Russia-Ukraine war – live: Putin’s North Korea weapons threat ‘incredibly concerning’, says US

Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that Moscow may supply weapons for North Korea after he signed a defence agreement with Kim Jong-un is “incredibly concerning”, US officials have said.

Russian military help to the North “would destabilise the Korean Peninsula, of course, and potentially... depending on the type of weapons they provide, might violate UN Security Council resolutions that Russia itself has supported”, said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

As he wrapped up his North Korea trip, Mr Putin yesterday suggested that Russia supplying weapons to nuclear-armed North Korea will reflect how the West is arming Ukraine.

He also warned South Korea against making a “big mistake” if Seoul decides to aid Ukraine with arms, threatening a “painful” response.

On the war front, the US is arming Ukraine with air defence interceptor missiles by redirecting planned shipments dedicated to other nations, citing “existential danger”. It is a “difficult but necessary decision” to prioritise delivering Patriot and NASAM missiles to Ukraine, said National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.

“Right now, we know that Ukraine urgently needs these additional capabilities,” Mr Kirby said, adding more is needed and it is needed now.

Key points

• US flags Putin weapons remark in North Korea as ‘incredibly concerning’

• US to rush air defence interceptor missiles to Ukraine

• New Russian-North Korean pact includes mutual defence clause, says Vladimir Putin

• Ukraine will finally use F-16 jets this summer, says Dutch commander

• Photos: Putin and Kim Jong-un’s friendship during latest North Korea visit

• Red carpet, warm hugs, Aurus Limousine: Putin’s welcome in North Korea

Zelensky lists measures to preserve Ukraine’s energy system

05:25 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky announced a set of measures to protect Ukraine’s energy system, including protection for plants coming under Russian fire and the development of alternative renewable energy sources.

“Life in Ukraine must be preserved and that includes in particular energy security,” the Ukrainian president said in his nightly video address.

Mr Zelensky outlined plans to minimise the effects of such attacks, including a programme of developing solar energy and energy storage facilities and a schedule for critical infrastructure sites to come up with alternative energy sources.

The work, he said, must be completed before winter and the increased energy demand associated with the change in seasons.

Mr Zelensky said the government would “continue to work on creating new energy generation and new decentralised energy capacities”. Also planned was “the construction of new balanced and manoeuvrable capacities for energy”.

“This process is quite challenging in wartime conditions, but we must implement it just as we have already implemented many difficulty projects,” he said.

And work was proceeding, Mr Zelensky said, on measures to protect existing energy sites.

Russia pounded Ukraine’s energy system in the first winter of the war, launched in February 2022, and renewed its assault on energy targets last March as Ukraine was running low on stocks of Western air defence missiles.

Drone and missile strikes have knocked out half of energy generating capacity since March, according to official accounts.

Attacks yesterday overnight hit four regions and cut power to more than 218,000 consumers, the Energy Ministry said.

South Korea says it could supply arms to Ukraine after Russia signs ‘absurd’ deal with North Korea

05:00 , Alexander Butler

South Korea could supply arms to Ukraine after Putin’s ‘absurd’ deal with North Korea

US says Putin remarks about possible weapons for North Korea ‘incredibly concerning’

04:59 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin’s remarks that Russia may supply weapons for North Korea after signing a defence pact with Pyongyang are “incredibly concerning,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

Putin suggested after a visit to North Korea this week that such weapons supplies to the isolated nuclear-armed country would be a mirror response to the Western arming of Ukraine.

He also warned that US ally South Korea would be making “a big mistake” if it decided to supply arms to Ukraine, and that Moscow would respond to such a move in a way that would be painful for Seoul.

“It is incredibly concerning,” Miller told a news briefing when asked about Putin’s remarks about possible arms supplies to North Korea.

“It would destabilise the Korean Peninsula, of course, and potentially... depending on the type of weapons they provide, might violate UN Security Council resolutions that Russia itself has supported.”

The treaty signed by Putin and Kim on Wednesday commits each side to provide immediate military assistance to the other in the event of armed aggression against either one of them.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby called it a cause of concern but no surprise. He said Russia’s need for such foreign assistance was a sign of desperation.

“We’ve been talking about this and warning about a burgeoning defence relationship between these two countries now for many months through a series of downgraded intelligence that we’ve put out there,” he said.

“Obviously it’s something we’ve taken seriously.”

Kirby said the US also believed the Russia-North Korea pact would also be a concern to China, which the United States has urged to do more to reign in Pyongyang.

US to rush air defence interceptor missiles to Ukraine

04:33 , Arpan Rai

The White House will rush delivery of air defence interceptor missiles to Ukraine by redirecting planned shipments to other allied nations, as Washington scrambles to counter increased Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

National security spokesperson John Kirby said the US had taken the “difficult but necessary decision to reprioritise near-term planned deliveries of foreign military sales to other countries,” though he wouldn’t say which nations would be affected or how many.

