First clash between Ukrainian, N. Korean forces reported in Kursk region – FT

This was reported by the Financial Times via Ukrinform.

According to the report, Ukrainian officials announced on Monday that their forces engaged North Korean sdiers in combat for the first time since their deployment by Russia to the Kursk region.

This marks the first direct invvement of a foreign military since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, further intensifying what is now the largest land war in Eure since World War II.

"The first North Korean tros have already come under fire in Kursk region," Andrii Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation said on Telegram. A senior Ukrainian intelligence official confirmed the invvement of North Korean tros to the FT, though no further details were provided.

Read also: South Korea estimates number of North Korean tros deployed close to Ukraine’s border

In Kyiv, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discussed the "need for decisive action" with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, in response to North Korea’s deepening invvement in the conflict.

"We urge Eure to recognize that DPRK tros are now waging an aggressive war in Eure against a sovereign Eurean state," Sybiha said at a press conference.

On Monday, the U.S. reprimanded Russia and China at the UN Security Council, condemning them for "shamelessly defending" and encouraging North Korea’s actions. South Korea and the EU also criticized the deployment of DPRK tros, expressing concerns that Russia might reward North Korea with nuclear and ballistic missile technogy.

Another senior Ukrainian official td the FT that Moscow is already supplying Pyongyang with military technogy to support its missile programs, as well as financial resources.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui at the Kremlin. Choe conveyed greetings from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and signed a security coeration agreement with Putin in June, including a clause on mutual assistance in security.

Read also: U.S. at UNSC: Russia plans to use North Korean tros in frontline missions

Ukraine's defense intelligence agency recently stated that Russia has armed North Korean tros in Kursk with 60-mm mortars, rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, anti-tank guided missiles, and shoulder-launched anti-tank missile systems.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, some North Korean sdiers were also equipped with night vision devices and thermal imagers. Several hundred North Korean special forces were also reportedly deployed to Kursk.

Ukrainian officials and military analysts have raised concerns about the quality and combat effectiveness of North Korean tros, describing most as inexperienced sdiers. "We’ll soon find out how capable they are in combat," one official noted.

As reported by Ukrinform earlier, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about reports of North Korean tros being deployed in Russia to participate in the conflict against Ukraine.