Russia vows to keep control of nuclear power plant
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for March 27, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Wednesday, we collected 53 events,
including Russia vowing to maintain
control of a nuclear power plant
in Ukraine, so let's get started.
"Ukraine
Russia's Foreign Ministry has stated that
the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is a
Russian facility and cannot be transferred
to Ukraine or any other country.
Moscow claims control over the plant
due to its annexation of the region
in 2022, which Ukraine and Western
countries have dismissed as fraudulent.
Ukraine continues to demand the plant's
return to its jurisdiction, while Russia
has ignored calls to relinquish control."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have
issued a final warning for Palestinians
in the Gaza City area, including
the neighborhoods of Zeitoun, Tel
al-Hawa, and Sheikh Ijlin, after a
rocket attack from the Gaza Strip.
The warning advises residents to leave the
area and head to known shelters south of
the Wadi Gaza stream via the coastal road.
Two rockets were launched, with
one intercepted by air defenses
and the other impacting outside
Zimrat, causing no injuries.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad has
taken responsibility for the attack."
"India
Indian security agencies have apprehended
a 40-year-old Pakistani spy, Pathan Khan,
in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, for sending
sensitive information, including photos
and videos of army areas, to Pakistan.
Khan was caught in the Mohangarh
canal area and is being interrogated
by multiple security agencies."
"Indonesia
The Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force
(CPOTF), a joint military and police
effort to combat armed separatist groups
in Papua, has apprehended three soldiers
accused of illegally selling weapons and
ammunition to the West Papua National
Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the armed
wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM)
rebel forces in the far-eastern region.
On Tuesday, the CPOTF stated that
the soldiers were linked to another
case involving seven civilians
recently identified as suspects
in similar illegal activities."
"Niger
Abdourahamane Tchiani has been
sworn in as Niger's president
for a 5-year transition period,
replacing the country's constitution.
This move comes after a 2023 coup and a
rejection of the regional bloc's (ECOWAS)
proposal for a 3-year transition period.
Critics argue that Niger's junta has
restricted civil rights and struggled to
address jihadi violence in the region."
"Pakistan
China has deployed private security
personnel in Pakistan for the first time
to protect its projects and citizens amid
rising terror attacks in the country.
The move comes after recent attacks
by Baloch militants on Pakistani
security forces and Chinese nationals.
Approximately 60 Chinese security forces
have been deployed on two CPEC power
projects in Sindh province to oversee
the Pakistani army engaged in security."
"Haiti
A Kenyan police officer serving in
Haiti under the Multinational Security
Support (MSS) mission has gone missing
after an ambush on March 25, 2025.
A search and rescue operation is
currently underway to locate the officer.
The MSS, in collaboration with the
Haitian National Police (HNP), is
actively conducting the operation."
"India
Security forces in Manipur have
arrested five militants belonging
to different banned outfits.
The arrested individuals were
involved in extortion activities in
various districts, including Imphal
East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur.
Additionally, a cache of arms and
ammunition was seized from the Chingkhei
Ching area in the Imphal East district."
"Iraq
A judge's residence in Maysan province,
southern Iraq, was attacked with
an explosive device on Wednesday.
The blast caused damage to the
property and surrounding homes,
but no casualties were reported.
The motive behind the attack and the
individuals responsible are unknown."
"Iraq
Iraqi Military Intelligence Directorate
operatives, in coordination with
ground forces, arrested seven
suspected ISIS members during raids
in al-Anbar, Kirkuk, and Nineveh."
"Israel
Two rockets were launched from
the Gaza Strip at southern Israel,
with rocket sirens sounding
in several border communities.
Air defenses intercepted one rocket while
the other struck in the area of Zimrat.
Fortunately, there are no
immediate reports of injuries."
"Israel
Israeli authorities (Police, IDF, and
Shin Bet) arrested three Palestinians
suspected of carrying out attacks
against Israeli civilians and
soldiers over the past two years.
The attacks included bomb-planting,
Molotov cocktail, and rock-throwing
incidents, with one incident resulting in
a bus driver being injured in the chest.
The suspects have confessed and
been indicted for their crimes."
