North Korean Troops in Ukraine: An Escalating Battlefield Twist

North Korean troops may soon join Russian forces in Ukraine, as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy hints at a deployment starting this weekend. This move could escalate the ongoing conflict and affect geopolitical tensions. Diplomatic strains rise amid concerns of a wider international impact, involving the Indo-Pacific region.

Amid rising tensions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that North Korean troops are set to join Russian forces in Ukraine as early as this weekend. This development raises diplomatic alarms and could escalate the war that's already reaching its third year.

Western officials warn that North Korean involvement could have far-reaching geopolitical repercussions, extending as far as the Indo-Pacific region. In related events, a planned visit to Kyiv by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was canceled following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Despite the tension, Moscow has neither confirmed nor denied the deployment of North Korean troops. The strategic implications of such a move could significantly alter the landscape of the ongoing conflict, while international support for Ukraine remains steadfast.

(With inputs from agencies.)