North Korean Troops Deploy to Support Russia in Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

Photo : Reuters

The first units of North Korean troops trained in Russia have been deployed to the Kursk region, a Russian border area where Ukrainian forces conducted a significant incursion in August, according to reports from Ukraine's military intelligence service. This development has raised alarms, with the United States, Ukraine, and South Korea accusing North Korea of sending thousands of troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

While the Kremlin has previously dismissed these reports as "fake news," Russian President Vladimir Putin did not deny the presence of North Korean troops in Russia during a recent statement, asserting that it is Moscow’s prerogative to manage its partnership treaty with Pyongyang.

Ukrainian military intelligence indicates that around 12,000 North Korean troops, including 500 officers and three generals, have already arrived in Russia. These troops are reportedly undergoing training at five military bases. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted that North Korea had previously deployed officers to Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, suggesting they were assessing the situation before the troop deployment.

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South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported tracking approximately 3,000 North Korean troops, including special forces, who were transported by Russian naval vessels to the Far East for training and acclimatization at military bases. This information aligns with the use of advanced AI facial recognition technology by South Korean authorities to identify North Korean officers visiting frontline areas in Ukraine, providing guidance on North Korea-made KN-23 ballistic missiles being utilized against Ukrainian targets.

These troops have been equipped with Russian military uniforms, weaponry, and falsified identification documents ahead of their combat deployment.

The rationale behind North Korea’s support for Russia may stem from a treaty signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a June visit to Pyongyang, which includes a mutual assistance clause for both nations to aid each other against external threats. Analysts suggest that North Korea stands to gain valuable battlefield experience and insights by sending troops to Ukraine, while also potentially securing significant imports of oil and other resources from Russia, particularly as Pyongyang faces heavy sanctions due to its nuclear weapons program. A report from a think tank linked to South Korea’s NIS indicated that North Korea earned approximately $540 million in arms sales to Russia last year.

The international response to the troop deployment has been swift. A North Korean representative to the United Nations has labeled the allegations as "groundless rumors." Meanwhile, South Korea has lodged a formal protest with Russia’s ambassador regarding the deployment and is considering phased countermeasures, which may include changes to its policy on providing weapons to Ukraine. Additionally, Germany and Austria have summoned North Korea’s top diplomats to express their concerns over the situation.

Leaders from Britain and Finland have described Russia's reliance on North Korean troops as a sign of desperation, while China's foreign ministry stated it was unaware of any North Korean troops in Russia, advocating for all parties to de-escalate tensions and pursue a political resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

The introduction of North Korean troops presents various challenges for Ukraine. Russia has already been utilizing North Korean-made ballistic missiles and has received a substantial quantity of artillery shells and anti-tank rockets. Military analysts have expressed skepticism regarding how effectively Russia could integrate these North Korean troops into existing ground operations. While their involvement is unlikely to change the tide of the conflict decisively, it may still provide Russia with the necessary support to prolong its military efforts.

As Ukrainian forces continue to advance, even into Russian territory, the role of North Korean troops could become significant in defending against such incursions. Experts like Kim Yong-hyun from Dongguk University in South Korea note that while North Korea's involvement may not be a game changer for Russia, it could offer meaningful assistance in the ongoing conflict.

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