SOFREP Daily: Zelenskyy Offers Captured North Koreans for POW Exchange, Indian Troops Kill Maoist Rebels in Latest Crackdown, Germany Creates New Military Division for Homeland Defense

Good morning! It’s Monday, January 13, 2025, and we’re here with your first briefing of the week, covering the latest updates in defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s happening today.

Ukraine Downs 60 Drones While Russia Pushes Forward in Donetsk

Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had captured two villages in eastern Ukraine, marking steady progress in the ongoing conflict.

The Russian defense ministry claimed control of Yantarne in the Donetsk region and Kalinove in the Kharkiv region, both strategically significant areas.

Yantarne is near Kurakhove, a key logistics hub Russia said it seized last week, while Kalinove is located along the Oskil River, a longstanding front line.

Meanwhile, Ukraine reported shooting down 60 Russian drones overnight, with falling debris damaging homes in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Poltava regions, though no injuries were reported.

Russian forces recently advanced in the Kupyansk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove directions:

Geolocated footage published on January 11 indicates that Russian forces recently marginally advanced in northwestern Petropavlivka (east of Kupyansk); advanced in northwestern Toretsk… https://t.co/Zgdb7Ncq51 pic.twitter.com/Odaievy2YT

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) January 13, 2025

In southern Kherson, drone attacks injured three people, while Russian-installed authorities reported a Ukrainian drone strike that killed a 76-year-old woman in the Russian-occupied part of the region.

Separately, a fire caused by a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil depot in Engels, Russia, continues to burn, with firefighters working around the clock to contain it.

The war remains a relentless back-and-forth of territorial gains and drone attacks, with no signs of resolution in sight.

Zelenskyy Offers Captured North Koreans for POW Exchange with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to return two captured North Korean soldiers to Pyongyang in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia.

This comes after Ukraine announced the capture of the soldiers, reportedly wounded while fighting for Russia in the Kursk region.

South Korea’s intelligence service confirmed Ukraine’s claim, though neither Russia nor North Korea has acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in the conflict.

Zelenskyy said more North Korean soldiers could be captured and offered options for those who don’t want to return to their homeland, including the chance to stay in Ukraine or spread the truth about the war.

A video released by Zelenskyy shows the prisoners, one of whom claimed he was misled into believing his deployment was just training.

In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be more. It’s only a matter of time before our troops manage to capture others. There should be no doubt left in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North… pic.twitter.com/4RyCfUoHoC

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 12, 2025

This incident highlights the growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang as Russia seeks international support for its war against Ukraine.

North Korean Troops Face High Casualties in Ukraine War

Around 300 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been killed, and 2,700 wounded, while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to South Korea’s intelligence agency.

These soldiers, believed to be from North Korea’s elite Storm Corps, were allegedly deployed as part of a deal between Kim Jong Un and Moscow, with Pyongyang providing troops in exchange for Russian technical assistance for weapons and satellite programs.

President Zelenskyy says he is ready to hand over the first two North Korean soldiers captured on the battlefield in exchange with Ukrainians held in Russian captivity.

South Korean intelligence sources say more than 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed fighting against… pic.twitter.com/AEmigXkDuL

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) January 13, 2025

Reports indicate that North Korean soldiers are poorly equipped and lack modern combat training, contributing to their high casualty rate.

Disturbingly, memos found on deceased soldiers show orders to commit suicide or self-detonate to avoid capture.

Israel Hits Hezbollah Sites in Lebanon as Ceasefire Frays

Tensions flared again on Sunday as Israeli airstrikes hit Hezbollah-linked sites in eastern and southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media.

The Israeli military stated the strikes targeted smuggling routes along the Syria-Lebanon border, as well as a rocket launcher and a Hezbollah military site.

These actions come as the fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, agreed upon on November 27, nears its January 26 implementation deadline.

The ceasefire terms require Hezbollah to dismantle its southern military infrastructure and pull back forces north of the Litani River.

Both sides, however, have accused each other of violations.

The strikes follow a previous incident on Friday when Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon killed five people, which the Israeli military claimed were tied to Hezbollah weapons transport.

The situation remains volatile, with the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon accusing Israel of violating the Security Council resolution underlying the ceasefire.

Ceasefire Talks Push for Hostage Swap as Gaza Fighting Rages

Mediators, including envoys from the Biden and incoming Trump administrations, presented a final draft ceasefire agreement to Israel and Hamas on Monday in an effort to end the war in Gaza.

The proposed deal, negotiated in Doha with help from Qatar, Egypt, and the US, includes a halt to fighting and an exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian detainees in Israel.

Both sides acknowledged progress, but Hamas is pushing for a permanent end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel insists on dismantling Hamas.

The negotiations come with a sense of urgency as Trump’s inauguration next week is viewed as a deadline.

🔴 Coming days critical for ending fighting following a “breakthrough” in talks between Israel and Hamas

Find out more ⬇️https://t.co/lMWm21voIZ pic.twitter.com/ZcGTFz97Vl

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 13, 2025

The president-elect has vowed severe consequences if hostages are not released before he takes office.

