North Korea May Send 25,000 More Troops to Russia Amid Heavy…

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported that North Korea may send 20,000-25,000 more troops to Russia after heavy casualties among current forces. North Korean troops are learning disadvantageous combat skills and facing severe treatment. The sustainability of North Korea’s military support remains uncertain, alongside rising regional security risks from their involvement in the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that North Korea could potentially send an additional 20,000 to 25,000 troops to support Russia. This announcement comes amidst reports of heavy casualties among the initial 12,000 North Korean soldiers sent to Russia’s Kursk region, with approximately 4,000 already reported as killed or wounded. Zelenskyy stated that while these additional troops could be deployed, they have yet to arrive at the front lines in Kursk.

In January, South Korea’s military observed that North Korea was swiftly preparing to send more troops to Russia, largely due to increasing casualties. Analysts suggest that the additional North Korean forces may primarily consist of missile and artillery units. Notably, both Russia and North Korea have not acknowledged the presence of North Korean troops in the conflict, and the information about their involvement remains unverifiable.

According to Zelenskyy, North Korean troops are regarded by their commanders as expendable and have sometimes faced execution to prevent desertion. He warned that North Korean forces are gaining valuable combat experience, learning to operate drones and counter drone threats. This transfer of military knowledge poses potential risks for both the U.S. and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

It has been reported that North Korean soldiers have not participated in recent combat operations in Kursk and are currently retraining due to heavy losses. South Korea’s main security agency noted the absence of North Korean troops in combat since January, attributing it to the high casualty rate.

Reports from unidentified Ukrainian and U.S. sources confirm that North Korean troops were removed from the front lines after suffering significant casualties, indicating a trend that may continue if the current conditions persist.

A Washington-based think tank assessed that North Korea could lose all its troops assisting Russia within three months if casualty rates remain high. Estimates suggest that the North Koreans have incurred about 92 casualties daily since significant operations began, raising concerns about the sustainability of their military support to Russia.

South Korea’s UN envoy described the treatment of North Korean troops as “expendables” and criticized the inhumane tactics on the front lines that contribute to these high casualty rates. A Ukrainian military official remarked that North Korean forces deployed in Russia are often utilized as “human mine detectors.”

The situation describes the ongoing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia amidst the conflict in Ukraine. North Korean troops were initially sent to assist Russian forces, but they have suffered high casualty rates. South Korea and the U.S. are monitoring this development closely, as the involvement of North Korean forces has broader implications for regional security and military dynamics.

In summary, the potential deployment of an additional 20,000 to 25,000 North Korean troops to Russia underscores the escalating military collaboration between the two nations. However, heavy losses incurred by existing forces have raised concerns about the sustainability of this support. Zelenskyy’s comments reflect the evolving combat tactics of North Korean troops and the growing implications for regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

Original Source: rfa.org