‘Very serious issue’: Sec Def Austin confirms North Korean troops are aiding Russia’s war against Ukraine

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed on Wednesday that North Korea has made a drastic move and sent soldiers to help Russia fight against Ukraine.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dragged on for more than two years and cost hundreds of thousands of lives on both sides, yet has shown no signs of ending anytime soon. Austin told reporters that Russia is now tapping North Korea for troops to aid in the war against Ukraine, though the exact nature of the help the troops are providing is yet to be discovered.

“What exactly they’re doing [in Russia]? Left to be seen,” Austin told reporters at a military base in Rome, Italy, on Wednesday. “All things that we’re trying to gain better fidelity on… if their intention is to participate in this war on Russia’s behalf, that is a very serious issue.”

Austin didn’t comment on the number of North Korean troops that had been sent to Russia. Ukraine said last week that North Korea was readying at least 10,000 troops for deployment. South Korea said last week that at least 1,500 troops had already been deployed.

Exclusive – Newly obtained footage from Russia’s Sergievsky Training Ground showing North Korean troops being outfitted in Russian gear in preparation for deployment to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/01Z4jZIiOe

— SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre (@StratcomCentre) October 18, 2024

None of the unknown number of troops have yet reached Ukraine, intelligence officials told The New York Times. U.S. officials believe that the number of deployed troops may be closer to 2,500.

Austin noted that the fact that Russia now has to rely on its ally for soldiers indicates that Moscow’s options in the war are starting to run thin. Russia is estimated to have lost at least 600,000 troops in the war thus far, U.S. officials told the Times in early October.

“You’ve heard talk about the significant casualties that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] has experienced over the last two and a half years. This is an indication that he may be even in more trouble than most people realize. He went tin-cupping early on to get more weapons and materials from [North Korea] and Iran and now he’s making a move to get more people.”

Russia and North Korea’s relationship has deepened significantly in recent years, especially after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Both nations have ongoing trade agreements and have sent each other military equipment to bolster their nations’ strength against the West.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Putin have met on numerous occasions, most recently at a July summit in North Korea. During that meeting, Kim and Putin signed several security agreements to upgrade to a bilateral “comprehensive strategic partnership.”

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