SOFREP Evening Brief: Pentagon Cuts $5.1 Billion in Spending, Russia Frees US Citizen Ksenia Karelina in Prisoner Swap

SOFREP’s evening brief for April 11, 2025, brings you the top developments in global security. Israel is dismissing reservists who signed an anti-war protest letter. Tunisia dismantled migrant camps under new security efforts. The Pentagon cut billions in non-combat programs under a Trump directive. Europe pledged record aid to Ukraine while Russia blocked ceasefire talks. The EU temporarily suspended tariffs as trade negotiations opened with the US. Russia freed an American citizen in a swap deal. Japan scrambled jets hundreds of times in response to Chinese and Russian aircraft incursions.

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Israel to Dismiss Air Force Reservists Who Signed Anti-War Letter

Israel’s military announced Friday it will dismiss any active Air Force reservists who signed a public letter condemning the war in Gaza and accusing the government of prioritizing political goals over the rescue of hostages.

The letter, signed by nearly 1,000 reservists and retirees, calls for an immediate end to the war to secure the return of 59 remaining hostages, more than half of whom are believed dead.

An Israeli Army spokesperson stated that using military status to protest the war represents a “breach of trust” between commanders and troops. The Army did not specify how many reservists will be removed or when the dismissals will begin.

Israeli Air Force reserve and retired fighters have appealed to the government and signed their names demanding the return of all the kidnapped soldiers from Gaza, even at the price of an immediate end to the fighting. pic.twitter.com/CwOm1U2Hzy

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 10, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the letter as the work of a “small handful of weeds,” allegedly manipulated by foreign-funded NGOs aiming to unseat the right-wing government. He reiterated that any soldier advocating refusal will be immediately discharged.

The signatories have not refused to serve but join a growing number of Israeli military personnel publicly questioning the conduct and objectives of the 18-month conflict. Guy Poran, a retired pilot who led the letter campaign, said the initiative has continued gaining signatures since publication.

The protest comes as Israel intensifies operations in Gaza, enforcing blockades and preparing to seize territory.

On Friday, the military issued fresh evacuation orders in northern Gaza following deadly strikes that killed at least 26 and wounded over 100 people in 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Since the collapse of an eight-week ceasefire, the Israeli military has vowed to escalate pressure on Hamas until all hostages are returned. Over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire ended, according to United Nations figures.

Despite increasing internal criticism and mounting casualties, Israeli operations show no sign of slowing down.

 

Tunisia Dismantles Migrant Camps Along Mediterranean Coastline

Tunisian authorities dismantled dozens of makeshift migrant camps this week as part of a coordinated operation to clear unauthorized settlements along the Mediterranean coast and reduce rising tensions with local communities.

The camps, largely situated on private land near the towns of El Amra and Jebeniana, north of Sfax, housed thousands of sub-Saharan African migrants. These areas have been flashpoints for repeated violent confrontations between migrants and Tunisian residents.

Lawmakers and citizens have voiced longstanding concerns over safety, public health, and property rights.

Brig. Gen. Hossam Eddine Jababli, spokesperson for Tunisia’s national guard, said the operation aimed to ensure “health and safety” and confirmed the detention of approximately 200 migrants.

Authorities also reported seizing weapons during the sweeps and signaled that deportations may follow for individuals suspected of planning violent acts.

Officials estimate more than 20,000 people had been sheltering in the camps, many of them hoping to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. Tunisia has increased security operations to prevent such crossings.

According to the UN, 432 migrants successfully reached Italy from Tunisia by the end of February.

VIDEO: Tunisia has dismantled camps housing thousands of undocumented migrants from sub-Saharan Africa following a campaign against them on social media pic.twitter.com/rcPnksVkXD

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 5, 2025

Following the clearances, authorities relocated many migrants to government-owned land in Bir Mellouli, southwest of Sfax. The Tunisian government is now working with international migration organizations to support voluntary repatriation for those seeking to return to their home countries.

Despite official assurances, migrant communities have expressed distrust and fear of forced expulsions. Viral messages on social media alleged, without evidence, that authorities may attempt to deport migrants to desert regions bordering Algeria or Libya under false pretenses.

🇹🇳 VIDEO: Tunisian security forces have launched a sweeping operation to clear out makeshift shelters from olive groves around El Amra, a town south of Tunis, that served as informal camps for thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. pic.twitter.com/vIc0hVqeOy

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 8, 2025

President Kais Saied addressed the operation on Sunday, asserting that it was carried out peacefully and without coercion. He described the effort as morally and legally necessary to protect private property and prevent illegal settlement.

