North Korea Sends Additional Troops to Russia Amid Ongoing Conflict
North Korea has dispatched 3,500 more soldiers to Russia for training, potentially signaling a continued effort to support Russian military operations in Ukraine. According to South Korean lawmaker Rep. Yu Yong-weon, previous deployments include 1,500 troops who have already been active on the front lines. Reports estimate high casualties among North Korean soldiers, indicating significant involvement in the ongoing conflict.
North Korea has dispatched an additional 3,500 soldiers to Russia’s Far East for training at five designated military sites. This deployment raises concerns about a potential third wave of troop contributions from North Korea to assist in Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. South Korean lawmaker Rep. Yu Yong-weon, who visited Kyiv recently, disclosed this information based on intelligence shared by Ukrainian defense officials during his trip from February 23rd to 26th.
According to Rep. Yu, approximately 1,500 North Korean soldiers have already been deployed on the front lines after completing their adaptation training. He emphasized that these troops are aiding Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, with initial North Korean troop contributions starting in October of the previous year.
Reports indicate that North Korea initially sent about 11,000 soldiers to Russia last October, followed by further deployments earlier this year. Yu mentioned that, based on findings from Ukraine’s defense intelligence, around 400 North Koreans have been killed in combat, with approximately 3,600 sustaining injuries, 300 of whom have since recovered and returned to duty.
Current estimates suggest that approximately 63,000 joint Russian and North Korean troops are engaged in operations near Kursk. Some units reportedly consist solely of North Korean personnel. Observations noted that North Korean soldiers were often seen attempting to borrow mobile devices from their Russian counterparts, and analyses of their equipment revealed significant quantities of ideological training materials and propaganda.
Additionally, assessments from Ukrainian military officials highlight that five North Korean soldiers exhibit combat effectiveness comparable to ten Russian soldiers, attributing this to their high endurance and minimal fear. Furthermore, Yu remarked on the logistics of troop placement, mentioning ongoing replenishments and new troop deployments being prepared for future operations.
On the topic of North Korean military casualties, Yu presented estimates of 4,000 total casualties, including deaths, contrasting this with South Korean figures. He referenced the discrepancy between reported injuries and the number of soldiers captured, noting that many wounded soldiers appeared to have resorted to self-destructive actions instead of surrendering. He also shared an audio clip featuring a North Korean soldier captured during battles near Kursk who provided insight into the training experiences faced by their forces.
In summary, North Korea has sent a significant number of additional troops to Russia for military training, suggesting an ongoing commitment to support Russian operations in Ukraine. The implications of this deployment raise various strategic concerns, particularly regarding the growing collaboration between North Korea and Russia in a complex international conflict. Furthermore, reports of casualties and conditions faced by North Korean soldiers provide a glimpse into the challenges and motivations of these troops in their military engagements.
Original Source: news.az
