Russia's defence minister arrives in North Korea on unannounced visit

Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has arrived in North Korea on an unannounced visit.

Source: Russia's Defence Ministry on Telegram

Quote: "During the official visit... meetings with North Korea's military and military-political leadership are planned."

Background: 

• On 11 September, The New York Times reported that Russia had received new Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles from North Korea and used them to strike Kyiv this summer. The Hwasong-11 has a range of about 700 km and can be equipped with nuclear or conventional warheads.
• In November, reports indicated that North Korea was significantly expanding a key plant for the production of ballistic missiles used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
• Ukraine's General Staff reported that over 11,000 North Korean troops were stationed in Russia's Kursk Oblast and they had taken part in combat against Ukrainian forces.

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