North Korean troops spotted in Russia, first clashes reported
Kim Jong Un's soldiers are reportedly already in the combat zone in Russia. The first clashes between North Korean troops and Ukrainians have occurred.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on Monday that, according to Alliance intelligence, troops from North Korea have been sent to Russia and deployed in the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.
On Monday, South Korean authorities reported the increasing involvement of North Korea in Russia's invasion of Ukraine to NATO countries, as well as to Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
First clashes with Ukrainian forces
Reports have emerged that North Korean soldiers clashed with the Ukrainian army on Friday. This was said to have taken place at 25th October in the Kursk region of Russia, which is under Russian control. These details were provided by Jonas Ohman, head of the well-known Lithuanian non-governmental organisation Blue/Yellow. The organisation has been assisting Ukrainian forces since 2014 and has access to first-hand information about the front line.
There are also rumours about the presence of North Korean troops in Ukraine, in occupied Donetsk. The military personnel were reportedly assisting the Russians in building fortifications there.
Kim Jong Bok has also arrived in Russia, a close associate of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. He will oversee the North Korean soldiers sent there, according to the Kyodo agency, citing a source in Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR).
