Key points
- Putin arrives in North Korea - his first visit in 24 years
- Kim Jong Un and Putin share 'pent up inmost thoughts' together
- New agreement announced between Russia and North Korea
- Russia launches missiles from nuclear-powered submarines
- Your questions answered:Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?
- Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts
- Live reporting from Mark Wyatt
UK should take 'bizzare' scenes in Pyongyang as a warning - Grant Shapps
Britain's secretary of state for defence Grant Shapps says the UK must strengthen its armed forces to deter the "new axis of tyranny" in the world.
It comes as Russian president Vladimir Putin spends the day in Pyongyang where he has held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Mr Shapps shared a video on X of North Korea's "bizarre" welcome ceremony for Mr Putin, which included a military orchestra, artillery guns firing a welcome salvo and a red carpet for the two leaders to walk down.
A limousine, a tea set and a dagger - Putin's gifts to Kim Jong Un
Russian President VladimirPutin has reportedly given North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a Russian-builtAurus limousine, a tea set and an admiral's dirk.
According to Russia's statenews agency TASS - which cited Mr Putin's adviserYuri Ushakov - the Russian leader was given various works of art from Mr Kim in return.
The Aurus Senat limousine began production in 2018 after Mr Putin personally tasked his country with having its own take on a luxury car.
According to the firm's website, the Senat Limousine is the "first luxury car from Russia", and represents the "renaissance of Russia’s industrial, scientific and technological potential".
It's fully armoured – not surprising given Mr Putin uses one – and uses a 4.4-litre twin-turbo hybrid V8 engine.
Ukraine 'downs 19 of 21 Russian attack drones' overnight
Ukraine's air force has said it shot down 19 of 21 attack drones that Russia launched at the country overnight.
The Shahed drones were reportedly intercepted over southern Ukraine's Kherson and Mykolaiv, Dnipro and Kirovohrad, in central Ukraine, and Lviv and Khmelnytskyi, to the west of the country.
In Lviv, a 70-year-old man was hospitalised as a result of falling drone debris.
What are Shahed drones?
Iranian in origin, Shahed drones are single-use, long-range attack drones.
Designed to "loiter" around a specified area, the drones have a built-in warhead that will stay around an area until an operator, often on the ground, picks a target to detonate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned their use in April after Iran used the drones on Israel.
US soldier sent to prison in Russia for theft and threatening to kill girlfriend
A Russian court has sentenced a US soldier to three years and nine months in a penal colony for theft and threatening to kill his girlfriend.
Staff Sgt Gordon Black, 34, was arrested in May and had pleaded not guilty to the murder threat charges but admitted he was "partially" guilty of stealing 10,000 roubles (£89) from his girlfriend Alexandra Vashchuk.
Prosecutors at a court in Vladivostok said that during an argument at Ms Vashchuk'sapartment, Sgt Black had grabbed her by the neck and then took her money.
Sgt Black argued that Ms Vashchuk had drunk half a bottle of vodka that day, was aggressive and had struck him.
Prosecutors had asked for a prison sentence of four years and eight months, while the defence asked for Sgt Black to be acquitted of all charges.
He will appeal the verdict, according to Russian state news agencies.
Sgt Black met Ms Vashchuk in South Korea, where he was stationed. He then travelled to Russia and China without authorisation, which the Pentagon said broke army rules.
He served in Iraq in 2009 and Afghanistan in 2013 and was most recently assigned to the Eighth Army, US Forces Korea at Camp Humphreys.
Fires still raging in Rostov after drone strike
Firefighters are still tackling a blaze in the Russian town of Azov following drone strikes yesterday morning.
A Ukrainian intelligence source said the strikes were conducted by the security service of Ukraine and targeted an oil depot in Azov, situated in the southern region of Rostov.
Several oil storage tanks were engulfed in fire which is still raging today.
"The fire at the Azov district has been localized at the3,200 square metres at 5:30am (2am GMT)," local emergency services said on Telegram today.
Kyiv has often said that targeting Russia's energy, militaryand transport infrastructure undermines Moscow's militaryeffort.
In pictures: Putin and Kim Jong Un attend welcome ceremony in Pyongyang
Russian President Vladimir Putin was welcomed to North Korea by Kim Jong Un today as he attended an official ceremony in Kim Il Sung Square.
Soldiers and children gathered to welcome Mr Putin, while local military orchestra played the national anthems of Russia and North Korea.
Artillery guns also fired a welcome salvo.
Russian outlet RT claimed the square was full of local residents who came to greet Mr Putin.
Russian invasion 'has full support' of North Korea, Kim Jong Un says
Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed both his and North Korea's "full support" of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Kim is hosting Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang today in what is the Russian president's first visit to the country in 24 years.
The visit is likely to reshape relations between the two nations at a time when both countries face international isolation.
Russia has drawn worldwide condemnation for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, though Mr Kim has given his full backing to the war which begun in February 2022.
Mr Kim was quoted by Russian news agencies vowing his country's "full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in carrying out the special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests and territorial integrity".
He also hailed Russia's "important role and mission in preserving the strategic stability and balance in the world".
"The situation in the world is exacerbating and changing rapidly," Mr Kim said.
"In this situation we intend to strengthen strategic interaction with Russia."
Analysis: Putin given 'rock star' welcome in Pyongyang as Russia and North Korea strengthen ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been given a "rock star" welcome inPyongyang as he arrived in North Korea for the first time in 24 years, says Asia correspondentNicole Johnston.
The Russian leader is spending the day with Kim Jong Un to strengthen ties between their respective nations.
Earlier today, Mr Putin hinted there would be an agreement signed between the two countries that will "form the basis of our ties for a long perspective."
Mr Putin was greeted in Pyongyang with a red carpet rolled out, while the streets of North Korea's capital were lined with banners of Mr Putin's face and Russian flags.
"They have really turned it on for President Putin, giving him a rock star's welcome," said Johnston.
"This is about showing how important this relationship has become for both North Korea and for Russia.
"The North Koreans have been sending thousands of containers of artillery shells, as well as missile ballistic across to Russia, allowing it to continue to wage its war in Ukraine."
Watch: Mr Kim greets Mr Putin...
Putin announces new agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang
Vladimir Putin says Moscow and Pyongyang will sign an agreement that will bolster their ties.
The Russian president is in North Korea for the first time in 24 years as he strengthens ties with the country and its leader Kim Jong Un.
Speaking at the start of his talks with Mr Kim, the Russian leader said in remarks carried by Russian state TASS and RIA Novosti news agencies that the "new fundamental document will form the basis of our ties for a long perspective".
Mr Putin also hailed a "close friendship" between the two countries based on "equality and respect of mutual interests".
Russia launches missiles from nuclear-powered submarines during exercise in Barents Sea
Nuclear-powered submarines of Russia's Northern Fleet reportedly launched cruise missiles at sea targets as part of exercises inthe Barents Sea today.
The Severodvinsk and the Orel nuclear-powered submarines fired Kalibr and Granit cruise missiles a distance of about 106 miles at a target simulating a detachment of landing ships of a mock enemy, the Interfax news agency reported.
"According to objective control data, the combat exercise was completed successfully," Interfax said, citing the fleet statement.
"The missile weapons used have once again confirmed their inherent characteristics and high reliability."
The missile firing area was closed in advance to civilian shipping and aviation flights.
The Barents Sea is in the Arctic Ocean and is located off the northern coasts of Norway and Russia. It is divided between Norwegian and Russian territorial waters.
