SOFREP Evening Brief: Houthis Launch Missile at Northern Israel, Explosions Rock Russian Ammunition Depot Near Moscow

Good evening! Let’s dive into SOFREP’s evening brief with the top defense and global affairs updates for Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Houthis fired a missile at Haifa and claimed to have downed a US drone. Iran slammed new US sanctions before nuclear talks. Uganda’s army chief met CODECO militia after Congo clashes. VP Vance warned the US may exit Ukraine peace talks. Explosions hit a Russian ammo depot near Moscow. Lithuania released a wartime evacuation plan. India blamed Pakistan for a Kashmir attack, cut diplomatic ties, and suspended a key water treaty.

—

Houthis Launch Missile at Northern Israel, Claim Downing Another US Drone Amid Ongoing Airstrikes

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile early Wednesday targeting northern Israel, marking the first confirmed strike by the group to reach the Haifa area, according to the Israeli military.

Sirens sounded in Haifa, Krayot, and nearby locations near the Sea of Galilee. Israeli forces reported successfully intercepting the missile.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating the group launched a hypersonic missile at Haifa. Although Saree has made similar claims before, Israel acknowledged this is the first time a Houthi missile reached the region.

🚨Sirens sounding in northern Israel due to projectile fire from Yemen pic.twitter.com/OYTqPjCqsj

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 23, 2025

The missile launch comes amid an intensified US airstrike campaign, ongoing since March 15, targeting Houthi positions in Yemen.

The Houthis reported American strikes Wednesday morning in the Hodeida, Marib, and Saada governorates, with one strike allegedly hitting telecommunication equipment in Marib.

Late Tuesday, the Houthis also claimed to have downed another American MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen’s Hajjah governorate using a locally produced missile. The US military acknowledged the report but withheld further comment. The rebels say they have shot down 26 such drones over the past decade.

The Yemeni Ansar Allah (Houthis) published video with another US MQ-9 Reaper UCAV, that was shot down over Yemen. As claimed it’s 20th downed MQ-9 from autumn 2023 and 5th downed MQ-9 in last three weeks. pic.twitter.com/2C5O3QvP0o

— Yuri Lyamin (@imp_navigator) April 18, 2025

MQ-9 Reapers, valued at around $30 million each, are long-endurance surveillance and strike drones.

The US operation under President Donald Trump is reportedly more extensive than the limited strikes conducted during the Biden administration. The campaign escalated after Houthi threats to resume attacks on Israeli-linked shipping amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. From November 2023 to January 2024, Houthis attacked over 100 merchant vessels in the Red Sea, sinking two and killing four sailors.

American officials have provided little detail on targets or casualties during the current campaign. The Houthis have restricted access to affected areas, further complicating independent assessments. However, a recent strike on the Ras Isa fuel port killed at least 74 people and injured 171, making it the deadliest known incident of the US campaign so far.

The Houthis remain the last group in Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” still actively striking Israel. Though Tehran denies arming the rebels, Iranian-manufactured weapons have been repeatedly found in Houthi hands despite a United Nations (UN) arms embargo.

Iran Condemns New US Sanctions Ahead of Fresh Nuclear Talks

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the latest round of US sanctions targeting its oil and gas network, labeling the move as evidence of Washington’s “hostile approach” just days before a scheduled round of nuclear talks.

The statement, delivered Wednesday by Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, accused the US of undermining diplomacy with contradictory actions.

Iran slams US for imposing new sanctions

The Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baqaei, has strongly condemned the #UnitedStates for imposing new sanctions on a group of individuals and entities related to Iran’s energy, oil, and gas sectors, as well as… pic.twitter.com/QLibHD0HYI

— Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) April 23, 2025

On Tuesday, the US Treasury Department sanctioned Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh—an Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) magnate—and his corporate network.

The Treasury said the group had facilitated the shipment of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil to foreign markets in violation of US sanctions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Emamjomeh’s network sought to bypass sanctions by attempting to export thousands of LPG shipments, including from the United States. He reiterated Washington’s commitment to “hold accountable those who provide the Iranian regime with the funding it needs to further its destabilizing activities.”

New @USTreasury sanctions on Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh are greatly welcomed. We @UANI have been tracking his activities overseas & in Iran. His illicit shipping activities have been funding the IRGC. This network is tied to Imam Sadegh University,which should be the next target… pic.twitter.com/dCnLVW5Fay

— Kasra Aarabi (کسری اعرابی) (@KasraAarabi) April 23, 2025

The sanctions were announced as Iran and the United States prepare for a third round of indirect nuclear negotiations. Two previous meetings were held in Muscat and Rome since April 12. A third is scheduled for April 26 in Muscat, coinciding with a technical-level expert meeting.

