Ukrainian and Western officers in fall 2024 warned that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, prepared to assist Russia’s try and oust Ukrainian forces within the area. The transfer represents an unprecedented escalation in Russia’s warfare in opposition to Ukraine.
“Immediately, we have already got preliminary knowledge that the Russians have begun to make use of North Korean troopers of their assaults — a major variety of them,” Zelensky mentioned in a video handle.
“The Russians embrace them in mixed models and use them in operations in Kursk Oblast.”
North Korean troops haven’t but joined Russian forces in every other areas of the entrance, however this might change, Zelensky added
Zelensky additionally reported that North Korean models have sustained “noticeable losses”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has “dragged one other state into this warfare”, Zelensky said.
“And if this isn’t escalation, then what’s the escalation that so many have been speaking about?”
The primary clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast had been reported in early November. Zelensky reported in early December that North Korean troopers had already been killed preventing for Russia, however didn’t specify figures.
Moscow and Pyongyang have deepened their alliance over the course of the full-scale warfare. The 2 nations signed a protection treaty in June, requiring both state to render army support to the opposite within the occasion of an assault.
North Korea has reportedly offered Russia with over 100 ballistic missiles and 5 million artillery shells. In trade, Moscow has allegedly given Pyongyang financial help and help with its nuclear weapons program.
Ukrainian forces launched a shock offensive into Kursk Oblast in August. Russia started a counterattack in September and has reportedly taken again 40% of the territory initially captured by Ukraine.
