According to various sources, between 8,000-12,000 North Koreans soldiers are supporting the Russian war effort.
A Ukrainian official reported that on 4 November, North Korean troops stationed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast had reportedly been fired upon for the first time. This was their first combat engagement during Russia’s war with Ukraine.
South Korea provided non-lethal assistance to Ukraine in the past, including mine clearing equipment, but refused Kyiv’s request for weapons. Since February 2022, Russia has strengthened military ties with North Korea, securing more than 2,000,000 artillery rounds and ballistic missiles. Both countries signed a mutual defence pact in the month of June. South Korea reported that 3,000 North Korean soldiers were training in Russia. This number is expected to increase to 10,000 by the end of December. Ukraine confirmed that initial units have arrived at the Kursk combat area.
Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, reported the engagement on Telegram:
“The first DPRK personnel have already been fired upon in Kursk Oblast,” wrote he, using the acronym of North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The official didn’t provide any additional details about the engagement, or possible casualties. Euromaidan Press has not been able to confirm this claim, as other sources have not confirmed the engagement.
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