UPDATE ON THE SITUATION – Experts believe that these drones may come from the strengthening of the country’s alliance with Russia.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Friday ordered a “production massive» of explosive drones, devices which could come from the strengthening of the country’s alliance with Russia. At the same time, a “massive” Russian airstrike overnight killed at least one person in Odessa, southern Ukraine, Ukrainian emergency services reported early Friday. Le Figaro takes stock of the latest events linked to the conflict.
Kim Jong-un orders ‘massive production’ of explosive drones
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered to prioritize “production massive» of explosive drones, state media reported Friday, November 15, at a time when his country is accused of sending soldiers and weapons to Russia to help it in its war against Ukraine. Kim Jong-un attended a performance test of this type of machine in a factory on Thursday, according to the North Korean news agency KCNA. “He stressed the need to build a mass production system as soon as possible and move to mass production» of explosive drones, reported KCNA.
These explosive-carrying drones, which Pyongyang first unveiled in August, are designed to deliberately crash into enemy targets, acting like guided missiles. Experts believe that these drones may come from the strengthening of the country’s alliance with Russia. Moscow and Pyongyang, communist allies throughout the Cold War, have grown significantly closer since Russia’s attack on Ukraine began in February 2022.
Russia notably concluded a mutual defense treaty with North Korea during a rare visit by its President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang in June, which provides “immediate military aid» reciprocal in the event of an attack against one of the two countries.
“Massive” Russian attack in Odessa, at least one dead
A Russian air attackmassive» incident overnight killed at least one person in Odessa, southern Ukraine, Ukrainian emergency services reported early Friday. “Odessa once again suffered a massive enemy attack (…) According to preliminary data, one person died» and 10 others were injured, including two children, emergency services said on Telegram. The deceased person is “a 35 year old woman who was sleeping near a window», According to a publication by the mayor of this important Black Sea port, Gennadiï Trukhanov, on the same social network.
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According to the regional governor, Oleg Kiper, “an apartment building in the center of Odessa was destroyed, apartments caught fire, towers and about 30 vehicles were damaged» due to the attack. Photos released by emergency services show rescuers trying to put out the fire in a three-story building and caring for an elderly woman.
Shortly before 6 a.m. local time (4 a.m. GMT) on Friday, the Ukrainian Air Force also warned that six Russian Tu-95 bombers were flying southeast from the Olenia base in the northwest of Russia. The Tu-95 are long-range bombers developed under the Soviet Union and capable of carrying cruise missiles.
