How many North Koreans are fighting for Russia?
There is no way of knowing for sure, but according to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, more than 8,000 North Korean troops are currently on Russian territory and there are preparations underway to deploy 10,000 more.
In August, he said that as many as 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight for Russia.
- At least 3 people killed in Russian strikes on Kyiv, surrounding regions
- Poland resumes flights at Lublin and Rzeszow airports after brief suspension
- Seoul suspects Zelensky revealed NKorean POW transfer to win arms support
Seoul suspects Zelensky revealed North Korean POW transfer to win arms support
South Korea’s spy agency believes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may have disclosed the transfer of two North Korean POWs to the country in a bid to boost public support in South Korea for providing arms to Ukraine, a lawmaker said.
Zelensky disclosed last week that his country had sent two North Korean soldiers to the South, saying they were “not easy to capture alive”.
Hours after Zelensky’s remarks at the United Nations, South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung expressed his dismay, with Seoul claiming confidentiality was key to protecting the POWs’ relatives from any repercussions in North Korea. Seoul on Monday summoned Ukraine’s envoy to express “serious concerns” over the disclosure.
South Korea has so far not provided lethal weapons to Ukraine, citing a domestic ban on militarily aiding countries at war. Nevertheless, it has been considering requests for defensive weapons, especially since North Korea deployed troops to support Russia.
Poland resumes flights at Lublin and Rzeszow airports after brief suspension
Poland’s aviation agency said flights had now resumed at the Lublin and Rzeszow airports after a brief suspension over “military aviation activity” linked to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
In a statement earlier on Wednesday, the army said military aviation was operating in Polish airspace due to Russian strikes on Ukraine using “airborne assault means”.
The army also said it had readied its ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance as a defensive measure aimed at securing its airspace.
Russia claims strikes hit Kyiv communications centre, energy facilities, Izmail port
The Russian defence ministry claimed the country’s strikes on the Ukrainian capital had hit a communications centre in Kyiv, as well as energy facilities in the surrounding region that support military production, and port infrastructure in Izmail.
The ministry said all designated targets were struck.
At least 3 people killed in Russian strikes on Kyiv, surrounding regions
At least three people, including a child, have been killed after Russia launched overnight strikes on Kyiv and its surrounding regions, officials said. Seven people were also injured.
In a post on Telegram, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said fires broke out, affecting private houses along with a store and a warehouse.
Good morning and welcome to our liveblog on the war in Ukraine.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and Reuters)