"Nigeria
On Monday, Boko Haram terrorists attacked
a military base in Sabon Gari, Damboa
Local Government Area of Borno State,
resulting in the deaths and injuries
of an unknown number of soldiers."
"Pakistan
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)
has claimed responsibility for a
deadly attack on a Pakistani army
convoy in Balochistan province,
killing five personnel and wounding
three others, including an officer.
The BLA alleges that the attack occurred
in the Harboi area on Tuesday, forcing
the army to retreat the following day."
"Pakistan
Three police officials were martyred
in separate gun attacks in Lower
South Waziristan, Hangu, and
Lakki Marwat districts on Tuesday.
In Lower South Waziristan, a district
police officer, Muharir Imran Wazir, was
targeted while returning home on leave.
In Hangu, a district security branch
official, Maqbool Akbar, was attacked by
two armed motorcyclists while on duty.
In Lakki Marwat, two police
officers, Ihsanullah and Rafiullah,
were attacked by terrorists, with
Ihsanullah succumbing to his injuries.
A search operation is underway
to apprehend the assailants
in all three incidents."
"Philippines
An election officer, Lawyer Maceda
Abo, and her husband were killed
in an ambush in Makir, Datu Odin
Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
The police have activated a hot
pursuit operation against the suspects.
In response, the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) chairperson, George Garcia,
plans to recommend placing Datu Odin
Sinsuat under Comelec control due to the
recent violence in the area, including
a similar incident on March 18, 2025."
"Philippines
A driver for a mayoral candidate in
Tineg town, Juanito Gammong, 58, was
shot and killed in Barangay Zone 3,
Bangued town, Abra on Tuesday evening.
Gammong was resting in a house when
an unidentified assailant followed
him inside and shot him three times.
Police have launched a manhunt
and are conducting operations
to track down the suspect."
"Sao Tome and Principe
Pirates abducted seven Indian seafarers
and three Romain nationals from the
Panamanian-flagged tanker Bitu River,
some 40 nautical miles southeast of
Santo Antonio in Sao Tome and Principe,
in the Gulf of Guinea on March 17.
The pirates took the seafarers
hostage, along with three Romanian
nationals, and threatened to kill them
if they attempted to leave the ship.
The families of the kidnapped
seafarers are appealing to the Indian
Government to facilitate their safe
release, and the company that owns
the Bitu River is coordinating with
authorities to resolve the crisis."
"South Sudan
Tuesday morning, unknown gunmen
ambushed and killed four people and
injured another as they traveled on
bicycles and motorbikes along the
Nzara-Tambura Road in Nzara County."
"Syria
Fierce clashes have broken out in
Duqmaq village, Sahl Al-Ghab area,
Hama countryside, between tribes armed
with machine guns and heavy weapons.
The fighting has resulted in the death
of three civilians and injuries to
others, causing panic among residents."
"Syria
ISIS cells attacked a position
of the Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF) in Al-Janynah town, western
Deir Ezzor countryside, using a
rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
Fortunately, no casualties were
reported as a result of the attack."
"Ukraine
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU)
thwarted a planned terror attack
in Zaporizhzhia on March 25, 2025.
Two Russian agents, an 18-year-old man
and a 19-year-old woman, were arrested for
planning to detonate a homemade explosive
device near a local military base.
The suspects were recruited by a
Russian GRU agent and face charges
of state treason and preparing
a terrorist act, potentially
resulting in life imprisonment."
"Lithuania
Four US soldiers have gone missing
during a training mission in Lithuania.
A major search operation was
launched after their tracked vehicle
disappeared at around 4:45 pm.
The search, involving Lithuanian
and US assets, has identified a
possible location where the soldiers
are believed to have disappeared.
There are conflicting reports on
whether the soldiers were found dead.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces are leading
the search and rescue operation, with
assistance from other institutions."
"Taiwan
On Wednesday, a Taipei District Court
sentenced four former military police
officers and a communications officer to
prison terms ranging from 5 to 7 years for
selling sensitive information to China.
The men, who were members of the 211th
military police battalion, received
compensation for the information
they passed on, with one receiving
NT$664,000 (approximately US$20,067)."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have
struck a terror operative in the Gaza
Strip who was responsible for firing two
rockets at southern Israel earlier today.
