US official: North Korean troops in Ukraine would show Russian “desperation”

The United States expressed “concern” over the potential involvement of North Korean military personnel in Russia’s forces fighting against Ukraine, Reuters reported on 15 October.

This follows reports in Western media that North Korea assists Russia in launching ballistic missiles against Ukraine and in training military personnel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on 13 October that North Korean specialists were being sent to assist the Russian occupation army.

Sean Savett, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said that if the reports of North Korean troop participation in Ukraine are confirmed, it would signify a “significant escalation” in the defense relationship between North Korea and Russia.

“Such a move would also indicate a new level of desperation for Russia as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield in its brutal war against Ukraine,” Savett said.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has dismissed the allegation as “fake news.”

North Korea has been known to supply Russia with ballistic missiles and ammunition despite both countries’ attempts to deny these transactions.

The Times newspaper recently reported that approximately half of the three million artillery shells Russia uses annually come from North Korea.

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