TYB's
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
June 16, 2026
Moons, Rings, Shadows, Clouds: Saturn (Cassini)
While cruising around Saturn, be on the lookout for picturesque arrangements of moons, rings, and shadows. One such striking sight occurred in 2005 and was captured by the then Saturn-orbiting Cassini spacecraft. In the featured image, moons Mimas (left) and Tethys (right) are visible on either side of Saturn's thin rings, which are seen nearly edge-on. Across the top of Saturn are dark shadows of the wide rings, exhibiting their impressive complexity. The violet-light image brings up the texture of the backdrop: Saturn's clouds. Cassini orbited Saturn from 2004 until mid-2017, when the robotic spacecraft was directed to dive into Saturn to keep it from contaminating any moons.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqEaUMk2z0k
Nova Surprise, Big Quakes, Dark Energy, Tropic Watch | S0 News and frens
June.16.2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_6sjYD3nc0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A52JlMW9IQA (Ray's Astro: California's Big One Comes Down to ONE GATE — Earthquake Faults Are Loading Now)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_IN7uwPYt8 (On the Pulse with Silki: BREAKING: Geological SPEED LIMIT BROKEN ! Tsunami Catastrophe ZONE HIT - Indonesia on EDGE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPpnWcEOjGc (EarthMaster: 6.7 Earthquake Indonesia Region. Earthquake uptick continues around the Region. Monday Night)
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-issues-disaster-declaration-for-texas-severe-weather
https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-issues-severe-storm-disaster-proclamation-in-june-2026
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/weather/2026/06/16/554657/abbott-issues-disaster-declaration-for-101-texas-counties/
https://www.geo.tv/latest/668995-whats-causing-repeated-earthquakes-in-pacific-ring-of-fire-japan-hit-by-55-philippines-by-62
https://www.f4wonline.com/news/japan/earthquake-affects-pro-wrestling-noah-event/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/55-magnitude-earthquake-rattles-tokyo-region-no-danger-of-tsunami/article71109414.ece
https://kdhnews.com/news/science/6-7-magnitude-earthquake-shakes-part-of-indonesia-causing-damage-and-injuries/article_c2c164b7-1f84-5a6f-a223-731d049e2bd2.html
https://meteoagent.com/schumann-resonance-forecast
https://weather.substack.com/
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquakes-volcanoes/news/307182/Volcano-earthquake-report-for-Tuesday-16-Jun-2026.html
https://www.tornadohq.com/
https://www.spaceweather.gov/
https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=16&month=06&year=2026
Brilliant Green Fireball Caught On Camera Lights Up The Night Sky Over 15 US States
June 15, 2026 2:56 pm
A brilliant green fireball lit up the night sky over 15 states on Sunday, including Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Texas. Numerous residents in those states caught the bright light on camera.
The fireball was observed on Sunday shortly after 10:30 p.m. Central Time, according to the American Meteor Society, which received nearly 400 reports.
Reports were also received from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Minnesota, and Oklahoma.
Experts believe that a meteor rather than just space junk entering the atmosphere caused the green fireball.
“It was SUPER BRIGHT and lit up the whole sky,” one witness in Oakland, Tennessee, told the American Meteor Society.
According to some witnesses, the object seemed to disintegrate before going out of sight.
Researchers are examining the path of the fireball, eyewitness reports, security camera footage, and other observations to determine whether any fragments may have made contact with the ground after surviving entry.
Another witness in Arlington, Tennessee, reported, “I ain’t never seen anything like it. The colors were pretty and crazy.”
Another fireball illuminated the sky over Australia on Sunday
Meanwhile, as all of that was happening in the United States, observers spotted another fireball over the Australian capital of Melbourne.
Swinburne University of Technology astrophysicist Dr. Kirsten Banks told nine.com.au the light was “definitely a meteor” due to its brightness and speed.
“The green particularly in the photo tells me that it’s a bright meteor known as a fireball,” Banks said.
“They often leave a bright-green glow behind them caused by the oxygen atoms in the air interacting with the fireball as it plunges through the atmosphere.”
https://brobible.com/culture/article/green-fireball-sky-15-us-states/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/dazzling-display-fireball-streaks-across-214154339.html
https://x.com/NASA_Marshall/status/2066582802699845987
https://x.com/RapidReport2025/status/2066468553318904303
extra telescope people and space objects
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q_kecz4UIQ (Ray's Astro: DISCLOSURE - As Fireball Seen Across 14 States, Congress Talks About Sentient Plasma Life)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhtcbZhd6GM (Angry Astronaut: Fireballs are back! UFO of the day!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n02S4HTuUp0 (Dobsonian Power: NEW UAP SCIENCE ADVISORY COUNCIL LEADER PROF.AVI LOEB)
https://avi-loeb.medium.com/would-alien-visitors-possess-intelligence-based-on-silicon-chips-or-synthetic-biology-3d8782dccd1a
Department of Health and Human Services Digital Stockpile & Manufacturing Response Network Challenge
Jun 16, 2026
NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI) assists in the use of crowdsourcing across the federal government.
CoECI’s NASA Tournament Lab offers the contract capability to run external crowdsourced challenges on behalf of NASA and other agencies.
Sponsored by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this prize competition seeks forward-thinking solutions to strengthen the nation’s ability to rapidly produce and distribute critical medical supplies during public health emergencies and supply chain disruptions.
Through three challenge phases, participants will develop an innovative conceptual systems design using technologies and frameworks that advance the future of resilient medical manufacturing, logistics, and digital coordination capabilities.
Phase 1: Participants will submit:
8-page submission paper
3-minute Pitch video
Blueprint supporting the key capabilities and structure of the solution
Submissions will be evaluated per challenge Judging Criteria.
Following the Judge evaluation period, up to 8 Finalists will receive a $5,000 prize each and be invited to the hybrid (in-person and virtual) Pitch Event at ASPR headquarters in Washington, DC.
Up to 3 Winners from the Pitch Event will receive a $150,000 prize each and be invited to the innovation development phase.
Phase 2: Two developmental milestones will monitor solution development and will include $75,000 additional prizes for each milestone complete (up to $150,000 in total milestone prize payments).
Phase 3: At the end of the development milestone period, up to 3 teams may be invited to the final Live Validation Event to test their solution under applicable real-world simulations and compete for a total prize purse up to $1,100,000.
Total Prizes: Up to $2.04 Million
Challenge Launch: June 15, 2026
Phase 1 Submissions Due: August 28, 2026
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-program/center-of-excellence-for-collaborative-innovation-coeci/department-of-health-and-human-services-digital-stockpile-manufacturing-response-network-challenge/
https://www.expeditionhacks.com/challenges/digital-stockpile-challenge
extra NASA
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2026/06/15/crew-packs-dragon-for-tuesday-departure-and-preps-for-spacewalk/
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/nasas-spacex-crs-34-dragon-returns-packed-with-space-station-science/
https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-colleges-universities/nasa-stem-projects/in-flight-education-downlinks/nasa-astronauts-to-answer-questions-from-new-jersey-students/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQT2y4H7jkE (Astronaut Q&A with New Jersey Students)
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/science-news/2026/06/15/nasa-flights-map-tropical-ecosystems-water-ice/
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/06/15/rocket-attached-to-aircraft-for-katalyst-nasa-swift-boost/
https://www.astrobotic.com/griffin-1-lunar-lander-unveiled-ahead-of-environmental-testing/
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/astrobotic-unveils-griffin-1-lunar-lander-for-nasa-moon-base-mission
extra extra NASA
https://science.nasa.gov/missions/chandra/nasas-chandra-finds-unexpected-fireworks-in-aftermath-of-stellar-explosions/
https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2026/06/16/tucson-space-company-cuts-dozens-of-jobs.html
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/aurora-australis-7/
Griffin-1 Lunar Lander Unveiled Ahead of Environmental Testing
June 15, 2026
Astrobotic today unveiled its Griffin Mission One (Griffin-1) lunar lander, recently designated by NASA as Moon Base II, during a visit by NASA representatives, government officials, and industry partners at the company’s headquarters in Pittsburgh.
