Ukraine's Zelenskyy Warns of North Korean Troops, Cancels UN Chief's Visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that North Korean troops could join the fight in Ukraine as early as this weekend. This news has sparked concerns among Western officials who fear it could escalate the war and have global repercussions. In response, Zelenskyy canceled a planned visit by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who was expected to visit Kyiv after attending a BRICS summit in Russia. Zelenskyy's intelligence reports suggest that North Korean soldiers may be deployed in combat zones between Sunday and Monday. This move is seen as a significant escalation by Russia, which has been facing challenges in its summer campaign along the eastern front. Despite Russia's progress, it has struggled to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk border region. Ukraine's intelligence agency, GUR, detected North Korean units in Kursk on Wednesday. These soldiers had been training in eastern Russia and were equipped for winter. GUR estimates that around 12, 000 North Korean soldiers, including officers and generals, have been sent by Pyongyang. However, no evidence was provided to support these claims.The Dutch Defense Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, also confirmed that intelligence reports indicate North Korean soldiers will likely be deployed in Kursk. The involvement of North Korean forces, under a military pact with Russia, adds a new dimension to the conflict. This war, the largest in Europe since World War II, has already resulted in tens of thousands of casualties. The U. S. has reported that 3, 000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia for training. Zelenskyy had previously warned that 10, 000 North Korean troops were being prepared to join the fight, which he believes could turn the conflict into a "world war. " North Korea has already been supplying ammunition to Russia, but deploying troops could complicate the war further. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought support from BRICS countries but has not confirmed or denied the presence of North Korean troops in Russia.