North Korea to Send 5,000 Troops to Kursk Amid Rising Casualties in Ukraine
North Korea is dispatching 5,000 personnel to Kursk as casualties mount for its forces in Ukraine. Emmanuel Macron condemned Putin’s attacks on Kyiv at the G7 summit, where Trump’s absence stirred European frustration. Russian missile strikes resulted in deaths and injuries in Ukraine. Australia has implemented sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet supporting the war.
According to reports from Russian news agencies, North Korea is planning to send a sizable contingent of people to the Kursk region. This includes a division of builders and two military brigades, totaling around 5,000 personnel alongside 1,000 demining specialists. Sergey Shoigu, who leads Putin’s security council, was in Pyongyang when this news broke. The British defense ministry previously stated that out of 10,000 North Korean soldiers already deployed, around 6,000 have suffered casualties since joining the fight in Ukraine.
In a related development, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized President Putin for allegedly taking advantage of the global political climate to escalate attacks on Kyiv. “It shows the complete cynicism of President Putin, who is using the international context to step again attacks against civilians,” Macron asserted during a G7 summit in Canada. This week, the U.S. State Department confirmed a U.S. citizen was killed in the recent offensive on the Ukrainian capital.
Trump’s early exit from the summit has left feelings of abandonment among Ukraine’s leaders, notably President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The atmosphere among European officials is tense, with one remarking, “It is a permanent hazard that Ukraine is a victim of events and Trump’s short attention span.” Before the summit, there were hopes for discussions about U.S. arms shipments to Ukraine; however, Trump’s complaints about funding implications for the U.S. budget have shifted the conversation.
As discussions continued among the remaining “G6” leaders, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a ceasefire, stating: “We are ready for the peace negotiations, unconditional ceasefire. I think it’s very important. But for this, we need pressure [on Russia].” Contrasting Trump’s perspective, which downplays the urgency of U.S. sanctions against Russia, the G7 leaders maintain a unified stance against the aggression in Ukraine.
Tragically, the recent Russian missile strike has devastated a section of an apartment building in Kyiv. Reports indicate that at least 18 people lost their lives, and over 150 were wounded in this attack. The strikes hit multiple locations across Ukraine, with a significant number of casualties reported in the capital and in Odesa. Viktorija Vovchenko, a witness, expressed her horror at the devastation: “I have never seen anything like this before. It is simply horrific.”
In a diplomatic response, Australia has joined its allies in imposing sanctions on what has been termed the Russian “shadow fleet,” which operates under the radar to support illegal trade and circumvent economic restrictions. Foreign Minister Penny Wong remarked on the deceptive methods employed: “The shadow fleet enables the illicit trade of Russian oil and other sanctioned goods.” This act marks Australia’s first instance of such measures against Russian operations.
In summary, North Korea is set to send a substantial force to the Kursk region amidst ongoing struggles in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Macron’s comments highlight the stark criticism of Putin’s actions during the G7 summit, especially after Trump’s controversial exit. Additionally, the recent missile strikes in Kyiv have led to tragic loss of life and significant destruction. Australia’s sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet also showcase a growing international effort to counter Moscow’s war strategies.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
