North Korea Confirms Troop Deployment to Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

North Korea has confirmed that it sent troops to Russia to aid in the war against Ukraine, with estimates of deployed soldiers ranging from 10,000 to 12,000. The deployment follows heavy casualties in earlier deployments. North Korea continues to supply arms to Russia, raising concerns about potential high-tech military exchanges that could bolster its nuclear program. The situation has implications for regional stability.

In a significant revelation, North Korea acknowledged on Monday that it has dispatched troops to Russia in support of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This marks the first official confirmation from Pyongyang regarding the deployment, which U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies had estimated at around 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers sent last fall, although North Korea had remained quiet on the matter until now.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s decision to send combat troops to Russia is rooted in a mutual defense treaty, according to a statement released by the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party. Kim emphasized that the troops’ mission is to “annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers and liberate the Kursk area in cooperation with the Russian armed forces.” He also praised the soldiers, calling them heroes who represent the honor of the motherland.

Earlier in March, South Korea’s military reported that North Korea had sent an additional 3,000 troops to Russia early this year, following heavy losses of previously deployed soldiers. Reports estimated that approximately 4,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded during their involvement on the Russian-Ukraine front, a figure echoed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though U.S. sources provided lower estimates of around 1,200.

In a meeting with Russia’s top security official Sergei Shoigu in March, Kim demonstrated his staunch support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The discussions reaffirmed the mutual defense treaty established last year, with hints that Kim may pay a visit to Moscow soon, as conveyed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko.

Additionally, North Korea has been supplying a substantial amount of conventional arms to Russia. This cooperation raises concerns for South Korea and the United States, as they fear that Russia might reciprocate by sharing high-tech weaponry capable of significantly enhancing North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. Furthermore, analysts suggest that North Korea could benefit economically from the partnership.

While North Korean soldiers are known for their discipline and training, they might be vulnerable on the battlefields in Ukraine due to their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the territory. Despite this, military observers believe that North Korean forces have been gaining valuable battlefield experience, contributing to Russia’s tactic of overwhelming Ukrainian defenses through sheer troop numbers, particularly in the battleground of Kursk.

In summary, North Korea’s confirmation of troop deployment in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine marks an important development in international relations. With thousands of soldiers sent and ongoing discussions of military aid, the implications for regional stability run deep. Furthermore, the potential exchange of advanced weaponry between Russia and North Korea heightens concerns over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, warranting close attention from global powers.

Original Source: www.2news.com