“Right now, we know that Ukraine urgently needs these additional capabilities,” Mr Kirby said on a call with reporters, adding, “Obviously more is needed, and it’s needed now.”

The announcement comes after president Joe Biden, during last week’s Group of Seven meeting in Italy, suggested such action might be necessary, saying, “We’ve let it be known for those countries that are expecting, from us, air defence systems in the future, that they’re going to have to wait.”

“Everything we have is going to go to Ukraine until their needs are met,” Biden said. “And then we will make good on the commitments we made to other countries.”

Ukrainian author and soldier warns the West: ‘War is coming to you’

04:10 , Arpan Rai

A junkyard of burnt cars. Shattered glass and shell fragments. Bodies lining the streets.

This is Oleksandr Mykhed’s language of war. This is the language of Ukrainians. This is, he says, what we should be ready for: “Because this might happen in your country, and you’d better be prepared for that.”

Mykhed – one of Ukraine’s most prolific authors – is in London promoting his tenth book, The Language of War. His once floppy blonde hair is gone, shaved into a military-style buzz cut instead; it is a nod to his second job, the one he did not choose.

Mykhed, 36, enlisted in the military as soon as the full-scale invasion began. Though he had no previous experience, he was told he would be a mortar battery ammunition man. “You will pass grenades to the loader, carry a box of grenades and the mortar itself,” the enlistment officer said to him, after he asked what he meant by “mortar man”.

Tom Watling speaks to him:

Ukrainian author and soldier warns the West: ‘War is coming to you’

US will move Ukraine to front of line for air defense missile deliveries, White House says

04:00 , Alexander Butler

White House will prioritize weapons for Ukraine after new Russia attack

‘Mass’ drone attack in Russia’s Krasnodar region

03:59 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine’s military launched a “mass” drone attack on southern Russia’s Krasnodar region, but there were no casualties or damage, local Russian officials said this morning.

As a result of the attack, three municipalities came under attack, emergency officials said. Fragments from one drone fell on a guest house in Temriuk district, but its residents were evacuated and there were no injuries.

Emergency crews were working at the sites of the attacks.

Russia hammers Ukraine's power grid again and Kyiv's drones target enemy oil depots

03:41 , Arpan Rai

Russia resumed its aerial pounding of Ukraine’s power grid and Kyiv’s forces again targeted Russian oil facilities with cross-border drone strikes, officials said yesterday.

In its seventh major attack on Ukrainian power plants since Moscow intensified energy infrastructure attacks three months ago, Russia fired nine missiles and 27 Shahed drones at energy facilities and critical infrastructure in central and eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian air force said.

The attack hit power structures in the Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv and Vinnytsia regions of Ukraine, according to national power company Ukrenergo.

Air defences intercepted all the drones and five cruise missiles, the Ukrainian air force said.

With no major changes reported along the 1,000km (600 mile) frontline, where a recent push by the Kremlin’s forces in eastern and northeastern Ukraine has made only incremental gains, both sides in the war have taken aim at distant infrastructure targets.

Russia hammers Ukraine's power grid again and Kyiv's drones target enemy oil depots

A Ukrainian author turned soldier has a stark warning for the West: ‘Be prepared for war with Russia’

03:00 , Alexander Butler

Ajunkyard of burned cars. Shattered glass and shell fragments. Bodies lining the streets.

This is Oleksandr Mykhed’s language of war. This is the language of Ukrainians. This is, he says, what we should be ready for: “Because this might happen in your country, and you’d better be prepared for that.”

Mykhed – one of Ukraine’s most prolific authors – is in London promoting his tenth book, The Language of War. His once floppy blonde hair is gone, shaved into a military-style buzz cut instead; it is a nod to his second job, the one he did not choose.

Ukrainian author and soldier warns the West: ‘War is coming to you’

US to reprioritise missiles for Ukraine, White House says

02:00 , Alexander Butler

The US will reprioritise planned deliveries of foreign military sales of Patriot and other missiles to go to Ukraine, which is in “desperate need” of more air defense capabilities amid its ongoing war with Russia, the White House said.

Putin says South Korea would be making ‘a big mistake’ if it supplies arms to Ukraine

01:00 , Alexander Butler

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that South Korea would be making “a big mistake” if it decides to supply arms to Ukraine and that Seoul had nothing to worry about when it came to a mutual defence pact between Moscow and North Korea.

Putin, who said Moscow would respond to any such move by South Korea, was speaking to reporters in Vietnam at the end of a two-day trip to Asia. He held talks in North Korea a day earlier.

Yonhap news reported earlier on Thursday that South Korea would review the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine, after the leaders of North Korea and Russia signed a pact pledging mutual defence in the event of war.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte wins race to head Nato

Friday 21 June 2024 00:01 , Alexander Butler

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte is set to become the next Nato chief after his only rival dropped out of the leadership race.

