SOFREP Daily: Russia Pounds Ukraine with Drones and Missiles, Putin Offers Debt Forgiveness to New Recruits, Russia Captures British Fighter

Good morning! Let’s kick off Monday morning with a quick look at the top defense and global affairs stories for November 25.

Russia Pounds Ukraine with Drones and Missiles, Targets Kharkiv Again

Russian missile strikes injured 19 people and damaged 41 buildings in Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv overnight into Monday, with attacks reported in Kyiv, Odessa, and Zaporizhzhia as well.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the barrage, which included 145 drones and missiles, as a targeted campaign of terror.

Ukraine’s air force successfully downed 71 drones, but one reportedly entered Belarusian airspace.

The occupiers continue to attack regions across Ukraine. Currently, a rescue operation is underway in Kharkiv following a missile strike. So far, we know of 19 casualties. Dozens of strike drones attacked Zaporizhzhia, injuring a child. Odesa was also hit, with missile fragments… pic.twitter.com/0Q0WCXzxsN

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 25, 2024

Russia also claimed it intercepted 23 Ukrainian drones, with one causing a fire at a manufacturing facility in Kaluga Oblast.

Along the eastern front, Russian forces launched new assaults, including an amphibious operation across the Oskil River in Kharkiv’s eastern region.

Ukrainian officials and military bloggers reported that Russia aims to capture Kupyansk, a strategic town, though these claims remain unverified.

Zelenskyy emphasized the need for international pressure, sanctions, and continued military support to stop the attacks, describing Kharkiv as a city under relentless fire since the war began in early 2022.

Putin Offers Debt Forgiveness to Boost Army Ranks in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Saturday offering debt forgiveness for new recruits who join the army to fight in Ukraine.

The measure wipes out debts of up to 10 million rubles (around $96,000) for those enlisting on a one-year contract and even extends to their spouses.

This is part of Russia’s broader push to boost recruitment without resorting to another controversial mobilization.

The recruitment effort comes as the war approaches its third year, straining both sides.

Reports also suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia, adding further challenges for Ukraine’s already overstretched forces.

UK Launches AI Defenses to Counter Russian Cyber Threats

British officials are ramping up their efforts against Russian cyber threats by launching a cutting-edge AI lab, the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence Security Research (LAISR).

In a Monday speech, Minister Pat McFadden will emphasize that the United Kingdom (UK) and NATO allies are actively countering Moscow’s cyberattacks both publicly and behind the scenes.

Drawing parallels to lessons from World War II, McFadden vows that Britain will not yield to Vladimir Putin’s attempts to weaken support for Ukraine.

The AI lab, backed by £8.22 million ($10 million) in funding, will bring together top institutions like Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), Oxford University, and the National Cyber Security Centre.

Oxford University just launched a new AI lab. The focus is to create a space to examine the nexus between philosophy and AI. Extremely impressive to see @mbrendan1’s vision with @cosmos_inst come to life pic.twitter.com/sdgHeRvjgk

— Lisa Wehden (@lisawehden) November 16, 2024

McFadden warns that cyber warfare has become a daily reality, with AI both amplifying threats and offering powerful tools to enhance defense and intelligence capabilities.

Additionally, a new £1 million ($1.3 million) incident response initiative will help allies tackle cyberattacks more effectively.

McFadden calls for resilience against Russia’s aggressive tactics amid escalating tensions, including recent drone and missile strikes, while reaffirming unwavering support for Ukraine.

Russia Captures British Fighter in Ukraine

Russian forces have reportedly captured a British national, James Scott Rhys Anderson, who was fighting alongside Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region.

According to reports Monday, Anderson, a former British Army signalman, joined Ukraine’s International Legion early in the conflict.

🇬🇧Russian soldiers have captured a British mercenary

A British militant, James Scott Rhys Anderson, has been captured by Russian soldiers in the Kursk region.

The captured mercenary was formerly a senior soldier in the British Army.https://t.co/lYGfQ1lLJh pic.twitter.com/FKVXIMHPoF

— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) November 24, 2024

Meanwhile, Russia has ramped up its offensive, launching daylight drone strikes on civilian areas and making faster ground gains in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War warned that Russia is exploiting vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s defenses, achieving progress at a pace unseen since the start of the conflict.

As the war surpasses 1,000 days, the situation has escalated significantly, with Ukrainian forces under pressure to hold the line against Russia’s larger and increasingly aggressive army.

Israel Seeks Ceasefire Deal with Hezbollah Amid Ongoing Clashes

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah may be on the horizon, with Israeli Ambassador Mike Herzog on Monday saying the agreement could happen “within days.”

However, key points still need to be finalized, including Israel’s demand to reserve the right to act if Hezbollah violates the deal. The ceasefire aims to reduce tensions and push both forces out of southern Lebanon, an area that has seen ongoing conflict.

The agreement follows accusations from both sides of violating a 2006 UN resolution, with Israel alleging Hezbollah’s failure to disarm and Lebanon accusing Israel of military incursions into its territory.

Optimism for a resolution grew after a top US envoy facilitated recent talks.

The fighting, which began over a year ago, has escalated into full-scale war, with Hezbollah launching thousands of rockets, including 250 on Sunday, and Israel responding with airstrikes and ground incursions.

Middle East Bloodshed Makes 2024 Deadliest Year for Humanitarians

2024 has become the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers, with 281 aid staff killed so far, according to the United Nations on Friday.

Most of the deaths have occurred in the Middle East, especially in Gaza, where 230 aid workers lost their lives. The global total surpasses last year’s record of 280 fatalities, and the majority of those killed were national staff members working for non-UN organizations like the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

UN spokesman Jens Laerke called the numbers a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by those working selflessly in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen.

Violence, kidnappings, and detentions are widespread threats to aid workers in these areas.

Today, we have reached a grim milestone.

281 aid workers have been killed this year, the highest toll on record.

“They show the best humanity has to offer and they are getting killed in return.”

Those in power must #ActForHumanity and ensure the protection of humanitarians. pic.twitter.com/ovYuQN1ZyB

— UN Humanitarian (@UNOCHA) November 22, 2024

The grim statistics highlight the impact of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2023 and has claimed over 44,000 lives in Gaza alone.

Aid workers, caught in the crossfire of escalating global violence, are paying the ultimate price for their courage and dedication.

Haiti’s Gangs Target Children as Violence Escalates

Haiti’s gangs are recruiting children at alarming rates, with minors now making up 30-50 percent of gang members, according to a new United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) report released on Sunday.

Poverty and violence are driving this trend, as gangs exploit the desperation of children and families in a country where over 60 percent live on less than $4 a day.

Young boys are often used as informants or forced into violence, while girls are subjected to cooking, cleaning, and sexual exploitation.

Number of children recruited by violent gangs in Haiti up 70%, says UNICEF
➡️ https://t.co/WxcwSKQqMp pic.twitter.com/kkkMz6Npv0

— FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) November 25, 2024

Children who resist recruitment face threats, abduction, or worse. Those deported from the Dominican Republic are especially vulnerable, often targeted upon their return.

The situation is worsened by school closures, homelessness, and widespread gang control over 85 percent of Port-au-Prince. Some children manage to escape or are rescued by nonprofits offering medical and psychological support, but reintegration is a slow and difficult process.