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July 15, 2023 | 5:33 p.m
Russia is investigating whether a North Korean nuclear weapon has fallen into its waters.
KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images
Russia is examining whether a North Korean nuclear missile fell into its waters during a test launch on Wednesday, officials said.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said the country’s Defense Ministry was investigating the launch, but said “So far we have no clear information that the missile fell in Russia’s economic zone.”
Russian state media said the test launch of the Hwasong-18, the core of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, was a “strong practical” warning to the kingdom’s entrenched enemies, including the United States.
Japan, South Korea and the United States condemned the test launch, while Rudenko said the firing was a response to the United States and its allies, which he said “actually provokes North Korea to build up its defense power”.
North Korea has been under nuclear sanctions since 2006, when the United Nations Security Council condemned the country’s first nuclear test and imposed tough sanctions on heavy weapons, missile technology and components, and some luxury goods.
However, the United Nations Security Council has been divided over the past several years on how to deal with North Korea’s nuclear capabilities with Russia and China claiming that further sanctions would only make the situation worse.
Khaled Khayari, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, said on Thursday that the missile traveled more than 625 miles in about 74 minutes and crashed in waters in the Russian economic zone near Japanese territory.
with mail wires
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