A Slovak delegation headed by pro-Western opposition chief Michal Simecka of Progressive Slovakia get together arrived in Kyiv on Jan. 17, he mentioned on social media.
"Our aim is obvious — to reopen the door that Robert Fico slammed along with his aggressive outbursts," Simecka wrote, who in flip initiated a confidence vote set for subsequent week.
His go to comes days after President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Fico to go to Kyiv on Jan. 17 amid the Slovak prime minister's threats to restrict help to Ukrainians and minimize off electrical energy provides because of the termination of Russian gasoline transit by Ukraine to Europe.
Fico mentioned on Jan. 16 he might meet with Zelensky within the "subsequent few days."
In line with the opposition chief, the Slovak delegation is planning to carry "necessary talks" with a Ukrainian aspect.
"Slovakia and Ukraine are shut companions and can assist one another a fantastic deal," he mentioned.
Ukraine didn’t renew a pre-war settlement to transit Russian gasoline to Europe through Ukrainian territory, as a substitute permitting the deal to run out on Jan. 1. Kyiv warned repeatedly that it could not prolong the deal in an effort to cease financing Russia's full-scale warfare.
Fico and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban have been amongst among the most vocal opponents of Ukraine's resolution to cease Russian gasoline transit.
Regardless of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Orban and Fico have continued to take care of pleasant ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, assembly with him, and selling pro-Russian narratives in Europe.
On Jan. 14, Slovakia's opposition events introduced plans to provoke a vote of no confidence in Fico's authorities, citing considerations over his governance and international coverage route.
Ukraine and NATO have developed new mechanisms of cooperation to enhance outcomes on the battlefield – Syrskyi
A unprecedented assembly of the NATO-Ukraine Council mentioned the 2025 Motion Technique. Syrsky introduced a plan to strengthen air protection and referred to as for funding within the protection business based mostly on the “Danish mannequin.
Australian volunteer soldier Oscar Jenkins has the standing of a prisoner of struggle (POW) and there’s no affirmation of his dying, a Ukrainian investigative journalism outlet Slidstvo.Data reported on Jan. 17, citing the Prosecutor Basic's Workplace.
The information comes after studies that the physique of Jenkins, a 32-year-old instructor from Melbourne whose seize was reported in December, has been discovered. He was believed to have been executed by his Russian captors.
Some media shops and Telegram channels printed a video purporting to indicate our bodies of troopers, claiming that Jenkins was amongst them.
Slidstvo.Data verified that footage was printed 4 years in the past on an Iranian web site. The outline says that it was filmed in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the unique video is in Armenian as an alternative of Russian.
Jenkins is serving within the 402nd Separate Rifle Battalion, which is a part of Ukraine's 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the outlet wrote. He went lacking on Dec. 16 in 2024 whereas being on a fight mission close to the village of Mykolaivka in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine's Floor Forces Command informed Slidstvo.Data.
"There was no switch of the physique (of Oscar Jenkins)," the navy stated.
The Kyiv Unbiased has contacted the Australian Embassy in Kyiv and the Ukrainian authorities however has not acquired a response on the time of publication.
The Geneva Conventions mandate all combatants to deal with POW with respect and dignity, whereas executing POWs is taken into account a gross violation of worldwide legislation and a struggle crime. Russia has been repeatedly accused of summarily executing Ukrainian POWs all through the struggle.
Moscow calls international volunteers "mercenaries" and claims they aren’t entitled to safety beneath the Geneva Conventions.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged the "strongest motion attainable" if studies of an Australian nationwide captured whereas preventing for Ukraine being executed by Russian forces are confirmed.
Australia's International Ministry has additionally summoned the Russian ambassador on Jan. 15 to demand info and stress compliance with worldwide legislation.
Russian assault on Kryvyi Rih: what is understood concerning the penalties of the shelling
A Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih broken an academic establishment and residential buildings. Details about the victims is presently being clarified, and an air alert is in impact within the area.
Ukrainian forces struck radar gear of the superior S-400 air protection system in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, Ukraine's Normal Workers reported on Jan. 17.
In line with the navy, the positions of Russia's anti-aircraft missile division of the 568th regiment got here beneath a "long-range hearth" on Jan. 16.
"The termination of the 92H6 radar station of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system was recorded, which signifies a profitable hit on the goal," the assertion learn.
Ukrainian forces additionally attacked positions of the radar firm of Russia's radio engineering battalion of the 336th regiment in Belgorod Oblast.
Сили оборони України уразили радіолокаційну техніку російських окупантів на території Бєлгородської області. Зафіксовано припинення функціонування радіолокаційної станції 92Н6 зенітного ракетного комплексу С-400, що свідчить про успішне ураження цілі.https://t.co/AAnlwjtCje pic.twitter.com/IzOUGo0NqB
— Генеральний штаб ЗСУ (@GeneralStaffUA) January 17, 2025
Harm to automobiles and gear was recorded, the navy mentioned.
