Russia will give North Korea “assistance” with its nuclear weapons programme in exchange for Kim Jong-un’s soldiers being deployed in Ukraine, an expert has claimed.
The US has claimed to have evidence that thousands of North Korean soldiers have been deployed, marking a significant escalation in the war.
This also comes after Russian and North Korean flags were spotted in unverified images being flown side by side in Ukraine.
Russia and North Korea also ratified a military pact this week, dictating that the two countries must immediately provide military assistance using “all means” if either is attacked.
As Moscow and Pyongyang continue to strengthen ties, an expert has warned that Russia could help North Korea build its nuclear weapons.
Gabriel Jonsson, associate professor of Korean studies at Stockholm University, told the Guardian: “North Korea can also gain income and assistance to its missile and nuclear programmes from Russia.”
Meanwhile, the Korea Herald reports that “the massive troop dispatch indicates that Russia-North Korea ties are moving beyond the provision of rifles, shells, and short-range missiles to the level of a blood alliance.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked about satellite imagery showing North Korean troops in Ukraine.
He did not deny that Pyongyang’s soldiers were deployed, saying: “Images are a serious thing. If there are images, then they reflect something.”
The US claims there are about 3,000 North Korean soldiers in Ukraine.
However, reports show that Russian soldiers are not happy about their new colleagues.
Leaked intercepts obtained by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine show Russians lamenting the North Korean soldiers.
One Russian refers to the North Koreans as “the f**king Chinese.”
Another soldier describes meeting the North Koreans: “And he’s like standing there with his eyes out, like… f**k…He came here and said what the f**k to do with them.”
In another extract, a Russian says: “The only thing I don’t understand is that there [should be] three senior officers for 30 people. Where do we get them? We’ll have to pull them out.
“I’m f***ing telling you, there are 77 battalion commanders coming in tomorrow, there are commanders, deputy commanders, and so on.”
