The US and South Korea have called on North Korea to withdraw its troops from Russia that are reportedly already inside Ukraine.
“Should DPRK’s troops enter Ukraine in support of Russia, they will surely return in body bags. So I would advise Chairman Kim to think twice about engaging in such reckless and dangerous behaviour,” Robert Wood, US envoy to the UN, said.
South Korea and its allies have claimed that North Korea has sent at least 11,000 soldiers to Russia, with more than 3,000 of them now deployed close to the frontlines in Ukraine, a presidential official in Seoul said on Wednesday.
The US said some of the North Korean soldiers were in Kursk, a border region where the Russian forces have been fighting off a Ukrainian incursion since August. A couple of thousand more were heading there, the Pentagon said.
This came as Ukraine drafted 160,000 more people in anticipation of grinding warfare and a frozen battle zone in the upcoming winter, the third such under Russian invasion.
Key Points
- Pictures of devastation emerging from Kharkiv after airstrike killed one child
- One killed in Russian airstrikes in Kherson
- North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine will ‘surely return in body bags’, US envoy says
- BBC investigation finds Russia might be using drones to target civilians
ICYMI: Russia fines Google $2,500,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
03:00
Salma Ouaguira
A Russian court has fined Google $2.5 decillion for allegedly blocking pro-Kremlin propaganda on YouTube.
The fine, which is the equivalent of $2.5 trillion trillion trillion, is the result of four years of accumulated fines, with the figure currently doubling every week under Russian law.
The original penalty of 100,000 rubles was handed to the US tech giant in 2020 after the media outlets Tsargrad and RIA FAN won lawsuits related to restrictions on their YouTube channels.
Anthony Cuthbertson reports:
North Korean troops to enter Russian invasion of Ukraine ‘in coming days’, says Blinken
02:59
Arpan Rai
The US expects North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region to enter the fight against Ukraine in the coming days, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said.
There are 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia, including as many as 8,000 in the Kursk region, the top US diplomat said. Ukrainian forces continue to hold territory in Kursk after fighting their way into the Russian border area in August.
At a press conference with defence secretary Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterparts, Mr Blinken said Russia has been training the North Korean soldiers in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, and basic infantry operations, indicating they “fully intend” to use the forces in frontline operations.
They would become legitimate military targets if they enter the battlefield, he said.
“We’ve not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces, but we would expect that to happen in the coming days,” he said.
During their meeting, the US and South Korea discussed a range of options for responding, Mr Blinken added, saying Moscow’s use of North Korean soldiers in its “meat grinder” war against Ukraine was a “clear sign of weakness.”
Three killed in Russian strike on high-rise residence in Kharkiv
02:59
Arpan Rai
At least three, including a child and a teenager, were killed on a Russian-guided bomb strike on Kharkiv.
The death toll was confirmed yesterday after rescue teams completed recovery operations at a high-rise residence in the northeastern Ukrainian city.
Emergency services said children aged 12 and 15 were among the dead in the Wednesday evening strike, and thirty-six people were injured.
Kharkiv region governor Oleh Syniehubov earlier said that one of the children had been pulled from under rubble with head wounds and fractures, but medics were unable to save him.
Mr Syniehubov said the strike had triggered a fire and destroyed most of one entrance, making a huge hole in the building.
Kharkiv remained in Ukrainian hands through the initial failed advance of Russian forces on the capital Kyiv in the early days of the February 2022 invasion. It has since become a frequent target of Russian air attacks.
Kremlin denies future Russia-Ukraine talks
02:00
Salma Ouaguira
Kremlin dismisses report about Russia-Ukraine talks on halting strikes on energy facilities
The Kremlin has dismissed a report that Russia and Ukraine are in the early stages of negotiations about potentially halting airstrikes on each other’s energy facilities.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that there were many reports out there “which have nothing to do with reality”.
The Financial Times, citing sources who it said included senior Ukrainian officials, reported that Ukraine was seeking to resume talks that had come close to an agreement in August and were mediated by Qatar.
