A visit which delighted him. Dictator Kim Jong Un expressed his “heartfelt thanks” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his return trip after his six days spent in Russia, the official North Korean agency KCNA reported Monday September 18. He wished “prosperity to Russia and well-being to its people”. This visit to Russia “will shine in history for a long time”according to KCNA, and will further consolidate “militant unity” of the two countries while “opening a new chapter” of their relationships. The Kremlin, for its part, assured that“no agreement” was signed this week, while the West feared that North Korean military aid would be put in place for Russia, engaged in the Ukrainian conflict. Follow our live stream.
Drones shot down by Russian authorities. Russia claimed on the night of Sunday to Monday to have shot down several Ukrainian drones in annexed Crimea, in the Moscow region as well as those of Belgorod and Voronezh, close to Ukraine. No casualties or damage were reported. “The production workshops of the Kharkiv armored plant were hit by a missile strike”also declared the Ministry of Defense.
Ukraine claims progress. Ukrainian authorities said Sunday that their military forces had recaptured Klichchiivka, a tactically important town south of the town of Bakhmut on the eastern front. This locality, with a few hundred inhabitants before the Russian invasion, was taken by Russian forces in January.
Official visit of a Chinese minister to Russia. At the invitation of Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister will visit Russia from Monday to Thursday. The two men will have “a detailed exchange of views on issues related to the settlement of the situation in Ukraine, as well as ways to ensure stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region”said a spokesperson.