Engineers said to be supporting missile launches and reports of North Koreans killed near Donetsk

North Korean military engineers have been deployed to help Russia target Ukraine with ballistic missiles, and North Koreans operating in occupied areas of Ukraine have already been killed, senior officials in Kyiv and Seoul said.

There are dozens of North Koreans behind Russian lines, in teams that “support launcher systems for KN-23 missiles”, a source in Ukraine told the Guardian.

Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, last year travelled to Russia for a summit with Vladimir Putin where the two men bolstered their deepening ties with a secret arms deal.

Pyongyang’s ammunition shipments were vital in allowing Russian forces to advance in a grinding war of attrition in eastern Ukraine this summer. But it appears increasingly clear that the agreement went beyond supplying materiel.

  • Chainweasel@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    We’ve had Russians, North Koreans, and Indians fighting in Ukraine with Chinese supplied weapons against Ukrainians armed with American, Polish, German, British, and other European weapons in a war that’s been going on for nearly two years.

    Can we call it a World War yet?

    Or are we just going to refuse to use the word until nukes are dropped?

    We can also throw in the Middle Eastern theater for good measure too if that’s not enough.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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      2 months ago

      Seems to me that it’s just part of the proxy war that the world powers have been fighting pretty much constantly in an Oceania/Eurasia/Eastasia kind of way since 1945.

    • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      I’d say the situation is a lot closer to the Spanish Civil War, tbh. A lot of countries sent expeditionary forces and volunteers to assist one side or the other, including Russia and Nazi Germany (who kinda used the conflict as a proving ground for the concept of combined arms doctrine we know as “blitzkrieg”).

    • illi@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      Not until there are NATO boots on the ground, or NATO recognizes it is at war. Russia is already saying it is, NATO just didn’t get the memo yet I guess.

      You are right in saying Russia kinda made it a world war. I guess with just the one front it just doesn’t feel like it.

      • NOT_RICK@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        It could be pretty easily argued that Gaza/Lebanon is another front. Iran/Russia/China axis seems to be solidifying to an extent, imo.

        Israel did just bomb a Russian airbase in Syria, after all.

        Edit: guess I didn’t say “Israel is bad” enough in my comment? Seriously, I didn’t even make any value judgments in this comment, y’all are too touchy.

      • Yeah, the lack of boots on the ground is an important loophole. It’s just arms sales.

        Indians fighting in Ukraine? I thought most of those were tricked into helping the Russian military though…

      • Lemming6969@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Multiple boots on the ground on the Russia side, only takes boots on the ground from any nato country to qualify now. It’s very close.

        • FundMECFSResearch
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          2 months ago

          World war isn’t about how many countries are involved, but the scale of the conflict.

    • Draces@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      We didn’t call the cold war a world war and that wasn’t in a single country

    • Zahtu@feddit.org
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      2 months ago

      I think, its time to get even with them. Just deploy some NATO member Staates troops to Ukraine. I guess Putin wont be complaining too much about it

  • hotspur@lemmy.ml
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    2 months ago

    I find it interesting that the loaned DPRK are operating ballistic missile platforms. Makes me wonder if part of the intention is to skill up some of the army units with combat launching exp, which is not the happiest thought, since NK has a continental US capable truck-launched ICBM since 2017.

    Of course the plan doesn’t work if they all get killed by Ukrainian drone attacks, but NK has never been too precious about their rank and file anyway.

        • andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works
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          2 months ago

          Maybe that, maybe with more direct involvement in the warfare. I just see it’s unlikely they’d use people of NK in the deathliest skirmishes while depending on their supplies. Not to say that there is a huge language barrier and a racism problem them making me believe there are probably whole north korean units in some places rather than them being evenly spread across different divisions.

  • stupidcasey@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    It’s going to be hilarious when Russia N. Korea and china have to pull there entire economy together to fight this one little nation and Ukraine ends up marching on every single capital.

