Trevor Ball
@easybakeovensz.bsky.social
Conflict Researcher, Bellingcat. Former US Army EOD.
Pinned
Trevor Ball
@easybakeovensz.bsky.social
· Jun 18
Overview of the improvised/craft UAV-delivered munitions being used by Mexican drug cartels. These munitions are becoming more common, and in some cases more advanced. There's also been some large seizures by Mexican authorities lately.
armamentresearch.com/mexican-drug...
armamentresearch.com/mexican-drug...
Reposted by Trevor Ball
With @evidentmedia.org and Hind Hassan we detail the part American-made munitions play in Israel’s operations in Gaza. We collected data on the use of three munitions produced solely in the US and found hospitals, schools, homes and civilian infrastructure were hit. www.youtube.com/shorts/5J8M9...
U.S.-made weapons used by Israel in Gaza
YouTube video by Evident Media
www.youtube.com
February 18, 2026 at 4:25 PM
With @evidentmedia.org and Hind Hassan we detail the part American-made munitions play in Israel’s operations in Gaza. We collected data on the use of three munitions produced solely in the US and found hospitals, schools, homes and civilian infrastructure were hit. www.youtube.com/shorts/5J8M9...
Reposted by Trevor Ball
When 'Twitter randos' hold the U.S. military to account
'How flight tracking data explains failed maritime rescue efforts'
By Airwars' @tomi-mcc.bsky.social in partnership with
@nickturse.bsky.social and @theintercept.com
airwars.org/how-flight-t...
'How flight tracking data explains failed maritime rescue efforts'
By Airwars' @tomi-mcc.bsky.social in partnership with
@nickturse.bsky.social and @theintercept.com
airwars.org/how-flight-t...
How flight tracking data explains failed maritime rescue efforts
How 'Twitter randos' proved false claims of
airwars.org
February 17, 2026 at 4:12 PM
When 'Twitter randos' hold the U.S. military to account
'How flight tracking data explains failed maritime rescue efforts'
By Airwars' @tomi-mcc.bsky.social in partnership with
@nickturse.bsky.social and @theintercept.com
airwars.org/how-flight-t...
'How flight tracking data explains failed maritime rescue efforts'
By Airwars' @tomi-mcc.bsky.social in partnership with
@nickturse.bsky.social and @theintercept.com
airwars.org/how-flight-t...
In 2024 drone incursions at the US-Mexico border were estimated at over 1,000 a month without airspace closures.
February 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM
In 2024 drone incursions at the US-Mexico border were estimated at over 1,000 a month without airspace closures.
This AJ article is wrong about explosions and explosives in several fundamental ways. This "phenomenon" the article mentions is due to the shock wave caused by the explosions, not due to the heat generated.
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
February 10, 2026 at 4:21 PM
This AJ article is wrong about explosions and explosives in several fundamental ways. This "phenomenon" the article mentions is due to the shock wave caused by the explosions, not due to the heat generated.
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
MK-84 2,000-pound bomb with a JDAM kit hitting a building in Gaza after an IDF notice.
Bellingcat recently asked the IDF about the lack of evacuation distances in public evacuation notices in Gaza, which are included in notices in Lebanon, so interesting to see a 100m distance in the notice here.
Bellingcat recently asked the IDF about the lack of evacuation distances in public evacuation notices in Gaza, which are included in notices in Lebanon, so interesting to see a 100m distance in the notice here.
February 6, 2026 at 6:05 PM
MK-84 2,000-pound bomb with a JDAM kit hitting a building in Gaza after an IDF notice.
Bellingcat recently asked the IDF about the lack of evacuation distances in public evacuation notices in Gaza, which are included in notices in Lebanon, so interesting to see a 100m distance in the notice here.
Bellingcat recently asked the IDF about the lack of evacuation distances in public evacuation notices in Gaza, which are included in notices in Lebanon, so interesting to see a 100m distance in the notice here.
My latest covering some of the strikes using US-made munitions used in Gaza.
