North Korea Criticizes U.S. for Supplying Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine: State Media

North Korea has reportedly slammed the U.S. for supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine, according to state media KCNA. A defense ministry official quoted by the KCNA news agency criticized the U.S. for offering long-range missiles to Ukraine to “turn the tide of the war recently running against them.” The official further stated that these missiles would not tip the scale in favor of Ukraine and that the U.S. would ultimately face defeat on the Ukrainian battlefield against the heroic Russian army and people. The comments come in the wake of the recent revelation that the U.S. provided Ukraine with powerful long-range ballistic missiles, known as ATACMS, for the first time.

Following a brief suspension, the Telegram messaging app has restored access to a number of chatbots used by Ukraine’s security agencies. These chatbots play a crucial role in collecting information about Russia’s war effort. The GUR, Ukraine’s military spy agency, has denounced Telegram’s arbitrary blocking of these official bots that have provided crucial support against Russia’s military aggression. Fortunately, Ukrainian users can now access the reinstated chatbots, allowing them to report the whereabouts of Russian military hardware and personnel in Ukraine. Telegram continues to be a vital source of unfiltered information about the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

According to recent data from the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the number of Ukrainian civilians killed or wounded in the war with Russia has seen a 20% increase in March 2024. The U.K.’s Ministry of Defense highlights that missile and aerial munitions strikes throughout Ukraine, along with increased bombardment at the frontlines, have resulted in the loss of 604 civilian lives. Furthermore, Russian attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure have resulted in 20 destroyed or damaged sites. The alarming increase in civilian casualties stands as a testament to the devastating impact of Russia’s illegal invasion.

Ukraine’s border guard spokesperson has announced that Polish protesters have lifted all blockades at border crossing points. After a disruption caused by a blockade by Polish farmers, the situation has been resolved, consequently allowing for the smooth flow across the Ukraine-Poland border. However, truck transportation of grain products may still face certain restrictions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urgently appeals for the rapid arrival of U.S. military aid promised as part of a $61 billion aid package. Zelenskyy emphasizes the critical need for efficiency in receiving impactful assistance that could significantly alter the battlefield dynamics in favor of Ukraine. Notably, Zelenskyy underscores the importance of receiving the agreed volume and content of supplies, stressing the need for Patriot air defense systems urgently. With Ukrainian morale on the line, it is pivotal that all agreements contribute to positive practical outcomes for Ukrainian forces.

Ukrainian forces find themselves forced to retreat from several villages in eastern Ukraine as Russian forces advance, as revealed by Ukraine’s army chief, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. The most challenging situation arises in the areas west of Russian-occupied Maryinka and Avdiivka, prompting Ukrainian forces to redeploy and take new frontiers west of the villages of Berdychi, Semenivka, and Novomykhailivka. Russian offensives, including the deployment of four brigades, pose a significant threat, albeit without allowing Russia any definitive “operational advantages” so far.

Ukrainian forces are engaged in intense battles in the Chasiv Yar area, near Bakhmut in Donetsk, which remains a highly contentious zone. Ukrainian officials suspect that Russian forces aim to seize the town, as the strategic advantage of the higher ground significantly boosts their position before May 9th, an important date of historical significance to Russians. Russian forces appear to be exploiting the challenging supply situation of Ukrainian forces, hoping to undermine their effectiveness before the much-needed U.S. supplies are delivered. The advantage of Russian forces in air power, missiles, and artillery ammunition remains a significant concern for Ukrainian forces.

Russian officials issue a stern warning to the West, cautioning of a severe response should any frozen Russian assets be confiscated. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, asserts that Russia will not return the territories under its control in Ukraine in exchange for the release of frozen assets. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, adds that Russia still hosts a considerable amount of Western money, which could potentially be targeted in response to any such actions by foreign powers.