HM Intelligence Updates

The Syrian Kurdish SDF and President Ahmed Al-Sharaa have agreed to integrate the Kurdish autonomous region into the central Syrian state. The deal guarantees political representation for all Syrians, recognizes Kurdish citizenship and rights, enforces a nationwide ceasefire, merges northeastern Syria’s civil and military institutions with the state, supports the return of displaced Syrians, and backs the fight against Assad’s remnants and other security threats. It also rejects division and hate speech, with plans for executive committees to implement the agreement by year-end. #HM #HMIntelligence

Mexican cartels are increasingly using drones in their conflicts with rival groups. A recent example is the "El Tena" group deploying a drone to attack a CJNG cartel armored vehicle in Chinicuila. #HM #HMIntelligence

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested on ICC Warrant. Duterte was arrested in Manila on Tuesday following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity for his violent war on drugs. The 79-year-old former president was taken into custody at Manila airport upon his return from Hong Kong. Human rights groups allege that tens of thousands were killed during his administration, though only a handful of convictions have been made. Despite his arrest, Duterte remains a significant political figure as he now faces international prosecution. #HM #HMIntelligence

Last night's Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow marks the first strike on the Russian capital in 2025 and is likely the largest since the massive drone assault in September 2024, when more than 140 drones targeted the city. #HMIntelligence #HM

In today's Intel Brief we cover the Russians expelling UK diplomats, Iran, China and Russian naval drills, and a report on world arms exports. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pTsE0x2TTUuoeplQdoodk?si=MwkLZ399QfG2HFDxXZMEfg

Russia has announced the expulsion of a British diplomat and the spouse of another diplomat, accusing them of "intelligence and subversive work." The Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that the two individuals had been stripped of their accreditation and must leave Russia within two weeks. This move is seen as part of an ongoing tit-for-tat escalation between the UK and Russia, with the UK Foreign Office dismissing the accusations as malicious and baseless. This latest expulsion follows a series of similar actions, including the UK's expulsion of a Russian diplomat last month in response to Moscow's expulsion of a British diplomat in November 2024. Relations between the UK and Russia have reached new lows since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with seven British diplomats expelled from Russia in the past year alone on espionage charges, which the UK denies. The recent expulsions are the first since Russia and the US held talks on restoring relations last month. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has maintained strong support for Ukraine, pledging increased defence spending and advocating for a coalition to deter further Russian aggression. Moscow has criticized the UK's stance and the idea of a foreign peacekeeping mission. Source: BBC, Reuters So what While this is not unsurprising, this is just another sign that we are in a new cold war. Though it is possible that these individuals are not involved in intelligence activities in Russia, it is likely their expulsion was targeted for some reason, likely with the intent of disrupting operations at the UK embassy, whether that be intelligence operations or something else. Due to this, the UK will likely make a similar move, making one or two Russian diplomats persona non grata, as is the way with these kinds of battles. Though this move is possibly damaging in the short term, it is unlikely to have a significant effect in the medium to long term. #HMIntelligence #HM #Russia #Espionage #UK #Europe

Footage shows the U.S.-flagged oil tanker M/T Stena Immaculate ablaze off the coast of Grimsby, England, after being struck this morning by the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship M/V Solong while transporting jet fuel. #HM #HMIntelligence

Russia has ordered two individuals linked to the British embassy in Moscow to leave the country, accusing them of conducting intelligence work. In response, the British government dismissed the claims as “malicious and baseless.” According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), as reported by the state news agency Tass, the expelled individuals were a second secretary of the British embassy and the spouse of another British diplomat. #HM #HMIntelligence

Search & Rescue helicopters attending Oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate on fire after being struck by container ship MV Solong while at anchor off the Humber Estuary this morning. #HM #HMIntelligence

Another video showcases how bot networks can artificially generate online discussions around specific issues or topics. It's crucial to remember that the information space is highly contested and often designed to evoke strong emotions, incite anger, sow division, and breed outrage. #HM #HMIntelligence

The United States has stopped updating the frequencies for the AN/ALQ-131 electronic warfare units on F-16 fighters, allowing Russian forces to bypass jamming, according to Forbes analyst David Axe. Before being sent to Ukraine, these jets were upgraded with AN/ALQ-131 units and PIDS+ and ECIPS+ systems to jam Russian radars, effectively turning the F-16 into a "flying air defense" with missile attack early warning capabilities. However, Russia can adjust its radar frequencies to counteract the jamming. While the Biden administration regularly updated the AN/ALQ-131 frequencies to respond to these changes, Trump's return to the White House has halted these updates for Ukrainian pilots, risking the systems becoming obsolete. #HM #HMIntelligence

The Romanian Central Electoral Bureau has rejected the presidential candidacy of pro-Russian politician Georgescu, prompting his supporters to protest outside the bureau's building. #HM #HMIntelligence

Poles have noticed significant changes as the Americans dismantled a large transport platform at the Rzeszow airbase, originally set up in 2021 to handle military cargo bound for Ukraine. Even the paving slabs were removed by American specialists. Since Trump’s decision to halt aid to Ukraine, there have been no transport flights to Rzeszow, though the status of railway and sea routes remains unclear. This removal of infrastructure at a crucial logistics hub suggests a shift in the US administration’s stance, adding to the mounting pressure on Ukraine. #HM #HMIntelligence

Two current U.S. Army soldiers and a former soldier have been arrested for allegedly selling military secrets to buyers in China, including information about the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) and armored vehicles. #HM #HMIntelligence

The video showcases footage of infantry combat operations conducted by the Special Forces Reconnaissance Platoon of the 2nd Battalion and the Special Forces Reconnaissance Unit of the 12th Azov Brigade. #HM #HMIntelligence

So after we got some questions around the symbols in our last video, we thought that we'd make a quick explainer on basic military symbology, the so what, and intelligence language 🤙 https://youtu.be/EFUwFFN0nfw?si=HLVKMhARttLvkHY-

Ukraine's Defense Forces have successfully destroyed the Russian Tor surface-to-air missile system, which is used for air and missile defense at the division level. #HM #HMIntelligence

In the past 24 hours, Ukraine has reportedly lost nearly half of Kursk and likely withdrawn west of the Psel River and south of the Loknya River. Ukrainian forces appear to be focusing on holding the Russian-built defenses west and south of Sudzha to secure the R-200 road, facilitating an organized withdrawal from Kursk. Meanwhile, they are preparing counterattacks at Kurilovka to reclaim high ground from North Korean forces, as well as pushing back against Russian troops in Sumy Oblast, specifically near Basivka, Noven'ke, and Zhuravka. #HM #HMIntelligence

Around 100 Russian fascists attempted to assault Sudzha by crawling through the 1.4-meter diameter Druzhba gas pipeline in the Kursk region. However, the Ukrainians were prepared — they blocked the pipe’s exit and swiftly eliminated about 80 of the infiltrators, with operations ongoing to deal with the rest. Ukrainian military intelligence had detected a Telegram post ahead of the failed ambush, revealing the plan. Notably, a Russian soldier was even seen pleading for oxygen tanks to support the covert operation. #HM #HMIntelligence

Poland is intensifying its war preparations, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk announcing plans to train all adult males for military service, aiming to build a 500,000-strong army. Tusk also suggested the possibility of developing nuclear capabilities, deploying landmines, and withdrawing from arms treaties, reflecting growing security concerns over Russia's aggression and uncertainty surrounding Trump’s commitment to NATO. Meanwhile, President Andrzej Duda is advocating for defense spending to be set at 4% of GDP — the highest within NATO. #HM #HMIntelligence