South Korea warns of North Korea sending more troops, weapons to Russia
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) revealed on Monday that North Korea is reportedly preparing to send additional troops and weapons to Russia, further escalating tensions amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to the JCS, North Korea is set to supply advanced military equipment, including suicide drones, 240mm rocket launchers, and 170mm self-propelled artillery, to aid Russia. Reports also indicate that North Korea has already deployed around 12,000 troops to Russia, with over 1,100 of them either killed or wounded in combat, as confirmed by South Korea, the United States, and Ukraine.
Ukraine Faces Continued Drone Attacks
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to endure relentless aerial assaults from Russian forces. On Monday, Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 47 of the 72 drones launched by Russia overnight, according to Ukraine’s military. The attacks targeted multiple regions, including Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, and Zhytomyr.
In the Khmelnytskyi region, Governor Serhii Tiurin reported damage to a business and several homes, as well as one injury caused by the drone strikes.
On the other side, Russia claimed to have destroyed a Ukrainian aerial drone in the Bryansk region, near the Russia-Ukraine border. Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz stated that there were no damages or casualties from the Ukrainian attack.
Global Implications of North Korea’s Involvement
North Korea’s increasing support for Russia has raised concerns about the international dynamics of the conflict. Analysts believe the delivery of advanced weaponry and the deployment of additional troops signify North Korea’s deeper alignment with Russia, potentially undermining global efforts to isolate Moscow.
South Korea, the United States, and Ukraine continue to monitor the situation closely, with South Korea’s JCS reiterating the need for international vigilance against North Korea’s military contributions to Russia. [VOA News]
Some information for this story was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
