Disappearance of North Korean Troops in the Ukraine Conflict

North Korean involvement in the Ukraine conflict appears to have diminished as Ukrainian forces reported a lack of recent sightings of these soldiers. Despite sending an estimated 12,000 troops to Russia, high casualty rates and the lack of combat experience among the North Koreans have raised concerns. Captured North Korean soldiers indicate the desperate situation faced by their ranks, and there is uncertainty about their potential return to combat.

Following months of scrutiny regarding North Koreans fighting alongside Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, recent reports reveal the apparent disappearance of these soldiers. Ukrainian Special Operations Forces spokesperson Colonel Oleksandr Kindratenko confirmed that it has been approximately three weeks since Ukraine identified any North Korean involvement in Russia’s attempts to reclaim territory in the Kursk region after Kyiv’s surprise incursion last summer. While Moscow has regained some territory, the town of Sudzha continues to be under Ukrainian control.

North Korean troops, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, were believed to have sent around 12,000 soldiers to Russia, primarily deployed in Kursk. Intelligence from Ukraine suggests that approximately half of these soldiers may have been killed or injured, although verification remains challenging. Descriptions of the North Korean forces vary; some sources label them as inexperienced or ‘cannon fodder,’ while others describe them as disciplined and capable in combat scenarios, albeit lacking experience in prevalent drone warfare.

The ongoing situation surrounding North Korean troops in Ukraine remains precarious, with uncertainty about their future deployment. Ukrainian forces have captured at least two North Korean soldiers, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by these troops. As battles continue in Kursk, the potential for further casualties and new deployments from North Korea adds another layer of complexity to the conflict.

Original Source: www.newsweek.com