What's happened
North Korean military units have been confirmed deployed to Russia's Kursk region, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This development follows Ukrainian incursions into Russian territory and raises concerns about the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Alisha Rahaman Sarkar from The Independent, North Korean troops have been confirmed in the Kursk region, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stating this is a sign of Putin's growing desperation. Rutte emphasized that this deployment represents a significant escalation in the conflict. Meanwhile, the Moscow Times reported on Rutte's comments regarding the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, highlighting the potential threat to global security. Axios noted that the Pentagon has acknowledged the deployment, indicating that North Korean soldiers could soon see combat against Ukrainian forces, which raises serious concerns about the evolving dynamics of the war.
How we got here
The conflict in Ukraine has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Recent Ukrainian military actions have prompted Russia to seek additional support, leading to North Korea's involvement as a military ally.
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Mark Rutte is a Dutch politician serving as Prime Minister of the Netherlands since 2010 and Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy since 2006.
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.