The spacecraft is completing final integration activities and is scheduled to launch in late 2026.
Griffin-1 is being developed as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative in support of NASA’s Moon Base.
The mission will deliver the largest commercial payload ever sent to the Moon and demonstrate Griffin as an infrastructure-class lander capable of delivering Moon Base cargo such as rovers, science instruments, and solar-based power plants.
Featured speakers at the event included leaders from across the commercial space industry, government, and education sectors, including:
• Carlos García-Galán, Program Executive for the Moon Base, NASA
• Ryan Stephan, Acting Director for Cargo Landers, NASA
• John Thornton, Chief Executive Officer, Astrobotic
• Matt Magaña, President, Defense & National Security, Voyager
• Kelly Randell, Business Development Manager, Astrolab
• Justine Kasznica, Founding Board Chair, Keystone Space Collaborative
• Dr. Jimyse Brown, Executive Director, Moonshot Museum
The lander was displayed inside Astrobotic’s clean room within the spacecraft integration facility, where engineers are completing final assembly ahead of an extensive environmental test campaign.
“When Astrobotic was founded nearly two decades ago, the idea that a team in Pittsburgh could build and fly one of the world’s largest commercial lunar landers felt incredibly ambitious,” said John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic.
“Today, Griffin stands behind us as proof of what is possible when talented people spend years solving hard problems together. This spacecraft represents the transportation and logistics systems that will enable humanity’s long-term future beyond Earth.
Seeing Griffin ready for its next phase of testing is a proud moment for our team and an important milestone for NASA’s Moon Base.”
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Several mission payloads have already been integrated onto Griffin-1, including BEACON, a CubeRover-based joint mission with Mission Control Space Services, and LandCam-X, a payload from the European Space Agency that will improve landing precision and safety.
The mission’s largest payload, Astrolab’s FLIP rover, will be integrated at launch processing facilities in Florida prior to liftoff.
Through Moon Base II, FLIP will help demonstrate the mobility, logistics, and autonomous surface operations capabilities NASA has identified as foundational for future lunar terrain vehicles and sustained lunar exploration.
“Landing on the Moon is only the first step,” said Jaret Matthews, founder and CEO of Astrolab. “Building a sustained presence requires the ability to move cargo, instruments, resources, and future astronauts across the lunar surface.
FLIP will help demonstrate the mobility and autonomous operations capabilities NASA has identified as essential for the future Moon Base, while providing valuable experience for the next generation of lunar vehicles.”
Following integration at Astrobotic headquarters, Griffin-1 will be transported to California for environmental testing next week.
During the campaign, the integrated spacecraft will undergo a series of industry-standard qualification and acceptance tests designed to verify its ability to withstand launch, spaceflight, and lunar mission environments.
The environmental test program builds on years of component- and subsystem-level testing, analysis, simulation, and prototype development conducted throughout the spacecraft’s design and manufacturing process.
“Seeing Griffin fully integrated in our cleanroom is a major milestone for the mission and for the hundreds of engineers, technicians, and partners who have contributed to its development,” said Nick Newell, Director of Space Programs at Astrobotic.
“The spacecraft we’re preparing to test is the culmination of years of design, manufacturing, assembly, and verification work. As Griffin moves into environmental testing, we’ll be validating that the integrated vehicle can withstand the demands of launch and its journey to the Moon.
Each milestone brings us one step closer to making the Moon Base a reality.”
“Seeing Griffin standing fully integrated is a genuinely exciting moment for Astrobotic and a powerful reminder of how far the team has come,” said Matt Magaña, president, Space, Defense & National Security, Voyager Technologies.
“Combined with Voyager’s broader capabilities, it marks another important step toward realizing our shared vision for a sustained human presence on the Moon and beyond.”
Later this year, Griffin-1 will be delivered to Cape Canaveral, Florida, for final launch preparations. Following integration of Astrolab’s FLIP rover, the spacecraft is scheduled to launch in late 2026.
After separation from the launch vehicle, Griffin-1 will be operated from Astrobotic’s Mission Control Center in Pittsburgh, where mission controllers will oversee the spacecraft’s transit to the Moon, landing operations, and surface payload operations following touchdown.
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DARPA seeks industry ideas for ‘rapid reconstitution’ of space systems
June 15, 2026 2:14 pm
The RFI tags on-orbit manufacture/ assembly as one area of interest, along with enabling tech for very low Earth orbit operations.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is turning to industry for help in identifying technologies and operational concepts to allow the reconstitution of space assets damaged or destroyed by adversaries, or on-orbit accidents.
“The end goal is to develop and deploy effective response mechanisms to rapidly restore critical services to minimum levels or higher, on tactical timelines of hours to weeks, in response to demand surge needs, lost assets resulting from potential adversaries’ ASAT [anti-satellite weapons] engagements, or orbital debris collisions,” the Pentagon’s far-future agency said in a June 12 request for information (RFI).
DARPA’s RFI notes that the Space Force has been working on developing “the ability to rapidly deploy and operate space-based assets in response to immediate, urgent, and often unforeseen tactical needs” ― including through the Tactically Responsive Space program and the Victus series of demonstrations aimed at minimizing the time between a launch order and actual launch.
Nonetheless, the agency asserts, “rapid space capability reconstitution is a complex task requiring a multi-faceted approach and presents numerous technical, logistical, contractual, and regulatory challenges, many of which are still ripe for novel solutions and methodologies.”
The RFI explains that DARPA is looking for industry ideas in four general areas: space vehicles, including both satellite busses and payloads; launch vehicles; the integration of space and launch vehicles; and novel concepts of operations.
The RFI also lists 20 topics of specific agency interest, including;
Rapid satellite manufacturing and assembly, both ground-based and on-orbit
Reconfigurable / software-defined satellites / virtualization
Multifunctional/multirole satellites
Technologies for operation in very low Earth orbit
Spacecraft survivability and resiliency
Interested vendors have until July 8 to respond.
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/06/darpa-seeks-industry-ideas-for-rapid-reconstitution-of-space-systems/
extra general space
https://news.arizona.edu/news/u-space-science-ranks-no-1-among-public-universities-latest-us-news-global-ranking
https://www.space.com/stargazing/dont-miss-the-moon-lead-a-dazzling-mini-planet-parade-on-june-17
Bluebird 8-10 Mission
June 16, 2026 23:39 PT - June 17, 2026 01:15 PT
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, June 17 for launch of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 8-10 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Liftoff is targeted for 2:39 a.m. ET with additional opportunities available until 4:15 a.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Thursday, June 18 during a launch window that opens at 2:19 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.
This will be the 29th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, TD7, and 21 Starlink missions.
After stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/bluebird8-10
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-falcon-9-bluebird-8-to-10-direct-to-cell-launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjQieDzQTGo
Vandenberg Fire Team Conducts Prescribed Burn Exercise
June 15, 2026
Space Launch Delta 30
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – 30th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters extinguish a controlled fire during a prescribed training burn exercise, June, 2026.
