North Korea's Troops in Russia: What It Means for Ukraine

Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, recently warned that North Korean troops in Russia could escalate the conflict into a world war. This is a step NATO has been trying to avoid, as the war in Ukraine is already Europe's largest since World War II. However, experts say it won't necessarily lead to a global war. Russia and North Korea signed a defense pact this year. Around 10, 000 North Korean troops are reportedly heading to Russia, with some already there. This could help Russia refill its ranks, as both Kyiv and Moscow face high casualty counts. No country outside the conflict has formally committed troops yet. Kyiv views North Korea as Russia's most dangerous ally. The U. S. has evidence of North Korean troops in Russia but is unsure of their activities. Russia denies the reports, calling them fake news. Some experts see this as a sign of desperation. Belarus' leader, Alexander Lukashenko, dismissed the reports. South Korea is worried and considering sending weapons to Ukraine, a shift from its previous policy.