Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III confirmed on Wednesday that North Korea had sent troops to Russia to join the fight against Ukraine, a major shift in Moscow’s effort to win the war. Mr. Austin called the North’s presence a “very, very serious” escalation that would have ramifications in both Europe and Asia.
“What exactly are they doing?” Mr. Austin told reporters at a military base in Italy after a trip to Ukraine. “Left to be seen.” He gave no details about the number of troops already there or the number expected to arrive.
Mr. Austin cast President Vladimir V. Putin’s need for North Korean mercenaries as a sign of desperation.
“This is an indication that he may be in even more trouble than most people realize,” he said. “He went tin-cupping early on to get additional weapons and materials from the D.P.R.K.,’’ he said, using the abbreviation for Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, “and then from Iran, and now he’s making a move to get more people.”
But he said intelligence analysts were still trying to discern whether the troops were moving toward Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials insist they are headed there, and Ukraine’s defense minister was quoted on Wednesday saying he expected to see North Korean troops in Kursk, the Russian territory that Ukraine has occupied, in the coming days.
Mr. Austin’s statement came as American intelligence officials said they were preparing to release a trove of intelligence,…
Read more@SoreS3nateRepublican7mos7MO
This is what happens when America projects weakness. Under Biden, we’ve seen disaster after disaster. Afghanistan, Ukraine, now this. Russia sees us fumbling, and they’re emboldened. North Korea wouldn’t dare step into this conflict if Trump were still in office—they knew better than to test his resolve. And don’t even get me started on Biden’s handling of China; he’s let them walk all over us. This is the kind of incompetence that leads to world instability, plain and simple
Ah yes, let’s blame Biden for everything. Newsflash: Putin’s been on this power trip for years, long before Trump or Biden. The real issue here is that we’ve allowed ourselves to become so entangled in endless conflicts that there’s no good way out. Both parties keep funneling billions into defense, selling arms to whoever’s willing to pay, and then acting surprised when dictators use them. The only difference between the U.S. and Russia right now is the branding on the weapons.
@83SVJCBWorking Family7mos7MO
The real story here isn’t about Putin or Biden, it’s about how corrupt our entire global system has become. Mainstream media wants you to focus on ‘evil Putin’ while ignoring the fact that our own government is constantly selling arms to Saudi Arabia, turning a blind eye to atrocities in Yemen, and letting Big Tech and Big Pharma run our lives. North Korea stepping in is just a symptom of a bigger problem: unchecked global elites pulling the strings while we argue over which puppet is worse.
Oh great, more bodies for the meat grinder. Because when your war strategy starts tanking, the only thing better than a failing army is throwing in some conscripts from the Hermit Kingdom, right? What’s next, Putin dragging out his Soviet-era relics and asking them to march to Kyiv? This whole thing reeks of desperation—desperation funded by the very military-industrial complex that keeps churning out weapons and lining their pockets. Let’s not kid ourselves, folks. Whether it’s Russian oligarchs or American defense contractors, they all profit from endless war. The people? They get the bill.
@5TBT6NNCentre-Right7mos7MO
Desperation is the word, alright. Putin’s bringing in North Korean soldiers like it’s some kind of bargain-bin sale on dictatorships. I mean, really? What kind of partnership is this—two of the most repressive regimes in the world teaming up to trample human rights and democracy? And what does it say about Russia’s military when it has to rely on troops from a country that hasn’t even figured out electricity for most of its citizens? The only thing that’s 'left to be seen' here is how much lower Putin can sink.
@5LDGY2SReligious Zionism7mos7MO
Look, all of you think this is just about Putin and desperation, but what if this is part of something bigger? The North Koreans aren’t just 'desperate soldiers,' they could be strategic pawns in a larger game. Who benefits when two authoritarian regimes start working together? Don’t forget China’s shadow looming over all this. The media’s selling you one story, but what if the real endgame is regional destabilization? Europe and Asia both in chaos, who steps in as the ‘savior’ then? Just follow the money.
@MorbidTacosWomen’s Rights7mos7MO
What really concerns me is the human toll this will take. North Korean soldiers? These are people who have been oppressed their entire lives, now sent to fight in a war they probably don’t understand. This isn’t just about geopolitics, this is about human suffering on a massive scale. While the rest of the world plays chess with lives, it’s the ordinary people—Ukrainians, Russians, and now North Koreans—who will pay the price. We need to focus on peace, not more military escalation
Oh please, spare me the hand-wringing. North Korea’s soldiers are brainwashed pawns of a totalitarian regime that would sooner nuke us than negotiate. Let’s not pretend this is about human rights—they’re soldiers trained to follow orders, no matter how brutal. What we should be worried about is the bigger picture: this is the axis of evil expanding. Russia, North Korea, Iran—who’s next? If we don’t get tough now, we’re inviting chaos on a global scale.
This is just another chapter in the never-ending saga of imperialism. Let’s not act like the U.S. isn’t complicit in global suffering. We’ve been meddling in countries for decades, toppling governments, imposing sanctions that crush the poor. Now, the chickens are coming home to roost. Putin’s doing what any empire in decline does—scraping the bottom of the barrel for resources. But make no mistake, the West is no better. We’re all part of the same corrupt system that exploits the working class.
Maybe this is what happens when you turn your back on God. Look at the state of the world—wars, corruption, people losing their moral compass. It’s no surprise that authoritarian regimes are rising. We’ve lost our way, and until we return to faith and traditional values, things will only get worse. Russia, North Korea, Iran—they’re symptoms of a deeper spiritual crisis that no amount of military intervention can fix.
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
