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New Escalation in Ukraine Conflict as North Korea Sends Troops to Support Russian Army.
The relationship between Russia and North Korea has reached a new level of military cooperation, as reports indicate that thousands of North Korean soldiers are currently training in Russia and could be deployed to Ukraine by the end of the year. This announcement, stemming from South Korean intelligence and relayed by the Washington Post, comes nearly three years into the Ukraine war, raising concerns among both Ukrainian and Western allies.
A Ukrainian official stated that while these officers were not directly engaged in combat, they were integrated into Russian operations (Picture source: KNCA)
In July, South Korean intelligence had reported that Pyongyang planned to send military units, initially assigned to help rebuild cities destroyed in Russian-controlled areas. However, recent information suggests a more direct involvement of North Korean soldiers in the conflict. On October 3, at least six North Korean officers were reportedly injured in the Donbas during a Ukrainian strike while inspecting Russian military equipment. A Ukrainian official stated that while these officers were not directly engaged in combat, they were integrated into Russian operations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed these claims as "fabrication."
Intelligence sources now suggest that North Korea might send additional troops to support Russian forces on the front lines. A Ukrainian military intelligence source told the Washington Post that several thousand North Korean infantry soldiers are currently training in Russia and are expected to be deployed to Ukraine by year’s end. According to the same source, North Korean officers are already on the ground in occupied areas, observing Russian forces and gaining a better understanding of battlefield conditions. They may also assist in operating North Korean military equipment supplied to Russia, such as missiles, a presence confirmed by the October 3 strike.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun described the likelihood of active cooperation between North Korean troops and Russian forces as "highly probable." He stated that the agreement between Russia and North Korea effectively resembles a military alliance, making further North Korean reinforcements plausible.
Ukrainian intelligence services are assessing the potential impact of this North Korean deployment. If these troops are stationed along Russia’s border regions, it could allow Russian forces to reallocate troops from these areas to the front lines in Ukraine. Such a shift could have a significant impact on the conflict, particularly by increasing pressure on Ukraine’s already heavily burdened forces.
Amid this intensifying pro-Russian alliance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again called for increased support from his allies. During a European tour, Zelensky visited Berlin, London, Paris, and Rome, urging European leaders to maintain their military and financial assistance. In his statements, he warned that cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang now extends beyond supplying weapons to include North Korean troops fighting alongside the Russian army.
Zelensky underscored Ukraine's need for longer-range military equipment to increase pressure on the aggressor, cautioning that a lack of enhanced support could lead to a broader conflict. This European mobilization occurs as the U.S. administration, dealing with domestic priorities, postponed a scheduled visit by President Joe Biden to Germany. However, Biden is now expected to visit Europe in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to advance in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces recently announced the capture of a village near Pokrovsk, a strategic city in the Donetsk region, where fighting has been ongoing for months. The capture of this village marks another step in Russia’s offensive aimed at seizing control of this key mining area.