Mr Rutte will become the secretary-general of the alliance in October after Romanian president Klaus Iohannis withdrew from the contest.

The 57-year-old has been one of the driving forces behind Europe’s military support for Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, and says defeat on the battlefield for Moscow is vital to secure peace in Europe.

He will replace Norway’s former prime minister Jens Stoltenberg, who has run the US-led military alliance since 2014 and had his term extended four times.

What's known, and not known, about the partnership agreement signed by Russia and North Korea

Thursday 20 June 2024 23:00 , Alexander Butler

What's known, and not known, about the partnership agreement signed by Russia and North Korea

Pictured: Ukrainian solider launches reconnaissance drone

Thursday 20 June 2024 22:00 , Alexander Butler

Zelenkyy thanks Romania for 'bolstering air shield'

Thursday 20 June 2024 21:00 , Alexander Butler

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Romania’s decision to provide his country with two Patriot air defence systems will strengthen security in Ukraine and throughout Europe.

“This crucial contribution will bolster our air shield and help us better protect our people and critical infrastructure from Russian air terror,” the Ukrainian president said on X.

The Patriot, which stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, is a surface-to-air missile defence system.

The Putin-Kim bromance is a dangerous liaison

Thursday 20 June 2024 20:00 , Alexander Butler

The Putin-Kim bromance is a dangerous liaison

Russian interference in UK general election will likely ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

Thursday 20 June 2024 19:00 , Alexander Butler

Russian interference in the UK general election will likely “ramp up dramatically” over the next fortnight, the chair of the United States senate intelligence committee has warned.

Washington has witnessed “egregious efforts” by Moscow to interfere in the democratic process across the globe, similar to those alleged in the 2016 US presidential election, said Mark Warner.

The senior senator, who is regularly briefed on secret US intelligence, said he had been closely monitoring the situation in the UK, adding: “I think the next big test of the state of play will be the British elections in a few weeks.”

Russian interference in UK election may ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

Russia hammers Ukraine's power grid again and Kyiv's drones target enemy oil depots

Thursday 20 June 2024 18:00 , Alexander Butler

Russia resumed its aerial pounding of Ukraine’s power grid and Kyiv’s forces again targeted Russian oil facilities with cross-border drone strikes, officials said Thursday.

With no major changes reported along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, where a recent push by the Kremlin’s forces in eastern and northeastern Ukraine has made only incremental gains, both sides in the war have taken aim at distant infrastructure targets.

In its seventh major attack on Ukrainian power plants since Moscow intensified energy infrastructure attacks three months ago, Russia fired nine missiles and 27 Shahed drones at energy facilities and critical infrastructure in central and eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian air force said. Air defenses intercepted all the drones and five cruise missiles, it said.

Russia hammers Ukraine's power grid again and Kyiv's drones target enemy oil depots

South Korea says it could supply arms to Ukraine after Russia signs ‘absurd’ deal with North Korea

Thursday 20 June 2024 17:00 , Alexander Butler

South Korea has strongly criticised North Korea and Russia’s new military pact, and said it will reconsider supplying Ukraine with weapons in response.

The comments from South Korea’s presidential office came a day after North Korea and Russia reached a mutual agreement on defence assistance, including in the event of war, on Wednesday. The deal was signed after Vladimir Putin met his “comrade” Kim Jong-un on a visit to Pyongyang.

North Korea’s state media published the text of the deal on Thursday, which says each country would provide the other with immediate military assistance if it were to be invaded.

South Korea could supply arms to Ukraine after Putin’s ‘absurd’ deal with North Korea

Russian glide bombs are obliterating front-line Ukraine towns

Thursday 20 June 2024 16:00 , Alexander Butler

Russia has accelerated its destruction of Ukraine’s front-line cities in 2024 to a scale previously unseen in the war using glide bombs and an expanding network of airstrips.

That’s according to analysis of drone footage, satellite imagery, Ukrainian documents and Russian photos.

The results can be seen in the intensity of recent Russian attacks. It took a year for Russia to obliterate Bakhmut, where the bombs were first used.

Russian glide bombs are obliterating front-line Ukraine towns. There’s more to come

Romania to donate Patriot systems to Ukraine

Thursday 20 June 2024 15:16 , Alexander Butler

Romania will donate two operational Patriot systems to Ukraine, the country’s supreme defence council has announced.

The council said the decision was “based on an in-depth technical evaluation” and “all measures were being taken to eliminate the risk of creating possible vulnerabilities for Romania”.

In a statement, it reiterated that Romania’s position will continue to be that Ukraine has a “legitimate right” to defend itself against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

Russian attack kills three, injures four in Ukraine's eastern region

Thursday 20 June 2024 15:00 , Tom Watling

Russia attacked a village in Ukraine‘s eastern Donetsk region on Thursday, killing three people and injuring four more, including a child, prosecutors said.

