SOFREP Morning Brief: Russian Missile and Drone Strike Kills Nine in Kyiv, India Summons Pakistani Diplomat After Kashmir Attack

Morning! Welcome back to SOFREP’s morning brief. Let’s dive into today’s defense and global affairs updates for April 24, 2025: An Israeli strike hit a Gaza school, killing 10. Jordan banned the Muslim Brotherhood and raided its political wing. US states advanced anti-China laws on tech, trade, and land. US Air Force Academy plans major civilian layoffs and academic cuts. Trump pushed Zelenskyy on Crimea, threatening to exit peace talks. A Russian strike killed 9 in Kyiv. Poland warned Russia and urged Western unity. South Korea indicted ex-president Moon for bribery. India blamed Pakistan for the Kashmir attack and downgraded ties.

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Israeli Airstrike Hits Gaza School, Kills 10; Hospital ICU Damaged Amid Ongoing Offensive

An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday hit a school in Gaza City sheltering displaced civilians, killing at least 10 people, according to local medics.

The strike ignited tents and classrooms at the Yaffa School in the Tuffah district. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with civilians, many of them burned, being pulled from the wreckage.

The Israeli military said the strike targeted militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad allegedly operating from within the school grounds. Officials claimed they took steps to minimize civilian casualties. The airstrike is part of Israel’s continued offensive following the collapse of a ceasefire on March 18.

Since then, Israeli attacks have killed over 1,600 Palestinians, many of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel has also imposed a total blockade on Gaza, halting all deliveries of fuel, electricity, and goods since early March.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, an Israeli missile struck Durra Children’s Hospital in Gaza City, damaging the intensive care unit and destroying the solar power system that sustained the facility.

No casualties were reported, but medics warned that Gaza’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse due to shortages caused by the ongoing siege.

An Israeli missile hit Gaza’s Durra Children’s Hospital, damaging the ICU and destroying its solar power system, according to the Health Ministry.

🔴 Follow our LIVE coverage: https://t.co/sxRAnDAqL8 pic.twitter.com/dCjRYawvl4

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 24, 2025

At least 36 people were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Wednesday, according to medical sources.

The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Britain issued a joint call urging Israel to adhere to international law, allow unrestricted humanitarian aid, and restore the ceasefire. They also called for the release of 59 remaining hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the criticism, claiming there is no shortage of aid in Gaza—a claim contradicted by medical personnel and civilians on the ground.

Hamas released a video on Wednesday showing hostage Omri Miran, 48, pleading for a resolution.

⚡️BREAKING

“Shalom, I am Omri Miran, and this is my second birthday in Hamas captivity.”

-Al-Qassam Brigades pic.twitter.com/PlcYpdPkq9

— Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) April 23, 2025

Israeli authorities dismissed the video as psychological warfare. Hamas insists it will release hostages only under a deal that ends the war and continues to reject demands to disarm.

The war began on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas-led attack killed 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages. Since then, over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials.

Jordan Bans Muslim Brotherhood, Raids Opposition Party Tied to Group

Jordan announced a sweeping ban on the Muslim Brotherhood on Wednesday, declaring the group illegal and initiating steps that could shutter the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the country’s largest opposition party.

The move follows accusations that Brotherhood members were involved in plotting attacks and destabilizing the country.

The Interior Ministry said Brotherhood members “operate in the dark” and have “tampered with security and national unity.” It cited attempts by members to manufacture and test explosives for use against security forces. No names or detailed evidence were publicly released.

Police raided and searched the IAF headquarters in the capital, seizing boxes of documents. The government said political activities tied to the Brotherhood are now banned, its offices will be shut, and efforts to seize its assets will accelerate.

Last week, Jordanian authorities announced the arrest of 16 individuals allegedly linked to unlicensed groups, in possession of short-range missiles, explosives, and automatic weapons.

Officials tied the accused to the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Islamic Action Front distanced itself from the Brotherhood, with Secretary-General Wael Al-Saqqa insisting the party operates legally and independently.

“We always declare that we are committed to order, the law, and the provisions of the constitution,” he said.

Analysts say the announcement marks a decisive break from Jordan’s past policy of tolerating the Brotherhood while restricting its activities.

“The relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood has fundamentally changed and will not return to its previous state,” political analyst Amer Sabaileh told the Associated Press.

The Brotherhood, founded in Egypt nearly a century ago, has branches across the region. Though it claims to pursue Islamic governance through peaceful political means, many governments—including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—designate it as a terrorist organization.

Jordan had banned the group a decade ago but allowed a splinter faction and tolerated the IAF until now.

Jordan remains a key Western ally in a turbulent region, sharing borders with Israel, the West Bank, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, and hosting large numbers of refugees from regional conflicts.

