New fighting in Ukraine – drones over southern Russia

Russian troops have once again put heavy pressure on Ukrainian defense lines in eastern Ukraine. During the course of the day, a total of 164 Russian attacks were reported from the various sectors of the front, the General Staff in Kiev announced in its evening situation report on Monday. The permanent hotspots of Torezk, Limansk, Pokrovsk and Kurachowe in particular were shaken by new heavy fighting. The Russian troops were supported by artillery during their attacks.

After the Russian military attacked Ukraine with drone attacks on Monday night, the Ukrainian military attacked unknown targets in the south of Russia with combat drones in the evening. Russian anti-aircraft defense reported incursions near Millerovo near Rostov-on-Don and near the port city of Taganrog on the Sea of ​​Azov. The Defense Ministry in Moscow said nine drones were shot down near Millerovo. According to initial reports, there were no injuries. There was no information available about any damage.

In Taganrog, residents were warned in the evening about impending drone attacks. The authorities called on people to go to shelters or basements.

To the northwest, Ukrainian troops have been occupying parts of the Kursk region since they made a surprise advance into Russian territory in the summer. Moscow brought together almost 50,000 soldiers to retake these parts of the country – including troops from North Korea who are fighting under the Russian flag.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj spoke of 3,000 soldiers that the North Koreans have already lost in the fight against his country – because they were killed or wounded. The estimate cannot be independently verified, but in recent days several sources among Ukrainian allies have spoken about high North Korean losses. “According to preliminary data, the number of killed and wounded North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region exceeds 3,000,” Zelensky wrote on Platform X after a meeting of the Stavka, the high command of the Ukrainian armed forces. This creates the danger that North Korea could send additional soldiers and military equipment to the Russian army. “We’ll have an answer to that.” Russian officials or media have not yet commented on possible North Korean losses.

Pyongyang sent around 10,000 North Korean soldiers to Russia to support Moscow in the fight against Ukraine. After a short period of training and being equipped with Russian weapons, the North Korean fighters were integrated into the Russian forces that have been fighting near Kursk for some time.

“No normal person in the world can answer why Koreans should fight for (Kremlin chief Vladimir) Putin,” Zelensky said in his evening video address. “And unfortunately, the world is doing almost nothing to counter criminal collaboration between Russia and North Korea.” Moscow supplies military technology to North Korea and helps the regime in Pyongyang abuse people and keep part of the Korean people “in family slavery.”

After Europe-wide criticism of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico’s surprise visit to the Kremlin, Zelenskyj followed up with criticism after his first condemnation of the visit in the evening. According to an official statement, the Slovakian spoke to Putin on Sunday about Russian natural gas deliveries, as Kiev will stop gas transit through Ukraine at the end of the year. Despite Moscow’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Slovakia continues to receive Russian gas via pipelines. “We are fighting for our lives, Fico is fighting for money, and hardly any money for Slovakia,” said Zelensky. “Shady agreements with Putin are either a bargain with state interests or work for one’s own pocket.”

Ukraine had previously offered Fico compensation and alternatives. But: “Fico didn’t want any compensation for the Slovaks. And he doesn’t want to work with the European Commission.” For some reason it was more profitable for him in Moscow. “Everyone in Europe understands why, there is no one who doesn’t understand it.”