Russia using North Korean troops in bid to reclaim Kursk: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Zelensky warns of Russian use of North Korean soldiers in Kursk region, as tensions escalate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Russia had begun deploying North Korean soldiers to storm Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region.

He spoke after Russian authorities said their firefighters were battling a blaze in the western Oryol region caused by a drone attack, with Ukraine saying it had hit a major oil terminal.

“Today, we already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults. A significant number of them,” said Mr. Zelensky in his evening address.

“The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region,” he said.

While so far they had only been deployed there, they might also be sent to other parts of the frontline, he said, adding: “There are also already noticeable losses in this category.”

Washington and Seoul have accused Pyongyang of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Moscow, after Russia and North Korea signed a landmark defence pact this summer.

The two U.S. foes have strengthened their military ties since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.