US States Escalate Anti-China Measures, Target Tech, Property, and Trade Ties

State lawmakers across the United States have introduced more than 240 anti-China proposals in 2024, aiming to restrict Chinese influence over technology, trade, and property.

The wave of legislation spans at least 41 states, primarily Republican-led, and marks a significant policy shift away from years of local-level engagement with Beijing.

The proposals target a wide range of issues, including bans on Chinese-made drones, software, and hardware in government contracts, as well as blocking state pension funds from investing in Chinese companies.

Some states, like Arkansas and Kansas, have gone further—banning promotional items tied to China and enacting restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI), medical equipment, and sister-city relationships with Chinese municipalities.

Tennessee now bars health insurance coverage for organ transplants conducted in China, while Kansas has passed laws to prevent foreign adversaries—particularly China—from owning property near military bases.

MAP SHOWS CHINESE-OWNED FARMLAND NEXT TO 19 US MILITARY BASES IN ‘ALARMING’ THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY (NYP)

China has been buying up strategically placed farmland next to military installations across the US, raising national security fears over potential espionage or even… pic.twitter.com/aGQ47LOlld

— FXHedge (@Fxhedgers) April 10, 2025

The legislative surge reflects growing bipartisan mistrust of China, but it aligns most closely with President Donald Trump’s “America First” stance, particularly amid his renewed campaign and imposition of 145% tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump-era rhetoric and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a hardline posture at the state level.

The February 2023 Chinese spy balloon incident further alarmed state leaders, reinforcing perceptions of China as a direct surveillance and security threat. Some lawmakers now associate Chinese investments in farmland and infrastructure with espionage or food security risks.

Despite the momentum, some skepticism remains, even among conservatives. Critics point out that Chinese interests hold only about 0.02% of US agricultural land, and symbolic measures, like banning sister-city ties, may lack practical impact. In North Dakota, lawmakers recently rejected a proposal to divest state oil tax revenue funds from Chinese-linked entities, citing inconsistency and economic complexity.

Still, analysts expect the anti-China push to continue, regardless of whether Trump returns to the White House. While state-level efforts have limited short-term effect, they underscore a broader shift toward economic and political decoupling and a bipartisan willingness to challenge Beijing’s reach—especially in cyberspace and infrastructure.

US Air Force Academy Braces for Major Civilian Layoffs Amid Budget Cuts, May Reduce Graduation Requirements

The US Air Force Academy is preparing for significant civilian workforce reductions as part of a broader service-wide budget cut expected to eliminate 5,000 civilian positions under the upcoming 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.

Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind told faculty on April 11 that the academy is preparing to cut 240 civilian roles, even as 140 employees have already resigned through federal deferred resignation programs.

It remains unclear whether those resignations will offset the targeted cuts.

The Academy has not provided an official update on final numbers, and uncertainty persists about how deeply the reductions will impact academic operations.

#USAFA Prep School cadet candidates are back from spring break—refreshed, focused and ready to crush the rest of the semester.📚💪

From the classroom to military training, they’re sharpening their minds and bodies to become the leaders our @usairforce and @SpaceForceDoD needs.⚔ pic.twitter.com/U1bWOXo5yK

— U.S. Air Force Academy (@af_academy) April 17, 2025

Internal communications suggest that the cuts may force the academy to eliminate some majors and minors and reduce the credit-hour requirement for graduation from 125 to 120 hours. The Academy currently employs around 1,360 civilians, who fill essential roles ranging from academic instruction to administrative and childcare support. Of its 491 faculty members, 183 are civilians.

Bauernfeind acknowledged the staffing cuts will hurt and cited both budgetary constraints and the need to support high-priority programs like the F-47 next-generation fighter jet. However, some faculty members questioned the rationale, arguing that the Academy’s budget is a minor part of overall defense spending and that civilian professors are more cost-effective than uniformed faculty.

A 2013 RAND Corporation study supports that view, concluding that civilian faculty are not only cheaper but often bring more teaching experience and academic connections. Despite this, the Air Force is reportedly unwilling to backfill the academy’s over-budget civilian spending.

The Academy issued a letter last week to incoming cadets, reassuring them of its commitment to a “world-class” education and dynamic academic environment. But internal sources say this type of messaging is unprecedented and reflects growing concern over how the cuts may impact accreditation and student retention—especially among top-performing underclassmen.

Some faculty warned that delays in the fall class registration deadline and ambiguity surrounding course offerings further indicate operational strain.

“We are committed to delivering world-class military training, academics and athletics,” the Academy said in a public statement, but many instructors remain doubtful as uncertainty clouds the upcoming academic year.

Trump Pressures Zelenskyy Over Crimea, Threatens to Walk Away From Ukraine Peace Talks

President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, criticizing him for refusing to consider territorial concessions, particularly over Crimea, as part of an emerging US-backed peace plan with Russia.

Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the “killing field” by rejecting the idea of freezing current territorial lines as a basis for negotiations.

President Donald Trump: “The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the “killing field,” and nobody wants that! We are very close to a Deal, but the man with “no cards to play” should now, finally, GET IT DONE.” pic.twitter.com/tKsMyoxztB

— The Union Herald (@TheUnionHerald) April 23, 2025

Zelenskyy on Tuesday reaffirmed that Ukraine would not cede any land to Russia, stating, “It is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people.” His comments came ahead of a diplomatic meeting in London between US, European, and Ukrainian officials focused on advancing ceasefire efforts.

Trump, who campaigned on a promise to end the war within 24 hours, claimed a deal was close and warned that Zelenskyy risks “losing the whole country” if he continues to resist compromises. He defended the proposed framework, arguing Ukraine did not fight for Crimea when Russia annexed it in 2014 and suggesting Kyiv must now face political reality.

NEW: The US reportedly recently presented Ukraine with a seven-point proposal to end the war in Ukraine in which the US would recognize Crimea as part of Russia and allow Russian forces to continue to occupy significant parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. Available reporting… pic.twitter.com/kQY5J9UZSF

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) April 24, 2025

Analysts and European officials say any immediate ceasefire will likely need to reflect the current frontlines, with Russia now entrenched in five Ukrainian regions: Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

While some European allies remain skeptical of land-for-peace concessions, there is growing recognition that battlefield momentum favors Moscow and that continued fighting may yield further civilian and military casualties without shifting territorial realities.

Russian Missile and Drone Strike Kills Nine in Kyiv, Dozens Injured

A Russian missile and drone barrage struck Ukraine’s capital Kyiv early Thursday, killing at least nine people and injuring 63 others, including six children, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that the overnight assault involved drones and ballistic missiles, hitting multiple residential areas across the city.

The attack, which began around 1:00 a.m., caused fires and structural damage in at least four neighborhoods, including Sviatoshynskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and Holosiivskyi districts.

Emergency responders reported that at least 42 people were hospitalized, and rescue operations continued into the morning as crews searched through rubble for additional victims.

It has been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes. This was a proposal from the United States. And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people and evading tough pressure and accountability for its actions.

It is extremely… pic.twitter.com/87CSHvsvqG

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2025

In Sviatoshynskyi, a residential building was hit directly, sparking a fire and causing fatalities. On-site rescue teams recovered bodies and treated survivors, while scenes of destruction were confirmed by Associated Press reporters.

The assault came just hours after peace negotiations appeared to stall.

Сорок чотири дні, як Україна погодилась на повне припинення вогню та ударів. Це була пропозиція Сполучених Штатів. Сорок чотири дні, як Росія продовжує вбивати людей та уникати жорсткого тиску й відповідальності за це.

Дуже важливо, щоб всі у світі бачили та розуміли, що… pic.twitter.com/bWbMr5rUKB

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2025

As of Thursday morning, fires were still active in multiple districts, and emergency services remained deployed across the city. The attack marks one of the deadliest strikes on Kyiv in recent months, reinforcing Ukraine’s call for continued international military and humanitarian support.

Poland’s Foreign Minister Rebukes Russia, Warns Against Disunity in West

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski delivered a blunt message to Russia on Wednesday during his annual address to parliament, warning against further aggression as war in neighboring Ukraine enters its third year.

Addressing Russian leaders directly, Sikorski asked, “Don’t you have enough land? Eleven time zones and still not enough?”

Sikorski condemned Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and expressed deep concern over deteriorating regional security. He emphasized that anxiety about potential Russian aggression has taken hold in Polish homes and warned of the broader risk of Western disintegration in the face of continued Russian pressure.

Poland, a NATO member on the alliance’s eastern flank, remains one of Kyiv’s most vocal backers. Sikorski cautioned that the erosion of unity between Europe and the US poses a greater threat than Russia alone.

“We cannot afford illusions or inaction. We cannot afford to be alone,” he stated.

Though Sikorski did not mention President Donald Trump by name, he appeared to criticize the current US administration’s approach to the conflict.

Sikorski reasserted Poland’s firm opposition to Russian imperial ambitions, declaring: “You will never rule here again, neither in Kyiv, nor in Vilnius, nor in Riga, nor in Tallinn, nor in Chisinau.”

Speaking in the Polish parliament, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski asked the Russians why they are invading Ukraine:

“Don’t you have enough land?” pic.twitter.com/fWrJiEzdXF

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 23, 2025

On the battlefield, Sikorski described the situation as “ambiguous,” noting Russia’s limited territorial gains despite massive losses. He said Russia now controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, far short of its objectives.

“After three years of this stage of the war, which Putin planned for three days… almost a million Russian soldiers have been eliminated from the battlefield,” he added, estimating the war has cost Moscow at least $200 billion.

