THE FRONTLINE REPORT

It's Wednesday, October 29, 2025. October 28 marked one of the deadliest single days in the Gaza conflict since the October 10 ceasefire, with at least 91 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes across multiple locations. The day also saw Brazil's deadliest police operation in history killing 64 people in Rio de Janeiro, ongoing Russia-Ukraine combat operations resulting in hundreds of casualties, a North Korean cruise missile test timed ahead of Trump's Asia visit, and a major ransomware attack on Sweden's national power grid. The collapse of Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks in Istanbul and Lithuania's decision to indefinitely close its border with Belarus over hybrid warfare tactics represented significant geopolitical escalations, while multiple cyberattacks targeted critical infrastructure in Europe.

• Israeli airstrikes across Gaza Strip killed at least 91 Palestinians in deadliest day since October 10 ceasefire began
• Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered immediate powerful strikes following alleged Hamas attack on IDF soldiers in Rafah
• Hamas postponed scheduled hostage body handover citing Israeli violations of ceasefire agreement terms
• IDF counterterrorism operation in Kafr Qud village near Jenin killed three Palestinian militants in northern West Bank
• Jewish settlers occupied mobile homes on West Bank agricultural land violating court order issued day prior
• US cargo plane delivered weapons and equipment to Kharab al-Jir Airport in northeastern Syria despite drawdown announcements

Gaza ceasefire collapses in deadliest day since October 10 agreement

Israeli airstrikes across Gaza Strip on October 28 killed at least 91 Palestinians including dozens of children, making it the deadliest single day since the Trump-brokered ceasefire began less than three weeks earlier. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered immediate powerful strikes following an alleged Hamas attack on IDF soldiers in Rafah and disputes over hostage remains. Six major strike locations were confirmed: Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital complex area, Al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City with multiple casualties, Khan Younis where a civilian vehicle strike killed 5 including 2 children, Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, Sabra neighborhood south of Gaza City where 2 were killed and 4 injured, and a residential home in Gaza City where 4 were killed.

The strikes began Tuesday evening local time and continued through the night, with casualty counts extending into Wednesday October 29. Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal confirmed the locations and casualty figures, which were corroborated by hospital officials, Al Jazeera, CNN, NBC News, NPR, and multiple other international outlets. The precipitating incident occurred Tuesday morning in Rafah, where Hamas militants allegedly attacked IDF soldiers in Israeli-controlled territory east of the ceasefire withdrawal line.

Hamas denied involvement in the Rafah attack, calling the strikes a blatant violation of the ceasefire and postponing a scheduled hostage body handover. US officials were notified of the strikes, with President Trump stating from Air Force One that the Israelis hit back and they should hit back when that happens, while VP JD Vance characterized the violence as little skirmishes within an otherwise holding ceasefire. The strikes represented the most significant violation of the fragile ceasefire agreement and raised questions about its sustainability.

West Bank sees counterterrorism operation and settler activity

In Kafr Qud village near Jenin in the northern West Bank, IDF forces conducted a joint counterterrorism operation with Shin Bet security service and Israel Police Special Anti-Terror Unit on Tuesday morning October 28. Three Palestinian militants described by IDF as terrorists planning an attack were killed: two shot dead by snipers while in a cave, and one wounded by gunfire then killed when Israeli Air Force conducted an airstrike to damage terror infrastructure. The operation was confirmed through joint IDF-Shin Bet statements and reported by Haaretz and Times of Israel.

Near Umm al-Khair village in the southern West Bank, Jewish settlers occupied mobile homes on agricultural land on October 28, one day after a court issued an order prohibiting such occupation. Peace Now documented the violation, and the IDF was expected to explain why security forces did not prevent the illegal settlement activity, representing ongoing security tensions and potential flashpoint in the territory. The settlement activity violated Israeli court orders and international law regarding occupied territories.

