Intelligence reports indicate that North Korean forces have already taken up positions in Kursk, Russia. U.S. and Ukrainian officials assert that these troops will likely engage in major combat operations within days.
Reuters and AFP cited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, stating that 11,000 North Korean troops were stationed in Kursk, Russia.
Ukrainian intelligence units reportedly monitor North Korean troop movements in real time and brief Zelenskyy on the situation. If these claims are accurate, they suggest that the majority of the estimated 12,000 deployed troops are stationed at Kursk.
The U.S. government has corroborated the intel. During a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “As the Secretary (Secretary of State Antony Blinken – ed.) said on Friday, 8,000 North Korean troops had made their way to Kursk. We now assess that as many as 10,000 have made their way to Kursk.”
While local media and social media platforms have suggested that initial skirmishes between Ukrainian and North Korean forces may have already occurred, these reports remain unconfirmed. The U.S. State Department has not provided additional details on these claims.
Miller noted that there have been media reports suggesting that North Korean troops are engaged in combat. While the State Department is investigating this information, they cannot currently confirm these reports. He added that large-scale combat operations are expected to begin within days. He reiterated that it is highly probable these North Korean forces would confront Ukrainian troops, which would render them legitimate military targets.
Zelenskyy stated with concern, “We see an increase in North Koreans, but we don’t see any increase in the reaction from our partners.” He urged Western allies to take more decisive action.
Kursk, situated in southwestern Russia, shares a border with Ukraine. While it has mostly served as a defensive front, the Ukrainian forces captured some Russian territory in August through this front.
Reports suggest that Russia has redeployed some forces from the Donbas region to reclaim lost ground, but manpower shortages have hindered these efforts. The deployment of North Korean troops is likely a strategic move to bolster Russian defenses and potentially retake occupied areas in Kursk.
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