North Korea Confirms Deployment of Troops to Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

North Korea has confirmed the deployment of troops to Russia to assist in the Ukraine war. Intelligence reports suggest around 10,000-12,000 troops were sent last fall. Kim Jong Un reinforced the narrative of liberating areas occupied by Ukraine, labeling participating soldiers as national heroes. Concerns arise regarding North Korean casualties and potential weapon deals with Russia.

In a significant development, North Korea has confirmed for the first time that it has dispatched troops to Russia to assist in the ongoing war against Ukraine. This revelation was made public through a statement from the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party, led by Kim Jong Un. Reports from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence had previously estimated that between 10,000 to 12,000 troops had been sent last fall, but North Korea had been silent on the matter until now.

The statement attributed to Kim emphasized the deployment’s purpose: to “annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers.” He proclaimed this military action as a cooperative effort with the Russian armed forces to “liberate the Kursk area.” It’s clear that Kim views the soldiers participating in this operation as heroes, stating they are “representatives of the honor of the motherland.”

Earlier this year, South Korea’s military reported that an additional 3,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia, following heavy casualties suffered by their initial deployments. Estimates suggest that around 4,000 members of North Korea’s military have been either killed or wounded in the conflict, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported numbers similar to South Korea’s assessments. In contrast, U.S. estimates indicate a lower casualty figure of about 1,200.

In a previous meeting in March, Kim expressed solid backing for Russia’s actions in Ukraine during discussions with Russian security official Sergei Shoigu. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a mutual defense treaty established last year, with talks hinting at a possible visit to Moscow by Kim. Meanwhile, North Korea has also been supplying conventional weapons to Russia, prompting concerns from South Korea, the U.S., and their allies about Russia potentially providing advanced weapon technologies to North Korea in return.

Despite their rigorous training, North Korean soldiers lack real combat experience and are reportedly vulnerable to drone and artillery assaults on the battlefield. Nevertheless, Ukrainian military officials have acknowledged that these troops are accruing significant battlefield skills and may play a crucial role in Russia’s strategy, particularly in the contested area of Kursk where they leverage numbers in the fight against Ukraine.

In summary, North Korea has officially confirmed the dispatch of troops to Russia, which had been the subject of prior intelligence speculation. This action underscores the deepening military collaboration between North Korea and Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. As both nations navigate this complex relationship, the implications for battlefield dynamics in Ukraine and North Korea’s military capabilities could be significant in the months ahead.

Original Source: kstp.com