Vandenberg’s prescribed burns utilize several fire-fighting tactics to educate and keep firefighters up to date on working practices.
Prescribed burns enable the Vandenberg Fire Department to help keep military personnel and their families safe, while protecting military assets across the installation.
The 30th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Flight provides structural, hazardous material, aircraft crash, fire prevention, fire protection and emergency medical response services for all Vandenberg facilities and personnel.
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4517447/vandenberg-fire-team-conducts-prescribed-burn-exercise/
extra Space Force
https://www.kktv.com/2026/06/16/schriever-space-force-base-conducts-planned-exercise-increased-first-responder-presence/
International Space Summit 2026 opens in South Korea as global space leaders gather in Daejeon
16th June 2026
The International Space Summit 2026 officially opens today in Daejeon, South Korea, bringing together thousands of space industry professionals, researchers, policymakers, and business leaders from around the world for three days of discussions on the future of the global space sector.
Running from June 16 to June 18 at the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC), the fourth edition of the International Space Summit is expected to be the largest in the event’s history.
Organisers anticipate more than 4,000 participants representing 550 organisations from 50 countries, highlighting the growing importance of international cooperation in space exploration, technology development, and commercial innovation.
A growing platform for global space collaboration
Co-hosted by CONTEC Space Group and Daejeon Metropolitan City, the International Space Summit has rapidly established itself as one of Asia’s most significant space industry gatherings.
The event provides a platform for representatives from government space agencies, private companies, universities, research institutions, and emerging startups to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
This year’s programme includes keynote presentations, expert panel discussions, networking events, and a large exhibition featuring leading organisations from across the international space ecosystem.
Discussions are expected to focus on sustainable space development, emerging technologies, commercialisation strategies, and strengthening global partnerships.
Building on the success of last year’s summit, which attracted more than 3,500 professionals from 41 countries, ISS 2026 aims to further expand its international reach and influence.
Why Daejeon is hosting the International Space Summit
The choice of Daejeon as host city reflects its growing status as the centre of South Korea’s space industry.
Often referred to as the nation’s science and technology capital, Daejeon is home to several of the country’s most important aerospace and research institutions.
These include the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The city also plays a central role in South Korea’s national space strategy.
Within the country’s three-part space industry framework, Daejeon serves as the primary hub for research, development, and workforce training, complementing satellite activities in Gyeongnam and launch vehicle operations in Goheung.
Its concentration of research facilities, universities, startups, and technology companies has helped transform the city into a major centre for aerospace innovation.
Showcasing the future of the space industry
A major focus of the International Space Summit is examining how governments and industry can work together to support long-term growth in the space economy.
Attendees will have opportunities to explore the latest technological developments through exhibition booths and industry demonstrations, while specialised sessions will address challenges ranging from sustainability in orbit to the increasing role of commercial operators.
The summit is designed not only to highlight current achievements but also to encourage practical partnerships that can accelerate future innovation.
As the global space sector continues to expand, the International Space Summit 2026 offers a timely opportunity for stakeholders to exchange expertise, build new relationships, and help shape the next phase of international space development from one of Asia’s leading technology centres.
Our partner, RSS-Hydro, is appearing at the Summit. Visit their partner page here to learn more about their industry-leading work.
https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/international-space-summit-2026-opens-in-south-korea/70748/
https://isskorea.space/en/main
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw94l1OCNF4
UK to supply enriched uranium to Ukraine
16 Jun, 2026 01:46 | Updated 16 Jun, 2026 06:09
The UK will supply enriched uranium to Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company, Energoatom, under a £210 million ($280 million) deal aimed at supporting Ukraine’s power grid, the British government has announced.
The arrangement, backed by UK Export Finance, will enable British-based Urenco to supply enriched uranium to Energoatom for the next two years, London said on Monday.
The deal was agreed to by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky at Downing Street last week.
According to the British government, the agreement is intended to “power Ukraine’s nuclear plants” and strengthen the country’s energy security.
Starmer said London will continue to back Kiev “for as long as it takes,” despite a string of corruption scandals involving Ukraine’s energy sector, including Energoatom itself, which operates three Soviet-built nuclear power plants and remains a major source of revenue.
Western-backed anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine have uncovered graft schemes at the state nuclear operator, including a major case linked to businessman Timur Mindich, who was known as ‘Zelensky’s wallet’.
A separate graft case involving Energoatom-linked infrastructure was reported earlier this month.
The deal also comes amid repeated warnings from Moscow over nuclear safety in Ukraine. Russia has accused Kiev of conducting attacks on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under Russian control since March 2022.
Earlier this month, a Ukrainian drone struck the machine hall of the plant’s sixth power unit. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the damage while stopping short of assigning blame.
The UK’s plans could also draw renewed scrutiny of Kiev’s repeated hints about revisiting its non-nuclear status. Days before the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, Zelensky suggested that Ukraine could reconsider its non-proliferation obligations.
Earlier this year, Zelensky said he would accept nuclear weapons from Britain or France “with pleasure,” while insisting that an offer has not been made.
Moscow has accused London and Paris of considering ways to provide Ukraine with components or technologies that would allow it to develop a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb, which France and the UK deny.
https://www.rt.com/news/641654-uk-kiev-enriched-uranium/
Extra RT
https://www.rt.com/news/641685-uk-russia-warship-warning-shot/
https://www.rt.com/russia/641649-kiev-film-studio-drone-plant/
https://www.rt.com/news/641637-russia-ukraine-maritime-dispute/
https://www.rt.com/russia/641605-ukraine-monastery-fire-west-crimes/
https://www.rt.com/russia/641650-jewish-lobby-deceived-putin-lukashenko/
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/78244
https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/ukraine-drone-moscow/2026/06/16/id/1259777/
https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/moscows-largest-fuel-refinery-halts-operations-following-ukrainian-drone-strike-19887
other Russia and Ukraine
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-create-new-drone-units-to-bolster-defenses-in-northern-sector-syrskyi-says/
https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/russian-drones-came-one-after-another-ukraines-gepard-crew-shot-down-17-19881
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/78244
Moscow Refinery, Krasnodar Oil Depot Burning in Massive Ukrainian Drone Raid
June 16, 2026, 8:46 am
In brief: Ukrainian drones struck an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region and targeted Moscow’s Kapotnya refinery, escalating pressure on Russia’s fuel infrastructure.
The attacks come as fuel shortages spread across more than 25 Russian regions. Analysts say nearly one-third of Russia’s refining capacity – 2.14 million barrels per day – is now offline due to repeated Ukrainian strikes.
Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign struck an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region early Tuesday and targeted Moscow’s largest oil refinery, as mounting attacks continue to deepen Russia’s fuel supply crisis and pressure its energy infrastructure.
A drone attack sparked a fire at an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region in the early hours of Tuesday, Russian regional authorities said, as Ukraine continues its “oil sanctions” campaign against Moscow’s fuel and logistics infrastructure.
According to the operational headquarters of Russia’s Krasnodar region, falling drone debris caused a fire at an oil depot in the village of Poltavskaya, in the Krasnoarmeysky district.
“Due to the fall of UAV debris, a fire broke out at an oil depot in the village of Poltavskaya, Krasnoarmeysky district,” the headquarters said.