US President Donald Trump has reinstated the “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran. In March, he sent a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing dialogue but warning of possible military consequences if talks failed.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described last weekend’s session in Rome as “good” and said negotiations are progressing. President Trump echoed that assessment on Monday, stating the US had “very good meetings” regarding Iran.

Western nations, including the US, continue to accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities—claims Tehran denies, asserting its program is strictly for civilian purposes.

Ugandan Army Chief Meets Militia Leaders After Clashes in Eastern Congo

Uganda’s Army Chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, met Tuesday with leaders of the CODECO (French: Coopérative pour le développement du Congo) militia in Entebbe, following recent deadly clashes between the group and the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

The meeting marked a rare high-level engagement between Uganda and the Lendu militia, which operates in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

An Army statement confirmed the talks and said Kainerugaba encouraged CODECO leaders to partner with the UPDF to promote peace and stability in eastern Congo. The meeting was described as a key move in Uganda’s broader regional peace efforts.

CODECO rebel leaders meet Gen. Muhoozi, apologise for attacks on UPDF

Dunji thanked the CDF for Uganda’s hospitality and expressed regret over the clashes between CODECO militants and the UPDF in Fataki.

DETAILS 👉👉https://t.co/FWXIkN9eKu#VisionUpdates pic.twitter.com/QvanQRPC4w

— The New Vision (@newvisionwire) April 23, 2025

CODECO is one of several armed groups vying for control in the resource-rich region. Uganda launched an offensive against the militia in March near Mahagi, close to strategic oil reserves, and claimed to have killed hundreds of fighters.

Uganda has maintained a military presence in eastern DRC since late 2021, supporting Congolese forces against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan-origin rebel group linked to the Islamic State.

While Uganda has taken a lower profile in the conflict compared to other regional players, analysts say it is pursuing a complex strategy. A Senior Army source told AFP the meeting with CODECO could be a signal to the ADF that reconciliation is possible, and also an attempt to frame Uganda’s presence in eastern DRC as a peacekeeping effort.

Uganda’s engagement comes amid heightened instability in the region, with the M23 rebel group capturing key cities earlier this year.

UN experts have accused Rwanda of backing M23, a charge Kigali denies.

VP Vance Warns US May Abandon Ceasefire Push in Ukraine Without Progress

US Vice President JD Vance warned Wednesday that Washington will withdraw from ceasefire negotiations if Moscow and Kyiv fail to reach a deal.

Speaking during a visit to India, Vance stated, “We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes, or for the United States to walk away from this process.”

His comments come as US, Ukrainian, and European envoys meet in the UK as part of a renewed American push to end the war in Ukraine.

Vance signaled Washington’s intent to freeze territorial lines roughly as they stand now and called on both parties to make concessions.

“That means the Ukrainians and the Russians are both going to have to give up some of the territory they currently own,” he said, framing the move as necessary to “stop the killing.”

President Donald Trump, who previously vowed to broker peace within 24 hours of taking office, has yet to secure any breakthrough.

In March, he proposed an unconditional ceasefire accepted in principle by Kyiv but rejected by the Kremlin.

The White House recently welcomed a temporary agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure. However, Russia has since declared that 30-day moratorium expired, casting doubt on its lasting effect.

Explosions Rock Russian Ammunition Depot Near Moscow, Injuring Four

Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed a series of explosions Tuesday at a major military depot in the Vladimir region, approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) northeast of Moscow.

The blasts occurred after a fire broke out at the Barsovo ammunition storage site, reportedly due to “violations of safety standards in work with explosive materials,” according to an official statement.

The incident injured four individuals, and roughly 450 residents from nearby villages were evacuated as detonations continued. Regional authorities declared a state of emergency in the Kirzhach district, where the depot is located.

Unverified footage circulated online showed a large fireball erupting into the sky, followed by loud explosions and heavy smoke. Emergency vehicles were seen speeding through city streets toward the blast site.

💥 A massive explosion rocked a Russian military ammo depot in Russia’s Vladimir region on April 22.

The blast hit military unit 11785, reportedly storing over 100,000 tons of munitions—artillery shells, MLRS rockets, air defense components, and Tochka-U missiles. pic.twitter.com/Mf1SAI3Wef

— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) April 23, 2025

A special commission has been appointed to investigate the incident.

