Key developments for October 31:
Zelensky: Russia confirms North Korea’s participation in war against West
Blinken reports that 8,000 North Korean troops are in Kursk Oblast.
Zelensky: Ukraine has received only 10% of the US aid approved earlier this year by Congress
Zelensky: Kyiv is still waiting for MiG-29 fighter aircraft from Warsaw
* Ukraine’s 2025 budget clears first reading, allocates $53 billion for defense
In an interview published by the South Korean KBS TV on October 31, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed to the West the fact that North Korea actively participates in the war against Ukraine.
He said that the messages were sent through the country’s intelligence.
“The Russian Federation confirmed at the intelligence level that North Korea was involved (in the conflict)… (Russia has) been talking about it with the West.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the Pentagon confirmed on October 28 that North Korea had sent troops into Russia to participate in their war against Ukraine, and they were deployed in Kursk Oblast.
“Two countries are officially at war with Ukraine.” Officially, the military is involved. Zelensky stated that the military is officially involved.
3,000 North Korean soldiers are already in the Russian region of Kursk. Zelensky, a Kyiv official, said that Kyiv anticipates their numbers to reach 12,000 by the end of this year.
The president stated that some North Korean military units are also located on Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory without specifying which region.
According to Zelensky, there haven’t been any clashes yet between the North Korean military and Ukrainian forces.
Zelensky stated that “Russia wants us to leave Kursk Oblast”.
“Russia has concentrated around 45,000 troops in Kursk Oblast, and will increase their number.” The Russians are bringing North Korean troops to Kursk Oblast. They don’t even have enough.”
According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian intelligence officials have doubts about the combat effectiveness and cite communication problems with their Russian counterparts. This is the main obstacle that Moscow and Pyongyang must overcome.
A South Korean delegation is visiting Ukraine this week to discuss cooperation and share information about the North Korean troops in Russia.
CNN reported on October 29 that U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had also urged China to use its relationship to Pyongyang to apply pressure on North Korea and to withdraw its soldiers from Ukraine’s first line.
North Korea’s entry in the war comes as Russia’s long-running campaign in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk oblast has gained dramatic momentum in recent days. Analysts claim that Moscow’s forces have advanced at a rate not seen since early in the war.
Blinken reports that 8,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in the Kursk Oblast
U.S. Secretary Of State Antony Blinken stated during a press briefing on October 31 that 8,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast for participation in the war against Ukraine.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) had reported that the first North Korean soldiers arrived in Kursk Oblast at the end of October. HUR reports that North Korea has sent 12,000 troops, including 500 officers, three generals and 500 soldiers, to Russia.
Blinken said that there have not been any clashes yet between the North Korean military and the Ukrainian military, but they could happen “in the next days.”
“Russia is desperate, which is one of the reasons it is turning to these North Korean soldiers.” (Vladimir Putin) has been putting more and more Russians in a meat grinder he created himself in Ukraine. Blinken said that now he is turning to North Korean forces, which is a sign of weakness.
Blinken reports that Russia has been training North Korean troops in artillery and drones as well as basic infantry operations. This includes trench clearing. This indicates their “full intention” to use this force in front-line missions.
If these troops engage in combat operations or combat support against Ukraine, then they will become legitimate military targets.
Blinken said that the U.S. would announce “soon” more military assistance to Ukraine.
Zelensky claims that Ukraine has received only 10% of the US aid approved earlier this year by Congress.
At a press briefing on October 30, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the U.S. had transferred to Ukraine nearly 10% of the aid approved in April 2024 by Congress.
After months of political infighting, and a worsening of the situation on the battlefield the U.S. House of Representatives passed the foreign aid package which included $60.84 Billion in support for Ukraine on April 20.
“You do your job. You rely on reserves, special brigades and such equipment. If you get 10% of the package that has already been voted upon, then that’s a good start. Zelensky said, “It’s not funny.”
“If you make a promise, you must keep it,” he said, noting that Ukraine planned its military operations based on the promised help “at a specific time.”
Zelensky said that NATO was not prepared to take specific steps towards Ukraine’s membership because of Russian aggression, but had promised to provide “six to seven” air defence systems to protect Ukraine’s airspace.
“But today, this number has not been received.” What can we do if we haven’t yet received it, and we can’t rely on this great air defense support during the heating season in Ukraine which has already started?
