Russia Begins Deploying North Korean Weapons in Ukraine

(Newsworthy.news) – Russia is escalating the situation in Ukraine by deploying North Korean weapons as the war in the country is nearing its second anniversary. Meanwhile, Ukraine is still waiting for new air defenses from the US, making matters worse.

Among the many items Russia sought from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for assistance during its conflict with Ukraine were dozens of North Korea’s most recent, untested missiles and one million rounds of artillery to target Ukrainian forces stationed in trenches to the south and east. At a time when Ukraine is most vulnerable, the arrival of these weapons is causing great concern among American and European officials, who are worried that North Korea’s weaponry might play a significant role in the battlefield.

Even if a lot of the North Korean artillery shells aren’t hitting their targets, at least the Russians have something to fire at the Ukrainian soldiers, who are already cutting back on their supplies. While European nations had promised Ukraine a massive resupply, they had only managed to gather 300,000 artillery rounds thus far. However, the missiles are the leading cause for alarm at the Pentagon and NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Many high-ranking Russian officials have expressed concern in interviews that Moscow plans to employ missiles to counter Western air defenses. U.S. and European officials believe that there may be significantly more missiles to be delivered, even though the number of rockets sent thus far is small—probably less than 50.

South Korean authorities and experts believe that the war in Ukraine is providing the North with a much-needed opportunity to test its newly developed missile armament against air defenses developed in the West. This arsenal is supposedly intended for use in a battle with South Korea or the US.

At this time, the air defenses are proving effective. The Ukrainian military’s air defenses were sufficient for the winter, but that might change if North Korea ramps up its missile supplies and Congress doesn’t approve more help.