Russian officials routinely describe such incidents as fires caused by “falling drone debris,” a formulation that avoids acknowledging that the facility itself may have been directly hit.
A road between the village of Poltavskaya and the hamlet of Trudobelikovsky was closed following the drone attack, the regional headquarters added.
According to Russian media, the Poltavskaya oil depot receives fuel from refineries, including Lukoil facilities, and redistributes it to gas station networks across Krasnodar Krai and Adygea.
The village of Poltavskaya lies about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Krasnodar, between the regional capital and the Sea of Azov coast, approximately 385 kilometers (239 miles) from the front line.
Krasnodar Krai has been facing gasoline shortages since early June, particularly following developments in the occupied Crimea.
Regional emergency officials said more than 500 gas stations are currently out of fuel, forcing many operators to purchase small wholesale volumes without long-term supply contracts.
Russian media also reported shortages at major gas station chains due to a sharp spike in demand.
Meanwhile, independent Russian outlet Astra reported a large-scale drone attack on Moscow.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin initially said 35 drones flying toward the capital had been shot down within two hours, indicating air defense activity over the Moscow region after 5 a.m.
Without specifying exact locations, Sobyanin reported drone interceptions 7 times in several hours, including 12 UAVs “flying toward Moscow.”
Eyewitnesses reported air defense activity in Pavlovsky Posad, Ramenskoye, and Zhukovsky near Moscow. One drone was reportedly shot down over Pavlovsky Posad.
Sobyanin later said another 25 drones heading toward Moscow had been intercepted.
At 7:37 a.m., the Ukrainian Telegram monitoring channel Exilenova+ reported that Moscow was under drone attack and published videos allegedly showing strikes.
The channel claimed “Lyutyi” drones were participating in the raid and noted that despite dozens of UAVs in the sky, no air raid sirens were activated.
The development of the Lyutyi drone was first publicly announced by Ukrainian state defense firm Ukroboronprom in October 2022.
The company said it was developing a strike drone weighing over 200 kilograms (440 pounds), carrying a 75-kilogram (165-pound) warhead, with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers (625 miles).
A Ukrainian government source involved in the project told journalists the Lyutyi is a unique analogue of the Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drone, featuring high resistance to jamming and the ability to adjust altitude during flight based on terrain.
By 8:04 a.m., the channel posted: “Moscow’s largest oil refinery. Kapotnya. The hit is recorded!”
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Monitors later claimed the refinery, described as heavily protected by dense air defense systems, was on fire.
Located just 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Kremlin, the Moscow Oil Refinery (MNPZ), owned by Gazprom Neft, supplies up to 40% of Moscow’s fuel market and around 70% of gasoline consumed in Moscow and the surrounding region.
According to Exilenova+’s OSINT analysis, the refinery’s AVT-6 ELOU unit – described as the heart of the facility – was burning.
Later, Sobyanin confirmed that a drone strike had damaged the Moscow Oil Refinery in Kapotnya.
“Over the past 24 hours, enemy drone attacks on Moscow have continued. One of the drones damaged a facility at the Moscow Oil Refinery. There were no casualties. Emergency services are working at the scene,” the mayor said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the strike on the Moscow Oil Refinery, writing on social media:
“Ukrainian long-range capabilities were once again demonstrated in the Moscow region. An oil refinery located 500 kilometers away was damaged.”
Zelensky praised Ukraine’s Defense Forces for their effective work, adding that Russia must continue to be pressured until its war against the Ukrainian people is brought to an end.
“Ukraine’s long-range weapons are among the most important tools for achieving this. This is a fair response to Russian attacks and proof that the war must be brought to an end.
Ukraine’s General Staff later confirmed damage to the Moscow Refinery in its report.
“Early on the morning of June 16, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine struck the Moscow Refinery in Russia’s Moscow region,” the report said.
According to preliminary information, the ELOU AVT-6 primary oil processing unit was damaged, and a fire was recorded at the site.
“The Moscow Refinery is involved in supplying the occupying army. The company’s products account for more than 38% of fuel consumption in the capital region.
In particular, the plant supplies aviation fuel to Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky airports,” the General Staff added.
At the same time, the refinery’s processing capacity exceeds 12 million tons of oil per year.
It is also worth noting that Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that the fire at the Moscow Refinery was fully extinguished and did not affect the plant’s operations.
In addition, the General Staff confirmed a strike on the Russian military-industrial enterprise JSC Central Design Bureau of Apparatus Building near the city of Tula.
The facility specializes in the development and production of radar systems and radio navigation equipment.
According to the report, the building and supporting structure of the assembly workshop were damaged.
The General Staff also reported that, as of 6 a.m. on Tuesday, a fire was still burning at the federal state-owned enterprise Temp Combine in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl region, following a strike carried out on June 14.
“The Defense Forces of Ukraine will continue systematic measures to force the Russian Federation to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine,” the report added.
Russia’s broader fuel situation is deteriorating. More than 25 Russian regions are reportedly experiencing fuel shortages, with gasoline sales restrictions appearing even in major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The Russian government is attempting to ease the crisis through subsidies and regulatory concessions to oil companies. In April and May alone, oil firms received about 700 billion rubles ($9 billion) in state subsidies. In June, authorities also allowed lower-quality Euro-3 gasoline to be sold instead of Euro-5.
“However, this does not solve the main problem – the Ukrainian drone strikes. As a result, in the first week of June, oil refining volumes in Russia fell below 4 million barrels per day, the lowest in 21 years,” the Moscow Times reported, citing Energy Intelligence analysts.
According to those estimates, nearly one-third of Russia’s refining capacity – about 2.14 million barrels per day – is currently offline due to Ukrainian strikes.
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https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/2026-06-16/live-updates-899529
other Israel
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899604
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-899606
https://dailycaller.com/2026/06/16/donald-trump-israel-benjamin-netanyahu-idf-lebanon-hezbollah-iran-war/
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-idf-eliminates-two-hamas-cell-leaders-in-gaza-strikes/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-air-defenses-intercepted-rockets-launched-by-hezbollah-at-israeli-troops-in-lebanon-launcher-destroyed/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bl3hrv1w3
Live Updates: IDF continues strikes in Lebanon as Hezbollah says Iran will not sign MOU without Israeli withdrawl
June 16, 8:18 PM
Trump’s efforts to establish peace have ‘paid off,’ says Vance • Hezbollah launches missiles, mortar shells at IDF troops in southern Lebanon • US weighs new Iranian investment fund
June 16, 7:41 PM
US-Iran agreement to be adopted through UN Security Council resolution - report
The final agreement between Iran and the US will be adopted through a UN Security Council resolution, Al Arabiya reported on Tuesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.
June 16, 7:34 PM
Trump says Israel 'fighting Hezbollah too long' as Lebanon war drags on - analysis
Trump signals growing frustration with Israel’s prolonged Hezbollah campaign in Lebanon, questioning strategy, civilian impact, and the lack of a decisive outcome after nearly 1,000 days of fighting.
US President Donald Trump appears frustrated with Israel’s continued conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Over the last few weeks, the American president has several times suggested that Israel shouldn’t be attacking Beirut because this is leading to tensions with Iran regarding a US-Iran deal.
Now, Trump is also saying that Israel has been fighting in Lebanon for too long. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has dragged on for 981 days since Hezbollah attacked Israel on October 8. Israel has not been able to defeat Hezbollah or achieve a decisive victory.
