A senior North Korean general fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region was injured in a recent Ukrainian airstrike, Western officials confirmed on Thursday. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and other outlets, the general was among North Korean personnel stationed in the Kursk region, where over 10,000 North Korean troops are believed to be assisting Russian forces.

The identity of the wounded general has not been disclosed. His condition and the specific circumstances of the injury remain unclear, with Western officials providing limited details.

The Ukrainian strike that wounded the high-ranking official occurred during a series of attacks targeting Russian military assets, including command centers and ammunition depots, with Western-supplied long-range weaponry such as Army Tactical Missile Systems and Storm Shadow missiles.

The United States, a major provider of military aid to Ukraine, has earlier said that North Korean troops participating in Russia’s military operations are considered legitimate targets. This policy aligns with Western efforts to curtail external support for Russia and disrupt its military capabilities.

The wounding of the North Korean general comes at a time when Russia is attempting to regain control of areas in the Kursk region that were seized by Ukraine in recent months.