Ukraine Engages North Korean Troops in Russia's Kursk Region

Ukrainian troops have reportedly engaged with North Korean units for the first time in Russia's Kursk region, marking North Korea's direct involvement in the conflict. Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that North Korean soldiers are mixed with Russian troops, complicating identification. Up to 12,000 North Korean troops are expected to be deployed under a pact with Moscow, potentially altering European and Asian security dynamics. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to make gains in Ukraine's eastern regions, and Ukraine calls for stronger Western support.