Ukrainian troops clash with N. Korean units for the first time in Russia, official says

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This handout photograph taken and released by the Press service of the 24th mechanized brigade named after King Danylo of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on October 30, 2024 shows engineers of the brigade during the installation of anti-tank landmines along the frontline near in Donetsk region.

Ukrainian soldiers have clashed with North Korean units that were recently deployed to support Russia for the first time, Ukraine's defence ministry confirmed Tuesday. The fighting took place in Russia's Kursk border region.

Ukrainian troops have for the first time engaged with North Korean units that were recently deployed to help Russia in the war with its neighbor, Ukraine's defense minister said Tuesday.

Another Kyiv official said Ukraine's army fired artillery at North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk border region.

The comments were the first official reports that Ukrainian and North Korean forces have engaged in combat, following a deployment that has given the war a new complexion as it approaches its 1,000-day milestone.

Neither claim could be independently confirmed.

The Ukrainian and North Korean troops engaged in “small-scale” fighting that amounted to the start of Pyongyang’s direct involvement in Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told South Korea’s public broadcaster KBS in an interview.

Umerov reportedly said he expects that five North Korean units, each consisting of about 3,000 soldiers, will be deployed to the Kursk area.

He provided no further details.


Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:
Some 8,000 North Korean troops at Ukraine border could enter combat 'in coming days', US says
From isolation to battlefield: North Korean troops could face reality check in Ukraine
Kyiv announces new drive to mobilise 160,000 troops as Moscow advances

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