North Korean involvement in the Ukraine-Russia conflict has intensified, with reports of over 3,000 North Korean soldiers killed or wounded in the Kursk region. South Korea estimates 1,100 casualties among North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces. Pyongyang is reportedly preparing to deploy additional soldiers. North Korea has been supplying Russia with military equipment, including suicide drones and artillery, raising global concerns. The military cooperation between Russia and North Korea has increased since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, formalized by a defense pact signed in June.
Amid these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico for maintaining ties with Moscow, suggesting it aids Russia's war efforts. Fico's discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about future gas supplies to Slovakia have stirred controversy. Meanwhile, Russia continues its offensive in Ukraine, capturing territories in the Donetsk region.
The conflict's dynamics are further complicated by discussions on military support and diplomatic tensions, as Ukraine seeks more aid from its allies to counteract the collaboration between Russia and North Korea, which poses a significant threat to regional and international stability.
