12 September 2025
Poland
NATO has strengthened Polish air defences since the recent incursion of Russian drones. Germany is extending its air policing over Poland, while the Netherlands and Czechia are providing more equipment. It is also being reported that the Dutch F-35, just recently stationed in Poland, helped with the downing of those Russian drones.
Russia-Belarus
Russia and Belarus on Friday launched their Zapad 2025 joint military exercise. The exercise will last until Tuesday. There are around 6500 soldiers taking part, an exact breakdown of troops is not available at this time.
Brazil
A panel of Brazilian Supreme Court justices sentenced former president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison after convicting him of attempting a coup to remain in office despite his 2022 electoral defeat. Bolsonaro is currently under house arrest in Brasilia. His lawyers have said they will appeal the verdict to the full Supreme Court of 11 justices.
South Korea-US
The United States and Japan began two weeks of military exercises on Thursday, dubbed Resolute Dragon. The exercises started less than 2 days after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had a video call with his Chinese counterpart, Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. The exercises feature American Typhon and NMESIS missiles and Japan’s Type 12 surface-to-surface missiles.
North Korea
South Korean intelligence believes that Kim Jong-un’s daughter has solidified her position as his successor. For years, there was speculation that Kim Jong-un’s sister would take the reins. His daughter, Ju-ae, stayed out of the media spotlight in China but created enough of a narrative during the trip. South Korean intelligence also states that Kim Jong-un’s blood pressure and heart rate are in the normal range.
Ukraine-Russia
Ukraine has struck Russia’s largest oil terminal on the Baltic Sea during one of its biggest overnight drone attacks in months. Ukraine’s security services said the aerial assault targeted the Primorsk oil port in the Leningrad region, the final station of the Baltic Pipeline System and a crucial hub for Russia’s maritime exports.
South Sudan
The South Sudanese government has charged its Vice President, Riek Machar, with treason and murder over attacks on South Sudanese government forces. The government claims that the White Army, a loose band of armed youths, acted on Machar’s orders and attacked a military base in Nasir – killing more than 250.
Yemen
The United States has introduced a new round of sanctions on the Houthi rebels. This includes not only 32 individuals, but also four ships and several China-based companies that are suspected of transporting military grade supplies. Conflict Armament Research published a report earlier this month on seized Iranian resupply for the Houthis.
Feature Photo: “Zapad Exercise 2017”, Wikimedia Commons, 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