North Korean chief Kim Jong-un has hailed the troops from his nation who fought alongside Russia in Kursk a 12 months in the past, state media KCNA mentioned on Monday. Kim made his remarks after a Russian delegation arrived in Pyongyang to attend the opening ceremony of a memorial complicated honouring these killed serving to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. In 2024 Ukraine launched a shock incursion into the Kursk area, capturing greater than 1,000 sq km (386 sq miles) of Russian land, however have been finally pushed again.
Throughout discussions in Pyongyang, Russia and North Korea agreed to “long-term” navy cooperation. Moscow’s defence minister Andrey Belousov mentioned “We agreed with the DPRK defence ministry to put our navy cooperation on a secure, long-term footing,” The settlement will cowl 2027-2031, he mentioned. North Korea has despatched 1000’s of troops – in addition to missiles and munitions – to assist Russia’s warfare in Ukraine. In return, analysts say North Korea is receiving monetary assist, navy expertise, meals and power from Russia.
Kim mentioned his authorities “would proceed to totally assist Russia’s insurance policies of defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety pursuits”, KCNA reported. Kim has steadily moved to elevate the North Korean troops who fought for Russia within the Kursk area into symbols of sacrifice and loyalty, utilizing state ceremonies and memorial tasks to publicly honour their position. “The souls of the fallen will reside ceaselessly with the good honour they defended,” Kim mentioned in a handwritten message on the memorial on Sunday, in keeping with state media.
In the meantime, strikes throughout Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory and Russia over the previous day killed no less than 16 folks, authorities mentioned. Russian drone and missile strikes on town of Dnipro killed no less than 9, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha mentioned. One man was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on the port metropolis of Sevastopol, in Russian-occupied Crimea, Moscow-installed authorities mentioned.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of “nuclear terrorism” as he marked the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl reactor disaster on Sunday. Zelensky mentioned Russia was “once more bringing the world to the brink of a man-made catastrophe”. He mentioned Russian drones usually go over Chornobyl and one had hit its protecting shell final 12 months.
Rafael Grossi, director basic of the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company (IAEA), echoed Zelenskyy’s issues over Chornobyl throughout a go to to Kyiv, saying repairs to the plant’s broken outer protecting shell should start instantly. IAEA assessments present the harm sustained after a strike final 12 months has already compromised a key security operate of the construction, he mentioned. He warned years of inaction might heighten hazard to the unique sarcophagus beneath it. The European Financial institution for Reconstruction and Improvement mentioned repairs would require no less than 500 million euros ($586m).
Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, deep inside Russian territory, Ukraine’s Common Workers mentioned on Sunday. The strikes sparked fires on the facility, which processes 15m tons of oil a 12 months and produces gasoline, diesel and jet gas for the Russian navy. Russia didn’t instantly remark. Ukraine has developed its personal long-range drones, which may attain targets 1,500km (900 miles) inside Russia.
A Ukrainian drone assault additionally hit a fertiliser plant in Russia’s Vologda area, native governor Georgy Filimonov mentioned on Sunday. Filimonov mentioned a high-pressure sulphuric acid pipeline was broken at a fancy operated by Apatit, a subsidiary of PhosAgro, one of many world’s largest producers of phosphate-based fertilisers. The leak has been contained and there have been no releases of hazardous chemical compounds, he mentioned, including that 5 folks have been injured.
Donald Trump mentioned on Sunday he has had “good conversations” with Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy as he goals to settle the Ukraine warfare. “We’re engaged on the Russia scenario, Russia and Ukraine, and hopefully we’re going to get it,” Trump mentioned in an interview on Fox Information. Ukrainian peace talks have stalled for the reason that US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February.
