The North Korean leader continues his tour of Russia with a visit to the air base where he inspected the latest Russian missiles and bombers.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected Russia’s hypersonic ‘Kinzhal’ missiles as well as nuclear-capable strategic bombers during the latest stop on his tour of Russian space, military and other technological facilities in the Far East of the country, the Russian-language newspaper said. news reports in the media.
Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Russia’s Primorsky region, announced Kim’s arrival on Saturday in the city of Artyom, about 40 kilometers northeast of Vladivostok.
Kozhemyako released a video showing a smiling Kim arriving aboard his private armored train and being greeted by children offering flowers.
After arriving in Artyom, Kim then traveled to Vladivostok airport, just outside the city, where he was shown Russian strategic bombers and other fighter jets by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other senior military officials.
Shoigu introduced Kim to Russia’s latest missile, the hypersonic Kinzhal – which means “dagger” in Russian – an air-launched ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads.
The Kinzhal has a range of 1,500 to 2,000 km (930-1,240 miles) while carrying a payload of 480 kg (1,100 pounds). It can travel at a speed of up to 10 times the speed of sound (12,000 km/h or 7,700 mph).
Kim was also shown three models of strategic bombers: the Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M3, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency, aircraft regularly used by Russia to launch missiles in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“It can fly from Moscow to Japan and then back again,” Shoigu Kim said of one of the planes.
Kim was asked how missiles were fired from the plane. A Russian official told him that the strategic bombers were one of the most important parts of Russia’s nuclear force.
After beginning his visit to Russia on Wednesday by holding a summit with President Vladimir Putin at Russia’s main spaceport Vostochny Сosmodrome, North Korea’s leader then reappeared on Friday in the far eastern city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur for a visit to a factory that produces Russian Su-57 fighter jets.
Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday that during his visit to the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft factory, Kim expressed “sincere appreciation” for what he described as Russia’s rapidly advancing aviation technologies, which he said “exceed outside potential.” threats,” a comment also highlighted in the Russian media.
The Russian Cabinet released a video on Friday showing Kim looking at the cockpit of a Su-57 fighter jet from an elevated platform while listening to the pilot. Kim also beamed and clapped his hands as an Su-35 fighter jet landed after a demonstration flight.
Experts have said potential military cooperation between Russia and North Korea after Kim’s visit could include efforts to modernize North Korea’s aging air force, which relies on fighter jets sent from the Soviet Union in the 1980s .
Kim was also expected to visit Russian naval vessels in Vladivostok later on Saturday.
Putin and Kim discussed military matters, the war in Ukraine and deepening cooperation when they met on Wednesday, but the Russian leader told reporters that Moscow had “no intention of violating anything,” referring to long-standing sanctions imposed by the United States nations had imposed on North Korea. .
However, the United States has warned that Russia has made progress in talks with North Korea to gain access to stockpiles of artillery and missiles that Moscow can use in its war against Ukraine.