June 16, 7:34 PM
US denied Israel's request to view newly agreed to Iran deal prior to signing ceremony - report
The United States denied Israel's request to view the newly agreed-upon Memorandum of Understanding before the signing ceremony, expected to be held in Switzerland later this week, N12 reported on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said he would read the deal "word for word," though he did not specify when.
As of now, the details of the deal have not been published, which reportedly has 14 separate clauses, including the withdrawal of the IDF from southern Lebanon, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and releasing some $24 billion dollars in sanctioned funds.
June 16, 7:34 PM
IDF takes more territory, kills two people in Gaza, medics and witnesses say - report
An Israeli strike killed at least two Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, as residents of an area in the north of the enclave fled their homes after Israeli forces expanded their control in the territory.
Medics said an Israeli strike near a residential building in the Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, killed two brothers, Ahmed and Mahmoud Abu Heen. The IDF did not immediately comment.
June 16, 5:10 PM
US-Iran deal means Israel will be ‘in this s*** a lot longer,’ Jerusalemites say
Some Israelis indicated that, with the MoU, which is set to be officially signed in Switzerland on Friday, they saw an emerging rift between the US and Israel.
Israelis expressed dismay on Monday and Tuesday following the US and Iran’s confirmation that they had completed talks on a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict, saying that the Iranian regime was untrustworthy, and with it still intact, it would continue to pose an ongoing existential threat to the Jewish State.
Speaking to The Jerusalem Post on Jaffa Street in central Jerusalem, some Israelis indicated that, with the MoU, which is set to be officially signed in Switzerland on Friday, they saw an emerging rift between the US and Israel.
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June 16, 5:10 PM
Why Iran favors prolonged diplomacy in US preliminary deal talks - analysis
Questions remain over a US-Iran preliminary deal as Tehran favors a prolonged diplomatic process that adds complexity and delay.
Iran and the US have signed a preliminary deal. However, the actual deal is heading for a “second phase,” the Guardian noted. In fact, most of the reports this week leave a lot of questions about the actual Memorandum that has been signed electronically.
In addition, it appears that there are also questions about what the extension of a sixty-day ceasefire will mean.
All these variables appear to be what Iran prefers. Tehran has always preferred slow processes and talk. Tehran believes it benefits from drawing out the process and having more complexity enter the picture.
The more complex the deal-making process, the harder it is for the US to walk away. The more variables that exist, the more different points can be discussed in the future.
Even if Iran is perceived as violating some part of the process or some variables, Tehran can always point to the fact that it has adhered to other parts of the deal as an example of how it is doing what is expected.asefire.
June 16, 5:10 PM
Iranian students expelled from university after allegedly burning flag of Islamic regime
Two Iranian students were expelled after allegedly burning the Islamic regime flag at Amirkabir University, amid a wider wave of student expulsions across Iran.
Two students were expelled from Amirkabir University of Technology after the pair was accused of burning the flag of the Islamic regime, according to the university’s student newspaper.
Amir-Mohammad Karimi and Mahyar Eghtesadi, who both studied engineering at the Tehran Polytechnic, were expelled in absentia by the university's disciplinary committee after reports surfaced that they burned the regime flag, with some sources also reporting that they waved the Lion and Sun flag from pre-Islamic revolution Iran.
The student newspaper claimed the pair were expelled following reports by members of the Basij voluntary paramilitary force, an arm of the IRGC, who study at the institution.
June 16, 1:52 PM
Trump on Lebanon: 'If Israel can't do the job without killing everyone, Syria should do it'
Trump says he considers the Lebanon war a minor one, and an arena in which Syria can take on Hezbollah in partnership with the United States if Israel under Netanyahu cannot be reigned in.
"If Israel can't do the job without killing everyone else, Syria should do the job," said US President Donald Trump in a bilateral meeting with the Emir of the State of Qatar on Tuesday.
"Israel's fighting Hezbollah for too long, and too many people are being killed. You don't have to knock down an apartment house every time you're looking for somebody because there's a lot of people in those apartment houses and they're not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you," the president said.
June 16, 1:12 PM
Iran executes two men over role in January 2026 protests, judiciary news outlet says
Iran executed two individuals described as "armed leaders of early 2026 unrest" in the county of Shahrud, the Iranian judiciary's news outlet Mizan said on Tuesday, identifying the defendants as Javad Zamani and Abolfazl Saedi.
The two men were convicted of Moharebeh (waging war against God), corruption on earth, damaging public and private property, and crimes against national security.
June 16, 12:48 PM
US could have brought down Tehran, but chose not to, Culture and Sports Minister claims
“The US decided not to send its soldiers into Iranian territory to topple the current regime,” Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar told Army Radio.
Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar blamed Washington on Tuesday for the Iranian regime’s survival, saying the United States chose against sending troops into Iran to topple the government in Tehran.
“The US decided not to send its soldiers into Iranian territory to topple the current regime,” Zohar told Army Radio. “Had they wanted the regime to fall, it would have fallen.”
At the same time, Zohar praised Israel’s conduct of the war, saying the campaign had been managed “close to perfect” so far.
“Until this moment, the management of the war has been close to perfect,” he said. “We set Iran back by decades; their entire leadership is gone.”
Zohar’s comments came as coalition ministers continued to criticize the emerging US-Iran agreement and stressed that Israel must retain freedom of action even if Washington moves forward with understandings with Tehran.
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Man in U.S. illegally accused of flying drone over World Cup Fan Fest
June 16, 2026 at 10:40 am EDT
ATLANTA — A man has been arrested on federal charges after prosecutors say he flew a drone over Centennial Olympic Park during the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest in Atlanta.
Federal prosecutors identified the suspect as Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez.
According to prosecutors, Rojas-Martinez is in the United States illegally following two prior deportations. Prosecutors also said he was previously convicted of cocaine distribution.
The arrest comes as federal authorities continue enforcing restricted airspace around FIFA events across metro Atlanta.
The FBI says it has now seized more than 20 drones for violating airspace restrictions connected to World Cup activities.
The case remains in federal court.
https://www.wsbradio.com/news/local/man-us-illegally-accused-flying-drone-over-world-cup-fan-fest/KY2VFHG4LZFZXFGKDSDF2PWYGA/
UAP Task Force Member Thinks She May Have Encountered Two Aliens 'Humanoid Enough To Blend In'
16 June 2026, 9:55 AM BST
Fresh claims about unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), alleged UFO and extraterrestrial encounters, and government secrecy emerged from a high-profile Capitol Hill briefing last week.
Leading UFO investigators, scientists and whistle-blowers attended the event. Among those present was Joshua Golembeske, lead UFO investigator and head of content at Gaia.com, as well as host of 'Cosmic Disclosure.'
Speaking after the event, Golembeske described what he characterised as a significant shift in both the tone and substance of discussions surrounding UAP disclosure.
Aliens Could Be Everywhere
The Capitol Hill event touched on many intriguing subjects about UFOs and UAPs. However, what Golembeske revealed in an exclusive interview with Vice was even more shocking.
'I spoke directly with a former member of the UAP Task Force who told me something wild,' Golembeske said. 'She believes she may have encountered two extraterrestrials in public.
They were humanoid enough to blend in, wore disguises, but when they revealed their eyes, something was clearly off.'
According to Golembeske, the former official claimed the account had been corroborated through contacts familiar with the matter.
'She confirmed the story through her own contacts — there are NHI living in certain locations in the US, human enough to walk around undetected. I need more evidence before I'd call it confirmed truth, but it's a stunning development,' he added.
