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North Korean ballistic missiles fired at Ukraine by Russian forces have become far more precise over time, according to senior Ukrainian military officials.
Vladimir Putin‘s invading forces have been using imported North Korean projectiles since the end of 2023, and their accuracy and performance have changed drastically since then, military sources told Reuters.
All the more than 20 ballistic missiles that hit Ukraine over the past several weeks landed within 50-100m of their intended target, the sources said.
This is not only helping Russia in its war effort but also improving North Korea‘s military capabilities, they warned.
Meanwhile, the first batch of French Mirage 2000 fighter jets arrived in Ukraine, the French armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu announced this morning.
“With Ukrainian pilots on board who have been trained for several months in France, they will now participate in defending the skies of Ukraine,” he wrote.
The fourth-generation jets have been modified to focus on air-to-ground combat, reportedly so they can fire French and British long-range missiles at Russian targets.
Zelensky to lead Ukraine’s delegation at Munich Security Conference, JD Vance to attend
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will lead Ukraine’s delegation at the Munich Security Conference next week, officials in Kyiv said.
The talks will be attended by the US vice president JD Vance and Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff said yesterday.
Previously a regular summit for global international security discussions, the Munich summit has gained new significance amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and other challenges.
Mr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, told The Associated Press the Ukrainian delegation will present the country’s position on ending the war and their views on how “a long and lasting peace” can be achieved.
“It’s necessary that the leaders and the experts in politics who will be in Munich realise that this is momentum,” he said about Ukraine’s message for the event.
“That we are very near to really ending this war by a just and lasting peace, but (it’s) necessary to be together – not to give Russia an opportunity to divide the world, to divide partners.”
Arpan Rai7 February 2025 02:47
UK foreign secretary visits Ukraine as Zelenskyy discloses troop losses
Tom Watling7 February 2025 01:00
Where are Ukraine’s mineral resources and why does Trump want them?
Tom Watling6 February 2025 23:33
Ukraine says its long-range drones hit a Russian airfield as France delivers Mirage fighter jets
Tom Watling6 February 2025 22:29
In pictures: Ukrainian troops launch drones on the frontline
Tom Watling6 February 2025 21:33
Vladimir Putin attends Kremlin ceremony for young scientists
Tom Watling6 February 2025 19:29
We were told we were off to the seaside – but then kidnapped by Russia
Russia told Ukrainians they were visiting the seaside – but they were kidnapped
In a new four-article series, The Independent reveals the details of Bel Trew’s special investigation into the desperate plight of hundreds – potentially thousands – of people with disabilities caught up in Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The most vulnerable of the vulnerable, abandoned and kidnapped into Russia
Tom Watling6 February 2025 18:29
Russia says it will retaliate if EU sanctions Russian diplomats
Russia will retaliate if the European Union decides to impose sanctions on Russian diplomats, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
Zakharova was commenting on media reports suggesting that the next package of EU sanctions against Russia may limit the travel of Russian diplomats in EU member states.
Tom Watling6 February 2025 17:27
