Verified reports from major news outlets or official statements from Ukrainian or U.S. defense departments

Ukraine Engages 11,000 North Korean Troops in Russia's Kursk Region, Zelensky Says

Nov 4, 2024, 09:41 PM

Ukraine has reported its first engagement with North Korean troops deployed in Russia's Kursk region, according to Ukrainian officials. Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, stated that North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk Oblast came under fire from Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that Ukrainian forces have engaged in small-scale clashes with North Korean troops and expects more encounters in the future. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 11,000 North Korean soldiers are now stationed in the region, an increase from previous estimates of 8,000. The Pentagon estimates that at least 10,000 North Korean troops are in Kursk, with numbers possibly increasing. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, "We currently estimate that about 10,000 North Korean soldiers have arrived in Kursk region and may begin participating in the battles in the coming days." The North Korean troops are reportedly equipped with Russian uniforms and weapons. South Korea's Defense Ministry also reported that more than 10,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia to support its war against Ukraine, with a significant number in frontline areas including Kursk. The U.S. has stated that North Korean troops in Russia would become legitimate military targets if they engage in combat support operations against Ukraine.