North Korean military arrives in Russia, Canada allocates new aid to Ukraine - Friday brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
North Korean soldiers are already on the territory of Russia. Meanwhile, Canada has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine.
Read more about what happened on Friday, October 18.
DPRK soldiers are already in Russia
North Korean soldiers are already in Russia, being issued Russian military uniforms.
The SPRAVDI Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security has released a video showing DPRK soldiers being outfitted in Russian military uniforms.
“These are recent footage, no older than 72 hours. This is the Sergeyevsky training ground in Russia's Far East,” the Center said.
The head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers would be sent to war against Ukraine in November.
RBC-Ukraine's sources in the intelligence services clarified that North Korean soldiers were being trained at four training grounds in Russia.
Canada to provide C$65 million in military aid to Ukraine
Canada will provide Ukraine with a military aid package totaling CAD 64.8 million (USD 47 million). This package will include small arms, ammunition, and protective equipment.
The aid package, which also allocates funds for training Ukrainian troops, is part of a CAD 500 million military funding commitment made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in July.
"The military assistance announced today provides Ukraine with important resources needed to defend itself against Russian aggression. Canada will continue to do what it takes to help them achieve victory," said Defense Minister Bill Blair.
Zelenskyy's interview on victory plan
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave an extensive interview on Ukraine's victory plan. He also addressed topics such as economic exemptions, mobilization starting from age 18, and what victory could look like.
Read the key statements from the interview.
Russian army shot wounded Ukrainian soldier in Bakhmut direction
Russian army reportedly shot a wounded serviceman of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The incident occurred in the Bakhmut direction, according to the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office.
According to operational data, while carrying out a combat mission in the Bakhmut district, the serviceman of the Armed Forces was likely injured. Shortly afterward, the building where he was located was seized by the Russian forces, and he was taken prisoner.
"They shot the unarmed defender lying on the ground. According to the preliminary data, it happened on September 6, 2024, around 10:00 AM, near the Phenol Plant in the settlement of New York," the Prosecutor's Office explained.
Under the procedural guidance of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation has been initiated into the criminal proceedings for violations of the laws and customs of war, combined with deliberate murder.
Japan announces additional equipment supply for Ukrainian army
Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen promised Ukraine additional supplies of vehicles during a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov.
“The Japanese minister expressed his country's willingness to continue supporting Ukraine and outlined a plan for an additional supply of Self-Defense Force vehicles,” the statement says.
In addition, Nakatani condemned China and North Korea's military cooperation with Russia, calling it a factor that contributes to the prolongation of the war and the deterioration of the situation in Ukraine.
The specific types of equipment to be transferred were not specified. Earlier, Tokyo handed over about 100 vehicles to Kyiv, including military trucks.
