Russia is testing the readiness of a missile unit that forms part of its strategic nuclear forces, the defence ministry said on Friday, in the latest of a series of warning signals to Ukraine and the West.

Russia tests Yars missiles in drills near Moscow, signaling nuclear deterrence amid Ukraine conflict, raising concerns of nuclear escalation.

The burgeoning relationship between North Korea and Russia is much more than an opportunistic marriage resulting from Russia’s war in Ukraine. Before the war, North Korea had already made a strategic shift toward Russia,

Russia is testing the combat readiness of a unit equipped with Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles in a region northwest of Moscow, news agencies quoted the defence ministry as saying on Friday.

The U.S. and its allies are “alarmed” by North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats as well as its increasing military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday, but couldn’t confirm Ukrainian claims that North Korean soldiers were sent to fight for Moscow.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell says Washington and its allies are "alarmed" by North Korea's nuclear and missile threats as well as its increasing military support for Russia's war in Ukraine.

Washington is investigating reports of North Korean soldiers being involved in the war in Ukraine. This follows a recent statement by Volodymyr Zelensky, who discussed findings from Ukrainian intelligence.