At least 51 people have been killed and 271 others injured in a Russian missile strike on the city of Poltava, in central Ukraine.

A military academy and a nearby hospital were hit. Ukraine's land forces confirmed that military personnel were killed in the attack

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m0ylnkylko.amp

Ukraine should hit Russia much harder hit them in Moscow or St Petersburg.

China conducts first public ICBM test launch in decades

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/09/25/ICBM-test-fire/4161727241820/

According to a U.S. Defense Department report from October of last year, China had about 500 ICBM launchers and about 350 missiles.

It said Beijing has been constructing hundreds of new ICBM silos meant to increase the peacetime readiness of its nuclear force.

The U.S. military said last year it expects China to have more than 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030.

China, which practices a "no first use" nuclear weapons policy, has about 500 nuclear warheads, up from 410 last year, according to the report.

The launch comes amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific where China has been attempting to expand its influence, predominantly through might, and North Korea continues to unveil military hardware and test new weapons.

Putin revises Russia’s nuclear doctrine to grant use of deterrent ‘at any time’

https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/20...ant-use-of-deterrent-at-any-time-en-news

Powerful JSOWs will be send to Ukraine.

Well Mark arrived at NATO everything will be allright.

High-ranking GRU officer shot dead in Moscow Oblast, Russian media reports
by Dmytro Basmat
October 17, 2024 7:32 AM
2 min read

Nikita Klenkov, a deputy commander of a unit for Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU), was shot dead in Moscow Oblast by an unknown assailant, Russian media reported on Oct. 16.

Klenkov, 44, was reportedly the deputy commander of GRU unit 43292, which serves as training center for Special Operations Forces, the Moscow Times reported.

Russian Telegram channel Baza reported that Klenkov was shot at on the side of a road in the town of Melenki, east of Moscow. The assailant reportedly fire eight shots from the window of a car.

According to Russian state media outlet TASS, Klenkov "returned home a week ago" from Ukraine's front line, according to a GRU source.

Russian state media reported that an investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify any of the reports in Russian state media.

It is currently unclear if the attack was intended as a politically-motivated assassination. Kyiv has not commented on the situation.

In July, another officer from Russia's GRU had his feet blown off in a car bomb attack in Moscow.

Kyiv denied any involvement in that attack. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told independent Russian media he believed there was "a malfunction with the gas equipment in the car."

In a major escalation, North Korea has reportedly sent nearly 10000 troops to Russia to aid its military efforts amid the war in Ukraine.

Immense military power South Korea gets involved in Ukraine war: 'Putin has made a big mistake'
author avatar
Silvan Schoonhoven

Adjusted: Yesterday, 17:06Yesterday, 14:54in Abroad

Is Putin playing with fire by recruiting North Koreans for his war in Ukraine? With that move, he enrages arch-enemy South Korea - and that country is a giant in the field of defense.

South Korea is not happy that North Korea is getting involved in the Ukraine conflict, especially not if dictator Kim Jong-un gets nuclear knowledge in return from Russia.
© ANP/HH

South Korea is not happy that North Korea is getting involved in the Ukraine conflict, especially not if dictator Kim Jong-un gets nuclear knowledge in return from Russia.

On Red Square this week, Muscovites had their picture taken with North Korean soldiers who were ready to go to the Ukrainian front. Apparently, the Russians see no objection to becoming buddies with the most miserable dictatorship in the world.


South Korea is certainly not happy that their northern neighbors are getting involved in the Ukraine conflict, especially not if dictator Kim Jong-un gets nuclear knowledge in return from Russia. That is why South Korea is scaling up its defense industry considerably. And the country was already no small fry militarily. South Koreans will also supply equipment and knowledge to Ukraine. A new party is joining the conflict.

Video: 'This is the dark side of Vladimir Putin's smart move'

South Korea is one of the world's largest defense powers
"Sending North Korean troops to Ukraine could be a big mistake by Putin," says Artur Rehi, a well-known war blogger and officer from Estonia. "Seoul has stated its readiness to provide direct military assistance to Ukraine, including the supply of artillery, tanks and other modern weapons. South Korea is one of the world's largest defense powers with a powerful military industry, whose products are in demand all over the world."

See also:

Painful scandal in Ukraine: employees of the public prosecutor's office commit fraud to avoid going to the front
South Korea has quickly entered the top ten of largest defence exporters. And President Yoon Suk Yeol wants to enter the top four, says researcher Gabrielle Godard of the Belgian think tank EIAS. Moreover, Korea wants to play a clearer role on the world stage and become the 'armory of global democracy'. In the past, America adorned itself with that title.

