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Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

North Korea says South Korean military behind drone flights over Pyongyang

"The instigators will pay a tough price," Kim Yo Jong noted

Kim Yo Jong Jorge Silva/Pool Photo via AP, File

Kim Yo Jong

© Jorge Silva/Pool Photo via AP, File

SEOUL, October 15. /TASS/. North Korea has evidence that the South Korean military is behind the flights of unmanned aerial vehicles over Pyongyang, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"We have credible intelligence that says that rogue South Korean military actors are the main culprits behind the hostile act of provocation violating North Korea’s sovereignty, which involved the violation of our capital’s airspace," she stated.

"The instigators will pay a tough price," Kim’s sister added.

The North Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement on October 11 that South Korean drones had entered Pyongyang’s airspace three times in order to drop leaflets. Pyongyang demanded that Seoul stop these activities, and handed down instructions to put artillery units on the border on full alert. At first, the South Korean military said it had not flown the drones into North Korea, but did not rule out that it had been done by private entities or individuals. Later, Seoul said that it was unable to confirm or deny North Korea’s claims.

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North Korea South Korea Situation on the Korean Peninsula

Middle East conflict

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The Israeli side's objections concerned the court's jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine in general and Israeli citizens in particular, as well as the right of states to conduct investigations independently before referring cases to the ICC

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Ex-UK Labor party leader wants PM to clarify situation with Storm Shadow missiles

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NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

Col. (Ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson confirmed to TASS that the launch of ATACMS missiles would be impossible without "US/NATO satellite feeds and/or personnel"

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According to the report, the Ukrainian military has sufficient launchers that are capable of firing them

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West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

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Dmitry Peskov added that there have been no contacts via this new channel lately

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Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia

Xi Jinping calls for unification of more voices for peace in Ukraine

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Japanese lawmaker urges global condemnation of decision on missile strikes on Russia

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Moscow, Minsk in constant contact on potential threats to Belarus — Kremlin

"We have obligations to ensure the security of our ally Belarus within the framework of the Union State, and these obligations are enshrined in the recently published Basic Principles of the State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

French Foreign Ministry refuses to disclose number of SCALP missiles shipped to Ukraine

Ministry Spokesman Christophe Lemoine also avoided answering if Paris supports strikes with these missiles on Russian territory, only saying that the missiles were shipped to Ukraine, and Ukraine

Kiev suffering fiasco on entire front line — aide to DPR head

Igor Kimakovsky said that "if the West is not physically involved in this war, that is, if NATO is not involved, then Ukraine is actually losing"

NATO supports Ukraine not out of charity but for its own strategic interests — deputy head

Boris Ruge argued that NATO now has hundreds of thousands of troops that could be deployed to the alliance's eastern flank or elsewhere within ten days

Allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with US weapons irresponsible — Slovak PM

Robert Fico noted that authorizing the use of long-range weapons for strikes against Russia would not alter the balance of power in the conflict zone

Putin orders protection of critical infrastructure, including Crimean Bridge — Kremlin

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Official declines to say if US gives Ukraine targeting data for Storm Shadow missiles

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Six European countries accuse Russia of allegedly attacking security architecture

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Russian army traps Ukrainian troops in Chasov Yar — intelligence center

The official reported that fighters from the 98th Airborne Division were engaged in fierce battles

Russian forces push Ukrainian troops 10 km away from Lisichansk in LPR — expert

Russian troops have taken new lines and positions northwest of Zolotaryoka as a result of successful operations

Gallup poll shows sharp decline in Ukrainian support for American policies

The number of people who oppose what the US authorities are doing has risen by 21% and now stands at 37%

Putin previously warned about Kiev's attempts to blow up TurkStream pipeline — Kremlin

According to the newspaper, Zaluzhny was so enthusiastic about the Nord Stream pipelines sabotage that he "even wanted to expand" the operation

Kremlin condemns report on Storm Shadow missile use against Russian targets as escalation

Dmitry Peskov chose not to respond to a question about whether Russia has proof that UK-made Storm Shadow missiles had been used against it

Russia must be able to defend itself — Erdogan on revised nuclear doctrine

The Turkish leader reiterated that "both Russia and Ukraine are Turkey’s neighbors"

Bitcoin price exceeds $96,000, sets new historical record — Binance platform

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Putin’s Q&A session and press conference to be held on one of December Thursdays — Kremlin

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Media from unfriendly states will be admitted to Putin's annual press conference — Kremlin

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Israel could annex West Bank in two weeks, journalist Hersh says

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Biden’s actions increase likelihood of escalation in Ukraine — PM

Viktor Orban asserted that the government’s mission is to prevent Hungary from being dragged into the Ukrainian conflict

Zelensky admits Ukraine can't fight its way back to 1991 borders

Vladimir Zelensky also talked about the Crimean Peninsula, stating that Kiev is ready to "bring Crimea back diplomatically"

More desperation in Zelensky's appeals, ex-NATO commander says

According to Stavridis, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing "mounting personnel losses," while Kiev is growing concerned about the possibility of the incoming US administration

Trump may soon start talks with Russia following Biden’s decision on ATACMS — news agency

According to Andreas Kluth, the decision on ATACMS may have been another attempt by the current Washington administration to provide Ukraine with support until the president-elect comes to power

Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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Freezing Ukrainian conflict unacceptable for Russia, says Kremlin

"It is important for us to achieve our goals, which are well known to everyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Moscow won’t allow US to silence UNSC as Washington backs Israel — Russian UN envoy

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the Security Council should "bring peace, stability and prosperity to the Middle East"

Indonesia accepts invitation to become partner state in BRICS, ambassador announces

In this role, Indonesia "will actively contribute to and participate in any initiatives of BRICS," Jose Antonio Morato Tavares emphasized

Press review: Uranium costs soar as Moscow updates nuclear doctrine and US OKs attacks

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 20th

Russia’s reaction to Austrian OMV’s failure to pay for gas justified — MFA

The company stated it would seek damages amounting to 230 million euro for failing to receive the contracted volume of gas from the Russian company for delivery to Germany

US decision on missile strikes aimed at provoking Russia, expert says

According to Andrey Sushentsov, Biden is under pressure from Washington’s allies and "the hawks" in his government who believe that the US is not providing enough support to Kiev

Belarusian security agency says Minsk aware of Poland’s efforts to prepare terrorist cells

"The Polish authorities were notified about this through the channels of countering international terrorism, but the only response to this, unfortunately, was increased secrecy measures on the part of the participants in these terrorist cells," the committee’s investigative department chief, Konstantin Bychek, said

Trump's new presidency will be fundamentally different from his first — expert in the US

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Russian troops liberate Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 500 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day

Russian forces strike ammo plant in Ukraine’s Sumy Region in drone attack

The Impulse plant is Ukraine’s sole enterprise producing explosive devices: detonation primers, electric detonators, detonating cords, cartridges and ammunition for automatic and under-barrel grenade launchers

Putin confirms Russia’s readiness to assist CAR with security challenges

"Both leaders exchanged views on regional issues, focusing on the fight against the terrorist threat and ensuring stability across the Central African Republic," the statement reads

US uses veto right to block new UN Security Council draft resolution on ceasefire in Gaza

The resolution was drafted by ten non-permanent members of the Security Council and consists of nine paragraphs, the first of which calls for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire respected by all parties