Morning Brief: Kim Jong-un Pledges Full Support to Russia’s War in Ukraine During Lavrov Visit

· Guy D. McCardle

Russian FM Sergei Lavrov meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a visit to Pyongyang over the weekend. (Image grab via X)

Good Morning! It’s Monday, July 14, 2025, and the week begins with no shortage of flashpoints. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza push the death toll past 58,000 as ceasefire talks stall. Houthi attacks have ended in tragedy at sea, while Ukraine escalates drone strikes deep inside Russia. From North Korea tightening its alliance with Moscow to India’s reported cross-border drone operations, today’s SOFREP Morning Brief has the key updates you need to stay informed and ahead. Let’s get to it.

—

 

Israeli Strikes Kill 32 in Gaza as Death Toll Tops 58,000

Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 32 people on Sunday, including six children at a water collection site in Nuseirat, as the Palestinian death toll from 21 months of war rose above 58,000, according to local health officials.

The Israeli military said a technical error caused a munition to fall “dozens of meters from the target,” killing civilians.

In separate attacks, an Israeli strike killed 11 people in central Gaza City, including Dr. Ahmed Qandil, and another strike on a home in Zawaida killed nine, including three children. Israel said it hit over 150 targets in the past 24 hours and blamed Hamas for operating from civilian areas.

Meanwhile, indirect ceasefire negotiations remain deadlocked following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. Disagreements over troop presence during a ceasefire have become a sticking point.

Hamas has offered to release all remaining hostages—around 50, with only 20 believed alive—in exchange for a permanent end to the war and Israeli withdrawal. Israel insists Hamas must disarm, surrender, and go into exile.

Frustrated families of hostages held a demonstration outside Netanyahu’s office demanding a deal to end the war.

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers allegedly killed Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet and his friend Mohammed al-Shalabi.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said Musallet was beaten, and al-Shalabi was shot. Israel’s military said Palestinians had thrown rocks at Israelis in the area, sparking a larger confrontation.

Musallet’s family has called for a US investigation.

Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen said Israel would not assist in Gaza’s reconstruction, declaring, “Gaza should remain an island of ruins for the next decades.”

The conflict, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people and abducted 251, continues to escalate with no ceasefire in sight.

 

Search Ends for Missing Crew After Houthi Attacks Sink Two Ships in Red Sea

The search for missing mariners from the Houthi attack on the bulk carrier Eternity C has ended, with at least four people presumed dead and 11 others still unaccounted for, private security firms Ambrey and Diaplous Group confirmed Monday.

The Eternity C was sunk by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on July 7 during a drone and small-arms assault. A day earlier, the Magic Seas was also sunk. Both were Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned ships.

Ten survivors were rescued, including eight Filipino crew members and two security team members.

The US Embassy in Yemen and European Union officials suspect the Houthis may have kidnapped some missing crew, though no evidence has been provided.

Satellite images show long oil slicks near the wreck sites, with one stretching 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Eternity C and another 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the Magic Seas. Environmental experts warn the spills threaten marine reserves along Eritrea’s coastline.

The attacks are part of the Houthis’ ongoing campaign targeting commercial shipping in retaliation for the Israel-Hamas war. Since November 2023, the group has attacked over 100 vessels, sunk four, and killed at least eight sailors. The violence resumed despite a brief ceasefire and follows recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day Israel-Iran conflict. Talks over Iran’s nuclear program remains in jeopardy.

 

Britain’s Oldest WWII Veteran, D-Day Hero Donald Rose, Dies at 110

Donald Rose, Britain’s oldest World War II veteran and believed to be the nation’s oldest man, has died at age 110.

Rose served with distinction during the Second World War, including participating in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, and aiding in the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany.

Born on Christmas Eve in 1914, Rose joined the British Army at age 23 and saw combat in North Africa, Italy, and France. He was awarded several medals for his service, including France’s highest military honor, the Legion d’Honneur.

