War in Ukraine, day 973: North Korean soldiers in Russia, Brics mediation offers

► 1,500 additional North Korean soldiers in Russia

North Korea has sent 1,500 additional troops to Russia, South Korean intelligence told parliamentarians on Wednesday (October 23), adding that a total of 10,000 should be deployed by December.

“An estimated 1,500 more troops have been deployed to Russia”bringing their total to 3,000, said lawmaker Park Sun-won, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, after a briefing with the National Intelligence Service (NIS). The NIS said Friday that Pyongyang was sending “troops in numbers” to support Russia in its offensive in Ukraine.

► Ukraine calls on North Korean soldiers to surrender

Ukraine has called on any North Korean soldiers sent by Moscow to its territory to surrender, after reports from Seoul that these fighters were being sent to Russia.

“Surrender as prisoners of war!” Ukraine will shelter you, feed you and warm you! »can we read in the message, also translated into Korean and addressed to “fighters” North Koreans, which was published by a service run by Ukrainian military intelligence.

The German Foreign Ministry, for its part, summoned North Korea’s charge d’affaires for the ” support “ from the latter to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“If the reports about North Korean soldiers in Ukraine are true and North Korea supports Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine with troops, this would be serious and a violation of international law”declared on X the ministry, for whom such support “directly threatens German security and European peace”.

► Putin “welcomes” offers of mediation

Russian President Vladimir Putin “welcomes” offers of mediation from certain Brics countries for the conflict in Ukraine, while welcoming the advance of its troops on the front, indicated Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov.

“Many countries express the wish to contribute more actively to the settlement process, declare their readiness to play a mediator role, which is welcomed by the Russian president”said Dmitri Peskov, during a Brics summit in Kazan. According to the Kremlin spokesperson, quoted by Russian news agencies, Vladimir Putin sees a “positive dynamic on the front” for its soldiers in Ukraine.

► Xi Jinping and Lula want to avoid an “escalation of fighting”

Chinese President Xi Jinping has argued against “escalation of fighting” in Ukraine, comments made during the Brics summit in Kazan.

On the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, China regularly calls for peace talks and respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine. But she has never condemned Russia for its invasion, which began in 2022. Beijing-Moscow economic, diplomatic and military relations have even strengthened since that date.

“Avoiding escalation and instigating peace negotiations (…) is crucial for the conflict between Ukraine and Russia”for his part declared the President of Brazil.