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced a $400 million new military assistance package to Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on October 21.
Austin arrived unexpectedly in Kyiv to discuss the future of support as the U.S. Presidential election approaches.
There are growing concerns that if former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, wins against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the Democratic presidential primary, he could withdraw or reduce U.S. assistance for Ukraine, forcing Ukraine to make painful concessions.
Despite U.S. aid, Russian forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine while the country prepares for new strikes against its power grid as winter approaches.
Zelensky: Kyiv is still waiting for MiG-29 fighter aircraft from Warsaw
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, said on October 31 that Ukraine still expects to receive Soviet MiG-29 jet fighters from Poland.
In July, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Warsaw could provide Kyiv additional Soviet-made jet fighters if it is able to find a suitable replacement.
After Zelensky called for a speedy transfer, Wladyslaw Ksiniak Kamysz, the Polish Defense Minister, said that “Poland takes decisions based on security and has done everything possible for Ukraine.”
“We agreed with NATO to provide them (Poland), with a police missions, just like our Baltic Friends, who don’t have their own planes, but have a such a mission,” Zelensky stated.
“We agreed, but did Poland deliver the planes after that?” No. Was there another cause? “Yes,” the president replied without elaborating.
Zelensky said that Ukraine “constantly requested” Poland to shoot Russian missiles flying its way, especially to protect the gas-storage facility in Stryi, Ukraine’s Lviv Oblast. Stryi is located about 100 kilometers (62miles) east of the Ukrainian border.
“We do have the right number of (air defence) systems, but not enough to protect the gas storage facility.” What about the Poles? Are they shooting down the planes? No. The Poles said that we are prepared to shoot down any aircraft if we were not alone in our decision; if NATO supported us.”
During previous attacks on Ukraine, Russian drones and missiles entered Poland’s skies. Tusk said that Polish allies told the government to be cautious when dealing with unidentified violations of airspace.
Early in July, Ukraine signed a bilateral agreement with Poland on security. The agreement included a commitment from both sides to “examine the feasibility of possible intercepting missiles and UAVs in Ukraine’s skyspace that are fired in the direction the territory of Poland following necessary procedures agreed upon by the states and organisations involved.”
Then NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed skepticism about this agreement point, saying it puts the alliance in danger of “becoming a part of the conflict.”
After a Russian drone was reported to have crossed Poland’s border during an attack on Ukraine on August 26, the Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Skorski began to insist that Poland has the right to shoot down air targets.
The minister said the risk of Polish casualties increased the closer the missile was to its target at the time it was intercepted. Therefore, it would be better to shoot the missile down from a higher altitude above Ukraine.
Ukraine’s 2025 budget clears first reading, allocates $53 billion for defense
The first reading of Ukraine’s proposed budget for 2025 was passed in Parliament on October 31, allocating 26% of GDP to defense and military expenditures.
“Security and defense will be the priority of the budget for next year.” All taxes paid by individuals and businesses will be used to strengthen our military capabilities and defenders, Prime Minister Denys smyhal announced on his Telegram channel.
Military and defense expenditures will increase by Hr 46 billion (about $1.65 billion) in 2024 compared to the current year, reaching Hr 2.2 trillion (53.4 billion).
According to Shmyhal’s estimates, state expenditures will increase by Hr 535 ($13 billion) and reach Hr 3.6 ($87.4 trillion), while revenues should reach Hr 2.7 ($65.5 million), an increase of Hr 411 ($10 billion) since 2024.
“Not a single change was made to the document that would have met the needs of the military and those who need support today,” said opposition lawmaker Dmytro Rasumkov, criticizing it on his Telegram channel.
After today’s discussion, the budget law is expected to go through several more rounds of consideration, before the lawmakers vote on it in a final round, which should be held by December 1.
As the war-torn Ukrainian economy has faltered, the state budget of Ukraine has become increasingly dependent on external support. This includes war bonds, IFI loan, and bilateral loans.
The growing annual budget deficit in Ukraine, which is expected to reach 20.6% by 2023, prompted lawmakers in September to approve the first tax increase since the war began. This was a politically unpopular decision, as the country sought new sources of funding to fund its expanding wartime budget.
Ukraine faces a budget deficit of $35 billion next year. With the Russian war in its third year and no end in sight for the conflict, the country needs to secure funding both to maintain its economy and fund the war effort.
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