North Korea Confirms Troop Deployment to Support Russia in Ukraine War

North Korea has confirmed its deployment of troops to Russia to aid in the Ukraine conflict, with about 10,000-12,000 soldiers reportedly sent last year. Leader Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to combat Ukrainian forces and maintain support for Russia. Casualties among North Korean troops have been high, prompting concerns over military capabilities and potential future cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.

North Korea has officially acknowledged sending troops to support Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This confirmation comes from leader Kim Jong Un, marking the first time Pyongyang has publicly admitted to troop deployment since intelligence reports suggested it had dispatched between 10,000 and 12,000 soldiers last year.

The Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party stated that Kim directed this action under a mutual defense treaty with Russia. His remarks framed the deployment as a mission to “annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers” and to assist in liberating the Kursk area alongside Russian forces.

Reports from South Korea’s military indicated that North Korea sent an additional 3,000 troops to aid the Russian front, following heavy losses. Estimates suggest around 4,000 North Korean soldiers may have been killed or wounded, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, though US assessments are notably lower at about 1,200.

In a meeting earlier this year with Russian security official Sergei Shoigu, Kim reaffirmed his support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. They both reiterated their commitment to the defense treaty established last year. Additionally, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko mentioned potential plans for Kim to visit Moscow.

North Korea’s military supplies to Russia have sparked concerns from the US and South Korea that Russia might in return share advanced weapon technologies, which could bolster North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. Economic benefits and assistance from Russia to North Korea are also expected.

Despite the rigorous training of North Korean soldiers, experts note they are being targeted in the battlefield due to their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain. Still, Ukrainian officials believe these troops are gaining essential battlefield skills, which bolsters Russia’s strategy of deploying numerous forces in key battles, such as the ongoing struggle for Kursk.

In summary, North Korea’s admission of sending troops to Russia highlights a significant development in the dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As intelligence sources had long speculated, this deployment aims to bolster Russian military efforts against Ukraine. Accumulating casualties on both sides prompt concerns about military strategies, and economic implications could reverberate further between North Korea and Russia.

Original Source: www.expressandstar.com