North Korea has condemned Ukraine’s military operation within Russian territory, calling it an “unforgivable act of aggression and terror” orchestrated by the United States and the West.
State media KCNA reported on Sunday that North Korea views this action as a direct consequence of the U.S.’s “anti-Russia confrontational policy,” which is pushing the world closer to a third world war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that the bold military operation into Russia’s Kursk region, initiated on August 6, is intended to establish a buffer zone.
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This strategic move aims to forestall further assaults from Moscow across the border. This marks the first time Zelenskyy has explicitly articulated the objective of the mission, having previously described it as a measure to shield the neighboring Sumy region from ongoing shelling.
Zelenskyy said, “It is now our primary task in defensive operations overall: to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions. This includes creating a buffer zone on the aggressor’s territory -– our operation in the Kursk region,” he said in his nightly address.
Read: Russia Claims Ukrainian Forces Launched ‘Massive Attack’ On Its Territory
This weekend, Ukraine has significantly disrupted Russian supply lines with two key bridge strikes near the border. Both sides confirmed the first, on the Seim River near Glushkovo.
Less than two days later, Ukrainian and Russian officials also confirmed the second strike, although its exact location is still unverified. Pro-Kremlin bloggers acknowledge the first bridge’s destruction will hamper resupply efforts, though Moscow could still utilize pontoons and smaller crossings.
North Korea has significantly strengthened its relationship with Russia in the past year, highlighted by two summit meetings between their leaders. In June, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin signed a pact in Pyongyang on “comprehensive strategic partnership,” including a mutual defense agreement.
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The statement from North Korea’s foreign ministry, carried by KCNA, emphasized the country’s support for Russia in safeguarding its sovereignty. This comes amidst accusations from South Korea, Ukraine, and the U.S. that North Korea is supplying Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine, allegations that both North Korea and Russia deny.
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