War in Ukraine: new Russian missile attack on kyiv, North Korean soldiers engaged in Kursk… update on the situation

First Russian missile attack on kyiv since August

Explosions were heard across kyiv on Wednesday morning after Ukrainian leaders announced that Russia had launched its first missile attack on the Ukrainian capital since August. Ukrainians feared a new attack in recent months that would target the country's energy capabilities and cause long power outages as winter sets in.

Air defense systems intercepted two cruise missiles, two ballistic missiles and 37 drones across the country, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. No deaths or major damage were reported in kyiv. “Putin launches missile attack on kyiv right now”wrote on Telegram Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s cabinet. A 48-year-old man was injured on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital by falling debris which also caused a fire in a warehouse, local authorities said. kyiv suffers Russian drone attacks almost every night and the city's mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a drone was still flying over the center on Wednesday morning.

“Explosions in the city. Air defenses are at work. Stay safe!”alerted the kyiv authorities on Telegram. Around a hundred residents, including children and elderly women, found refuge in the Universitet metro station, in the center of the capital. Some residents complain of a lack of sleep caused by regular drone attacks, which trigger aerial alerts across the city and warning messages on smartphones. “Mornings are ruined. I started college in September, and all my mornings are ruined by these damn Russians. I can't sleep, I can't think, I'm drinking energy drinks all the time.”declares Mykyta, hugging her dog in the metro.

Russia launched attacks targeting Ukrainian energy facilities earlier this year, causing power outages. If the situation has improved, Ukrainian leaders expect Russia to quickly repeat this type of offensive. Andrii Kovalenko, senior official at the National Defense and Security Council, warns that Russia is ready to carry out a new attack “massive” and has accumulated a large stockpile of cruise missiles. National operator Ukrenergo said it wants to limit electricity supplies to businesses due to imports “considerably” weaker and lower production.

Such restrictions were imposed on businesses and individuals after a major Russian missile and drone attack in August. Despite regular drone attacks, Russia has not launched missiles at kyiv since August 26 during an offensive that mobilized more than 200 drones and missiles and caused the deaths of seven people, according to Ukraine .

Ukraine claims responsibility for assassination of Russian officer in Crimea

Ukraine organized a “special operation” pour “liquidate” An officer of the Russian Black Sea Fleet killed Wednesday in the explosion of a car bomb in annexed Crimea, a source within the security services told AFP.

This is a “successful special operation of the SBU”said this source. The officer was “a war criminal who ordered the launch of cruise missiles from the Black Sea on civilian targets in Ukraine” and represented “an absolutely legitimate target”she further maintained.

North Korean soldiers engaged in fighting in Kursk, Russia, South Korean intelligence says

North Korean soldiers are engaged in fighting in Russia's Kursk region, South Korean intelligence said Wednesday, after the United States confirmed Pyongyang's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine. .

“North Korean troops sent to Russia have moved into the Kursk region over the past two weeks”, “they were deployed on the battlefield” et “are already engaged in combat operations”the South Korean intelligence service said in a statement.

Biden pleaded with Trump for “support” for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden pleaded Wednesday for “support” to Ukraine with his successor Donald Trump, during their meeting of just under two hours at the White House, according to his national security adviser.

The outgoing president “stressed that he believes continued US support for Ukraine (is) in the interests of our national security”said Jake Sullivan during a press conference.