Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's comments were Washington’s first confirmation of a major development over which South Korea and Ukraine have recently sounded the alarm.

North Korea has sent troops to Russia, the United States said Wednesday, its first public confirmation of a move that has rattled Western allies and could mark a major escalation of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

“There is evidence of DPRK troops in Russia,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters in Rome, using the abbreviation for North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“What exactly they’re doing is left to be seen,” Austin said, adding, “We’re trying to gain better fidelity on it.” It’s a “serious issue,” he said, if North Korea’s “intention is to participate in this war on Russia’s behalf.”

His comments came after South Korea and Ukraine sounded the alarm in recent days, sharing intelligence and voicing dissatisfaction with what they see as a lack of urgency in the response from the U.S. and other Western countries.

  • MisterScruffy@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1016·
    29 days ago

    Huh? “the west” has been sending tons of weapons, ammo, & equipment to help Ukraine the whole time. I think that counts as sending more than just “letters of warm regard”

    • Tyfud@lemmy.worldEnglish
      26·
      29 days ago

      That’s because that’s what’s allowable by international standards and agreements. We’re “selling” it to those countries as a part of our trade and military agreements.

      Sending troops, where feet touch the ground on foreign soil during wartime? That’s a whole different ballgame. That’s how World Wars get started.

      • TokenBoomer@lemmy.worldEnglish
        12·
        28 days ago

        Guess we’re in the ballgame:

        According to the document, dated 23 March, the UK has the largest contingent of special forces in Ukraine (50), followed by fellow Nato states Latvia (17), France (15), the US (14) and the Netherlands (1).

    • Railcar8095@lemm.eeEnglish
      10·
      29 days ago

      You’re right. Next time, let’s cut the middle man and send the missiles to Moscow directly.

      Glad we are in agreement.

    • hydroptic@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      3·
      29 days ago

      And the whole time Russia has been saying it’s a dangerous escalation, and that sending weapons to Ukraine is tantamount to participating in the war.