The Kremlin has responded to the declaration of Donald Trump’s victory with a rather nonchalant “let’s see,” hinting at a cautious optimism regarding the potential impact on the ongoing war in Ukraine. This response has been met with a mixture of anxiety and apprehension, with some interpreting it as a sign of Russia’s eagerness to see Trump fulfill his promise of ending the conflict within 24 hours.
However, the situation is far more complex than a simple “end the war” scenario. While Trump’s past pronouncements about quickly resolving the conflict might have favored Russia, the current circumstances are vastly different. Russia appears to have entered a phase where the war has become deeply intertwined with its internal affairs and ambitions.… Continue reading
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the first engagement between Ukrainian forces and North Korean troops deployed to support Russia in the ongoing war. Zelenskyy expressed concern that this alliance could escalate the conflict, potentially destabilizing Asia. He specifically criticized China’s silence on the issue, urging South Korea to play a more active role by sending specialists to Ukraine to assess North Korea’s capabilities firsthand. Zelenskyy’s comments come amidst reports of North Korea’s increasing military activity, including the launch of short-range ballistic missiles and the testing of a new intercontinental ballistic missile designed to reach the United States.
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Donald Trump’s recent election victory has raised concerns about his ability to end the Russia-Ukraine war within “24 hours,” as he pledged during his campaign. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed skepticism about Trump’s claim, stating that ending the conflict is a complex process that cannot be achieved overnight. While Trump’s plan would likely benefit Russia by ceding Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism about the feasibility of achieving a quick resolution without sacrificing land. Zelensky also voiced hope for continued bipartisan support from the U.S. for Ukraine, despite Trump’s previous rhetoric regarding ending U.S. involvement in the conflict.
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A captured Russian soldier reports that North Korean troops deployed to assist Russia in combat against Ukraine have put their own units at risk by failing to properly aim their guns, potentially killing two Russian soldiers during an assault. Approximately 8,000 North Koreans are reportedly stationed in Russia’s Kursk region where Ukraine has recently made territorial gains. The decision to bring in North Korean forces is seen by some analysts not as a strategy for winning the war, but as a method for addressing domestic political issues and influencing international perceptions. In return for North Korean assistance, Russia is providing food, money, and space technology, with reports indicating North Korean soldiers are receiving $2,000 per month. It is also reported that Russia intends to place North Korean troops in units with local ethnic minorities in an effort to conceal their presence.
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US officials have reported approximately 8,000 North Korean troops stationed in Russia’s Kursk region, who are likely to enter the war with Ukraine. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Moscow has armed these troops with various weapons, including 60mm mortars, AK-12 rifles, RPK/PKM machine guns, SVD/SVF sniper rifles, Phoenix anti-tank guided missiles, and RPG-7s. The troops have also been provided with night vision equipment, thermal imagers, sights, and binoculars, suggesting the weaponry to be similar to that used by Russian forces. A previously released video showed North Korean troops in Russian gear at a training compound. Predicted to join the fight against Ukraine soon, these developments have led Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to call on Western allies to lift long-range weaponry restrictions.
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North Korean soldiers who have been deployed to support Russia in the Ukraine are expected to suffer significant losses due to their lack of training for the geography and climate, according to Estonian Colonel Ants Kiviselg. North Korea has sent nearly 12,000 troops to Russia, including 500 officers and three generals, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) however these soldiers have typically been trained to fight in mountainous terrain, unlike the conditions in Ukraine. Kiviselg suggests that communication issues between North Korean and Russian troops could also cause difficulties. His comments come as the Ukrainian conflict increases in intensity, with Russian forces reportedly advancing at its fastest rate since the early months of the war.
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The US has imposed sanctions on 398 companies in over a dozen countries, including India, which are accused of offering technological support to Moscow in the Russia-Ukraine war. These firms are alleged to have enabled Russia’s war capabilities and helped them bypass sanctions. Of these companies, 274 are believed to have supplied advanced military technology to Russia. In addition to this, diplomatic sanctions have also been imposed on senior Russian Defense Ministry officials and staff from Russian defense firms. Despite the imposition of these sanctions, many experts question their efficacy, citing Russia’s continued economic and military growth, largely due to the sale of oil and gas on international markets.
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Major General Alexander Ogloblin, former head of Russia’s military communications department, has been arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of 10 million rubles ($103,000) from a telecommunications company to secure defense ministry contracts. Ogloblin had already been sentenced to four and a half years for embezzlement in February 2022 but was released early after implicating his former superior, Vadim Shamarin, in his testimony. His second arrest comes following statements against him by Shamarin, as part of a plea deal with investigators. Shamarin was accused of receiving procurement kickbacks. The arrest is seen as a crackdown on serving and former defense officials linked to former defense minister Sergei Shoigu.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised the inadequate reaction of western allies to the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. The US and South Korea have called on China to use its influence over Russia and North Korea to prevent escalation. Anton Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said around 8,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia on the border with Ukraine, with the belief that Russia is preparing to deploy them. China has so far remained silent on the situation. Meanwhile, Russian forces have reportedly captured another village in eastern Ukraine.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that about 8,000 North Korean soldiers stationed in Russia are preparing for deployment into combat in Ukraine. Blinken revealed that the US believes a total of 10,000 North Korean troops had been sent to Russia for training before being based in the Kursk region on the border with Ukraine. The upcoming deployment could escalate the Russia-Ukraine war into a multi-region conflict, involving North and South Korea. Blinken’s comments come after North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile and hours before Ukraine’s president warned that North Korean troops could join the fight against Ukraine within days. The US, South Korea, and the Pentagon have all warned against the deployment of North Korean troops in the battle.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker