Russia Deploys North Korean Troops to Kursk Battlefield, Zelensky Warns of Escalation

 Russia has begun deploying North Korean troops in significant numbers to join assaults on Ukrainian forces defending a key enclave in the Kursk region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Saturday.

The move marks a new development in the ongoing war, raising concerns about the potential impact of these reinforcements. Zelensky described the situation as a "new escalation" and called for a global response, particularly as Donald Trump’s return to the White House next month stirs speculation about a renewed push for peace talks.

“Today, we already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults. A significant number of them,” Zelensky said in his daily wartime address.

The North Korean soldiers are currently integrated into combined Russian units operating solely on the Kursk front. However, Zelensky noted that intelligence suggests their deployment could expand to other parts of the conflict zone.

Reports of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region first surfaced in October, with Kyiv later alleging clashes that resulted in casualties. Ukrainian estimates place the number of North Koreans at around 11,000, adding to Russia’s substantial forces.

Moscow has neither confirmed nor denied the presence of North Korean fighters on the battlefield. The move underscores the increasingly international dimension of the war, with external forces contributing to the escalation of hostilities.

As the situation unfolds, Zelensky’s call for global attention highlights the urgent need for international dialogue and action to address the shifting dynamics of the war in Ukraine.