Russian soldiers injured in Ukraine receive free treatment and rehabilitation in North Korea, as disclosed by Ambassador Alexander Matsegora. The two countries have heightened their collaboration, notably following a strategic partnership agreement aimed at enhancing trade and military cooperation. Amidst this relationship, North Korea’s involvement has expanded to include hosting the children of fallen Russian soldiers and providing additional military support to Russia.
In a recent interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Alexander Matsegora, the Russian ambassador to North Korea, disclosed that Russian soldiers wounded in the conflict in Ukraine are receiving treatment and rehabilitation in North Korea. Relations between North Korea and Russia have significantly improved over the last three years, influenced largely by their shared stance against Western nations, which poses challenges to global stability.
In the fall of 2024, Russia and North Korea formalized a strategic partnership agreement focused on enhancing trade, science, technology, and defense collaboration. Notably, the agreement did not address the specific issue of medical treatment for injured Russian personnel.
Ambassador Matsegora indicated that medical care for Russian military personnel in North Korea is provided at no cost in “the best hospitals and sanatoriums,” and he mentioned that “hundreds” of wounded soldiers had been sent to the country for treatment. Furthermore, he remarked that when Russia offered to cover some of North Korea’s expenses related to this care, the North Koreans were “sincerely offended” and requested not to pursue such compensation again.
Additionally, Matsegora reported that the children of Russian service members who lost their lives in Ukraine are enjoying vacations in North Korea, and the two nations are promoting university student exchange programs. He also noted that Russia supplies North Korea with essential goods such as coal, food, and medicine.
Military collaboration between Russia and North Korea has further intensified in 2024, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signing of a mutual defense agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in June. Subsequently, North Korea escalated its role in the Ukrainian conflict by providing military supplies, including artillery ammunition and ballistic missiles, as well as deploying soldiers to assist Russian forces.
Last fall, up to 12,000 North Korean troops were dispatched to Russia’s Kursk Oblast to support Russian military efforts against a Ukrainian incursion in the region.
The treatment of wounded Russian soldiers in North Korea highlights the growing ties between the two nations amid their mutual opposition to Western influence. As they strengthen their military and economic partnerships, the implications for international stability continue to evolve. The welfare of Russian service members and their families appears to be a priority within this alliance, further reinforcing the commitment of both countries to their strategic interests.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
