News reported on Tuesday.
Axios reporter Barak Ravid also reported, citing a US official, that the division’s command element and an infantry brigade of several thousand troops have been directed to deploy to the region.
In a separate report, Reuters reported citing unnamed officials that Pentagon is expected to send thousands of soldiers from the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East.
The officials did not specify where the troops would be deployed or when they would arrive in the region. The soldiers are stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the report said.
A day earlier, the New York Times reported citing defense officials that senior US military officials are weighing a possible deployment of a combat brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division and elements of its headquarters staff to support military operations in Iran.
1 hour ago
UK considers sending vessel to hunt and destroy mines in Hormuz - The Times
The UK is examining plans to send a Royal Navy ship or lease a commercial vessel to act as a “mothership” for uncrewed systems to hunt and destroy mines in the Strait of Hormuz, The Times reported on Tuesday.
The plan would form part of a multinational force including France, the US and other countries, the report said.
A second phase could involve uncrewed boats and Type 45 destroyers working alongside allied ships to provide protection for tankers transiting the strait.
“We have world leading capabilities in terms of autonomous mine hunting … and also the development of hybrid navy concept … to help secure the strait,” The Times quoted an official as saying.
2 hours ago
Pezeshkian says regional publics condemning US, Israel over Iran war
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said people across several countries in the region and beyond are expressing anger toward the United States and Israel over the war.
“The people of Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and Arab countries are loudly expressing their disgust for America, Israel, and their crimes,” Pezeshkian said in a social media post.
“The hearts of the free people of the world are not with the Zionists,” he added.
Pezeshkian said lasting stability in the region would be possible only through “cooperation and respect for the will of the nations.”
2 hours ago
Qatar says it is working closely with US to end Iran war
Qatar is working “very closely” with the United States to help bring about an end to the war with Iran, foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said.
Speaking at a press briefing in Doha, Al-Ansari said Qatar remains in close contact with Washington and is focused on supporting diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
He added that Doha is not directly mediating between the United States and Iran but supports “all formal and informal diplomatic channels” aimed at ending the war.
3 hours ago
Erdogan says Turkey will do everything to establish peace in Iran
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara will “continue to work with all its might” to help establish peace in Iran as the regional conflict intensifies.
Erdoğan has repeatedly called for diplomacy to end the war, warning that the fighting risks dragging the wider Middle East into conflict and urging negotiations to resolve the crisis.
Turkey has also been engaging with multiple countries as part of broader diplomatic efforts to encourage talks and prevent further escalation.
3 hours ago
Tehran says Hormuz closed to vessels linked to US, Israel
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to vessels owned by or associated with the United States, Israel, or countries assisting their military campaign against Iran.
In a phone call with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Hassan on Tuesday, Araghchi said other ships could still transit the strategic waterway if they coordinated with Iranian authorities, according to a readout released by Iran’s foreign ministry.
The statement said Araghchi described Iran’s de facto closure of the shipping lane — a move that has driven a sharp rise in global oil and gas prices — as “a direct result of American and Israeli military aggression.”
He said the measure was aimed at defending Iran’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
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