North Korea Confirms Troop Deployment to Russia in Support of Ukraine War
North Korea has confirmed that it sent troops to Russia to assist in the war against Ukraine. Intelligence estimates suggest this involves around 10,000 to 12,000 troops. Kim Jong Un underscored the purpose of this deployment as an effort against Ukrainian forces. The situation raises concerns about military technology exchanges that could bolster North Korea’s nuclear aspirations.
In a significant move, North Korea confirmed it has sent troops to Russia, marking the first official acknowledgment of such deployments. The troops were dispatched to aid in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, with estimates suggesting the number of troops sent last fall to be between 10,000 and 12,000. Until this statement, there had been speculation from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence regarding North Korea’s involvement.
Leader Kim Jong Un emphasized that this military cooperation stems from a mutual defense treaty established with Russia. The Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party highlighted Kim’s assertion that the deployment is intended to “annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers,” specifically aiming to liberate parts of the Kursk region alongside Russian forces.
Earlier reports indicated that, in response to heavy casualties among deployed North Korean forces, an additional 3,000 troops had been sent this year. It was assessed by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff that approximately 4,000 North Korean soldiers had either been killed or wounded during the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy corroborated the casualty figures but put the estimate lower than U.S. assessments, citing around 1,200 casualties.
In March, Kim met with Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu, reaffirming their nations’ commitment to their defense obligations. The media reported on discussions regarding a prospective visit by Kim to Moscow. In addition to troop deployments, North Korea has been providing Russia with an array of conventional weaponry, raising concerns among South Korea and the U.S. about the potential for Russia to share advanced military technologies with Pyongyang, enhancing its nuclear capabilities.
While North Korean soldiers are known for their discipline and training, their lack of combat experience may make them vulnerable on the battlefields of Ukraine. Observers have remarked that they are at risk from drone and artillery strikes due to their unfamiliarity with the terrain. Nevertheless, Ukrainian military officials have indicated that North Korean troops are acquiring valuable battlefield experience, playing an integral role in Russia’s strategy to overwhelm Ukrainian forces in the ongoing conflict.
North Korea’s admission of troop deployment to support Russia in its war against Ukraine highlights the deepening military relationship between the two nations. With thousands of North Korean soldiers now in combat, concerns about potential military technologies exchanged between Russia and North Korea grow. As the conflict intensifies, the implications of these developments will certainly require close international attention.
Original Source: kstp.com