Russia claims control of Kruhliakivka in eastern Ukraine
01:30
Salma Ouaguira
Russia says it takes control of village of Kruhliakivka in eastern Ukraine, state news agency reports
Russian forces have taken control of the settlement of Kruhliakivka in eastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, the RIA news agency cited Russia’s Defence Ministry as saying on Wednesday.
The battlefield report from the Russian state-owned news agency could not be independently verified.
North Korean troops sent to fight in Ukraine may welcome rare tour
01:00
Salma Ouaguira
The thousands of young soldiers North Korea has sent to Russia, reportedly to help fight against Ukraine, are mostly elite special forces, but that hasn’t stopped speculation they’ll be slaughtered because they have no combat experience, no familiarity with the terrain and will likely be dropped onto the most ferocious battlefields.
That may be true, and soon. Observers say the troops are already arriving at the front. From the North Korean perspective, however, these soldiers might not be as miserable as outsiders think. They may, in fact, view their Russian tour with pride and as a rare chance to make good money, see a foreign country for the first time, and win preferred treatment for their families back home, according to former North Korean soldiers.
“They are too young and won’t understand exactly what it means. They’ll just consider it an honor to be selected as the ones to go to Russia among the many North Korean soldiers,” said Lee Woong-gil, a former member of the same special forces unit, the Storm Corps. He came to South Korea in 2007. “But I think most of them won’t likely come back home alive.”
Hyung-Jin Kim reports:
In pictures: Russian drone strike hits Kyiv
00:30
Salma Ouaguira
Pentagon issues North Korea warning as 10,000 troops set to join Russia’s war in coming weeks
00:00
Salma Ouaguira
North Korea sent about 10,000 troops to Russia who could join Moscow‘s fight in Ukraine in the “next several weeks”, the Pentagon said amid rising concerns over Pyongyong’s involvement in Vladimir Putin’s war.
The soldiers were believed to be heading for the border region of Kursk, where Moscow recently suffered defeats and has been struggling to push back Ukrainian troops, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Sigh said on Monday.
On Tuesday, South Korean lawmakers, briefed by the country’s spy agency, said some high-ranking North Korean military officials and troops deployed to Russia might move to the frontline.
Ukrainian forces advance in Toretsk, US war think tank says
Thursday 31 October 2024 23:00
Salma Ouaguira
Ukrainian forces have pushed into Toretsk recently, a US war think tank has said.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have advanced near Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and southwest of Donetsk City, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on Wednesday.
Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Toretsk, and Russian forces made advanced near Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and southwest of Donetsk City. (1/2) https://t.co/nMaf2lgR7r pic.twitter.com/vEdH61yOpN
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) October 30, 2024
‘Good morning from the occupation’ Mayor’s advisor reports blast at Russian held Berdyansk
Thursday 31 October 2024 22:30
Salma Ouaguira
A large explosion was reported in the port area of Russian-occupied Berdyansk.
Petro Andriushchenko, Advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol, said on Telegram: “Our drones have been attacking Berdyansk since six in the morning.
“The main one hits in the port area. Smoke from a large fire is visible above the port with a large number of ambulances and firemen.
“In addition, the local occupation administration, almost for the first time, acknowledged the hit, reporting an attack on the premises of the administration itself in the city
“In addition, the electricity supply has disappeared in some areas, and the work of official budget bodies has been canceled.
“Finally, good morning from the occupation.”
Viktor Dudukalov, deputy chairman of the Berdiansk District Council, told Espreso TV that at least six hits were counted in the city.
“Since 6am today, we [in Berdiansk] have been facing a very tense situation with Russian air defense. At least six hits have been counted, primarily in the port area.
“There is smoke, ambulances are on the scene, and certain streets in the city center leading to the port are blocked.
“The occupiers claim that everything is fine and under control, yet they have decided to take today off and are urging everyone to stay at home, despite ‘everything being under control’.”
Who are the three North Korean generals sent to fight with Russia?