Erewash Borough Council leader James Dawson called Rose a “war hero” and said the local community was honored to count him as a resident.

In May, Rose attended a Royal British Legion event marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Reflecting on the war, he noted he didn’t celebrate VE Day while deployed at Belsen, saying, “We just did what we thought was right.”

Rose’s passing marks the loss of a living link to the generation that fought and endured during one of history’s most pivotal conflicts.

 

NATO Chief Rutte to Meet Trump as US Pushes Weapon Sales to Allies for Ukraine Aid

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet US President Donald Trump this week in Washington as the US accelerates efforts to arm Ukraine by selling advanced weapons to NATO allies, who will then transfer them to Kyiv.

Trump confirmed Sunday night that NATO nations will “pay 100%” for US weapons, which are intended to reach Ukraine faster via stockpiles already in Europe.

Rutte’s visit comes amid a shifting US stance on Ukraine, with Trump showing increased support for military aid after previously criticizing it as wasteful.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Ukraine is nearing a turning point, and “weapons will be flowing at a record level” to counter Russia.

Trump is expected to make a major announcement on Russia Monday but gave no details.

The shift coincides with mounting bipartisan pressure on Trump to support a Senate bill that would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, including a 500% tariff on goods from nations that continue to buy Russian oil and gas. The sanctions aim to pressure countries like China, India, and Brazil—key buyers of Russian energy—to sever trade with Moscow or face economic consequences.

Trump has withheld action on the bill while demanding full control over the waiver process.

The legislation, backed by Graham and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, enjoys broad Senate support and is designed to strike a financial blow to Russia’s war machine.

Separately, European allies have urged the Trump administration to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu acknowledged France currently lacks available systems and won’t be able to contribute more until next year.

Meanwhile, lawmakers and European officials are also pushing to redirect $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine’s defense and recovery. NATO’s evolving strategy, coupled with Trump’s hardening tone on Vladimir Putin, signals a more aggressive Western posture in the conflict’s next phase.

 

Trump Approves Patriot Missile Deliveries to Ukraine, Citing Putin’s Escalating Attacks

US President Trump announced Sunday that the United States will send Patriot air defense missile systems to Ukraine, citing the urgent need to counter Russia’s continued missile and drone strikes.

Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for “talking nice” while “bombing everybody in the evening,” expressing frustration over Moscow’s resistance to ceasefire negotiations.

Trump did not specify how many Patriots would be delivered but said the European Union would reimburse the US for the cost. He emphasized that Ukraine would also pay for other advanced US military equipment being provided under the arrangement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly requested increased air defense capabilities amid daily Russian bombardments. The Patriot systems are expected to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to intercept incoming threats.

 

Ukrainian Security Forces Kill Russian Agents Who Assassinated SBU Colonel

Ukraine’s SBU security service announced Sunday it had located and killed two Russian agents responsible for the assassination of SBU Colonel Ivan Voronich in Kyiv last week.

The agents—a man and a woman—reportedly tracked Voronich’s daily movements before ambushing and killing him on Thursday.

In a follow-up operation Sunday morning, SBU special units confronted the suspects, who resisted and were “eliminated,” according to the official statement.

A released video showed two bodies at the scene.

Ukraine accused the agents of working for Russia’s FSB intelligence service. The incident is the latest in a pattern of cross-border targeted killings, espionage, and sabotage amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

 

Kim Jong-un Pledges Full Support to Russia’s War in Ukraine During Lavrov Visit

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his unconditional support for Russia’s war in Ukraine during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Wonsan, state media reported Sunday.

The visit marks another step in deepening military and political ties between Moscow and Pyongyang amid growing confrontation with the West.

Kim praised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “outstanding leadership” and pledged to back all Russian actions aimed at addressing the “root cause” of the Ukraine conflict. He also expressed confidence in a Russian victory, calling the campaign a “sacred cause” to protect the nation’s dignity.

