**North Korea Supports Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure**
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that North Korean forces are actively supporting Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. This information was shared by Umerov on November 27.
He did not specify how Pyongyang aids Russian strikes, but it is known that North Korea has been Moscow’s leading supplier of ballistic missiles and artillery shells throughout the war.
Russia launched a massive aerial campaign against Ukraine’s energy facilities in the spring, similar to what happened during the fall and winter of 2022-23. Officials have warned that Russia may continue targeting the energy grid as winter approaches.
**Ukraine Meets with South Korea**
The Ukrainian minister arrived in South Korea earlier on November 27. He met with President Yoon Suk Yeol and discussed “joint steps to enhance security and stability“. Umerov also met with National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
North Korean troops are believed to have been dispatched over 10,000 strong to aid Russia’s war efforts. The first clashes with Ukrainian forces were reported in Kursk Oblast. “For the Republic of Korea, these actions pose a serious threat,” Umerov said, adding that North Korean troops gaining combat experience could present additional security challenges in the region.
**Ukraine Receives Military Aid**
Experts told Ukraine’s Kyiv Independent that a rapid supply of arms to Ukraine is unlikely due to South Korea’s legal constraints on providing weapons to a combat zone. A South Korean official recently stated that direct supplies of 155 mm ammunition are not on the table, with Yoon commenting that Seoul is currently looking at the possibility of providing “defensive weapons.”
**Russia and Ukraine Conflict**
Russian strikes against Ukraine killed at least two civilians and injured at least 17 over the past day. This number includes 1,580 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine has received a $4.8 billion loan from the World Bank through the PEACE project. The U.S. imposed sanctions on 50 Russian banks, including Gazprombank, which hit Russia’s ruble hard against the U.S. dollar during early morning trade on November 27.
A Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrived in South Korea on November 27 to request military aid from Seoul.