Thursday 31 October 2024 22:00
Salma Ouaguira
The Ukrainian government has named three North Korean generals it says are accompanying the thousands of Korean People’s Army troops deployed to Russia in aid of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Ukraine named Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, a senior general with command of special forces troops, including the XI Corps, also known as the Storm Corps, which the South Korean intelligence service said has been dispatched to Russia.
Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert with the U.S.-based Stimson Center, said Kim’s role appears to be larger, running the KPA Light Infantry Training Guidance Bureau that includes the XI Corps as well as light infantry units deployed to KPA corps units and seconded to special missions for the Reconnaissance General Bureau, North Korea’s main spy agency.
“This is a large and almost unprecedented deployment for the KPA,” said Madden, who believes the general is in Russia as a representative of Kim Jong Un.
“As such, there are a number of administrative and liaison tasks so Kim Jong Un has sent in Kim Yong Bok as a proxy decision-maker until the KPA unit presence is fully stood up.”
Kim Yong Bok may eventually defer command to a subordinate KPA officer of a senior colonel or major general rank, Madden added.
Other top officers identified by Ukraine include Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, Deputy Chief of the General Staff and head of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, and Major General Sin Kum Cheol, head of the Main Operational Directorate.
As head of North Korea’s main intelligence service since about 2022, Ri has been sanctioned by South Korea, which alleged that he oversaw major cyber hacking efforts to steal technology and foreign currency.
Like Kim Yong Bok, Ri also accompanied leader Kim Jong Un to an unusually large number of events this year, including the inspection of an east coast navy base.
Madden said Sin’s career was unclear, but given his one-star rank, he was likely to assume command of the North Korean troops in Russia once Kim Yong Bok and Ri Chang Ho departed.
North Korean troop deployment in Russia is key topic as US and South Korean leaders meet
Thursday 31 October 2024 21:30
Salma Ouaguira
The deployment of up to 12,000 North Korean troops to Russia has become a key topic as U.S. and South Korean leaders meet in Washington this week, fuelling concerns that the presence of those soldiers will further destabilise the Asia-Pacific and broaden Moscow‘s war on Ukraine.
As some of those troops moved closer to Ukraine this week from training sites in eastern Russia, the main questions revolve around what new military technologies North Korea might get from Russia in exchange for the deployment and whether it might lead other nations to send their own forces to fight in the war.
Read the full story below:
Pictured: Zelensky meets Justin Trudeau at Summit on Peace in Ukraine
Thursday 31 October 2024 21:00
Salma Ouaguira
ICYMI: Pictures of devastation emerging from Kharkiv after airstrike killed one child, 11, and injured at least 34
Thursday 31 October 2024 20:30
Salma Ouaguira
A Russian glide bomb struck a Kharkiv apartment block with local authorities claiming a child was killed and 34 residents injured.
Chief of the regional military administration, Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram: “Unfortunately, a child died. Despite all efforts, medics failed to resuscitate the boy.”
As a result of the impact, part of the nine-storey apartment block was almost completely destroyed.
He added at least two people including a child were still trapped under the rubble.
The body of the 11-year-old was retrieved from under the rubble with severe head injuries and fractures.
North Korea conducts longest test of intercontinental missile yet
Thursday 31 October 2024 20:00
Salma Ouaguira
North Korea tested an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday amid Western concerns about Pyongyang receiving weapons technology from Russia in return for allegedly sending soldiers to fight in Ukraine.
Pyongyang confirmed the launch, the first in nearly a year, a few hours after neighbours South Korea and Japan detected the firing of what they suspected was a new, more agile weapon capable of targeting mainland US, in a bid to grab American attention ahead of next week’s presidential election.
Read the full story below:
Watch: Putin avoids denying reports of North Korean troops in Russia
Thursday 31 October 2024 19:30
Salma Ouaguira
Ukraine military says Russia attacked key bridge in Odesa region
Thursday 31 October 2024 19:00
Salma Ouaguira
Russian troops attacked a strategic bridge across the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Estuary in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region overnight, launching two ballistic Iskander missiles and eight guided missiles, said the Ukrainian military on Thursday.
