Russia recruits hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, FT reports
Russia has recruited hundreds of mercenaries from Yemen to fight in its war against Ukraine, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Nov. 24.
North Korea
North Korean missiles with Western parts fuel Russian attacks on Ukraine, CNN reports
In 2024, Russia launched around 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles, accounting for nearly one-third of the 194 ballistic missile strikes tracked by Ukraine’s Air Force.
Ukraine war latest: Russia likely used ballistic missile from 'Kedr' complex to strike Dnipro, intelligence says
Key developments on Nov. 22: * Russia likely used ballistic missile from 'Kedr' complex to strike Dnipro, intelligence says * Russia plans to launch mass production of Oreshnik missile, Putin says * North Korea received anti-aircraft missiles, oil from Russia in exchange for troops, reports say * Russia has deployed nearly 60,000 troops
North Korea received anti-aircraft missiles, oil from Russia in exchange for troops, reports say
South Korea's national security advisor Shin Won-sik on Nov. 22 said Moscow had provided Pyongyang with economic and military technology in exchange for the troops.
North Korea's Kim accuses US of stoking potential 'thermonuclear war'
The comments came on the same day that Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country had launched its "newest missile," an IRBM called "Oreshnik," in an attack on Dnipro, eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine's former commander-in-chief says Russia’s allies’ involvement signals global conflict
"What we've expected for so long has started. But I want to say that God Himself is giving a chance, not only to Ukraine but to the whole world, to have time to draw the correct conclusions now," Zaluzhnyi said.
High-ranking North Korean general injured in Ukrainian strike on Kursk, WSJ reports
A high-ranking North Korean general was wounded in a recent Ukrainian missile strike on Russia’s Kursk Oblast, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Nov. 21, citing undisclosed sources.
Russia, North Korea agree to increase charter flights following trade discussions, media reports
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.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine reportedly strikes Russia with Storm Shadow missiles for first time
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
Ukraine strikes Russia with Storm Shadows for the first time, Bloomberg reports
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.
North Korean troops in Russia to be led by secrecy-shrouded general close to Kim Jong Un, WSJ reports
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.
Biden meets Xi, condemns North Korean troops dispatch to Russia
"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 delivers 70 missile launchers, artillery systems to Russia's Kursk Oblast, FT reports
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.
Germany, China expected to discuss war in Ukraine, North Korean troops next week
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.
Biden, Xi to discuss China's support for Russia at upcoming summit in Peru
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.
US says North Korean troops join combat alongside Russia
"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 ratifies defense treaty with Russia
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.
NYT: Russia set to launch 50,000-strong offensive in Kursk Oblast, including North Koreans
Russia has amassed the 50,000 troops without pulling its soldiers out of the eastern front, according to a new U.S. assessment.
North Korean troops taking casualties in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Zelensky confirms
Kursk Oblast has seen heavy battles since Ukraine launched a cross-border offensive in early August.
NATO chief Rutte wants to discuss Russia-North Korea threat with Trump
"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.
South Korea 'not ruling out' supplying arms to Ukraine, president says
"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."
Trump, South Korean president discuss North Korean troops joining Russia's war
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.
Ukraine war latest: Kyiv confirms first battles between Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast
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
‘Trump wants to do everything he can to help Putin,’ McCain Institute head says
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
North Korean military involvement in Russia's war to be met with 'coordinated response,' G7 foreign ministers say
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.
Umerov confirms first battles between Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast
The clashes were small-scale, according to Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
North Korean FM meets with Putin in Moscow
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.
Ukraine war latest: Artillery supplies from partners for Kyiv have increased, Zelensky says
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
Number of North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast increases to 11,000, Zelensky says
"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.
EU's Borrell asks South Korea to 'set up' aid to Ukraine
"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 Korea receiving cash, food, space technology from Russia in return for soldiers, South Korean lawmaker says
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.
First North Korean troops come under fire in Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian official claims
Andrii Kovalenko did not provide any more details on the circumstances of the engagement or possible losses on the North Korean side.
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