 

Pentagon Cuts $5.1 Billion in Spending, Targets Climate and DEI Programs

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday that the Department of Defense (DoD) will terminate $5.1 billion in contracts deemed “wasteful,” including funding for climate initiatives, diversity programs, and other non-lethal activities.

The cuts align with President Donald Trump’s broader push to slash government spending and eliminate policies from the previous administration.

Trump recently tasked Elon Musk with leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has broad authority to identify and eliminate inefficient federal programs.

Hegseth said the terminated contracts include eleven programs tied to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), climate change, and Covid-19 response.

The announcement follows a previous $580 million cut last month targeting similar initiatives.

Among the latest cuts are consulting contracts for the Defense Health Agency and a cloud IT services contract.

The DoD is also pausing more than $500 million in funding to Northwestern and Cornell universities, citing their support for DEI programs and alleged tolerance of anti-Semitism.

Pentagon’s 2025 budget currently stands at approximately $850 billion.

A February memo from Hegseth ordered planning for annual 8% budget reductions over the next five years. If fully enacted, the cuts would shrink the budget to around $560 billion by 2030.

“We will move away from woke, Biden-era, non-lethal programs, and instead spend that money on President Trump’s America First, peace through strength, priorities,” Hegseth stated in earlier remarks.

 

Europe Pledges $24 Billion in Military Aid as Russia Rejects US Ceasefire Proposal

European nations pledged over $24 billion in new military aid to Ukraine on Friday, in what British Defense Secretary John Healey called a “record boost in military funding.”

The announcement followed a NATO-hosted meeting in Brussels of Ukraine’s Western backers, aimed at accelerating support amid a potential new Russian offensive.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov praised the pledges, calling the meeting “productive, effective, and efficient.” He confirmed the aid package was among Ukraine’s largest yet and emphasized the need for stronger air defenses.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking by video, renewed calls for additional Patriot systems following a deadly Russian missile strike on his hometown.

Today, a new Ramstein meeting is taking place in Brussels. Our priority is air defense, and it is very important that our partners hear us.

Ukrainians know how to be precise. We have already learned to shoot down a significant amount of Russia’s weapons of terror. We just need… pic.twitter.com/LeodM0t7sB

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 11, 2025

Britain and Norway committed over $580 million for drones, radar systems, anti-tank mines, and repair contracts for Ukrainian armored vehicles. Germany promised four IRIS-T systems and additional Patriot missiles, while the Netherlands offered a Hawkeye airborne early warning platform.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff returned to Russia and met with Putin’s representative Kirill Dmitriev in St. Petersburg.

Witkoff has been pushing a US-led ceasefire proposal, which Ukraine supports. However, Russia has not agreed to the terms, instead demanding conditions analysts view as obstructionist.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Moscow is using bilateral talks to stall negotiations, indicating the Kremlin remains uninterested in serious peace efforts.

2/ It is unclear if frontline energy infrastructure in the Russian near rear and rear are covered under the strikes ceasefire as the terms of the agreement have not been published. ISW continues to assess that Russian officials are using the lack of a clearly defined and public…

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) April 11, 2025

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce reiterated US commitment to diplomacy but noted that peace talks are impossible “until the shooting and the killing stops.”

Ukrainian and Western intelligence believe Russia is preparing a new offensive in the coming weeks to pressure Kyiv and strengthen its negotiating position.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin may attempt a symbolic deal by May 9, Russia’s WWII Victory Day, and urged allies to expedite deliveries.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not attend the Brussels forum in person but addressed attendees via video. At the previous meeting in February, Hegseth warned Europe that the US is shifting strategic focus toward Asia and border security, and that Europe must now take greater responsibility for Ukraine’s defense.

 

European Union Pauses Retaliatory Tariffs as Trump Suspends Trade Measures for 90 Days

The European Commission announced Thursday it will suspend its planned retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion worth of US goods for 90 days, following President Donald Trump’s decision to pause his own sweeping tariff package. The move aims to create space for a negotiated solution and prevent escalation of a transatlantic trade war.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the decision, stating the EU “took note” of Trump’s announcement and wants to “give negotiations a chance.” However, she warned that if talks fail, the EU’s countermeasures “will kick in.”

Europe is ready to negotiate with the US.

We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods.

Because we’re always ready for a good deal.

But we’re also prepared to respond with countermeasures.

And protect ourselves against indirect effects through trade diversion. pic.twitter.com/hpZ77TXH4B

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 7, 2025

Trump had imposed a 20% blanket tariff on European goods and a 10% baseline tariff on global trade partners, citing long-standing US trade concerns. The pause affects countries willing to negotiate, though they will still face the 10% levy during the suspension period.

Before Trump’s move, EU member states had approved retaliatory duties in response to earlier US tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminum, which the EU called “unjustified and damaging.” These EU measures were scheduled to begin in phases starting April 15.