The village of Rozkishne, about 25 km from the front line, was targeted by the strike, regional prosecutors said on Telegram.

According to preliminary data, Russian troops used the Smerch system to launch cluster munitions, prosecutors said.

Among the injured was a 14-year-old boy who was hospitalised. Four households, cars, and a gas pipeline were damaged in the attack, prosecutors added.

Footage appears to show Russia firing first 3000kg glide bomb

Thursday 20 June 2024 14:39 , Tom Watling

Footage has purported to show Russia firing its first 3000kg glide bomb near Ukraine’s second largest city.

The video, posted by a Russian military blogger called Fighterbomber, believed to be a member of the Russian air force, shows the bomb exploding on the outskirts of the village of Lyptsi, where Ukrainian soldiers are defending against a recently-launched attack in the wider Kharkiv region. The city’s namesake capital, just 17 miles south of the village, is home to some 1.3 million civilians.

Russian glide bombs, essentially Soviet-era explosives retrofitted with wings and navigation systems, have proved devastating in Ukraine.

In March, then defence minister Sergei Shoigu toured a weapons factory east of Moscow where he was shown the Fab-3000s in early production.

South Korea says it could supply arms to Ukraine after Russia signs ‘absurd’ deal with North Korea

Thursday 20 June 2024 14:14 , Tom Watling

South Korea could supply arms to Ukraine after Putin’s ‘absurd’ deal with North Korea

Zelensky thanks Romania for donating Patriot system to Ukraine

Thursday 20 June 2024 13:53 , Tom Watling

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Romania’s decision to provide his country with a Patriot air defence system would bolster Ukraine‘s air defence shield and strengthen security throughout Europe.

“This crucial contribution will bolster our air shield and help us better protect our people and critical infrastructure from Russian air terror,” he said on X.

Trial of US ballerina accused of treason begins in Russia

Thursday 20 June 2024 13:30 , Tom Watling

The trial of US ballerina Ksenia Karelina, 33, who was accused of high treason after sending a meagre $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity, has begun in western Russia today.

The 33-year-old, originally from Yekaterinburg but who moved to the US, sent money to the Ukrainian foundation Razom for Ukraine on the third day of the war in 2022. When she then visited her family at the start of this year in Russia, she was detained.

The press service of the Sverdlovsk Regional Court reported that Karelina “initiatively carried out a transfer of funds in the interests of one of the Ukrainian organizations, which were subsequently sent for the acquisition of tactical medicine items, equipment, weapons and ammunition by the Armed Forces of Ukraine”.

Judge Andrei Mineev, who is also considering the case of jailed US journalist Evan Gershkovich, closed the trial to the press.

You can read more about the case here.

What's known, and not known, about the partnership agreement signed by Russia and North Korea

Thursday 20 June 2024 13:15 , Tom Watling

What's known, and not known, about the partnership agreement signed by Russia and North Korea

We have some of the latest photos from the frontline in Ukraine

Thursday 20 June 2024 13:00 , Tom Watling

Below, we have some of the latest photos coming from the frontline in eastern Ukraine.

Russia hammers Ukraine's power grid again and Kyiv's drones target enemy oil depots

Thursday 20 June 2024 12:45 , Tom Watling

Russia hammers Ukraine's power grid again and Kyiv's drones target enemy oil depots

Ukraine and EU extend permit-free regime for freight, PM says

Thursday 20 June 2024 12:30 , Tom Watling

Ukraine and the European Commission have extended a liberalisation of freight transport for another year, allowing Ukrainian cargo permit-free entry to the EU, Ukraine‘s prime minister has said.

Denys Shmyhal added on X that the agreement envisaged the possibility of an automatic extension until the end of 2025.

The Putin-Kim bromance is a dangerous liaison

Thursday 20 June 2024 12:15 , Tom Watling

The Putin-Kim bromance is a dangerous liaison

Mapped: Where Russia’s overnight attacks hit Ukraine and where they were intercepted

Thursday 20 June 2024 12:00 , Tom Watling

A map produced by Ukrainian open source group ‘monitorwar’ has produced a detailed look at Russia’s overnight aerial assault.

Russian forces continue to target Ukraine’s power infrastructure. In their latest attack, they damaged facilities in four regions.

US to redirect Patriot air defense orders to Ukraine, FT reports

Thursday 20 June 2024 11:38 , Tom Watling

President Joe Biden’s administration plans to halt all open orders for Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles and redirect supply to Ukraine until its defense needs are met, the Financial Times has reported.

The move could be announced as early as Thursday, the report said, citing three people with knowledge of the decision.

Ukraine has been lobbying for the U.S.-made Patriot missile defences which have proved vital for Kyiv’s chances of shooting down Russia’s ballistic and hypersonic missiles. It has recently drummed up its requests for the missiles following Russian attacks on its critical energy sector.

