Russia sharing drone tech with North Korea a danger for us all, warns Zelensky

Russia is sharing drone technology with North Korea – posing a threat that must be addressed immediately, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned.

He explained how he had been discussing reports from his military officials with Defence Minister Rustem Umerov regarding Ukraine's efforts to counter drones, protect against missiles and reinforce its air defences.

"The Russians have once again used ballistic missiles from North Korea," Mr Zelensky wrote on his official Telegram account.

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"We are also tracking evidence that Russian-Iranian drone technologies have spread to North Korea.

"This is extremely dangerous both for Europe and for East and Southeast Asia.

"The longer this war continues on our territory, the more warfare technologies evolve, and the greater the threat will be to everyone.

"This must be addressed now – not when thousands of upgraded Shahed drones and ballistic missiles begin to threaten Seoul and Tokyo."

Mr Zelensky pointed out how Russian drone and missile attacks were indiscriminate, with ordinary residential buildings being hit in a recent strike in various parts of the country.

"In Odessa, a maternity hospital was hit. The Odessa Film Studio suffered major damage – decades of history destroyed," he wrote.

Catastrophic – but not for Russia

"In the capital, even Saint Sophia Cathedral was damaged. Part of the cathedral's facade collapsed under the blast wave.

"To all those who truly know history and feel connected to Christianity, even the slightest threat of damage or destruction to Saint Sophia is utterly unacceptable, indeed catastrophic.

"But not for Russia – possessed maniacs with their Shaheds and the red button.

"Catastrophe is the very purpose of their existence. They produce nothing else – and will leave nothing behind."

Mr Zelensky concluded his message with a call for peace.

He said of the Russian strikes: "This must be addressed. They must be stopped.

"And it is not only we in Ukraine that need this – the whole world will benefit when Russia is forced into peace. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine."

Drones are a major component of Ukraine's war effort, too.

Kyiv recently carried out one of its deepest drone strikes of the entire war into Russian territory, with two long-range drones hitting an electronics factory in Cheboksary, 800 miles inside the border.