The goods affected represent a small portion of the $1.8 trillion in annual US-EU trade, which the European Commission describes as “the most important commercial relationship in the world.” Daily transatlantic trade totals over $4.7 billion.

The EU has offered a “zero for zero” deal to eliminate tariffs on industrial goods, including autos, but Trump has pushed for additional concessions—namely increased purchases of US liquefied natural gas.

While preparing a new set of potential countermeasures, including actions targeting US tech and services sectors, the EU reiterated its preference for diplomacy. Von der Leyen also emphasized Europe’s strategy to expand global trade ties and reduce internal market barriers.

“Together, Europeans will emerge stronger from this crisis,” she said.

 

Russia Frees US Citizen Ksenia Karelina in Prisoner Swap

Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American woman jailed in Russia for treason, returned to the US late Thursday following a high-level prisoner exchange with Moscow.

Her release, facilitated in Abu Dhabi, came in return for Arthur Petrov, a Russian-German national convicted in the US of smuggling microelectronics to Russia.

Karelina, also known as Ksenia Khavana, was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February 2024 after donating $51.80 to a US charity supporting Ukraine. Russian authorities accused her of collecting funds for military aid to Kyiv and sentenced her on treason charges.

US officials had condemned the case as politically motivated.

She arrived at Joint Base Andrews around 11 p.m. EDT, where she was greeted by her fiancé, professional boxer Chris van Heerden. Trump envoy Morgan Ortagus welcomed her with flowers.

President Donald Trump confirmed he discussed her release directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin and credited UFC president Dana White for alerting him to her detention.

Petrov, arrested in Cyprus in 2023 and extradited to the US, faced up to 20 years in prison for allegedly acquiring sensitive components for Russia’s weapons industry in violation of export controls.

The swap took place under United Arab Emirates (UAE) mediation, with footage showing both detainees boarding and deplaning aircraft in Abu Dhabi.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe praised US intelligence officers involved in the negotiation. The CIA emphasized the need to maintain communication channels with Moscow, despite rising bilateral tensions.

Karelina’s release follows a string of recent prisoner swaps, including the February return of American teacher Marc Fogel. It is the second major exchange since Trump took office and reversed the prior US policy of isolating Russia.

Meanwhile, diplomats from both countries met in Istanbul to discuss embassy operations and restore diplomatic banking services. Russian Ambassador Alexander Darchiyev described the talks as “positive” and noted progress on easing diplomatic travel and recovering Russian property seized by US authorities.

 

Japan Scrambles Jets 704 Times in Response to Chinese and Russian Aircraft

Japan scrambled fighter jets 704 times in the past fiscal year in response to foreign aircraft incursions, with a sharp rise in intercepts involving Chinese drones, the country’s military announced Thursday.

Of the total scrambles for the year ending March 31, 464 — roughly 66% — were in reaction to Chinese aircraft or drones, according to Japan’s Joint Staff.

While the overall number of Chinese sorties decreased slightly from 479 the previous year, the number of drone intercepts tripled from 9 to 30.

Russian aircraft accounted for 237 intercepts, up significantly from 174 the year prior.

Japan’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that the Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets 704 times in response to possible airspace violations in fiscal 2024, up by 35 from the previous year. https://t.co/bKiMreCaFg

— The Japan Times (@japantimes) April 11, 2025

The surge follows joint Chinese-Russian naval drills in the Sea of Japan last September, which Russian President Vladimir Putin described as the largest in three decades.

Japan’s Chief of Staff, Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, stated that the overall trend remains elevated.

Most of the Chinese aircraft activity occurred near Taiwan and Okinawa, areas of increasing strategic tension. Beijing continues to intensify military pressure on Taiwan, which it claims as part of its territory, including holding large-scale drills viewed by analysts as rehearsals for a possible invasion.

In August, a Chinese aircraft violated Japanese airspace near Kyushu for the first time. The following month, a Japanese jet fired a signal flare to deter a Russian aircraft breaching territorial airspace off Hokkaido — the first such flare deployment recorded.

Yesterday, the JASDF Northern Air Defense Force’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.
JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7. (sample image) pic.twitter.com/2qmLOEmgr5

— Japan Joint Staff (@JapanJointStaff) April 11, 2025

Russia resumed full-circle flights around Japan’s archipelago for the first time since 2019, prompting additional intercepts. These incidents come amid deteriorating relations between Tokyo and Moscow following Japan’s support for Ukraine, including sanctions and material aid.

In response to growing aerial threats, Japan’s defense ministry confirmed this week that the US military will deploy long-range surveillance drones to Okinawa to enhance intelligence gathering across the region.

 

Sources: News Agencies