North Korea has sent an additional 3,500 soldiers to Russia’s Far East for military training, with indications of a potential third deployment. A South Korean lawmaker reported on these developments following a visit to Ukraine. The reports reveal significant casualty rates among North Korean troops, highlighting their ongoing involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
North Korea has dispatched an additional 3,500 soldiers to Russia’s Far East for training at five designated military sites. This information was provided by South Korean lawmaker Rep. Yu Yong-weon, who referenced intelligence briefings from Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine’s defense intelligence, during his recent visit to Kyiv from February 23-26. Yu indicated the potential for a third wave of troop deployment to support Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
Previously, Yu mentioned that approximately 1,500 North Korean soldiers believed to be part of an earlier deployment are currently positioned on the front lines in Ukraine. According to his statement, the second contingent of soldiers has completed field adaptation training and is now stationed near Russia’s Kursk region. In total, North Korea had sent around 11,000 troops to Russia last October and has supplemented its forces in January and February of this year.
In terms of casualties, it is noted that Ukraine’s defense intelligence agency reported around 400 North Korean fatalities, with approximately 3,600 injuries—of which about 300 soldiers have returned to duty. It is estimated that around 63,000 combined Russian and North Korean troops are currently operating as a joint force in the Kursk region, with specific units comprised solely of North Korean soldiers. There have been observations of North Koreans attempting to borrow mobile devices from Russian troops, and North Korean tablets reportedly contained extensive ideological training content.
Additionally, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces highlighted that five North Korean soldiers displayed combat capabilities parity to ten Russian soldiers, attributing this to their stamina and fearlessness. During discussions, Yu learned that replenishment of North Korean forces is underway, and further troop deployments are anticipated. Regarding the reported casualties, discrepancies were noted, with Yu indicating that Ukrainian estimates suggest a total of around 4,000 casualties, while South Korea estimates approximately 3,600.
In summary, North Korea’s continued military support to Russia includes the recent deployment of 3,500 soldiers for training, further reinforcing their involvement in the conflict against Ukraine. Intelligence reports suggest a high degree of combat readiness among North Korean troops, alongside significant casualty figures that highlight the ongoing toll of the conflict. The potential for additional troop deployments raises concerns about the evolving nature of military collaboration between North Korea and Russia in this conflict, underlining the complexities of geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Original Source: news.az
