Russia confirms deployment of North Korean troops in Ukraine war
Moscow: In a major development, Russia has officially acknowledged the deployment of North Korean troops fighting alongside its forces in the ongoing Ukraine war.
Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, confirmed the participation of North Korean fighters while briefing President Vladimir Putin on the "complete liberation" of the Kursk border region. According to Russian state media outlets TASS and Ria Novosti, Gerasimov specifically highlighted the "role of North Korean servicemen" in the conflict.
"I want specially to note the participation of servicemen of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in liberating border areas of the Kursk region ... in accordance with the Treaty on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries," Gerasimov said, referring to North Korea by its official name.
This marks the first time a Russian official has publicly acknowledged the involvement of North Korean troops in the war. North Korea, however, has not issued any official confirmation regarding the deployment.
Gerasimov further stated that North Korean soldiers have been "accomplishing combat objectives shoulder to shoulder" with Russian forces, demonstrating "high professionalism, endurance, courage, and heroism" during combat operations.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, also commented on the development, acknowledging the presence of North Korean troops. "Gerasimov reported that North Korean fighters, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Russian soldiers in the Kursk Region, demonstrated resilience and heroism. We will never forget our friends," she said in a Telegram post, as reported by Sputnik.
Meanwhile, South Korean and U.S. intelligence estimates suggest that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Ukraine’s front lines since October last year. Reports indicate that about 4,000 of these soldiers have been wounded, and an additional 3,000 troops may have been sent earlier this year.
The deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea were formalized during a summit last June, where President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive partnership treaty. The agreement commits both nations to provide military support "without delay" if either comes under attack.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
11 more bodies retrieved from Arunachal accident site
Itanagar (PTI): Eleven more bodies were retrieved on Saturday from the deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district, where a mini-truck on which 22 labourers from Assam were travelling fell, an official said.
With this, 17 bodies have been recovered from the accident site, Anjaw's deputy commissioner Milo Kojin said.
He said three more bodies will be brought out on Sunday.
The operation, being conducted by a joint team of the NDRF and Army, resumed at 6 am.
ALSO READ: Traffic fraud: Fake 'no-entry' sticker racket busted in Delhi, mastermind among 3 held
"The retrieval process was extremely difficult because of the treacherous terrain, and the gorge is very deep," Kojin said.
The operation was suspended around 4 pm due to low visibility and will be resumed on Sunday morning, he said.
"One person is still missing, and a search operation will be carried out tomorrow," he added.
The accident happened on the evening of December 8, around 40 km from Hayuliang towards Chaglagam in the district. On the evening of December 10, one survivor managed to climb out of the gorge and reach a nearby Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) labour camp, following which the authorities were alerted.
Six bodies were recovered from the gorge on Friday and handed over to their families on Saturday.