Earlier this month, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced his country would deliver another 100 Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine in an initiative with Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.

Russian interference in UK general election will likely ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

Thursday 20 June 2024 11:17 , Tom Watling

Russian interference in UK election may ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

South Korea says will reconsider providing weapons to Ukraine, Yonhap says

Thursday 20 June 2024 11:04 , Tom Watling

South Korea has said it will review the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine, Yonhap news reported, citing an official after the leaders of North Korea and Russia signed a pact pledging mutual defence in the event of war.

In an official statement released on Thursday, Seoul also condemned the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed by the leaders of North Korea and Russia this week, saying it violates United Nations sanctions.

“The government clearly emphasizes that any cooperation that directly or indirectly helps North Korea increase its military power is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and is subject to monitoring and sanctions by the international community,” the presidential office said in a statement, adding that such violation would worsen Seoul’s relations with Moscow.

North Korea and Russia revived an agreement made during the Cold War era when their leaders met in Pyongyang this week, and agreed to provide military assistance if they are ever attacked.

Ukrainian soldiers explore captured Russian tank

Thursday 20 June 2024 10:45 , Tom Watling

Ukrainian soldiers have been pictured exploring a Russian main battle tank in the eastern Donetsk region after capturing the vehicle this month.

The Soviet-era T-62 had been retrofitted with anti-drone protection to cope with the constant threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the frontline, a phenomena of this war.

We have some more footage of alleged Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries

Thursday 20 June 2024 10:30 , Tom Watling

Earlier, we reported that Ukrainian sources claimed responsibility for explosions at fuel depots in several regions of Russia.

Below, we have some more footage of the fires, as well as some maps detailing the location of the alleged strikes.

Fires at two Russian fuel depots after drone attacks by Ukraine's SBU, source says

Thursday 20 June 2024 10:15 , Tom Watling

Ukrainian drone attacks conducted by the SBU security agency caused fires at fuel depots in the Russian regions of Tambov and Adygeyea early on Thursday, a Kyiv intelligence source told Reuters.

Russian officials said earlier that fires had broken out at two fuel depots after suspected drone attacks.

The Ukrainian source said the depots supplied the Russian military and that the strikes aimed to reduce their resources.

Putin in Vietnam, seeking to strengthen ties in Southeast Asia while Russia's isolation deepens

Thursday 20 June 2024 10:00 , Tom Watling

Putin in Vietnam, seeking to strengthen ties in Southeast Asia while Russia's isolation deepens

Russia obliterates front-line Ukraine towns by retrofitting bombs and expanding its air base network

Thursday 20 June 2024 09:45 , Tom Watling

Russia obliterates front-line Ukraine towns by retrofitting bombs and expanding its air base network

EU countries agree 14th package of sanctions against Russia - diplomats

Thursday 20 June 2024 09:30 , Tom Watling

EU countries agreed a 14th package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine, diplomats have said, including a ban on transshipments of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Belgium, which holds the European Union presidency until July 1, said on the X platform that the package “maximises the impact of existing sanctions by closing loopholes”.

Russian attacks cut power for over 218,000 Ukrainians, ministry says

Thursday 20 June 2024 09:15 , Tom Watling

Russian attacks on energy infrastructure cut power for over 218,000 consumers across Ukraine for a time on Thursday morning, according to Ukraine‘s energy ministry.

Russia used drones and missiles to target energy infrastructure in four Ukrainian regions overnight, causing significant damage to a thermal power plant.

Power was restored for most consumers, the ministry added.

Photos show aftermath of Russian glide bomb attack in Kharkiv

Thursday 20 June 2024 09:00 , Tom Watling

At least one person was killed and another injured after Russia forces fired a glide bomb at the village of Vilkhivka to the west of Kharkiv city on Thursday.

Putin and Kim Jong-un exchange gifts including luxury limousine and hunting dogs

Thursday 20 June 2024 08:45 , Tom Watling

Putin gifts Kim Jong-un new limousine, dagger and tea set

We have some more photos of Putin’s trip to North Korea

Thursday 20 June 2024 08:30 , Tom Watling

Good morning.

We have some more of the latest photos coming from North Korea as Vladimir Putin spends time with the country’s dictator Kim Jong-un.

Putin signed a mutual defence agreement on June 19 with North Korea's Kim, who offered his "full support" on Ukraine.

Ukraine will finally use F-16 jets this summer, says Dutch commander

Thursday 20 June 2024 08:10 , Arpan Rai

The much anticipated F-16 fighter jets will fly in Ukrainian skies at some point this summer, a Dutch air force commander said, reported The Guardian.

Ukraine is waiting for over 60 US-made F-16 fighter jets in a commitment made by Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway to help it fend off Russian attacks and dozens of Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training to fly the warplanes.

“Around this summertime, it is all lining up,” said Gen Arnoud Stallmann from inside a hangar at a military base inside the rural south of the Netherlands.

