Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that North Korean troops have reappeared in Russia’s Kursk region, reinforcing Russian forces. The deployment comes after reports that Moscow had previously withdrawn them due to significant casualties.
Over 10,000 North Korean Troops Deployed
According to South Korean and Western intelligence, more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia last year. Their role was to help Russia counter Ukraine’s unexpected offensive into the border region.
However, Ukrainian forces reported no recent clashes with North Korean troops for the past three weeks, leading to speculation about their withdrawal.
Renewed Fighting in Kursk
Zelensky confirmed that new assaults were taking place in the Kursk operation areas, with Russian and North Korean troops actively engaged again.
“A significant number of enemy troops have been destroyed. We are talking about hundreds of Russian and North Korean soldiers,” Zelensky stated in his evening address.
Ukraine Holds Captured Russian Territory
Ukraine launched its Kursk offensive six months ago, successfully capturing dozens of Russian border settlements. This marked the first time a foreign army had crossed into Russian territory since World War II.
Despite North Korean reinforcements, Ukraine still holds Russian territory, which Zelensky sees as a bargaining advantage in future negotiations with Moscow.
Moscow and Pyongyang Remain Silent
Neither Russia nor North Korea has officially acknowledged the deployment of North Korean troops, maintaining strategic silence over their military involvement.
