Putin’s War Russia-Ukraine September 2024-

30 October
North Korean troops in Russian uniforms heading to Kursk, says US
Lloyd Austin says deployment near Ukraine border is a dangerous and destabilising development
North Korean troops wearing Russian uniforms and carrying Russian equipment are moving to the Russian region of Kursk, near Ukraine, according to the US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, who described the deployment as a dangerous and destabilising development.
Austin was speaking at a press conference at the Pentagon with the South Korean defence minister, Kim Yong-hyun, as concerns grow about Pyongyang’s deployment of as many as 11,000 troops to Russia. The US and South Korea said some of the North Korean troops are heading to Kursk, on the border with Ukraine, where the Kremlin’s forces have struggled to push back a Ukrainian incursion.
Austin said “the likelihood is pretty high” that Russia will use the North Korean troops in combat. He added that officials were discussing what to do about the deployment, which he said had the potential to broaden or lengthen the conflict in Ukraine.

28 October
What are the global consequences of North Korean soldiers now appearing on the frontlines in Ukraine?
Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, shares his perspective on European politics from Stockholm, Sweden.
(GZERO media) Well, I think first, it’s a reflection of the fact that Russia President Putin, does have difficulties getting the manpower to man the front lines. He has difficulty recruiting in Russia itself. He’s dependent upon soldiers, and evidently, he’s now dependent upon North Korea to supply the front lines. I mean, that’s a sign of at least long-term weakness in terms of Russia. Then the question is, of course, what has he given in return to the sort of dictator in Pyongyang? In all probability, high-tech and different sorts of military equipment. And that, of course, has serious implications or potential serious implications for stability on the Korean Peninsula. So there are consequences on the front
lines in Russia and on the Korean Peninsula.

24 October
Putin ends BRICS summit that sought to expand Russia’s global clout but was shadowed by Ukraine
(AP) … The conflict came up repeatedly at the meeting, which saw the first visit to Russia from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in more than two years and drew an angry reaction from Kyiv. Guterres called for “a just peace” in Ukraine, in line with the U.N. Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions. He also urged an immediate end to the fighting in Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan.
At a news conference Thursday night, Putin was asked about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s promise to end the fighting in Ukraine.

2 October
Russia captures Vuhledar after two years of Ukrainian resistance
Russia takes control of Vuhledar – bloggers and media
Russia had encircled the town
Russia has been advancing at fastest rate in two years
No comment from Russia or Ukraine on Vuhledar
(Reuters) – Russian troops on [2 October] took charge of the eastern Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, a bastion that had resisted intense attacks since Russia launched its full-scale assault in 2022.
The advance of Moscow’s forces, which control just under a fifth of Ukraine, has underlined Russia’s vast superiority in men and materiel as Ukraine pleads for more weapons from the Western allies that have been supporting it.
Ukraine says its forces have withdrawn from defensive bastion of Vuhledar
Eastern city had resisted repeated attacks but Russian troops are close to ‘encircling’ it in Donetsk advance

1 October
‘Everything is dead’: Ukraine rushes to stem ecocide after river poisoning
(The Guardian) Russia is suspected of deliberately leaking chemical waste into a river, with deadly consequences for wildlife

30 September
Russia to raise defence budget by 25% to highest level on record
Draft documents say defence and security will make up 40% of government spending as Putin continues war against Ukraine