This is despite Vladimir Putin’s warning that Moscow could consider launching strikes at facilities in Nato countries if they host the warplanes used in Ukraine.

“F-16s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, and we will also need to take that into account while organising our combat operations,” Putin had said.

Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

Thursday 20 June 2024 07:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Authorities in Ukraine have created a national registry to document cases of sexual violence allegedly committed by Russian forces, a senior prosecutor told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Viktoriia Litvinova, the country’s deputy prosecutor general, said that the registry was created out of a pilot project that had already resulted in the convictions of five people in absentia. She declined to comment on details of the cases.

“We used to have to visit territories where hostilities are taking place ourselves,” she said. “But now people – individuals who have experienced sexual abuse – are seeking us out for information.”

Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

Russian attack damages energy infrastructure in four parts of Ukraine

Thursday 20 June 2024 06:34 , Arpan Rai

A Russian attack overnight damaged energy infrastructure in four Ukrainian regions this morning, the Ukrainian energy ministry said on Telegram.

The energy ministry said the attack injured three workers at one of the impacted energy facilities and cut power for some consumers.

Wider impact of the attacks on the power supply in Ukraine are not immediately clear.

Treasury sanctions network connected to separatist Bosnian leader

Thursday 20 June 2024 06:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A network of people and firms that support the sanctioned president of Bosnia’s Serb-run portion, Milorad Dodik, has been hit with a new round of sanctions.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on Tuesday designated two people and seven companies that provide revenue for Dodik and his family, including his son Igor Dodik.

Treasury says Dodik used his presidency to direct government contracts to a network of private companies that he and his son oversee.

Treasury sanctions network connected to separatist Bosnian leader

Photos: Putin and Kim Jong-un's friendship peaks during latest North Korea visit

Thursday 20 June 2024 05:41 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s latest meeting in Pyongyang saw their mutual interest in expanding their economic and military cooperation and display a united front against Washington.

As the two leaders sat down, Kim Jong-un echoed Putin’s statement explicitly linking their deepening ties to fighting the “hegemonic and imperialist” policies of the West and the United State in particular, including its support for Ukraine.

This visit could result in deadly implications for Ukraine which finds itself under relentless shelling from Russian forces, using ammunition provided by North Korea. Their liason can be dangerous for the West and especially Ukraine.

EU Commission to impose tariffs on Ukrainian egg imports

Thursday 20 June 2024 05:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The European Commission will introduce tariffs on Ukrainian egg imports within the next two weeks after a previously agreed annual threshold level for those imports has been reached, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The Commission took the same decision on Tuesday regarding oat imports from Ukraine.

Following Russia‘s invasion in 2022, the country has benefited from a special mechanism put in place to boost trade flows with the EU, it’s most important export market. The EU, however, set maximum import volumes after farmer protest across the bloc smashed cheap Ukrainian imports as unfair competition. (

Putin now reaches Vietnam for talks, to meet top leaders

Thursday 20 June 2024 04:53 , Arpan Rai

Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived in Vietnam early today for talks with the country’s Communist leaders on the final stop of his two-nation tour of Asia after concluding a defence pact with North Korea.

This is the third foreign visit by Mr Putin, after China and North Korea, since he took the presidential office in March.

Putin’s aircraft touched down at Hanoi’s airport, where he was met on a red carpet by Vietnamese deputy prime minister Tran Hong Ha and top party diplomat Le Hoai Trung.

Putin is due to meet Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, state president To Lam and prime minster Pham Minh Chinh. Although both North Korea and Russia face international isolation, Vietnam has built careful alliances with the United States and the European Union.

“President Putin’s visit to North Korea and Vietnam is to demonstrate that Western attempts to isolate Russia are not working and that Russia has partners in Asia,” said Carl Thayer, an expert on Vietnam security at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.

However, ahead of his visit, Putin thanked the Southeast Asian Communist-ruled country for supporting “a pragmatic way to solve the crisis” in Ukraine.

Nato chief warns on Putin, Kim Jong-un’s ‘authoritarian’ deal

Thursday 20 June 2024 04:36 , Arpan Rai

Russia’s new defensive pact with North Korea shows increasing alignment among authoritarian powers and underscores the importance of democracies presenting a united front, the head of Nato said.

Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a deal with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un that included a mutual defence pledge, a move that overhauls Moscow’s policy towards Pyongyang.

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said North Korea had provided “an enormous amount of ammunition” to Russia while both China and Iran were supporting Moscow militarily in its war against Ukraine.

“We need to be aware that authoritarian powers are aligning more and more. They are supporting each other in a way we haven’t seen before,” he told a panel discussion during an official visit to Ottawa.

“When they are more and more aligned - authoritarian regimes like North Korea and China, Iran, Russia - then it’s even more important that we are aligned as countries believing in freedom and democracy,” he said.

