SOFREP Morning Brief: Ukraine Takes Out Russian Jets With Maritime Drones, Houthi Missile Strikes Near Tel Aviv Airport, ‘Starbase’ Close to Becoming Official Texas City

On May 2, 2025, Ukraine pulled off a bold and historic move in the Black Sea. Using remote-controlled maritime drones called Magura-7s, the Ukrainian military managed to shoot down two Russian Su-30 Flanker fighter jets near the Russian port of Novorossiisk. This is the first time in recorded history that a manned fighter jet has been brought down by a naval drone—an evolution in warfare that’s raising eyebrows across the globe.

The operation was carried out by Ukraine’s military intelligence service, specifically a special unit known as “Group 13.” These unmanned surface vessels, or USVs, weren’t just scouting or carrying explosives—they were outfitted with infrared-guided air-to-air missiles, likely AIM-9 Sidewinders or repurposed Russian R-73 Archers. These types of missiles are usually launched from fighter jets, not sea drones. That’s what makes this mission so groundbreaking.

Here’s how it likely went down. The Magura-7 drones moved toward Russian naval forces operating near Novorossiisk. Russian Su-30s scrambled to take them out, flying in low to engage. That’s when the trap was sprung. The low altitude made the jets vulnerable, and the drones fired their missiles. One Russian jet was confirmed hit—Ukraine even released video footage of it. The crew of that jet survived and was rescued. The second jet’s fate is less clear, but Ukrainian officials believe the crew didn’t make it.

This strike wasn’t a fluke. It was a well-coordinated effort involving Ukraine’s intelligence services, the Security Service of Ukraine, and other defense units. And the impact goes far beyond the immediate losses. It shows that Ukraine has figured out how to adapt air-to-air missiles for use from the water—something no one’s pulled off before. Now, even Russia’s advanced fighter jets aren’t safe over the Black Sea.

The Russian government hasn’t said much, but reports from inside the country confirm at least one jet was lost. To add to the pressure, the mayor of Novorossiisk declared a state of emergency after related Ukrainian drone strikes damaged port infrastructure and residential areas.

Ukraine has already proven it can use drones to sink ships and take down helicopters. But this latest move ups the ante. It introduces a new kind of threat for Russian pilots and forces Moscow to rethink how it defends its skies and coastline. Expect to see Russia leaning more heavily on high-cost, long-range weapons in response—because these nimble sea drones are a growing problem they can’t ignore.

This event is more than a tactical win for Ukraine. It signals a shift in how wars might be fought in the future. Maritime drones are no longer just tools of sabotage—they’re lethal weapons capable of reshaping air and sea combat altogether.

Houthi Missile Hits Near Israel’s Main Airport, Shakes Up Air Travel and Raises Stakes

Early in the morning on May 4, 2025, a ballistic missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen slammed into the perimeter of Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, just outside Tel Aviv. This was more than a close call—it was a serious escalation in the Houthis’ ongoing campaign against Israel, tied to the war in Gaza and the blockade on aid into the region.

The missile struck a grove near an access road inside the airport grounds. It left behind a sizable crater and scattered debris across nearby roads. Six people were injured—some hit by the blast or flying debris, others hurt while running for shelter, and a few treated for shock and anxiety. Thankfully, there were no deaths, but the psychological toll was clear. Panic swept across central Israel as air raid sirens blared, forcing millions to seek cover. Videos quickly surfaced showing motorists ditching their cars and sprinting for safety.

The attack was about more than simple damage—it disrupted everything. Air traffic, roadways, and rail lines around Ben Gurion Airport were all shut down temporarily. Flights were suspended for about an hour, and some international airlines canceled the day’s flights entirely. Though airport operations resumed quickly, the ripple effect caused delays and cancellations that lingered.

One of the most troubling aspects of this attack was the failure of Israel’s usually reliable missile defense systems. Despite deploying Iron Dome and even THAAD batteries, the missile got through. That’s now under investigation by the Israeli Air Force. Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed responsibility, with their spokesman warning that Ben Gurion is “no longer safe for air travel.” They’ve been blunt about their motivations: retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza and the humanitarian blockade.

This strike marked one of the few times a Houthi missile managed to slip past Israeli defenses and hit such a high-profile target. Since mid-March, the Houthis have launched at least 27 ballistic missiles and numerous drones toward Israel. Most were intercepted or missed their mark, but this one hit home.

The political fallout is already brewing. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, issued a stark warning: “Whoever harms us, we will strike them sevenfold.” But there’s division inside Israel’s leadership. Some want to strike directly at Houthi positions in Yemen, while others believe the blame—and retaliation—should be aimed at Iran for enabling these attacks.

This incident also puts pressure on ongoing U.S. and U.K. efforts to weaken the Houthis’ missile and drone capabilities through airstrikes in Yemen. Footage from the scene—showing plumes of smoke and debris near Israel’s busiest airport—spread fast online, underscoring just how dangerous this moment was.

Bottom line: The Houthis just showed they can reach deep into Israel and hit where it hurts. Israel’s air defense, usually a point of pride, has a glaring vulnerability. And this one attack could push an already volatile region one step closer to a wider conflict.

Elon Musk’s Starbase Set to Become an Official City After Overwhelming Vote

Elon Musk’s plan to turn SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas into its own city is now all but official. On May 3, 2025, residents living within the proposed city limits—most of them SpaceX employees—voted overwhelmingly to approve the incorporation of Starbase as a municipality. The final tally? 212 votes in favor, just 6 against. That result easily cleared the 143 votes needed to pass the measure.

Starbase covers about 1.5 square miles at the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border. It’s home to SpaceX’s key launch and manufacturing operations for its massive Starship rockets. These rockets are central to high-profile contracts with NASA and the Pentagon, supporting missions aimed at getting us to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Out of 283 eligible voters, almost all are tied to SpaceX, and the ballot included not just the incorporation vote but the election of the city’s first leaders. Unsurprisingly, every candidate—current or former SpaceX employees—ran unopposed. Once the results are certified by county officials and a judge signs off, Starbase will officially join the list of Texas cities right up there with Austin and China Grove.

This move turns Starbase into what amounts to a modern-day company town, complete with a huge bust of their spiritual leader, Elon Musk.

With city status, SpaceX and Musk will have considerable influence over local governance. That means fewer bureaucratic hurdles for rocket launches, construction projects, and possibly even the power to close public beaches during launches without needing county approval.

The local economic impact is expected to grow, and backers of the plan say the new city will help cement the area as a space industry powerhouse. But critics are raising red flags, arguing that giving a private company this kind of authority could reduce public oversight and increase the risk of environmental damage. Others worry about how much control one man—Musk—will now have over a functioning city.

Still, being an official city means Starbase will have to follow Texas transparency laws, including open meetings and public records requirements. That could offer the public more insight into SpaceX operations, something that’s been lacking up to now.

Bottom line: Elon Musk just got the green light to build his own city around his space program. It’s a bold step that gives SpaceX a huge advantage in running its operations with fewer outside roadblocks. And it sets a new precedent in the U.S.—a private company turning its headquarters into a city, with its own government, its own rules, and its own vision for the future.