SOFREP Daily: Biden Approves Long-Range Strikes, Russia Ukraine’s Power Grid, India Joins Hypersonic Missile Club

Welcome to your Monday morning rundown of defense and global affairs. Here’s what you need to know today, November 17.

Biden Approves Ukraine To Use Long-Range Strikes

In a significant shift, President Joe Biden has greenlit Ukraine’s use of US-supplied long-range missiles, Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, for strikes deeper into Russian territory.

The decision comes as Russia bolsters its forces with thousands of North Korean troops along Ukraine’s northern border.

This move marks a new chapter in the conflict, with Biden responding to mounting pressure from Ukraine and its Western allies, who argue that these advanced weapons are critical for defending against Russian aggression.

The US official and other informed sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, were reportedly not authorized to publicly disclose the US decision.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also offered a notably measured response on Sunday.

I am deeply grateful to all our partners who support us with air defense systems and missiles. This is a truly global effort. Every time Russia carries out such attacks, it underscores how critical it is that partners don’t leave systems like Patriot and others sitting idle in… pic.twitter.com/4VZu4JpzxG

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 17, 2024

“Strikes are not made with words,” Zelenskyy said during his evening address. “Such things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves.”

Meanwhile, the recent election of Donald Trump continuously raises questions about the future of US military support, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to the already volatile situation.

Russia Launches Massive Drone Attack, Targets Ukraine’s Power Grid

Russia unleashed Sunday its biggest drone and missile attack in months, targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and killing civilians.

Over 200 air targets, including Iranian-made Shahed drones and ballistic missiles, struck cities across Ukraine, with some hitting critical energy sites and residential areas.

Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept 144 of these threats.

The assault caused significant damage, including power outages in Odesa and Kyiv.

This morning began with one of the largest Russian strikes on Ukraine. 210 missiles and drones, including aeroballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as dozens of Shahed drones, were launched. All of them targeted civilian infrastructure—critical facilities like power plants… pic.twitter.com/PriNcqjJ8C

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 17, 2024

Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones struck back, hitting targets in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions.

The escalation highlights the ongoing struggle over Ukraine’s power grid as winter looms.

Poland Scrambles Jets Over Russian Assault

Poland scrambled fighter jets and mobilized its forces on Sunday in response to a massive Russian missile and drone assault on Ukraine.

“Due to a massive attack by Russia, which is carrying out strikes using cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones against sites located, among other places, in western Ukraine, operations by Polish and allied aircraft have begun,” Poland’s Operational Command wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Russian attacks targeted energy facilities across the country, prompting explosions in cities like Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Mykolaiv.

Ukraine’s Energy Minister called it a direct hit on the power grid, while Kyiv’s mayor reported injuries from falling debris.

Poland, along with its allies, launched air operations to secure its border areas as the assault raged on.

US Military Embraces Starlink, Faces Musk Risks

The US military, especially the Navy, has been quietly leaning on SpaceX’s Starlink for satellite internet despite growing concerns about Elon Musk’s ties to Russia.

Reports claim Musk has had direct communication with Vladimir Putin and even complied with requests to limit Starlink’s access to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Senators are pushing for an investigation into Musk’s Pentagon connections and potential risks to national security.

In a letter to the US attorney general and the Defense Department’s inspector general Friday, Senators Jack Reed and Jeanne Shaheen urged an investigation to determine if Musk’s behavior warrants a review of SpaceX’s contracts with the Pentagon and Intelligence Community.

They also warned the Air Force, in a separate letter, that Musk’s actions could pose “serious risks to national security” and suggested it might be time to reconsider SpaceX’s prominent role in military operations.

Starlink’s services have proven crucial for troop morale and operations, but questions linger about the security and reliability of depending on a private company with such powerful ties.

Israel Strikes Beirut, Kills Hezbollah Spokesman

Israel carried out rare airstrikes in central Beirut, killing Hezbollah’s chief spokesman, Mohammed Afif al-Naboulsi, Hezbollah confirmed in a statement on Monday.

According to Israel’s military, al-Naboulsi “wielded significant influence over Hezbollah’s military operations” and “glorified and incited” attacks on Israel, quoted from The Associated Press. This marked the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, heavy Israeli attacks Sunday night in northern Gaza killed at least 30 people, with many more injured or trapped under rubble.

Tensions remain high as Israel expands its offensive into Lebanon, deploying mobile artillery for the first time. Amid the chaos, both sides continue to suffer casualties, with civilians bearing the brunt.

US Marine Corps Updates Amphibious Vehicles Training Standards

The US Marine Corps is rolling out new training and operational standards for its Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) following a series of mishaps during waterborne exercises.

After two ACVs flipped in the surf last year, the Corps paused operations and developed a detailed manual, Assault Amphibian Training and Operating Procedures Standardization, or AATOPS Manual, to improve safety and readiness.

The manual includes strict guidelines for emergency procedures, surf conditions, and annual operator testing.

With these updates, the ACV is back in action, playing a key role in Pacific operations. Despite its progress, the ACV remains restricted from high-surf areas to avoid past incidents.

India Joins Hypersonic Missile Club

India has just tested its first hypersonic missile on Sunday, joining the elite club of nations with this cutting-edge military tech.

Hypersonic missiles fly faster, lower, and are tougher to detect, giving them a tactical edge over traditional ballistic missiles.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called the test a historic moment, highlighting India’s growing defense capabilities.

The @DRDO_India has successfully conducted a flight trial of its long range hypersonic missile on 16th Nov 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has congratulated DRDO, Armed Forces and the Industry for successful flight… pic.twitter.com/wq7yM2YS9f

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) November 17, 2024

The announcement comes hot on the heels of China’s recent military display, which included advanced stealth jets and missile defense systems.

As India strengthens its defense ties with Western allies, it also continues to rely on Russian military gear, balancing both sides in the global arms race.

US Shares Military Intel, Tech with Philippines

The US and the Philippines signed a landmark agreement on Monday to share classified military info and tech, stepping up their defense collaboration amid rising tensions with China.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, inked the deal in Manila, which also includes setting up a joint command center to boost real-time coordination.

The move strengthens the Philippines’ access to advanced US military capabilities and enhances their ability to tackle regional challenges, particularly in the contested South China Sea.

Meanwhile, China has warned against any actions that could escalate tensions or undermine peace in the region.