Morning Brief: NATO Chief Calls for Massive Expansion of Air Defenses to Counter Russia, Explosion Near US Kadena Air Base Injures Japanese Military Personnel

Good morning! Get up to speed with SOFREP’s Morning Brief, delivering key updates on defense and global affairs for Monday, June 9, 2025. Protests in LA escalated as Trump’s unauthorized National Guard deployment triggered street clashes amid immigration raids. Israel blocked Greta Thunberg’s Gaza-bound aid boat, while NATO called for a major air defense expansion to counter Russia. Moscow launched a record drone strike on Ukraine amid stalled peace talks. A Chinese carrier group entered Japan’s economic waters, raising regional tensions, and four Japanese troops were injured in an explosion near Kadena Air Base.

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Violence Erupts in Los Angeles as Protests Intensify Against Trump’s National Guard Deployment

Tensions in Los Angeles escalated Sunday as thousands protested President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops amid ongoing immigration raids.

Demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway, clashed with law enforcement, and set at least four self-driving cars on fire as police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs. Officers in riot gear and mounted police secured federal buildings, including a downtown detention center.

The protests, now in their third day, erupted following the arrival of 300 National Guard troops deployed without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s request, marking the first such move since 1965.

Newsom called it a “serious breach of state sovereignty,” a sentiment echoed by LA Mayor Karen Bass.

The White House defended the move, claiming it was necessary to restore order and counter what Trump called “rebellion” in the city.

Our law enforcement officers are just doing their jobs.

Violence and intimidation against federal law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The United States is a nation of laws, and lawbreakers will be brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/0wytuvEO5R

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 8, 2025

Federal authorities have arrested over 100 immigrants in sweeps throughout Los Angeles, including in the fashion district and suburban parking lots. Protests began Friday and spread through heavily Latino areas like Paramount and Compton. Violence erupted near federal staging areas as demonstrators threw rocks and fireworks at Border Patrol vehicles.

National Guard troops stood guard outside key federal sites Sunday as flash bangs echoed across downtown.

Protesters hurled objects at law enforcement, prompting police to declare an unlawful assembly and clear streets. The unrest drew comparisons to past LA crises, though crowds were smaller than during the 2020 George Floyd protests.

A third day of anti-deportation protests in Los Angeles saw clashes between law enforcement and protesters, as President Donald Trump and California’s Governor Gavin Newsom traded barbs over who is responsible for the chaos, and for restoring order https://t.co/0LV7IZ220N pic.twitter.com/Gx0lUD1Fjf

— Bloomberg (@business) June 9, 2025

Trump told reporters Sunday that “violent people” in LA would not “get away with it,” hinting at broader military deployments. About 500 Marines at Twentynine Palms remained on standby.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the crackdown, calling it a “calculated agenda to spread panic and division.”

Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg

Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen, a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and other campaigners, early Monday off the Gaza coast.

The vessel, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departed Italy on June 1 to raise awareness of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which the United Nations has described as the world’s most acute famine risk.

Israeli authorities confirmed they diverted the boat, labeling it a “‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities,’” and redirected the passengers toward Israeli territory. All 12 activists onboard were unharmed.

Israel’s foreign ministry stated that any remaining aid on the vessel would be transferred to Gaza via official humanitarian channels.

The “selfie yacht” of the “celebrities” is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries.

While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity — and which included… pic.twitter.com/eEZSJJHVfd

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025

The interception follows weeks of criticism over Israel’s tight blockade on Gaza, which has caused severe shortages in food and basic supplies. Israel has since allowed limited aid through the newly formed, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), though the UN has refused to cooperate with the group, citing concerns over neutrality and operational conduct.

The war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7 assault that killed over 1,200 people in Israel, has resulted in more than 54,880 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Nearly the entire population now relies on humanitarian aid.

NATO Chief Calls for Massive Expansion of Air Defenses to Counter Russia

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday called for a “400-percent increase” in the alliance’s air and missile defense capabilities, citing the threat posed by Russia’s aerial warfare in Ukraine.

In prepared remarks for a speech at Chatham House in London, Rutte emphasized the need to strengthen NATO’s skies to maintain credible deterrence.

Rutte’s appeal comes ahead of a pivotal NATO summit in the Netherlands later this month, where US President Donald Trump is pressuring member states to commit to defense spending equal to five percent of gross domestic product (GDP)—more than double the current two-percent target.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated last week that allies are nearing a formal agreement on the new spending goal.

Rutte warned that the threat from Russia will persist beyond the end of the war in Ukraine and called for a “quantum leap” in NATO’s collective defense. He said the alliance must invest in thousands of armored vehicles, tanks, and millions of artillery shells to fulfill its defense plans.

