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The U.S. government has reported that North Korea has sent at least 3,000 troops to Russia, raising concerns that they may be deployed to fight in Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described this move as a significant escalation, noting that it follows North Korea's previous provision of arms to Russia. Austin warned that North Korea could face serious consequences for directly aiding Moscow.
The U.S. believes these troops traveled by ship to Vladivostok, Russia's largest Pacific port, in early to mid-October. After arriving, they reportedly moved to various military training sites in eastern Russia for further training, potentially including training on drones and other equipment. While it's unclear whether these soldiers will join combat operations, White House national security spokesman John Kirby mentioned a "highly concerning probability" that they will. The soldiers might even move to western Russia before entering the conflict against Ukraine.
South Korean intelligence officials also support these claims, stating that North Korea could send up to 10,000 troops to Russia by December. Last week, South Korea reported that around 1,500 special forces had already been sent to Russia, equipped with military uniforms, weapons, and forged IDs for training aimed at assisting Russian forces in Ukraine.
This development raises alarms not only in Europe but also in the Indo-Pacific region. If North Korean troops engage alongside Russian forces, it could alter the dynamics of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. South Korea has expressed concern that Russia might reward North Korea for its military support with advanced weapons technology, potentially enhancing North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities.
Both Russia and North Korea have denied any troop movements, but the two countries have been strengthening their cooperation, signing a defense agreement that commits them to provide military assistance to each other if either is attacked. In response to these developments, South Korea is reconsidering its policy on supplying arms to Ukraine, having previously limited its support to humanitarian and financial aid.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that North Korea's involvement would mark a significant escalation in the conflict and requested a briefing from South Korean officials on the situation. Meanwhile, Germany has summoned North Korea's top diplomat in Berlin to address the troop deployment claims.
Despite North Korea's massive standing army of 1.2 million troops, experts question how effective they would be in combat, noting a lack of battle experience since the Korean War in the 1950s. Additionally, analysts suggest that North Korea's involvement is driven by a desire for economic support from Russia and the opportunity to modernize its outdated military technology.
This situation raises important questions about the potential impact of North Korean troops on the conflict in Ukraine and whether this alliance could provide Russia with the military edge it seeks.
[Source: Sky News]