The growing closeness between Russia and other Asian nations means it is all the more important that Nato works with allies in the Asia-Pacific, he said, adding this was why leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea had been invited to a Nato summit in Washington next month.

North Korea and Russia sign a deal on immediate military assistance in event of war

Thursday 20 June 2024 04:11 , Arpan Rai

Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin upgraded their bilateral ties to a new high as they signed a fresh agreement of “immediate military assistance” in the event of war during the Russian president’s visit to North Korea.

The new agreement between Russia and North Korea reached by their leaders at a Pyongyang summit requires both countries to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance in the event of war, North Korean state media today.

In the new agreement, Russia and North Korea have inked assistance on security, trade, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties. Outside observers said it could mark the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency today reported the language of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. The agency said Article 4 of the agreement states that if one of the countries gets invaded and is pushed into a state of war, the other must deploy “all means at its disposal without delay” to provide “military and other assistance.”

Putin and Kim Jong-un sign defence pact in case of attack on Russia or North Korea

Fire at drone-hit Russian oil depot rages for second day

Thursday 20 June 2024 04:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A blaze caused by a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil terminal in southern Russia has been raging for more than a day and a half despite the efforts of firefighters, the regional governor said on Wednesday.

Several oil storage tanks in the town of Azov caught fire after a drone attack early on Tuesday that a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters was conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Vasily Golubev, governor of the Rostov region, wrote on Telegram that emergency services had been unable to extinguish the flames as of Tuesday afternoon as the second storage tank had been depressurised.

Azov has two oil product terminals, DonTerminal and Azovproduct, which handled a total of about 220,000 tons of fuel for export during the period from January to May 2024.

Ukraine has often said that targeting Russia‘s energy, military and transport infrastructure undermines Moscow’s war effort.

Russian court sentences US soldier to nearly 4 years on theft charges

Thursday 20 June 2024 03:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A court in Russia’s far eastern city of Vladivostok on Wednesday sentenced an American soldier arrested earlier this year to three years and nine months in prison on charges of stealing and threats of murder, Russian news reports said.

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, flew to Vladivostok, a Pacific port city, to see his girlfriend and was arrested after she accused him of stealing from her, according to U.S. officials and Russian authorities.

Russian state news agencies Tass and RIA Novosti reported from the courtroom in the Pervomaisky District Court in Vladivostok that the judge also ordered Black to pay 10,000 rubles ($115) in damages. Prosecutors had asked for Black to be sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

Russian court sentences US soldier to nearly 4 years on theft charges

Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

Thursday 20 June 2024 02:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Authorities in Ukraine have created a national registry to document cases of sexual violence allegedly committed by Russian forces, a senior prosecutor told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Viktoriia Litvinova, the country’s deputy prosecutor general, said that the registry was created out of a pilot project that had already resulted in the convictions of five people in absentia. She declined to comment on details of the cases.

“We used to have to visit territories where hostilities are taking place ourselves,” she said. “But now people – individuals who have experienced sexual abuse – are seeking us out for information.”

Ukraine launches a national sexual assault registry for victims of Russian forces

White House ‘comfortable’ with its nuclear position after Nato chief suggests increase in deployed weapons

Thursday 20 June 2024 01:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The White House has said it is “comfortable” how its nuclear weapons are placed in the wake of comments from Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg suggesting members of Nato are considering increasing the number of nuclear weapons deployed to counter an increased threat from Russia and China.

Addressing reports at a White House Briefing, spokesperson John Kirby declared that the US are “comfortable” with their “strategic deterrent posture”.

Asked about Mr Stoltenberg’s comments, Mr Kirby said: “We don’t talk about nuclear posture with any specificity - and I’m certainly not going to start doing that here from the podium.

Washington reacts to Nato chief on possibility of readying more nuclear weapons

Estonia convicts a university professor from Russia of spying for Moscow

Thursday 20 June 2024 00:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A university professor was jailed Tuesday in Estonia after being found guilty of spying for Russian military intelligence, part of a campaign of sabotage, electronic warfare and information gathering that Estonian officials blame on Moscow.

Viacheslav Morozov, a Russian citizen who taught at Estonia’s country’s most prestigious university, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for undermining the security of the Baltic state during the 14 years he operated in the country until his arrest in January.

Estonian officials are extremely hawkish about the threat from Russia and have convicted a number of people of spying for Russia in recent years. Harju County Court in the Estonian capital said Morozov collected information about Estonia’s defense and security policy and the people and infrastructure related to it.

Estonia convicts a university professor from Russia of spying for Moscow

Treasury sanctions network connected to separatist Bosnian leader

Wednesday 19 June 2024 23:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A network of people and firms that support the sanctioned president of Bosnia’s Serb-run portion, Milorad Dodik, has been hit with a new round of sanctions.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on Tuesday designated two people and seven companies that provide revenue for Dodik and his family, including his son Igor Dodik.

