Latest news about Russia and Ukraine war

North Korea has criticized the United States for providing long-range missiles to Ukraine, state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday.

KCNA news agency quoted a statement from a Ministry of Defense official, who said, “The United States has adopted a despicable policy such as providing its subordinates with even long-range missiles to attack Russian territory in order to change the state of Russia.” “I did,” he reportedly said. There’s been a war going on against them lately. ”

“Long-range missiles provided by the United States will never give Ukraine any advantage,” North Korea’s Ministry of Defense Director-General for Foreign Affairs and Military Affairs was quoted as saying in a statement, translated by NBC News. .

“It is only a matter of time before the world sees Washington defeated on the battlefields of Ukraine as the United States becomes even more vulnerable,” the statement continued, adding, “The United States will use any modern weaponry or military power to defeat the heroic Russian military.” “You can never defeat the people,” he added. support. “

The comments came after officials announced earlier this month that the United States had delivered its first powerful long-range ballistic missile to Ukraine. The US-provided Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, has since been used to attack targets in Russian-occupied territory.National Security Council Spokesperson It acknowledged that the United States had provided them, but said the supplies had not previously been disclosed for operational security reasons.

Read more from NBC News here: Ukraine uses long-range ATACMS against Russia for the first time

U.S. officials say Russia and North Korea are deepening political and military ties, with Russia procuring missiles and artillery shells from Pyongyang. Both men deny that any arms transfer took place.

— Holly Ellyatt

The number of Ukrainian civilians killed in the war has increased in recent months as Russia steps up attacks on the country, the British Ministry of Defense announced on Monday.

In its information update on X, the UK Ministry of Defense referred to recent data from the United Nations Human Rights Observatory in Ukraine, which found that 604 civilians were killed or injured in March 2024.

“This represents a 20% increase compared to the previous month,” the UK said, noting that “these deaths are due to increased missile and air attacks across Ukraine, as well as increased front-line artillery shelling.”

The report said: “Coordinated attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure increased, destroying or damaging 20 locations. 57 children were reported killed, double the previous month. This was due to Russian air weapons attacks. This is directly caused by the use of

The United Nations announced that a total of 31,366 civilian casualties have occurred in Ukraine (including Ukrainian-controlled and Russian-controlled areas) since February 24, 2022. The actual number is likely much higher, as such data is often difficult and inaccurate to collect in times of war.

“These figures highlight the enormous human cost of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine,” the UK said.

— Holly Ellyatt

A Ukrainian border guard spokesman said on Ukrainian television that Polish protesters lifted the blockade of all border crossings with Ukraine on Monday morning.

“Fortunately, we have lifted the blockade of Poland’s border in all directions,” Border Guard spokesman Andriy Demchenko said, referring to Polish farmers who lifted the blockade. He added that trucks transporting grain products will still face restrictions.

— Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Sunday that supplies promised in a $61 billion aid package agreed to by the United States last week had not yet arrived, and appealed for prompt U.S. military aid.

“We will engage with our partners at all levels in order to achieve the level of support efficiency necessary not only to maintain our own position, but also to disrupt Russia’s war plans,” President Zelenskiy said in an evening speech. “

“We are still waiting for the supplies promised to Ukraine. We are expecting exactly the amount and content of supplies that can change the situation on the battlefield in the interests of Ukraine. And all the agreements we have reached. It is important that this is implemented, as it will deliver practical results on the battlefield and boost the morale of everyone on the front lines.”

Zelenskiy said he spoke with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday and “reiterated the need for Patriots.” [air defense] The system is needed as soon as possible. ”

— Holly Ellyatt

The advance of Russian forces has forced Ukrainian troops to withdraw from several villages in eastern Ukraine, the country’s military commander announced on Sunday.

“The situation on the front line is [has] The situation has worsened,” Colonel Oleksandr Shirschiy, commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said on Telegram.

He said the “most difficult situation” was in Russian-occupied Mariinka and the area west of the town of Avdiivka, which was captured by Russian forces in February, and that troops were moving into “new territory” west of the village of Berdych in Semeniivka. He said he had moved it. Novomikhailivka tried to avoid casualties.

Russia has launched attacks in these areas with four brigades, and while they have achieved some tactical success, they have not yet achieved an “operational advantage,” Shirshiky said. That’s what it means.

Mr Silschiky said the situation was dynamic, with individuals’ positions changing “quickly” many times during the day, which he said “leads to a vague understanding of the situation”.

Intense fighting continues in the Chasiv Yar region near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, and Shirsky said the region remains one of the “hottest” spots in the war. Ukrainian officials believe Russian forces hope to take control of the town by May 9, as its high ground offers a strategic advantage. — The day Russia celebrates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.

The Russian military appears to be trying to take advantage of a shortage in the Ukrainian military’s supply of arms and ammunition before much-needed US supplies arrive following the approval of a $61 billion aid package.

Shirschiky said the Russian military is “trying to exploit its superiority in air, missile and artillery numbers.”

— Holly Ellyatt

Russian officials on Sunday threatened Western countries with “harsh” responses if frozen Russian assets are confiscated, and promised “endless” legal challenges and retaliatory measures.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia would never concede territory seized from Ukraine in exchange for the return of frozen assets, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in separate comments. , said there was still a lot of Western money in Russia and that it could be targeted. Moscow’s countermeasures.

— Reuters