Russian delegation visits Pyongyang; 16 killed in drone strikes across region; Zelenskyy accuses Putin of \u2018nuclear terrorism\u2019 over Chornobyl risks. What we know on day 1,524<\/p>\n
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hailed the troops from his country who fought alongside Russia in Kursk a year ago<\/strong>, state media KCNA said on Monday. Kim made his remarks after a Russian delegation arrived in Pyongyang to attend the opening ceremony of a memorial complex honouring those killed helping Moscow\u2019s invasion of Ukraine. In 2024 Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into the Kursk region, capturing more than 1,000 sq km (386 sq miles) of Russian land, but were ultimately pushed back.<\/p>\n During discussions in Pyongyang, Russia and North Korea agreed to \u201clong-term\u201d military cooperation<\/strong>. Moscow\u2019s defence minister Andrey Belousov said \u201cWe agreed with the DPRK defence ministry to place our military cooperation on a stable, long-term footing,\u201d The agreement will cover 2027-2031, he said. North Korea has sent thousands of troops \u2013 as well as missiles and munitions \u2013 to support Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine. In return, analysts say North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, food and energy from Russia.<\/p>\n Kim said his government \u201cwould continue to fully support Russia\u2019s policies of defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests\u201d<\/strong>, <\/strong>KCNA reported. Kim has steadily moved to elevate the North Korean troops<\/a> who fought for Russia in the Kursk region into symbols of sacrifice and loyalty, using state ceremonies and memorial projects to publicly honour their role. \u201cThe souls of the fallen will live forever with the great honour they defended,\u201d Kim said in a handwritten message at the memorial<\/strong> on Sunday, according to state media.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory and Russia over the past day killed at least 16 people<\/strong>, authorities said. Russian drone and missile strikes on the city of Dnipro killed at least nine, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said. One man was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on the port city of Sevastopol, in Russian-occupied Crimea, Moscow-installed authorities said.<\/p>\n Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of \u201cnuclear terrorism\u201d as he marked the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl reactor disaster<\/a> on Sunday<\/strong>. Zelensky said Russia was \u201cagain bringing the world to the brink of a man-made disaster\u201d. He said Russian drones regularly pass over Chornobyl and one had hit its protective shell last year.<\/p>\n Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), echoed Zelenskyy\u2019s concerns over Chornobyl<\/strong> during a visit to Kyiv, saying repairs to the plant\u2019s damaged outer protective shell must begin immediately. IAEA assessments show the damage sustained after a strike last year has already compromised a key safety function of the structure, he said. He warned years of inaction could heighten danger to the original sarcophagus beneath it<\/strong>. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said repairs would require at least 500 million euros ($586m).<\/p>\n Ukrainian forces struck an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, deep inside Russian territory<\/strong>, Ukraine\u2019s General Staff said on Sunday. The strikes sparked fires at the facility, which processes 15m tons of oil a year and produces gasoline, diesel and jet fuel for the Russian military<\/strong>. Russia did not immediately comment. Ukraine has developed its own long-range drones, which can reach targets 1,500km (900 miles) inside Russia.<\/p>\n A Ukrainian drone attack also hit a fertiliser plant in Russia\u2019s Vologda region<\/strong>, local governor Georgy Filimonov said on Sunday. Filimonov said a high-pressure sulphuric acid pipeline was damaged at a complex operated by Apatit, a subsidiary of PhosAgro, one of the world\u2019s largest producers of phosphate-based fertilisers<\/strong>. The leak has been contained and there were no releases of hazardous chemicals, he said, adding that five people were injured.<\/p>\n Donald Trump said on Sunday he has had \u201cgood conversations\u201d with Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy<\/strong> as he aims to settle the Ukraine war. \u201cWe\u2019re working on the Russia situation, Russia and Ukraine, and hopefully we\u2019re going to get it,\u201d Trump said in an interview on Fox News. Ukrainian peace talks have stalled since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran<\/a> on 28 February.<\/p>\n