On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to strike decision-making centers in kyiv with his powerful “Orechnik” missile used for the first time last week, after new massive attacks on the Ukrainian electricity grid. These constitute a “scandalous” attack, denounced outgoing American President Joe Biden, emphasizing “the urgency and importance of supporting the Ukrainian people”.
This Friday, November 29, the Russian army announced that it had shot down 47 Ukrainian drones during the night which mainly targeted the Rostov region, bordering Ukraine, where a major fire broke out on an industrial site. Moscow announces almost daily that it has destroyed Ukrainian drones launched against its territory, but in generally lower numbers. kyiv says it is carrying out these strikes, which often target energy sites, in response to Russian bombings on its territory.
Information to remember:
⇒ Russian Defense Minister makes surprise visit to Pyongyang
⇒ A network of NGOs calls on kyiv to “reject” American mines
⇒ Joe Biden highlights “the importance of supporting the Ukrainian people”
Russia welcomes strengthening of “all-round” ties with North Korea
The Russian Minister of Defense, Andreï Beloussov, who arrived this Friday, November 29 on a surprise visit to North Korea, welcomed a strengthening of “all-round” ties with Pyongyang, linked in particular to Moscow by a mutual defense treaty. “Today, friendly ties between Russia and North Korea are actively strengthening in all directions, including in the field of military cooperation,” he said, quoted in a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry. , during a meeting with his North Korean counterpart No Kwang Chol. Andrei Beloussov said he was “convinced” that these talks in Pyongyang “will serve to further strengthen the Russian-Korean strategic partnership in the field of defense.” For his part, No Kwang Chol assured that the North Korean army was determined to “continuously strengthen and develop” cooperation with the Russian army, according to his remarks cited in the press release.
Russia and North Korea are united by a mutual defense treaty, signed in June and recently ratified. They are both subject to international sanctions – Pyongyang for the development of its nuclear arsenal, Moscow for the offensive in Ukraine. Seoul and Washington accuse North Korea of sending troops to Russia to fight, they say, Ukrainian forces alongside the Russian army. South Korean government officials and a research organization said last week that Moscow was providing fuel, anti-aircraft missiles and economic aid to Pyongyang in exchange.
A network of NGOs calls on kyiv to “reject” American mines
The International Campaign to Ban Antipersonnel Mines (ICBL) network, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1997, calls on Ukraine to renounce the antipersonnel mines proposed by the United States, its director said on Friday. “We very much hope that the mines offered by the United States will be firmly rejected by Ukraine,” declared Tamar Gabelnick, from Siem Reap, Cambodia, where an international conference has been held since Monday on the progress of the Convention of ‘Ottawa on the ban on anti-personnel mines worldwide.
The United States announced last week that it would supply mines to kyiv to slow the advance of Russian troops in the east of the country. These weapons are “very important”, welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to the great dismay of NGOs. The American offer triggered a “crisis”, warned Tamar Gabelnick, which could lead to a “clear and significant violation of the anti-mine treaty” if Ukraine were to accept it and use the mines.
Joe Biden highlights “the importance of supporting the Ukrainian people”
US President Joe Biden on Thursday stressed “the importance of supporting the Ukrainian people”, after the latest massive strikes launched by Russia in Ukraine. This attack, carried out using numerous missiles and drones, “is scandalous and once again reminds us of the urgency and importance of supporting the Ukrainian people in their defense against Russian aggression,” denounced the president. outgoing, a few weeks before his replacement by Donald Trump in the White House.
Faced with the uncertainties caused by the latter’s election, very critical of the billions of dollars released by the United States for Ukraine, Joe Biden took advantage of this new attack to hammer home his country’s support. “On this day, my message to the Ukrainian people is clear: the United States is at your side,” he insisted, recalling the extent of the aid granted by his administration. “Russia continues to underestimate the bravery, resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people,” he continued. “The United States stands with more than 50 countries in supporting Ukraine and its fight for freedom.”