Moscow has not but commented on the assertion. The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t confirm these claims.
Belgorod Oblast lies on the border with Ukraine and is frequently focused in cross-border drone strikes.
Ukraine additionally struck the Liskinskaya oil depot in Russia's Voronezh Oblast with drones in a single day on Jan. 16, the Normal Workers claimed. Additionally, a drone strike reportedly focused a Russian gunpowder manufacturing facility within the village of Kuzmino-Gat in Tambov Oblast the identical night time.
North Korean troopers didn’t know they might take part in warfare towards Ukraine – South Korean ambassador
South Korea's ambassador to the UN stated that the DPRK army believed they have been going to Ukraine for coaching, not warfare. There are 12,000 North Korean troops within the Kursk area of Russia.
Russia has misplaced 815,820 troops in Ukraine because the starting of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the Normal Employees of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Jan. 17.
This quantity consists of 1,670 casualties Russian forces suffered simply over the previous day.
In response to the report, Russia has additionally misplaced 9,803 tanks, 20,381 armored preventing automobiles, 34,256 automobiles and gasoline tanks, 22,019 artillery methods, 1,262 a number of launch rocket methods, 1,046 air protection methods, 369 airplanes, 331 helicopters, 22,566 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
Russian assault on Kyiv area: footage of the aftermath of an enemy strike
A 12-year-old boy was injured and a restaurant with a boiler room caught hearth on account of a Russian UAV assault on Kyiv area. The 200 m² hearth was extinguished, and a non-public home and a automotive had been additionally broken.
Editor's word: In accordance with the safety protocols of the Ukrainian army, troopers featured on this story are recognized by first names and callsigns solely.
It was a month-long mission with one major objective — capturing a North Korean soldier alive.
One of many greatest obstacles going through the Ukrainian forces tasked with the target whereas working in Russia’s Kursk Oblast was overcoming the fanatical, suicidal zeal instilled in Pyongyang's troops.
"(One North Korean soldier) was about to be taken prisoner, however with the phrases ‘Glory to the Occasion' or 'Glory to Kim Jong-un,' he blew himself up with a grenade," a Ukraine's Particular Operations Forces soldier with the callsign "Borsuk" informed the Kyiv Unbiased.
The mission ultimately succeeded earlier this month with the seize of 1 North Korean soldier by Particular Operations Forces and one other one by Ukraine’s Airborne Forces. President Volodymyr Zelensky described their seize as "irrefutable proof" of Pyongyang's involvement within the Kremlin's full-scale battle.
Based on Ukraine, North Korea has deployed round 12,000 troopers in Kursk Oblast, the place Kyiv launched a shock cross-border incursion in August 2024.
Neither Russia nor North Korea have formally acknowledged the deployment, which is the most recent transfer in Moscow's ever-increasing — and humiliating — reliance on Pyongyang to bolster its army, following long-running shipments of artillery shells and ballistic missiles.
"Primarily, this was about conveying to the worldwide group that third nations are certainly concerned on this battle. And that Russia will not be as invincible as they declare," Borsuk stated.
The Kyiv Unbiased acquired unique footage of the mission, in addition to interviewed Borsuk and his fellow soldier "Bernard," who described how they carried out their process, the second of seize, and why North Korean troops are way more formidable than their Russian counterparts.
'He nonetheless had a grenade with him'
To show North Korea's involvement definitively, capturing one in every of their troopers alive was the one choice.
Whereas Borsuk and Bernard couldn’t disclose particulars of their preparation, timing, location, or the variety of personnel concerned within the mission, they revealed that they had been monitoring a particular space in Kursk Oblast for an prolonged time period, ready for the right alternative to behave.
The enemy group working within the space below surveillance consisted totally of North Koreans, in response to the Ukrainian troopers.
"We approached the goal the place we have been presupposed to function. We had been observing it and knew their base positions have been there," Bernard stated.
"We began shifting, and phone was made."
Screenshot from the video exhibiting the capturing a North Korean soldier. (Particular Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine)A North Korean POW captured by Ukrainian forces throughout hostilities in Russia's Kursk Oblast, as seen in a photograph revealed on Jan. 11, 2025. (President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram)
Within the ensuing firefight, the enemy group took casualties and commenced to retreat. One wounded North Korean soldier was left behind.
"Our guys stored him below fixed fireplace management to make sure he didn't transfer or make any sudden strikes," says Borsuk.
After approaching his place, disarming him was a fragile and probably deadly maneuver.
South Korea's Nationwide Intelligence Service (NIS) has beforehand reported that some North Korean troopers have been pressured to commit suicide to keep away from seize by Ukrainian forces.
