Ukraine’s President Warns: North Korean Troops Could Soon Join Russian Fight

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised the alarm that Russian forces might soon see reinforcements from an unexpected source. He claims that North Korean troops could be deployed in Ukraine as early as this weekend. Western officials worry that this move could escalate the nearly three-year-old conflict and have ripple effects in distant regions like the Indo-Pacific. Zelenskyy shared this intelligence via Telegram, stating that the deployment is a clear sign of Russia’s intention to escalate the war. However, he didn’t provide details on where exactly the North Korean soldiers might be sent. Russia has been steadily advancing along the eastern front in Ukraine but faces challenges in pushing Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk border region, where they made an incursion three months ago. This week, Ukrainian intelligence reported spotting North Korean units in Kursk. These soldiers had undergone training in Russia and were equipped for the coming winter. Estimates suggest that about 12, 000 North Korean soldiers, including officers and generals, have been sent over by Pyongyang.This development adds a new layer to the conflict, which is the largest in Europe since World War II. The U. S. has confirmed that 3, 000 North Korean troops are already in Russia for training, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Zelenskyy previously warned that the deployment of 10, 000 North Korean troops could turn the conflict into a global war. North Korea has been supplying Russia with ammunition, but sending troops signals a significant complication in a war that has already drawn international attention, with most Western nations backing Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to seek allies, including support from BRICS countries.