North Koreans: UN chief fears escalation in Ukraine war

He was "very concerned" by reports of this, Guterres said in a statement in New York. "This would represent a very dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. Everything must be done to prevent any internationalization of this conflict." The UN chief also reiterated his support for a "fair, lasting and comprehensive peace" in Ukraine.

According to the United States, up to 8,000 North Korean soldiers are stationed near the Ukrainian border and could be deployed by Russia in the war in the coming days. Russian President Vladimir Putin does not deny the presence of North Korean soldiers and claims that Ukraine, for its part, is using personnel from NATO countries.

In addition to soldiers, Russia also receives weapons and large quantities of ammunition from North Korea. Just a few days ago, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Huin announced her country's continued support for Russia "until the day of victory" over Ukraine during a visit to Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the inaction of Kiev's Western partners in view of the imminent deployment of North Korean soldiers in Russian uniforms. He accused Germany, Great Britain and the USA of merely looking on. Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression for over two and a half years.

Injured after air attack on supermarket in Kharkiv

The east of Ukraine is still heavily contested. At least 13 people have been injured in air strikes on the city of Kharkiv and its suburbs, according to preliminary information from the emergency services. A supermarket in a residential area was hit, announced the mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, on his Telegram channel last night. The supermarket was located next to high-rise buildings.

According to initial information, power lines were also damaged, the mayor added. Windows were broken in the surrounding houses. The emergency services in the region reported damage to cars and other commercial facilities.

New Russian drone swarms reach Ukraine

Late on Sunday evening, the Russian military once again covered Ukraine with large swarms of drones. Large groups of so-called kamikaze drones were initially reported flying in from the eastern Ukrainian region of Sumy, and later also from the south of the country. The unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with explosives then dispersed in different directions to confuse Ukrainian air defenses. As a result, an air alert was issued for various parts of Ukraine.

Numerous Russian attacks on Ukrainian fronts

Heavy fighting raged on various sections of the front in eastern Ukraine. A total of 110 Russian attacks were reported on Sunday, the General Staff in Kiev announced in its evening situation report. The absolute focal point was the Kurakhove sector, where 54 Russian advances had put the Ukrainian defenders under heavy pressure over the course of the day. According to the pro-government Ukrainian military channel Deep State, Russian units are said to have made new territorial gains there and captured two villages.

Heavy fighting was also reported from the area around Pokrovsk on the edge of the Donbass. Over the course of the day, 19 Russian attacks were repelled there. By comparison, there were only four attacks in the Torezk region. The information could not be independently verified.

Selenskyj: Must bring children back to Ukraine

Meanwhile, Zelenskyi is campaigning for the return of thousands of children abducted to Russia to Ukraine. "No one can say for sure how many there are today," he said in his evening video address. "We know of tens of thousands; they are very young children and teenagers. Those who have relatives in Ukraine. And those whose relatives were unfortunately killed by Russian attacks."

Ukraine is trying to bring these children home. Although it is possible to exchange adults with Russia, such an exchange is difficult for children. It is about "little Ukrainians who have been taken from their families, children who have been abducted from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia and whom Russia is trying to hide".

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Kremlin leader Putin in this context back in March last year. The court accuses him of being responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children from the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. For the same reason, an arrest warrant was also issued for the Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. This warrant means that Putin cannot enter many countries.