Ohio Congressman Mike Turner is raising alarms over reports that North Korean troops in Russia might be fighting in the ongoing war against Ukraine. Turner has called on the White House for an urgent briefing, stating that such involvement would cross a “red line” for the U.S.
Zelensky’s Alarming Claim
This warning follows a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference in Brussels earlier this week. Zelensky highlighted that North Korea, a longstanding ally of Russia, is allegedly preparing to deploy thousands of its troops to support Moscow’s fight in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate soon corroborated the claims, stating that nearly 11,000 North Korean infantry troops are reportedly training in Russia’s eastern regions.
South Korean Intel Raises Eyebrows
Adding to the tension, South Korea’s intelligence agency reported that around 1,500 North Korean soldiers were transported to Russia, arriving at the Russian port city of Vladivostok via Russian navy ships earlier this month. A report shared by the Associated Press (AP) indicates that these troops have been outfitted with Russian military gear, weapons, and falsified IDs to mask their identity.
Turner’s Urgent Plea to the White House
In response, Congressman Turner sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Friday, calling the situation “alarming” and describing it as an “extreme escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.” He stressed that if these reports are true, they signify a deepening military alliance between Russia and North Korea.
Turner’s message to the President was clear: “North Korean troops, either attacking Ukraine from Russian territory or entering into Ukrainian territory, must be a red line for the United States and NATO. Your administration must make that absolutely clear and unequivocal.” Additionally, he called for an “immediate classified briefing” with the House Intelligence Committee to discuss this potential shift in the Ukraine war.
White House Remains Tight-Lipped
Late Friday night, Newsweek reached out to the White House press office for comments on Turner’s letter. However, there has been no official response as of yet.
Russia’s Deepening Ties with Adversaries
Since launching its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been nurturing its ties with countries opposing Western influence, such as China, Iran, and North Korea. This alliance comes as Moscow faces a barrage of economic sanctions from the U.S. and its allies, aimed at isolating Russia on the global stage.
NATO’s Stance: Cautious but Watchful
Following South Korea’s intelligence report, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte commented on Friday, stating, “At this moment, our official position is that we cannot confirm reports that North Koreans are actively now as soldiers engaged in the war effort, but that may change.” The statement, reported by AP, suggests a cautious yet watchful stance from NATO.
Pentagon’s Position on the Reports
Similarly, the Pentagon has stated that it cannot verify the claims about North Korean troops’ presence in Russia. Nevertheless, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell shared that Washington, along with its allies, is closely monitoring the evolving military relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Kremlin Denies the Allegations
Meanwhile, Moscow has dismissed these reports as baseless. During a press briefing last week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeled the allegations of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian soldiers as “another piece of fake news.”
Reports of North Korean Defections
In a twist, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne has reported that about a dozen North Korean soldiers may have deserted their posts near Ukraine’s northern border shortly after being deployed. Citing anonymous intelligence sources, the outlet revealed that Russian forces are actively searching for these 18 deserters.
What Comes Next?
The prospect of North Korean troops entering the fray in Ukraine has raised concerns about a broader escalation of the war. With Congressman Turner pushing for clarity from the White House, and both NATO and the Pentagon on high alert, the situation remains tense. As new information surfaces, the world is watching closely to see how the U.S. and its allies will respond to this potentially game-changing development in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
