Just over 1,000 days into the war, the Ukrainian Parliament has canceled a session scheduled for this Friday due to the risk of a Russian attack on the Kiev area where the Rada, the presidency, and several government headquarters are located, as reported by the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper.
The publication cites sources from deputies who were alerted to a potential Russian attack on that area and have been asked to stay away. The suspension of the session has been confirmed on Telegram by opposition deputy Oleksí Goncharenko, without specifying the reasons.
Ukraine remains on alert after Russia launched a hypersonic ballistic missile without a nuclear warhead on Thursday against the city of Dnipro. Vladimir Putin presented it as a "symmetrical" response to the offensive initiated by Kiev, using long-range projectiles supplied by its allies, against targets in Russian territory.
Russia Supplies North Korea with Over One Million Barrels of Crude, According to Study
Russia has supplied North Korea with over one million barrels of oil since last March as payment for the armament and troops sent to fight in the war with Ukraine, according to a satellite image analysis by the 'Open Source Centre' (OSC) organization.
In a report published on its website, this non-profit organization based in the UK and using high technology to disseminate publicly available data, conducted a new analysis showing that Russia has supplied over one million barrels of oil to North Korea.
Over eight months, since last March, the OSC analyzed hundreds of satellite images to track dozens of North Korean tanks moving between the Russian port of Vostochny and facilities in North Korea, identifying over 40 routes taken by the North Korean oil fleet.
NATO-Ukraine Council to Meet Tuesday to Discuss Russian Missile Attack
The NATO-Ukraine Council will hold a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday to analyze the attack carried out by Russia with a medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile, diplomatic sources informed the Afp agency on Friday.
The Council meeting will be at the ambassadorial level and was convened by Ukraine following the Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, the sources pointed out.
Russia Shoots Down 25 Ukrainian Drones Over Three Regions
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down 25 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over three regions of the country last night and this morning. According to the military report, more than half of the downed aircraft (14) were shot down in the border region of Bryansk, where Ukraine used US ATACMS ballistic missiles last Wednesday in its first Ukrainian attack with Western long-range weaponry against the deep rear of Russia.
Another nine drones were destroyed over the Kaluga region, more than 120 kilometers from the nearest point on the Ukrainian border, and the remaining two in the Kursk region, part of which has been occupied by Kiev's troops since early August.
Russian Defense Minister Says Troops Have Accelerated Advance in Ukraine
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated in a video released on Friday that Russian forces in Ukraine had accelerated their advance, Reuters reports. Belousov appeared in the Defense Ministry's footage visiting a Russian command post in Ukraine and awarding medals for valor.
Seoul: Russia Provided North Korea with Anti-Aircraft Missiles in Exchange for Troops
The United States, South Korea, and other countries have stated that North Korea has sent over 10,000 soldiers to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. What Russia would give to Pyongyang in return has been a subject of great attention. According to a senior South Korean official, Russia has provided anti-aircraft missiles to North Korea.
National Security Director Shin Wonsik said on an SBS television program on Friday that South Korea has discovered that Russia has provided anti-aircraft missiles and other equipment to strengthen its air defense network for Pyongyang, as reported by AP. Shin noted that Russia has also provided economic assistance to North Korea.
Two Dead and 12 Injured in Russian Attack in Sumy
A Russian drone attack on the city of Sumy caused two deaths and 12 injuries on Friday morning, according to regional authorities in a statement reported by Reuters. Twelve apartment buildings, five private residences, a store, and three cars were damaged after three drones attacked the city around 5 a.m. (0300 GMT), according to national police.
Russia has bombed the region and its critical infrastructure with deadly attacks in recent weeks: on Tuesday, a nighttime drone attack on the small town of Hlukhiv killed 12 people, including a child. On Sunday night, an attack on Sumy resulted in 11 deaths and 89 injuries.
Ukraine Cancels Rada Session
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has canceled a session scheduled for this Friday due to the risk of a Russian attack on the Kiev area housing the Parliament, the presidency, and several government headquarters, as reported by the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper and Efe.
The publication cites deputies who were alerted to a potential Russian attack on the area where several government buildings are located. In light of this situation, legislators have been asked to stay away from the area, according to deputies interviewed by the newspaper.
The session's suspension has been confirmed on Telegram by opposition deputy Oleksí Goncharenko, who explained that it will be postponed until December without specifying the reasons and implying that he sees the decision as political. "There was supposed to be a government question hour, but now it will not be possible to question the government about its stupid decisions," wrote the legislator from former President Petro Poroshenko's party.