THE FRONTLINE REPORT

It's Monday, November 10, 2025. November 9 marked Day 1,355 of the Ukraine-Russia war with 248 combat engagements and approximately 970 Russian casualties as fighting intensified across eight Ukrainian regions. Israeli military operations continued in Gaza and Lebanon despite ceasefire agreements, with Hamas returning the remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin and Israeli drone strikes killing three in southern Lebanon. Three unidentified drones were detected over Belgium's Doel Nuclear Power Plant, prompting UK deployment of troops and anti-drone equipment amid suspected Russian hybrid warfare. A Rohingya refugee boat disaster in the Thailand-Malaysia border waters left eleven dead and approximately sixty missing. Two Romanian citizens were injured in an armed attack in Istanbul's Taksim Square. Africa, the Americas, and South and Central Asia reported no armed conflicts or security incidents on this date, marking an unusually quiet day for those regions.

• Ukrainian General Staff reported 248 combat engagements across eight regions with 970 Russian casualties on November 9
• Russian forces launched 54 airstrikes using 41 missiles, 126 guided bombs, 5,276 kamikaze drones, and 4,697 artillery attacks
• Ukraine destroyed 7 Russian tanks, 7 armored vehicles, 19 artillery systems, and 57 UAVs on November 9
• Russian forces captured Rybne in Zaporizhia and cleared 11 square kilometers near Okhotnichye
• Pokrovsk direction saw 87 Russian attacks while Kharkiv left 100,000 without electricity, water, and heating
• Ukrainian drones struck Voronezh thermal power plant causing outages affecting over 1 million residents overnight
• Ukrainian missile hit Belgorod Luch power plant leaving 20,000 households without electricity and heating
• Three unidentified drones detected over Doel Nuclear Power Plant near Antwerp at 22:00
• UK deployed troops and anti-drone equipment to Belgium with Germany and France providing assistance

Day 1,355 brings 248 combat engagements across Ukrainian front

November 9 witnessed sustained military operations across the Ukraine-Russia front, with Ukrainian General Staff reporting 196 combat engagements by morning and 248 by evening. Russian forces launched 54 airstrikes using 41 missiles, dropped 126 guided bombs, deployed 5,276 kamikaze drones, and conducted 4,697 artillery and mortar attacks including over 100 multiple launch rocket system strikes. These operations targeted eight Ukrainian regions: Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Poltava.

The Pokrovsk direction experienced 87 Russian attacks as the most intense combat zone, though the rate of Russian advances temporarily decreased. Other major engagement zones included South-Slobozhansky with 23 attacks, Lymanian with 20 attacks, and Oleksandrivsky with 26 attacks. Ukrainian forces reported killing 970 Russian personnel on November 9, destroying 7 tanks, 7 armored fighting vehicles, 19 artillery systems, 57 unmanned aerial vehicles, and 77 cars and cisterns.

Russian territorial gains in Zaporizhia region

Russian forces advanced on November 9 with confirmed capture of Rybne in Zaporizhia region. Russian forces expanded control in the Volchye area and cleared approximately 11 square kilometers between Okhotnichye and Novonikolayevka. Ukrainian civilian casualties included multiple injuries in Kherson region, with a 74-year-old woman, 52-year-old man, 87-year-old woman attacked by drone with mine-blast trauma, and a 64-year-old man with leg injuries. One woman was injured in Sumy region from drone attacks, while Donetsk region experienced 19 shellings as of morning November 9.

Energy infrastructure warfare leaves hundreds of thousands without power

November 9 saw ongoing stabilization efforts following the massive November 8 attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Kharkiv remained hardest hit with 100,000 customers without electricity, water, and heating, while Kyiv faced emergency power outages lasting 10 to 12 hours. Poltava, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions continued stabilization efforts throughout the day. Additional strikes on November 9 included Russian Geran drones hitting targets in Druzhkivka, a factory in Koriukivka district in Chernihiv region with fire reported, and drone attacks on southern Odesa region.

Ukrainian counter-strikes on Russian territory occurred overnight November 8-9 and through November 9. Ukrainian forces struck the Voronezh thermal power plant overnight, causing power outages affecting over 1 million residents. Regional Governor Alexander Gusev confirmed drones were electronically jammed, with a fire at a local utility facility quickly extinguished and temporary blackouts and heating disruptions. A separate Ukrainian missile strike hit the Luch Combined Heat and Power Plant in Belgorod Oblast late November 8 or early November 9, leaving 20,000 households without electricity and heating with serious damage to power and heating systems according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Diplomatic developments as war continues

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told RIA Novosti on November 9 he was ready to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio face-to-face, stating ending the war was impossible without fully taking into account Russia's legitimate interests. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced preparations for the 20th European Union sanctions package against Russia, expected to be signed within one month, targeting Russian legal entities and individuals still profiteering from energy resources. Zelenskyy also signed new Ukrainian sanctions against 8 Russian individuals including FSB agent Aleksey Komkov, Kirill Dmitriev, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut, and 5 Russian publishing houses for propaganda. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned Putin to remember that a nuclear war must never be started, because it cannot be won.

Belgian nuclear facility targeted by drones

Three unidentified drones were detected over Doel Nuclear Power Plant near Antwerp, northern Belgium, on the evening of November 9 at approximately 22:00. The drones were spotted in airspace above the facility operated by Engie, though there was no impact on plant operations or safety protocols. Belgian authorities were notified immediately. This incident formed part of a broader series of drone incursions in Belgium, with similar incidents at Kleine-Brogel Air Base on November 1 and 4, while Brussels and Liège airports were disrupted by drones November 6-9.

The UK announced on November 9 sending troops and anti-drone equipment to Belgium, with Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton confirming deployment and citing Russian hybrid warfare patterns as a concern. Germany had already provided anti-drone assistance that arrived November 7, and France pledged similar support. Belgium suspects a foreign state actor, with Russia as the primary suspect.

• Hamas returned remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin via Red Cross, eleven years after 2014 death
• IDF destroyed 4 Hamas tunnels in Khan Younis under ceasefire terms on November 9
• Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon killed 3 including 2 Hezbollah operatives and injured 11
• IDF demolished home of May 14 attack accomplice in Bruqin on November 9
• Yemen Houthis claimed dismantling CIA-Mossad-Saudi espionage network with dozens arrested
• Two Romanian citizens injured in pistol attack in Istanbul Taksim Square overnight

Hamas returns Lt. Hadar Goldin remains after eleven years

Israel received the remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin on November 9, 2025, marking a significant moment in the ongoing hostage-remains exchange. Hamas returned Goldin's body via Red Cross in southern Gaza Strip, 11 years after he was killed and abducted during the 2014 Gaza War. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office confirmed identification, while parents Leah and Simcha Goldin credited the IDF and no one else for the return. This occurred within the fragile ceasefire framework that began October 10, 2025, following the October 9 peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. A funeral was also held on November 9 for Staff Sgt. Itay Chen at Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in Tel Aviv, whose body was returned from Gaza earlier between November 1 and 8.

IDF tunnel destruction operations continue under ceasefire

IDF tunnel destruction operations continued in Khan Younis on November 9 under ceasefire terms. Forces from the 7th Armored Brigade, Golani Infantry Brigade, and Yahalom combat engineering unit destroyed 4 Hamas tunnels and dozens of buildings used for terror activity on the eastern side of the Yellow Line. The IDF stated operations were conducted in accordance with ceasefire agreement to remove any immediate threat, with no casualties reported. Israel maintains forces in certain Gaza areas under ceasefire terms.

Israeli drone strikes kill three in southern Lebanon

Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon on November 9 killed 3 people and injured 11 across multiple locations. Two brothers identified as Hezbollah operatives, Hussein Ibrahim Suleiman and Hassan Ibrahim Suleiman, were killed in southeastern Lebanon near the Bayyad area. One man was killed in Barachit with 4 injured, while 7 were injured near a hospital in Bint Jbeil. The Israeli military claimed strikes targeted terrorists involved in smuggling weapons, while Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed casualties and President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes. Despite the November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel continues near-daily strikes claiming Hezbollah violations.

West Bank punitive home demolition

IDF demolished the home of Maher Samarah in Bruqin on November 9. Samarah was accused of being an accomplice in a May 14, 2025 terror shooting attack that killed pregnant Israeli woman Tzeela Gez and her baby. The IDF confirmed the operation with photographic evidence as part of Israel's policy of demolishing homes of those involved in attacks.

Yemen claims dismantling espionage network

Yemen Houthi government announced on November 9 the dismantling of an espionage network allegedly operated jointly by CIA, Israeli Mossad, and Saudi intelligence. The Interior Ministry claimed dozens of agents were arrested with advanced espionage devices seized, and that an operations room was directed from Riyadh. Houthi President Mahdi al-Mashat praised it as a divine victory, while Brigadier General Abed al-Sharqi confirmed the discovery. This claim from Houthi authorities via Tehran Times lacks independent verification. Houthis have ceased Red Sea attacks since the October ceasefire but maintain intelligence and security operations.

Armed attack in Istanbul Taksim Square

Two Romanian citizens were injured in an armed attack with a pistol in Taksim Square, Istanbul, during the night of November 8-9, 2025. The Romanian Foreign Ministry was notified on November 8 through an emergency call. Consulate representatives immediately deployed to the scene to provide consular assistance. Both injured Romanians received medical care, did not require hospitalization, were described as lightly wounded, and are out of danger. They were part of a cultural event group visiting Turkey. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu confirmed the incident on November 9 via social media. Turkish police investigation was ongoing as of November 9, with limited details available in international media.

• Search operations continued for Rohingya boat with 11 confirmed dead and 60-70 missing
• Thai and Malaysian agencies recovered 11 bodies with 13 survivors rescued on November 9
• Boat departed Buthidaung Myanmar carrying Rohingya refugees fleeing civil war
• Myanmar military announced demolishing 101 of 148 buildings at KK Park scam compound
• Demolition follows October 19 raid finding over 2,000 workers at internet scam operation

Rohingya refugee boat disaster leaves eleven dead

Search and rescue operations continued throughout November 9, 2025, for a Rohingya refugee boat that sank approximately November 6-7 in waters near the Thailand-Malaysia border. By November 9, the confirmed death toll stood at 11, with 4 bodies recovered by Thailand including 2 children ages 10-12, and 7 bodies recovered by Malaysia including 5 women and 1 girl. Thirteen survivors were rescued and approximately 60-70 people remained missing. Some conflicting reports suggested up to 300 total people may have been on board. The boat had departed from Buthidaung, Myanmar in Rakhine State approximately 3 days before November 9, carrying members of the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority.

Thai and Malaysian maritime agencies conducted extensive search operations covering 170 square nautical miles on November 9. This disaster highlights the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis, with more than 5,100 Rohingya taking boats from Myanmar and Bangladesh between January and November 2025, and nearly 600 reported dead or missing in 2025. Myanmar Rakhine State suffers ongoing conflict, hunger, and ethnic violence from the civil war following the 2021 military coup. About 1.3 million Rohingya live as refugees in Bangladesh. While the actual sinking occurred several days before November 9, the search and rescue operations and body recoveries on November 9 represent the security-relevant activity for this date.

Myanmar demolishes scam compound buildings

Myanmar military announced on November 9 that it was demolishing nearly 150 buildings at the notorious KK Park internet scam compound in Myawaddy, Karen State, along the Myanmar-Thailand border. State media reported that 101 of 148 buildings had been demolished by November 9, with 47 remaining. Buildings included dormitories, a 4-story hospital, gym, spa, and 2-story karaoke complex. This followed an October 19, 2025 raid that found over 2,000 workers. The operation is part of pressure from China and the international community to crack down on cybercrime operations, following SpaceX disabling of 2,500 Starlink terminals in the area. However, experts suggest the operation is partially a public relations effort to alleviate international pressure. The November 9 date marks when the announcement and update were made, as the actual demolition operations had been ongoing since the October 19 raid.

No significant conflict developments, military operations, terrorist attacks, or security incidents were documented across Americas, Africa, South & Central Asia, and Cyber & Space theaters on November 9, 2025. The absence of immediate events during this reporting period reflects normal variance in daily conflict cycles rather than resolution of underlying security challenges affecting these regions.