SITREP, May 2025

The Month in Review

Europe

Russia: A car bomb exploded in Balashikha, near Moscow, killing Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of the main operational directorate of Russia’s military General Staff, as he passed by the vehicle. Russian authorities have accused Ukraine’s special services of orchestrating the assassination, and a suspect has reportedly confessed to being paid by the Ukrainian Security Service. This attack marks the second killing of a high-ranking Russian general by a bomb in four months, amid ongoing tensions and conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine: Russia pounded Kyiv with an hours-long barrage of missiles and drones on the 24th of April, killing at least 12 people in its deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since July. The attack kept residents on edge for about 11 hours, as the strikes that began around 1 a.m. hit at least five neighborhoods and heavily damaged multiple residential buildings. Around 90 people were wounded.

Great Britain: Police responded to a serious incident on Otley Road in Headingley, Leeds, where two women were seriously injured and a 38-year-old man, identified as the key suspect, sustained a self-inflicted injury; all three were hospitalized, with one woman discharged and the other recovering after surgery for life-threatening injuries. Counter Terrorism Policing North East is leading the investigation, having recovered a crossbow and a firearm at the scene, and authorities believe the attack was an isolated incident with no other suspects sought. During the busy Otley Run pub crawl, the event has caused significant concern in the community, prompting increased police presence and ongoing efforts to reassure residents.

America

USA: The Jones Road Fire continues to burn as of Thursday, April 24, 2025, threatening to become the ‘largest fire in New Jersey in 20 years,’ according to officials. The blaze, which started on Tuesday, April 22, has already burned more than 13,000 acres, forced thousands to evacuate their homes, and closed down part of the Garden State Parkway. A 19-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the fire.

Canada: A 30-year-old Vancouver man, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder after allegedly driving an SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival celebrating Filipino culture, killing 11 people, including a child, and injuring dozens more. Authorities say Lo, who was arrested at the scene, has a significant history of mental health issues and prior police contact, but investigators have ruled out terrorism or extremist motives. Work to identify all victims is ongoing, and police expect to file additional charges as the investigation continues.

Belize: A U.S. man hijacked a small plane in Belize, stabbing two passengers and a pilot, before one of the stabbed passengers fatally shot him, officials in Belize and the United States said. The plane then landed safely. The Tropic Air plane was carrying 14 passengers and two crew members. It was flying from Corozal, a small town near Belize’s border with Mexico, heading to the popular tourist destination of San Pedro when it was hijacked.

Asia

India & Pakistan: India and Pakistan have canceled all visas for each other’s nationals, expelled diplomats, and closed their only land border crossing after India blamed Pakistan for a deadly attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, with India also suspending a crucial water-sharing treaty. In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines, impacting hundreds of weekly flights, and suspended all trade with India, while warning that any attempt by India to alter water flows would be considered an act of war. The diplomatic crisis has sharply escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, with both sides trading accusations over the attack, which a previously unknown militant group claimed, and Pakistan denying any involvement.

Papua New Guinea: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has detected an at-sea magnitude 5.1 earthquake 176 kilometres east-southeast of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea. The tremor occurred at 10:11 UTC at a depth of 10 kilometres. No casualties, damages, or tsunami warnings have currently been reported. Aftershocks remain possible.

Yemen: Since March 15, 2025, the US military has launched over 800 air and naval strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, killing hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous leaders, to end Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, report that the latest US strike on Sanaa killed at least eight people, including women and children, and claim that overall civilian casualties from the campaign are mounting. The US maintains that its campaign, dubbed Operation Rough Rider, is focused on degrading Houthi military capabilities while minimizing civilian harm, amid ongoing regional tensions and Iranian support for the Houthis.

Africa

South Africa: The South African Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for northern and central regions, including all of Mpumalanga and Gauteng, southern Limpopo, and parts of the North West, with alerts for heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and possible flooding in effect through at least the evening of 24 April. An Orange Level 5 warning highlighted the risk of flooding, infrastructure damage, and agricultural losses in affected areas, while Yellow Level 4 and 2 warnings covered additional provinces with threats of localized flooding, hail, and excessive lightning. Residents, especially those in low-lying areas, were urged to remain vigilant, monitor updates, and take precautions as the storms could disrupt travel and daily activities.

Uganda: Local media reports that authorities have deployed tear gas to disperse crowds of protesters gathered at Kyambogo University in Kampala against the increase in tuition fees. Videos online also show protesters burning tyres. At this time, it is unclear if there are any casualties or injuries due to the clashes.

Nigeria: Gunmen attacked an artisanal gold mining site in Gobirawa Chali village, Zamfara state, northwestern Nigeria, killing at least 19 people initially, including five security militiamen, with the death toll later rising to at least 26 as more bodies were found, including villagers who tried to flee during the assault. According to Amnesty International and local officials, the attackers first targeted miners, killing 14 on the spot, then continued a house-to-house rampage that resulted in additional deaths and injuries. The region has been plagued by violent armed groups known as “bandits,” who exploit the limited security presence to carry out mass killings and kidnappings, leaving communities in fear and highlighting ongoing insecurity in northwest Nigeria.

Walk with confidence!

If you don’t want to become prey for a predator, stop acting like prey!

Why do we let the participants in our travel safety courses walk around outside?

Because: How you sit, carry yourself, or something as simple as your posture means something.

In a study, criminals in prison were shown videos of people walking in the streets. The researchers said to them: Who would you pick as prey? They all chose the same people to prey on just by walking. They found three types of walking:

One walk was: I’m walking, sloppy, and not paying attention. They chose them as a target. If the walk was small and looked more timid, they were also selected as easy prey. You know who they didn’t pick? The walk wasn’t too sloppy or too big. It wasn’t too small. It was deliberate. They were in control of their bodies. They were looking around. They were present. They owned their spaces. That person, they want nothing to do with.

And that is why we are walking in our seminars. We want to see how you behave. How do you interact with people and with your surroundings? Do you look at your phone constantly? Do you look lost or distracted?

You are less likely to become one if you don't behave like a victim. Criminals are looking for easy prey, not for a fight.

Community Q and A

Research consistently shows that women are at greater risk of experiencing sexual harassment, sexual assault, and gender-based attacks, particularly in public spaces and while using public transport. For example, a global survey found that 71% of women business travelers feel less safe than men when traveling. Surveys reveal that over a third of women have been victims of sexual harassment or sexual offences during their commutes. However, women are also more likely to take extra precautions, such as avoiding going out alone at night or staying in close contact with family and friends.

Men, on the other hand, are more likely to experience crimes such as verbal abuse, physical assault, and theft. While both genders can be victims of various crimes, men are generally more targeted for non-sexual violent crimes and property crimes. While the perception of risk is higher among women, and many report feeling less safe, the actual rates of serious harm (such as death or severe injury) while traveling remain relatively low for both genders. Some experts argue that traveling is not necessarily more dangerous for women than staying at home, as women are statistically more likely to be harmed by someone they know rather than a stranger while abroad. However, the constant need for vigilance and the stress of evaluating potential dangers are real and more pronounced for women travelers.

Have a question? Reply to this email, and we might feature it in next month's Q&A!

From the Team

On The Safety Huddle No. 16, Inga spoke with Chamel Akl, who built the AidPass app to put a patient's essential medical information in front of whoever arrives first. He came to it from close protection, which shows in what the app chooses to display.