North Korean troops currently training in Russia would become legitimate military targets if they engaged in combat in Ukraine, according to the White House. “If these North Korean soldiers decide to join the fight against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
North Korean soldiers sent to Russia
The United States they confirmed the sending of for the first time thousands of North Korean soldiers in Russia. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said “there is evidence of the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. What exactly are they doing there? These are things we have yet to discover,” he noted. «If they are co-belligerents, their intention is to participate in this war on behalf of Russia. This is a very, very serious matter,” admitted the Pentagon chief.
Risk of conflict in Ukraine
The story raises new concerns for the risk of conflict more far-reaching Ukraine that actively involves a third country. Just today Seoul has renewed the alarm on the moves of Pyongyang because around 3,000 Northern soldiers are already in Russia for training, with the expectation of rising to 10,000 by December.
NATO declarations
Also the spokesperson of the Born Farah Dakhlallah said that “the allies have confirmed evidence of a US troop deployment DPRK in Russia”, without identifying the countries. «If these troops were destined to fight in Ukraine, this would mark a significant escalation in the support of North Korea to Russia’s illegal war and another sign of Russia’s significant losses on the front lines,” the spokeswoman remarked in a statement, anticipating that “the North Atlantic Council will discuss the matter further soon.”
Relations between Pyongyang and Moscow
Pyongyang and Fly have come closer beyond all expectations since the Russian aggression against Kiev launched in February 2022, with Seoul and Washington who accused leader Kim Jong-un of having more frequently sent weapons to be used in the conflict. The Seoul intelligence agency (NIS) said last week that the North had deployed an initial contingent of 1,500 special forces troops to Vladivostokwhich has now risen to 3,000 units, according to the new parliamentary hearing of the NIS leaders. North Korea has so far denied sending its forces, but has defended military cooperation with Moscow.
Reactions at the Brics summit
If from the top of the Brics in the Russian city of Kazan A generic appeal to “avoid escalation” emerged from the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova did not respond to Kim’s military support for the tsar: «The armed forces of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea they exist, but please ask Pyongyang where they are”, he cut short, dismissing everything else as “fake news».
Videos on social media and Kim’s strategies
Meanwhile the video on the social media of Northern soldiers in Russia, even filmed in Moscow. The reason for Kim’s move, other than the mutual military support pact signed with Putin in June, remains unclear for the moment. Seoul’s secret services have hypothesized that the North wants to ensure Russian intervention in military affairs Korean peninsula in case of emergency, as well as aiming for aid to address the chronic shortcomings of the economy and to modernize the armed forces.
Request for nuclear technology
The assessment of the head of Kiev’s military intelligence is clearer (GUR), Kyryll Budanov: Pyongyang asked for technology for nuclear weapons tactics. It wants to strengthen its deterrent force and Moscow is already providing for some low-yield nuclear weapons and launch systems. submarine missiles. Complex and not at all reassuring scenarios.