Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asserted that North Korea is sending its citizens to support the Russian military in its ongoing conflict against Ukraine, raising alarms about the deepening alliance between Moscow and the isolated state.
In his daily video address on Sunday, Zelensky stated, “We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like North Korea. It is no longer just about transferring weapons; it involves the actual transfer of personnel from North Korea to the occupying military forces.”
Zelensky’s comments come amid increasing camaraderie between Russia and North Korea. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare visit to North Korea in June, the first such visit in over two decades, leading Western analysts to speculate on the extent to which Pyongyang has been aiding Moscow’s military efforts in Ukraine.
“Given these circumstances, it is essential for us to cultivate our relationships with our partners. Our frontlines require more support,” he emphasized, reiterating his calls for Western nations to provide long-range missiles for use against Russian targets.
A source within Ukrainian intelligence, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic, mentioned last week that a small contingent of North Koreans has indeed been assisting the Russian military, primarily in engineering roles and sharing information regarding North Korean ammunition, with some reportedly killed in eastern Ukraine.
In response to these allegations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims about North Korean personnel assisting Russia as “another hoax.” However, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has been monitoring the situation and believes the claims could hold truth. Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun stated, “It is highly likely that the reported casualties of North Korean officers and soldiers in Ukraine are accurate, given various circumstances,” during an annual parliamentary defense audit.
Minister Kim added, “We foresee a high probability of further deployment of regular troops, as Russia and North Korea appear to have formed a mutual agreement resembling a military alliance. We are prepared for this possibility.”
Multiple governments have accused Pyongyang of supplying arms to Moscow in its prolonged war in Ukraine, allegations that both Russia and North Korea have denied despite substantial evidence of such transfers.
The two countries, both considered pariahs by the West, have strengthened their ties significantly since Russia’s invasion began. During Putin’s June visit to North Korea, the leaders pledged to utilize all available means for immediate military cooperation should either nation come under attack, marking a significant defense agreement between the two regimes.
On this occasion, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his “full support and solidarity with the struggles of the Russian government, military, and people,” specifically referencing Moscow’s actions in Ukraine to “protect its sovereignty, safety, and territorial stability.”
Credit: CNN
