North Korea has sent approximately 3,000 additional soldiers to Russia, adding to the 11,000 already deployed since 2023. Alongside troop reinforcements, they are supplying weapons, with reports of North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine. The escalating military relationship highlights serious implications for the ongoing conflict.
North Korea has reportedly dispatched approximately 3,000 additional troops to support Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, as confirmed by South Korea’s military reports. This move continues a pattern of North Korean military involvement, following an earlier deployment of about 11,000 soldiers to the conflict zone since early 2023. Alongside the troop reinforcements, North Korea is also supplying Russia with missiles, artillery, and ammunition, with the potential for increased support depending on the course of the war.
The evidence of North Korean combatants in Ukraine has emerged following the capture of two North Koreans by Ukrainian forces, marking a significant indication of direct North Korean involvement. Despite neither Moscow nor Pyongyang officially acknowledging the participation of North Korean troops, their involvement is suggested by the 2022 military agreement that both nations signed.
Reports suggest that around 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been either killed or wounded in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the severity of the situation. Ukrainian soldiers have documented statements from captured North Korean soldiers, revealing they were unaware of their deployment to Ukraine and mentioned that conscription in North Korea begins at the age of 16, lasting for eight years. This insight raises concerns regarding the age and experience levels of the troops sent by North Korea to assist Russia.
The reinforcement of North Korean troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine marks a significant escalation in their military cooperation. This involvement, characterized by substantial loss and the youth of the soldiers, signals a disturbing level of North Korean participation in global conflict, reminiscent of past wars. The dynamic illustrates the intertwining strategies between North Korea and Russia amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Original Source: www.the-express.com
