“Small group of North Korean soldiers were attacked” – Ukrainian Defence Minister

Ukraine’s highest officials have disclosed the occurrence of first-ever clash between North Korean and Ukrainian military.

According to Ukraine’s defense minister, Rustem Umerov, a “small group” of North Korean soldiers were attacked.

He revealed this in an interview with South Korean station (KBS).

The leader of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, had earlier criticized the West for failing to react to the North Korean troops.

He said that this  “first battles with North Korea open a new chapter of instability in the world”.

However, Seoul stated that there was an “incident” involving a few North Korean soldiers “near the frontline”.

But Seoul also disclosed that it “does not believe troops on both sides engaged in direct combat”.

According to Ukraine, there were an estimated 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the area near the Kursk border, where Ukrainian troops are present.

In recent weeks, NATO, US, and South Korean intelligence have reported seeing indications of North Korean troops participating in Russia’s battle.

However, neither Pyongyang nor Moscow have directly addressed any of the accusations as of yet.

Andriy Kovalenko, Ukraine’s top counter-disinformation official, initially claimed that North Korea’s “first military units had already come under fire in Kursk” in a Telegram post on Monday.

In an interview with South Korean station KBS, Rustem Umerov confirmed it.

He stated that he anticipates a “significant number” of North Korean forces will be involved in fighting.

Though he added it was “so far just small contacts, not full-scale engagement”.

“Most of them are still undergoing training”, he added.

“They’re wearing Russian uniforms, they’re undergoing tactical training, and they’re being deployed under various commands of the Russian army on the front lines”, Umerov said.

He said that five units, each with about 3,000 men, would probably be spread out throughout the battlefield.

He did not mention if there were any casualties.

Zelensky urged Ukraine “along with the world, to do everything to make this Russian step toward expanding the war a failure” during his daily video address on Wednesday.

“Both for them, and for North Korea.”

According to report, tensions between the two sides have increased as a result of reports of North Korea’s alleged action.

Seoul had called Russia’s ambassador late last month to demand the “immediate withdrawal” of North Korean forces from Ukraine.

Additionally, it issued a warning that it was considering sending Ukraine direct munitions.

According to analysts, Pyongyang might receive payment or have access to Russian military hardware in return for the troops.

In the event of “aggression” against either North Korea or Russia, it promises to support one another.

Earlier: North Korea deployed forces to Russia’s Kursk region — NATO

North Korean forces were dispatched to Russia and are operating in the Kursk border region, where Ukrainian military have established a foothold, according to NATO.

The source claims that Mark Rutte, the secretary general of the alliance, said he could confirm the deployment following weeks of intelligence reports following a meeting with South Korean security and defense officials.

The newly appointed NATO head revealed the deployment as a “dangerous expansion” and a “significant escalation” of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin refused to deny that North Korean personnel had arrived in Russia.

“This is our sovereign decision”, Putin said at a press conference, avoiding the subject.

“Whether we use it or not, where, how, or whether we engage in exercises, training, or transfer some experience.

“It’s our business”, he added.

Earlier, Rutte took part in the first-ever official NATO recognition of Pyongyang’s military forces operating in Russia.

He cautioned that North Korea has already shipped ballistic missiles and millions of rounds of ammunition to Moscow for use in Ukraine.

Rutte claims that President Putin has agreed to help North Korea evade UN sanctions by giving it military hardware and other support.

The partnership, he continued, was “undermining global peace and security”.

His warning that North Korean forces are in Kursk will frighten Western capitals.

In a post on X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote:

“North Korean soldiers are deployed to support Russia’s war of aggression.

“It’s a grave escalation in this war and a threat to global peace”.

The EU would “respond together with our like-minded partners”, she continued.

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