SOFREP Daily: Russia Captures Villages as Drones Hit Ukraine, Hegseth Honors Veterans at Iwo Jima Memorial

Good morning! It’s Sunday, March 30, 2025. Start your day with the latest updates in defense and global affairs.

Russia Captures Villages as Drones Hit Ukraine

Russia announced Saturday the capture of two Ukrainian villages — Shchebraki in Zaporizhzhia and Panteleimonivka in Donetsk — as it continues its military push amid uncertain ceasefire efforts led by US President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, Ukraine reported a massive overnight drone assault involving over 170 drones across several regions, killing four people and injuring 21, including a pregnant woman.

🇺🇦 Zaporizhzhia Front – Ukrainian aviation has destroyed a command headquarters set up by the occupiers in Velyka Novosilka. pic.twitter.com/ZIj1xhKfNv

— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 29, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of undermining global peace efforts and prolonging the war through terror tactics.

Ceasefire negotiations focused on the Black Sea and energy infrastructure remain stalled, despite both nations agreeing to them in principle.

NEW: Ukrainian and US officials continue to negotiate the terms of temporary ceasefires on Black Sea operations and energy infrastructure strikes, indicating the ceasefires are not yet fully codified. More ⬇️(1/3)

Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy reported on March 26 that Ukraine… pic.twitter.com/HgTJl4scmW

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 29, 2025

Tensions rose further after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested a United Nations-backed transitional administration in Ukraine — a move that could require Zelenskyy’s removal before peace talks progress.

Uganda Denies Bombing Rebels in South Sudan

The Ugandan military has denied accusations of using chemical or barrel bombs during its involvement in recent clashes in South Sudan. This follows a United Nations (UN) report that cited the use of highly flammable liquids in aerial strikes, which caused severe civilian injuries and displacement of over 63,000 people.

Uganda deployed special forces to support South Sudanese President Salva Kiir against forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar.

The Ugandan Army dismissed the allegations as misinformation, blaming AI-generated propaganda linked to Machar’s allies.

VIDEO: The UPDF does not possess chemical weapons and has not used any heavy weaponry in South Sudan.~ Col. @ChrisOMagezi #UBCUpdates pic.twitter.com/6LL0u7I9cu

— UBC UGANDA (@ubctvuganda) March 28, 2025

Uganda’s intervention has been condemned by Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) party, calling it a violation of the UN arms embargo.

Tensions escalated further after Machar’s arrest, raising concerns about the stability of the 2018 peace agreement that ended South Sudan’s brutal civil war.

Blunder Exposes UK Army’s Sensitive Data

The UK Ministry of Defence launched an urgent investigation after a Newcastle United football fan, Mike Gibbard, discovered sensitive military documents scattered across a street in northern England.

The papers, some labeled “OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE,” reportedly included details such as soldier identities, weapon records, facility access codes, and security system references.

The documents also included details such as soldiers’ ranks, emails, shift patterns, and weapon issue details, which experts say could represent a security threat for the named individuals. #EuropeNews https://t.co/BdlO1fYXbd

— euronews (@euronews) March 28, 2025

Many of the documents appeared linked to Catterick Garrison, Britain’s largest army base, raising concerns about a serious breach of national security.

The Ministry confirmed that the materials were handed over to police and are now under internal review. Experts say the incident could have wide-reaching implications.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office vowed appropriate action following the investigation.

Pakistani Army Hits Taliban After Deadly Ambush

The Pakistani Army launched drone strikes in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing 11 people, in retaliation for the killing of seven soldiers by the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).

The strikes, aimed at alleged Taliban hideouts, also resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, sparking local protests. Authorities are investigating whether militants were present at the strike sites.

#UPDATE Eleven people were killed in drone strikes in northern Pakistan on Saturday launched by the army against the Taliban, who had killed seven soldiers a day earlier, police told AFP ➡️ https://t.co/8YIOEBHQno pic.twitter.com/G73EjxiLf6

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 29, 2025

The violence is part of an escalating conflict between Pakistan’s military and the TTP, which recently declared a “spring campaign” of attacks and has claimed around 100 assaults in the region.

Ongoing clashes and ambushes have resulted in over 190 deaths this year, mostly among security forces.

The Pakistani government blames the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan for harboring militants, while Kabul denies the accusation and counters that Pakistan hosts terrorist cells.

The border tensions and attacks have surged since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.

India Buys Prachand Helicopters for Border Defense

India has signed a $7.3 billion deal to purchase 156 domestically produced Prachand light combat helicopters for its Army and Air Force, marking a major step in its defense self-reliance initiative.

These helicopters, designed and manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, will be produced at the country’s largest helicopter factory and delivered over a five-year period starting in year three.

