Media: Top North Korean general injured in Ukrainian strike on Russia’s Kursk

A senior North Korean general has reportedly been injured in a Ukrainian strike in Russia’s western Kursk region, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal citing Western officials.

This marks the first time that Western sources have acknowledged a high-ranking North Korean military officer being injured in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Caliber.Az reports.

The incident follows North Korea’s deployment of over 10,000 troops to Russia last month to assist with the invasion.

The officials did not disclose the identity of the general or the extent of their injuries.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that there had been casualties among the North Korean forces fighting in the Kursk region.

During a press briefing, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated that while she could not independently verify the report, she emphasised that given the location of North Korean troops, they are "absolutely a fair target."

She added, "We absolutely expect them to be engaged in the fight."

Notably, Pentagon has confirmed that approximately 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia's Kursk Oblast, where they are receiving training from Russian forces in various military tactics, including infantry operations, unmanned aerial vehicle handling, artillery, and trench-clearing. US officials speculate that these North Korean forces may be deployed to bolster Russian military efforts, potentially replacing losses sustained in ongoing combat operations.

Pentagon spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, stated that should these North Korean troops engage in combat against Ukrainian forces, they would be considered legitimate military targets, in line with comments from US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III. The situation is being closely monitored, but no direct evidence has emerged yet to support claims of North Korean involvement in active combat.

Additionally, Ryder provided an update on US military deployments to the Central Command region. This includes the arrival of B-52 bombers and other assets such as ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadrons, and B-52 bombers. These movements align with US commitments to defending American citizens and forces in the Middle East, supporting Israel, and promoting de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy.

These military actions highlight the US commitment to rapidly responding to evolving global security threats. Ryder emphasized that if Iranian forces or their proxies target American interests, the US will take necessary actions to protect its personnel.

By Aghakazim Guliyev