North Korean soldiers suffered significant casualties trying to probe Ukrainian defenses in Kursk

North Korean troops clashed with Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. This most likely occurred in an attempt to probe the Ukrainian defense line in the region, The New York Times reports.

It is noted that this battle in the Kursk region was limited and not large-scale.

The information about the clash between the Ukrainian and North Korean military was confirmed to the American press by a senior US official and a Ukrainian official on condition of anonymity.

The Ukrainian official told the New York Times that the clash was likely intended to test the Ukrainian line for weaknesses.

The Ukrainian official added that the DPRK soldiers were fighting alongside Russia's 810th Separate Marine Brigade.

However, it was not specified when exactly the battle took place.

A US official told The New York Times that a significant number of North Korean troops were killed in the clash.

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who had earlier condemned the West's lack of response to the North Korean troops, said these "first battles with North Korea open a new chapter of instability in the world". Ukraine says an estimated 11,000 North Korean soldiers were in the Kursk border region, where Ukrainian troops have a foothold.

In recent weeks, South Korean and US intelligence as well as Nato have said that they have seen evidence of North Korean troops being involved in Russia's war.

In an interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS, Rustem Umerov confirmed this, saying he expects a "significant number" of the North Korean troops to be engaged in combat, though he added it was "so far just small contacts, not full-scale engagement". Most of them are still undergoing training, he added.