Kyiv, Dec 16: Ukraine’s military intelligence agency claimed Monday that around 30 North Korean troops were killed or wounded in fighting against the Ukrainian army at the weekend in Russia’s Kursk border region.
The North Korean casualties occurred around three villages in Kursk, where Russia has for four months been trying to quash a Ukrainian incursion, the agency, known by its acronym GUR, said in a public post on the Telegram messaging app.
At least three North Korean servicemen went missing around another Kursk village, GUR said.
It was not possible to independently verify the Ukrainian claims, which are the first reports of North Korean casualties in the almost 3-year war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred questions about the claims to the Russian Defence Ministry, which didn’t comment.
North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to help it in the war, according to the Pentagon and Ukrainian officials.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged unwavering support for Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour under a mutual defence pact. Military analysts say the language barrier has bedeviled combat coordination between Russian and North Korean troops.
EU slaps sanctions on more Russian officials
The European Union on Monday imposed fresh sanctions on dozens of officials linked to Russia’s war on Ukraine, including two top North Korean defence officials, a military unit blamed for an attack on a Kyiv children’s hospital and the heads of companies in the energy sector.
Russia’s vast shadow fleet of ships that Moscow is exploiting to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas, or carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, was also targeted. Fifty-two vessels were added to a growing list of ships banned from European ports and deprived of services.
“This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russia’s war machine and those who are enabling this war, also including Chinese companies,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “We will stand by the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military.” In all, EU foreign ministers froze the assets of 54 people and 30 “entities,” which are usually companies, ministries, government agencies or other organisations. Travel bans were also imposed on officials.
The EU has slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine in February 2022. More than 2,300 officials and entities have now been impacted.
North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol was targeted for being directly involved in the military cooperation, including sending thousands of troops to Russia. Deputy Chief of the armed force’s General Staff, Kim Yong Bok, was also hit for going to Russia to supervise their deployment.
Several companies were also targeted this time, including Russian defense firms, a chemical plant and a civil Russian airline providing logistical support to the armed forces. Measures were also imposed on Chinese nationals accused of supplying drone parts and electronic equipment. (Agencies)