The briefing reportedly featured discussions on what attendees described as growing evidence of non-human intelligence, or NHI, a term increasingly used by government officials and researchers in place of more traditional references to extraterrestrial life.
Golembeske argued that the language being used in official circles reflects a broader understanding of the phenomenon.
'We're not just dealing with little green men from another planet,' he said. 'There are likely multiple distinct phenomena happening simultaneously.'
Concerns Over Secrecy and Disclosure Intensify
Beyond claims of possible encounters with non-human beings, Golembeske said the atmosphere at the Capitol Hill gathering was marked by serious concerns over secrecy and alleged efforts to suppress information.
'The energy in the room was dead serious across the board,' he described.
Among the issues raised were allegations that whistle-blowers face intimidation and that individuals connected to historical UAP programmes have disappeared from public view.
'Whistle-blowers are being threatened. Scientists connected to legacy UAP programs are vanishing — General McCasland among them. And unnamed officials are actively trying to get President Trump to shut disclosure down,' Golembeske claimed.
He declared the stakes as unprecedented, adding, 'In my opinion, this is the biggest story in human history.'
The terminology discussed during the briefing also reflected what participants described as an expanding framework for understanding unexplained phenomena.
Terms such as 'non-human intelligence', 'sentient plasmoid life' and 'bipedal type life' have increasingly appeared in discussions surrounding UAP investigations, signalling a departure from conventional extraterrestrial narratives.
Perhaps the most striking assertion made by Golembeske concerned alleged physical evidence. Asked whether governments possess recovered materials linked to non-human intelligence, he was unequivocal.
'One hundred percent,' he said. 'I believe we have both craft and bodies in our possession.'
While Golembeske's revelations and many of the claims discussed at the briefing remain unverified and continue to be disputed by sceptics, the event highlights the growing momentum behind calls for greater transparency regarding UAP investigations and the possibility of phenomena that challenge current scientific understanding.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/capitol-hill-briefing-ufo-extraterrestrial-claims-1802980
https://www.vice.com/en/article/former-uap-task-force-member-allegedly-claims-she-may-have-encountered-two-extraterrestrials-in-public/
https://x.com/UFOelder
Ex-FBI Agent's Theory: Missing, Dead Scientists Mystery May Not Be Linked to UFOs, But 'Energy Weapons'
16 June 2026, 4:18 PM BST
Ex-FBI agent Ben Hansen says an 'energy weapon' allegedly uses directed energy or frequencies to affect physical or mental states, though no evidence links such a device to the scientists' cases.
A former FBI agent has suggested that the mystery surrounding several missing and dead scientists may not be connected to UFOs, but instead could involve the alleged use of an 'energy weapon.'
Ben Hansen, speaking to NewsNation, raised the possibility while discussing the unexplained circumstances surrounding the death of a Los Alamos National Laboratory former staffer, Melissa Casias, and the disappearance of retired US Air Force Major General William McCasland.
No evidence has confirmed a connection between them or proven that any weapon was involved.
Hansen said some of the available information was 'very weird' and questioned whether the circumstances pointed towards something beyond ordinary explanations.
Ex-FBI Agent on Missing, Dead Scientists
Casias' remains were discovered in the woods after she had been reported missing for nearly a year. Her cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
According to Hansen, one detail that stood out was that her phones had been reset to factory settings and left behind.
'That is not normal. Nobody does that unless you're trying to hide something or hide being found or tracked,' Hansen told NewsNation.
Casias' family has questioned whether the scene surrounding her death may have been staged, although authorities have not confirmed that claim.
Hansen said the information publicly available about the case raised questions but did not provide proof of a specific explanation.
The cases have also fuelled online speculation about possible links to UFO research. However, Hansen said he did not believe McCasland's disappearance was likely connected to UFOs.
'Well, there haven't been any UFO sightings, you know, around here recently. So, I don't think he was taking a board or something like that,' he said.
Instead, Hansen focused on the possibility that McCasland's disappearance could have involved another type of scenario.
He said the language used by McCasland's wife when reporting him missing suggested she may have believed he was away on a confidential assignment.
'It might be indicative of somebody who knew, I was warned he was gonna leave, and I have a script, and I have to do what is expected of me,' Hansen said.
'Which is to call the police to report him missing. But in the back of my mind, I know he's okay. He's just off on assignment.'
'Energy Weapons' Theory Discussed
Hansen said another possibility being discussed was whether a directed energy weapon, similar to theories surrounding Havana syndrome, could play a role in some unexplained incidents.
'If that is possible, is it possible that foreign adversaries are targeting US military or contractors and employees for some other new sort of weapon of some sort?' he said.
He suggested such a technology could potentially affect a person's mental state, including causing anxiety, paranoia, or fear.
Hansen pointed to research around infrasound, saying certain frequencies below normal hearing levels have been linked to feelings of being watched, anxiety, and distress.
'Infrasound below our normal thresholds is well established that it can give you feelings of paranoia, being watched, anxiety, fear. You can induce that in people,' he said.
The former FBI agent also acknowledged that the idea may sound like a conspiracy theory, but argued that psychological influence through technology, threats, or manipulation was worth considering when looking at unusual cases.
'Because this is so out of character for so many of these people,' Hansen said. 'McCasland was acting anxious the night before; he was not himself. Cassius not that case. They said she appeared normal, you know. But it's not normal to wipe your phone.'
Hansen also suggested that people could potentially be influenced through promises or deception, including being told they were meeting someone and believing they would later return home.
The available information surrounding the cases remains incomplete, and authorities have not linked the incidents to UFOs, energy weapons, or foreign actors.
The issue has also reached the White House, with officials saying they would look into the matter and coordinate with relevant agencies.
President Donald Trump said he would review the situation, while press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she would seek information from federal agencies.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ex-fbi-agent-energy-weapon-missing-scientists-1803094
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vTSivd37HQ
“Strangest Thing I’ve Ever Seen”: Military Witness Reports Hudson Falls UFO
June 16, 2026
Strangest Thing In My Life
Just weeks after a remarkable UFO report involving multiple National Guard observers near Troy, another military witness from Upstate New York has come forward with a story he says is the "strangest thing I've ever seen in my life."
According to a report submitted to the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), the witness observed a large black cube-shaped object over Hudson Falls on May 3, 2026.
Thought It Was a Ballon
The observer, who identified himself as a member of the military, said he first noticed what appeared to be a black object emerging from the clouds while walking near a small airport.
Curious, he stopped to watch what he initially assumed might be a balloon, according to the report.
Instead, he says the object remained completely stationary despite windy conditions.
The witness described the object as jet black, roughly cube-shaped, and possibly 20 feet across. He also reported seeing metallic features on top of the object and strange green flashes of light emanating from beneath it as it slowly rotated.
What Was It?
As the object drifted west toward the Hudson River, the witness reported to NUFORC that it stopped rotating, flashed green one final time, and then suddenly shot straight upward into the clouds.
He further claimed the object left behind a small, square-shaped puff of dark smoke that quickly disappeared.
Could there be a conventional explanation? Absolutely. Drones, balloons, atmospheric conditions, and perspective can often make ordinary objects appear extraordinary.
Still, much like the recent Troy report involving military personnel, it's the witness's detailed description—and military background—that makes this latest Hudson Falls sighting particularly intriguing.
https://cnynews.com/ixp/81/p/ufo-sighting-over-hudson-falls/
https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=197423
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/ufo-conference-lands-in-canada-as-trump-administration-continues-to-release-documents/
UFO conference lands in Canada as Trump administration continues to release documents
Updated: June 15, 2026 at 10:35AM EDT
A leading UFO conference is landing in Canada this summer.
