March 2024 western Russia incursion

The Kremlin is expected to leverage its strategic partnership with North Korea, established in June 2024, to deploy troops along its borders, signaling Russian President Vladimir Putin's intent to postpone mobilization for as long as possible.

Five civilians were killed, and 12 others were injured after Ukrainian forces shelled the town of Rakitnoye in Russia's Belgorod region, according to the region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. Among the injured were three children, with nine people hospitalized, including a 16-year-old girl in intensive care.