Syria receives US military reinforcements despite drawdown announcements

A US cargo plane landed at Kharab al-Jir Airport near Rmelan in Hasakah Province, northeastern Syria on Monday afternoon, with the deployment reported Tuesday October 28. The aircraft was accompanied by attack helicopters and carried heavy weapons and military equipment. The deployment occurred despite recent US announcements of troop drawdowns and base closures, part of ongoing US military buildup to fortify positions in northeastern Syria where approximately 2,000 US troops remain deployed.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights originally reported the deployment, which was covered by Iranian state media Press TV on October 28. A previous deployment on October 21 delivered air defense systems and heavy weapons to the same airport. The reinforcements indicated continued US commitment to maintaining presence in Syria's oil-rich northeast despite repeated statements about reducing military footprint in the region.

• Brazilian police operation in Rio de Janeiro favelas killed 64 people including 4 officers in deadliest raid in nation's history
• Over 2,500 military and civilian police targeted Comando Vermelho gang in Complexo do Alemão and Penha favelas
• Gang members deployed armed drones against police and commandeered 70 buses to create barricades across northern Rio
• Operation forced closure of 46 schools and cancellation of university classes affecting tens of thousands
• Hurricane Melissa approached eastern Cuba as Category 5 storm triggering evacuation of over 600,000 residents
• Venezuelan government suspended gas deal with Trinidad and Tobago over US naval exercises in Caribbean waters

Brazil conducts deadliest police operation in history

At least 64 people were killed on October 28 in Rio de Janeiro's Complexo do Alemão and Penha favelas during Operation Containment, making it the deadliest police operation in Brazilian history. The raid killed 60 alleged gang members and 4 police officers, with 81 suspects detained. Over 2,500 military and civilian police personnel deployed with armored vehicles and helicopters targeted Comando Vermelho, Brazil's oldest and most powerful criminal organization founded in 1979, in an operation that was in development for over one year.

Comando Vermelho responded with armed drones attacking police forces, commandeering at least 70 buses to block roads, setting vehicles on fire, and creating barricades across northern and southeastern Rio. The violence forced closure of 46 schools across two neighborhoods, cancellation of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro night classes, shelter-in-place orders for residents, and major traffic disruptions throughout the city. The operation significantly exceeded previous deadly raids including the 2021 Jacarezinho favela operation that killed 28 and the 2005 Baixada Fluminense raid that killed 29.

The United Nations Human Rights Office issued a statement expressing being horrified by the scale of violence. Brazilian acting President Geraldo Alckmin convened an emergency meeting, while Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski scheduled an emergency meeting in Rio for October 29. Rio de Janeiro saw approximately 700 deaths during police operations in 2024, averaging nearly 2 per day. Al Jazeera, CNN, Bloomberg, Washington Post, NPR, BBC News and multiple other international outlets confirmed the casualty figures and operational details.

Hurricane Melissa threatens eastern Cuba as Category 5 storm

Hurricane Melissa approached eastern Cuba as a Category 5 storm on October 28, triggering mass evacuations and airport closures. Cuban authorities began evacuating over 600,000 residents from coastal areas in the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguín, Las Tunas and Camagüey. Antonio Maceo International Airport in Santiago de Cuba and Frank País International Airport in Holguín closed from October 28-30, with additional closures at Sierra Maestra Airport in Manzanillo and Gustavo Rizo Airport in Baracoa.

The storm threatened 7 to 11 feet of storm surge and 15 to 20 inches of rainfall with local amounts up to 25 inches. Hurricane-force winds were expected beginning October 28 evening. Cuba's fragile power grid and deteriorating infrastructure pose additional risks for complete infrastructure breakdown, requiring heightened humanitarian response in a country with limited emergency services. US Embassy Havana, SOFREP and National Hurricane Center reports confirmed the details.

Venezuela suspends Trinidad gas deal over US naval presence

Venezuela suspended a major gas deal with Trinidad and Tobago on October 27, with tensions continuing October 28 as President Nicolás Maduro accused Trinidad of acting as an aircraft carrier of the US empire. The suspension was triggered by USS Gravely guided-missile destroyer conducting joint naval exercises with Trinidad Navy from October 26-30, part of broader US-Venezuela tensions amid Caribbean military buildup. The gas deal suspension represented significant economic consequences for both nations and regional energy markets.

