Ukraine-Russia war live: Putin’s forces ‘face 40,000 casualties’ this month as Zelensky in North Korea warning
Estonian intelligence appears to show Russia suffering record losses as they blast ‘cynical and disgusting’ new tactics
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Russian troop casualties may reach around 40,000 for October, Estonian intelligence suggests.
Janek Kesselmann, the deputy commander of the Estonian Military Intelligence Center, told Estonian media EER “Russia’s losses are quite high. And this month seems to be one of the biggest in terms of losses for Russia.”
Kyiv reported that Russian forces had suffered 1,630 casualties on Friday alone breaking the previous second-highest tally of 1,530, set on October 18.
Kesselmann added that Russian tactics have shifted recently so troops no longer enter settlements as it recquires “sophisticated preperation”.
“Therefore, they besiege settlements with indirect fire. After the settlement is surrounded, they simply destroy it. It is a very cynical and disgusting thing,” Kesselmann said.
It came as North Korean troops will be deployed into Ukraine to fight with Russian forces as early as this weekend, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed.
This would be a major escalation in the war with geopolitical consequences now reaching the Indo-Pacific region, western officials warned, as the grinding conflict approaches three years.
Ukrainian intelligence had determined that “the first North Korean military will be used by Russia in combat zones” between Sunday and Monday, Mr Zelensky said.
Vladimir Putin has not denied the presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine.
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North Korean troops to be deployed within days, Zelensky says
The Ukrainian military could be defending attacks by North Korean troops as soon as Sunday or Monday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukrainian intelligence had determined that the North Korean military was ready to be deployed by Putin’s forces within days, Zelensky said, in what he described as an “obvious escalating move by Russia”.
He did not provide any details on where the troops might be deployed.
It comes after Russian president Vladimir Putin was asked about satellite photos of North Korean troops in Russia during the Brics summit. “Images are a serious thing, if there are images, then they reflect something,” he said.
The US said on Wednesday that Russia is training 3,000 North Korean troops to fight on Ukrainian soil.
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The Journal said Musk had been in regular contact with Putin since late 2022. Peskov said the report was absolutely false.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy claims North Korean troops will be deployed by Russia in coming days
Ukraine's Zelenskyy claims North Korean troops will be deployed by Russia in coming days
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is claiming that North Korean troops are poised to be deployed by Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine as early as this weekend
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Zelensky says Russia to use North Korean troops in combat zones in coming days
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Russia plans to deploy North Korean troops to the battlefield starting 27 - 28 October, citing intelligence reports.
“According to intelligence reports, on October 27-28, the first North Korean military will be used by Russia in combat zones”, he said on the Telegram messenger after receiving reports from his top commander.
Mr Zelensky called on allies to respond to this “escalatory move” by applying “tangible pressure” on Moscow and Pyongyang.
Vladimir Putin denies having any contact with Donald Trump
Vladimir Putin denies having any contact with Donald Trump
Vladimir Putin has denied having any contact with former US president Donald Trump. Speaking after the BRICS summit in Kazan on Thursday (24 October), the Russian president said: “This is something that has been constantly discussed for more than one year. “At one time, we were accused of this, and Trump himself of being somehow connected with Russia. Then, as a result of an investigation in the United States itself, everyone came to the conclusion, including in the Congress, as far as I know, that this was complete nonsense, that nothing like this had ever happened. “It didn’t happen before, and it doesn’t happen now.”
A look at the latest developments on the frontline in Ukraine
Dutch defense minister says intelligence confirms Russia is deploying North Korea troops
Dutch intelligence has confirmed that Russia has deployed at least 1,500 troops from North Korea to fight in the Ukraine war, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said Friday.
Moscow has not denied previous US claims that North Korea had sent troops to Russia, a move that the West is casting as a significant escalation of the war.
“We expect the troops will mainly be deployed in Kursk and consist of mainly special units from the North Korean army,” Brekelmans said, adding that the first deployment was a way for Russia to test the troops and to gauge international reaction.
Kursk is a Russian city near the Ukrainian border where Ukrainian forces staged a major incursion in August.
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