Ukraine’s Defense Minister announced on Tuesday that Ukrainian troops have engaged for the first time with North Korean units recently deployed to assist Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
A Ukrainian official reported that artillery was fired at North Korean soldiers in the Kursk border region of Russia, marking the first confirmed combat interaction between these forces. The deployment of North Korean troops has notably altered the landscape of the war as it nears its 1,000-day mark.
While neither claim has been independently verified, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov described the clashes as “small-scale” and indicative of North Korea’s direct involvement in the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. He noted that North Korean soldiers, who are merged with Russian troops and lack distinctive uniforms, could complicate assessments of potential casualties.
Umerov also mentioned the expectation of five North Korean units, each comprising approximately 3,000 soldiers, being deployed to the Kursk area. Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation branch of Ukraine’s Security Council, confirmed that North Korean troops had been shelled in the same region, although specific details were not provided.
Intelligence assessments from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine indicate that up to 12,000 North Korean combat troops have been sent to support the Russian war effort under an agreement with Moscow. The Pentagon stated that at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed near Ukraine’s border.
Analysis published by the European Council on Foreign Relations highlighted the broader significance of this military collaboration, stating, “The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia represents a significant shift in European and Asian security relations.” For the first time in decades, troops from East Asia are involved in a conflict on the European continent.
The presence of North Korean forces adds to the pressure on Ukraine’s military, which is already struggling under the weight of Russia’s persistent offensives. Reports indicate that Russian advances have recently sped up, with gains of up to 9 kilometers (more than 5 miles) in the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian officials have consistently criticized the delays in Western military support, stating that rapid delivery is crucial for maintaining their defenses. In early October, Russian forces displaced Ukrainian troops from Vuhledar, a strategically significant town.
The situation remains dire as Russia continues its long-range aerial assaults on civilian areas, with an attack on Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday leaving six dead and 23 injured, according to regional Governor Ivan Fedorov.
Andrii Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, stressed the need for stronger action against Russian aggression, calling for a more robust stance from Ukraine’s Western allies.
Credit: ABC News
