SOFREP Daily: Trump Resumes Ukraine Aid, Pushes Ceasefire Deal; Iranian President Rejects Talks, Challenges Trump’s Threats

Midweek check-in: It’s Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Here’s your must-read briefing on defense and global affairs.

Ukraine Hits Moscow, Russia Downs Hundreds of Drones

Ukraine launched a massive drone attack on Moscow overnight, with Russia claiming to have shot down 337 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across the country.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 91 drones were intercepted around Moscow and 126 over the Kursk region, near the Ukrainian border.

The attack left at least one person dead and three injured, with residential buildings damaged in the suburbs of the Russian capital.

Videos of a Ukrainian UAV attack in the Moscow region. Russian officials say that Ukraine launched at least 337 UAVs over night at Russia. https://t.co/s3OYJ1bF0Ihttps://t.co/MmnGZ2s1ELhttps://t.co/S6FixJ7rrVhttps://t.co/S6FixJ7rrVhttps://t.co/6yDFSEoI4R… pic.twitter.com/lBwmM7x0FZ

— Rob Lee (@RALee85) March 11, 2025

The strike comes ahead of a high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia between US and Ukrainian officials, where Kyiv is expected to propose a partial ceasefire plan in hopes of regaining US support.

Washington, under President Donald Trump, has paused military aid, intelligence sharing, and satellite access to pressure Ukraine into negotiations.

The talks follow a tense White House meeting last month in which Trump reportedly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a lack of gratitude.

Russia Retakes Kursk Villages, Pressures Ukraine

Russia’s Army announced it had retaken 12 settlements in Ukraine’s Kursk region, an area Kyiv had controlled since August 2024 and hoped to use as leverage in peace talks.

The rapid counteroffensive has reclaimed over 100 square kilometers of territory, with villages around Sudzha, the main regional town under Ukrainian control, falling to Russian forces.

Three months of advance in 30 seconds

The vid is a visualization of the winter advance of Ru troops in the DPR

A total of 85 settlements have been liberated in three months as of March 10:

62 in the DPR
12 in Kursk Oblast
8 in Kharkov Oblast
2 in the LPR
1 in Zaporozhye Oblast pic.twitter.com/e6TlzvYLSM

— David Roth-Lindberg (@RothLindberg) March 11, 2025

Ukraine has begun reinforcing its positions in the region, denying that its troops face encirclement.

Reports suggest Russian forces have used underground tunnels and gas pipelines to surprise Ukrainian troops, with state television airing footage of soldiers navigating confined spaces with gas masks and air packs.

Trump Resumes Ukraine Aid, Pushes Ceasefire Deal

The Trump administration lifted its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, signaling a shift in policy after previously pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate with Russia. In response, Ukraine indicated willingness to agree to a 30-day ceasefire, contingent on Russia’s approval.

During talks in Saudi Arabia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the proposal would be presented to the Kremlin, while Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, emphasized that Ukraine now shares Trump’s vision for peace. Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement soon, claiming that Russia had been easier to deal with than Ukraine so far.

NEW: The United States and Ukraine agreed on March 11 to an immediate 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine contingent on Russia’s agreement, and the United States reportedly restarted intelligence sharing and military aid. Details⬇️

▪️ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that… pic.twitter.com/SMNtv5v5oP

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 11, 2025

Despite this diplomatic effort, Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine just hours before the meeting, while Ukraine retaliated with its largest drone strike since the war began. Some Ukrainian officials and military personnel remain skeptical about a ceasefire, fearing it would allow Russia time to regroup and rearm.

Meanwhile, hardline Russian voices oppose the ceasefire, arguing it would benefit Ukraine and weaken Moscow’s advantage.

North Sea Collision Sparks Fire, Investigation Underway

British police arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of manslaughter following a collision between a cargo ship and a US military fuel tanker off the eastern coast of England.

The crash, which ignited fires on both vessels and caused a fuel spill into the North Sea, has raised concerns about environmental damage. One sailor is presumed dead, and investigators from the UK, US, and Portugal are examining the cause of the incident.