The operative was identified at the
launch site, and the IDF also targeted
a building used to set off the launches
and two nearby rocket launching sites."
"India
The Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted
raids on multiple locations in
Srinagar and Sopore, including the
houses of separatist leaders Abdul
Gani Bhat and Shabir Ahmad Shah.
The raids were part of ongoing
investigations into cases
registered under the Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The police searched for suspected members
of banned organizations, including the
Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference,
Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League, and Jammu
and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party."
"Iraq
On Tuesday, Turkish airstrikes targeted
a Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
position in the Mount Matin range in
northern Duhok's Al-Amediya district.
There were no immediate details
on casualties or damage."
"Myanmar
A junta airstrike in Natogyi
Township, Mandalay Region, killed
three members of a single family,
including a 9-year-old child, while
they were eating lunch at home.
The attack, which involved fighter
jets dropping bombs and firing rockets,
occurred despite there being no
active ground fighting in the area."
"Myanmar
On Sunday, March 21, airstrikes by
the military junta on Latwe-Myinni
village in Natogyi Township, Myingyan
District, Mandalay Region, resulted
in injuries to two people, including a
13-year-old girl, and destroyed 22 homes."
"Myanmar
Local residents have reported that
junta military gunboats stationed on the
Gyaing River have resumed firing mortar
shells toward the villages of Migalon and
Kawtkan, targeting areas where resistance
forces are believed to be active."
"Somalia
On March 26, 2025, U.S.
airstrikes hit the Cal Miskaat mountain
range in Somalia's Bari region,
targeting ISIS militants entrenched
in the remote Miiraale Valley.
The number of terrorist
casualties remains unverified.
The strike is part of ongoing
operations to weaken ISIS's growing
presence in northern Somalia, with
Puntland forces and international
allies supporting the effort."
"South Sudan
The spokesperson for the Sudan
People's Liberation Army in
Opposition (SPLA-IO), Col.
Lam Paul Gabriel, has accused the
South Sudan People's Defense Forces
(SSPDF) of conducting an air strike
on the SPLA-IO's base in the Wun Aliet
cantonment site, located west of Juba.
In a statement, Col.
Gabriel reported that the camp, situated
on the outskirts of Terekeka County, was
allegedly attacked on Monday evening."
"South Sudan
Clashes broke out near South Sudan's
capital, Juba, on Wednesday morning,
as the SPLA-IO accused the SSPDF
of attacking a training center.
The fighting occurred in the direction
of Rejaf, 10 kilometers from Juba.
The SPLA-IO issued a statement accusing
the SSPDF of launching attacks recently
on its training and cantonment sites,
including one in Rejaf, on Wednesday
morning, resulting in its closure."
"South Sudan
On Tuesday, the South Sudan Peopleâs
Liberation Army in Opposition (SSPDF)
clashed with their colleagues, the Sudan
Peopleâs Liberation Army in Opposition
(SPLA-IO), in Tonga, Panyikang County.
Both the SSPDF and SPLA-IO are part
of the Necessary Unified Forces.
Tensions had risen after the SSPDFâs
Division 2 command ordered its forces in
Tonga to move to Malakal for armament.
However, the SPLA-IO warned that
withdrawing SSPDF troops from Tonga would
trigger fighting between the two forces.
During the fighting, at least two
SSPDF soldiers were killed, while
others fled to an unknown location."
"Sudan
On Wednesday, the Sudanese Armed Forces
(SAF) announced that it had regained
control of key locations in Khartoum,
including the Rapid Support Forces
(RSF) base in Taiba Hassanat and a
strategic section of the Manshia Bridge.
The bridge is a key crossing point between
Khartoum and East Nile localities."
"Sudan
On Wednesday, the Sudanese forces
recaptured Khartoum airport from the
paramilitary Rapid Support Forces
(RSF) and secured the facility."
"Sudan
On Wednesday, the Sudanese army
confirmed it retook control of its
1st infantry brigade at Al Bageir, a
military base located in Al Jazira State.
Rapid Support Forces captured
the base on April 15, 2923.
