North Korean soldiers have clashed with Ukrainian troops for the first time, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the incident in an interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS, stating that a “small group” of North Korean soldiers had been involved in a confrontation with Ukrainian forces.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the lack of response from the West, calling the clash the beginning of a “new chapter of instability” in the world. He warned that these first battles with North Korea could have far-reaching consequences for global security.

However, South Korea’s government has played down the severity of the incident, with Seoul officials stating they do not believe that direct combat took place. Instead, they described the event as an “incident” involving a small number of North Korean troops near the frontline. Despite this, tensions are rising, as Ukraine claims that up to 11,000 North Korean soldiers are stationed in the Kursk border region, where Ukrainian forces have a presence.

Reports from South Korean, U.S., and NATO intelligence agencies over the past few weeks have pointed to the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. While Moscow and Pyongyang have not directly addressed these allegations, the situation has raised concerns internationally.

The first reports of North Korean military involvement came from Andriy Kovalenko, Ukraine’s top counter-disinformation official, who posted on Telegram that North Korean units had come under fire in the Kursk region. Umerov confirmed these reports, stating that while the encounters so far have been minor, a “significant number” of North Korean troops are expected to be deployed in combat in the future. He noted that many of the troops are still undergoing training in Russia and are being integrated into Russian military units.

According to Umerov, the North Korean soldiers, who are reportedly wearing Russian uniforms, are being trained in tactics and deployed under Russian command on the front lines. He mentioned that about five units, each consisting of roughly 3,000 soldiers, are expected to be involved in operations.

Although no casualties have been reported, the involvement of North Korean troops is raising alarm both in Ukraine and internationally. In a daily video address, Zelensky called on Ukraine and its allies to ensure that this “Russian step toward expanding the war” would fail for both Russia and North Korea.

The situation has also sparked diplomatic tensions, with South Korea having summoned Russia’s ambassador last month to demand the withdrawal of North Korean troops. In addition, Seoul has warned that it may consider directly supplying arms to Ukraine in response to this growing involvement.

Analysts suggest that Pyongyang could be compensated for its support with Russian military technology or other incentives. On Wednesday, Russian lawmakers are set to vote on a mutual defense treaty with North Korea, further solidifying the alliance between the two countries.

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and one of Donald Trump’s most prominent supporters, is poised to reap the rewards of Trump’s return to the White House following his re-election. Musk, who has been a vocal backer of the former president, spent election night with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, watching the results as they came in.

“The people of America gave @realDonaldTrump a crystal clear mandate for change tonight,” Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter) as Trump’s victory became increasingly evident. During his victory speech at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Trump took several moments to praise Musk, highlighting the success of SpaceX’s rocket landings, a company Musk founded.

Musk’s support for Trump began soon after a 2023 assassination attempt on the former president, with the tech billionaire becoming one of his most important backers. Musk donated over $119 million to a Super PAC dedicated to re-electing Trump and ran a get-out-the-vote campaign in key battleground states in the final weeks of the election. His initiative, which included a $1 million daily giveaway in those states, became the subject of a legal challenge but was ultimately allowed to proceed by a judge.

With Trump’s victory, Musk stands to benefit significantly. The president-elect has stated that he would invite Musk to join his administration in a new role focused on eliminating government waste. Musk has dubbed this potential effort the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), drawing on the name of a cryptocurrency meme he has popularized.

Musk’s companies, particularly SpaceX, are also poised for growth under Trump’s presidency. SpaceX already dominates the market for launching government satellites, and with a close ally in the White House, Musk could expand his ties to the U.S. government. He has been critical of competitors like Boeing for inefficiencies in government contracts and has positioned SpaceX to take advantage of the growing U.S. military demand for spy satellites.

Musk’s electric vehicle company, Tesla, could also benefit from Trump’s promises to reduce regulations. Tesla has faced scrutiny over its self-driving software and alleged attempts to prevent unionization at its factories. However, Musk may find a more favorable environment for Tesla under Trump, who has pledged to lower taxes on corporations and the wealthy—another policy Musk is likely to support.

With Trump back in power, Musk’s close connection to the administration positions him to secure both regulatory advantages and government contracts, further solidifying his influence in the U.S. business and political landscape.