'Large number' of Russian missiles sparks concern

As Ukraine continues to fight Russian invaders in the eastern Donbas region and try to reclaim lost territory in the south, the growing presence of Russian missiles near Ukraine's northern border has officials worried.

Hi, Julius here with updates on the Ukraine-Russia crisis.

Earlier this week, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, top commander of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, said the buildup of Russian missiles in a Belarus airfield 15 miles from the border is a "cause for concern.” Belarus has been a steadfast ally of Russia in the war and has provided a staging ground for attacks.

Anton Geraschenko, an adviser for Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, said in a tweet Wednesday that "Russia concentrates a large number of surface-to-air missile systems in Belarus near Ukrainian border.''

Defending a third flank could stretch Ukraine’s capabilities at a time when the Kremlin may seek retribution for explosions this month at military targets in the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for those blasts, but an anonymous Ukrainian official told The New York Times that military and covert operators were behind them.

• At least 12 people have died in Russia's Wednesday missile attack on Kharkiv that left at least 20 others injured, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported Thursday
• The head of a Kremlin-backed separatist group is seeking cooperation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un amid signals the country would consider sending workers to help rebuild Russian-occupied areas.
• The 25th grain-carrying cargo ship has left Ukraine under a deal with Russia brokered by Turkey and the United Nations to unblock Ukraine’s ports, according to Agence France-Presse.