Kim Jong Un's North Korea Dealt Blow As Senior Official Defects to South

"A North Korean diplomat has defected from the Kim Jong Un regime, the highest-ranking

official to do so in eight years.
"My disgust with the North Korean system, my pessimism about the bleak future, and my desire to escape from this society were the starting points that made me think about defecting from North Korea," Ri Il Kyu, who served as a political counselor at the North Korean embassy in Cuba until his November defection told South Korean news outlet the Chosun Ilbo in an exclusive interview published Tuesday." Newsweek

119 combat engagements in Ukraine in past 24 hours

"Over the past day, 119 combat clashes with the Russian invaders took place at the front.
Kharkiv axis: a total of 18 combat clashes took place. Battles raged near Vovchansk and Hlyboke while the Russians actively employed aviation to support their assaults.
Kupiansk axis: Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled five Russian attacks near Petropavlivka in Kharkiv region and Stelmakhivka in Luhansk region.

Lyman axis: Ukrainian troops repelled eight attacks by Russian invaders in the areas of the settlements of Nevske in Luhansk region, and Terny in Donetsk region.
Siversk axis: seven Russian assaults were repelled near Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, Rozdolivka, Verkhniokamianske, and Spirne, Donetsk region.
Kramatorsk axis: the Defense Forces stopped six enemy attempts to break through the defense lines in the Hryhorivka and Chasiv Yar areas, Donetsk region.
Toretsk axis: Russian invaders launched 14 attacks, focusing on New York and Pivnichne. The Russians received air support.
Pokrovsk axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 31 Russian assaults in the areas of Novoselivka Persha, Novo-oleksandrivka, Prohres, and Yasnobrodivka settlements of Donetsk region, where the aggressor, with air support, tried to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions.
Kurakhove axis: the Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Paraskovivka, and Karlivka. The Russians tried to capture Ukraine’s fortification 17 times.
Vremivka axis: the Russians carried out seven unsuccessful assaults near Vodiane, Kostiantynivka, and Makarivka in Donetsk region.
Orikhiv axis: three times, the occupiers unsuccessfully stormed the positions of Ukrainian forces in the areas of Mala Tokmachka and Novoandriivka.
Prydniprovia axis: Russian invaders do not stop trying to knock Ukrainian units out of their positions. Three unsuccessful infantry assaults were repelled." Ukrin