Violent Russian attack on Kiev and Kharkov causes a massive destruction of infrastructure while Kiev anticipating the joining to 12,000 North Korean soldiers in the battles
On Tuesday, a Russian air strike on Kharkov, according to the city mayor.
Kyiv was also hit by a drone attack early Tuesday, which set fire to parked cars, a shop and a commercial building.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that about 12,000 North Korean soldiers will be in Russia soon for training, and he expects to see them later on the battlefield in Ukraine.
“There are already 3,000 North Korean soldiers on Russian territory… According to our intelligence services, their number will soon reach 12,000,” Zelensky added at a press conference in Iceland, once again denouncing the escalation of the conflict.
He warned that Russia will use them on our territory.
For its part, the US Department of Defense confirmed on Monday that North Korea had sent about 10,000 soldiers to receive training in Russia, while NATO and Brussels feared a dangerous escalation.
According to the Ukrainian president, North Korea has already supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells and missiles in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.
Asked about the risks to Ukraine if Donald Trump wins the US presidential election, Zelensky said he had never heard the Republican candidate say he would not support his country.
“Not supporting Ukraine would be a great victory for Putin and a great loss for the West, for unity, for democracy and for freedom,” he added.
Zelensky met with the heads of government of Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden, who promised to continue supporting Ukraine.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson took the opportunity to announce new aid worth 63 million Euros to Ukraine, including 20 million Euros to support its defense industry.
From his part, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, for her part, pointed to China’s role in supporting Russia.
“I don’t think Russia would be able to wage a large-scale war in Europe for more than two and a half years without China’s help,” she said.