Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the capture of two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, highlighting the need for transparency. Reports indicate that 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops are in Russia, with many involved in combat. Meanwhile, both Ukraine and Russia have intensified drone attacks, targeting military and civilian infrastructure, leading to casualties and damage across various regions. President Biden emphasized the urgency of new sanctions against Russia, while Ukraine seeks increased military support from Germany.
Ukrainian Forces Capture North Korean Soldiers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently announced the capture of two North Korean soldiers in the Russian region of Kursk. This information was shared via social media, where Zelensky confirmed that the soldiers survived their injuries and have been transported to Kyiv for interrogation by the Ukrainian intelligence service. He emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “The world must learn the truth about what is happening,” and promised that the media would have access to the captured individuals. Attached to his posts were photos purportedly showing the soldiers, including images taken in a prison cell, although the authenticity of these claims remains unverified.
As per Ukrainian sources, an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia, with many reportedly engaged in combat on the front lines in Kursk against advancing Ukrainian forces, according to the Pentagon.
Escalating Drone Attacks on Both Sides
In recent developments, Russia has declared the capture of a new settlement in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, specifically the area known as Shevchenko. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that their forces have attacked Ukrainian military airfields and energy infrastructure using drones, rockets, and aircraft.
On the other hand, Ukrainian sources reported that Russia launched 74 drones overnight, with 47 being shot down. The remaining drones reportedly vanished from radar without completing their missions. The Ukrainian Air Force noted that debris from these intercepted drones caused damage to buildings and vehicles across seven regions, particularly in the Dnipropetrovsk area, although there were no reported injuries.
In a retaliatory move, Ukraine targeted multiple Russian regions with combat drones, focusing on the Krasnodar region. Reports from Russian Telegram channels indicated a fire at the vital naval base and oil port city of Novorossiysk, with anti-aircraft fire and explosions reported over Anapa. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have downed 85 enemy drones during these nighttime operations, affecting regions including Krasnodar, Voronezh, Belgorod, Tambov, and Kursk, as well as the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Due to the drone threat, airports in Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, and Ulyanovsk temporarily halted operations.
In a drone strike in Kotovsk, a small town in the Tambov region, two apartment buildings were hit, injuring several individuals due to flying glass shards. The deputy governor, Yevgeny Pervyshov, confirmed that there were no fires, and the damage was minimal.
Meanwhile, outgoing US President Joe Biden remarked that Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing a “bad situation.” Following the announcement of new sanctions against Russia’s energy sector, Biden stressed the importance of limiting Putin’s options and noted that Ukraine has a “real chance” of success with continued Western support.
In acknowledgment of the new sanctions package, President Zelensky expressed gratitude to Biden, highlighting the significance of targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and companies like Gazprom Neft that contribute to Putin’s financial resources. Zelensky also conveyed condolences for the wildfires in California.
As Ukraine calls for an increase in military aid from Germany, Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev has been actively negotiating for an additional three billion euros in arms. He stressed the need for a unified response from the German government to bolster Ukraine’s defense and European security.
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