  • McDropout@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Ukraine gets help from its allies: I sleep

    Russia gets help from its allies: 😡😡

    The cognitive dissonance of Lemmy users.

    • FundMECFSResearch
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      2 months ago

      This you? Immediate block. Shame on you for supporting a mass murdering, civilian butchering, raping, children bombing, war regime.

      It’s okay to be proud of Russian culture and celebrate heritage. It’s not okay to support a war of conquests where children are stolen and civilians are slaughtered.

      • HomerianSymphony@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Shame on you for supporting a mass murdering, civilian butchering, raping, children bombing, war regime.

        Please stick to the topic instead of bringing up Kamala Harris.

      • McDropout@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Someone who has a different opinion that mine! Immediately blocked!

        My echo chamber is almost… ready!! 🤗

        • Tiefling IRL
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          Calling it a “different opinion” is an attempt to shut down any criticism of your disgusting lack of humanity. It’s like when Republicans call being a racist, xenophobic piece of shit a “different opinion”.

          Don’t bother replying, I’m not making this comment to try to convince you. I’m saying this to point out the tactic to anyone else who may be reading this.

          • McDropout@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            You can see me criticizing Russia in the same comment thread; I believe that Russia is committing war crimes that I do not support but Ukraine is siding with states which are committing whatever Russia is committing with impunity

            there goes my support for Ukraine

            The commenter I replied to didn‘t even have a conversation with me.

            Also both republicans and democrats are racist, xenophobic, sexist, genocidal maniacs. Don‘t compare me to North Americans.

            • Doom@ttrpg.network
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              2 months ago

              That is idiotic lmfao.

              Regardless of anything. Ukraine was invaded and is the smaller state being targeted by a much bigger state in population, economy, everything. Ukraine has every right to accept any help it can get.

              But you’re gonna say you don’t support Ukraine because they’ll accept aid against a supposedly stronger opponent?

              You are fake and also a homosapien.

              • McDropout@lemmy.world
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                2 months ago

                Where did I write that Ukraine shouldn‘t accept the help? Putting words into my mouth?

                Also I didn‘t insult you (or anyone in this thread in fact) so throwing in digs like that is a sign of your education or lack thereof.

                • Doom@ttrpg.network
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                  2 months ago

                  Dumb dumb dumb

                  Ukraine is siding with states which are committing whatever Russia is committing with impunity

                  there goes my support for Ukraine

                  Don’t play this “I didn’t say the exact magic words so I never said it at all” game with me. Everyone reading this sees your messaging. Ukraine sided with nobody, Ukraine was attacked and is the victim.

                  Only idiots think there are two sides to an inexcusable invasion based on lies. Go put your helmet back on

    • Doom@ttrpg.network
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      2 months ago

      I don’t think that’s happening anywhere. People are laughing at the desperation of Russia they’re getting help from basically a pariah state

      • kshade@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        People are laughing at the desperation of Russia they’re getting help from basically a pariah state

        Putin was seriously looking at the state of North Korea and thought “yeah, I can do that, I want that”.

      • McDropout@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Russia is still going strong 2 years into the war… after all these western interventions that couldn’t prevent a war.

        Sanctions mean nothing. Weapons mean nothing.

        Victory to Russia 🇷🇺

    • TAYRN@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      You’re… Aware that Russia invaded Ukraine, right? And all of this bloodshed, all of these senselessly sacrificed lives, could’ve been avoided if Russia just DIDN’T invade Ukraine?

    • BetaBlake@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      I don’t see that happening, but people aren’t going to be supporting Russia (or shouldn’t) since they’re the enemy in all this

      • McDropout@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        The enemy according to who?

        The western allies, western international law, UN, etc has showed us all last year that words like enemy, terrorist, ally is all relative.

        Israel occupies Palestine since 1948, and the western allies support it ever since, till this very day. And they also support a genocide in Gaza, Gaza being under siege, collective punishment, arming genocidal terrorists (IDF), arming illegal settlers in the West Bank.

