The Ukrainian president said on Saturday (Dec 14) that North Korea had sent “significant numbers” of troops to support Russia
Ukraine’s intelligence service announced this Monday (Dec 16, 2024) that 30 North Korean soldiers died or were injured in villages in the Kursk region, southern Russia. According to the report, another 3 fighters went missing in clashes in the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba and Martynovka.
It is the first time that Ukraine has claimed casualties of North Korean soldiers. But the government did not provide details. “Despite the losses, the enemy assault groups continued to advance, without ever stopping, even under precision fire and bombardment”said Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov in a Facebook post.
KOREAN HELP IN RUSSIA
North Korea, an ally of the Russian government, sent troops to the Kursk region in October, according to the South Korean government and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
Russia did not comment on the aid from Kim Jong-un’s government, but President Vladimir Putin used soldiers from the Asian country against Ukrainian forces.
According to a statement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the North Korean government sent a significant number of troops to the Kursk region. The Ukrainian leader called for a global assessment of a possible new escalation of the conflict.
“We already have preliminary data that the Russians have started to use North Korean soldiers in their attacks. A significant number of them”said Zelensky when stating that North Koreans were sent to other front-line regions.
Zelensky will meet with NATO and European Union leaders on Wednesday (Dec 18, 2024) to discuss more details about a response against Russia and North Korea. “In essence, Moscow has dragged another state into this war, and to the greatest extent possible. And if that’s not climbing, then what is the climbing that so many have been talking about?”these.
