Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency reported that the two countries had agreed to boost charter flights. The agreement was confirmed by Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources, which noted that between January and September, over 5,000 tourists traveled between the two countries.
Key developments on Nov. 20: * Ukraine strikes Russia with Storm Shadows for the first time, Bloomberg reports * Biden approves delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in light of Russian gains in east * Ukrainian drones allegedly strike Russian factories, weapons arsenal * North Korean troops in Russia to be led by secrecy-shrouded
According to the source, the strikes were approved as a response to the presence of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, a sign of escalation by Russia.
Kim Yong Bok, officially the Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff, is expected to oversee the integration of North Korean troops into Russian forces, gain combat experience, and establish a framework for future deployments, the Wall Street Journal reports.
"President Biden condemned the deployment of thousands of (North Korean) troops to Russia, a dangerous expansion of Russia’s unlawful war against Ukraine with serious consequences for both European and Indo-Pacific peace and security," the White House statement read.
North Korea has provided Russia with 50 domestically produced self-propelled howitzers and 20 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), the Financial Times (FT) reported on Nov. 16, citing a Ukrainian intelligence assessment.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chinese President Xi Jinping plan discuss the war in Ukraine and involvement of North Korean troops in the fighting during the upcoming G20 Summit in Brazil next week, German media reported on Nov. 15.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to voice his "deep concern" regarding China's "support for Russia's war against Ukraine" and North Korea's participation in combat operations.
"Today I can confirm that over 10,000 (North Korean) soldiers have been sent to eastern Russia, and most of them have moved to the far western Kursk Oblast, where they have begun engaging in combat operations with Russian forces," spokesperson Vedant Patel said.
North Korea has formalized a mutual defense treaty with Russia, according to state media reports on Nov. 12. The agreement commits both nations to come to each other's aid in the event of an armed attack.
Russia has amassed the 50,000 troops without pulling its soldiers out of the eastern front, according to a new U.S. assessment.
Kursk Oblast has seen heavy battles since Ukraine launched a cross-border offensive in early August.
"We have to work together. So I look forward to sitting down with Donald Trump to discuss how we can face these threats collectively, what we need to do," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
"Now, depending on the level of North Korean involvement, we will gradually adjust our support strategy in phases," South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told the media. "This means we are not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons."
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a phone call on Nov. 7 after the former won the U.S. presidential election, discussing future cooperation.
Key developments on Nov. 5: * Umerov confirms first battles between Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast * Ukrainian Legion in Poland reportedly receives over 500 applications in a month * North Korean military involvement in Russia's war to be met with 'coordinated response,' G7 foreign ministers say * 'Zelensky wants
Evelyn Farkas, head of the McCain Institute — a U.S.-based think tank named after the late Republican Senator John McCain — fears the return of Donald Trump as president of the U.S. would be the worst-case scenario for Ukraine. The best-case scenario for Ukraine would be a full sweep
Besides the G7 members, including the U.S., Japan, Italy, the U.K., Germany, France, Canada, and the High Representative of the European Union, the statement was also signed by South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
The clashes were small-scale, according to Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Nov. 4, as Choe's state visit of Russia continues.
Key developments on Nov. 4: * Artillery supplies from partners for Ukraine have increased, Zelensky says * Ukraine open to Qatar mediating energy security with Russia, says no talks currently ongoing * Number of North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast increases to 11,000, Zelensky says * 63% of Ukrainians ready to endure the
"We see an increase in the number of North Koreans, and we do not see an increase in the reaction of our partners," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address.
"Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an existential threat. The Republic of Korea is best positioned to understand it," Josep Borrell said on X after meeting South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun.
North Korean soldiers are believed to receive $2,000 per month for their service from Russia, adding up to a total of at least $200 million annually if calculated by 10,000 soldiers, Wi Sung-lac, a member of the South Korean parliamentary intelligence committee, told The Korea Herald.
Andrii Kovalenko did not provide any more details on the circumstances of the engagement or possible losses on the North Korean side.
"This would represent a very dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. Everything must be done to avoid any internationalization of this conflict," Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Nov. 3.
Key developments on Nov.2-3: * Ukraine facing one of Russia's 'most powerful' offensives since start of all-out war, Syrskyi says * North Korean soldiers sent to Ukrainian border equipped with standard infantry weapons, military intelligence says * Locations of Ukrainian weapons systems revealed on Google Maps, official says * Russia launched around 900
Beijing was fast at claiming that it had no knowledge of Russia's deepening partnership with North Korea. The U.S. had jumped on the opportunity, hoping to pressure China to dissuade North Korea from taking an active part in Russia's war against Ukraine. Observers, however, are skeptical about China's signals,
According to Ukraine's military intelligence, North Korean soldiers received 60-mm mortars, AK-12 rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, Feniks anti-tank guided missiles, and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers.
Zelensky said that if granted permission to use Western long-range weapons on Russian territory, Ukraine could preemptively target "every camp" in Russia where North Korean troops are gathering.
"And we also assure that until the day of victory we will firmly stand alongside our Russian comrades," North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said during talks with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.
Key developments on Nov. 1: * US announces new military aid package worth $425 million * Ukrainian drone targets oil depot in Stavropol Krai, Russian governor claims * Russia seizes more territory over past week than at any point in 2024, Bloomberg reports * Russian drone strikes on Ukraine soared to record monthly levels
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