Former Admiral Sir Ben Key, the erstwhile head of the Royal Navy, has been formally dismissed from service following an investigation into allegations of misconduct, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed. The ministry said Sir Ben’s behaviour had “fallen far short of the values and standards expected of service personnel.”

Sir Ben, 59, acknowledged the decision in a statement, expressing deep regret for his actions. “I deeply regret my conduct in the spring of last year, which fell well below the standard I set for myself and that which I set for the Royal Navy,” he said. He also offered an apology to those personally affected and thanked his wife, family, and friends for their support during what he described as “a very difficult time.”

Sir Ben was removed from duties in May 2025 amid an investigation into an alleged inappropriate relationship with a more junior female colleague. The allegations first surfaced in UK media reports last year, prompting a formal inquiry by military authorities. Relationships of this nature are considered contrary to the military’s code of conduct due to concerns about power imbalances and professionalism.

Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin emphasized that military standards apply equally, regardless of rank. “We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our service personnel and our civil servants. We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short of our standards,” he said.

Although Sir Ben retains his knighthood and pension, he has been stripped of his military commission, an uncommon step for an officer of his rank. Traditionally, senior officers retain honorary military titles after retirement, but this will not apply in Sir Ben’s case.

Sir Ben Key joined the Royal Navy as a university cadet in 1984, later qualifying as helicopter aircrew and a principal warfare officer. He served aboard several frigates and destroyers in operational theatres worldwide. He was appointed First Sea Lord in November 2021 and was previously honoured as a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in 2021.

He has now been succeeded by General Sir Gwyn Jenkins of the Royal Marines.

Major General Mikhail Gudkov, the Deputy Chief of the Russian Navy and a prominent brigade commander, was killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on a Russian command post in the Kursk region, according to regional governor Oleg Kozhemyako. Gudkov’s death marks one of the highest-ranking Russian military fatalities since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022.

The incident reportedly took place in the town of Korenevo, near the Ukrainian border, where Gudkov was said to be overseeing frontline operations. Telegram channels linked to both Russian and Ukrainian military sources indicated that the strike resulted in the deaths of at least 10 other Russian servicemen.

Governor Kozhemyako confirmed Gudkov’s death, stating that the officer had been “carrying out his duty” and remained active in the field even after being promoted to a top naval leadership position. “When he became Deputy Chief of the Navy, he did not stop personally visiting the positions of our marines,” Kozhemyako wrote in a statement on Telegram, offering condolences to the families of those killed.

Appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Navy in March 2025, Gudkov had previously led a Marine Brigade under Russia’s Pacific Fleet. His unit had been deployed in the volatile Kursk region, which briefly fell under Ukrainian control during a surprise offensive in August 2024 before being retaken by Russian forces.

Gudkov had been decorated for his actions in Ukraine but was also accused of war crimes by Kyiv. Despite his seniority, he maintained a frontline presence, which likely contributed to his vulnerability during the targeted strike.

There has been no official statement from the Russian Ministry of Defence or from Ukrainian authorities regarding the attack.

The death of such a high-ranking officer highlights the continuing intensity of the conflict and Ukraine’s ability to strike deep within Russian-held territory, particularly at strategic command and control sites.

In a major step toward reviving and deepening military ties between Pakistan and the United States, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu paid an official visit to the United States—marking the first such visit by a serving PAF chief in over a decade. The high-level tour follows a recent visit by Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and reflects a renewed momentum in US–Pakistan defence engagements.

During his multi-leg visit, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu held key meetings with senior US military and political leaders. At the Pentagon, he met US Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Kelly L. Seybolt and Air Force Chief of Staff General David W. Elon. The two sides agreed to explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation, including joint training, operational exchanges, and technology sharing.

The PAF stated that the visit represents a “strategic milestone” in the Pak-US defence relationship and will play a pivotal role in addressing regional and global security challenges while building long-term institutional ties. Sidhu highlighted the historic and multifaceted nature of US–Pakistan defence relations and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation between the two air forces.

The air chief also held meetings at the US State Department with senior officials, including Brown L. Stanley from the Bureau of Political and Military Affairs and Eric Meyer from the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Discussions focused on regional stability, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, and the evolving geopolitical landscape in South and Central Asia.

On Capitol Hill, Sidhu met influential members of the US Congress including Mike Turner, Rich McCormick, and Bill Heizenga. These engagements reinforced the importance of bilateral strategic dialogue and allowed Pakistan to articulate its views on regional security frameworks, emerging technologies in defence, and future military cooperation.

The visit is seen as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to recalibrate its international military partnerships and strengthen its role as a stabilizing actor in the region. The PAF emphasized that the tour not only reaffirmed its commitment to global peace but also laid the groundwork for enhanced joint operations and institutional collaboration with the United States Air Force.

In a marked demonstration of its expanding naval reach, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) deployed its aircraft carrier Shandong and accompanying warships to Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour for the first time. The port call, which includes the destroyers Yan’an and Zhanjiang and the frigate Yuncheng, signals a broader campaign by Beijing to assert its maritime influence in the Indo-Pacific.

The fleet arrived on July 3 and will remain through the weekend, with public tours of the vessels scheduled for July 5 and 6. Students and youth groups have been especially encouraged to attend, as part of what the PLA describes as a public engagement effort to foster understanding of national defense and naval modernization.

This is the first Hong Kong visit for the aircraft carrier Shandong and the destroyers, although the Yuncheng has docked in the city previously. Video footage released by the PLA shows the warships entering Victoria Harbour in formation, underscoring a coordinated and high-visibility display of naval capability.

The timing of the visit follows recent PLAN maneuvers near Taiwan and continued patrols in the disputed South China Sea. Defense analysts interpret the Hong Kong port call as part of China’s strategic push to normalize its naval presence in contested waters and near politically sensitive regions.

The Shandong, China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, plays a central role in Beijing’s efforts to transition from a regional navy to a global blue-water force. Its arrival in Hong Kong is not only symbolic but also serves as a signal to regional actors amid escalating maritime tensions.