### Zelenskyy Urges Allies to Act as North Korean Troops Bolster Russia Amid Intense Fighting

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a call to Western allies to cease observing on the sidelines and take decisive action before North Korean troops, now deployed in Russia, reach the battlefield. This appeal coincides with what Ukraine's army chief describes as facing "one of the most powerful offensives" from Moscow since the conflict escalated over two years ago.

Zelenskyy hinted at the possibility of a preemptive strike on North Korean training camps inside Russia, asserting that Kyiv has identified their locations. However, he emphasized that Ukraine requires authorization from its allies to use Western-made long-range weaponry for such an operation. "But instead... America is watching, Britain is watching, Germany is watching. Everyone is just waiting for the North Korean military to start attacking Ukrainians as well," Zelenskyy stated on Telegram.

The Biden administration recently revealed that approximately 8,000 North Korean soldiers are now stationed in the Kursk region of Russia, close to Ukraine's border, and are expected to join Kremlin forces against Ukraine soon. Ukrainian military intelligence corroborated this, reporting that over 7,000 North Koreans, equipped with Russian weapons and gear, have been deployed to regions neighboring Ukraine. These troops, said to be trained at five locations in Russia's Far East, mark a significant escalation in the conflict.

The presence of North Korean troops has alarmed Western leaders, not just for its immediate military implications but for the potential long-term repercussions in the Asia-Pacific region. It could facilitate technology exchanges between Moscow and Pyongyang, ramping up threats from North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities.

Despite these concerns, Western leaders remain hesitant to permit Ukraine to use long-range weapons for strikes deep within Russian territory, citing limited missile supplies and other strategic considerations. The US has pointed out that Ukraine is already deploying its own long-range drones to target areas far into Russia. Meanwhile, Russia has intimated that such strikes would be seen as major escalations, with President Vladimir Putin warning of being "at war" with the US and NATO if approved.

General Oleksandr Syrskii, Ukraine's top commander, reported that Ukrainian troops are enduring heavy losses and are in dire need of resource replenishment as they contend with an intensified Russian campaign along the eastern front. Concurrently, Russian forces continue to pummel various regions of Ukraine, causing civilian casualties and significant infrastructure damage. Attacks in Kharkiv, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, along with a prolonged drone assault on Kyiv, underscore the ongoing severity of the conflict.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry noted a decline in the frequency of Russia's drone attacks, with fewer drones launched in October compared to the previous month. On the other side, Russia's defense ministry reported shooting down 24 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions and Crimea, though no casualties or damage were immediately reported.

As the conflict continues to escalate, Zelenskyy's plea for decisive action from Western allies remains unanswered, leaving Ukraine bracing for the impending involvement of North Korean troops in the already brutal war.