Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brkelmans stated on October 25 that Dutch intelligence confirmed that Moscow had sent at least 1,500 North Korean soldiers to join the war in Ukraine.
The Netherlands, Ukraine, South Korea and the U.S. have confirmed that Pyongyang sent military personnel to help Moscow’s full scale invasion of Ukraine.
Brekelmans, in comments reported by Reuters, said: “We expect that the troops will mainly deploy in Kursk and consist mainly of special units from the North Korean Army.”
According to the Minister, the initial deployment of soldiers should help Russia test their soldiers and the international response.
Brekelmans said that the move was a “clear escalate” and that the West should present an “appropriate reaction.”
Other countries have provided estimates that are much higher. While the U.S. claimed that this was a matter of 3,000 soldiers, Ukraine reported that Pyongyang had sent 12,000 troops, including 500 officers, three generals, to Russia.
The move signifies a deeper level of cooperation between Pyongyang, Russia and North Korea after North Korea supplied Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles.
The first soldiers who will join Russian forces in the war on Ukraine have reportedly been sent to Kursk Oblast. This is where Ukraine launched a cross-border invasion in August, and still controls large areas of territory.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the first troops are expected to be deployed in the combat zone between Oct. 27 and 28.
Kyiv, Seoul and other countries raised alarms early on about the personnel transfer. However, the U.S. only acknowledged their presence on October 23, becoming the first Western nation to do so.
U.S. officials say that the U.S. “should seriously consider taking direct military actions against… North Korean soldiers” if those troops join Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. Select Committee on Intelligence Chair Michael R. Turner stated.
Pyongyang denied the reports. Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at the presence of North Korean forces, but did not deny or confirm it.
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