• Russian forces launched coordinated attacks across Ukraine killing at least 4 civilians and injuring 12 in 24-hour period
• Ukrainian drone operations struck deep into Russian territory including civilian targets in Bryansk Oblast
• Russia claimed capture of three villages in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia regions on October 28
• Ukrainian General Staff reported Russian losses of 1,060 troops and 6 tanks in single day
• Lithuania announced it will shoot down balloons from Belarus and close border indefinitely
• Multiple Baltic airports suspended operations due to balloon incursions disrupting 175 flights affecting 27,000 passengers

Ukraine-Russia front sees intense combat and infrastructure attacks

Russian forces launched coordinated attacks across Ukrainian territory on October 28, killing at least 4 civilians and injuring 12 others in a 24-hour period. In Zaporizhia Oblast, a 44-year-old man was killed on Monday October 27, announced October 28 by Governor Ivan Fedorov. Kherson Oblast suffered 2 killed and 6 injured as Russian forces struck 25 settlements with drones, artillery and aircraft. Donetsk Oblast reported 1 killed and 5 injured with 17 houses, 3 apartment buildings, 1 infrastructure facility and 2 vehicles damaged across front-line areas near Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka. Ukrainian Air Force intercepted 26 of 38 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia.

Ukrainian drone operations struck deep into Russian territory on October 28. In Pogar village, Bryansk Oblast, a Ukrainian drone struck a civilian minibus, killing the driver and injuring 5 passengers, according to TASS and Governor Alexander Bogomaz. The Pogarsky district highway experienced multiple FPV drone strikes on civilian vehicles over the previous 48 hours, injuring 14 people. Russian air defense intercepted 23 Ukrainian drones overnight October 27-28 over Bryansk, Tula, Oryol and Moscow oblasts. A massive Ukrainian drone attack on the night of October 28-29 saw 100 drones intercepted, with 46 shot down over Bryansk Oblast alone.

Ground combat remained intense across multiple sectors. Russia claimed capture of Yehorivka village in Dnipropetrovsk region, Novomykolaivka and Privolnoye villages in Zaporizhia region on October 28, though Ukraine's Ukrinform reported Ukrainian forces cleared Russians from Yehorivka. In the Pokrovsk sector of eastern Donetsk, Russian forces outnumber Ukraine 8-to-1 but have not achieved planned objectives despite the numerical advantage, with the city semi-surrounded on three sides with only a 15km supply corridor remaining. Ukrainian General Staff reported Russian military losses of 1,060 troops, 6 tanks, and 2 armored vehicles in the 24-hour period ending October 28.

Lithuania escalates response to Belarus hybrid warfare with border closure

Lithuania announced on October 28 it will shoot down balloons entering its airspace and close its border with Belarus indefinitely following a week of disruption caused by dozens of helium balloons crossing from Belarus, some carrying contraband cigarettes. Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė authorized the military to take all necessary measures against intruding objects, with the border closure decision scheduled for government approval at a Wednesday October 30 meeting.

The decision followed severe aviation disruptions: Vilnius Airport suspended operations for 6 hours on Saturday October 26 causing 4 cancellations and 7 diversions, while both Vilnius and Kaunas airports were suspended on Friday October 25 causing 10 cancellations and 4 diversions. During the week of October 21-27, 175 flights were disrupted affecting 27,000 passengers, with border crossings at Medininkai and Šalčininkai repeatedly closed.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the balloons a hybrid threat, destabilization and provocation, expressing full solidarity with Lithuania and referencing acceleration of the EU Eastern Flank Watch and European Drone Defence Initiative. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys told Euronews on October 28 that the EU must deepen sanctions against Belarus, specifically targeting aviation and banking sectors, warning if we cannot deter then we are moving through a spiral of escalation. Belarus Foreign Ministry issued a note of protest claiming border closure violates citizens' rights and freedom of movement.