The bridge has been a target several times over the past two years, and is an important railway and car connection in the region.
The Ukrainian military added that Russia used two ballistic missiles to attack the eastern town of Kramatorsk.
The air force shot down 17 out of 43 drones and two guided missiles launched by Russia overnight, it said, adding that 23 drones were “locationally lost”, likely due to electronic warfare and three more left Ukraine-controlled airspace.
All drones threatening the capital Kyiv were disabled by air defence.
Russian bomb hits residential building in Ukraine's 2nd largest city, killing 12-year-old boy
Thursday 31 October 2024 18:30
Salma Ouaguira
Russian forces struck a residential building in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv early Thursday, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring scores of others.
Regional head Oleh Syniehubov said the boy was fatally injured when the building was hit by a Russian 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) glide bomb.
Read the full story below:
Pictured: Three killed after missile attack in Kharkiv
Thursday 31 October 2024 18:00
Salma Ouaguira
China sanctioning US drone company
Thursday 31 October 2024 17:26
Barney Davis
US drone builders Skydio are struggling to deliver drones to the Ukrainian frontlines amid Beijing imposed sanctions on the company.
“This is a clarifying moment for the drone industry,” Chief executive Adam Bry wrote in a note to customers obtained by the Financial Times.
“If there was ever any doubt, this action makes clear that the Chinese government will use supply chains as a weapon to advance their interests over ours.
“This is an attempt to eliminate the leading American drone company and deepen the world’s dependence on Chinese drone suppliers,” he added.
Russians struggling to cross channel in Chasiv Yar
Thursday 31 October 2024 17:00
Barney Davis
Russian forces are making fresh attempts to cross a canal in Chasiv Yar as they look to consolidate their advances into Ukraine.
Anastasiia Bobovnikova, a spokeswoman for the Luhansk Operational and Tactical Group, said on national television:“The Russians are trying to gain a foothold.
“They are trying to cross the channel in Chasiv Yar. Two or three people are running across the canal and sitting in a house. Accordingly, we are cutting off their logistical routes and driving them out.
“As for the consolidation from the north, the enemy is trying to accumulate equipment, but so far we have not seen any assaults with equipment, and I can say that it will be very difficult for them [to cross the canal with equipment],” said Bobovnikova.
“The enemy is trying to advance, but the contact line has not been moving for a long time thanks to the actions of our units standing there. They managed to stop the enemy, the situation remains unchanged. They have not been advancing for a month now.”
She added that the Russians have more artillery, shells, drones, and manpower, but they managed to stop repel them so far using Ukrainian drones and infantry.
Russia boosts its military budget
Thursday 31 October 2024 16:26
Barney Davis
The Russian government is seeking to reallocate $72 billion in its three-year budget draft, with a significant portion of the funds directed towards the military, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.
The draft allocates 13.5 trillion roubles to the military in 2025, accounting for a third of total expenditure or 6.3% of GDP the highest level since the Cold War.
For the first time, the share of spending on defence will be double that of social spending.
“A significant part of the amendments is aimed at ensuring the defence and security of the country, including the conduct of the special military operation,” Siluanov said during a cabinet meeting, referring to Russia’s military action in Ukraine.
US says 8,000 North Korean troops stationed in Kursk
Thursday 31 October 2024 16:13
Barney Davis
The United States has received information that indicates that “right now” there are 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region, deputy US Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood told the Security Council on Thursday.
“I have a very respectful question for my Russian colleague: does Russia still maintain that there are no DPRK troops in Russia?” Wood said, referring to North Korea’s formal name - the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The Russian representative in the 15-member Security Council did not respond.
Zelensky insists Russia wants North Korean civilians to produce weapons for his forces
Thursday 31 October 2024 15:35
Barney Davis
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia was in the process of agreeing with North Korea to deploy a “large number of civilians” to work at Russian weapons production plants.