American-made munitions have played a significant role in Israel’s operations in Gaza. Bellingcat has collated scores of incidents where the remnants of US-made munitions have been found in the aftermath of Israeli strikes. Read here: www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Made in the USA: How American-Built Weapons Have Wrought Destruction in Gaza - bellingcat
Bellingcat has identified scores of incidents where remnants from munitions made in the US have been found after Israeli strikes in Gaza.
www.bellingcat.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:01 PM
My latest covering some of the strikes using US-made munitions used in Gaza.
This is probably a Skat Shell fired at a high angle. A Skat Shell dispenses four different submunitions when fired that each emit smoke or chemical irritant.
February 2, 2026 at 8:34 PM
This is probably a Skat Shell fired at a high angle. A Skat Shell dispenses four different submunitions when fired that each emit smoke or chemical irritant.
Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) cleared two unexploded MK-82 500-pound bombs they say were dropped in December 2025. One of the bombs has a M905 tail fuze which is visibly damaged.
January 31, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) cleared two unexploded MK-82 500-pound bombs they say were dropped in December 2025. One of the bombs has a M905 tail fuze which is visibly damaged.
On a related note, per diem rates for a federal employee in Minneapolis is $240 a day, not counting rental cars. 3,000 agents being sent to Minneapolis for immigration raids at $240 each is $720,000 a day just for per diem.
Interesting: Per a new report from the Congressional Budget Office, the deployment of the National Guard in D.C. (now up to 2,950 troops) cost $223 million from August-December, and will cost $55 million per month onwards. That means up to *$880 million* through the end of 2026.
January 29, 2026 at 5:59 PM
On a related note, per diem rates for a federal employee in Minneapolis is $240 a day, not counting rental cars. 3,000 agents being sent to Minneapolis for immigration raids at $240 each is $720,000 a day just for per diem.
Frag damage from a M42/M46 submunition that exploded during UXO clearance operations using a excavator with an electromagnet at Chok Pouk Village Cambodia by the Cambodian Mine Action Center. Thailand has used some cluster munitions in border skirmishes.
January 29, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Frag damage from a M42/M46 submunition that exploded during UXO clearance operations using a excavator with an electromagnet at Chok Pouk Village Cambodia by the Cambodian Mine Action Center. Thailand has used some cluster munitions in border skirmishes.
Reposted by Trevor Ball
Bellingcat has further analysed videos of the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents. The footage shows an agent wearing a black beanie step behind Pretti. His right arm then appears to recoil at the same time the first shot is heard.
January 28, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Bellingcat has further analysed videos of the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents. The footage shows an agent wearing a black beanie step behind Pretti. His right arm then appears to recoil at the same time the first shot is heard.
CBS News says a CBP "preliminary review" of the Alex Pretti shooting states that Pretti's gun wasn't fired, and two different agents fired shots, confirming what @bellingcat.com and the NYT both reported based on video analysis.
BREAKING: Two federal agents fired weapons during the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, a government report says.
Two federal agents fired their weapons during Alex Pretti shooting, government report to Congress says
Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents fired their weapons during the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, according to a government report sent to Congress and obtained by CBS News that does not mention Pretti reaching for his firearm.
cbsn.ws
January 27, 2026 at 10:48 PM
CBS News says a CBP "preliminary review" of the Alex Pretti shooting states that Pretti's gun wasn't fired, and two different agents fired shots, confirming what @bellingcat.com and the NYT both reported based on video analysis.
Reposted by Trevor Ball
Pepperball guns, tasers and tear gas are among the weapons recently deployed against protesters in the US. In a new guide, @easybakeovensz.bsky.social details some of the “less-lethal” equipment federal agents have carried during the current immigration raids. www.bellingcat.com/resources/20...
Guide: The ‘Less-Lethal’ Weapons Used by the DHS
Tear gas and PepperBall guns are among the weapons ICE and Border Patrol agents have been seen with at nationwide raids and protests related to immigration.
www.bellingcat.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Pepperball guns, tasers and tear gas are among the weapons recently deployed against protesters in the US. In a new guide, @easybakeovensz.bsky.social details some of the “less-lethal” equipment federal agents have carried during the current immigration raids. www.bellingcat.com/resources/20...
