29 September 2025
Venezuela
The United States is drawing up options to target drug traffickers inside Venezuela. No action has been taken within the country’s borders yet, but it appears that this may be a possibility within a few weeks, according to NBC, citing inside sources.
Drone Sightings
Unidentified drone sightings continue. Denmark announced that drone sightings over military bases occurred over the weekend. At the same time, there have also been drone sightings in Finland and Lithuania. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claims that the drones may be coming from ships from Russia’s Shadow Fleet and are being controlled by individuals on those ships. This theory has been floated before Zelenskyy made claims.
Russia
A Russian conventional diesel-electric Kilo-class submarine declared itself an explosive hazard after a fuel leak in the Mediterranean. Not much is known about the condition of the Novorossiysk after a critical incident. Diesel fuel is leaking into the hold, and apparently, there are no spare parts or qualified specialists to fix the technical malfunction. The crew has been pumping their hold directly into the sea – meaning they have been pumping diesel fuel into the Mediterranean.
Turkey
Turkey’s foreign minister stated that his country will seek alternative jet engines for its domestically built fighter jet, as US CAATSA sanctions are preventing those engines from being exported from the United States. Seeking Chinese or Russian engines will necessitate redesigning the KAAN. The license is currently stuck with the US Congress.
Ukraine-Russia
On Saturday, President Zelenskyy warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could attack another European country. “Putin won’t wait until the end of the war in Ukraine. He will open another direction,” Zelenskyy said. “He is testing Europe. He has checked that Europe doesn’t have the capacity to protect itself from Russian drones.” On Saturday night and into Sunday morning, Russia launched more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles at Ukraine, targeting cities across Ukraine. In response, Poland closed the airspace over several cities near the Ukrainian border, according to Flightradar24, which tracks air traffic.
On Sunday, a Ukrainian HIMARS struck a thermal power plant near the Russian city of Belgorod. Residents reported widespread disruptions following the blasts. The city lost electricity, water, and internet access. Elevators stopped working, and stores were operating on a cash-only basis or had closed entirely. Public transport was running irregularly, some streets were unlit, and traffic lights were out of service.
Moldova
Moldovans voted for a pro-Western government in a weekend election, defeating pro-Russian groups. Moldovan authorities have repeatedly claimed that Russia was conducting a vast “hybrid war” to try to sway the outcome and seize power in Chisinau. The pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity, or PAS, secured 50.1% of the vote, while the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc won 24.2%. The Russia-friendly Alternativa Bloc came third, followed by the populist Our Party. The right-wing Democracy at Home party also won enough votes to enter parliament.
Baltic-Russia
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Russia is using its oil tankers to launch drones into NATO airspace and should be denied access to the Baltic Sea as a result.
Social Media Wires
Pakistan has been growing closer to Trump. On his latest trip, Field Marshall Munir showed President Trump an array of valuable gemstones and rare minerals from Pakistan.
A Ukrainian strike on the Belgorod Thermal electrical plant has placed most of Belgorod without electricity or water, affecting 900,000 people.
According to reports, 15 cars of gasoline were sent to Russia via Belarus to help alleviate the shortage. It did not end well.
Feature Photo: “US Navy Growler taking off” – Picryl. 2025
The Wires Brief is a weekly breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates.