November 29th's Report

It's Saturday, November 29th. November 28, 2025 brought the deadliest Israeli ground operation in Syria since Assad's ouster with 13 civilians killed in a pre-dawn Beit Jinn raid, Ukrainian naval drone attacks on two Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea, major RSF offensive on Sudanese Armed Forces positions in Babanusa with drone-supported assaults, militant clashes between ELN guerrillas and FARC dissidents in Colombia's Catatumbo region killing seven combatants, coordinated attacks on Pakistani security forces across three provinces, continued Chinese military pressure around Taiwan with 17 PLA aircraft sorties, Myanmar junta airstrikes killing approximately 25 civilians, and a cyberattack disrupting multiple London councils. The day saw confirmed fatalities exceeding 70 across armed conflicts and terrorist incidents spanning seven global theaters.

Active Theaters

Middle East & North Africa

  • Israeli forces killed 13 Syrian civilians including two children during pre-dawn raid on Beit Jinn village near Golan Heights
  • Six IDF soldiers wounded during ground operation targeting suspected al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya operatives in Damascus countryside
  • Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned attack as war crime while rescue teams blocked from casualty recovery by Israeli drone fire
Israeli ground raid in Syria kills 13 civilians including children

Israeli forces from the 55th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade conducted a ground operation in Beit Jinn village in the Damascus countryside at approximately 3:40 AM on November 28. The village sits near the Golan Heights border in territory Israel has occupied since Assad's December 2024 ouster. Israel stated the operation targeted two members of al-Jama'a al-Islamiyya, a Lebanese Sunni militant faction linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, who were allegedly planning IED and rocket attacks against Israel.

After detaining the suspects, Israeli forces came under fire from local residents and armed groups. The IDF called in airstrikes and artillery bombardment to extract troops from the village. Syrian State Media and the Damascus Countryside Health Directorate confirmed 13 Syrian civilians were killed, including two children. One victim had been married the day before the raid. Between 24 and 25 civilians were wounded. Six IDF soldiers were wounded, three seriously, according to Israeli military statements.

Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a full-fledged war crime and horrific massacre of civilians. Syrian Civil Defence teams reported being unable to enter the area for rescue operations as Israeli drones continued targeting movement throughout the morning. The IDF described this as part of Operation Arrow of Bashan, routine security operations since Israel expanded its military presence into southern Syria and established nine military posts inside Syrian territory following the collapse of Assad's government.

Europe

  • Ukrainian naval drones struck two Russian shadow fleet oil tankers in Black Sea with fires engulfing both vessels
  • KAIROS tanker crew of 25 evacuated after attack 52 miles from Bosphorus Strait with vessel ablaze
  • VIRAT tanker attacked by five kamikaze boats with hull damage and engine room smoke reported by crew
  • Russian forces intensified pressure around Pokrovsk with Putin claiming 70 percent control while Ukraine blocks assaults
  • Ukraine launched 118 drones at Russian territory with explosions in Taganrog, Novorossiysk, Saratov, and Crimea
  • Andriy Yermak resigned as Zelensky's Chief of Staff following anti-corruption raid on his residence
Ukrainian drones strike Russian shadow fleet tankers near Turkey

Two sanctioned Russian oil tankers were attacked by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea approximately 28 to 35 nautical miles north of the Turkish coast, roughly 52 miles from the Bosphorus Strait. The KAIROS, a Gambia-flagged tanker with 149,989 deadweight tonnage, was struck at approximately 4:30 PM on November 28. Fire engulfed the vessel and all 25 crew members were evacuated. The tanker had been sanctioned by the European Union in May 2025 and the United Kingdom in July 2025. The vessel was returning empty from India's Paradip port to Novorossiysk.

Approximately 30 minutes later, the VIRAT, another Gambia-flagged tanker with 115,643 deadweight tonnage, came under attack. The crew reported being attacked by five kamikaze boats and unmanned surface drones on open radio channels. Smoke poured from the engine room and hull damage was visible. Twenty crew members were aboard at the time of the attack. The VIRAT had been sanctioned by the United States in January 2025 and the European Union in July 2025.

Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed both vessels were exposed to external influences. Turkey deployed 12 tugboats and Coast Guard vessels for rescue operations. The attacks represent Ukraine's continued campaign to disrupt Russian oil exports using unmanned naval technology despite the vessels operating in international waters near NATO member Turkey.

Russian offensive pressure intensifies around Pokrovsk

Russian forces maintained intense pressure around Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, with conflicting assessments of territorial control. President Putin claimed at the CSTO Summit that Russian forces had completely surrounded the city with control of 70 percent of the urban area. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskii stated Ukrainian troops were successfully blocking new Russian assault attempts and holding defensive positions.

Overnight, Russia launched 72 drones against Ukrainian targets. Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 63 drones across multiple regions. Russian attacks killed one civilian in Chuhuiv district of Kharkiv region when an FPV drone struck. One civilian was wounded in Bylbasivka village in the Sloviansk community. In response, Ukraine launched 118 drones at Russian territory overnight, with explosions reported in Taganrog, Novorossiysk, Saratov region, and Crimea.

Zelensky's top aide resigns after corruption raid

Andriy Yermak resigned as Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine following an anti-corruption raid on his residence. Yermak had served as President Zelensky's Chief of Staff and was a key figure in Ukraine's peace negotiations with Russia and coordination with Western allies. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine conducted searches at his property as part of an ongoing investigation. The resignation represents a major shift in Ukraine's political leadership during the ongoing war.

Critical breakthrough near Huliaipole threatens Ukrainian lines

A significant territorial development occurred in Zaporizhzhia Oblast when a Ukrainian unit withdrew from positions in an uncoordinated manner, exposing flanks and allowing Russian forces to reach the approaches to Huliaipole and enter its southern portions. Previously one of the most stable sections of the front, Ukrainian forces subsequently stabilized with reinforcements from the 225th Separate Assault Battalion.

Russian forces also captured Zelenyi Hai village in Zaporizhzhia and Vysoke village in the Donetsk region, while making advances in Volchansk and near Pokrovsk. The Ukrainian General Staff reported particularly intense fighting in the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vremivka directions.

Russian forces execute five Ukrainian prisoners of war

Near Zelenyi Hai village in the Huliaipole sector, Russian forces executed five captured Ukrainian soldiers after interrogation, a violation of the Geneva Conventions. Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office opened an investigation. This represents the latest in a documented pattern of Russian war crimes against prisoners.

Civilian casualties mount across Ukraine

Russian attacks killed at least four Ukrainian civilians and injured 37-plus others. In Kherson, a woman aged 34 and child aged 6 were killed when a drone dropped explosives on their car, with 13 others injured. In Zaporizhzhia city, 18 people were injured, including 12 women, from air strikes. In Donetsk, one person was killed in Druzhkivka with 4 injured elsewhere. In Sumy, a 53-year-old man was killed from drone strikes. In Dnipropetrovsk, 3 people were injured from drone strikes.

Overnight, Russia launched 142 attack drones, including approximately 90 Shaheds. Ukraine intercepted 92 drones. Russian authorities claimed to intercept 118 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory.

Ukrainian drones strike Chechnya military base

Ukrainian forces conducted a strike on a military base in Grozny, Chechnya, in the Baysangurovsky District, which houses the 141st Motorized Regiment. Air corridors were restricted over Chechnya, Dagestan, North Ossetia, and Ingushetia following the attack. In Belgorod region, 6 civilians were wounded from Ukrainian strikes.

European leaders respond to peace plan developments

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the Trump-backed peace plan a starting point but warned against restrictions on Ukraine's army size. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas urged a 20th sanctions package and proposed restrictions on the Russian Armed Forces size and budget. Estonia proposed NATO exercises testing nuclear weapons near the eastern flank.

Dutch military engages unidentified drones

The Dutch Defence Ministry confirmed military forces opened fire at drones over Volkel Air Base, though no wreckage was recovered. This incident adds to ongoing concerns about drone incursions over European military installations.

Jordan shootout kills two extremist gunmen

In Ar-Ramtha, Jordan, security forces killed two wanted gunmen identified as extremist brothers in a shootout that wounded three security personnel.