North Korea Dispatches Additional Troops to Russia Amid Ongoing Conflict
North Korea has sent 3,500 additional soldiers to Russia for military training, with an existing contingent of 1,500 already deployed near the front lines in Ukraine. This raises concerns of a potential third wave of North Korean troops being dispatched. Casualty figures highlight significant losses among North Korean forces, with ongoing assessments of their effectiveness in combat.
North Korea has dispatched an additional 3,500 soldiers to military training sites in Russia’s Far East, as reported by South Korean lawmaker Rep. Yu Yong-weon. He cited intelligence from Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov of Ukraine’s defense intelligence during his recent visit to Kyiv. This new troop deployment raises the possibility of a third wave of North Korean soldiers being sent to the frontline to support Russia in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Earlier reports indicated that 1,500 North Korean soldiers were already deployed on the front lines, having completed their adaptation training. Yu highlighted that these troops have been positioned near Russia’s Kursk region as part of general military collaboration in the conflict. North Korea initially sent around 11,000 troops to Russia last October, with subsequent deployments occurring throughout early this year.
According to Yu’s findings, approximately 400 North Korean troops have been killed, while around 3,600 have sustained injuries, of which 300 have recovered and returned to duty. Ukraine estimates that there are about 63,000 troops combined from both Russia and North Korea in the Kursk area; in some units, North Korean soldiers operate independently of their Russian counterparts.
Reports detail North Korean soldiers’ behaviors, such as attempting to borrow mobile phones from Russian allies and their extensive access to propaganda materials via devices like tablets. Yu indicated that Ukrainian assessments suggested that five North Korean operatives exhibit effectiveness equivalent to ten Russian soldiers, attributing this to their exceptional endurance and psychological resilience.
Yu noted that the Ukrainian government has indicated the need for additional North Korean troops to sustain operations and that a new cohort is preparing for deployment. For military casualties, Yu pointed out significant discrepancies between estimates from Ukraine and South Korea, underscoring the severe toll on North Korean forces, which includes about 4,000 casualties, with an estimated 10% presumed fatalities.
The Ukrainian side explained that the reported high number of wounded versus low numbers captured could indicate that many North Korean soldiers resorted to self-destructive actions. Yu released an audio recording from a wounded North Korean soldier who detailed their rigorous military training routine, which includes extended runs with heavy backpacks, illustrating the intensity of their preparation.
In summary, North Korea’s military involvement in Russia’s conflict is escalating with continued troop deployments and a significant number already on the front lines. The situation is compounded by high casualty rates and intense training regimens, highlighting the serious implications of North Korean military support for Russia in this conflict. The ongoing dispatching of soldiers suggests strategic military cooperation between the two nations.
Original Source: news.az
