US reacts to possible involvement of North Korean soldiers in war against Ukraine
Illustrative photo: North Korean soldiers may participate in the war against Ukraine (Getty Images)
The US is concerned about reports of North Korean soldiers being sent to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine. However, such a move also indicates Moscow's desperation, states White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett.
According to Savett, if the reports of North Korean troops directly participating in the war against Ukraine are confirmed, it would indicate a significant expansion of defense relations between North Korea and Russia.
"Such a move would also indicate a new level of desperation for Russia as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield in its brutal war against Ukraine," he added.
North Korea could have sent soldiers
On October 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the alliance between Russia and North Korea is strengthening. Now, the issue is not only about arms transfers but also about "the transfer of people from North Korea to the occupier's military forces."
Additionally, on October 14, according to the Ukrainian president, the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Foreign Intelligence Service reported to him at the Headquarters. Among other things, the issue of the "actual involving North Korea in the war" was raised.
Military expert Oleksii Hetman suggested in a comment to the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel that North Korea could send between 10,000 and 100,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine.
On October 5, RBC-Ukraine sources reported that during an attack by Ukrainian defenders in the Donetsk area, North Korean officers were eliminated alongside the occupiers. However, as the news agency's sources clarified, the North Korean soldiers had arrived there for "experience exchange," not to participate in the war.
