Alarming: North Korean Soldiers Spotted in Eastern Ukraine

According to the Ukrainian agency Ukrinform, North Korean soldiers have reportedly arrived in Donetsk, although this claim has not yet been confirmed by other sources. Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, stated in a television interview that the North Korean military personnel are stationed in Russian-occupied areas of the Donetsk region. These troops, primarily from the engineering units, have not yet engaged in direct combat. Kovalenko noted that they are dressed in Russian uniforms and carry Russian documentation, blending in with local forces such as Kalmyks and Buryats. The Ukrainian government anticipates that about 10,000 North Korean troops may assist Moscow in repositioning its forces toward Kharkiv, raising concerns about the potential impact of their involvement.

The Ukrainian government has identified three North Korean generals allegedly accompanying the soldiers sent to support Russia. Although Russia has not denied the presence of North Korean troops in the conflict, the situation has led to heightened discussions about military aid. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, emphasized the urgency for more support during a phone call with US General Christopher Cavoli, NATO's commander in Europe. Syrskyi indicated that fierce fighting is currently ongoing along the entire front line and called for a decisive international response to the involvement of North Korean forces.

In response to the situation, both the US and South Korea have urged North Korea to withdraw its troops from Russia and Ukraine. Robert Wood, the US envoy to the UN, warned that any North Korean soldiers entering Ukraine in support of Russia would face dire consequences. According to South Korean and...