part of 10,000 north korea army Russia is approaching ~ ukraine “They are wearing Russian military uniforms and are being provided with Russian equipment,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday.
“I am increasingly concerned that the Kremlin plans to use these North Korean soldiers to support Russian combat operations. Kursk regionnear the border with Ukraine,” Austin said at a press conference with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun at the Pentagon on Wednesday.
Austin said it remains to be seen whether North Korean troops will take part in the fighting, but given the high number of casualties on the Russian side, it is “very likely” that they will.
One of the goals when Ukraine pulled a surprise attack It entered Russia’s Kursk region in early August in an effort to draw Russian forces away from eastern Ukraine. U.S. officials say it didn’t happen in any meaningful way. Instead, Russia is slowly regaining territory in Kursk while maintaining pressure on eastern Ukraine, but at a high cost.
According to a senior defense official, September 2024 marked the highest number of casualties on the Russian side in more than two years of war. North Korea’s move could be Putin’s way of trying to protect its interests in Kursk without inflicting more Russian casualties or ordering a mass mobilization, which is unpopular in Russia. There is sex.
To continue the war, Russia found various sources of support. North Korea is already providing ammunition, Iran is sending missiles and drones, and China is providing technical assistance for Russian defense production.
“(Putin) went to other countries for weapons and munitions, and now he goes to other countries for people,” Austin said.
Austin said Ukraine could use its own weapons or weapons provided by the United States to defend itself, including attacks against North Koreans, who would be considered “co-sympathizers” if they engaged in hostilities, meaning they would be considered legitimate targets. That’s what it means.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim expressed concern that North Korea may seek technical assistance for its tactical nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile programs in return for providing soldiers to Russia.
Kim and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol are visiting Washington, D.C., this week to attend U.S.-South Korea talks with their counterparts from the Pentagon and State Department.
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