Ukraine war latest: Putin arrives in North Korea; Russian forces 'move closer to key supply route' (2024)

We are starting to get more details about Vladimir Putin's arrival in North Korea.

As the Russian president touched down, he was greeted by the country's leader Kim Jong Un.

The two men had a brief conversation next to Putin's motorcade, before leaving Pyongyang Airport in the same car.

As we told you in our last post, Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for his firstvisit in 24 years.

The Russian president's plane touched down inPyongyang around 2.45am local time (6.45pm UK time) after a stopover in Russia's fareast.

He was reportedly greeted by North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un.

Here's a quick look at what is expected to take place during his two-day visit:

One of the first events to take place will be one-on-one discussions between the two leaders.

There will also be agala concert, state reception, honourguards, document signings, and a statement to the media, Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Putin's aide assaying.

A number of Russian officials have travelled to Pyongyang as well as part of Putin's delegation, including defence minister Andrei Belousov, foreign ministerSergei Lavrov and deputy prime minister Alexander Novak.

Ahead of the visit, North Korea appeared to make preparations for a possible military parade in downtownPyongyang.

Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea, the Kremlin has confirmed.

The Russian president touched down in the country's capital, Pyongyang, where he will begin his two-day visit.

He was greeted at the airport by North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, according to RIA Novosti.

A formal meeting between the two leaders is expected to take place tomorrow.

In a presidential order issued yesterday, Putin said Moscow was looking to sign a "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" with North Korea.

The international community has raised alarm bells regarding his trip, with NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg saying the military alliance was concerned about the support Russia could provide for North Korea's missile andnuclear programmes.

Three Russian government aircraft have landed in Pyongyang in North Korea, according to flight tracking data.

It is unclear if Vladimir Putin is on board any of the planes, but their arrival comes as the Russian president is expected to visit the country.

Flight Radar 24 shows the planes travelled from Yakutsk in east Siberia, where Putin travelled to earlier today.

Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea is an "opportunity for Russia to make mischief", an expert tells Sky News.

The Russian president is due to arrive in the country this evening for a two-day visit.

During his trip, he is expected to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss an arms arrangement between Pyongyang and Moscow.

The deal could see North Korea provide Russia with badly needed munitions in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers.

Dr John Nilsson-Wright from the Centre for Geopolitics says the trip is a "very clear attempt" by Mr Putin to emphasise that Russia is not isolated.

"This is an opportunity for Russia to make mischief internationally by undermining the international sanctions' regime," he adds.

On security, though, he warns that Russia will have to be "cautious".

"There is a danger that they could provoke a reaction from South Korea, and Russia and South Korea do have their own economic relationship," he says.

Dutch outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte will be NATO's new secretary-general, according to reports.

Dutch news outlet NOS quoted sources as saying Mr Rutte will replace Jens Stoltenberg when he steps down in October.

Mr Stoltenberg endorsed the 57-year-old, saying he was a "very strong candidate" for the job.

The US, UK, France, Slovakia, Hungary and Germany have publicly backed Mr Rutte as Mr Stoltenberg's successor.

Romania has not yet given him the green light.

NATO takes decisions by consensus, so any candidateneeds the support of all 32 allies.

Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in North Korea shortly.

The Russian president will head to Pyongyang to meet the country's leader Kim Jong Un during the two-day trip.

The visit marks the first time he has been to North Korea in 24 years.

It comes amid growing concerns about an arms arrangement between Pyongyang and Moscow.

The deal could see North Korea provide Russia with badly needed munitions in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that would enhance the threat posed by Kim's nuclear weapons and missile programme.

Russia has claimed to have destroyed a Ukrainian air force command post along the Dnipro River.

In a post on Telegram, the Russian defence ministry said drone units located a "cluster" of Ukrainian air force "manpower" inside buildings on the right bank of the river, and paratroopers pinned down their radio frequencies.

"By precise strikes from the closed firing position, the tank crews wiped out the enemy's command post and UAV control post," it added.

UAV stands for unmanned aerial vehicle, and is often used to refer to drones.

Russian forces have likely taken control of a Ukrainian village in the eastern Donetsk region, the UK's defence ministry has said.

In an intelligence update, it said the fall of Novooleksandrivka, which is around 12 miles (20km) from Avdiivka, means Russian forces have moved closer to a key supply route - the T-05-04.

Ukraine uses the road to send supplies to its forces based further east in the country.

The MoD said it was "highly likely" Russia's next objective would be capturing another nearby village called Vozdvyzhenka.

Taking control of that area would help "sever" the supply road and "disrupt Ukrainian logistics", it added.

Russia has been advancing throughout the region after taking control of Avdiivka earlier this year.