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Ukrainian forces strike Russian Kilo-class submarine at Novorossiysk port. The operation was carried out by the SBU's 13th Main Directorate and Ukrainian Naval Forces. (Photo: SBU via YouTube)

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

Ukrainian Underwater Drone Strike Disables Russian Submarine

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said it used a newly unveiled “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drone to strike a Russian Kilo-class submarine in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, marking the first reported attack of its kind.

The SBU said the Varshavyanka-class submarine suffered critical damage and was effectively put out of action. The agency did not disclose the timing of the strike, and the claim could not be independently verified.

According to the SBU, the submarine was valued at about $400 million and was capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles. (Read More)

US Identifies Iowa Guardsmen Killed in ISIS Attack in Syria

The U.S. Army identified two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in a weekend attack in central Syria as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown.

The soldiers were killed Dec. 13 in Palmyra in an ambush the U.S. military attributed to an ISIS gunman. An American civilian interpreter was also killed, and three other Guard members were wounded.

Syria confirmed Sunday that five suspects linked to the attack have been arrested. It was the first assault on U.S. forces to cause casualties since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad a year ago. (Read More)

Thai Forces Seize Chinese-Made Anti-Tank Missiles from Cambodia

Thai troops seized Chinese-made GAM-102LR portable anti-tank missiles from Cambodian forces after capturing Mount 500 hilltop base at the Chong An Ma border pass in Ubon Ratchathani.

The 52-kg, fifth-generation fire-and-forget missiles, produced by Poly Defense, cost about 3.53 million baht (USD 95,000) each and were unveiled at this year’s EDEX arms show in Egypt.

Heavy fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered a second week on Monday, with Phnom Penh claiming Thai F-16s dropped two bombs near camps for displaced people in Chong Kal district in the Oddar Meanchey province and the Srei Snam district in the Siem Reap province. (Read More)

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QUICK UPDATES

CONFLICT UPDATES

➤ Ukraine is deploying mobile surgery units as drone warfare pushes danger zones farther from the front. Volunteer-built armored medical trucks from Keep Life recently unveiled its sixth mobile stabilization point, building on previous units that have already operated successfully, including in the Kursk region. (Read More)

➤ US President Donald Trump says Washington is reviewing whether Israel violated the Gaza ceasefire. The inquiry follows an Israeli strike that killed senior Hamas commander Raad Saad. (Read More)

➤ The Philippines and U.S. are exploring a Luzon Strait base for joint defense operations. Military officers inspected the newly opened Mahatao forward operating base on Batan Island to assess its suitability for territorial defense, maritime surveillance, and future interoperable missions. (Read More)

SECURITY UPDATES

➤ Federal authorities arrested four alleged extremists plotting New Year’s Eve bombings in Southern California. The suspects, linked to a pro-Palestinian offshoot called the Turtle Island Liberation Front, were caught in Lucerne Valley preparing to test improvised explosive devices, officials said. (Read More)

➤ The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation reportedly investigated one of the Bondi Beach gunmen six years ago over alleged ISIS links, ABC reported. Authorities said the men had pledged allegiance to the terrorist group, and two ISIS flags were found in their car. (Read More)

➤ Britain is caught in “a space between peace and war,” MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli warned, adding that the world is “more dangerous” now as AI and emerging technologies “rewrite the reality of conflict.” (Read More)

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

➤ China’s CH-7 stealth flying-wing drone has been spotted in flight tests, with state media showing takeoff, landing, and air-to-air footage. Developed by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the high-altitude, long-endurance CH-7 is built for stealthy missions in or near hostile airspace. (Read More)

➤ South Korea and Australia are moving to support U.S. munitions production, as Washington faces supply bottlenecks. South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace plans a U.S. factory, while Lockheed Martin has opened a new weapons plant in Australia. (Read More)

➤ The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $1.7 billion contract for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits. The deal includes a $322 million initial order and will supply tens of thousands of precision munitions for United States and allied forces. (Read More)

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SPECIAL CATEGORY

➤ Thousands of U.S. farmers have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and many blame the weed killer paraquat. Heavily regulated and banned in over 70 countries, paraquat remains legal in the U.S. and is the subject of thousands of lawsuits linking it to the disease.

➤ Orcas have been observed following dolphins in British Columbia waters, seemingly working together to catch salmon. Scientists say this may be the first evidence of cooperative hunting between the two species.

➤ The world’s first flying car has entered production, with Alef Aeronautics’ Model A Ultralight expected for early 2026. Fully electric and priced at $300,000, the vehicle can fly and drive on streets. Initial units will be limited to select customers for testing.

On this day in history: On December 16th, 1880, the First Boer War began when Boer rebels, led by future Transvaal president Paul Kruger, rose up against British rule following Britain's 1877 annexation of the South African Republic. The conflict ended in March 1881 with treaties restoring nominal independence to the Transvaal.

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

If SpaceX/NASA achieved regular Mars travel and needed volunteers for a permanent colony, would you go?

Yes – Sign me up for the final frontier

No – Keeping both feet on this planet

Maybe – Show me the habitat specs first

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you support or oppose US troops being on the ground in Gaza for the International Stabilization Force (ISF)?

Oppose (38.1%)
Depends on conditions (36.9%)
Support (25.1%)

ASSIGNMENTS

PMC & Security

Cultural Support Operator

Defense Division

Worldwide

Humanitarian Security Officer

Defense Division

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Medic

Defense Division

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Interpreter

Defense Division

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Communications and Command Systems Instructor

Defense Division

Worldwide

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About SOFX: We are an independent media and communications technology company reporting on the conflicts, security, and technology issues impacting your lives and businesses. SOFX was founded by former Special Operations & Intelligence Professionals not Career Journalists or Big Tech / Big Media.

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