First clash between Ukrainian Armed Forces and DPRK soldiers

Ukrainian defenders had already participated in a clash with North Korean soldiers who had been transferred to Russia. It was “small-scale”.

According to RBC-Ukraine, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said this in an interview with KBS.

The defense minister noted that such a clash can be seen as the official beginning of North Korea's participation in the war against Ukraine.

However, Umerov clarified that the participation of North Korean soldiers in the fighting is not yet systematic.

According to the Defense Minister, since the North Korean troops were disguised as Buryats and mixed with the Russian occupiers, the exact number of casualties and prisoners must be verified before making accurate statements.

“We are recording contacts with North Korean forces, but we believe that there will be more clashes in a few weeks, and we will analyze and consider them accordingly,” the official emphasized.

He said that five North Korean battalions, each with about 3,000 soldiers, will operate on the front, which is about 1,500 kilometers long. Thus, the number of North Koreans in the Kursk region may increase to 15,000.

“The duration of the Russian exercises was a month, but now it has been reduced to a few days or a week so that North Korean troops can take part in combat operations,” Umerov added.

Author - Olena Madiak, 05/11/2024