North Korea joined Russia in its war against Ukraine, Zelenskyy says

Published

8 months ago

October 16, 2024

North Korea is supplying Russia not only with weapons but also with people, including those employed in Russian factories, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, urging Ukraine’s partners to increase their support.

And with reports of North Korean boots on the ground, in fact, Pyongyang has actually entered the war against Ukraine.

“In the coalition of criminals alongside Putin, North Korea is already involved, specifically the Kim family, which enslaves over 20 million people in North Korea,” Zelenskyy stated, addressing the Parliament in Kyiv on Wednesday.

“Our intelligence has observed not only the transfer of weapons from North Korea to Russia but also the transfer of individuals. These individuals are workers sent to Russian factories to replace those killed in the war, as well as personnel for the Russian army.”

And it’s not just Pyongyang, it’s also Tehran, according to Zelenskyy.

“Everyone sees its regime’s support for Putin,” he said.

Why would Russia need North Korean soldiers, and where?

Ukrainian outlet The Kyiv Independent, citing Western sources, reported that North Korea has sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia to boost its war efforts against Ukraine.

Furthermore, the Russian 11th Airborne Brigade is forming a 3,000-person “battalion” staffed with North Korean citizens, according to Ukrainian outlets Suspilne and Liga, citing anonymous military intelligence sources.

Where could they be deployed?

Ukrainian intelligence sources assessed that this “battalion” will likely be involved in ongoing Russian defensive operations in the Kursk region.

Earlier, the Ukrainian partisan movement claimed that it had identified the presence of North Korean military personnel in training areas located close to Mariupol.

Euronews could not independently verify these claims.

The US-based ISW think tank says it has recently observed reports that a small contingent of North Korean personnel was operating near occupied Donetsk City.

The Kremlin is likely leveraging the Russia-North Korea comprehensive strategic partnership agreement made in June, in part to offset Russian force generation and border security requirements, according to the ISW.

This might help further cement Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to avoiding mobilisation for as long as possible.

“Putin appears more willing to absorb North Korean personnel into the Russian military and resort to other irregular force generation efforts than to call for a wider mobilisation to actually address the combat situation,” ISW added.

Heavy security as protesters gather in Lagos for June 12 demonstration

Published

4 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A large number of police officers, including personnel from the Nigeria Police Force’s Area F Division, have been deployed on Thursday morning as protesters began to gather at the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos to commemorate June 12 Democracy Day.

The demonstrators, made up of civil society organisations and pro-democracy activists, assembled to express dissatisfaction with the country’s deteriorating economic situation and growing insecurity under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

While the protest hasn’t officially commenced, security forces nevertheless remain on high alert.

JUST IN: Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency has pegged ₦50 million as a permit fee for each political party before being allowed to mount billboards and other outdoor campaigning activities.

Published

5 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency has pegged ₦50 million as a permit fee for each political party before being allowed to mount billboards and other outdoor campaigning activities.

Today is the long awaited date for the official flag off for political parties campaign in Anambra for the the November 8 election,ANSAA has announced that any political party rhat wants to mount billboards both outdoor and indoor must pay a permit of N50m.

SUSPENSION: Natasha Akpoti Defeats Akpabio in Court

Published

23 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has struck out two appeals filed by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio against the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension suit at the High Court.

In a unanimous decision delivered by Justices Hamma Barka, Adebukunola Banjoko, and Okon Abang, the appellate court struck out the motions dated 20th and 25th March 2025, following a formal application to withdraw them.

The court further awarded the sum of ₦100,000 in costs to the 1st respondent, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Additionally, the court ordered that Appeal No: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 be deleted.

The Senate President had sought multiple reliefs from the appellate court, including:

1. An order enlarging the time within which he could seek leave to appeal the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. The judgment was delivered by Honourable Justice Obiora Egwuatu on 10th March 2025.

2. An order granting leave to appeal against the High Court’s decision in the same suit.

3. An order extending the time within which the appellant could file a Notice of Appeal against the said judgment.

4. An order staying further proceedings in the matter pending the determination of his appeal.

However, with the withdrawal and subsequent striking out of the motions, the reliefs sought by the Senate President are effectively nullified at this stage.

This ruling marks a significant legal win for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in her ongoing legal battle surrounding her controversial suspension.