Nuclear threat - Central News Hub

North Korea fires several cruise missiles amid tensions

The fresh launches have come just three days after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, reports Asian Lite News

North Korea fired several cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea on Saturday, Yonhap news agency reported citing the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

South Korean and US intelligence authorities were analysing the launches, which took place at about 4:00 am (local time), to learn more about the type of missiles fired and other details, according to the JCS. “Our military has bolstered surveillance and vigilance while closely cooperating with the United States and maintaining a firm readiness posture,” Yonhap news agency quoted JCS as saying.

The fresh launches have come just three days after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea.

It also came amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula following the port visit of a nuclear-capable US submarine in more than 40 years and the inaugural session of the South Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group earlier this week.

USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), an 18,750-ton Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), departed Busan naval base on Friday, three days after a rare port visit in a major show of strength against evolving North Korean military threats.

North Korea denounced the visit, saying the SSBN’s deployment may fall under the legal conditions for its use of nuclear weapons.

This was met by a stern response from Seoul, which warned Pyongyang that any nuclear attack from the latter’s side would mean an “end” of the Kim Jong Un-led regime. (ANI)

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Putin’s nuclear threat must be taken seriously: EU

Josep Borrell told the media that Putin’s assertion he was not bluffing had to be taken seriously, reports Asian Lite News

The EU must not ignore Vladimir Putin’s threats that he could use nuclear weapons in the conflict in Ukraine, the bloc’s foreign policy chief has said, as per a media report.

Josep Borrell told the media that Putin’s assertion he was not bluffing had to be taken seriously.

His remarks come as Russia begins a partial mobilisation and moves to annex four regions of Ukraine.

Putin has faced setbacks on the battlefield, with his forces pushed back by a Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Josep Borrell, The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

“Certainly it’s a dangerous moment because the Russian army has been pushed into a corner, and Putin’s reaction – threatening using nuclear arms – it’s very bad,” Borrell said.

Seven months since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, analysts agree that President Putin’s forces are on the back foot, but he said a “diplomatic solution” must be reached, one that “preserves the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”.

“Otherwise, we can finish the war, but we will not have peace, and we will have another war,” he said, BBC reported.

Putin said his country had “various weapons of destruction” and would “use all the means available to us,” adding: “I’m not bluffing”.

At the same time, the President announced the call-up of 300,000 Russians who have done compulsory military service, sparking protests and reports of people fleeing the country to avoid being sent to the front line.

Borrell dismissed concerns that the EU’s arms supplies were running low, and said it must continue providing military support to Ukraine, as well as applying economic sanctions against President Putin and his allies and conducting diplomatic activity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu. (Photo: Twitter@mod_russia)

He admitted that the rising cost of energy prices caused by the conflict was a matter of concern.

“People in my country tell me the price of the gas means we cannot continue working, we cannot continue making my business run,” the Spanish politician said, adding he had heard similar concerns from leaders from Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.

ALSO READ: ‘We won’t rest until Ukraine defeats Russia’