The US has increased its estimated number of North Korean troops sent to Russia to 10,000, raising concerns about the possible widening of the conflict in Ukraine. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that some of these troops have moved closer to the Ukrainian border, prompting fears that they may be used in combat against Ukrainian forces. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol condemned the deployment, calling it illegal and a threat to national security.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also expressed alarm over the North Korean involvement in the conflict, labelling it as a dangerous escalation of Russia’s war. Moscow initially dismissed reports of North Korean troops in Russia as fake news, but President Vladimir Putin did not deny their presence. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov defended the partnership with North Korea, pointing out Western military instructors in Ukraine.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold discussions with South Korean officials about the North Korean participation in Ukraine. The US has warned that there will be no limitations on using weapons against North Korean forces if they move towards the front lines. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized allies for not responding strongly to the North Korean deployment, calling for the lifting of restrictions on long-range strikes against Russia. However, the US has not indicated approval for Ukraine’s request to use its weapons in strikes against Russia.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
Pentagon Reports North Korea Sends 10,000 Troops to Join Russian Forces in Ukraine | Updates on Russia-Ukraine Conflict
