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Russia is bringing back its bloody ‘human wave’ tactics, throwing poorly trained troops into a massive new assault in eastern Ukraine, White House says

Sonam Sheth and Jake Epstein – October 13, 2023

• The White House said Russia has resumed using bloody tactics in its war against Ukraine.
• It involves throwing “masses of poorly trained soldiers right into the battlefield without proper equipment” John Kirby said.
• Kirby also said that North Korea sent Russia 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions.

The White House said Friday that Russia has resumed employing the so-called “human wave” tactic in its war against Ukraine.

“As was the case during Russia’s failed winter offensive last year, the Russian military appears to be using human wave tactics, where they throw masses of poorly trained soldiers right into the battlefield without proper equipment, and … without proper training and preparation,” John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, said.

He added that Russia “continues to show no regard for the lives of its own soldiers, willingly sacrificing them in pursuit of Putin’s goals, while Ukraine continues to fight bravely, effectively, and smartly.”

Kirby said that where Russia is making progress, it is “very scant and short.” But he said Russia’s decision to resume human wave tactics is “a sobering reminder that Russia is not prepared to give up on this fight. And as long as Russia continues its brutal assault on Ukraine, the United States must support the Ukrainian peoples’ ability to defend themselves.”

The Pentagon on Wednesday announced a new security assistance package to help Ukraine fend off Russian aggression. It’s the Biden administration’s 48th “tranche of equipment” provided to Ukraine since August 2021, the Pentagon said, and it includes additional anti-tank weapons, air defense capabilities, and other equipment.

Kirby said Friday that Russia launched its renewed offensive in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

He added that this wasn’t a surprise, given Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal of bringing Ukraine back into the Soviet sphere of influence.

“And I would add that we have seen the Ukrainians work very hard to repel these offensive maneuvers, and they appear to have done just that,” Kirby said.

The White House also said North Korea recently sent Russia 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions and that it believes North Korea wants Russian military assistance in return, including fighter aircraft, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment, and surface-to-air missiles.

Kirby said the US is closely monitoring whether Moscow delivers on Pyongyang’s expectations, adding that “we have already observed Russian ships offloading containers in the DPRK, which may constitute … the initial deliveries of material from Russia.”

Kirby said that a military alliance between Russia and North Korea could undermine “regional stability and the global nonproliferation regime” and that the US is taking several steps in response to sanction the two countries.

Related:

The Hill

White House: North Korea has provided Russia with 1K containers of military equipment, munitions

Alex Gangitano – October 13, 2023

The White House on Friday announced North Korea has delivered military equipment to Russia amid the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Due in part to our sanctions and export controls, Russia has been forced to desperately search around the world for military equipment,” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. “We now have information that North Korea has delivered arms to Russia for use in Ukraine. Our information indicates that in recent weeks, North Korea has provided Russia with more than 1000 containers of military equipment and munitions.”

The White House released imagery Friday showing the movement of these containers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) into Russia by ship.

“We condemn the DPRK for providing Russia with this military equipment,” Kirby said, adding that the White House will monitor the situation and continue to expose such arms deals.

The update follows weeks of concerns over North Korean attempts to negotiate an arms deal with Russia. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month.

Graphic provided by the White House National Security Council.

Kirby said U.S. officials are now monitoring closely whether Moscow will provide Pyongyang with materials.

“This expanding military partnership between the DPRK and Russia, including any technology transfers from Russia to the DPRK, undermines regional stability and the global non-proliferation regime,” he said.

On Thursday, an American aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea as a demonstration of strength as tensions rise with North Korea. The carrier group will stay in Busan until Monday, following military drills with South Korea and Japan earlier this week.

The White House has warned North Korea against supplying Russia with arms amid its war against Ukraine. National security adviser Jake Sullivan last month said Pyongyang will “pay a price” if it follows through on a potential deal.