Kyiv launches new mobilization effort Amid Russian advances in estern Ukraine

Kyiv has announced a fresh mobilization drive on Tuesday, coinciding with Moscow’s declaration of capturing the strategic mining hub of Selydove.

This development comes as concerns mount over North Korea’s military support for Russia, with the U.S. confirming that North Korean troops are present in Russia’s Kursk region and warning that thousands more are en route.

The capture of Selydove, a town with a population of approximately 21,000, marks another significant achievement for Russian forces, who have been advancing steadily in the Donetsk region amid ongoing drone and rocket assaults. Many residents have fled the area, seeking safety from the escalating violence.

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Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder reported that a “small number” of North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have maintained control since summer. He added, “We have information that a couple thousand more (North Korean troops) are either almost there or due to arrive imminently,” highlighting the growing military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Amid these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, agreeing to strengthen cooperation to address the mounting challenges on the battlefield. With deepening manpower shortages plaguing Ukraine, the government is embroiled in a contentious debate over how to effectively bolster its military ranks.

On Tuesday, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security Council, informed Parliament that the army aims to recruit an additional 160,000 personnel over the next three months. This mobilization effort underscores the urgent need for reinforcements as Ukraine faces increased pressure from Russian offensives.

In addition to Selydove, Moscow has claimed control of surrounding villages, including Bogoyavlenka, Girnyk, and Katerynivka, which President Vladimir Putin declared as part of Russia following the invasion in late 2022. The recent gains reflect a worrying trend of Russian advances that have accelerated since the collapse of Ukrainian defenses in the critical stronghold of Avdiivka earlier this year, raising alarms in Kyiv and among its Western allies.