Mon Nov 11 01:58:19 UTC 2024: ## Drone War Escalates: Moscow & Kyiv Hit by Strikes, North Korea Pact Raises Alarm

**KYIV, Ukraine** – A wave of drone strikes rattled Moscow and its suburbs early Sunday, injuring several people and briefly shutting down some of Russia’s busiest airports. The attacks came in retaliation for a massive Russian drone barrage against Ukrainian territory overnight, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing war.

Adding to the tension, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a pact with North Korea on Saturday, promising mutual military support “by all means” if either country is attacked. This agreement, the strongest link between Moscow and Pyongyang since the Cold War, has fueled concerns about a possible expansion of the conflict. Earlier this week, Ukraine reported engagement with North Korean units, and U.S. officials confirmed the deployment of at least 3,000 North Korean troops to Russia.

While casualty figures remain shrouded in secrecy, the Chief of the U.K. Defense Staff, Tony Radakin, revealed that Russian forces suffered their worst month of casualties in October, with an average of 1,500 dead and wounded daily. This brings their total war losses to a staggering 700,000.

Amidst the escalating conflict, the Kremlin expressed optimism about President-elect Donald Trump’s approach, highlighting his focus on deals and peacemaking. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for strong decisions from Western partners to end the “terror” of Russian strikes and ensure “reliable peace.”

Fierce fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, with the cities of Toretsk and Kurakhove bearing the brunt of the conflict. The General Staff reported that Ukrainian drones caused a fire at an arms depot in Russia’s Bryansk region, while Russia claims to have shot down 84 Ukrainian drones overnight.

The latest drone attacks underscore the increasingly volatile nature of the conflict, with the potential for escalation and regional instability looming large. The agreement between Russia and North Korea further complicates the situation, raising concerns about potential international ramifications.

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