Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday the capture of the town of Selydove in eastern Ukraine. The ministry stated that the town, located in the Donetsk region, was “fully liberated” as part of a broader offensive pushing towards Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub.
Meanwhile, the geopolitical landscape of the conflict has taken an international turn with the United States revealing that North Korea has dispatched approximately 10,000 troops to Russia for training. This move triples previous estimates and marks a significant escalation in foreign involvement in the war. These troops, according to Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, are expected to reinforce Russian forces potentially near Ukraine in the coming weeks.
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President Joe Biden described this deployment as “very dangerous,” highlighting the broadening scope of the conflict. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed these concerns, terming it a “dangerous expansion” indicative of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desperation amidst mounting losses, reportedly over 600,000 casualties since 2022.
Rutte, after discussions with South Korean officials, confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region, underscoring the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea. He warned that this cooperation threatens both Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security.
EU President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned North Korea’s involvement, calling it a “significant escalation” that endangers global peace. She emphasized the EU’s intent to strengthen cooperation with South Korea and other allies in response.
Why North Korea’s Involvement?
Analysts suggest North Korea’s participation could be motivated by a desire for advanced Russian military technology and security assurances. This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of an impending increase in North Korean troop numbers to around 12,000.
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, took to social media to label this as an escalation, urging for more than just sanctions, “We need weapons and a clear plan to prevent North Korea’s expanded involvement in the war in Europe,” he stated.
This complex interplay of military maneuvers and international alliances continues to reshape the conflict, with global implications that extend well beyond the borders of Ukraine.
