August M
North koreans now fighting in active combat roles
North koreans now fighting in active combat roles
North Korean troops seen guiding Russian strikes into Ukraine
Ukraine’s General Staff has released what it says is the first confirmed footage of North Korean soldiers directly assisting Russian forces, The Kyiv Independent reports.
In a video posted on Oct. 16, North Korean UAV operators appear to be guiding multiple-launch rocket system fire from Russia’s Kursk Oblast into Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast.
Footage recovered from downed drone, officials say
According to Ukraine’s military, the footage was obtained from a North Korean-operated reconnaissance drone shot down over Sumy Oblast.
The video, paired with a detailed explanation, marks the first publicly released evidence of North Korean soldiers attacking Ukrainian territory.
Nearly 11,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia
Russia reportedly requested military aid from North Korea following major losses in the region.
Around 11,000 North Korean troops were sent to Kursk Oblast after a call between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Their presence was first documented in October 2024 by Ukrainian, South Korean, and Western intelligence, according to The Kyiv Independent.
North Koreans used as ‘shock troops’ in Kursk fighting
Russia initially deployed these foreign troops in direct combat roles. Nearly half are believed to have died during intense counterattacks to retake territory lost to Ukraine in the 2024 incursion into Kursk, The Kyiv Independent reports.
Ukrainian forces later pulled back in May, but the area remained a key launch point for Russian strikes.
Russia turns to North Korea after failing in Sumy
With heavy manpower losses and repeated failures to advance in Sumy Oblast, Russian forces are again relying on North Korean troops. Ukraine’s General Staff noted that these soldiers are now involved in active combat roles as the offensive around Sumy nears collapse Reports kiev independet.
Border villages in Sumy remain under attack
Despite the weakening offensive, Russian forces continue to launch ground assaults and airstrikes against villages near Ukraine’s northern border.
Sumy Oblast has faced regular attacks in recent months, with Kursk used as a staging area for Russian operations.
Moscow and Pyongyang deepen military cooperation
Russia’s use of North Korean troops reflects growing ties between the two countries. In recent years, Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with ammunition and ballistic missiles.
In return, Russia has reportedly assisted North Korea with submarine development and Shahed-style drone technology.
Ukraine warns of expanding North Korean involvement
Ukraine’s military now sees North Korea not only as a supplier but as an active participant in Russia’s war.
“Due to critical manpower losses and the failure of the offensive operation in Sumy Oblast, Russian occupation forces continue to involve North Korean troops in active combat operations,” the General Staff said, The Kyiv Independent reports.
This article is made and published by auk1, which may have used AI in the preparation
