Tsaplienko released footage of North Korean troops in training as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the first clashes between Ukrainian forces and the North Korean troops.
Tsaplienko shared unprecedented footage showing North Korean troops in the Kursk region, noting that the soldiers are undergoing mine and explosives training under Russian supervision. He mentioned that they are also learning Russian to improve communication with their commanders and that their training is set to conclude today. Intelligence indicates that they may be deployed to the Ukrainian front as soon as tomorrow.
The video shows soldiers, believed to be North Korean, dressed in Russian military uniforms, carrying rifles, and repeating a Russian word (likely to mean “weak”) after a Russian instructor.
Tsaplienko, a key figure in documenting the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has a background with media outlets in Kharkiv and Kyiv. His work earned national recognition in 2012 for his film Betrayed City, commemorating Ukraine’s liberation. His dedication to journalism has not come without risk; in 2014, he was assaulted by pro-Russian attackers while reporting in Sevastopol.
In a recent video address, Zelenskyy acknowledged these initial clashes between Ukrainian and North Korean forces, calling it “a new chapter in global instability.” He thanked international allies for their continued support. He urged global efforts to counteract Russia’s attempts to escalate the war, calling for the ultimate defeat of both Putin’s regime and North Korea’s involvement.
Zelenskyy’s statement corroborates earlier reports from Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation. Kovalenko had previously claimed that North Korean forces faced their initial combat in Russia’s Kursk region. Ukrainian officials clarify that these engagements have been limited in scale.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, in an interview with KBS, confirmed the occurrence of minor skirmishes. He projected that a significant number of North Korean troops would be deployed within weeks after completing their training. Umerov estimated that the total number of North Korean personnel either already integrated or soon to join Russian forces could reach up to 15,000.
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