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North Korean Soldiers Seen Training in Russia for Possible Deployment to Ukraine
Seoul – North Korean soldiers have been filmed receiving uniforms and equipment at a military training ground in Russia’s far east, suggesting growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, as reported by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS). According to NIS, around 1,500 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia for military training, potentially preparing for deployment to the frontlines in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security shared a video with CNN, showing a long line of soldiers, believed to be North Korean, queuing for uniforms. Although the poor audio quality made it difficult to confirm, the soldiers were reportedly speaking in Korean. The video provides rare visual evidence of North Korean involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, confirming concerns raised by Ukrainian and Western officials.
Upon arriving in Russia, the North Korean recruits were asked to complete questionnaires detailing their uniform sizes, including hats, headgear, and shoes. CNN obtained a copy of the form, which featured Russian instructions and Korean size options. This reinforces earlier claims of logistical preparations for the North Korean soldiers’ integration into Russian military operations.
Another video, which has been geolocated to the Sergeevka Training Ground near Russia’s border with China, also surfaced on social media. In the footage, a Russian-speaking individual is heard saying, “we can’t film them,” and later, “there are millions of them here. Here are the new reinforcements. This is just the beginning.” These remarks further fuel speculation that North Korea may be playing an increasingly direct role in Russia’s war efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned of North Korea’s deepening military alliance with Russia. Speaking at a NATO summit earlier this week, Zelensky emphasized that “thousands” of North Korean soldiers were en route to Russia, describing it as an “urgent” development. “From intelligence that I have, they are preparing 10,000 soldiers, different soldiers, land forces, technical personnel,” Zelensky said, stressing the seriousness of the situation in his conversations with the United States.
Reports from South Korean media suggest that North Korea could send up to 12,000 troops in total, though the NIS has not officially confirmed this figure. This would mark the first significant international military intervention by North Korea, a country that, despite having one of the world’s largest standing armies with 1.2 million soldiers, has limited experience in foreign combat.
The apparent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia highlights the increasing military and strategic ties between the two nations. As the conflict in Ukraine drags on, this development could signal a shift in the dynamics of the war, with North Korea becoming a more active player on the global stage.
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Putin Hosts BRICS Summit Amid Rising Global Tensions
Kazan, Russia – Nearly three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting a major summit of BRICS nations, signaling that he is far from isolated on the global stage. The summit, which began Tuesday in the southwestern city of Kazan, brings together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly joined members Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Iran.
This is the first in-person BRICS summit since the group’s expansion earlier this year. It comes at a time when Russia is facing widespread condemnation and sanctions from the West for its ongoing war in Ukraine. Putin, however, aims to demonstrate that a growing coalition of nations supports his vision of a world less dominated by the United States and its Western allies.
The three-day summit opened with Putin meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, who praised the partnership between their nations as a model for international relations. Leaders from India, South Africa, and Iran are also in attendance, although Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had to cancel his appearance due to an injury.
This gathering is the largest international event Russia has hosted since the war began in February 2022. Putin’s goal is to project the BRICS bloc as a force challenging the U.S.-led global order. He emphasized the economic and political influence of BRICS countries, calling their growing prominence an “undeniable fact” and asserting that the group will play a key role in shaping a “new world order.”
Despite the rhetoric, the BRICS countries have diverse political interests and internal tensions that complicate their ability to present a unified front. For example, India and China have longstanding border disputes, and their relationship with the U.S. varies significantly.
The summit comes at a pivotal moment ahead of the U.S. elections, where a potential victory for former President Donald Trump could shift Washington’s foreign policy, especially its support for Ukraine. Putin’s summit also follows heightened conflict in the Middle East, where Israel is engaged in a military operation against Iran-backed militant groups, adding further complexity to the geopolitical landscape.
Observers expect the BRICS summit to address issues like economic cooperation, alternatives to the U.S. dollar in international trade, and strategies for dealing with sanctions. While the group presents itself as a counterbalance to Western influence, divisions within BRICS and its newly expanded membership may limit its ability to act cohesively. Nonetheless, the Kazan summit underscores a broader trend of countries seeking to challenge the dominance of the U.S. and its allies in global affairs.
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