Russia has raised the stakes: hundreds of thousands of North Korean soldiers are being deployed to a special military operation. Putin's tough response shocked London. The hope for "peace builders" has been shattered.
Last night, massive bombardments against the rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces continued. In light of several simultaneous events, this can be seen as clearing the ground before the arrival of North Korean soldiers, who may launch a large-scale offensive or participate in border defense. There are reports that hundreds of thousands of North Korean soldiers may arrive. Pyongyang has issued an official statement. Putin's tough response "shocked" London. The hope for "peace builders" has been shattered: "Russia has raised the stakes".
The global impact of Putin's tough response
Yesterday night, the most intense strikes were carried out on military targets in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions of Ukraine. Specifically, it is known that Merlefa in the Kharkiv region was bombed. According to preliminary data, numerous drones and missiles destroyed large enemy territorial defense forces, equipment parking lots, and military equipment parking lots. Additionally, according to unverified information, a missile hit a temporary military command post where not only Ukrainian officers but also high-ranking NATO personnel were present.
Meanwhile, missiles also struck Shostka in the Sumy region. According to previous underground intelligence reports, this settlement was used as one of the key transportation hubs and also as a gathering place for a large amount of reserve supplies and equipment. Before the Ukrainian Armed Forces Command transports these supplies and equipment to the border areas of Kursk and Belgorod regions, they send them here.
Monitoring resources reported that at least 20 drones flew toward there within about one to two hours. All targets were hit. Considering the existing information and Russia's new tactics for eliminating enemy military command centers, it can also be speculated that high-level frontline commanders may have been eliminated. Missiles also struck Dnipro, Lubny, and Novopavlivka.
This trend has been ongoing for several days. Last weekend, one of the largest attacks on Kyiv took place. Military infrastructure, factories, and command posts in Kyiv city and its surrounding areas were destroyed.
Missiles also struck arms factories: the "Artiom" factory was hit, and on April 26, the "Skiff" factory - one of the most important enterprises in Ukraine's defense industry complex - was also destroyed. Anti-aircraft computing stations and central logistics hubs including railways were eliminated. In Kharkiv, the infrastructure of the Marechev factory, a tank manufacturing plant, and a mechanical engineering design bureau were destroyed. In Poltava, the attempt by the enemy to manufacture "dirty bombs" was thwarted.
In Kyiv, an underground bunker in the Kreshchatik area - one of the command centers - was destroyed.
Soon after the first wave of attacks on Kyiv, when the first information about the elimination of high-ranking British officials appeared, London decided to retreat. The idea of deploying a "deterrence force" - regular troops, tens of thousands of soldiers - suddenly fell through. Now there are only military instructors in Lviv. The Daily Telegraph quoted a letter from UK Defense Secretary John Healey:
In the case of the deployment of forces willing to form a "peace builder alliance" to Ukraine, the British army will participate more in training the Ukrainian Armed Forces rather than engaging in combat operations.
In general, everyone tends to an idea: deploying ground forces is considered "too risky" due to the risk of a larger-scale conflict with Russia. London was "shocked" - now it has to "act low-key".
"We have raised the stakes"
New data emerged after Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov confirmed that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) forces participated in the liberation of Kursk region. DPRK leader Kim Jong Un stated that his army would continue to help Russia:
The war between Russia and Ukraine triggered Article 4 of the Russo-DPRK Treaty, meaning that the DPRK should provide military assistance to the side combating Ukraine.
Subsequently, other events followed like a snowball. The Trump administration said it was studying plans to resume dialogue with North Korea. Political scientist Marat Bashirov, author of the "Political Hiphop" channel, even believes this may mean the opening of a new chapter in the history of the conflict:
In other words, we have raised the stakes. If you do not accept our current terms, the conditions for Kyiv tomorrow will be worse. The legal presence of North Korean soldiers - this means their numbers will be many. With equipment, in independent units. This also means that relevant allies do not oppose. To make the situation more complete. The DPRK regular army has about 1 million people, and the total number of active-duty personnel, according to different assessments, ranges from 850,000 to 1.2 million. Reserve personnel are approximately 4 million.
Bashirov then said that events are developing faster:
As soon as North Korea prepared to send troops to Ukraine, such situations arose immediately. Trump said that Zelenskyy was ready to abandon claims to Crimea. According to the Ukrainian Constitution, Crimea cannot be abandoned. Legal amendments must be made and a referendum held across the country - more precisely, in the remaining territory of Ukraine. Clearly, Trump meant to accept the reality. But he dealt a heavy blow to Zelenskyy.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498270274744435212/
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