This fake AI "enhanced" photo is going around. AI "enhancement" doesn't actually enhance things. It invents many fake "details" where none exist. The gun AI invented here doesn't match Pretti's, and the agent has no face.
Bellingcat comparison of the real screenshot, and photo of the gun:
Bellingcat comparison of the real screenshot, and photo of the gun:
January 26, 2026 at 7:05 PM
This fake AI "enhanced" photo is going around. AI "enhancement" doesn't actually enhance things. It invents many fake "details" where none exist. The gun AI invented here doesn't match Pretti's, and the agent has no face.
Bellingcat comparison of the real screenshot, and photo of the gun:
Bellingcat comparison of the real screenshot, and photo of the gun:
Reposted by Trevor Ball
Three-way video sync and slow+zoom showing the moment of the first shot before Alex Pretti was killed by DHS agents in Minneapolis yesterday.
There's some claims that Pretti's gun was the source of the first shot after it was taken from him, though in these videos it doesn't appear that's the case.
There's some claims that Pretti's gun was the source of the first shot after it was taken from him, though in these videos it doesn't appear that's the case.
January 25, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Three-way video sync and slow+zoom showing the moment of the first shot before Alex Pretti was killed by DHS agents in Minneapolis yesterday.
There's some claims that Pretti's gun was the source of the first shot after it was taken from him, though in these videos it doesn't appear that's the case.
There's some claims that Pretti's gun was the source of the first shot after it was taken from him, though in these videos it doesn't appear that's the case.
Top administration officials have started to claim today that "nobody" can tell if Pretti was armed when he was shot 10 times by federal agents.
Videos released yesterday clearly showing Pretti's gun was removed from it's holster by a federal agent before he was shot.
Videos released yesterday clearly showing Pretti's gun was removed from it's holster by a federal agent before he was shot.
Our analysis at @bellingcat.com on the killing of Alex Pretti breaks down the video evidence.
He never reached for his gun.
Agents sprayed/tackled him while his hands were up.
He was disarmed before he was shot.
The first shot came from an agent firing at him.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
He never reached for his gun.
Agents sprayed/tackled him while his hands were up.
He was disarmed before he was shot.
The first shot came from an agent firing at him.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Alex Pretti: Analysing Footage of Minneapolis CBP Shooting - bellingcat
Bellingcat has analysed video of the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The footage appears to contradict statements made by the Department of Homeland Security.
www.bellingcat.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Top administration officials have started to claim today that "nobody" can tell if Pretti was armed when he was shot 10 times by federal agents.
Videos released yesterday clearly showing Pretti's gun was removed from it's holster by a federal agent before he was shot.
Videos released yesterday clearly showing Pretti's gun was removed from it's holster by a federal agent before he was shot.
Reposted by Trevor Ball
First sign I’ve seen lately of an HC white smoke grenade. In Portland not MN. To be honest these should be banned. But their unhealthy aspects are often being exaggerated or misinterpreted.
The feds deployed HC in Portland tonight and heavily gassed people and a neighborhood over people standing in a driveway that wasn’t even being used.
January 25, 2026 at 10:23 AM
First sign I’ve seen lately of an HC white smoke grenade. In Portland not MN. To be honest these should be banned. But their unhealthy aspects are often being exaggerated or misinterpreted.
Reposted by Trevor Ball
A DHS statement claimed “an individual approached US Border Patrol officers” with “a handgun” in the Alex Pretti shooting incident. A Bellingcat analysis of the footage appears to show that a gun was taken away from where Pretti was situated by an agent just before the first shot was fired.
January 24, 2026 at 10:29 PM
A DHS statement claimed “an individual approached US Border Patrol officers” with “a handgun” in the Alex Pretti shooting incident. A Bellingcat analysis of the footage appears to show that a gun was taken away from where Pretti was situated by an agent just before the first shot was fired.
A lot of official statements seem to be suggesting that concealed carry consisting of two (or multiple) magazines is intent. (DHS also only claims 2 magazines, not 3). Some of the most popular concealed carry holsters have a spot to carry a second magazine next to the gun, among other options.
