SOFREP Daily: Russia Captures Key Village Near Chasiv Yar in Eastern Ukraine, Syria’s New President Hosts First Talks with Chemical Weapons Watchdog

Good morning! It’s February 9, 2025, and we’re bringing you the key updates in defense and global affairs to close out the weekend. Here’s what’s happening today.

Russia Captures Key Village Near Chasiv Yar in Eastern Ukraine

Russia says its forces have captured Orikhovo-Vasylivka, a small village in eastern Ukraine near the strategically important town of Chasiv Yar—one of the last major obstacles blocking Moscow’s advance deeper into Donetsk.

Russian military bloggers report intense fighting in Chasiv Yar as Russia pushes forward, while Ukraine insists it is still holding the line.

This latest advance follows Russia’s claim of seizing Toretsk on Friday, though Ukraine denies the town has fully fallen.

.@nhk_news citing multiple sources familiar with Russia–North Korea relations, reported on February 8 that Russia has agreed to assist North Korea in developing and mass-producing various types of drones in exchange for North Korean forces supporting Russia’s war effort against… https://t.co/is6WTEPgks pic.twitter.com/NZ7Y9HSAXG

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) February 9, 2025

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s forces say they repelled attacks near Chasiv Yar and shot down a Russian military jet over Toretsk.

In the skies, both sides exchanged drone attacks overnight. Ukraine reported shooting down 70 out of 151 Russian drones, while Russia claimed to have taken out 35 Ukrainian drones, including one near Leningrad.

A two-kilometer drone net tunnel was installed along Bakhmut-Chasiv Yar road to shield Russian logistics from Ukrainian FPV drone strikes. pic.twitter.com/sdsNHnBXlp

— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 9, 2025

With Russia increasing pressure in the Donetsk region, Ukraine’s defenses are being tested as both sides continue their battle for control of key positions.

Mali Hunts Down Attackers After Deadly Ambush on Gold Mine Convoy

Mali’s military is hunting down the attackers behind a deadly ambush on a convoy heading to a northern gold mine.

The convoy, which included foreign civilians and was escorted by soldiers and Wagner mercenaries, was struck on Friday near the village of Kobe—an area known for Al-Qaeda and ISIS activity.

According to officials, at least 32 people, including soldiers and civilians, were killed, while 13 others—mostly young foreign gold miners—were wounded.

The Malian army claims to have recovered the bodies of 19 attackers.

Mali’s military pledges to hunt down the ‘terrorists’ responsible for a deadly attack on a large convoy traveling to a gold mine. The convoy was ambushed by armed assailants on Friday, as it made its way to the northern part of the country. pic.twitter.com/rBeiFULJbA

— CGTN Africa (@cgtnafrica) February 9, 2025

Mali, one of Africa’s top gold producers, has struggled with growing insurgencies since 2012.

The violence has led to multiple military coups, and juntas in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger have echoed Mali’s calls for reclaiming control over their nations’ natural resources.

With gold mining contributing a quarter of Mali’s budget, security threats like this continue to shake the industry and the country’s economy.

Sudan’s Army Retakes Key Khartoum District from Paramilitary Forces

Sudan’s military is making big moves in its fight against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), recapturing the key district of Kafouri in Khartoum North.

This area, one of the wealthiest in the capital, had been an RSF stronghold since the war began in April 2023 and even housed the residence of RSF deputy leader Abdel Rahim Daglo.

The Sudanese Army’s advance into Kafouri signals a major setback for the RSF and strengthens its push to regain full control of Khartoum North, home to about a million people.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have captured the city of Al-Masoudiya, which is 25 km southeast of the capital, Khartoum. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are collapsing. pic.twitter.com/YpKEeIN9wd

— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) February 7, 2025

Recent military offensives have driven RSF fighters to the outskirts, and reports suggest the army is now pressing towards the center of Khartoum.

With explosions and clashes still ongoing, this is shaping up to be one of the army’s most aggressive offensives since the war began.

Meanwhile, the country remains in crisis, with over 12 million people displaced and aid groups calling it the worst humanitarian disaster on record.

Syria’s New President Hosts First Talks with Chemical Weapons Watchdog

For the first time since Bashar al-Assad’s removal, the head of the world’s chemical weapons watchdog, Fernando Arias, is meeting Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa.

The visit marks a new chapter in Syria’s relationship with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which has long questioned the country’s chemical weapons program.

