According to the United States, up to 8,000 North Korean soldiers are believed to be stationed near the Ukrainian border – meaning they could be used by Russia in the war in the coming days.
“We now estimate that there are approximately 10,000 North Korean troops in total in Russia, and according to the latest information, up to 8,000 of these North Korean troops are stationed in the Kursk region,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
While the U.S. government has not yet seen any combat operations by the North Koreans against Ukrainian forces, “we assume that will happen in the next few days,” Blinken continued.
No ‘invitation’ for 100 years
It was the first time in a hundred years that Russia had invited foreign troops to its country. Russia has been training North Korean soldiers for both artillery combat and basic infantry operations, Blinken said after meeting with South Korean diplomats in Washington. “If these soldiers were to participate in combat or operations in support of the fight against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets,” the US Secretary of State said.
It is currently unclear whether North Korean soldiers could be deployed for combat operations on Ukrainian territory or for fighting in Ukrainian-occupied areas of Russia. According to UN diplomats, it is also possible that the North Koreans will be deployed behind the front and take on logistical tasks there.
„Russian uniforms
South Korean intelligence had already announced that North Korean troops in Russia had to wear Russian uniforms and were given false identities to hide their true origins.
Russian President Vladimir Putin does not deny the presence of North Korean soldiers and points out that Ukraine is also dependent on personnel from NATO countries. At a UN Security Council meeting in New York, Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya defended his country’s military cooperation with North Korea.
Zelensky: “We will talk about weapons”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was disappointed with the behavior of his allies. The reaction in the West is “zero”. He was also surprised by China’s silence. Russia is testing the response of its Western allies and, if the response is weak, will deploy even more North Korean soldiers in the war against Ukraine.
Zelensky is now hoping for military help from South Korea. “We’ll talk about guns,” he announced. Ukraine is very interested in assistance, especially in the field of artillery and anti-aircraft defense.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