NATO Allies agreed a new set of capability targets

The targets describe exactly what capabilities Allies need to invest in over the coming years to keep our deterrence and defence strong and our one billion people safe#DefMin pic.twitter.com/a94grkiDsq

— NATO (@NATO) June 8, 2025

The Secretary General is also expected to support Britain’s newly unveiled defense strategy, which includes plans to build up to 12 nuclear-powered submarines and six munitions factories in response to ongoing Russian aggression.

Russia Launches Record Drone Barrage on Ukraine Amid Stalled Peace Talks

Russia launched 479 drones at Ukraine overnight—the largest single drone assault since the war began in 2022—according to Ukraine’s air force on Monday.

The barrage, which also included 20 missiles, primarily targeted central and western regions. Ukrainian forces claimed they intercepted 277 drones and 19 missiles, with only 10 projectiles reaching their targets. One civilian was reported injured. The figures could not be independently verified.

The massive aerial assault comes amid intensified Russian ground offensives in eastern and northeastern Ukraine and follows two rounds of direct peace talks in Istanbul that produced only limited progress, such as agreements on prisoner and body exchanges.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the frontline situation as “very difficult,” and renewed calls for more air defense systems from Western partners. Uncertainty over continued US support has heightened concern about Ukraine’s capacity to hold off Russian advances.

NEW: Kremlin officials and the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on June 8 that Russian forces reached the Donetsk-Dnipropetrovsk Oblast border and are conducting offensive operations into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — an oblast that Russia has not illegally declared as… pic.twitter.com/epu5xOsygb

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 8, 2025

Meanwhile, Ukraine launched a counter-strike deep inside Russia. Ukrainian drones reportedly hit an electronic warfare facility in Chuvashia and damaged infrastructure in the Voronezh region.

Ukrainian special forces also claimed to have struck two Russian fighter jets at Savasleyka airfield in the Novgorod region, about 650 kilometers (404 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Russia’s defense ministry said it shot down 49 Ukrainian drones over seven regions overnight.

The United Nations reports that over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia began targeting civilian areas with Iranian-made Shahed drones. Russia denies these claims, stating it targets only military assets.

Chinese Carrier Group Enters Japanese EEZ, Conducts Fighter Jet Drills

A Chinese aircraft carrier group led by the Liaoning entered Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) over the weekend, marking the first such incursion near Minamitori Island, Japan’s easternmost territory, Tokyo’s defense ministry confirmed Monday.

The carrier was accompanied by two missile destroyers and a fast combat support ship, and exited the area to conduct fighter jet and helicopter operations on Sunday.

Japan’s Defense Ministry said the move signals China’s efforts to enhance its ability to conduct long-range military operations.

In response, Japan deployed its warship Haguro to monitor the situation.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that Japan sent an “appropriate message” to China but did not confirm lodging a formal protest. The incident adds to growing regional tension over China’s expanding naval presence and aggressive maritime activities.

“On June 7, several Chinese naval vessels, [cv16Liaoning] were sailing in the waters about 300 km southwest of Minamitorishima (Tokyo). In addition, on June 8, the takeoff and landing of carrier-based fighter jets and other aircraft was confirmed”

The Chinese Navy expeditionary pic.twitter.com/30WVwUW6dp

— Oceanner (@Oceanworldfree) June 8, 2025

This latest maneuver follows a pattern of recent Chinese operations in and around Japanese waters. Last month, the Liaoning sailed between Japanese islands within the EEZ, and in September last year, it entered Japan’s contiguous zone near Taiwan.

Additionally, Tokyo accused Beijing of conducting unauthorized maritime research near Okinotori atoll.

Japan and its allies, including the US, remain concerned about Beijing’s increasing military assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific, especially around contested maritime boundaries.

Under international law, EEZs grant coastal states rights over economic resources but do not prohibit foreign naval transits.

Explosion Near US Kadena Air Base Injures Japanese Military Personnel

An explosion near the US military’s Kadena Air Base in Okinawa injured four Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (SDF) members on Monday during bomb disposal preparations, Japanese Defense Ministry officials confirmed.

The blast occurred at an SDF storage facility for unexploded ordnance within the base’s ammunition depot.

The injured personnel suffered finger lacerations and possible hearing damage. Local authorities reported no ongoing threat of additional explosions or fire, and no evacuation orders were issued.

FOUR Japan Self-Defense Forces members injured in explosion near US Kadena Air Base in Okinawa while preparing for bomb disposal — Defense Ministry

Officials report no threat to residents or risk of further blasts https://t.co/GJm8lIAbvj pic.twitter.com/jbvaayJFg4

— RT (@RT_com) June 9, 2025

Okinawa hosts the majority of American military installations in Japan, a legacy of its post–World War II US administration, which ended with its reversion to Japanese control in 1972.

Sources: News Agencies