SOFREP Daily: Zelenskyy Proposes Truce as US Halts Intelligence Sharing, Russia Downs Record Drone Swarm as US-Ukraine Talks Begin

Tuesday, March 11, 2025—your must-read defense and global affairs briefing is here. Let’s dive into today’s key updates.

Zelenskyy Proposes Truce as US Halts Intelligence Sharing

Ukraine plans to propose an aerial and naval ceasefire with Russia during talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia, aiming to create an initial framework for negotiations to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees this as a feasible and monitorable starting point for de-escalation.

The talks come amid concerns over US support for Ukraine, especially after Donald Trump’s recent criticisms of Zelenskyy and his renewed engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump has paused US military aid to Ukraine and suspended intelligence-sharing, potentially weakening Kyiv’s battlefield position.

Ukraine is particularly worried that the intelligence-sharing pause may have contributed to recent Russian advances in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces had previously made territorial gains.

Kyiv had hoped to use its foothold in Russian territory as leverage in future negotiations but is now rapidly losing ground.

The Ukrainian government fears a prolonged intelligence gap could significantly benefit Russia.

Russia Downs Record Drone Swarm as US-Ukraine Talks Begin

Russia reported shooting down 337 Ukrainian drones across 10 regions overnight in what appears to be Ukraine’s largest drone attack on Russian territory in three years.

The strikes, which killed one person and wounded several others, came just hours before US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian officials are expected to propose a ceasefire covering the Black Sea and long-range missile strikes, along with a prisoner exchange.

The attack primarily targeted the Kursk and Moscow regions, with over 70 drones headed toward the Russian capital before being intercepted.

The assault briefly disrupted flights at major Moscow airports and halted train traffic.

Ukrainian officials have not commented on the strike.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his delegation are set to meet with Ukraine’s team but have stated they are not pushing for any specific conditions to end the war. Alongside the ceasefire discussions, Ukraine is expected to finalize a deal granting the US access to its rare earth minerals, a key resource for advanced technology and defense industries.

Poland Prepares Citizens, Issues Survival Guide

Poland is preparing to distribute a nationwide survival guide to inform residents on handling potential crises, including prolonged power outages and natural disasters.

The brochure, set to be released this year, will be available in Polish and Ukrainian, with a special version for children.

This initiative follows Poland’s announcement of security-boosting measures, including large-scale voluntary military training for civilians, which aims to prepare every adult male for potential wartime scenarios.

As a NATO member bordering both Ukraine and Russia, Poland has been ramping up its defenses amid growing concerns over Russian aggression.

The country serves as a key logistics hub for military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Other European nations, such as Sweden and Finland, have also taken steps to enhance public preparedness for potential threats.

Sweden Warns of Rising Threats, Eyes Foreign Interference

Sweden’s security police (SAPO) warned on Tuesday that the country’s security situation is serious and could worsen unpredictably.

The annual report highlights growing threats from foreign powers such as Russia, China, and Iran, which are engaging in hybrid warfare tactics to destabilize Sweden and Europe.

Authorities have also raised concerns over extremist groups conducting violent attacks, espionage, and other destabilizing activities.

SAPO chief Charlotte von Essen emphasized that Sweden must remain vigilant, as security risks are escalating in ways that are difficult to foresee.

NATO Doubles Arms Imports, Leans on US Weapons

NATO countries in Europe have more than doubled their arms imports over the past five years, with over 60 percent of these purchases coming from the US, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The surge reflects growing concerns over Russian aggression and shifts in US foreign policy under former President Donald Trump.

Ukraine has become the world’s largest arms importer, while the US remains the top global weapons exporter, accounting for 43 percent of all sales.

France, the second-largest exporter, has increased its arms trade with European nations, particularly through sales of Rafale fighter jets.

Russia, once a major arms supplier, has seen a sharp 64 percent decline in exports due to international sanctions and pressure on nations like India to seek alternatives.

Meanwhile, China has strengthened its own defense industry, reducing reliance on Russian weaponry.

The Middle East remains a key market, with Saudi Arabia as the largest individual buyer of US arms.

The US has also ramped up military aid to Israel, especially in the form of guided bombs, amid escalating conflicts in Gaza and the broader region.

New Jihadist Group Strikes, Escalates Violence in Nigeria

A new jihadist group, Lakurawa, launched a deadly attack on seven villages in northwest Nigeria over the weekend, killing 11 people and torching homes in retaliation for the killing of their commander by security forces.

The attack occurred in Kebbi state near the Niger border, with two additional villagers injured.

Unlike the long-standing bandit gangs in northwest and central Nigeria, which are primarily driven by economic motives, Lakurawa jihadists have introduced an ideological dimension to the violence, imposing strict Sharia law and recruiting local youths by offering financial incentives.

The group, reportedly composed of fighters from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, operates from camps in Nigeria’s Tsauni forest, conducting raids, extorting taxes, and looting communities.

The attack followed the killing of a senior Lakurawa commander, Maigemu, by security forces just days after the group killed six civilians in the region. Their growing presence has intensified insecurity in an already volatile part of Nigeria.

Kurdish Forces Sign Deal, Hand Over Oil Fields to Damascus

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed an agreement with Syria’s interim government to integrate its civilian and military institutions into state structures.

The deal, signed in Damascus between interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, marks a major shift in Syria’s post-Assad landscape.

It grants Damascus control over key SDF-held assets, including oil fields, border crossings, and an airport in northeastern Syria. However, the integration of the SDF’s military into Syria’s defense ministry remains unresolved.

The accord comes as Sharaa faces mounting pressure following the mass killings of Alawite civilians in western Syria, an event that has weakened his authority and drawn condemnation from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Meanwhile, the SDF, long backed by US forces, sees the deal as a safeguard against a potential American withdrawal under President Donald Trump.

The agreement also commits the SDF to combating remnants of Assad loyalists, whom Damascus accuses of inciting civil unrest. However, Turkey, a key player in northern Syria and an ally of Sharaa, has yet to comment on the deal.

Sources: Associated Press, News Agencies, Reuters