Ukrainian forces have exchanged fire with North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region, near the border with Ukraine. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council in Kiev, said on Telegram that “the first North Korean troops have already been hit in Kursk.” No further information was provided.
At least 14 people were injured in a Russian missile attack on Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine. The city’s mayor, Igor Terekhov, said a missile hit a densely populated area and a supermarket in the Shevchenkiv district, located near residential buildings.
The Ukrainian capital was again targeted by Russian drones overnight. At least two unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down in the districts of Obolon and Desnyan. The wreckage of the drone destroyed in the Obolon district fell into an open space, while the debris of the other drone fell into Muromets Park, causing a fire. There is no information on injuries or casualties. The head of the city’s military administration, Serhiy Popko, said that Ukrainian air defenses had shot down all the drones launched by Russian forces against Kiev. “Another night with another attack on Kiev by Russian military drones. The enemy used already familiar tactics. But once again it did not reach the target,” Popko said.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has called for “thorough countermeasures” against “illegal” military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Yoon said the alliance poses a significant threat to Seoul’s national security. In a parliamentary speech, the President stressed:
“The recent international security situation and the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia pose a significant threat to our national security.” Yoon also said Seoul is strengthening its deterrence against the North’s nuclear threats through a strong alliance with the United States and trilateral cooperation with Japan. He promised to expand support for North Korean defectors and raise awareness of human rights in North Korea. Finally, details were presented on the budget for next year, amounting to 677.4 trillion won (about 509.7 billion U.S. dollars), highlighting priorities for the welfare of vulnerable groups and economic growth.
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