Meanwhile, fighting continues in Gaza, with Israeli strikes killing at least 21 people on Monday, including civilians sheltering in a school.

The war, which began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, has devastated Gaza, leaving over 46,000 dead and displacing much of the population.

Hardline Israeli officials have criticized the proposed deal, calling it a security risk.

Myanmar Junta Airstrike Hits Market, Killing Civilians

A Myanmar junta airstrike on Saturday hit a market in the gold-mining area of northern Kachin state, killing at least 15 civilians and injuring 10 others, according to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

The victims included gold miners and local shopkeepers, with three of the wounded later succumbing to their injuries.

The attack occurred in Tanaing Township, an area rich in natural resources like jade and rare earth elements.

The KIA, which has long fought for autonomy in the resource-rich state, accused the junta of targeting civilians in its ongoing crackdown against resistance following the 2021 coup.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has reportedly seized all remaining military bases of the junta regime in Mansi township, including the 2 Light Infantry Battalions (319 and 601) and the Light Artillery Infantry Battalion (352) located in southeast Kachin State, Myanmar.… pic.twitter.com/A574kzR4lV

— Chindwin News Agency (@TheChindwin) January 11, 2025

Separately, in Arakan State, the junta reportedly dropped bombs on a public market in Kyauktaw, resulting in unspecified casualties.

Both regions are hotspots for fighting between the military and ethnic armed groups, with tensions only escalating as the junta struggles to maintain control.

Indian Troops Kill Maoist Rebels in Latest Crackdown

Indian security forces killed five Maoist rebels, including two women, during a gunfight in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district as part of the government’s intensified push to end the decades-long insurgency.

The clash, according to local officials Sunday, in the dense forest resulted in the recovery of weapons, including a grenade launcher and rifles.

Meanwhile, a separate homemade landmine blast in the same district wounded two policemen.

The Maoist rebels, or Naxalites, claim to fight for the rights of marginalized indigenous communities in India’s resource-rich central regions.

The insurgency, which began in 1967 and was inspired by Mao Zedong, has claimed over 10,000 lives.

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: On the Bijapur Naxal encounter, CM Vishnu Deo Sai says, “We acknowledge the bravery of our security forces. For over a year, our government and security personnel have been fighting the menace of Naxalism with determination, and they have been achieving… pic.twitter.com/Hlnr7jx0tf

— IANS (@ians_india) January 12, 2025

Efforts to crush the movement have ramped up, with 287 rebels killed, over 1,000 arrested, and 837 surrendering in 2024 alone.

Interior Minister Amit Shah has set a 2026 deadline to end the rebellion, though the conflict continues to simmer in the region.

India Opens Himalayan Tunnel to Boost Border Connectivity

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Monday the Z-Morh tunnel, a 6.4-kilometer-long (4 miles) road tunnel in the Himalayas, designed to provide year-round access to the strategic border regions of Ladakh and Kashmir.

The $313 million tunnel, which took over a decade to build, is part of India’s push to improve infrastructure in high-altitude zones near its contested borders with China and Pakistan.

The tunnel connects Srinagar to Ladakh, ensuring faster movement of military supplies and civilian transport even during harsh winters when mountain passes are snowed in.

Delighted to be amongst the wonderful people of Sonamarg. With the opening of the tunnel here, connectivity will significantly improve and tourism will see a major boost in Jammu and Kashmir. https://t.co/NQnu19ywpi

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 13, 2025

This development comes as India continues to strengthen its position along its disputed borders with China and Pakistan, with tensions remaining high after deadly clashes with Chinese troops in 2020.

Another tunnel on the same route, the Zojila tunnel, is set to open in 2026, further improving connectivity.

The Z-Morh tunnel also highlights the complex realities of the region, where a decades-long insurgency persists in Kashmir.

The tunnel was the site of an attack in October, in which seven workers were killed by gunmen.

Modi’s visit underscores the strategic and symbolic significance of improving access to these regions.

Germany Creates New Military Division for Homeland Defense

Germany is setting up a new military division focused exclusively on territorial defense, set to take effect in April 2025.

This reorganization will bring all reserve units under direct army command, raising the number of divisions to four without increasing the total force size of 180,000 troops.

Unlike Germany’s existing divisions, which are focused on defending NATO’s front lines, the new division will concentrate on domestic defense, including protecting critical infrastructure like ports, railways, and supply routes.

Germany Forms New Division Amid Rising Tensions with Russia

Germany has announced the formation of a new territorial defense division, consisting of around 20,000 soldiers, to secure critical infrastructure and military facilities within the country. This move comes as NATO… pic.twitter.com/4EwgdRYabW

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 12, 2025

The move comes as NATO remains on high alert, with concerns about potential Russian aggression within the next few years.

Germany is also positioning itself as a key logistics hub for NATO reinforcements, with tens of thousands of allied troops expected to pass through the country en route to Eastern Europe in the event of conflict.

This shift streamlines Germany’s defense strategy amidst rising concerns about alleged Russian sabotage of critical infrastructure—a claim Moscow denies.

Sources: News Agencies