North Korea's deepening military support for Russia in the war in Ukraine was underscored this week by a series of events. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hailed troops who fought alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region a year ago, according to state media KCNA. A Russian delegation arrived in Pyongyang to attend the opening ceremony of a memorial complex honouring those killed helping Russia's invasion of Ukraine, multiple reports said. Kim said his government would continue to fully support Russia's policies of defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security interests, KCNA reported. Since 2022, North Korea has deepened relations with Russia, first through political support and recognition of Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, then with shells and soldiers. North Korea has sent thousands of troops, missiles, and munitions to support Russia's war in Ukraine, according to multiple reports.
Russia and North Korea have agreed to long-term military cooperation covering 2027-2031, Russian defence minister Andrey Belousov said after talks in Pyongyang. "We agreed with the DPRK defence ministry to place our military cooperation on a stable, long-term footing," Belousov said at a press conference. In return, North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, food, and energy from Russia, analysts said.
Strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory, and Russia over the past day killed at least 16 people, authorities said. Russian drone and missile strikes on Dnipro killed at least nine people, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said. One man was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea, Moscow-installed authorities said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of nuclear terrorism on the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. "Russia is again bringing the world to the brink of a man-made disaster," Zelenskyy said in a public speech. He said Russian drones regularly pass over Chornobyl and one hit its protective shell last year. IAEA director general Rafael Grossi echoed concerns over Chornobyl and said repairs to the damaged protective shell must begin immediately. IAEA assessments show the damage from a strike last year has compromised a key safety function of the structure, the agency said. Repairs to the Chornobyl protective shell would require at least 500 million euros ($586m), according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, deep inside Russian territory, multiple reports said. In 2024 Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into the Kursk region, capturing more than 1,000 sq km of Russian land, but were ultimately pushed back, according to multiple reports.