Espreso. Global

First clashes occur between Ukrainian army and DPRK military in Kursk region, Ukrainian Defense Minister confirms

Sofia Polonska
5 November, 2024 Tuesday
18:39

On Tuesday, November 5, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the information that the first military clash between Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers fighting on the side of the Russian army took place in the Kursk region

client/title.list_title

He said this in an interview with KBS.

According to Umerov, the clash was localized, but it should be regarded as the official start of North Korea's participation in the war against Ukraine.

The minister clarified that the North Korean military were disguised as Buryats and mixed with Russian units, so the exact number of casualties and prisoners needs to be verified before making accurate statements.

‘We are recording contacts with North Korean forces, but we believe there will be more clashes in a few weeks, and we will analyse and consider them accordingly,’ he stressed.

Umerov also said that Russia plans to deploy five North Korean battalions, each of which will consist of about 3,000 troops, along a frontline of about 1,500 kilometers. This could increase their number to 15,000 in the Kursk region.

‘The duration of the Russian exercises was a month, but now it has been reduced to a few days or a week so that North Korean troops can take part in combat operations,’ the head of the Ministry of Defense concluded.

The first information about the military clashes between the Ukrainian and North Korean military was reported by Suspilne media, citing its own sources.

At the same time, according to the sources, ‘there are no major clashes yet’.

Also, Ukrayinska Pravda, citing the Financial Times, wrote that a senior Ukrainian intelligence official confirmed military operations in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, but refused to provide specific information about the first military clash between the troops of Ukraine and the DPRK.

On November 4, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the National Security and Defense Council's Disinformation Counteraction Centre, posted on Telegram that ‘the first DPRK military units have already come under fire in Kursk’.

Military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK

On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that 20 soldiers were killed in a missile strike on occupied Donetsk, including six North Korean military personnel advising the Russian army.

The South Korean Defense Minister warned on October 8 that North Korea may deploy troops to Ukraine in support of Russia.

At an October 17 press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Russia's plan to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers for combat in Ukraine.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, later reported that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are training in eastern Russia, preparing for deployment to Ukraine. He added that the first unit of 2,600 soldiers is en route to Kursk, where Ukraine has established a stronghold.

Ukraine has since shared intelligence with NATO about North Korea’s military involvement and requested data from alliance members.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the participation of the North Korean military in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia would mean a “significant escalation.” 

Later, it was reported that South Korea was considering providing Ukraine with military and intelligence assistance in response to North Korea's sending its military to fight on the side of Russia.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported that on October 23, the North Korean military was spotted in the Kursk region.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that according to intelligence, the first North Korean military would be used by Russia in combat zones on October 27-28.

On October 25, South Korea's intelligence agency announced that North Korea plans to send a second batch of its military personnel to Russia, totaling up to 10,000 people.

Later, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in the Kursk region of Russia, noting that this was “a significant escalation in the DPRK's ongoing involvement in Russia's illegal war.”

During the Ukraine-Northern Europe summit, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russian army is already using North Korean soldiers on the territory of Ukraine.

 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Friday
6 December
21:15
Exclusive
If Russia deploys Oreshnik missile in Belarus, Ukraine will have official right to restore nuclear weapons — political expert
21:00
Russia plans to fine residents of occupied territories for Ukrainian
20:58
Updated
Russian strike on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia leaves nine dead, children injured
20:50
Zelenskyy expected to attend Notre Dame reopening ceremony - media
20:30
Review
Blackout at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: dirty bomb risk?
20:10
Ukraine secures 40 high-tech combat vehicles in major European defense deal
19:52
OPINION
West vs. Russia: taming ogre won't work
19:40
Review
How Russia uses AI-generated images to spread propaganda
19:10
Exclusive
When can Putin declare general mobilization? Military expert suggests
18:53
Updated
Russian missile strikes administrative building in Ukraine’s Kryvyi Rih, killing two people
18:53
Negotiations on Ukraine's accession to EU are underway - Vice Prime Minister Stefanishyna
18:36
Putin suggests Oreshnik deployment in Belarus in second half of 2025
18:15
Exclusive
'Brilliant, pragmatic solution': expert on Estonian anti-aircraft missiles to be produced in Ukraine
17:36
China calls on Ukraine, Russia to "restart direct talks"
17:15
UNESCO declares Ukrainian Kobzar-Lirnyk tradition cultural heritage of humanity
16:53
Ukraine begins mass production of Peklo drone-missile
16:30
Can Washington deliver “avalanche” of aid to Ukraine before Trump's inauguration?
16:15
Estonian defense company to test anti-aircraft missiles in Ukraine starting in 2025
15:55
Romania’s Constitutional Court annuls first round of presidential elections
15:36
Council of Europe Chief Berset to name special representative for Ukrainian children
15:16
Exclusive
France’s crisis won’t disrupt aid for Ukraine — political analyst
14:55
OPINION
Carlson-Lavrov interview: Not negotiations yet, just preparations
14:34
Exclusive
Security agreements Ukraine has signed with 27 countries include support for joining NATO
14:19
Western tech curbs slow Russian drones, yet weapons output surges
13:56
Exclusive
We see where Russian troops are planning to attack, amassing forces — Ukrainian officer from Pokrovsk direction
13:45
Review
Ukraine advances near Velyka Novosilka, Russia lacks strategy in Syria. Serhiy Zgurets' column
13:34
Russia loses 53 soldiers for every square kilometer of Ukrainian territory captured this fall - ISW
12:57
Bridge traffic blocked in Crimea, explosions in Kerch
12:36
Exclusive
Ukrainian troops never withdraw without reason – military expert on eastern direction
12:16
Three Ukrainian NPPs restore electricity production after November Russian strike — IAEA
11:55
188 frontline clashes reported: Ukraine fends off 50 Russian attacks near Kurakhove
11:35
White House promises major military support for Ukraine
11:16
Ukraine's mobilization age too high, women should be more involved in army — U.S. General Hodges
10:56
Over 8,000 Ukrainian AWOL soldiers return, 3,000 in one week
10:35
OPINION
Lavrov's interview with Tucker Carlson reveals Kremlin's fear of Trump
10:14
Finland announces 26th defense aid package to Ukraine
09:56
Russia's losses since start of full-scale war in Ukraine exceed 750,000 troops
09:34
Russia captures four more settlements in Donetsk region – DeepState
2024, Thursday
5 December
21:10
Three Ukrainian films among longlist contenders for Oscars 2025
20:51
Budapest Memorandum has not worked: Zelenskyy calls for effective security guarantees for Ukraine
More news