The Biden administration announced on Thursday that about 8,000 North Korean soldiers are now stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, near the Ukrainian border. These troops are preparing to support Russian forces soon.
Zelenskyy Urges Pre-Emptive Action
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Ukraine’s allies to move beyond observation and take decisive action. He suggested a pre-emptive strike on training camps where North Korean soldiers are being prepared. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine knows the exact locations of these camps.
Despite this, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine cannot act alone. He said Ukraine needs permission from its allies to use Western long-range weapons for strikes inside Russia. “Instead, America is watching, Britain is watching, Germany is watching,” he stated on Telegram. “Everyone is waiting for the North Korean military to start attacking Ukrainians.”
Military Reports and Western Concerns
Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR) reported on Thursday that over 7,000 North Korean troops, armed with Russian weapons, had arrived near Ukraine’s border. The GUR revealed that these soldiers are being trained at five sites in Russia’s Far East, though they did not disclose how this information was obtained.
Western leaders view the deployment of North Korean troops as a serious escalation. They believe it could strain relations in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, they warn of potential technology transfers from Moscow to Pyongyang, which could enhance North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
Intense Russian Offensives Strain Ukrainian Forces
Shortly before Zelenskyy’s statement, Ukraine’s top commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, warned of “one of the most powerful offensives” by Russia since the invasion began in February 2022. Writing on Telegram after a meeting with a senior Czech military official, Syrskiy said Ukrainian forces face severe losses, requiring constant replenishment of resources.
While Syrskiy did not specify the battle locations, Russia has been waging a relentless offensive along Ukraine’s eastern front for several months. Ukrainian forces have steadily lost ground, but Russian forces have struggled to expel Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region, where incursions have occurred over the last three months.