The CCS chaired by Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi today approved the proposal to buy 156 Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’ worth over Rs 62,500 crore from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This decision marks a major boost to India’s combat capabilities & self reliance in… pic.twitter.com/FGfl6diz9A

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 28, 2025

The deal boosts India’s combat capabilities, particularly in high-altitude regions along its tense borders with China and Pakistan.

The move is part of India’s broader push to modernize its military and reduce reliance on foreign arms suppliers, especially following deadly clashes with China in 2020.

Despite remaining one of the world’s top arms importers, India has ramped up local defense production, launching its own aircraft carrier and nuclear-powered submarine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to strengthen India’s defense manufacturing sector and diversify away from traditional suppliers like Russia.

Trump Defends Advisers After Strike Leak

US President Donald Trump stated he will not fire any officials involved in the accidental leak of plans for a US airstrike on the Houthis in Yemen.

In an NBC interview, Trump expressed full confidence in National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite Waltz mistakenly including The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg in a secure group chat discussing the classified operation.

The conversation, conducted over the encrypted app Signal, included sensitive details about the upcoming strike, which The Atlantic later reported on — causing a stir in the national security community.

Trump dismissed any calls for dismissals, emphasizing his refusal to be swayed by “fake news” or past media-driven controversies.

Trump on Signal-Gate: Hegseth is doing a great job, he had nothing to do with this. Hegseth? How do you bring Hegseth into it? He had nothing to do with it. pic.twitter.com/pEe46PQI4T

— Acyn (@Acyn) March 26, 2025

He also signaled a desire to avoid the staff upheaval that marked his first term.

Hamas Accepts Ceasefire, Israel Counters Deal

Hamas announced Saturday that it has accepted a new Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, while Israel countered with its own proposal, developed in coordination with the US.

The original Egyptian plan reportedly included a temporary pause in fighting, the release of five hostages by Hamas, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners by Israel.

Israel recently resumed military operations in Gaza, particularly in Rafah, after ending a previous ceasefire, blaming Hamas for reigniting the conflict. Israel insists that a lasting ceasefire will only come after Hamas releases the 59 remaining hostages (24 believed alive), disarms, and relinquishes power.

⚡️BREAKING – Khalil Al-Hayya, the head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, gave a speech today, March 29th, 2025 confirming:

Hamas approved the new Egyptian-Qatari proposal for ceasefire and is awaiting an “israeli” response. He also confirmed that Hamas presented to Egypt a list of… pic.twitter.com/Lpbex6wjaA

— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) March 29, 2025

Hamas has rejected these terms, demanding a full Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire in exchange for any further hostage releases.

Protests erupted in Tel Aviv, with hostage families demanding a deal and criticizing the war’s cost to human life. The conflict, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, has since led to over 50,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local authorities.

US Naval Academy Ends Race-Based Admissions

The US Naval Academy will no longer consider race, ethnicity, or sex in its admissions process, following a February policy change by Superintendent Vice Adm. Yvette Davids. This move responds to a January 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump that directed the military to eliminate any preferences based on race or sex, aiming for a fully merit-based system across all armed forces institutions.

The decision marks a reversal from a previous federal court ruling that had allowed the academy to continue considering race due to national security interests in maintaining a diverse officer corps.

The U.S. Naval Academy will no longer consider race, ethnicity or sex as a factor for admission to the service institution, a response to an executive order by President Donald Trump, according to federal court documents made public Friday.https://t.co/yo2b2TXajv

— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) March 29, 2025

The lawsuit was brought by Students for Fair Admissions, the same group behind the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in civilian college admissions.

The Justice Department has requested a pause in the ongoing legal case as both parties assess whether the policy shift renders the case moot. While Students for Fair Admissions celebrated the academy’s new policy as a win against racial discrimination, critics—including Democratic Rep.

Sarah Elfreth—warned it could negatively impact military readiness, recruitment, and representation in the long term.

Hegseth Honors Veterans at Iwo Jima Memorial

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth honored fallen soldiers at a memorial on Iwo Jima (now Iwoto), marking the 80th anniversary of one of World War II’s fiercest battles.

Joined by Japanese officials, veterans, and families from both nations, Hegseth praised the enduring friendship between the US and Japan, once wartime enemies and now strategic allies in the Indo-Pacific.

During the ceremony, 99-year-old American veteran Charles Cram, who was wounded in the 1945 battle, returned to the island for the first time and handed back a flag he had taken from a Japanese soldier, symbolizing reconciliation.

Heroes were forged here. Two grateful nations stand together to honor the bravery, courage, and sacrifice that unfolded here. Their legacy of valor and honor lives on in all who serve. pic.twitter.com/daRufPl3jm

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) March 29, 2025

Hegseth’s visit comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, growing regional threats from China and North Korea, and US efforts to strengthen alliances in Asia. He is scheduled to meet with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani to discuss deepening defense cooperation.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also became the first sitting leader to attend the joint memorial.

Sources: News Agencies