Sikorski also stressed that Ukraine has withstood the assault, maintaining its capital and avoiding the installation of a puppet regime, despite enduring heavy casualties and continuous strikes.

The speech reflects growing urgency in Poland and among its European allies to shore up collective defense and deter further Russian expansionism, especially amid shifting signals from Washington.

Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in Indicted on Bribery Charges

South Korean prosecutors indicted former President Moon Jae-in on bribery charges Thursday, alleging that a budget airline provided his then-son-in-law with a high-paying no-show job during Moon’s presidency.

The indictment places Moon among a long line of South Korean leaders to face legal scrutiny after leaving office.

According to the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office, Moon accepted 217 million won (approx. $151,700) in the form of housing, wages, and financial support through Thai Eastar Jet founder Lee Sang-jik, who allegedly arranged the illicit compensation between 2018 and 2020.

Moon’s son-in-law was reportedly employed in a director-level position in Thailand, despite lacking experience in the airline industry and rarely appearing in the office.

Lee, a former political ally who worked on Moon’s campaign, was also indicted on bribery and breach-of-trust charges. Prosecutors said they found no direct evidence that Moon offered political favors in exchange for the benefits, but claimed Lee expected preferential treatment in return.

Lee later received high-profile roles, including leadership of the state-funded Korea SME and Startups Agency and a nomination for parliament by Moon’s party. However, authorities stated they uncovered no proof that Moon influenced these appointments.

There has been no public response from Moon as of Thursday.

South Korea prosecutors indict ex-president Moon Jae-in for bribery https://t.co/JsOCsrbdzO pic.twitter.com/3baoBv2G5d

— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) April 24, 2025

The indictment lands weeks before South Korea’s June 3 presidential election, which follows the ousting of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over an attempted imposition of martial law.

Though the impact on the liberal bloc remains unclear, liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung continues to lead polls despite facing his own criminal trials.

Moon, who served from 2017 to 2022, is best known for initiating dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, facilitating early US-North Korea nuclear talks. His supporters credit him with reducing regional tensions, while critics argue he enabled Pyongyang to strengthen its nuclear program under the guise of diplomacy.

Moon now joins the ranks of disgraced South Korean presidents: Park Geun-hye was impeached and jailed in 2017, Lee Myung-bak was arrested after leaving office, and Roh Moo-hyun, a close ally of Moon, died by suicide in 2009 during a corruption investigation involving his family.

India Summons Pakistani Diplomat, Downgrades Ties After Kashmir Attack Kills 26

India summoned Pakistan’s senior diplomat in New Delhi on Thursday as part of a broader move to downgrade diplomatic ties following a deadly militant attack in Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead.

The assault, which Indian officials say involved cross-border elements, is the worst on civilians in nearly two decades.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced sweeping measures Wednesday in response to the attack, including:

1. Suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, a six-decade-old water-sharing pact mediated by the World Bank.
2. Closure of the Wagah border crossing, the only land link between the two countries.
3. Expulsion of Pakistani defense advisers, giving them one week to leave.
4. Withdrawal of Indian defense attachés from Islamabad.
5. Reduction of diplomatic staff at India’s mission in Pakistan from 55 to 30 personnel.

Local media confirmed the top Pakistani diplomat was summoned and formally notified of the actions.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced a raft of measures to downgrade India’s ties with Pakistan, a day after suspected militants killed 26 men at a tourist destination in Kashmir https://t.co/TzojTitNje pic.twitter.com/Y1ECm4lfLu

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 24, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also convened an all-party meeting on Thursday to brief opposition leaders on the government’s response to the attack, which is widely viewed as a blow to his administration’s claims of restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir after revoking the region’s special status in 2019.

Indian PM Modi after the Kashmir attack:

“Not one terrorist will be spared. We will hunt them down wherever they are.” https://t.co/CgLWTgokvV pic.twitter.com/URJSETyIf5

— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) April 24, 2025

In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called a National Security Committee meeting to formulate Islamabad’s response.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the session in a statement on X.

Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz has convened the meeting of the National Security Committee on Thursday morning 24th April 2025 to respond to the Indian Government’s statement of this evening.

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) April 23, 2025

The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, had survived multiple wars and periods of severe tension. Misri said the agreement would now be held “in abeyance,” marking a rare and symbolic escalation in bilateral hostility.

Diplomatic relations between the two nuclear-armed rivals have been strained since 2019, when Pakistan expelled India’s envoy and left its own ambassadorial post in New Delhi vacant. The latest steps effectively freeze high-level engagement between the countries.

Tuesday’s attack not only reignited regional tensions but also challenged the Modi government’s narrative of stability and development in the volatile, Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley.

Sources: News Agencies