politics
Will Ukraine retaliate against North Korea outside of the war zone?
North Korea has previously sent approximately 15,000 troops to join Russia’s war against Ukraine. That’s not all. North Korea has also provided Russia with hundreds of thousands of artillery shells and dozens of ballistic missiles. But Pyongyang is now escalating. As Reuters reported last week, “A North Korean missile unit has begun deploying to western Russia and could be equipped with 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine.”
TL;DR
- North Korea has escalated its support for Russia's war in Ukraine by deploying missile units and providing significant quantities of artillery shells and ballistic missiles.
- Ukraine has a history of conducting retaliatory operations against Russian targets within Russia and elsewhere.
- North Korea's missile deployments are seen as an attempt to exploit Ukraine's deficit in Patriot air defense munitions.
- Potential Ukrainian retaliation against North Korea could involve targeting cargo ships, intelligence networks, or military officers.
- These retaliatory options present significant complexities and risks, including diplomatic fallout and operational challenges.
- The U.S. faces a dilemma regarding supplying more Patriot munitions due to its own shortfalls, influenced by the need to deter China.
- The article suggests the U.S. could provide bombs capable of striking missile launchers and that the West should impose heavier costs on Russia.
- Ukraine's current strategy focuses on drone resistance, isolating Russian forces in Crimea, and conducting deep strikes within Russian territory.