**North Korean Troops Deployed in Russia**
Russian forces have been boosted by the arrival of North Korean soldiers at observation posts and checkpoints near Kursk Oblast. This move is part of a deeper cooperation between the two countries.
According to reports, between 10,000-12,000 North Korean troops have been stationed in the area, with some of them being assigned to Russian military units fighting on the front lines. The Ukrainian military intelligence reported that 2,000 North Korean soldiers are guarding areas where Russian troops are concentrated.
**North Korea‘s Role in the War**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is treating the first batch of North Korean soldiers well to attract tens of thousands more. However, he also revealed that some North Korean troops have been killed in the war without giving a specific number.
A Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson stated that North Korean forces are “actively supporting” Russian attacks on Ukraine‘s energy infrastructure. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also confirmed this, saying that North Korea supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and artillery shells throughout the full-scale invasion.
**International Response**
The Dutch Foreign Minister has emphasized the need for NATO and its allies to address third countries aiding Russia’s war effort. Romanian authorities have declassified evidence of a “highly organized” social media campaign backed by a “state actor” to boost pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu in a recent vote.
Hungary has requested the United States to provide a sanctions waiver to continue payments for Russian natural gas imports through Gazprombank. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency has dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme that enabled Russian spies and oligarchs to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.
**Supporting Ukraine**
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the transfer of funds is part of a coordinated effort between the U.S. and EU to support Ukraine. Since February 2022, at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from Russian-occupied territories and sent to other Russian-controlled areas or Russia itself.
As Ukraine faces another winter with rolling blackouts and freezing temperatures, businesses are looking beyond diesel generators for fueling operations during power cuts.