North Korea Trains with Russian Advanced Weaponry Amid Ongoing Conflict
Russia’s Defense Ministry has unveiled footage of North Korean troops engaging in training with advanced weaponry, including AK-12 rifles and RPG-7 launchers. This collaboration raises alarms in the West and South Korea, with officials concerned about North Korea’s potential to gain critical combat experience. As North Korean forces engage in the Ukraine conflict, their training may enhance their effectiveness, marking significant shifts in military dynamics.
The recent collaboration between Russia and North Korea has sparked significant concern in both the West and South Korea. New footage released by Russia’s Defense Ministry showcases North Korean soldiers being trained on an array of advanced Russian weaponry. Included in this arsenal are the notorious AK-12 assault rifles, Dragunov sniper rifles, and Vepr-12 shotguns, which are touted for their modifications to target drones, according to reports from Business Insider.
Officials are particularly anxious about the potential combat experience North Korean troops may gain from this training. It is feared they will not only learn to operate modern weapon systems but also develop skills to counteract them effectively, especially in terms of drone warfare. The training includes exercises in trench clearing, grenade handling, alongside footage of North Korean forces firing RPG-7 grenade launchers, still in active service in Russia.
This military relationship aligns with intelligence claims from Ukraine, suggesting that Russia transferred weaponry to North Korea as recently as late 2024. Footage purportedly shows these troops deployed near Kursk, although verification remains pending. These developments come after Russia admitted, albeit belatedly, that North Korean units are indeed engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces.
The presence of North Korean troops in this conflict is seen as problematic by Western officials. Their involvement could provide Pyongyang with invaluable combat insights, particularly regarding the usage of modern warfare tactics and drone engagement. Despite suffering numerous casualties, reports indicate that North Korean forces are adapting to the reality of the battlefield, evidenced by material recovered from captured soldiers.
Moreover, the dynamics of this cooperation are noteworthy. It has been revealed that Russia is providing military technology to North Korea in exchange for the deployment of Pyongyang’s troops to the conflict zone in Ukraine. While Ukraine previously estimated a deployment of around 12,000 North Korean soldiers, South Korea’s figures are a bit lower, pointing to roughly 11,000 troops.
Notably, these North Korean forces reportedly played a pivotal role in Russia’s military strategy, assisting in the forceful expulsion of Ukrainian troops from strategic positions within the Kursk Oblast. In response to these developments, the US State Department has condemned North Korea’s involvement, criticizing it for facilitating Russia’s ongoing military efforts in Ukraine and holding the regime in Pyongyang accountable for their actions.
Captured North Korean soldiers earlier disclosed details about a military training base in North Korea which simulates major South Korean cities, including Seoul. This facility, reported to be in Koksan County, is alarmingly only 65 kilometers away from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), suggesting a further escalation in military preparedness against South Korea.
The military collaboration between Russia and North Korea raises serious concerns about the implications for regional security and the Ukraine conflict. As North Korean troops receive training on advanced weaponry and evolve their combat tactics, the situation warrants close monitoring. The involvement of North Korean forces, in exchange for military technology from Russia, presents ramifications that could potentially destabilize the already fragile security landscape in East Asia, prompting condemnation from the international community, particularly from the United States.
Original Source: euromaidanpress.com
