According to a study published by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation on October 28, North Korea currently provides Russia with weapons valued at up to $5.5 billion.
Pyongyang‘s arms supply to its long-time ally Moscow has increased significantly since the start of the full scale invasion, fueling its aggressiveness against Ukraine. North Korea sent troops to fight on the side of Russia this fall, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.
There is uncertainty because North Korea and Russia don’t publish official statistics about their bilateral trade. The study states that even the minimum estimate is more than $1.7 billion.
Pyongyang could receive money from the United States for sending soldiers, which could result in a significant increase in North Korea’s revenue. The deployment of more than 20 000 North Korean soldiers is “unlikely” as it would jeopardize North Korea’s stability. According to the research, the risk of desertion as well as the lack of human resources are also obstacles.
The “notable increase” in diplomatic trips is a reflection of the tightening relations between Russia, North Korea and China. Media analysis shows there have been two high-level meetings per month on average since July 2023. In 2024 there were already over 24 meetings. The study found that in the last three decades, less than five meetings were the norm.
Olena Guseinova is the study’s lead author. She said that Russia is turning to North Korea because of its massive ammunition needs.
“Russia uses its relationship with North Korea, and the potential transfer military technology, as a tool to test Western alliances in East Asia. Guseinova said that Russia wants to press countries like South Korea and Japan to reconsider their support for Ukraine.
There is uncertainty because North Korea and Russia don’t publish official statistics about their bilateral trade. The study states that even the minimum estimate is more than $1.7 billion.
“A portion of these soldiers have already moved closer towards Ukraine and we are increasing concerned that Russia intends using these soldiers in combat against Ukrainian forces near the border with Ukraine in Russia’s Kursk Oblast,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the first North Korean troops would be deployed to the combat zone by Oct. 27 or 28.
“Russia has killed many Russians.” The Russian army killed a lot of mobilized Russians because they were afraid of being attacked, dying under the bullets or being wounded. They retreated, and then their army killed them,” Volodymyr Zelensky told Times of India.
Fred Fleitz is a former CIA Analyst who served Trump’s White House. He now works at the America First Policy Institute Center for American Security. In an interview with The Financial Times, he suggested that Ukraine’s NATO membership could be removed from the agenda for a few years in order to force Russia to negotiate.
A HUR source told The Kyiv Independent that the Ukrainian resistance and Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR), sabotaged the Berdiansk railway bridge, which is located in the occupied city.
According to a ruling by the Permanent Arbitration Court in The Hague in 2023, Russia must pay $5 billion in compensation to the Naftogaz Group for assets illegally confiscated during the Russian occupation in Crimea in 2014.
This is the first official visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky to the island nation. He will meet with the prime ministers from Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
After the full-scale Russian invasion, the town of Kharkiv Oblast in Ukraine, which once numbered 17,000 people, was heavily contested.
Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, said: “I can confirm today that North Korean troops were sent to Russia and that North Korean military forces have been deployed in the Kursk area.”
Bloomberg reported that even if Kamala Harris is in the White House her administration would struggle to get significant resources for Ukraine passed through the U.S. Congress.
The State Emergency Service reported that at least 21 people, including five children were injured in multiple air strikes by Russia on Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv Oblast.
South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based newspaper, reported on October 28 that a group of nearly 200 ex-North Korean troops asked to be sent to Ukraine to demoralize and influence Pyongyang’s troops to join the war on Russia’s side.
“I believe that many countries will try to manipulate our electorate. They’re going try to manipulate our election. “That’s what they do,” J.D. Vance told CBS News.
In a debate with the incumbent president on October 27, Alexandr Stoianoglo, a candidate for the Moldovan presidency, claimed that he would continue to support Ukraine. This statement was dismissed by Maia Sandu.
The Kadorr Group has announced that Adnan Kivan died on October 28. He was the owner of the Kadorr Group, the English-language Ukrainian newspaper Kyiv Post and the Kadorr Group.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged “Georgia’s political leaders to respect rule of law, repeal laws that undermine fundamental freedoms, as well as address deficiencies in the election process together.”
The Russian forces have suffered 1,680 casualties in the last day alone.
State Emergency Service reported that at least 21 people, including five children, were injured in multiple air strikes launched by Russia on Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv Oblast overnight on October 28.
“Modi is the Prime Minister of a very large country in terms of population, influence, and impact. A country of this size cannot simply say that it is interested in the end to the war. It is all interested. “PM Modi can influence an end to the Ukraine war,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Our interest is peace.” I think that Ukraine is not as important as other regions in the world. “I’m just putting my cards out there,” Republican senator and vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance said.
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