The Barsovo depot is a key military facility with a reported capacity to store over 250,000 tons of ammunition, as cited in a 2009 article from Krasnaya Zvezda, the Russian Army’s official newspaper.

Residents of seven settlements are being evacuated after explosions in the Kirzhach district of the Vladimir region, where the 51st arsenal of the GRAU is located.

Explosions in the area of the village of Barsovo continue. Secondary detonation is heard 👍https://t.co/VmIjxClaPb pic.twitter.com/iCxioH5XR5

— Гакрукс (@Gakruks1) April 22, 2025

This is the latest in a series of incidents at the depot. In 2022, five people were killed in a similar explosion, and in March 2025, residents of Barsovo were evacuated following a drone strike.

Lithuania Unveils Wartime Evacuation Plan Amid Russia Threat

The city of Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, released an official wartime evacuation plan on Wednesday, citing concerns that the Baltic NATO member could become a Russian target.

The plan outlines three primary evacuation routes heading west, as officials anticipate any threat would likely come from the east, echoing historical patterns.

Mayor Valdas Benkunskas emphasized preparedness over panic:

“Our goal is clear: to have a plan, to have coordination between institutions, to know who is responsible for what, and to trust our defense forces… hoping that this plan will never need to be activated.”

Vilnius, home to over 600,000 residents, is just 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Belarusian border—a territory used by Russia during its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Lithuanian officials fear Moscow could replicate that scenario in the Baltics.

Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, has released a comprehensive evacuation plan designed to guide residents through emergencies ranging from infrastructure accidents and nuclear incidents to hybrid and military attacks. pic.twitter.com/pNeeivCdnN

— TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) April 23, 2025

The city plans to conduct evacuation drills in the fall. Officials estimate a full evacuation could be completed within 48 hours if needed.

The plan also accounts for natural disasters and potential incidents at Belarus’s Ostrovets nuclear power plant, located roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Vilnius. Lithuania has staged decontamination drills and distributed iodide tablets in recent years, arguing the Russian-built facility poses a safety risk—a claim denied by Belarus and Russia.

The announcement comes ahead of the upcoming Zapad military exercises in September, where Russian and Belarusian forces are expected to amass troops near the region’s borders, raising regional security concerns.

India Blames Pakistan for Kashmir Attack, Downgrades Ties and Suspends Water Treaty

India blamed Pakistan on Wednesday for a deadly militant attack that killed 26 people in Indian-controlled Kashmir, prompting New Delhi to downgrade diplomatic relations and suspend the decades-old Indus Water Treaty.

The decision came a day after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in a valley near Pahalgam, killing 24 Indian nationals, one Nepali tourist, and a local guide. Seventeen others were wounded.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the measures following an emergency cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said India had “credible cross-border links” to the attack, though no evidence was publicly presented. India expelled Pakistani diplomats, recalled its own from Islamabad, and reduced diplomatic staff from 55 to 30 in each country. The main land border crossing was also closed.

Pakistan denied involvement, accused India of using the attack as a pretext to scrap the World Bank-brokered Indus Water Treaty, and said it would formally respond after a high-level meeting.

The militant group Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility, stating on social media that the victims were affiliated with Indian security agencies. The claim could not be independently verified. Indian authorities have identified the group as a new threat and launched a massive manhunt using soldiers, helicopters, and surveillance checkpoints across the region.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh vowed to punish not only the perpetrators but also their alleged foreign backers. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the attack site and met with victims’ families, pledging severe retaliation.

The attack is the worst targeting of civilians in years in the disputed region, where New Delhi has faced a persistent separatist insurgency since 1989. India accuses Pakistan of supporting the militants, while Pakistan denies the charge and asserts that the insurgency is homegrown.

The killing has triggered a mass exodus of tourists from the region, undermining Indian efforts to present Kashmir as secure and open for business following the revocation of its semi-autonomous status in 2019. Despite heavy militarization and restrictions, the region has seen a tourism boom in recent years, which officials touted as a sign of stability.

The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, had survived past wars and hostilities. India now demands that Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably abjure support for cross-border terrorism” before it is reinstated.

Kashmir remains a flashpoint between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. While overall violence has decreased in the Kashmir Valley, recent years have seen intensified clashes in the Jammu region, where Indian forces have sustained heavy casualties.

Sources: News Agencies