North Korean Troops Allegedly Deployed to Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict
The United States has confirmed evidence of North Korean troops in Russia, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated during a press briefing in Rome that it would be "very serious" if North Korean forces were indeed preparing to engage alongside Russian military units, as alleged by officials in Kyiv. Austin noted that while there is evidence supporting troop presence, the specific role they will play remains uncertain.
South Korean lawmakers have reported that approximately 3,000 North Korean soldiers have already been dispatched to support Russia's efforts in Ukraine, with thousands more anticipated to follow. This figure—which is twice the previously estimated number—comes after the North Korean government allegedly pledged to send a total of 10,000 soldiers to Russia by December. Following a briefing from South Korea's national intelligence agency, Park Sunwon, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, revealed signs of North Korean troops being trained both domestically and within Russia itself.
The apparent influx of North Korean soldiers is seen as indicative of a manpower crisis within Russian military ranks, a point underscored by Austin. He indicated that the ongoing war has devolved into a war of attrition, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
In response to these developments, the Kremlin has dismissed claims regarding North Korean troop deployments as "fake news." Additionally, a North Korean representative at the United Nations labeled these assertions as groundless rumors during a recent meeting in New York. Moscow and Pyongyang, while denying any transfer of weapons, have promised to strengthen military ties, further cementing their relationship through a mutual defense treaty signed at a summit earlier this year.
The South Korean national intelligence service provided new intelligence suggesting that as many as 1,500 special operations troops have been shipped to Russia, expected to undergo training before engaging in combat. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has publicly decried North Korea's apparent preparations to send 10,000 soldiers to assist Russia, urging allied nations to respond to this growing military partnership.
Furthermore, reports suggest that North Korea is attempting to limit knowledge of troop deployments within its own borders. Lawmaker Lee Seongkweun reported that authorities have relocated families of deployed soldiers to control information flow and quell rumors. Recent intelligence also confirms that Russia has engaged a considerable number of interpreters to assist the North Korean troops during their training on modern military equipment, including drones.
Despite their physical attributes and morale, assessments indicate that North Korean forces lack vital knowledge regarding contemporary warfare and the use of drones, raising concerns about potential casualties if they are engaged in frontline combat. U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, estimated that Russian military casualties may already exceed over 600,000.
The South Korean presidential office has called for an immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russia, cautioning that if military cooperation between the two nations escalates, there may be a consideration to provide lethal aid to Ukraine. This warning underscores the escalating tensions in the region and the intensifying complexities of the war in Ukraine.
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