Pentagon chief: Putin will not defeat Ukraine, even with DPRK support

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has gone to great lengths to obtain weapons from the DPRK. However, the United States and its partners have discussed options for responding to Russia's involvement with the North Koreans.

This was stated by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing a media briefing.

According to Austin, the United States is aware that North Korea has sent about 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia. Some of these troops have already moved closer to Ukraine. Russia is also equipping the North Koreans with the clothing and weapons of its army.

“I am increasingly concerned that the Kremlin is planning to use these North Korean soldiers to support Russia's military operations in the Kursk region near the border with Ukraine. Russia is a signatory to UN Security Council resolutions that pledge not to provide military assistance to North Korea. Of course, we know that Putin would do anything to get weapons from the DPRK and Iran,” Austin said.

In his opinion, the involvement of North Korea emphasizes that Putin is in big trouble.

“We take this very seriously. We urge the Kremlin to change course. We fully understand the security implications for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. Putin will not win in Ukraine, even with more help from North Korea. But these deeply disturbing developments only underscore the importance of ours,” the Pentagon chief emphasized.

Austin said that Russia and the DPRK are conducting certain exercises and probably about 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to eastern Ukraine. There they are pulling together equipment and conducting certain exercises. It is also known that some of these troops have begun to move towards the border of Ukraine in the Kursk region.

“It is not yet known whether they will be involved in hostilities, but if they are, it is a matter of great concern. And that is why we remain concerned that they are going to use these troops in hostilities,” he said.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 31/10/2024