Ukraine says it fought N Korean troops for first time

In a significant development, Ukraine has reported that its military has engaged in combat with North Korean troops for the first time. This revelation came from Ukraine's Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, during an interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS. He indicated that a small group of North Korean soldiers was involved in a confrontation. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who had previously criticized the West for its inaction regarding the presence of North Korean forces, stated that these initial clashes with North Korea could signify a new era of instability on a global scale. On the other hand, South Korea has expressed skepticism about the nature of the engagement, asserting that it does not believe there was direct combat between the two sides. Instead, they referred to it as an incident involving a limited number of North Korean soldiers near the frontline. According to Ukrainian estimates, approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are stationed in the Kursk border region, where Ukrainian forces maintain a presence. In recent weeks, intelligence reports from South Korea, the United States, and NATO have suggested that North Korean soldiers are actively participating in Russia's ongoing conflict. However, both Moscow and Pyongyang have yet to respond to these allegations. Andriy Kovalenko, Ukraine's top counter-disinformation official, initially reported on Telegram that North Korean military units had already come under fire in Kursk. Rustem Umerov confirmed this information during his interview, stating that he anticipates a significant number of North Korean troops will be involved in combat, although he emphasized that the encounters thus far have been limited and not indicative of full-scale warfare. Most of these soldiers are still undergoing training, wearing Russian uniforms, and receiving tactical instruction under various commands of the Russian army. Umerov estimated that five units, each comprising around 3,000 soldiers, would be deployed across the battlefield. He did not provide any details regarding potential casualties. In a daily video address, President Zelensky called upon Ukraine and the international community to unite in efforts to thwart Russia's attempts to escalate the conflict, which would also have implications for North Korea. The prospect of North Korean troops has raised alarms in South Korea, heightening tensions between the two nations. Last month, South Korea summoned Russia's ambassador, demanding the immediate withdrawal of North Korean forces from Ukraine and warning that it was contemplating the direct provision of arms to Ukraine. Analysts have speculated that North Korea could receive compensation or access to Russian military technology in exchange for its troop deployment. On Wednesday, Russian lawmakers are scheduled to vote on ratifying a mutual defense treaty with North Korea, a proposal first introduced in June. This treaty would commit both Russia and North Korea to support each other in the event of aggression against either nation.