Al Gageir is situated to the
south of the Soba bridge."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 27 Chinese military
aircraft, six naval vessels,
and two official ships around
its country between 6 a.m.
on Tuesday and 6 a.m.
on Wednesday.
25 aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the countryâs
northern and southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,280 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 180 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
On March 26, Russian forces carried
out a drone attack on the town of
Okhtyrka in Sumy Region, Ukraine.
The attack caused a fire and
damaged non-residential buildings,
apartment blocks, shops, and
an administrative facility.
Fortunately, there have been
no reports of casualties.
Rescue workers promptly extinguished
the fire and evacuated residents from
the damaged premises, and emergency
repair work is now underway."
"Ukraine
On March 26, Kramatorsk in
Donetsk region suffered a Russian
drone strike at 11:18 a.m.
Three residential buildings were damaged,
but there were no reported casualties.
This is the second attack on the city
in a single day, with a high-rise
building damaged in the morning strike."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched a significant
number of attacks on 13 settlements
in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The attacks included 24 airstrikes, 162
UAV attacks, 8 MLRS attacks, and 162
artillery strikes on various locations.
Fortunately, no civilians were injured,
but there were 15 reports of damage to
apartments, private homes, vehicles,
and infrastructure facilities."
"West Bank
Israeli security forces arrested 20
wanted suspects in counterterrorism
operations across the West Bank overnight.
The operations resulted in
the seizure of two firearms,
a grenade, and other weapons.
A targeted operation in the village
of Tayasir involved the use of a
helicopter to apprehend a suspect."
"Yemen
Houthi media in Yemen reports US
strikes in the rebel's Saada heartland,
blaming the US for the attacks.
This follows a US military offensive
announced on March 15, which aimed
to stop Houthi attacks on shipping
routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthi rebels have reported
near-daily attacks since then, with some
targeting US military ships and Israel."
"Gaza Strip
Dozens of residents from the Shejaiya
neighborhood in Gaza City have held a
protest against Hamas rule, marking the
second consecutive day of demonstrations
calling for an end to the war.
Similar protests took place in other
areas, including Beit Lahiya, the Jabalia
refugee camp, and Khan Yunis, in a
rare display of dissent against Hamas."
"Gaza Strip
Large protests against Hamas were reported
in northern Gaza, with thousands of people
demanding an end to the war and calling
for the militant group to be ousted.
The protests come as the death
toll in Gaza surpasses 50,000,
and the territory faces a severe
humanitarian crisis, with no aid
entering the enclave for three weeks."
"Syria
Residents of Al-Sanmin gathered to
protest against Israeli aggression
and commemorate a recent massacre
in Koya Village, Daraa countryside.
The protests condemned the
killing of seven young men by
Israeli forces and ongoing Israeli
attacks on Syrian territory."
"South Korea
On Wednesday, a pilot was killed
in a firefighting helicopter crash
in South Korea's southeastern area
while combating deadly wildfires.
The helicopter crashed at
approximately 12:54 p.m.
local time in Uiseong area.
An investigation was underway."
"Syria
A civilian was killed by shrapnel
from a war remnant landmine explosion
in the Al-Shamiya Desert, located
in Deir Ezzor's countryside."
"Syria
In Syria, multiple incidents have occurred
due to the explosion of old landmines.
A woman and her son were killed in
Al-Bouyahj village, while a little
girl lost her life in Al-Quryah city.
Additionally, a child was injured
in Al-Qastal Al-Wstani village and
taken to the hospital for treatment."
"United States
On Tuesday, a helicopter crashed at the
Lea County Regional Airport in Hobbs.
There were no injuries in the crash."
"United States
On Tuesday, a Providence and Worcester
Railroad train derailed in Central
Falls, affecting five railcars.
Four railcars were empty flatbeds,
while one was a loaded scrap metal car.
No injuries were reported, and no
hazardous materials were involved."
"United States
A train derailment occurred
in Tyrone, Georgia on Tuesday
afternoon, causing six rail cars to
derail and one to land in a tree.
According to CSX officials, there were
no reported injuries to the crew or
threats to the surrounding community.
The cause of the derailment
is still under investigation."
Thanks for joining us for the March
27, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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