Zelenskyy warns of North Korean troops poised for deployment to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning regarding the impending deployment of North Korean troops by Russia, stating they could be sent into combat as early as this Sunday. This prediction stems from military intelligence shared with Zelenskyy during a Friday briefing from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

In his statement on the social media platform X, Zelenskyy characterized this anticipated move as a “clear escalation by Russia.” He emphasized that the global community must recognize Russia’s ongoing intentions to prolong the war. “The world can clearly see Russia’s true intentions: to continue the war,” he remarked, urging for a “principled and strong response” from international leaders.

Zelenskyy further asserted that North Korea’s involvement in combat should not be met with indifference but rather should prompt decisive action against both Moscow and Pyongyang to uphold the U.N. Charter and hold them accountable for this escalation.

Russian Response to North Korean Troops

In response to Ukraine’s intelligence report indicating that North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the decision regarding their deployment rests solely with Moscow. He hinted that these troops could potentially be sent to the front lines in Ukraine but did not deny claims from U.S. officials about North Korea dispatching approximately 3,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces.

On Friday, North Korean state media, KCNA, featured comments from Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong Gyu, who refrained from confirming the deployment but suggested that such actions would align with international law.

The participation of North Korean forces in the ongoing conflict has raised significant concerns, with Ukraine arguing that it would constitute a violation of international law. U.S. officials have labeled this potential deployment as a major escalation. Conversely, Putin accused the West of intensifying the war by providing NATO officers and instructors to assist Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.

Putin’s Remarks on Cease-Fire Negotiations

During an interview with Russian television, Putin addressed the possibility of cease-fire negotiations with Ukraine, stating that Russia is willing to seek compromises. He mentioned Turkey’s peace initiatives, which he claimed have been rejected by Ukraine.

Putin asserted that any outcome of negotiations must favor Russia and be grounded in the current battlefield realities. “Without any doubt, we are not going to make any concessions. There will be no exchange [of territory], whatsoever,” he declared, blaming Ukraine for what he termed “irrational behavior” during negotiations.

Biological Weapons Concerns

In a separate development, an exclusive report by The Washington Post revealed that satellite images over the past two years indicate significant construction activity at a military facility northeast of Moscow. This site, formerly a major research center for biological weapons, has seen renovations and the construction of new buildings totaling over 250,000 square feet, some designed to handle dangerous pathogens.

While there has been no evidence of such weapons being utilized in the Ukraine conflict, U.S. intelligence agencies and bioweapons experts are closely monitoring the situation.

Casualties and Battlefield Losses

Recent reports from Ukraine’s Kyiv Independent highlight that the apparent deployment of North Korean troops may be a response to Russia’s battlefield losses. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported that Russia has sustained approximately 685,910 troop casualties since the onset of its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, including 1,630 casualties within a 24-hour period.

Ukraine has been cautious about disclosing its own troop losses, though U.S. estimates suggest around 57,500 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 250,000 wounded in the ongoing conflict.

As this situation continues to evolve, the international community remains vigilant regarding the implications of North Korea’s potential involvement in the war and the broader ramifications for global security. [VOA News]