Official statements from the Russian government or verified news reports

Zelenskyy Confirms North Korean Troops Engage Ukrainian Forces in Kursk Region

Dec 14, 2024, 02:15 PM

North Korean soldiers have reportedly engaged Ukrainian troops in battle in Russia's Kursk region, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the use of North Korean soldiers by Russia in assaults, stating in his speech that Moscow has involved another country in the war. According to Ukrainian intelligence, North Korean military units were put on high alert on December 13, with orders to coordinate with adjacent Russian forces in the Kursk region. Reports indicate that these troops are being integrated into mixed units and are already suffering significant losses. Zelenskyy accused Russia of widening the conflict by training North Korea in war, thus creating more problems in Asia. The Ukrainian military has reported that North Korean soldiers launched massive assaults, often running across open fields, making them easy targets for Ukrainian machine gunners. There are also claims that the first video evidence of these assaults has emerged, showing North Korean forces attacking Ukrainian positions.