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North Korean Soldiers Seen Training in Russia for Possible Deployment to Ukraine
Seoul – North Korean soldiers have been filmed receiving uniforms and equipment at a military training ground in Russia’s far east, suggesting growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, as reported by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS). According to NIS, around 1,500 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia for military training, potentially preparing for deployment to the frontlines in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security shared a video with CNN, showing a long line of soldiers, believed to be North Korean, queuing for uniforms. Although the poor audio quality made it difficult to confirm, the soldiers were reportedly speaking in Korean. The video provides rare visual evidence of North Korean involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, confirming concerns raised by Ukrainian and Western officials.
Upon arriving in Russia, the North Korean recruits were asked to complete questionnaires detailing their uniform sizes, including hats, headgear, and shoes. CNN obtained a copy of the form, which featured Russian instructions and Korean size options. This reinforces earlier claims of logistical preparations for the North Korean soldiers’ integration into Russian military operations.
Another video, which has been geolocated to the Sergeevka Training Ground near Russia’s border with China, also surfaced on social media. In the footage, a Russian-speaking individual is heard saying, “we can’t film them,” and later, “there are millions of them here. Here are the new reinforcements. This is just the beginning.” These remarks further fuel speculation that North Korea may be playing an increasingly direct role in Russia’s war efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned of North Korea’s deepening military alliance with Russia. Speaking at a NATO summit earlier this week, Zelensky emphasized that “thousands” of North Korean soldiers were en route to Russia, describing it as an “urgent” development. “From intelligence that I have, they are preparing 10,000 soldiers, different soldiers, land forces, technical personnel,” Zelensky said, stressing the seriousness of the situation in his conversations with the United States.
Reports from South Korean media suggest that North Korea could send up to 12,000 troops in total, though the NIS has not officially confirmed this figure. This would mark the first significant international military intervention by North Korea, a country that, despite having one of the world’s largest standing armies with 1.2 million soldiers, has limited experience in foreign combat.
The apparent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia highlights the increasing military and strategic ties between the two nations. As the conflict in Ukraine drags on, this development could signal a shift in the dynamics of the war, with North Korea becoming a more active player on the global stage.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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