January 24, 2026 at 10:24 PM
A lot of official statements seem to be suggesting that concealed carry consisting of two (or multiple) magazines is intent. (DHS also only claims 2 magazines, not 3). Some of the most popular concealed carry holsters have a spot to carry a second magazine next to the gun, among other options.
Reposted by Trevor Ball
We’ve placed the available videos of the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis today into the same synchronised timeline and are continuing to analyse further.
January 24, 2026 at 8:39 PM
We’ve placed the available videos of the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis today into the same synchronised timeline and are continuing to analyse further.
Reposted by Trevor Ball
Federal law enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Jan. 24 according to local police officials. DHS told Fox News that the man was “armed with a gun”. A video of the shooting appears to show that a gun was taken from the man before the first shot was fired. x.com/BillMelugin_...
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Federal law enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Jan. 24 according to local police officials. DHS told Fox News that the man was “armed with a gun”. A video of the shooting appears to show that a gun was taken from the man before the first shot was fired. x.com/BillMelugin_...
Reposted by Trevor Ball
A new report from the OPCW IIT concludes Syrian forces, particularly Assad's Tiger Forces, were responsible for the October 2016 chlorine attack on Kafr Zita
www.opcw.org/sites/defaul...
www.opcw.org/sites/defaul...
January 22, 2026 at 5:09 PM
A new report from the OPCW IIT concludes Syrian forces, particularly Assad's Tiger Forces, were responsible for the October 2016 chlorine attack on Kafr Zita
www.opcw.org/sites/defaul...
www.opcw.org/sites/defaul...
This is a Defense Technology "Pocket Tactical Green Smoke" which uses their "Saf-Smoke" composition. Saf-Smoke is a Terephthalic acid (TP) smoke composition, which is less toxic than hexachloroethane. Neither are nerve agents.
My group was able to recover a spent canister from a green smoke grenade in Minneapolis. We now confirm with physical evidence that it was a green signaling grenade.
Please don't spread rumors about hexachloroethane or nerve agents.
#PublicPreparedness #Minneapolis
Please don't spread rumors about hexachloroethane or nerve agents.
#PublicPreparedness #Minneapolis
January 22, 2026 at 4:24 AM
This is a Defense Technology "Pocket Tactical Green Smoke" which uses their "Saf-Smoke" composition. Saf-Smoke is a Terephthalic acid (TP) smoke composition, which is less toxic than hexachloroethane. Neither are nerve agents.
Reposted by Trevor Ball
We’ve annotated this satellite imagery from January 20th to show the proximity of where the journalists using a drone were killed to the displacement camps and the nearest IDF outposts in Gaza. The Yellow Line is where Israeli troops withdrew to following the US-brokered deal with Hamas.
January 21, 2026 at 7:08 PM
We’ve annotated this satellite imagery from January 20th to show the proximity of where the journalists using a drone were killed to the displacement camps and the nearest IDF outposts in Gaza. The Yellow Line is where Israeli troops withdrew to following the US-brokered deal with Hamas.
Good thread by Dan on what a nerve agent is and isn't in light of false claims ICE is using nerve agents in Minnesota.
Federal agents have been using smoke compounds containing CS, OC, as well as "SAF-SMOKE." None of which are remotely close to nerve agents.
Federal agents have been using smoke compounds containing CS, OC, as well as "SAF-SMOKE." None of which are remotely close to nerve agents.
The term "nerve agent" is not the same thing as "some chemical that has some effect on some aspect of the nervous system" nor is it a blanket term for chemical warfare agents or banned chemical weapons.
January 18, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Good thread by Dan on what a nerve agent is and isn't in light of false claims ICE is using nerve agents in Minnesota.
Federal agents have been using smoke compounds containing CS, OC, as well as "SAF-SMOKE." None of which are remotely close to nerve agents.
Federal agents have been using smoke compounds containing CS, OC, as well as "SAF-SMOKE." None of which are remotely close to nerve agents.