Zelenskiy said Moscow confirmed North Korean troops involvement in the war to Kyiv’s Western allies via intelligence channels and said that Russia was testing Western reaction and would involve more troops if that was weak.
Zelensky asks West for more long range weapons as two teenagers among dead in Russian glide bomb attack
Thursday 31 October 2024 15:26
Barney Davis
Russian forces struck a residential building in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv on Thursday, killing three, including two teenage boys, and injuring scores of others
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said at least 35 people were injured in the attack and others could still be trapped under the rubble.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged the United States to allow Ukraine to use long-range American missiles to strike air bases deeper in Russia that are used by warplanes carrying glide bombs. Washington so far has only allowed some strikes close to the border.
“Partners see what is happening every day,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
“And under these conditions, each of their delayed decisions means at least dozens, if not hundreds of such Russian bombs against Ukraine. Their decisions are the lives of our people. Therefore, we must together stop Russia and do it with all possible force.”
North Korean soldiers ‘should not be underestimated'
Thursday 31 October 2024 14:30
Barney Davis
Thousands of North Korean troops could already be in Donetsk to join up with Russian forces, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation.
Andriy Kovalenko said the engineer soldiers have not yet participated in the war against Ukraine - but they will be used soon.
“These North Korean soldiers will be in Russian uniforms, with Russian documents, mixed with Kalmyks and Buryats, and try to prove that they are DPRK military.
“The Russians are counting on this,” Kovalenko said.
“At least we are aware of such plans of the enemy to do so, first in the Donetsk sector,” he said.
“10-12,000 DPRK troops in one direction will help withdraw Russians from that direction and throw them to the east, in particular to Kharkiv region. Therefore, the threat from the DPRK military should not be underestimated”, he added.
Russian Hurricane rocket launcher fires at Ukrainian position
Thursday 31 October 2024 13:29
Barney Davis
In this photo taken distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday a Russian self-propelled multiple rocket launcher fires toward at Ukrainian position at an undisclosed location.
It came as Russians struck a nine-story residential building in the Saltovsky district of Kharkiv with a guided aerial bomb on Wednesday night.
The death toll has risen to three including a 15-year-old boy, local authorities said.
Witnesses testify to the abuse Ukrainian civilians suffer in Russian detention
Thursday 31 October 2024 13:26
Barney Davis
Ambassador Neil Holland delivered a speech to the UN outlining the fate of two Ukrainians being held by Russia.
He shared harrowing details from witness testimony at an event in London and urged Russia to release all Ukrainian citizens it has arbitrarily detained.
He recounted the story of Hryhorii Holovko detained by Russian forces in Kherson in October 2022.
He said: “Russian forces tortured and intimidated him, including beatings and electric shocks and by carving Russian symbols into his body. Russian guards made threats against his wife and child and forced him to sing the Russian national anthem.”
Hryhorii was released in May 2023, having been forced to sign papers to align with the Russian state.
He spoke of the family of 26-year-old Iryna Navalnaya who are worried she will die whilst being unlawfully detained.
He added: “Two months passed before Iryna’s family discovered she was being held in a prison in Donetsk. Women who have been released from this prison have shared accounts of the beatings and other barbaric treatment Iryna has experienced during interrogations, leaving her covered in bruises.”
Ambassodor Holland said the “UK stands in solidarity with them and Ukraine” and called on Russia to release the prisoners.
“We call on Russia to fully cooperate with international mechanisms investigating these abuses, grant immediate access to humanitarian organisations to all facilities where Ukrainian civilians are being held, and uphold its obligations to protect civilians and respect human rights.”
Who are the three North Korean generals sent to fight with Russia?
Thursday 31 October 2024 12:36
Barney Davis
The Ukrainian government has named three North Korean generals it says are accompanying the thousands of Korean People’s Army troops deployed to Russia in aid of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Ukraine named Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, a senior general with command of special forces troops, including the XI Corps, also known as the Storm Corps, which the South Korean intelligence service said has been dispatched to Russia.
Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert with the U.S.-based Stimson Center, said Kim’s role appears to be larger, running the KPA Light Infantry Training Guidance Bureau that includes the XI Corps as well as light infantry units deployed to KPA corps units and seconded to special missions for the Reconnaissance General Bureau, North Korea’s main spy agency.
“This is a large and almost unprecedented deployment for the KPA,” said Madden, who believes the general is in Russia as a representative of Kim Jong Un.
“As such, there are a number of administrative and liaison tasks so Kim Jong Un has sent in Kim Yong Bok as a proxy decision-maker until the KPA unit presence is fully stood up.”
Kim Yong Bok may eventually defer command to a subordinate KPA officer of a senior colonel or major general rank, Madden added.
Other top officers identified by Ukraine include Colonel General Ri Chang Ho, Deputy Chief of the General Staff and head of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, and Major General Sin Kum Cheol, head of the Main Operational Directorate.
As head of North Korea’s main intelligence service since about 2022, Ri has been sanctioned by South Korea, which alleged that he oversaw major cyber hacking efforts to steal technology and foreign currency.
Like Kim Yong Bok, Ri also accompanied leader Kim Jong Un to an unusually large number of events this year, including the inspection of an east coast navy base.
Madden said Sin’s career was unclear, but given his one-star rank, he was likely to assume command of the North Korean troops in Russia once Kim Yong Bok and Ri Chang Ho departed.
Ukraine starts paying out anti-corruption whistleblowers
Thursday 31 October 2024 12:15
Barney Davis
When he was asked to approach Ukrainian investigators with a $5 million bribe on behalf of a former top official in 2020, businessman Yevhen Shevchenko would have been entitled to a cut as the middleman.
He finally received his money - but from the Ukrainian government, in exchange for reporting the kickback to anti-corruption police and setting up a sting operation.
Shevchenko is one of Ukraine’s first two whistleblowers to receive a state payout for their role in helping bring a crooked official to justice, part of a corruption crackdown that has taken on greater importance during the war with Russia.
Shevchenko, who had previously worked with Ukraine’s anti-corruption police as an informant, received the equivalent of around $320,000.
“There is a very large number of people who can help uncover crimes but don’t because they’re afraid, or for some other reasons,” he said.
More than 4,000 reports have been submitted since last year, though so far only a small fraction - 47 - were found to have involved concrete criminal or administrative violations.
Lavrov to meet China envoy over Ukraine
Thursday 31 October 2024 11:15
Barney Davis
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold talks with Li Hui, China’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs and point person for Ukraine, later on Thursday on the sidelines of a security conference in Minsk, the state RIA news agency reported.
The meeting will take place as Russia’s war in Ukraine appears to have taken a dangerous new turn, with NATO and South Korea expressing alarm that North Korean troops could soon be joining Moscow’s side.
On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s strong ties with Moscow at a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko
‘Good morning from the occupation' Mayor’s advisor reports blast at Russian held Berdyansk
Thursday 31 October 2024 09:59
Barney Davis
A large explosion has been reported in the port area of Russian-occupied Berdyansk.
Petro Andriushchenko, Advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol, said on Telegram: “Our drones have been attacking Berdyansk since six in the morning.
“The main one hits in the port area. Smoke from a large fire is visible above the port with a large number of ambulances and firemen.
“In addition, the local occupation administration, almost for the first time, acknowledged the hit, reporting an attack on the premises of the administration itself in the city
“In addition, the electricity supply has disappeared in some areas, and the work of official budget bodies has been canceled.
“Finally, good morning from the occupation.”
Viktor Dudukalov, deputy chairman of the Berdiansk District Council, told Espreso TV that at least six hits were counted in the city.
“Since 6am today, we [in Berdiansk] have been facing a very tense situation with Russian air defense. At least six hits have been counted, primarily in the port area.
“There is smoke, ambulances are on the scene, and certain streets in the city center leading to the port are blocked.
“The occupiers claim that everything is fine and under control, yet they have decided to take today off and are urging everyone to stay at home, despite ‘everything being under control’.”
