BLACK CAT WATCH
Welcome to the June 2026 edition of the Black Cat Watch. In this edition we cover the month of June 2026. We report on the latest updates in EOD C-IED and ECM, the worldwide EOD news, and a small sample of recent UK EOD incidents.
The Regiment
Regimental Update
On the 13th June,L/CPL Alex Appleby-Mason, serving with 221 Field Squadron (EOD&S) based out of Catford, received the KGM for his actions while off-duty. He jumped into the River Thames to successfully help rescue two young children. The King's Gallantry Medal is a third-level civil decoration awarded to both military personnel and civilians for acts of bravery that do not quite reach the standard required for the George Medal. This marks a rare and significant honor for the Regiment, adding to its long history of distinguished awards.
EOD Capability Update
NATO C-IED Procedural Advancements
In June 2026 most prominent procedural focus for NATO was countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and homemade explosives. C-IED Annual Conference (June 15-19, 2026): The NATO EOD Centre of Excellence (COE) and the C-IED COE convened in Valencia, Spain. The gathering focused on updating multi-national procedures for threat analysis and data fusion regarding emerging IED technology. Homemade Explosives: In late June, the Slovak Republic Ministry of Defence and NATO EOD COE showcased the Advanced Homemade Explosives Course, highlighting updated tactical procedures for rendering safe non-standard explosive mixtures.
British Army Next-Gen ECM Capability
In June 2026, the UK Ministry of Defence's Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), in partnership with Cambridge Consultants, highlighted the ongoing deployment of a new man-portable Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) system. This lightweight hardware jams radio frequency (RF) signals to protect EOD operators from remote-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIEDs) while they work.
public World News
Conflict Zone: Ukraine
Ukraine is being advantaged on the battlefield by it's drone dominance on the front and middle lines. Specifically, Ukriane is using drones to attack the logistics lines required to keep the Russian front line troops supplied and fighting.
It is estimated that 25,000 Russian soldiers have lost their lives during the fighting during June 2026.
Strategically, Ukriane issued a 40 day blitz on the 13th June 2026 with the purpose of brining president Putin to the negotiating table.
Ukraine has targeted and continues to target Russian oil refinineries (i.e. St Petersburg, Moscow), supply lines to Crimea, including the kursk bridge, and suply ships in the sea of Azov. Russia, is now restricting the public purchase of petrol and desiel due to supply shortages, and it is reported that it is importing petrol from India. In addition to hitting the fuel and logistical supplies, Ukriane has started hitting the Russian war industry (such as it''s largest chip maker) using deep strike weapons such as the Flamingo missle.
In retailation Russia has launch its largest air attack on Kyiv since the war began, targetting cultural and residential properties. The attack highlights the need for more air defence systems to protect Ukraine.
In summary, Ukraine is starting to swing the fortunes of the war with Russia, utilising advanced and rapidly deployed weapons technology, including AI, drone swarms, and loiter until target.
Conflict Zone: The Middle East
The ceasefire between the US and Iran remains technically intact. However, the US and Iran signed a Memorandom of Understanding seen as the pathway to enable a 60 day detailed peace negotiation period.
Iran seeks to control the straits of Hormuz and levy tolls on shipping for passiing through the channel, however the US is insisting that shipping passing through the straits should do so toll free. This situation has led to two distinct routes througn the channel, the Northern route, controlled by Iran with its associated tolls, the the Southern route off of the coast of Oman with shipping protected by the US military assets in the area.
Iran has attacked and struck shipping passing throung the Oman route, and in retaliation the US has struck Iranian radar, drone launch sites and small boats in the channel. In respone Iran launches missles at US military base assets in Bahrain and Kuwait. We wait to see if the current situation remains a stalemate tit for tat, or if major esculation or de-esculation occurs next in the war. The Iranians are playing the long game, knowing the impact the war is having on the price of oil and the coming US mid term elections.
radar Recent UK EOD Incidents
June 2026
| Date | Location | UXO Discovered | Disposal Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st June | Ynyslas Beach, Wales | Suspected WWII munitions | Destroyed by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. |
| 2nd June | Southport, Merseyside, UK | Suspected UXO | Area cordoned off, residents evacuated, and EOD called to assess. |
| 2nd June | Mablethorpe Beach, Lincolnshire | Suspected unexploded mortar shell | Discovered on the beach and reported for EOD investigation. |
| 2nd June | Coventry, West Midlands, UK | Unexploded 50kg WWII bomb | 100m cordon established, homes evacuated, and 8th Engineer Brigade EOD conducted a controlled detonation.. |
| 13th June | Porthcawl, Wales/td> | Unexploded ordnance | EOD team evacuated Porthcawl Beach to carry out a controlled explosion of the device, which had been found at a nearby property. |
| 19th June | Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire | Suspected unexploded ordnance | Investigated by an EOD team. |
| 26th June | Frensham Common (near Farnham), Surrey | Unexploded mortar | Found by teenagers and reported for EOD response. |
| 27th-28th June | Fylingdales, North Yorkshire, UK | Multiple UXO detonations during wildfire | Firefighting tactics altered during a wildfire; EOD and RAF managed safety cordons after 22 detonations. |