Featuring a keynote presentation from a former Pentagon insider, the conference aims to promote government transparency and the scientific study of what’s also known as “unidentified anomalous phenomena,” or “UAP” for short.
The Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies’ conference comes as the Trump administration continues its rolling release of decades of official UFO videos, images and reports.
“There’s quite a bit of stuff that I’ve seen in the past that was not included,” former Pentagon official Christopher Mellon told CTVNews.ca. “I hope it will be. Some of it was kind of dramatic.”
Mellon spent nearly 20 years in the U.S. intelligence community. Inspired by testimonies and video evidence from U.S. military personnel, he has become a leading advocate for UFO transparency and disclosure since leaving government.
“One of my favourite videos they might not ever release because of the source – I’m hoping that’s not the case,” Mellon said from Washington, D.C.
“I’ve always believed that there’s a great deal more we can do and share with the scientific community and the public to help people understand what’s going on and to facilitate analysis of these objects and what they are.”
Promoting scientific study
Held in Canada for the first time, the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies’ (SCU) seventh annual conference will take place in Toronto between July 24 and 26, with Mellon delivering a keynote address on the first night.
Founded in 2017, the SCU is a non-profit group dedicated to applying an academic lens to this seemingly strange subject.
SCU members include an international assortment of scientists who have worked for prominent universities, technology and defence firms, as well as NASA, the Canadian Space Agency and the European Space Agency.
At the conference, the UFO phenomena will be dissected from the perspective of physics, aerospace engineering and even philosophy and anthropology.
Mellon shares top billing with former U.S. air force scientist Randy Bostick, who previously advised the Pentagon’s UFO research office.
According to SCU founding board member Robert Powell, the group has also briefed two curious Canadian members of Parliament.
“Credible, trained observers operating sophisticated instruments have repeatedly recorded phenomena that don’t match known aircraft, natural phenomena, or sensor artifacts,” Powell, a Texas-based engineer, told CTVNews.ca.
“Ignoring data and information is not science, nor is drawing conclusions about data before careful evaluation,” he added.
U.S. begins releasing UFO documents
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration says people can draw their own conclusions about the UFO files it began making public just over a month ago.
In February, Trump directed federal departments and agencies to release government documents on extraterrestrial life and UFOs. The first three batches of records came on May 8, May 22 and June 12.
They include photos, videos and redacted reports of mysterious lights, orbs, discs and other objects from witnesses like NASA astronauts, federal law enforcement agents and U.S. military personnel.
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“This is an unprecedented, historic undertaking that requires co-ordination between dozens of agencies and the review of tens of millions of records, many existing only on paper, spanning many decades,” the U.S. Department of War said in an online statement. “Given the scope of this task, the Department of War will be releasing new materials on a rolling basis as they are discovered and declassified, with tranches posted every few weeks.”
You can peruse the files yourself at www.war.gov/UFO.
A ‘good start,’ but…
Mellon calls the releases “a good start” but says the most compelling official evidence he has encountered remains unreleased. As an example, he describes an “emotional video” featuring an “upset” military pilot who had a “very close call” with an unidentified object.
“He had a near-collision with it, it went right between two F-18s at high speed, and so you hear the pilot cursing and saying ‘What the hell is that?’ as it whips by his window – and if you slow it down and you can see this thing a little bit as it’s going by,” Mellon recalled.
“There’s another one that I hope might be declassified at some point, which I think is quite clear and more difficult for skeptics and debunkers to find an explanation for, but that one is quite highly classified.”
Mellon was previously a U.S. Senate intelligence committee staff director before serving as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for intelligence during the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations. He often cites security clearance rules as a barrier for sharing more detailed information.
While the SCU advocates for transparency and the serious study of UFOs, Mellon acknowledges that important government and military data often remain concealed from the public and science community due to national security considerations such as classified sensor systems.
“National security organizations typically want to share as little as possible with the public, because obviously whatever they share with the public is also shared with our adversaries,” Mellon explained.
“They have some valid concerns, but there’s a great deal more that can be released than has been.”
Officials in U.S., France and Canada take notice
In recent years, the UFO topic has moved from the realm of science fiction to an officially acknowledged mystery. In the U.S., UFOs have been the subject of congressional hearings, government reports, a NASA study and even the creation of Pentagon research efforts like the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Formal UFO research offices also exist in countries France, which has investigating cases since 1977 under the umbrella of its national space agency.
While similar efforts are not known to currently exist in Canada, the federal government’s top scientific adviser has called for the creation of a new federal body to standardize, collect and study UAP reports, which have been filed by Canadian witnesses such as professional aviators, police officers, soldiers and civilians.
At the SCU conference in Toronto, Canada’s role in UAP research will be discussed by Winnipeg-based ufologist and science writer Chris Rutkowski, who has helped catalogue more than 26,000 Canadian UFO sightings since 1989.
“The SCU conference is very different from other UFO and UAP conferences as it is focused more on applied science rather than experiences and the belief of witnesses,” Rutkowski told CTVNews.ca.
“The UFO topic is worthy of scientific study because if there is no physical explanation for sightings and reports, there is at least a psychological or sociological component, and in any of those cases, scientific methodology is needed to understand the phenomenon.”
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No UFO records in Vatican archives despite whistleblower claim: Source
Updated: Jun 15, 2026 / 08:55 PM CDT
Claims that the Vatican may possess evidence of a decades-old UFO incident have circulated for years within UFO circles, but a NewsNation investigation found no evidence in Vatican archives to support one of the most frequently cited allegations.
The story gained renewed attention after former intelligence officer and UFO whistleblower David Grusch told NewsNation that the Catholic Church and the Vatican were aware of the existence of nonhuman intelligence and had knowledge of an alleged UFO crash that occurred in Magenta, Italy, during the 1930s.
Behind the scenes of infamous interview with UFO whistleblower David Grusch
“So let me be very clear about this,” NewsNation’s Ross Coulthart asked Grusch during an exclusive interview in 2023.
“You’re saying that the Catholic Church, the Vatican, they know about the existence of nonhuman intelligence on this planet?”
“Certainly,” Grusch replied.
Investigating a UFO crash in Magenta
Following the interview, NewsNation launched its own investigation into the claims.
As part of that effort, NewsNation’s Susie Pinto traveled to Magenta, a town outside Milan, where UFO researchers have long alleged an unidentified craft crashed in 1933 and was subsequently recovered by the fascist government of Benito Mussolini.
The alleged incident has become a cornerstone of theories suggesting that knowledge of nonhuman technology predates the famous 1947 Roswell case in the United States.
The search for corroboration, however, yielded little.
Among the local residents interviewed was a lifelong resident in his 70s who said he had never heard stories about a UFO crash in Magenta.
Given that nearly a century has passed since the alleged event, any firsthand witnesses would almost certainly no longer be alive.
The investigation then turned to the Vatican.
Vatican archive document UFO crash claims?
NewsNation sought information regarding claims that documentation related to the alleged incident might be preserved in the Vatican Apostolic Archive.
According to a Vatican source with access to archival records, a search conducted on behalf of NewsNation found no listed reference to the alleged Magenta incident and no record of communications regarding the event being sent to a pope.
What’s out there? Why the Vatican studies the stars
The findings do not conclusively disprove the claims, but they do challenge one of the central assertions often made by UFO researchers — that documentary evidence of the incident exists within the Vatican’s archives.