'South Korea's decision could significantly change the balance of power in Ukraine'
"South Korea's decision to join the conflict could significantly change the balance of power," says Rehi. "South Korea not only has high-tech weapons, but also trained military specialists who can provide Ukraine with advisory support in the fight against North Korean troops."

Sending troops to Ukraine, as well as supplying weapons, could encourage other countries to follow South Korea's example, he predicts. "South Korean weapons and technology give Ukraine a new advantage. Their specialists help to counter the threat of North Korean soldiers.''


According to its own legislation, South Korea is not allowed to supply weapons to a country that is at war. But Seoul has already indicated that it will circumvent that law. Then nothing will stand in the way of the rapid delivery of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.

Poland and Norway already buy in bulk from South Korea
The Netherlands has not yet set its sights on South Korean weapons, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence confirms. The vast majority of our systems come from America, Germany, France or Scandinavia. It is not surprising that French and German defence companies are not cheering that South Korea is suddenly targeting the European market with competitive prices and an extensive catalogue.

See also:

Poland and Norway already buy in bulk from South Korea. Poland is putting a thousand tanks, hundreds of armoured howitzers, hundreds of Himars-like systems, fighter jets on the order list.

The sale of South Korean weapons to Poland has provoked sharp criticism from Moscow. Russia is now also flirting with North Korea to put pressure on South Korea, the Belgian think tank believes. The North Korean regime receives money, gas and oil from Moscow - and possibly also knowledge of nuclear weapons. Bad news for their southern neighbours.

'North Korean soldiers end up in the meat grinder'
Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Bolder, retired, of the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) also does not think that Putin is getting very nervous about South Korea's involvement. "A major mistake? I don't think so. The arms support from South Korea can never compensate for a possible loss of aid from the US. Putin is simply looking hard for soldiers to send into the meat grinder."

See also:

North Koreans arrive in Kursk: 'Let them desert immediately'
It is also beneficial for Putin if the Korean conflict flares up, says Bolder. "America will then have an extra concern and can focus less on the situation in Ukraine. Ultimately, this turn of events is a sum of pluses and minuses for Putin."

South Korea's assertiveness is not only good news for the West, says Bolder. "Here, a new country is being dragged into the war. The conflict is spreading like an oil slick and that is worrying for the rest of the world."

Minister Brekelmans (Defense) has strengthened ties with Seoul
The Netherlands may not have ordered weapons from Seoul yet, but ties are certainly being strengthened. In September, Defense Minister Brekelmans visited various defense companies, such as LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Aerospace. He also attended a trade fair on artificial intelligence.

See also:

Dutch soldiers at Russian border with Lithuania anticipate the worst: 'It's one big trap'
And at the end of last year, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met our king during a state visit to the Netherlands. At the Maritime Museum, he was given a demonstration of Dutch defense gadgets, such as an electric buggy. Both countries agreed to work together more closely in military matters, for example by exercising together, exchanging equipment and sharing knowledge on topics such as AI and robots.

North Korea has troops on the front lines, the news reports from CBS, NBC, ABC, and others have been been mentioning it, but in very short reports. . I think they don't want to hurt Harris chance of winning. If North Korean soldiers start penetrating into Ukraine, NATO countries will be forced to join in the war, possibly leading to WW3. We may have American troops there if this happens.

Oh no, here we go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2NTrSlnqAY

Putin signs defense pact with North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a defense pact with North Korea on Saturday. Part of the military cooperation is that both countries will come to each other's aid if they are attacked. The treaty was ratified by the Russian parliament earlier this month.

Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed the pact in June, when Putin visited the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. The two dictatorial countries have significantly expanded their cooperation since the war in Ukraine. Moscow also sought further rapprochement with Iran and purchased drones from that country.

According to South Korea, Ukraine and the United States, there are several North Korean troops in Ukraine to support Russia in the war. Moscow has neither denied nor confirmed this. Ukrainian President Zelensky said earlier this week that there are also about 11,000 North Korean soldiers active in the Russian region of Kursk to help the Russians against Ukrainian troops who are occupying an area there.

NOS News
•
yesterday, 14:13
Zelensky wants to end the war in Ukraine next year through diplomatic means

Ukraine must do everything to end the war with Russia through diplomacy next year. President Zelensky says this in an interview with a Ukrainian radio station. Yesterday he already said that the war "will end faster" now that Trump is again president of the US.

In the transcript, Zelensky acknowledges that the situation on the front in eastern Ukraine is "difficult." The Russian army has recently stepped up its pace and is advancing faster than before. Trump's return to the White House is accelerating diplomatic developments surrounding the war.

