United Nations, Nov 3 (EFE).- The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, was this Sunday “very concerned” about reports about North Korean soldiers transferred to Russia and then deployed on the front line in Ukraine.
“This could represent a very dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine,” Guterres said in a statement issued today, adding that “everything possible must be done to prevent the internationalization of the conflict.”
Yesterday, Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR) assured that Russia has already transferred more than 7,000 North Korean soldiers to areas near the border with Ukraine in the last week of October.
North Korean troops were moved from training camps in eastern Russia – of which there are at least 5 – with the help of at least 28 military aircraft, GUR revealed on its Telegram channel.
The soldiers were equipped by Russia with mortars, AK-12 assault rifles, several machine guns, sniper rifles and anti-tank weapons. They also received some vision devices, thermal imaging cameras, scopes and binoculars, according to GUR.
“It is quite surprising that the world turns a blind eye to North Korea‘s increasingly aggressive actions,” reacted Andri Yermak, head of the presidential office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine has detected all the sites where Russia is massing North Korean soldiers and could carry out pre-emptive strikes against them if it had permission from its Western allies, Zelensky said Friday night, before calling on Ukraine’s allies to act instead. of “waiting” for North Korean soldiers to begin attacking Ukraine.
The transfer of North Korean soldiers to Russia to fight in Ukraine was first warned by the US – which put the number mobilized at 10,000 – and then confirmed by South Korea with its own sources.
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**Interview with Dr. Elena Petrova, Geopolitical Analyst**
**Host:** Good evening, Dr. Petrova. Thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive right into the recent reports regarding North Korean troops being deployed to Russia near Ukraine. What are your initial thoughts on this situation?
**Dr. Petrova:** Thank you for having me. This development is certainly alarming. The presence of North Korean troops in such proximity to the conflict in Ukraine signals a potential escalation that could destabilize the already fragile situation in the region. The international community needs to take this seriously.
**Host:** The UN Secretary General has expressed deep concerns about these reports. In his statement, he emphasized the risks of an internationalized conflict. How serious do you think the implications could be for global security?
**Dr. Petrova:** The implications are indeed serious. Involving North Korean soldiers could lead to a more complex and dangerous battlefield. Not only does it potentially bring a different level of military engagement, but it could also draw neighboring countries into the conflict, thereby expanding the war and increasing the risk of direct confrontation between major powers.
**Host:** Ukrainian intelligence suggests that over 7,000 North Korean soldiers were moved into Ukraine within just a week. What does this rapid deployment indicate about Russia’s military strategy?
**Dr. Petrova:** This swift mobilization points to a desperate need for manpower on Russia’s part. Given the heavy losses they’ve sustained, enlisting North Korean troops could be viewed as a tactic to offset those losses. However, it raises questions about the effectiveness of these forces, considering their training and the challenges of operating in a foreign military environment.
**Host:** Ukrainian officials have stated they could conduct pre-emptive strikes against these North Korean forces with permission from Western allies. Do you think this is a feasible option?
**Dr. Petrova:** It is certainly a viable strategy from a military standpoint, but there are significant political ramifications to consider. Pre-emptive strikes could escalate tensions with North Korea and potentially provoke a wider war. Ukraine must weigh the risks of acting decisively against the need to protect its sovereignty and forces.
**Host:** Lastly, what role should the international community play in addressing this situation?
**Dr. Petrova:** The international community should actively engage in diplomatic discussions focused on de-escalation. It’s crucial for the UN and individual countries to increase surveillance and intelligence-sharing about North Korean activities while simultaneously urging both Russia and North Korea to refrain from further escalation. A unified response will be essential in managing this situation before it spirals out of control.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Petrova, for your insights on this critical issue. We appreciate your time.
**Dr. Petrova:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution to this troubling development.
