Ukraine Accuses North Korean Troops Of Operating Reconnaissance Drones Over Its Territory

Illustration of drones. (Wikimedia Commons/Sr

JAKARTA - Russia-based North Korean forces operated drones across the border into Ukraine on reconnaissance missions, the Ukrainian military said on Thursday, the first time Kyiv reported the role of the battlefield for North Korea in months.

In a statement on Facebook, Ukraine's General Staff said North Korean units are now operating drones from the Kursk region to find Ukrainian military positions, helping target rocket attacks in the Sumy region adjacent to Ukraine.

"Ukraine Defense Forces have intercepted communications between North Korean drone operators and Russian army personnel," he said.

Thousands of North Korean troops fought last year alongside Russian troops in Russia's Kursk region against Ukrainian forces who launched their biggest attack on Russia in the war.

Ukraine later said North Korean troops were withdrawn after suffering heavy casualties. Ukrainian troops were pushed out of Kursk in March this year and have not reported being involved in fighting with North Korean troops on the battlefield since then.

North Korea and Russia have signed a joint defense pact and stepped up military cooperation in the past two years.

Ukraine and South Korea estimate Pyongyang will deploy more than 10,000 troops to fight against Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and military technology.

Earlier, South Korea's Defense Minister said on Monday North Korea may have received technical assistance from Russia for the development of its submarines.