Kim Jong Un inspected Moscow’s hypersonic missiles, nuclear bomber jets and warships on Saturday during a visit to Russia that fueled concern in the West about a growing alliance between North Korea and Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, despite the top US general responded by downplaying the potential impact it might have on both countries.
Kim traveled to an airport in the eastern Russian port city of Vladivostok, where Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other Russian military officials gave him a tour of Russian warplanes, including Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers that have regularly launched missiles. tour in Ukraine.
Shoigu, flanked by Lt. General Sergei Kobylash, the commander of Russia’s long-range bomber unit, reportedly told Kim that the Tu-160 bomber jets were recently equipped with new missiles with a range of over 4,040 miles.
Comments by Russian military brass to Kim during the trip were the first time the deployment of the new missile was confirmed, after officials previously said the weapon was in development.
Shoigu also gave Kim a close-up look at the hypersonic Kinzhal missile, which is carried by MiG-31 fighter jets and was first introduced in Ukraine. The missile is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads and has the ability to travel over 7,600 mph.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects Russian warplanes at Vladivostok International Airport on Saturday.AP
Kim’s trip to Russia included more than four hours of talks with Putin on Wednesday and suggested potential cooperation between the North Korean leader, who recently said he wants to strengthen his Navy, and Moscow, which desperately needs ammunition to fuel its war in Ukraine.
The US has accused North Korea of sending ammunition, artillery, and missiles to Russia and South Korean officials have said these weapons were used during the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
North Korea “probably represents the single largest source of compatible legacy artillery shells outside of Russia, including domestic production facilities for further supply,” said Joseph Dempsey, research associate for defense and military analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Since last year, the US has accused North Korea of providing weapons to Russia to fuel its war in Ukraine. AP
However, US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the alliance between the two countries would probably not bring much change.
Milley, on a visit to Norway for NATO meetings that begin Saturday, acknowledged that a meeting between Kim and Putin might lead to an agreement that would see North Korea provide artillery to Moscow, but it was unclear how much would be provided or when the agreement would be. can be executed.
“Does it make a big difference? I’m skeptical about that,” Milley, emphasizing that while he doesn’t want to downplay the potential arms trade, “I doubt that it will be decisive.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also inspected the rocket assembly hangar during the visit. AP
In return, Kim would likely receive advanced weapons or military technology from Russia, Milley said.
Admiral Rob Bauer of the Netherlands, the chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, said during Saturday’s meeting that Ukraine also continues to need arms and ammunition, but the amount it needs is so large that it is straining arms production. the world.
“When they think about giving away guns or ammunition, they have to think … what risk am I taking on my own readiness?” Bauer said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit the White House next week during a trip to the US for the United Nations General Assembly, while Congress debates President Joe Biden’s request to send another $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for the ongoing war.
“It certainly comes at a critical time, as Russia desperately seeks help from countries like North Korea for its brutal war in Ukraine, as Ukrainian forces continue to make progress in their counter-offensive, and just after the next Ukrainian defense contact group meeting [Defense] Secretary Austin is organizing with dozens of our allies and partners in Europe early next week,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Friday during a White House press briefing.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
