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
North Korean soldiers are usually trained to fight in mountainous terrain, which means they are not familiar with Ukrainian territory, its climate, and geography, Estonia's intelligence said.
In a lengthy post on social media on Oct. 31, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to develop "concrete solutions" to provide additional supports for Ukraine as North Korean troops prepare to engage Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. North Korean soldiers were deployed to Kursk Oblast in late October in
Key developments on Oct. 31: * Russia confirms North Korea's involvement in war to West, Zelensky says * 8,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk Oblast, Blinken says * Ukraine has received just 10% of US aid approved by Congress earlier this year, Zelensky says * Kyiv still waiting for MiG-29
There have been no clashes between the North Korean and Ukrainian military so far, Antony Blinken said, adding that they can happen "in the coming days."
Russia has confirmed to the West that North Korea is taking an active part in the war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the South Korean KBS TV channel published on Oct. 31.
The top officers include two deputy chiefs of North Korean General Staff: Colonel General Kim Yong Bok, who oversees special forces, and Ri Chang Ho, who is in charge of the Reconnaissance Directorate, North Korea's spy agency, Kyslytsya said.
"The evidence now suggests the that North Korea has sent about 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Oct. 30. "And some of these DPRK troops have already moved closer to Ukraine, and we are seeing them outfitted with Russian uniforms and provided with Russian equipment."
Key developments on Oct. 30: * North Korean soldiers 50 km from Ukraine's border, including special forces, FT reports * Ukraine should strike back if North Korean troops cross into its territory, Biden says * No confidentiality between partners — Zelensky calls out White House over Tomahawk missiles leak * Kremlin denies Russia-Ukraine talks on
A few hundred of those are special forces, with the rest being regular troops, one source said.
Seoul has not received such a request from the Ukrainian side, and the matter is not under consideration, a source in the Presidential Office told the South Korean news agency.
In a separate news briefing on Oct. 28, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder said a "relatively small number" of North Korean troops are already in Kursk Oblast.
United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has been urging China, which maintains relations with North Korea, to put pressure on Pyongyang to withdraw North Korean troops from Ukraine's front line, CNN reported on Oct. 29, citing a U.S. official.
Key developments on Oct. 29: * Russia claims capture of Selydove, Kyiv hasn't confirmed * Small number of North Korean troops already in Ukraine, CNN reports * Zelensky asked US for Tomahawk missiles in secret clause of victory plan, NYT reports * South Korean delegation to visit Ukraine to share information on North Korean
"It seems that a good many of them are already in action," one of the officials told CNN, referring to the North Koreans.
Another week of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has gone by, and Moscow has crossed yet another line with its aggression against Western targets. This time, the violation came in the form of a parcel bomb in the hold of a German aircraft. The device exploded on the ground at
During the phone call, the presidents agreed to "strengthen the sharing of intelligence and expertise and to intensify contacts on all levels, including on the highest level, to develop a response strategy and a list of countermeasures," the Ukrainian president said.
