Putin warns West over ship seizures as North Korean missile unit deploys to Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued warnings to Western governments regarding potential retaliation over the impoundment of Russian commercial ships, describing the maritime seizures as "piracy" during remarks aboard a naval warship.

Separately, Ukrainian military intelligence reported that a North Korean missile contingent comprising around 90 personnel is deploying to Russia's western Voronezh region. According to Ukrainian intelligence official Andrii Cherniak, the unit is expected to operate six launchers armed with approximately 120 ballistic missiles intended for use against Ukraine.

Additionally, investigative journalist Andrei Soldatov noted that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has accumulated unprecedented domestic power and influence since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Soldatov assessed that the Kremlin has grown increasingly reliant on the intelligence agency to enforce societal control and maintain internal regime stability.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Gazeta Tema, Koha