Not only in the Kursk region: soldiers from the DPRK have been spotted in another region of Russia – WP

North Korean troops are present not only in the Kursk region, as previously reported, but also in the neighboring Belgorod region. Presumably, Russia plans to keep North Korean units on the second line of defense in these regions to free up its own forces for fighting in Donbas.

Yuriy Fedorenko, commander of the Ukrainian Achilles battalion of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, said this in an interview with The Washington Post. He noted that intelligence reports indicate the presence of North Korean troops not only in Kursk but also in Belgorod region.

According to him, these troops could be used to strengthen the second line of defense near Belgorod, which would allow Russian troops to be redeployed to Donbas.

The Washington Post spoke with more than a dozen Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Kursk and Kharkiv regions, and they expressed concern about the possible involvement of DPRK troops in the war.

Valentyn Levada, 36, a fighter with the 82nd Brigade's unmanned systems unit, suggests that Ukrainian soldiers may soon face the Korean military in direct combat. He also noted that taking North Korean soldiers prisoner is likely to be difficult.

"We can face [DPRK troops – Ed.] directly if there is a quick breakthrough. I assume it will be difficult to take them prisoner," he said.

According to US intelligence, there are currently about 10,000 DPRK army personnel in the Kursk region. It is assumed that the Kremlin plans to use them to reinforce Russian forces trying to drive the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the area around Sudza.

As OBOZ.UA reported, earlier the President of Ukraine blamed his partners for the lack of reaction to the DPRK's participation in the war with Ukraine. According to him, Putin is testing the West's reaction to his actions, and if it is the same as during the seizure of Crimea, the aggressor will go further, increasing the North Korean contingent.

Earlier it was reported that the DPRK military, who were sent to the war in Ukraine, are headed by the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the North Korean Army Kim Yong Bok.

At an emergency meeting of the North Atlantic Council, South Korea provided NATO representatives with the main facts of military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK.

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