Ukraine has claimed a second successful missile strike in two days on Russia’s military in occupied Crimea, as the United States and South Korea warned Russia and North Korea against agreeing any deals for arms or technology linked to missiles or satellites.
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un was expected to visit a fighter jet factory in eastern Russia and the country’s Pacific Fleet on Thursday, but no information or images from the planned events were immediately published.
Russian president Vladimir Putin briefed his security council about Wednesday’s summit with Mr Kim, at which they pledged to discuss co-operation in a range of fields including satellite technology, which is important to Pyongyang after its two attempts to launch spy satellites this year failed.
In apparent reference to Mr Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Mr Kim told him that Russia had North Korea’s full support in its battle with “imperialism” and its “sacred fight to protect its sovereignty and security” – comments that increased concerns that he is poised to sell arms to the Kremlin to replenish its arsenal after 18 months of grinding war with Kyiv.
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“We express our deep concern and regret that despite repeated warnings from the international community, North Korea and Russia discussed military co-operation issues, including satellite development, during their summit,” said South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Lim Soo-suk.
“Any science and technology co-operation that contributes to nuclear weapons and missile development, including satellite systems that involve ballistic missile technologies, runs against UN Security Council resolutions,” he added.
In Washington, White House national security council spokesman John Kirby said any Russian assistance to North Korea’s military “would be of significant concern to us” and vowed that the US would respond “appropriately” to any arms deal between Pyongyang and Moscow.
“No nation on the planet, nobody, should be helping Mr Putin kill innocent Ukrainians,” he added.
Ukrainian intelligence sources said the country’s navy and SBU security service conducted a joint operation on Thursday using drones and missiles to destroy a high-tech Russian S-400 air defence system in Crimea, which the Kremlin annexed in 2014.
Moscow did not confirm the incident, which came a day after Ukraine launched cruise missiles and marine drones at the Crimean port of Sevastopol, main base of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, and damaged two warships.
Russia said it destroyed five marine drones in thwarting an attack on a patrol ship in the Black Sea, and intercepted 11 attack drones over Crimea.
Kyiv’s military said it had liberated the village of Andriivka, close to the occupied eastern city of Bakhmut, and shot down 17 of 22 Russian attack drones fired early on Thursday.
“The main battles are continuing near the settlements of Andriivka, Kurdiumivka and Klishchiivka. And there is good news. Andriivka is now ours,” said Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar. A Ukrainian unit in the area said fighting was continuing for Andriivka, however.
The BBC reported that a Russian fighter pilot tried to shoot down a British reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea last year, contrary to Moscow’s explanation at the time – which London publicly accepted – that the incident was caused by a technical fault.
Citing three western defence sources, the BBC said the pilot thought he had been given clearance to fire on the British plane, but his first missile missed its target and a second missile launch either failed or was aborted.
Moscow did not immediately comment on the report, but announced the expulsion of two US diplomats due to their alleged links with a Russian citizen who is accused of spying for Washington.
