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.

  • @[email protected]
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    7929 days ago

    Remember, if “the west” so much as sends letters of warm regard, let alone troops, to Ukraine, Russia will feel like that’s justification for starting WW III. They can naturally do whatever they want, because Russia.

    • Flying SquidM
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      1329 days ago

      Maybe, but there is very little chance of Putin launching nukes. Firstly because they likely haven’t been serviced and many probably won’t work, secondly because dictators tend to want legacies and Putin has children and grandchildren.

      • @Valmond
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        629 days ago

        He don’t care about his children or grandchildren, but what he do care about is his own life, so he won’t be launching any nukes.

        • Flying SquidM
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          329 days ago

          What makes you think he doesn’t care about his legacy?

          • @Valmond
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            529 days ago

            Hmm fair point, IIRC he does have some son in politics quite high up.

            • Flying SquidM
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              429 days ago

              Really, you don’t have to love your son to want him to replace you. It’s more about being You 2.0 than being someone you love. I doubt either of the successive Kims got much love from their fathers.

    • @[email protected]
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      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
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        2629 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
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          -128 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).

      • @[email protected]
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        1029 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.

      • @[email protected]
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        329 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.