Lavrov thanked Kim for North Korea’s contributions, including artillery, missiles, and the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia’s Kursk region. Russian officials acknowledged the role of North Korean forces in combat and expressed gratitude to Pyongyang for its military support.

The two sides also blamed Western powers for rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and pledged to implement the defense cooperation agreements signed during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June 2024.

Korean Central News Agency and Russia’s foreign ministry described the DPRK-Russia relationship as an “invincible alliance.” Both parties also vowed to counter “hegemonic” actions by external actors destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region.

Following the meeting, Lavrov departed for China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Foreign Ministers’ Council. Meanwhile, Russia has launched twice-weekly flights between Moscow and Pyongyang, further strengthening bilateral ties amid shared isolation and Western sanctions.

 

Russia and China Reaffirm Strategic Alignment, Discuss Ukraine and U.S. Relations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing on Sunday to discuss bilateral ties, their shared posture toward the United States, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to statements from both countries’ foreign ministries.

Lavrov is in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers’ summit.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized strengthening coordination on global platforms including the UN Security Council, BRICS, G20, APEC, and the SCO.


Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed that Lavrov and Wang discussed “prospects for resolving the Ukrainian crisis” and bilateral strategies for engaging with Washington.

China’s foreign ministry echoed that message, noting the partnership aims to confront global instability and promote mutual development.

The two also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula and Iran’s nuclear program. The talks reinforced the “no limits” partnership declared by Moscow and Beijing in early 2022, just prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Both nations continue to deepen strategic alignment amid escalating tensions with the United States, which views China as its main global competitor and Russia as its most immediate threat.

 

Australia Expects Chinese Spying During Massive Military Drills, Warns of Beijing’s Pacific Ambitions

Australia said Sunday it expects China to conduct surveillance on the Talisman Sabre military exercises beginning this week, involving more than 30,000 troops from 19 nations across Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy stated it would be “very unusual” if Chinese forces did not attempt to monitor the drills, which they’ve done since 2017.

Conroy said Australia will closely monitor Chinese activity and adjust operations to limit intelligence leaks, particularly concerning communications and electronic warfare procedures.

The exercises come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits China to strengthen recently restored trade ties, highlighting the dual nature of Australia’s approach to its biggest trading partner and strategic rival.

Conroy also renewed concerns that China is seeking to establish a military base in the South Pacific, particularly after signing a secretive 2022 security pact with the Solomon Islands.

The US and Australia fear the agreement could lead to a permanent Chinese military presence in the region.

Australia is working to remain the “primary security partner of choice” in the Pacific and aims to prevent any one power from dominating the region, Conroy said. China has rejected accusations of military expansionism, calling them “false narratives” driven by political motives.

China has increased its regional influence by investing heavily in infrastructure across Pacific Island nations, many of which—including Kiribati, Nauru, and the Solomon Islands—have cut ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing in recent years.

 

Indian Army Allegedly Conducts Cross-Border Drone Strikes on Separatist Camps in Myanmar

Separatist militants from the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) claimed Sunday that the Indian army launched cross-border drone strikes on their camps in Myanmar, killing three senior commanders and wounding at least 19 others.

The strikes reportedly targeted rebel positions near the India-Myanmar border.

The ULFA said subsequent drone attacks also hit camps belonging to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a group seeking independence for India’s Manipur state. Several other militants and civilians were reportedly injured in the strikes.

Indian authorities have not confirmed the operation.

ULFA, which seeks independence for Assam, has long maintained camps across the border due to ethnic and cultural ties in Myanmar. A faction of the group signed a peace agreement with New Delhi in 2023.

While separatist violence in northeastern India has declined significantly in recent years, it has claimed thousands of civilian lives over the past three decades.

If confirmed, these strikes would mark a significant escalation in India’s counter-insurgency operations across its eastern frontier.

 

Sources: News Agencies