The situation at a glance: Pentagon: 10,000 soldiers from North Korea in Russia

According to estimates by the US Department of Defense, the number of soldiers from North Korea sent to Russia is around 10,000. “We estimate that North Korea has sent a total of about 10,000 troops to eastern Russia for training, who will likely reinforce Russian forces near Ukraine in the next few weeks,” said Pentagon deputy spokeswoman Sabrina Singh. Some of these North Korean soldiers have already moved closer to Ukraine. There are fears of an operation in the Kursk region of Russia near the border with Ukraine.

If the soldiers from North Korea are actually deployed on the battlefield, this will mean a further escalation of the war and will also show “the increasing desperation” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces have suffered “extraordinary losses” on the battlefield, said Singh. It is “an indication that Putin may be in more trouble than people realize.” The use of the North Koreans in Russia’s war of aggression would also have “serious implications for security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region,” warned Singh.

According to Russian information, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui was expected to return to Moscow after a three-day visit to the Russian capital in January. Putin himself does not deny the presence of North Korean soldiers and points out that Ukraine also relies on personnel from NATO countries.

Zelenskyj urges the Nordic Council to be invited to NATO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has been warning for days of a further escalation in the war if Russia uses the North Koreans in combat. The arrival of the North Korean soldiers was also the topic of his appearance in Iceland at the Nordic Council meeting, where he again called for more military aid and, above all, an invitation to join NATO in front of the heads of government of Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland.

One does not expect Ukraine to join NATO during the ongoing Russian war of aggression, but rather an invitation to membership as a concrete sign, said Zelenskyj in his speech in Reykjavik.

“Protective wall against Russia’s imperial ambitions”

Zelenskyj asked the heads of government of the Nordic Council to also put pressure on Germany. He said he expected “a political decision that would bring geopolitical clarity for Ukraine and all of Europe and strengthen us in diplomacy with Russia.” “If Ukraine receives an invitation to join NATO, it will become an insurmountable protective barrier against Russia’s imperial ambitions.” His country deserves an honest answer. “Please work with partners across Europe – especially in Berlin – so that we can achieve this geopolitical clarity together.”

Selenskyj also met Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and other European heads of state and government this month to promote a quick invitation to NATO. The demand is the core of what he calls a “victory plan” in the fight against the Russian war of aggression that has been going on for almost 1,000 days. The head of his presidential office, Andrij Jermak, is expected to meet with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Washington today (7:30 p.m. local time; Wednesday morning German time).

President calls for arms purchases and investments

Zelenskyj thanked Denmark and the other countries for the military aid and investments in weapons production in Ukraine so far. Regardless of delivery bottlenecks or changing political moods, his country needs artillery shells and drones.

“We see that Putin is ramping up his arms production and that rogue regimes like Pyongyang are supporting him. Next year, Putin wants to produce the same amount of ammunition as the EU. We have to act now to prevent that,” said Zelensky. That’s why he’s pushing to increase investment in weapons production, particularly to produce long-range weapons and drones, “key tools for limiting Russian capabilities.”

He called on members of the Nordic Council to purchase artillery shells from third countries to help Ukrainian soldiers at the front. “Our team will provide you with all the necessary information about the countries that can supply these ammunition.” At the same time, he called on states to further develop their defense industry. “Europe needs industrial strength and independence from other parts of the world,” Zelensky emphasized.

Injured in new Russian attacks in Kharkiv

According to authorities, at least seven people were injured in a new air strike on the historically significant Derzhprom building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Zelensky condemned the attack on one of constructivism’s most famous buildings, which was the first Soviet skyscraper under communist rule. The building was a candidate for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Other cities were also affected by new Russian attacks. Zelenskyj called for increasing pressure on Russia and further isolating the country with sanctions.