• North Korea test-fired multiple sea-to-surface cruise missiles on Tuesday afternoon from northwestern waters
• Missiles flew for more than 2 hours before striking targets in western waters according to KCNA
• Test occurred one day before President Trump's visit to South Korea for APEC meetings
• 47th ASEAN Summit concluded with Malaysia handing chairmanship to Philippines for 2026
• ASEAN decided not to send observers to Myanmar junta's planned December 28 election
• Timor-Leste formally joined ASEAN as 11th member state during summit

North Korea tests cruise missiles ahead of Trump's Asia visit

North Korea test-fired multiple sea-to-surface cruise missiles on Tuesday October 28 at approximately 3:00 PM local time from northwestern waters. The missiles flew for more than 2 hours before accurately striking targets in western waters, according to Korean Central News Agency. Senior military official Pak Jong Chon, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the tests and inspected training for sailors aboard newly developed destroyers Choe Hyon and Kang Kon.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected launch preparations and confirmed missiles were fired from North Korea's northwestern waters, though no specific missile system name, exact launch site coordinates, or precise range was disclosed by DPRK. The test occurred one day before President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea for APEC meetings. Trump downplayed the launches as routine, stating he has been launching missiles for decades, while the tests followed previous short-range ballistic missile tests the week prior involving new hypersonic systems.

ASEAN Summit concludes with Myanmar crisis unresolved

The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits concluded on October 28 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre with Malaysia formally handing over ASEAN chairmanship to the Philippines. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim symbolically passed the gavel to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who will assume the ASEAN chair on January 1, 2026 with South China Sea disputes expected to dominate the agenda.

Summit discussions included the Myanmar civil war crisis, with ASEAN deciding not to send observers to Myanmar junta's planned December 28 election. Leaders expressed deep concern over the continuing conflict. Timor-Leste formally joined as ASEAN's 11th member state during the summit held October 26-28. The Laotian Times, The Diplomat, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and ASEAN official sources confirmed the proceedings.

• Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks in Istanbul ended in complete failure after 18-hour final negotiating session
• Pakistan demanded concrete action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan operating from Afghan soil
• Afghan Taliban delegation repeatedly agreed then withdrew from draft agreements after receiving instructions from Kabul
• Talks failure raises threat of renewed military conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan
• Pakistan closed portions of airspace near India ahead of Indian Trishul 2025 military exercise

Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks collapse after 18-hour final session

Four days of intensive Pakistan-Afghanistan negotiations in Istanbul ended in complete failure on October 28, after an 18-hour final negotiating session on the night of October 27-28. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the failure early October 29 via X/Twitter. Pakistan demanded Afghanistan take concrete and verifiable action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan operating from Afghan soil, but the Afghan Taliban delegation repeatedly agreed then withdrew from draft agreements after receiving instructions from Kabul. No agreement was reached on dismantling TTP infrastructure, prisoner releases, border crossings, or ceasefire extension.

The talks, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, addressed violence from October 9-19 that killed 70 plus people with 50 Afghan civilians and 23 Pakistani soldiers killed, and 447 Afghans and 29 Pakistanis wounded per UNAMA and Pakistani military. The failure raises threat of renewed Pakistan-Afghanistan military conflict, with Pakistani Defense Minister previously warning of open war if talks failed. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman threatened response that will serve as a lesson for Pakistan.

In anticipatory security measures, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority closed portions of airspace over Punjab and Sindh provinces near the Indian border for 3 hours daily on October 28-29 from 6:00 to 9:00 AM in preparation for India's Trishul 2025 tri-service combat drill scheduled for October 30 to November 10 along the western frontier. The airspace closures represented heightened security posture amid regional tensions.

• Al-Shabaab militants launched major overnight attack on Turkish-trained Haram'ad police bases in Mogadishu
• Hours of intense fighting featured sustained gunfire and explosions in Kahda District and Elasha Biyaha area
• Al-Shabaab claimed 4 soldiers and officers killed in Elasha Biyaha with several wounded
• Attack demonstrates continued ability to infiltrate Mogadishu and challenge state authority

Somalia faces brazen Al-Shabaab assault in Mogadishu

Heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants launched a major overnight attack beginning late Monday night October 27 and continuing into early Tuesday morning October 28 on multiple bases of the Turkish-trained Haram'ad special police unit in Mogadishu's Kahda District and Elasha Biyaha area on the capital's outskirts. Hours of intense fighting featured sustained gunfire and explosions. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility through Radio Andalus, asserting 4 soldiers and officers were killed in Elasha Biyaha with several wounded, though casualty numbers could not be independently verified and the Somali government had not released official figures as of reporting.

