Putin threatens retaliation over seized ships as North Korean missile crews deploy in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Western nations of retaliatory measures over the seizure of Russian commercial vessels, describing the maritime detentions as "piracy" while speaking aboard a naval warship during military drills.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian military intelligence reported that a North Korean missile contingent of approximately 90 troops is currently deploying to western Russia's Voronezh region. According to intelligence official Andrii Cherniak, the unit is expected to operate six launchers armed with around 120 ballistic missiles intended for strikes on Ukraine.

Concurrently, investigative analyst Andrei Soldatov stated that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has accumulated unprecedented domestic authority since the 2022 invasion began, noting the Kremlin's expanding dependence on the security agency for military intelligence, social surveillance, and regime stability.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Gazeta Tema, Koha