Ukraine Reports Firing on North Korean Troops in Kursk
Approximately 10,000 soldiers from the secretive nation have been deployed to Russia to assist Moscow in its conflict.
Reports from Ukrainian officials suggested that Ukrainian forces engaged in combat with North Korean soldiers for the first time since they were stationed in the western Kursk region of Russia.
This marks the initial direct involvement of a foreign military since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
According to Andriy Kovalenko, Ukraine’s chief counter-disinformation officer, “The first military units of the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] have already come under fire in Kursk.”
Seoul’s defense ministry confirmed on Tuesday that over 10,000 North Korean troops had arrived in Russia, with a notable number located in frontline areas like Kursk.
Shortly after, the Pentagon in Washington backed up these claims by stating that at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers were present in the Russian border region of Kursk, but could not verify reports of them participating in combat.
Intelligence from Kyiv indicated that around 12,000 troops from North Korea, including 500 officers and three generals, were already in Russia undergoing training exercises at five military bases.
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Jeon Ha-kyou, a spokesperson for South Korea’s defense ministry, mentioned, “We understand that more than 10,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, and a significant number of them have moved to the frontline areas including Kursk,” during a briefing.
When asked about the engagement of North Korean troops in combat, Jeon stated that there was no information available at the moment.
Furthermore, he could not validate a report from South Korean media suggesting that up to 40 North Korean troops had been killed.
A joint statement from Seoul and the European Union strongly denounced North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia, expressing concerns that Moscow may reciprocate by assisting Pyongyang with its nuclear and missile programs.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine expressed frustration with the delay in Western assistance, urging allies to act promptly before North Korean troops intensify the battlefield.
He revealed that Ukraine had identified the Russian camps where North Korean troops were being trained, but could not launch an attack without permission to use Western-made long-range weapons against targets deep inside Russian territory.
Recent meetings between foreign ministers of North Korea and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to aid each other militarily if under attack, as outlined in a strategic partnership agreement established by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.
The arrival of North Korean troops, whose combat readiness and experience are unknown, arrives at a time when Ukraine is facing increasing challenges on the battlefield, particularly in Donetsk.
Reports indicate that Russian forces have made significant advances in Donetsk, with the British Defense Ministry noting gains of over 5 miles in certain areas.
Despite substantial casualties, Russia’s superior troop numbers and ongoing recruitment efforts are enabling a sustained offensive against Kyiv’s defenses.
Ukrainian officials have criticized the delay in Western military support reaching the theater, emphasizing the need for additional aid and authorization to target positions deep inside Russian territory.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