One killed in Russian airstrikes in Kherson
Thursday 31 October 2024 08:18
Barney Davis
One person was killed and six were injured after Russian strikes on buildings, buses and cars in Kherson over the past 24 hours.
Chief of the Kherson Regional State Administration Oleksandr Prokudin said on Facebook on Thursday: “Russian military targeted library and office premises and populated areas of the region, including damage to multi-storey buildings and 21 private buildings.
“The occupiers also [struck] garages, buses and private cars. Due to Russian aggression, one person died, six more got injured.”
Throughout the past day, Ukrainian Defense Forces said there were 145 recorded combat clashes at the frontline. They added their strikes had hit one Russian command post, two air defence systems, one artillery gun in firing position, two field ammunition depots, three clusters of enemy personnel and military equipment, and four enemy radar stations.
Ukraine military says Russia attacked key bridge in Odesa region
Thursday 31 October 2024 07:50
Shahana Yasmin
Russian troops attacked a strategic bridge across the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Estuary in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region overnight, launching two ballistic Iskander missiles and eight guided missiles, said the Ukrainian military on Thursday.
The bridge has been a target several times over the past two years, and is an important railway and car connection in the region.
The Ukrainian military added that Russia used two ballistic missiles to attack the eastern town of Kramatorsk.
The air force shot down 17 out of 43 drones and two guided missiles launched by Russia overnight, it said, adding that 23 drones were “locationally lost”, likely due to electronic warfare and three more left Ukraine-controlled airspace.
All drones threatening the capital Kyiv were disabled by air defence.
Ukrainian forces advance in Toretsk, US war think tank says
Thursday 31 October 2024 07:30
Shahana Yasmin
Ukrainian forces have pushed into Toretsk recently, a US war think tank has said.
Meanwhile, Russian forces have advanced near Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and southwest of Donetsk City, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on Wednesday.
Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Toretsk, and Russian forces made advanced near Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and southwest of Donetsk City. (1/2) https://t.co/nMaf2lgR7r pic.twitter.com/vEdH61yOpN
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) October 30, 2024
BBC investigation finds Russia might be using drones to target civilians
Thursday 31 October 2024 07:15
Shahana Yasmin
An investigation by the BBC has found that Russia may be using drones to target civilians in the frontline city of Kherson.
Both Ukraine and Russia use drones to target military infrastructure.
Kherson’s military administration told the BBC that 30 civilians in the city have died due to Russian drone attacks since 1 July.
Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime.
The Independent was not able to independently verify these claims.
The Russian military has not responded to the BBC’s questions on the allegations, but they have consistently denied that they target civilians.
BBC Verify claimed they have examined six videos shared on both Ukrainian and Russian social media where evidence of these apparent drone attacks on civilians is visible.
Ukraine names North Korean generals accompanying troops to Russia
Thursday 31 October 2024 06:50
Shahana Yasmin
Ukraine has named three North Korean generals who it claims have accompanied their troops to Russia.
In a statement to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Ukraine’s delegation said the generals are among at least 500 North Korean officers sent to Russia, reported Reuters.
The statement added that the troops will be formed into at least five formations of 2,000-3,000 soldiers each and integrated into Russian units to hide their presence.
Ukraine named Colonel General Kim Yong-bok, a senior general with command of special forces that South Korean intelligence claims have been deployed to Russia.
“This is a large and almost unprecedented deployment for the KPA,” said North Korea leadership expert with US-based Stimson Center Michael Madden, who believes General Kim Yong-bok is in Russia as a representative of Kim Jong Un.
The other generals are Colonel General Ri Changho, deputy chief of the general staff and head of the reconnaissance general bureau, and Major General Sin Kum-cheol, head of the main operational directorate.
US sanctions 398 firms in more than a dozen countries, accusing them of helping Russia's war effort
Thursday 31 October 2024 06:30
Shahana Yasmin
In pictures: Russian drone strike hits apartment building in Kharkiv
Thursday 31 October 2024 06:10
Shahana Yasmin
