Victory Chronicles-DAY 975

According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, the first units of the DPRK military, trained at eastern Russian training grounds, have arrived in the war zone. These soldiers were spotted in the Kursk region of Russia on 23 October. The DPRK army soldiers have been trained at five military training grounds in the east of Russia. It is estimated that there are currently around 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, including 500 officers and three Pyongyang generals. 

Moscow has appointed Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov to oversee the training and adaptation of the DPRK troops. The soldiers sent by Pyongyang are equipped with ammunition, winter clothing, bedding, and hygiene supplies. The Kremlin has high hopes for the North Korean component in the war against Ukraine and in global confrontation with the West.

Human rights activists have reported that at least 12 Ukrainian citizens are currently being held in Belarusian prisons on politically motivated criminal charges. These detentions have increased since the war in Ukraine began, with Ukrainians being detained, interrogated, and subjected to phone checks at the Belarusian border. The detainees are often accused of “cooperating with Ukrainian special services” and their actions are classified as “agent activity” and “espionage.” Trials for these Ukrainians are held behind closed doors, and the information provided is mostly propaganda stories. 

Yesterday, a Nova Poshta office in Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka in Donetsk region was attacked by russians, resulting in damage to the office and other commercial facilities. The attack caused a fire that spanned an area of 260 square metres, which was eventually extinguished by rescuers. During the rescue operations, two dead bodies were discovered and another person was injured. In order to complete the rescue and recovery efforts, a total of 2.1 tonnes of building structures were dismantled. The work has now been successfully completed.

Ukrainian paratroopers have shared a video of the destruction of enemy military equipment in the Kursk region of Russia. The 82nd Air Assault Brigade, along with other units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, have systematically eliminated the enemy’s vehicles, leaving behind only the remnants of what was once considered the ‘second army of the world.’ The video reveals a path filled with destroyed enemy vehicles, serving as a testament to their defeat. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to deny the presence of North Korean military personnel in Russia on October 24, amid official Ukrainian reports that the first North Korean military units arrived in Kursk Oblast on October 23. Ukraine’s Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reported on October 24 that the first units of North Korean personnel arrived in Kursk Oblast on October 23.

The GUR reported that the North Korean personnel trained at the Baranovsky military training ground in Ussuriysk, Primorsky Krai; the Donguz military training ground in Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia; the Yekaterinoslavsky military training ground in Yekaterinslavka, Amur Oblast; the 248th military training ground in Knyazye-Volkonskoye, Khabarovsk Krai; and the 249th military training ground in Primorsky Krai. The GUR reported that the Russian military spent several weeks coordinating with the North Korean military units. The GUR reported that North Korea has transferred roughly 12,000 North Korean personnel, including 500 officers and three generals, to Russia and that Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov is responsible for overseeing the training and adaptation of the North Korean military personnel. The GUR noted that the Russian military is providing ammunition and other personal kit to the North Korean personnel. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to a question at a press conference after the BRICS summit in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, regarding recently released South Korean intelligence satellite imagery reportedly showing North Korean troops in Russia. Putin wryly responded that “photos are a serious thing” and “reflect something.”

Putin reiterated the mutual defense article in the Russian-North Korean strategic partnership agreement with North Korea, announced in June 2024 and officially ratified by the Russian State Duma on October 24, 2024.

On 22 March 2024, Ukrainian defender Denys Nebrat, with the call sign Den, died while saving his wounded fellow fighter under enemy mortar fire  near the village of Klishchiyivka, Donetsk region. His comrade was saved, but Denys was not. The defender would have been 33 years old now.

Denys was born in the village of Hrushev, Kyiv region. He studied at the Rzhyshchiv Vocational School, where he became a driver. He was interested in tractors and wanted to work the land. In his spare time, he loved to go fishing. He lived with his family in the village of Pustovity, Kyiv region. Almost all his adult life he worked as a truck driver. His last job was at Myronivka Cereals and Feed Manufacturing Plant. 

After the start of the full-scale invasion, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and served as a machine gunner in the 135th Battalion of the 114th Separate Territorial Defence Brigade.

He received a number of awards for his service. In particular, he received the Golden Cross and the War Veteran medal.

‘My husband was very kind, he reached out to everyone, never refused to help anyone. Whatever he was asked, he always said: ‘No problem’ or “No problem”. All his comrades and platoon leader had nothing but good things to say about him. His commander said that Denys was a warrior in spirit. If there were more of them, we would have won,’ said the wife of the fallen defender. 

The defender was buried in the village of Pustovity, Kyiv region. Denys is survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents and older brother.

*Denys’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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