Russia’s ‘nuclear tour’ to North Korean leader

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected Russian army bombers and the Pacific Fleet warship during his visit to Russia’s Far East.

According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, Kim, who arrived at the Knevichi military airport in Vladivostok, was received by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu. Samples of modern aviation equipment of the Russian Aerospace Forces were displayed at the airport to be shown to the North Korean leader.

At the airport, North Korean leader Kim was also shown the Tu-160 supersonic strategic bomber, the Tu-95MS turboprop strategic bomber and the Tu-22M3 supersonic long-range missile bomber. Sergey Kobilash, commander of long-range aviation of the Russian Air and Space Forces, briefed Kim on the characteristics of these aircraft, which form the air component of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces.

Kim also received briefings in Knevichi on the flight and technical capabilities of the missile system, which consists of the Kinjal hypersonic aeroballistic missile and the Mig-31I missile carrier equipped with the missile control system. (AA)