Zelensky says he will not discuss ending the war with Trump until after the Republican is inaugurated, a ceremony scheduled for January 20. "What his vision is and how we want to respond to that, I can only say after meeting with Trump."

The two had a brief phone call recently after Trump's election victory. In that conversation, Trump reiterated, according to Zelensky, that he wants an end to the war, "and wants to help." The two met in New York in September.

Central and Eastern Europe correspondent Christiaan Paauwe
"Zelensky is torn: on the one hand, he doesn't want Western leaders to talk to Putin. For example, he was clearly not happy that German Chancellor Scholz had a phone conversation with the Russian leader for the first time in years on Friday. On the other hand, Zelensky says that the war must end next year through diplomacy. That can only be done by talking to Russia.

It is also striking that Zelensky now says that parts of his 'victory plan' must be included in the negotiations. This indicates that he is prepared to make concessions. Ukrainians are exhausted after almost three years of war and there are increasing calls for occupied territories to be given up - at least for the time being.

However, it is crucial for Kyiv that there are security guarantees in return that prevent Russia from starting over again in a few years. Even if the West - soon under the leadership of the new American president - can offer that, it remains to be seen whether Russia is also serious about negotiations. Zelensky has little confidence in that in any case."

In the interview published today, the Ukrainian leader says that "elements of our victory plan" must return to the negotiating table. That choice of words suggests that Zelensky is prepared to compromise.

The president presented his vision for a "just" end to the conflict to the Ukrainian parliament last month. Zelensky made five demands to his allies, but NATO reacted cautiously to the "victory plan."

Zelensky previously discussed his plan with current US President Biden. The Democrat did not openly respond to it. Behind the scenes, high-ranking officials said they did not consider the plan realistic.

Turned tone
The tone has changed , Eastern Europe expert Bob Deen told Nieuwsuur this week . He has just returned from Ukraine, where he was invited by the government to think about possible routes to peace. "I met Ukrainians who were prepared to talk seriously about what Russia would need to stop this war," the expert said. "I have never experienced this before."

As Ukraine’s main military ally and the country with by far the most military bases worldwide, the US is essential to provide security guarantees to Kyiv. Therefore, all eyes are on Trump and his policies.

Calling Putin
"I think Putin doesn't want peace," Zelensky said in the interview. "But that doesn't mean he doesn't want to sit at the negotiating table." Trump has consistently said he wants to end the war in Ukraine as quickly as possible.

According to anonymous sources, Trump called Putin last week . He is said to have urged the Russian president "not to escalate" the war in Ukraine. The team of the incoming US president has denied these reports.

Yesterday it became clear that German Chancellor Scholz had called the Russian president . He is one of the few EU leaders who have spoken to Putin in the past two years.

Scholz said he had called on Putin to be "ready to negotiate with Ukraine." The Russian president has consistently said the country is open to such talks, but has made far-reaching demands. For example, Moscow says Ukraine should not join NATO and should give up four regions, some of which are not even fully occupied by Russia.

Biden's window to work in WWIII is closing...

Biden authorizes Ukraine to use US-supplied long-range missiles for deeper strikes inside Russia

https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c

https://x.com/AP/status/1858219394167366120

US warns of airstrike on Kiev, embassy closed

The US embassy in Ukraine is urging Americans to prepare for a major airstrike on Kiev. There are indications that such an attack is imminent this Wednesday. The embassy has been closed "as a precaution" and embassy staff have been ordered to find a safe place.

"The US Embassy in Kiev has received detailed information about a possible significant airstrike on November 20," the embassy said in a message. The message did not specify what the information looked like, what targets might be attacked, or from which source the information the US is basing itself on.

"The US embassy advises US citizens to prepare to take immediate cover if air raid sirens sound," the warning reads. People should look for shelter, monitor local media and follow the instructions of Ukrainian authorities "if an emergency situation arises."

On Tuesday evening, it was announced that Ukraine had used US long-range ATACMS missiles to attack a target on Russian territory for the first time. US President Joe Biden had given permission for this. Russia has consistently warned that such steps have consequences. It is unclear whether the threat of a new airstrike on Kyiv is related to this.

The Spanish news agency EFE reports that the Spanish embassy in Kyiv is also closed due to the increased risk of airstrikes in Ukraine. The Greek embassy also reports that it is closed for security reasons.

Putin has purportedly stated he is open to a ceasefire deal in Ukraine if the Peace Talks are led by Trump.

Developing.

https://x.com/dougamacgregor/status/1859355021906935822