23:18 (20:18)⇢Putin Inks Strategic Pact with North Korea
⌨The newspapers report extensively on Putin's ratification of a strategic partnership treaty with North Korea (Interfax.ru, Kommersant, Lenta.ru, NTV.ru, RIA Novosti). This move signals a strengthening of ties between Russia and the DPRK. Domestically, an explosion in an apartment in northern Moscow has drawn attention, with conflicting reports on its cause (RBC.ru, Vesti). The Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief reportedly informed a NATO general about a difficult situation on the front line (Gazeta.ru).