Treasury says Dodik used his presidency to direct government contracts to a network of private companies that he and his son oversee.

Treasury sanctions network connected to separatist Bosnian leader

Russia sentences US soldier Gordon Black to nearly four years in penal colony

Wednesday 19 June 2024 22:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Russian court sent an American soldier to three years and nine months in a penal colony for stealing and threatening murder, state news media reported.

Gordon Black, 34, was detained in Vladivostok in Russia’s far east on 2 May. He was there to see Alexandra Vashchuk, a woman he believed to be his girlfriend, and was arrested after being accused of assaulting her and stealing 10,000 rubles (£90) from her, according to state news agency TASS.

He “forcefully grabbed the girl by the neck, which she perceived as a real threat to her life”, and then stole money from her wallet, the prosecutor said.

Russia sentences US soldier Gordon Black to nearly four years in penal colony

Russian interference in UK general election will likely ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

Wednesday 19 June 2024 21:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian interference in the UK general election will likely “ramp up dramatically” over the next fortnight, the chair of the United States senate intelligence committee has warned.

Washington has witnessed “egregious efforts” by Moscow to interfere in the democratic process across the globe, similar to those alleged in the 2016 US presidential election, said Mark Warner.

The senior senator, who is regularly briefed on secret US intelligence, said he had been closely monitoring the situation in the UK, adding: “I think the next big test of the state of play will be the British elections in a few weeks.”

Russian interference in UK election may ramp up dramatically, warns senior US senator

Putin’s best friend routine with Kim Jong-un is a clear and present danger to the WestThe Russian president is desperate for ammunition for his invasion of Ukraine, forcing him to turn to another international pariah for help, writes Kim Sengupta

Wednesday 19 June 2024 20:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Russian president is desperate for ammunition for his invasion of Ukraine, forcing him to turn to another international pariah for help, writes Kim Sengupta:

Putin’s friendship with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is a clear danger to the West

Thales to create joint venture with Ukraine to boost military supplies

Wednesday 19 June 2024 19:43 , Andy Gregory

French multinational Thales has signed three deals with Ukraine including one announcing an intention to create a joint venture in the country that will boost delivery of military gear, the defence company has announced.

“Domains of cooperation include Electronic Warfare, Tactical Communications, Air Defence Systems and radars, as well as Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” it added.

Besides the planned joint venture and another deal to help Ukraine cut repair times of electronic warfare gear, Thales also inked a deal with Ukraine’s FRDM aiming to co-develop and manufacture a drone system capable of releasing munitions.

Fire at drone-hit Russian oil depot rages for second day

Wednesday 19 June 2024 19:13 , Reuters

A blaze caused by a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil terminal in southern Russia has been raging for more than a day and a half despite the efforts of firefighters, the regional governor has said.

Several oil storage tanks in the town of Azov caught fire after a drone attack early on Tuesday that a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters was conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Vasily Golubev, governor of the Rostov region, wrote on Telegram that emergency services had been unable to extinguish the flames as of Tuesday afternoon as the second storage tank had been depressurised.

Azov has two oil product terminals, DonTerminal and Azovproduct, which handled a total of about 220,000 tons of fuel for export during the period from January to May 2024.

Ukraine has often said that targeting Russia’s energy, military and transport infrastructure undermines Moscow’s war effort.

Putin praises Vietnam for ‘balanced’ stance on Ukraine war

Wednesday 19 June 2024 18:44 , Andy Gregory

Vladimir Putin praised Vietnam for its “balanced” stance on the Ukraine war and listed progress on payments, energy and trade in an opinion piece published on Wednesday in the newspaper of Vietnam’s Communist Party.

In the piece timed for Mr Putin’s state visit to Vietnam, he applauded the Communist-ruled country for supporting “a pragmatic way to solve the crisis” in Ukraine, in comments published in the Nhan Dan newspaper.

France’s far-right Bardella backtracks on past pledge to pull out of Nato command

Wednesday 19 June 2024 18:15 , Andy Gregory

The far-right leader angling to become prime minister after France’s upcoming parliamentary election has backtracked on his party’s previous promise to pull out of Nato’s strategic military command.

National Rally president Jordan Bardella said he “doesn’t plan to question the commitments France has made on the international stage” if voters give his far-right party a majority that enables him to lead a new government, in what would be an awkward power-sharing arrangement with President Emmanuel Macron.

Referring to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Mr Bardella said at the Eurosatory arms trade show outside Paris: “France mustn’t leave Nato’s military command while we are at war, because it would considerably weaken France’s responsibility on the European scene and, obviously, its credibility with regard to its allies.”

The comments pulled back from a campaign promise made by his party in its manifesto for the 2022 French presidential election, which stated: “The priority will be to leave the integrated Nato command.”

Pyongyang decked out with Putin portraits and Russian flags

Wednesday 19 June 2024 17:47 , Andy Gregory