In a significant escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly struck a deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to deploy at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers to regions near the Ukrainian border. This agreement, reached during Putin’s recent state visit to Pyongyang, includes not only troops but also military supplies, weaponry, and ammunition, much like the assistance provided by Iran. With these additional forces, Putin is fortifying his offensive as winter approaches and the fighting is expected to intensify.
The North Korean troops are understood to be undergoing training by Russian military personnel and are expected to be deployed to the front lines shortly. This deal, while not yet officially confirmed by the Kremlin, has been reported by multiple sources, including South Korean officials. Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun of South Korea noted that it is “highly likely” that North Korean soldiers will soon be stationed near Ukraine, marking the first time Kim’s troops are directly involved in the conflict.
At a glance:
- Putin has struck a deal with Kim Jong Un to deploy 10,000 North Korean soldiers near the Ukrainian border.
- North Korea is also supplying Russia with weapons and ammunition, similar to Iran’s involvement.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky faces challenges convincing Western allies to support his Victory Plan.
Observers see this move as a further attempt by Putin to bolster his forces as the war drags on without decisive victories for Russia. The Kremlin is believed to have paid North Korea in exchange for the soldiers, who will help Russia in its battle against Ukrainian forces. This marks a deepening of the relationship between Russia and North Korea, two nations isolated on the world stage and under heavy sanctions from the West.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6yKlnLh5sM
North Korea’s involvement is not limited to just manpower. The Pyongyang regime is also supplying weaponry and ammunition to the Russian military, as was previously reported with Iranian support. This comes at a crucial time, as Russia faces mounting international pressure and increasing losses on the battlefield. Ukraine, for its part, has condemned this new development, with President Volodymyr Zelensky referring to Russia’s alliance with North Korea and Iran as a “coalition of criminals.”
Zelensky recently unveiled his Victory Plan, a strategy to reclaim Ukrainian territory and bring an end to the war. However, his efforts to secure further support from Western nations have faced challenges. The Ukrainian president’s requests for immediate entry into NATO and permission to fire long-range weapons into Russia have been met with resistance from some of Ukraine’s key allies, including the United States and European nations. Some, like Ukrainian opposition MP Oleksii Honcharenko, have criticized Zelensky’s plan as “empty words” that are detached from the realities on the ground.
With North Korean troops on their way and Russia pushing deeper into Ukrainian territory, Zelensky’s Victory Plan is facing an uphill battle. Whether or not the deployment of North Korean soldiers will tip the scales in favor of Russia remains uncertain, but it adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile conflict. The coming months will be crucial as both sides prepare for winter and the next phase of this brutal war.