The Kremlin has dismissed claims that North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, labeling it as “fake news.” Ukraine’s Kyiv Post reported that six North Korean military officers were killed in a missile attack near Donetsk, with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun supporting the report.
Lieutenant Andriy Kovalenko of Ukraine’s center for countering disinformation stated that North Korean combat engineers were present in the Donetsk region, monitoring Pyongyang’s ammunition that Russia depends on. Experts believe North Korean missiles are being used in Ukraine by Russian forces, despite denials from both countries.
South Korea alleges that Pyongyang sent thousands of weapon containers to Russia for use in Ukraine, further solidifying military ties between North Korea and Moscow. The nuclear-armed North has openly strengthened its relationship with Russia, as demonstrated by a mutual defense agreement signed by President Vladimir Putin and leader Kim Jong Un.
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