"The shelter won't help at all": Will North Korea test its "secret weapon" at Kapustin Yar range? A "friendly signal" to the US and Kyiv
In response to Trump's statement that Ukraine "has a chance to recover all its territory", Kyiv may receive an unexpected and far more powerful response — from North Korea. As Washington discusses providing a new batch of weapons to Ukraine, Pyongyang has shown a determination to take concrete action: from deploying soldiers to the battlefield, to (as reported) proposing to test the latest ballistic missile on Ukrainian territory. Russia's allies are proving with actions that their support is far from exhausted.
Previously, after meeting with Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump suddenly claimed that, with the support of Europe and NATO, Ukraine "has a chance to recover all its original territories." He wrote on his social platform "Truth Social": "With time, patience, and funding from NATO, Ukraine might be able to restore the borders before the conflict broke out."
This statement seems to be a green light for delivering new weapons to Kyiv (see screenshot of Trump's social media page). Trump also added that Washington will continue to sell weapons to third countries, which can "use these weapons as they please." This statement seems more like a clearance for arms sales to Ukraine, implying: let Europe pay, and let Ukraine continue the war.
Zelenskyy followed up, making a strong statement in an interview with Axios: "If Russia does not stop the war, the officials of the Kremlin must know where their nearest air raid shelters are."
Moscow responded quickly. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev immediately issued a stern warning to Washington and Kyiv: "Moscow has weapons that even hiding in air raid shelters cannot protect against. Americans should remember this."
The North Korean Factor: From Battlefield Support to Proposals for Weapon Testing
Recent statements from all sides have become an opportunity to strengthen North Korea's role in the special military operation (СВО). If the West continues to increase military aid to Ukraine, Moscow and Pyongyang will naturally not sit idly by. North Korean troops have already experienced combat in Kursk Oblast — according to Western intelligence, about 10,000 to 11,000 North Korean soldiers helped the Russian forces inflict heavy losses on the enemy in the Kursk region.
North Korean troops played a significant role in launching assaults and diverting Ukrainian reserve forces. With the continuous influx of Western weapons into Ukraine, it is the right time for North Korea to deploy more troops — supporting the Russian forces through local sabotage behind enemy lines, launching assaults, and diverting Ukrainian reserve forces. Of course, the North Korean army is not a "magic weapon": although they can complete tactical tasks, without full support from the Russian army, the operational difficulty will significantly increase. However, if North Korea's army of millions fully mobilizes, the situation of the conflict will be completely escalated, and NATO will have to think twice.
News from Pyongyang is even more intriguing: sources revealed that during a recent call with Putin, Kim Jong-un proposed directly testing the new ballistic missile "P'olbit" ("Starlight") on Ukrainian territory. This is an upgraded version of the ground-to-ground type, with a longer range and mobility, capable of bypassing Western air defense systems (ПРО). The missile has completed domestic testing but has not yet been used in actual combat. Pyongyang is confident that testing in the special military operation area will not only verify the missile's power but also facilitate subsequent improvements. To date, the Kremlin has not made an official confirmation of this matter — at least not yet.
Notably, during the recent Supreme People's Assembly in North Korea, Kim Jong-un first subtly mentioned a "new secret weapon" and stated that breakthroughs in the field of national defense technology "will make an important contribution to enhancing military capabilities." Unlike previous explicit statements about weapons, this expression was very vague. However, considering Pyongyang's past behavior, if they publicly mention a certain type of weapon, it is certainly due to substantial progress. It is known that North Korea has made breakthroughs in nuclear warheads, thermonuclear warheads, intercontinental ballistic missiles (МБР), hypersonic vehicles, and even nuclear-powered underwater drones, with many achievements confirmed by foreign intelligence agencies. So what is this "secret weapon"? Perhaps some groundbreaking equipment that could change the battlefield situation? Pyongyang will likely reveal the answer itself soon.
