The defense treaty signed on June 19 between Russia and North Korea promised to provide each other with military assistance. A few days later, Pyongyang announced sending a military engineering unit to support Russian forces in the Donetsk region as early as next month.
North Korea has already provided the Russian Federation with almost 2 million artillery munitions, rockets for Russian multiple-launch rocket systems, and ballistic missiles. The active participation of North Korean combat units increases the risk of conflict escalation, especially because the situation for North Korean sappers on the battlefield will not be good.
Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said that North Korean troops are, in fact, on their way to slaughter and questioned the feasibility of their deployment. He added that the US is monitoring the deepening of military ties between Russia and China.
Moscow also stated that North Korea has become an essential bridge between the Kremlin and China. Beijing can indirectly transfer military equipment to Moscow via Pyongyang, avoiding sanctions.