White Home Nationwide Safety Council spokesperson John Kirby additionally earlier echoed these claims, including that captured North Korean troops concern extreme retaliation towards their households in the event that they give up.
"He nonetheless had a grenade with him, along with his weapon, and it was very tough to take it away," Borsuk says, describing the second caught on headcam footage after they approached the soldier.
Ultimately, the North Korean soldier allowed them to get shut, they usually have been in a position to present him with first assist.
Borsuk remembers their prisoner behaving "calmly," and assessed he was in a secure situation.
"He was in a position to converse. The one situation he had was together with his leg; the whole lot else was regular," he says.
Ukraine's Particular Operations Forces soldier, callsign "Bernard," speaks with the Kyiv Unbiased. (Jason Blevins/The Kyiv Unbiased)
Based on Bernard, Russian artillery began firing not lengthy after they reached the North Korean soldier, possible realizing they have been making an attempt to take him as a prisoner.
"(Russia's) need to cover the presence of North Korean models was very nice," Borsuk says.
"As (the hits) acquired nearer and nearer, he additionally realized what was occurring… It was clear from his eyes that he was a human; in spite of everything, he needed to reside," Bernard says.
"We checked out him. Properly, he was only a younger man… There have been no ideas, no need to make use of bodily drive, or something like that," Bernard says.
"We merely saved him. And that's it."
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Higher ready than Russians
The 2 captured North Korean POWs are at present within the custody of the Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Kyiv. Each have been wounded and are reportedly receiving medical consideration.
One has stated he was born in 2005 and commenced serving as a rifleman in North Korea in 2021, whereas the opposite POW was born in 1999 and has served within the North Korean military since 2016 as a sniper reconnaissance officer.
Each Bоrsuk and Bernard say there are noticeable variations between the battlefield efficiency of North Korean and Russian troopers.
"In comparison with Russian troopers, they’re much higher ready bodily and mentally. They’re intentionally educated for the place they're going and what they'll be doing," says Borsuk.
"It's clear that the Russians don't push themselves as arduous as they do. They (North Korean troopers) can carry heavy hundreds, run for lengthy distances, and survive significantly better in excessive situations."
Bernard suggests they’re higher ready because of their eight-year-long army service. Nevertheless, in relation to extra "advanced maneuvers," the North Korean troopers battle to execute them successfully, he provides.
"Right here, they’ll't apply the whole lot they have been educated for as a result of the battle will not be the identical as what they have been informed, or proven it will be," says Bernard.
Based on Bernard, North Koreans look like struggling to adapt to drones and aerial reconnaissance, each of which play a dominant position on the fashionable battlefield.
South Korea's Nationwide Intelligence Service has beforehand claimed that a minimum of 300 North Korean troopers had been killed and one other 2,700 wounded combating in Russia's Kursk Oblast, attributing their excessive casualties to the troopers' “lack of information of recent warfare," together with their "ineffective" makes an attempt to shoot down long-range drones.
The Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that one of many captured North Korean POWs was carrying a Russian ID doc below the identify of a Tuva Republic resident. (President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram)The SBU stated that one of many captured North Korean POWs was carrying a Russian ID doc below the identify of a Tuva Republic resident. (President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram)
Borsuk believes that the ratio of killed to wounded amongst North Koreans is definitely fairly completely different.
"They’ve many extra killed," he says, including their coordination with the Russian models is "clearly poor," partially due to the language barrier.
Nevertheless, the North Korean troopers additionally look like extra motivated and resilient than the Russian troops, in response to Bernard.
"They appear very dedicated to their ideology. That's why they’re true to their norms and what they have been informed about who they’re and what they need to do. They usually merely can't do it every other means," he says.
Whereas Western officers together with outgoing U.S. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin have described Russia's use of North Korean troops as a sign of Moscow's "rising desperation," Borsuk says their use might probably shift the dynamics of the battle.
"Think about a battalion going through a drive of as much as 10,000 troops," says Borsuk. "They will throw battalion after battalion into the combat, they usually're not operating out of personnel."
This relentless tactic strains each Ukrainian troopers and logistical help, as vital assets are required to counter such waves, in response to Borsuk.
"These actions often deliver minimal outcomes. Nevertheless, it's not dominated out that they might deploy a bigger variety of troops," he says.
"Properly, they arrive, die, and that's it," says Bernard.
"It's simply that, maybe, we needs to be doing a barely completely different job, however as an alternative, we're centered on eliminating them."
Burbock criticizes German authorities for indecision in serving to Ukraine
German International Minister Annalena Burbock criticized her authorities for its sluggish provision of navy support to Ukraine. She additionally condemned earlier governments for insurance policies that led to dependence on Russia.
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