Syria officially joined the OPCW in 2013 after a suspected chemical attack killed over 1,000 people near Damascus.

President of the Republic Ahmed Al-Shara and Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani receive in #Damascus a UN delegation OPCW Headed by Mr. Fernando Arias González, Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons pic.twitter.com/pOE1l7o0u9

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Syrian (@syrianmofaexEN) February 8, 2025

The Assad regime handed over its declared stockpile, but investigators have never been fully convinced that all weapons were accounted for.

Since then, the OPCW has investigated dozens of alleged chemical attacks, concluding that chemical weapons were used or likely used in 20 cases.

With Assad out, this meeting could be a turning point—either leading to more transparency or reigniting scrutiny over Syria’s past actions.

M23 Rebels Seize Cities as African Leaders Call for Ceasefire

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi joined a regional summit in Tanzania as tensions flare over the ongoing M23 rebel offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The summit, attended by East African and South African leaders, called for an “immediate ceasefire” as the Rwanda-backed M23 group continues its rapid advance, capturing key cities and pushing closer to South Kivu’s capital, Bukavu.

NEW | Rwandan-backed M23 rebels declared a unilateral “humanitarian” ceasefire in the eastern DRC ahead of peace talks scheduled for February 7 and 8.

M23 already broke the ceasefire, however, and a long-term political solution remains unlikely. 1/6 https://t.co/E5XZzrVAsE pic.twitter.com/mrulHlbDoq

— Critical Threats (@criticalthreats) February 7, 2025

The conflict has already left thousands dead and displaced countless others.

M23, which took control of Goma last week, has defied past ceasefires and peace talks, installing its own local government in captured areas.

Meanwhile, Rwanda denies backing the rebels, but UN reports claim otherwise, alleging Rwanda has troops in the DRC and benefits from smuggled minerals.

Panic is spreading in Bukavu as civilians fear looting and violence. Human rights groups warn the situation is deteriorating, with reports of gang rapes and sexual slavery emerging. With multiple nations already involved in the fight, fears of a broader regional war are growing.

Israel Releases 183 Prisoners in Latest Gaza Ceasefire Exchange

Israel and Hamas have completed their fifth hostage-prisoner swap under a fragile ceasefire deal, but the condition of the freed hostages has sparked widespread concern.

The three Israelis released—Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami, and Eli Sharabi—appeared weak and disoriented, prompting dismay from their families and officials.

Meanwhile, out of the 183 Palestinian inmates freed by Israel, at least seven were hospitalized, with advocacy groups alleging mistreatment.

Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages (Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy) who were taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. They appeared weak and in poor condition. Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the three hostages. The deal is part of a… pic.twitter.com/h7Qayyke07

— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) February 9, 2025

This latest exchange comes as negotiations begin for the next phase of the ceasefire, which aims to secure the release of more hostages.

However, tensions are rising after former US President Donald Trump suggested that the US should take control of Gaza, a remark that has triggered global outrage.

While Israel celebrates the return of its citizens, Palestinian groups accuse Israeli prisons of abuse, calling their treatment of detainees a “slow killing.”

The truce, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, remains delicate, with talks set to continue in Doha in hopes of securing more releases.

Freed Thai Hostages Return Home After Over a Year in Gaza

After more than a year in captivity, five Thai workers kidnapped by Hamas have finally returned home to Thailand.

The hostages arrived in Bangkok on Sunday for emotional reunions with their families at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sagniampongsa and Israeli Ambassador Orna Sagiv were present to welcome them back.

The five men—Sarusak Rumnao, Watchara Sriaoun, Sathian Suwannakham, Pongsak Thaenna, and Bannawat Saethao—were released on January 30 as part of a hostage-prisoner swap.

During a news conference, Pongsak expressed his gratitude, while the Thai foreign minister hailed their return as a testament to the government’s persistence in negotiating their freedom.

This was the second wave of Thai hostages freed since the war began.

In November 2023, 23 Thais were released under a ceasefire deal.

However, one Thai hostage, Nattapong Pingsa, remains in Gaza, along with the bodies of two Thai citizens killed in the initial attack.

Thailand continues to work toward securing the release of its last captive and recovering the remains of those killed. Thai laborers make up a significant portion of Israel’s agricultural workforce, and many were caught in the conflict when Hamas militants stormed southern Israeli towns on October 7, 2023.

Sources: News Agencies