Western weapons supply to Ukraine delayed: Germany explains why

Steffen Hebestreit, a spokesman for the German Federal Government, said this at a briefing, Ukrinform reports.

"The question is not whether something will be delivered, but to what extent it is possible. There are always limitations due to... not whether we can finance it, but the availability of weapons," Hebestreit said, noting that Germany manages to maintain a constant flow of weapons to Ukraine.

According to him, Germany is constantly conducting an audit to find what can be transferred to Ukraine. The government spokesman emphasized that it would be good if other countries did the same. He recalled that another package from Germany was delivered to Ukraine two weeks ago.

Asked whether Chancellor Olaf Scholz could change his mind about providing German long-range weapons amid the escalation caused by Russia's involvement with North Korean soldiers, Hebestreit replied: “No.”

"This will have no impact. The Chancellor is firmly committed to his position, which he has repeatedly stated," the spokesman said.

Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea

On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that 20 soldiers were killed in a missile strike on occupied Donetsk, including six North Korean military personnel advising the Russian army.

The South Korean Defense Minister warned on October 8 that North Korea may deploy troops to Ukraine in support of Russia.

At an October 17 press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Russia's plan to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers for combat in Ukraine.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, later reported that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are training in eastern Russia, preparing for deployment to Ukraine. He added that the first unit of 2,600 soldiers is en route to Kursk, where Ukraine has established a stronghold.

Ukraine has since shared intelligence with NATO about North Korea’s military involvement and requested data from alliance members.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the participation of the North Korean military in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia would mean a “significant escalation.” 

Later, it was reported that South Korea was considering providing Ukraine with military and intelligence assistance in response to North Korea's sending its military to fight on the side of Russia.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported that on October 23, the North Korean military was spotted in the Kursk region.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that according to intelligence, the first North Korean military would be used by Russia in combat zones on October 27-28.

On October 25, South Korea's intelligence agency announced that North Korea plans to send a second batch of its military personnel to Russia, totaling up to 10,000 people.

On October 28, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the presence of North Korea's military in the Kursk region of Russia, noting that this is “a significant escalation in the DPRK's ongoing involvement in Russia's illegal war.” 

The Pentagon says that the DPRK has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is already using DPRK military personnel on the territory of Ukraine and that up to 12,000 troops could be deployed to Russian training grounds from the DPRK.

US Department of Defense spokesman Patrick Ryder said that a small number of North Korean troops are already in the Kursk region of Russia bordering Ukraine.

On October 31, it became known that North Korea had sent three of its generals to Russia, including the DPRK's deputy chief of general staff, who is also the head of the state's main intelligence bureau.