The Biden administration is preparing to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine in the coming days. This follows reports of significant North Korean troop casualties in Ukraine, marking their first major deployment to a European conflict. John Kirby, the US national security communications adviser, stated that over 1,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed in recent failed assaults near the Kursk border region, a figure corroborated by South Korea. Kirby described these attacks as ineffective “human wave” assaults, with Russian and North Korean military leaders treating the troops as expendable. Reports also indicate North Korean soldiers are choosing suicide over surrender.
The upcoming US aid package will include crucial air defense systems, though the exact contents and timing remain unclear. This aid surge builds upon a previous pledge made after a meeting between Jake Sullivan and Andriy Yermak, which included plans for delivering hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armored vehicles by mid-January. This earlier commitment also encompassed training for Ukrainian troops abroad and the finalization of $20 billion in loans backed by frozen Russian assets.
The accelerated aid delivery comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office. Trump has indicated a potential shift in US policy towards Ukraine, including a reported peace proposal that would compromise Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and potentially cede territory to Russia. He has repeatedly claimed he could swiftly end the conflict, though without providing specifics.
The deployment of North Korean troops follows a mutual defense pact signed between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un in June. Estimates suggest up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces. While President Zelenskyy claimed earlier this week that North Korean casualties exceeded 3,000, this figure remains unverified. In addition to troop deployment, North Korea has reportedly provided Russia with over 10,000 containers of artillery shells and other military equipment. South Korean officials express concern that North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict serves to modernize its military capabilities, potentially escalating threats on the Korean peninsula.