Russia Investigates North Korean Missile Crash in Its Waters

The Russian news agency "TASS" reported Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko stating that "Moscow is investigating whether a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile crashed in its waters during a test launch on Wednesday." Rudenko added, "The Ministry of Defense is conducting an investigation, but so far we have no clear information about the missile falling in Russia's economic zone." North Korean media reported on the launch stating that "the Hwasong-18 missile is the core of North Korea's nuclear strike capability, and the test launch served as a strong practical warning to the United States and other adversaries." The United States, South Korea, and Japan condemned the test, but Russian official Rudenko said it was "a reaction to the actions of Washington and its allies, which are provoking North Korea to strengthen its defensive capabilities."