Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that the initial skirmishes between Ukrainian forces and North Korean troops mark a significant escalation toward global instability. In a video address, Zelenskyy emphasized the critical nature of this development, urging the international community to take decisive action to prevent Russia’s attempts to broaden the conflict.
According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to nations that have condemned the deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia, stressing the importance of a robust and adequate response to this expansion of the conflict. His remarks followed a statement by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who informed South Korean broadcaster KBS about the “small scale” encounters with North Korean soldiers.
If verified, these engagements would represent the first military confrontations involving North Korean troops since allegations surfaced last month from South Korea, which claimed that Pyongyang had dispatch
ed thousands of soldiers to Russia. This move comes as Russia continues its prolonged and violent conflict with Ukraine, now nearing its 1,000th day.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry reported last Tuesday that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops have been stationed in Russia. Despite these claims, both North Korea and Russia have yet to comment on the situation, although the Kremlin has maintained its stance on the sovereign right to foster relations with Pyongyang.