In what is believed to be unprecedented in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Western officials say a senior North Korean general was injured in a Ukrainian air strike. The general was in Russia’s Kursk region at the time.
U.S. officials believe there are at least 10,000 North Korean troops now deployed in that region, fighting alongside the Russians. The White House condemned Russia’s use of North Korean forces.
Western officials did not disclose how the high-ranking general was injured, just that he appears to be the first North Korean to be injured. This comes as Ukrainian forces launched at least 10 missiles into Kursk on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Russian President Vladimir Putin summoned the support of North Korean troops as the conflict with Ukraine has dragged on since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Military analysts say Russia needs the reinforcements to push back against Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region.
Recently, North Korea sent a senior officer to Russia to oversee the North Korean effort and coordinate with the Russians.
This news comes on the heels of a Russian attack on Ukraine that included a barrage of ballistic and cruise missiles hitting Eastern Ukraine this week. Two people were injured and several buildings sustained damage.
