Ukraine faces the threat of a huge influx of North Korean troops being trained by the Russian military.
At least 10,000 Pyongyang regime soldiers are believed to be taking part in exercises ahead of a planned deployment to regions near the border with Ukraine.
The Kremlin is said to have paid North Korea to send personnel to the front lines in a deal reached during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Kim Jong Un.
North Korea, like Iran, is also reported to supply weapons and ammunition.
The suggestions emerged as Volodymyr Zelensky revealed his plan to liberate Ukraine, calling Russia and its allies a “coalition of criminals.”
At least 10,000 Pyongyang regime soldiers are believed to be taking part in exercises ahead of a planned deployment to regions near the border with Ukraine. This image, taken on October 2, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (center, left) inspecting a Korean People’s Army special operations forces training base.
The Kremlin is said to have paid North Korea to send personnel to the front lines in a deal reached during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Kim Jong Un.
Observers say Ukraine’s president faces an uphill struggle to convince Western allies to back his Victory Plan.
This includes requests, already rejected in recent weeks, such as immediate entry into NATO and permission to fire long-range Western weapons against Russia.
Some aspects that may be related to battlefield strategies were not revealed for security reasons.
President Zelensky stated that this was a “plan to strengthen our state and our position, to be strong enough to end the war, to ensure that Ukraine has all its muscles.”
But Ukrainian opposition MP Oleksii Honcharenko described the proposal as “empty words, far from reality.”
The incident was also cited by South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who said it was “very likely” to be true. If so, it would be the first confirmation that Kim’s troops are stationed on or near the front line. This photo taken on Oct. 2 shows troops participating in training at a Korean People’s Army special operations forces base.
The troops were promised to Vladimir Putin by the country’s president, Kim Jong-un, during a state visit to Pyongyang. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a signing ceremony for the new partnership in Pyongyang, North Korea, June 19, 2024.
North Korea, like Iran, is also reported to supply weapons and ammunition. This photo taken on September 11 shows soldiers training at an undisclosed location in North Korea.
Observers say Ukraine’s president faces an uphill struggle to convince Western allies to back his Victory Plan. Pictured: Volodymyr Zelensky with Prime Minister Keir Starmer this month