The question of extraterrestrial life
But one Vatican official has engaged the broader question of extraterrestrial life from a theological perspective.
In September 2010, while speaking ahead of the British Science Festival in Birmingham, England, Jesuit astronomer Brother Guy Consolmagno, then one of the Vatican Observatory’s leading scientists, argued that intelligent extraterrestrial beings could possess souls.
“Any entity — no matter how many tentacles it has — has a soul,” Consolmagno said while discussing the possibility of life beyond Earth.
When asked whether he would baptize an alien, he famously replied: “Only if they asked.”
Pentagon UFO files include video recreations of UFO sightings
Consolmagno’s comments drew international attention because they reflected a broader Catholic view that the discovery of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe would not necessarily conflict with Christian theology.
During the same 2010 discussion, he said he would be “delighted” if intelligent extraterrestrial life were discovered, though he acknowledged that the odds of humanity ever communicating with such beings were extremely small.
The remarks later inspired the 2014 book, “Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?: And Other Questions from the Astronomers’ In-Box at the Vatican Observatory,” co-authored by Consolmagno and fellow Jesuit astronomer Father Paul Mueller.
Exorcist says UFO phenomenon work of the devil: Report
Those theological discussions, however, are distinct from claims that the Vatican possesses evidence of extraterrestrial visitation.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/religion/ufo-crash-records-vatican-archives-david-grusch-whistleblower/
https://www.newsnationnow.com/newsnation/newsnation-special-footage-ufo-whistleblowe/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqOyfWLEwPQ
UFO Whistleblower: Navy Pilot Forces Congress To Admit UFOs Are Real | Ryan Graves
Jun 16, 2026
Former U.S. Navy F/A-18F pilot Ryan Graves reveals what REALLY happened behind the Pentagon’s UFO disclosures, and whether the newly released UAP files are hiding something even bigger.
As one of the most credible voices in the UFO/UAP conversation, Graves breaks down shocking encounters military pilots experienced firsthand, including near mid-air collisions with unexplained objects described as “a cube inside a sphere,” mysterious black triangles, and even a bizarre “15-foot disco ball” spotted in restricted airspace.
On this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, he explains why elite military radar systems suddenly started detecting anomalies pilots couldn’t even see with their own eyes, and why many aviators feared they might crash into these unidentified objects during missions.
Ryan also dives into the infamous Tic Tac UFO and Gimbal UFO incidents involving David Fravor, how military leadership allegedly kept the phenomenon quiet for years, and the terrifying realization among pilots that these encounters were happening far more often than anyone knew.
The biggest unanswered questions:
Where are these objects coming from?
How are they operating?
Why do they appear to defy physics?
And why does the government still seem unable (or unwilling) to explain them?
Graves explains how highly trained military pilots are uniquely qualified witnesses due to their professionalism, emotional control, and advanced observational training, making their testimonies impossible to casually dismiss.
He also reveals why so many commercial and military pilots are still afraid to report UAP sightings despite the fact that commercial pilots reportedly witness unexplained phenomena up to 5 times per day.
Ryan shares disturbing patterns involving UAP activity near nuclear sites, reports of craft moving seamlessly from air to water, and accounts of objects seemingly reacting intelligently to pilot maneuvers.
He opens up about the personal and professional consequences of speaking publicly about UAPs, what finally pushed him to come forward, and why he founded Americans for Safe Aerospace (ASA) to create a secure environment for pilots and military personnel to report encounters safely.
Ryan also explains how investigators separate credible data from misinformation, rumors, and internet hoaxes while building serious scientific and national security frameworks around the UAP issue.
If even a fraction of these encounters are real, the implications are massive…
00:00 - Intro
02:54 - Recent Pentagon UAP Disclosure
10:32 - Making Sense of Data
16:34 - Graves' Background and Training
20:02 - Radar Upgrade Sparks Sightings
31:35 - Near Miss with "Cube Sphere"
39:01 - GoFast & Gimbal Encounters
48:29 - Stigma & Turning Point
52:39 - Navy UAP Kinematics
57:28 - Military Adversary Doubts
1:01:31 - Safe Aerospace Mission
1:03:12 - Commercial Flights Have UAP Encounters
1:11:27 - Afghanistan "Disco Ball" UAP
1:16:32 - Navigating Fringe Claims
1:19:35 - UAP Activity Near Nuclear Sites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6F-TWyrbyU
https://x.com/missmayim/status/2066888714299801723
John DeSouza 🇺🇸
@johnxdesouza
Here's hoping.
#NesaraGesara #FedIsDead #RevaluationIsHere
Quote
RealRawNews
@RealRawNews1
Jun 15
White House sources are again telling us that on July 4, Independence Day, President Trump will make an announcment unlike anything this country's ever heard.
1:19 PM · Jun 15, 2026
https://x.com/johnxdesouza/status/2066616627979047396
extra
https://x.com/Thekingofufos/status/2066447083716984945
https://x.com/chrisbledsoeufo/status/2066857269753446820
https://x.com/UAPGERB/status/2066531534719586695
https://x.com/maniaUFO/status/2066503644749398479
>U need to see the pregnancy photos
The UFO Files: Former US army official LtCol Anthony (Tony) Shaffer (retired) says 'mind-blowing' alien information to come | That's ACA
Jun 13, 2026
Hundreds of secret UAP videos, photos and witness testimony held for decades by the US Government have been released.
But now that the files are in the open, is the truth also out there?
00:00 - Introduction to That's ACA Podcast
01:10 - Discussing the UAP Files Released by the US Government
01:41 - Introducing Guest Retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Tony Shaffer
02:14 - Background on the UAP/UFO Files and Credible Reports
03:33 - The Mystery Behind the Secrecy of UAP Files
05:35 - Insights Into the Next Dump of Classified Files
06:45 - Debunking Conspiracy Theories and Area 51
07:52 - Analyzing the Limitations and Realities of Current Human Technology
09:42 - Apollo 11 & 12 Crew Debriefs and the Silence Around UAP Sightings
11:26 - A Skeptical View: Balloons, Glitches, and Atmospheric Phenomenon
12:05 - Tony Shaffer Shares His Personal Sighting Experience in the Philippines
16:14 - The Shift in Credibility and Public Acceptance of UFOs
18:27 - Why President Trump Decided to Release the Files
19:59 - Redactions and the Philosophy Behind Government Bureaucracy
22:38 - Discussing Project Able Danger and Data Mining
23:49 - Closing Remarks and Where to Find More ACA Content
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6KOuoTxpuo
https://x.com/gal_suburban/status/1456578395286933507
extra disclosure dejour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx59FGbKid4 (Danny Sheehan Sunday Series Part 1 (June 14, 2026))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyi-pHjFXtc (Sarah Westall: The Hidden Knowledge Behind Astrology | Laura Eisenhower)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hBwqcfqT-U (Zohar ANCIENT HISTORY: Why UFOs Love Active Volcanos | Jaime Maussan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcYtO3OmyP4 (Dr Brian Keating and Avi Loeb: Is the White House's New UAP Council a Game Changer for Disclosure?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yleWKudtmFs (Paranormal Research Paul Stonehill: SECRET OF THE ROSWELL CRASH: REVELATION OF THE TOP GERMAN ROCKET SCIENTIST)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkzERXtEte8 (WeAreChange: Trump Just Launched the 1st UFO COUNCIL..)