Ukra "North Korean troops deployed to Kursk province, mainland Russia"

The first Russian-trained North Korean troops were deployed to Kursk province on the 23rd local time, the Ukrainian military intelligence bureau claimed.According to the Reuters news agency

, the intelligence bureau said on the 24th that about 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including three generals and 500 officers, are in Russia.

Kursk, in southwestern Russia, is an area where Ukrainian forces entered on August 6 and seized some territory and are fighting Russian forces.

Kirillo Budanow, head of the Ukrainian military intelligence bureau, said in various media interviews on the 22nd that North Korean troops will be deployed to Kursk on the 23rd, and that North Korea has agreed to send troops, including three generals and 500 officers, to support Russia.

Earlier, Kyodo News, citing Ukrainian military sources, reported that about 2,000 North Korean soldiers had completed training and were on their way to western Russia, close to the Ukrainian border.