North Korea sent troops to Russia, according to Defense Minister Austin

North Korea sent troops to Russia, according to Defense Minister Austin

The US defense minister Lloyd Austin confirmed that North Korea has sent troops to Russia. This is the first official confirmation of a high-ranking US official, and it shows how relationships between North Korea and Russia have increasingly improved since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

evidence of North Korean troops in Russia

"We see evidence that North Korean troops went to Russia," Austin said on Wednesday during a press conference in Rome. "What you do exactly there will be shown." According to information from US sources that are available, "thousands" North Korean soldiers in Russia are said to be in order to support Russia in conflict against Ukraine.

The role of North Korea in conflict

Austin emphasized that the United States would still like to find out what role the North Korean soldiers are playing in conflict and whether they will actually travel to Ukraine. "If you appear as a co -contress and intend to take part in this war on behalf of Russia, this is a very serious problem. This will not only affect Europe - it will also have an impact on the Indopazificific," said Austin.

consideration for support

When asked what North Korea will receive in exchange for the support of Russia, Austin said that the United States is still trying to clarify this. In the past few months, Moscow and Pyongyang have deepened their military partnership against the United States. This growing alliance worries those responsible in Kyiv and Washington.

warnings from Ukraine

The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj has repeatedly warned that North Korean troops intervene in the war on behalf of Russia. At a NATO summit, he recently said that “10,000” soldiers and technical staff were prepared.

collaboration between North Korea and Russia

A source from the Ukrainian secret service had previously announced that a small number of North Koreans work with the Russian military, mainly in the technical area and about the use of North Korean ammunition.

training for North Korean soldiers in Russia

In the meantime, the Korean intelligence agency, the National Intelligence Service, announced on Friday that North Korea sent around 1,500 soldiers, including special forces, to receive military training there.