North Korean Troops Reportedly Relocated to Russia's Belgorod Region

According to Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council official Andrii Kovalenko, North Korean troops assisting Russia in its war against Ukraine have been relocated to the Belgorod region, near Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast.

The presence of North Korean forces in Russia was initially reported in October, with U.S. intelligence confirming the deployment of thousands of Asian soldiers, though North Korea has denied the claims. Previously stationed in the Kursk region, the contingent is part of an 11,000-strong force allegedly aiding Moscow's military operations.

Belgorod Oblast borders Ukraine and is situated just north of Kharkiv, a key city in the ongoing conflict. Kovalenko stated via Telegram that "part of the military from the DPRK was transferred to the border area of the Belgorod region. There are none in the Kharkiv region."

Additionally, a source close to Ukraine’s military revealed that Kyiv has lost 40% of the territory it recaptured in Kursk during a surprise offensive last summer, underscoring the challenges faced in the contested areas.

source: Newsweek

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