The Portugal-flagged cargo ship Solong struck the US-flagged tanker MV Stena Immaculate on Monday, causing a massive gash on the tanker’s side and rupturing at least one of its 16 fuel tanks.

While officials report no immediate signs of pollution, environmental groups warn of potential harm to seabirds, marine life, and fishing grounds.

The damaged MV Solong #cargo ship and the MV Stena Immaculate #tanker seen after their #collision yesterday in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast, United Kingdom. Thirty-six people were reportedly brought ashore, and one crew member of the Solong remains missing.📷: @dkitwood pic.twitter.com/vJQjkLHipZ

— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) March 11, 2025

Authorities have established a one-kilometer exclusion zone around the drifting Solong, which may sink.

The incident triggered a major rescue operation, with 36 of 37 crew members safely evacuated.

Investigators are still determining why the Solong crashed into the anchored tanker, with initial fears of hazardous chemical cargo now dismissed.

Indonesia, Vietnam Deepen Economic and Defense Ties

Indonesia and Vietnam have agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking 70 years of diplomatic ties.

Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta to strengthen economic and defense cooperation.

The agreement includes collaboration in fisheries, the digital economy, green industries, high-tech sectors, and security.

Prabowo announced plans to visit Vietnam soon to finalize an economic zone cooperation deal, which he hopes Indonesia’s parliament will ratify next month. This move aligns with his vision of a more active foreign policy, diverging from his predecessor Joko Widodo’s domestically focused approach.

Both nations have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, leading to past maritime disputes, including a 2019 clash between Indonesian and Vietnamese vessels. Indonesia has been tightening its control over its waters, renaming part of the disputed region the North Natuna Sea to assert sovereignty.

Jenin Sees More Bloodshed as Israel Expands Operation

Israeli forces killed five Palestinians, including a 60-year-old woman, in Jenin over the past 24 hours, adding to the more than 30 deaths since Israel launched a major military operation in the northern West Bank in January.

The operation, which has displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians, involves thousands of Israeli troops sweeping through cities and refugee camps, demolishing houses, roads, and water infrastructure.

Israel says the offensive targets Iranian-backed militant groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which have strongholds in refugee camps.

On Tuesday, Israeli special forces killed two Palestinians in a gun battle, and another man was shot dead after allegedly opening fire on troops.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) also reported that an Israeli army vehicle hit and killed a motorcyclist and that Palestinian security forces killed a man wanted for attacks on PA headquarters, drawing condemnation from Hamas.

Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Umm Safa, torching three vehicles near Ramallah.

Countries including France, Germany, and the United Nation have voiced alarm over the scale of Israel’s operation and have called for restraint.

Iranian President Rejects Talks, Challenges Trump’s Threats

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected negotiations with the US, telling President Donald Trump to “do whatever the hell you want” in response to US pressure.

Pezeshkian’s remarks align with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s stance that Iran will not be forced into talks.

Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” strategy, reimposing tough economic sanctions to isolate Iran and cripple its oil exports. While Trump has said he is open to a deal, he also warned that the US could handle Iran “militarily” or through negotiations.

Meanwhile, the IAEA has warned that Iran is rapidly enriching uranium up to 60 percent purity, approaching weapons-grade levels.

Iran has accelerated its nuclear program since 2019, a year after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, triggering escalating tensions between the two nations.

Military Exam Closures Create New Hurdles for Recruits

Military entrance exam locations across the US have been forced to close or cut hours due to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth halting civilian travel, according to a notice reviewed by Military.com.

This change impacts the Military Entrance Testing (MET) program, which helps administer the ASVAB, a crucial test for enlistment.

With many MET sites shutting down, potential recruits must now travel to Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS), which are often located in major cities, forcing some to drive several hours to take the test.

The situation is particularly challenging in rural states like Montana and Wyoming and even in populated areas like Florida, where access is still limited.

The timing is critical, as the military recently rebounded from recruiting shortfalls, aided by programs helping less-qualified applicants.

However, officials have not clarified how these closures will affect recruitment efforts.

The halted civilian travel policy comes as Hegseth touts recruitment successes, despite many gains occurring before his tenure.

Sources: Associated Press, Military.com, News Agencies, Reuters