In a dramatic escalation, Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly enlisting North Korea’s support, with 10,000 North Korean troops set to be deployed near Ukraine. This historic military exchange, struck during Putin’s state visit to North Korea, is said to involve North Korean soldiers training with Russia’s army in preparation for combat support along the Ukrainian front. Alongside troops, North Korea is allegedly supplying weaponry and ammunition to Russia—a move reminiscent of the military aid from Iran.
According to South Korea’s Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, the deployment is “highly likely” to materialize, marking a new level of foreign involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, pushing his Victory Plan, is struggling to secure key Western support, such as NATO membership and permissions to deploy long-range weapons. While Zelensky insists his strategy will bolster Ukraine’s defenses, critics within Ukraine fear the plan may lack actionable steps to counter this rising coalition of Russia and its powerful allies.
With North Korea joining Russia’s war effort and Western support uncertain, Ukraine faces a formidable challenge to reclaim its territories and end the conflict on its own terms.