        These same allies are supporting Ukraine. Now let‘s deduct who‘s the enemy in this formula.

        • TAYRN@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Oh, I got this. The “enemy” is the one who invaded the sovereign nation of Ukraine without provocation. Good job finding an entirely new topic to talk about. Distract. Good tactic.

          • McDropout@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            It‘s connected. Unless you see the suffering of white people the only important thing and everything is a distraction.

            We can talk about how Russia is actively killing Syrians in Syria and aiding the Assad regime. But Russia isn‘t a country to claim its position of „human rights but only for white people“ like Germany, France, USA, etc.

            Ukraine doesn’t belong to the EU, is not a member of NATO. Why all this aid? The EU is sunk into one of highest inflation in its history to support a foreign nation. Ukrainian refugees are treated way better than non-white refugees in central and western Europe.

            • TAYRN@lemmy.world
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              2 months ago

              That’s an interesting point, and human rights are certainly into question, but I’d ask when the last time Germany, France, USA, etc, declared war and invaded a sovereign nation.

              • McDropout@lemmy.world
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                2 months ago

                you including the USA is funny like USA invaded multiple sovereign countries on baseless reasons… with impunity (because of their immunity to international law).

                They invaded Afghanistan to replace the Taliban… with the Taliban. They killed 1.5+ million Iraqis when they accused Iraq to have weapons of mass destruction that didn‘t exist. The american army tortured Iraqi citizens in Abu Ghraib prisons in documented ways against international law… with impunity. This is in 2000-2004. Only 2 decades ago.

                And let‘s not get started with how proxies are now doing their dirty work for them. The american proxy Israel invaded sovereign nation Lebanon a couple of days ago. How much money did the USA send Israel in weapons last year alone?

                Does Russia fund proxies? Sure. Does Russia claim to be the beacon of human rights? Not that I know of.

                But it‘s Russia that needs to be sanctioned, banned from sporting events, be called my enemy etc and the USA runs free from bombing Libya a couple of years ago.

                But Libyans, Iraqis, Afghanis and Lebanese are unfortunately not… human. They‘re muslims! Terrorists! Kill them all!

                And Ukrainians are white! Sklava Ukraini!! 🇺🇦

                • TAYRN@lemmy.world
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                  2 months ago

                  Oh, absolutely. The USA’s war(s) in Afghanistan and their role in the middle east are abhorant and unforgivable. Just like their roles in destabilizing South America, etc.

                  And Russia should also be sanctioned, banned, etc. for attacking Ukraine. Just like they should’ve for Crimea.

            • Custodian1623@lemmy.world
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              2 months ago

              The US and EU not supporting human rights across the board does not make supporting Ukraine the wrong decision

          • McDropout@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            Also. I want to inform you of an analogy. But if my friend is funding killing of other people but is actively supporting me then I‘ll question the friendship.

            But people like you would say that killing other people is a distraction as long as I have a good supportive friend!

            But hey, that‘s me! xD

      • McDropout@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        The enemy according to who?

        The western allies, western international law, UN, etc has showed us all last year that words like enemy, terrorist, ally is all relative.

        Israel occupies Palestine since 1948, and the western allies support it ever since, till this very day. And they also support a genocide in Gaza, Gaza being under siege, collective punishment, arming genocidal terrorists (IDF), arming illegal settlers in the West Bank.

        These same allies are supporting Ukraine. Now let‘s deduct who‘s the enemy in this formula.

    • AAA@feddit.org
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      2 months ago

      Ukraine:

      Russia: invades Ukraine, committing war crimes on a daily basis.

      I don’t think you’re eligible to judge anyone’s cognitive abilities.

    • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Okay, we get to send American troops into the fight then, not just training 3,000 miles away, or sending ammunition. Actually into the fight. Russia will have nothing to complain about when 3rd ID HIMARS three minefield belts and thunder runs the Russian regional command and logistics bases.