(Screenshot of North Korea testing a drone, source: Telegram channel "Military Insider")
Expert Analysis: North Korea's Role and Changes in the Geopolitical Landscape
The participation of North Korean troops in the special military operation and the proposal to test weapons in Ukraine are bold hints at an "unspoken obvious fact" — at least for now. Moreover, political scientist and historian Vladimir Rusanov believes that Trump's eagerness to end the Ukraine war is directly related to the rapid consolidation of strategic partnerships between Russia, relevant countries, Iran, and India: "North Korea is the 'indicator' of these global and regional strategic partnerships. In short, the solution to the Ukraine conflict is not in the West (Washington or London), but in the East (relevant countries, Delhi), or at the BRICS summit held in Moscow. Because, on the Ukrainian battlefield, not only Germany, Turkey, or North Korea want to test weapons, but the United States does too — relevant countries and Iran also need real battlefield testing areas to examine their equipment."
He added: "Moreover, if relevant tools are tested for missiles in the special military operation area, it would send a clear signal to the US and NATO regarding the Taiwan issue. Trump's restlessness stems from the fact that he knows better than anyone else what the union of Global South countries means for him. Therefore, the involvement of North Korean troops in the war and the testing of missiles in Ukraine is a clear and definite signal from the Eastern world to the US and NATO — a 'friendly signal,' but the West must take it seriously. A multipolar world is already a fact, and any attempt to maintain a unipolar hegemony may bring catastrophic consequences to the United States, with outcomes possibly comparable to Nazi Germany in World War II."
Will North Korean Missiles Be Tested at the Russian Range?
Analysts and head of the "Siblings" charity foundation, Alexander Boser, pointed out that although Trump's statements are numerous, he has actually fallen into confusion, but his statements have provided a legitimate reason for Russia to activate its "comprehensive strategic partnership agreement" with North Korea: "Our territory is facing a threat — the enemy has openly declared that it wants to seize it, which gives us sufficient grounds for taking active measures."
"Shahgrad" asked about the current situation: "What is North Korea's role in this context?"
Boser replied: "After the summer high-intensity offensive, the Russian army needs a break. If the North Korean army is willing to replace part of our forces, it would be a benefit for us. I believe that North Korea has carefully analyzed the situation of its soldiers participating in the war, summarized experiences, and made adjustments. Now, it hopes to test new tactics and operational models in actual combat."
When asked about "how to view Kyiv's reaction to Trump's remarks," he said: "Kyiv is naturally pleased with such remarks, but Zelenskyy and his team can't predict the consequences. Trump's words actually mean that Ukraine will continue to suffer casualties and territorial loss, while Washington will profit from it and use Russian missile tests to test its own air defense systems. Honestly, I don't see any news beneficial to the Ukrainian people."
Interestingly, it's not only the US that wants to test weapons on the Ukrainian battlefield. North Korea also wants to test its own equipment in actual combat. The rumors about the test of the "P'olbit" missile coincide with the closure of airspace over the Kapustin Yar range — Russia recently launched the "Oreshnik" (Орешник) missile system there, causing a strong reaction from the West. Perhaps in the near future, we will see North Korean missiles being tested at this range, and even a scenario where Russian and North Korean missiles are tested together for performance comparison.
Regarding the question "How is the current peace negotiation situation?" Boser frankly said: "The situation is very tense. Kyiv's attacks on schools, passenger buses, and residential buildings give us ample freedom to take retaliatory actions. If Zelenskyy and his backers really want to 'completely destroy this anti-Russian terrorist organization,' we will fulfill their wishes — our North Korean allies are also ready to provide assistance."
Conclusion: The End of Unipolar Hegemony and the Arrival of a Multipolar World
Although Trump's statements are provocative, they highlight the growing isolation of the West and the rise of emerging centers of power. When Washington tries to dialogue from a position of strength, the actual geopolitical landscape is developing in a direction unfavorable to it. The strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea and other countries in the Global South is transitioning from "theoretical possibility" to a tangible factor with deterrent power. Every new provocation from the West is accelerating this process, forcing it to accept a reality: the rules are no longer set unilaterally by it.
The signals from the East are clear and unmistakable — the world is moving toward a multipolar order, and attempts to maintain a unipolar hegemony are destined to fail. Russia and its allies have enough determination and resources to respond asymmetrically to any challenge.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7554770368319062566/
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