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Vladimir Putin has not denied the presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine as he wrapped up the Brics summit in Kazan, heavily overshadowed by Ukraine war talks.
“Images are a serious thing, if there are images, then they reflect something,” Mr Putin said on being asked about satellite photos of North Korean troops.
Mr Putin noted that lawmakers in Moscow earlier in the day ratified a pact with North Korea on mutual military assistance as part of a “strategic partnership” with Pyongyang.
The US on Wednesday said that 3,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia and are training at several locations.
It comes as Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said the first North Korean units trained in Russia had been deployed in the Kursk region, which was stormed by Ukraine for major incursion in August.
It said a total of around 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, were already in Russia, and training was taking place on five military bases.
Mr Putin has also welcomed Donald Trump’s comments offering to end the war in Ukraine. “It seems to me that he said it sincerely,” he said, welcoming the offer.
Zelensky taunts Putin by wearing ‘make russia small again’ T-shirt in video address to nation
Officials say North Korea has sent troops to Russia. What would that mean for the war with Ukraine?
Who is going to Putin-hosted Brics summit in Russia – and why has Brazil’s Lula dropped out?
Mapped: Where has Russia made advances on the frontline in Ukraine?
North Korean troops in Ukraine: Everything we know about Kim Jong-un’s army joining Russian invasion
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.
Ukraine investigating North Korea's support for Russia as possible crime of aggression
Ukrainian prosecutors on Friday said they had launched an investigation into North Korea’s support for Russia in the war as a possible crime of aggression.
By arming and supplying ground forces engaged in fighting against Ukraine, North Korean officials could face charges, the Prosecutor Generals told Reuters.
“We are documenting and collecting evidence of all possible aspects of such involvement as part of the core proceeding on the crime of aggression,” the office said in a statement.
Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions near Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region
US says North Korean troops ‘fair game’ if sent to fight in Ukraine
US says North Korean troops ‘fair game’ if deployed to fight in Ukraine
White House spokesperson John Kirby says North Korean troops were transported to Russia by ship
In pictures: Kyiv attacked by Russian drone attack
South Korea vows response to North Korea bolstering Putin’s forces: ‘We won’t sit idle’
South Korea vows to respond to North bolstering Putin’s forces: ‘We won’t sit idle’
South Korea says the deployment of Pyongyang’s forces is a provocation that threatens global security
Ukraine destroys 36 Russian drones in overnight attack, air force says
Ukraine destroyed 36 out of 63 drones launched by Russia during an overnight strike, Kyiv’s air force said on Friday.
The drones were downed over various parts of Ukraine while 16 were “locationally lost”, it added.
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