The assault was described as one of the most brazen attacks in recent months, demonstrating Al-Shabaab's continued ability to infiltrate Mogadishu and challenge state authority. The attack followed a recent incident where militants infiltrated an intelligence compound near the presidential palace, casting doubt on government plans to hold municipal elections and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's 2022 pledge to defeat Al-Shabaab within months.

• Svenska kraftnät Sweden's national power grid suffered ransomware attack by Everest group on October 28
• Attack compromised organization's external file transfer systems in escalation of European infrastructure attacks
• Russian forces attacked Ukrainian gas production facilities in Poltava region marking seventh October attack
• CISA released three Industrial Control Systems advisories including high-severity healthcare warning
• SpaceX conducted two Falcon 9 launches from military facilities supporting dual-use space infrastructure
• North Korean Foreign Minister met with Putin at Kremlin to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation

Sweden's national power grid hit by ransomware

Svenska kraftnät, Sweden's national power grid operator, suffered a ransomware attack on October 28 that compromised the organization's external file transfer systems. The Everest ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack, which represents significant escalation in cyberattacks targeting critical energy infrastructure in Europe. Svenska kraftnät confirmed the data breach following Everest's public claim. The incident was confirmed by multiple cybersecurity news aggregators and detailed in a Breached.company report on major cyberattacks in late 2025.

Russian forces conduct seventh October attack on Ukraine gas infrastructure

Russian military forces attacked Naftogaz Group gas production facilities in Poltava region, Ukraine on the night of October 27-28, marking the seventh large-scale attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in October alone. The strike damaged gas production facilities and led to losses in domestic gas production, forcing Naftogaz to develop plans for additional natural gas imports according to Chairman Sergii Koretskyi's statement to Ukrinform.net. A previous sixth large-scale attack occurred on the night of October 16.

Separately on the night of October 27-28, Russian UAV attacks damaged energy and transport infrastructure in Odessa region, leaving some consumers temporarily without electricity while critical infrastructure operated on backup generators. The systematic campaign against Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout October 2025 affects European energy security given Ukraine's role in gas transit.

US cybersecurity agency issues critical healthcare vulnerability warnings

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released three Industrial Control Systems advisories on October 28, including a high-severity warning for Vertikal Systems Hospital Manager Backend Services with CVSS v4 score of 8.7. The advisory ICSMA-25-301-01 disclosed that prior to September 19, Hospital Manager Backend Services exposed the ASP.NET tracing endpoint without authentication, allowing remote attackers to obtain live request traces including session identifiers, authorization headers, server variables and internal file paths.

Additional advisories covered Schneider Electric EcoStruxure systems and an updated advisory for Schneider Electric Modicon. CISA also updated its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog on October 28 to include critical vulnerabilities: CVE-2025-59287 for Microsoft Windows Server Update Service deserialization RCE under active exploitation, CVE-2025-6205 and CVE-2025-6204 for Dassault Systèmes DELMIA Apriso code injection, CVE-2025-61884 for Oracle E-Business Suite SSRF, and CVE-2025-33073 for Microsoft Windows SMB Client improper access control.

Space launches support dual-use military communications

SpaceX conducted two Falcon 9 launches on October 28 from military facilities supporting dual-use space infrastructure. The Starlink Group 10-37 mission launched 29 satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida at 12:52 UTC, while the Starlink Group 11-23 mission launched 28 satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California at 20:06 UTC. Vandenberg SFB serves as the primary launch site for polar orbit missions with defense applications. As of October 28, SpaceX had conducted 137 Falcon family launches in 2025, setting a new annual record with a 99.47 percent success rate across 565 total Falcon 9 family launches.

High-level Russia-North Korea cooperation deepens

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui met with President Putin at the Kremlin on Monday October 27, with North Korean state media KCNA reporting on October 28 that the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation with many future projects discussed. Kim Jong Un sent brotherly regard to Putin, who responded that everything was going to plan. Choe also participated in the III Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security held in Minsk, Belarus on October 28, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered remarks stating Russia has no intention of attacking NATO and EU countries and is ready to enshrine this in future security guarantees.