In a significant move, North Korea has ratified a defense agreement with Russia, deepening security ties as the Ukraine conflict escalates. Meanwhile, Ukraine claims its troops have successfully tied up 50,000 Russian soldiers near Kursk due to a surprise offensive. An attack on a fuel depot in Belgorod, Russia, reportedly resulted from a Ukrainian drone strike. The EU warns against hasty concessions to Russia, insisting that any agreement must ensure a fair and lasting peace, with Ukraine’s agreement required. Ongoing Russian advances have led to additional evacuations in eastern Ukraine, highlighting the crisis’s intensity.