Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has praised the “growing” relations with North Korea, following accusations from western nations that the country has dispatched over 10,000 soldiers to assist Russia in its conflict against Ukraine.
“The friendly relations between Russia and North Korea are actively developing across all sectors, including military collaboration,” he stated, as reported by Russian news agencies during his visit to North Korea.
The United States has alleged that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to the Kursk region of Russia, where Russian forces are engaged in efforts to drive out Ukrainian soldiers.
Russia has not confirmed or denied these claims.
Mr. Belousov noted that discussions would enhance the strategic military partnership between Russia and North Korea.
According to Russian news reports, Mr. Belousov was scheduled to meet with the military and political leadership of North Korea.
In related developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of potential strikes on “decision-making centres” in Ukraine utilizing a new hypersonic missile, just hours after Russian forces targeted Ukraine’s energy grid, resulting in a million people losing power.
Earlier, Ukraine had cautioned about a “massive” Russian offensive aimed at its energy infrastructure.
Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s energy grid left one million people without power.
According to Ukraine, Russia launched over 90 missiles and around 100 drones in a recent attack, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to call on allies to respond decisively to what he characterized as Russian “blackmail.”
President Putin described the recent wave of attacks as a “reply” to Ukrainian incursions into Russian territory using Western missiles.
The ongoing war, which has now lasted nearly three years, has seen a significant escalation in recent days, with both sides rolling out new weaponry to secure an advantage ahead of US president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.
“The use of the Oreshnik against military, military-industrial, or decision-making centres, including in Kyiv, is not ruled out,” Mr. Putin remarked at a press conference in Astana, the Kazakh capital, referring to the hypersonic missile.
The government district in Ukraine’s capital, where multiple government buildings are situated, is heavily fortified, but concerns for its safety have heightened in the past week.
Russia conducted tests of its new Oreshnik ballistic missile on Ukraine last week, and Mr. Putin mentioned that firing multiple units simultaneously would generate a force comparable to a nuclear strike or a “meteorite” impact.
He noted that the recent barrage was a “response to ongoing assaults on our territory by (US) ATACMS missiles.”
“As I have reiterated, our side will always respond accordingly,” he added.
‘Despicable escalation’
US President Joe Biden stated that the attack underscored the ‘urgency’ of supporting Ukraine (File image).
These strikes occurred as Ukrainians braced for a challenging winter, with substantial damage already inflicted on the country’s energy infrastructure due to nearly three years of conflict, while Russian forces continued their advance in eastern Ukraine.
Mr. Putin expressed optimism regarding Mr. Trump’s potential second term, describing the Republican as “intelligent” and capable of establishing a “solution,” though he did not specify what he meant.
President Joe Biden emphasized that the attacks highlighted the “urgency” of backing Ukraine in the lead-up to Mr. Trump’s return to office in January.
“This attack is outrageous and serves as yet another reminder of the urgency and importance of supporting the Ukrainian people in their defense against Russian aggression,” Mr. Biden remarked in a statement.
Journalists from AFP in the capital reported hearing explosions overnight as air defense systems engaged Russian drones and missiles, with locals seeking shelter in the underground metro system.
The energy ministry indicated that this was the eleventh significant Russian assault on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure this year.
A senior UN official, Rosemary DiCarlo, warned this month that Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure might render this winter the “harshest since the onset of the war.”
