Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that North Korean troops have re-entered the frontline in the Kursk region, joining Russian forces in renewed attacks. According to Zelenskyy, “hundreds” of enemy soldiers have been killed in the ongoing clashes. This development marks a significant escalation in the conflict, as North Korea had previously withdrawn its forces from the region following heavy losses.
Reports suggest that Pyongyang dispatched over 10,000 soldiers last year to support Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. The return of North Korean troops to the frontline underscores the deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, raising concerns among international observers about the broader implications for regional and global security.
Meanwhile, Russia has claimed control of Toretsk, a strategically important mining town in eastern Ukraine. However, Ukrainian officials have denied that Russian forces have achieved full control of the area, indicating that fierce fighting continues. The battle for Toretsk is part of a broader struggle for dominance in the resource-rich Donbas region, which has been a focal point of the conflict since 2014.
