SOFREP Daily: Russia Traps Ukrainian Forces in Kursk Standoff, Turkey Demands Kurdistan Workers’ Party Disarm or Face Military Action

Good morning! It’s Saturday, March 8, 2025. Start your weekend informed with the latest briefing on defense and global affairs.

UK Funds Drone Strike Power for Ukraine’s Defense

The UK has signed a 30 million pounds ($38.7 million) deal with Anglo-US defense manufacturer Anduril to supply Ukraine with advanced attack drones, including Altius 600m and 700m models, designed for surveillance and precision strikes.

The contract is funded through the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine and was announced ahead of a meeting between UK Defence Secretary John Healey and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

In addition to the drone deal, the UK has pledged further support, including a 2.26 billion pounds ($2.9 billion) loan from seized Russian assets and 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) worth of air defense missiles.

The UK has struck a £30M deal with Anglo-American company Anduril to supply advanced attack drones for Ukraine, boosting @DefenceU capabilities to tackle Russian aggression in the Black Sea. This follows over 10,000 drones delivered to the front line so far. 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/3XQFsNLwXb

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 6, 2025

Meanwhile, US military aid to Ukraine remains on hold under President Donald Trump, raising concerns that Kyiv may be forced into a settlement favoring Moscow.

Negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and European allies continue as they seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2022.

Russia Traps Ukrainian Forces in Kursk Standoff

Thousands of Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk region are now nearly encircled by Russian forces, putting Kyiv at risk of a major battlefield defeat.

The incursion, launched last August to pressure Moscow and gain leverage in future peace talks, has now become precarious as Russian forces advance, cutting supply lines and threatening a full encirclement.

The situation worsened after Washington suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine, raising the likelihood that Ukrainian forces may have to retreat under heavy fire or face capture. Open-source mapping shows that Russian troops have almost sealed off the Ukrainian force, leaving only a narrow escape corridor.

Military analysts warn that without a swift Ukrainian counterattack, the Kursk bridgehead could soon collapse entirely.

NEW: Russian forces conducted one of the largest ever missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of March 6 to 7 as Russian forces continue to adapt strike packages to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defense umbrella by increasing the total number of Shahed and decoy drones… pic.twitter.com/9au8rsUeIV

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

The incursion, initially an embarrassment for Moscow, is now being used by Russian President Vladimir Putin as justification for a full military push.

Despite Ukrainian efforts to hold the position, Russian advances—including drone strikes and artillery bombardment—have tightened their grip on the region.

The battle’s outcome could significantly impact Kyiv’s leverage in future negotiations.

FBI Arrests US Soldiers for Selling Military Secrets

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested US Army supply sergeant Jian Zhao on Thursday for allegedly selling classified military information to individuals in China.

Zhao, stationed in Washington state, was accused of stealing government hard drives and computers, beginning in July 2024, in exchange for at least $15,000. He was charged with conspiracy to transmit national defense information, bribery, and theft of government property.

Two other suspects, active-duty soldier Li Tian and former soldier Ruoyu Duan, were also arrested for allegedly stealing sensitive military data, particularly about US weapons systems, and selling it to China between 2021 and 2024.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the suspects for “betraying the country” and vowed swift justice.

Gaza Faces Aid Crisis as Israel Tightens Restrictions

A group of UN human rights experts accused Israel of “weaponizing starvation” in Gaza by blocking humanitarian aid after the first phase of a ceasefire expired.

The ceasefire, which had allowed aid into Gaza since January 19, ended when Israel halted deliveries on Sunday, demanding Hamas accept its terms for an extension.

The UN experts stated that Israel’s actions violate international law, as it is obligated to provide essential supplies as an occupying power.

BREAKING: MSF strongly denounces Israel’s announcement to block aid into Gaza.

Humanitarian aid should never be used as a tool of war. Regardless of negotiations between warring parties, people in Gaza still need an immediate and massive scale-up of humanitarian supplies.… pic.twitter.com/NhOWoRDbrU

— Doctors w/o Borders (@MSF_USA) March 2, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of severe military action if all hostages from Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack were not returned.

Israel claims aid was being diverted by Hamas, while negotiations continue with US involvement over extending the ceasefire.

Israel seeks the return of hostages, the demilitarization of Gaza, and Hamas’ removal, while Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire and maintaining its presence in Gaza.

Taiwan Spots Chinese Balloons, Raises Alarm

Taiwan’s defense ministry reported detecting 11 Chinese balloons near the island within a 24-hour period, marking the highest recorded number since December 2023.

The balloons were accompanied by five Chinese aircraft and six warships, reflecting China’s increasing military presence around Taiwan.

This surge follows a record-high 45 Chinese aircraft near Taiwan last week and recent live-fire drills by Beijing, which Taipei condemned.

2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 PRC balloons was detected during this timeframe. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. pic.twitter.com/EK0T8JUlIc

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) March 8, 2025

China dismissed Taiwan’s concerns as “pure hype,” calling its operations routine. Meanwhile, the US Indo-Pacific military commander warned that China’s frequent military exercises could serve as cover for a real attack.

Taiwan remains a potential flashpoint between China and the US, which provides the island with military support.

While Washington maintains “strategic ambiguity” on whether it would intervene in a Chinese invasion, Taiwan’s security chief, Joseph Wu, expressed confidence in continued US backing, including arms sales and training.

Turkey Demands PKK Disarm or Face Military Action

Turkey has demanded that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and all its affiliated groups immediately disarm and disband, following a historic call by jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan for the group to lay down its weapons. The PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey, accepted Ocalan’s call and declared a ceasefire last week.

However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that military operations against the PKK would continue if the group fails to follow through.

PKK DISARMAMENT: A NEW ERA?⁰ 🔹 Öcalan calls for the PKK to dissolve & lay down arms⁰ 🔹 AKP says disarmament first, legal steps later⁰ 🔹 DEM Party seeks a peace law & parliamentary commission
📩 Deep dive into the unfolding process: https://t.co/CEjlcdPcfV pic.twitter.com/OPlm2X8aGz

— TurkeyinDepth (@TurkeyinDepth) March 8, 2025

Turkey also insists that all PKK-linked fighters in Syria and Iraq, including those in the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Kurdish YPG militias, must disarm.

The SDF, which played a key role in defeating ISIS, rejected the notion that Ocalan’s call applies to them.

Meanwhile, Iraq has voiced frustration over both PKK and Turkish military presence in its territory, urging both to withdraw. Ankara, however, maintains that its forces will remain in Iraq as long as the PKK is active.

Sources: News Agencies