Ukrainian Forces Repel North Korean Assault in Kursk

Russia's Investigative Committee reported casualties from a Ukrainian missile attack on Rylsk, Kursk region, stating that the attack involved U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets. The acting governor Alexander Khinshtein claimed damage to civilian infrastructure and accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting non-combatants, while unverified reports suggested seven fatalities, including a child. Concurrently, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces confirmed the killing of 12 North Korean soldiers during a thwarted assault in Kursk, with additional claims of North Korean troop casualties exceeding 200 in recent engagements. The Pentagon corroborated the involvement of North Korean forces in combat operations alongside Russian troops. Both Russia and Ukraine continue to accuse each other of civil attacks, amid escalating tensions following the assassination of a Russian general. The ongoing conflict in the Kursk region highlights the complexities of foreign troop involvement and the humanitarian implications of the warfare.