North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paraded new drones as reports emerged of an additional 3,000 troops being dispatched to assist Russia in the Ukraine conflict. This military cooperation raises concerns about technology exchange and the growing dependence of Russia on North Korea for military supplies.
The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, recently showcased new military drones amid reports that he dispatched an additional 3,000 troops to assist Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. On March 27, images were released depicting Kim inspecting reconnaissance and attack drones at a location undisclosed to the public, raising concerns internationally regarding the potential exchange of drone technology between Russia and North Korea in return for military aid.
According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that more than 3,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia during January and February, following an earlier contingent of 11,000 troops that participated in military actions in the Kursk region. Ukrainian analyst Oleh Saakyan remarked that “Russia is already becoming dependent on North Korea in many ways, not only in terms of shells, but also in terms of other weapons…as well as in terms of soldiers.”
Although initial reports about troop deployment surfaced in February without specific numbers, subsequent developments indicated ongoing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, including plans for Kim to visit Russia later this year. Previous visits by Kim to Moscow occurred in 2019 and 2023, and he has also engaged in multiple discussions with Chinese and U.S. leaders, illustrating a significant strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Alongside troop deployments, North Korea is supplying military equipment such as short-range missiles and howitzers. Saakyan expressed concern regarding the increasing difficulty faced by Russia in fulfilling its military needs and noted, “More and more weapons from North Korea are appearing on the front line.” The Joint Chiefs of Staff further assessed that the recent troop deployments included additional military equipment and supplies.
As part of its strategy, Russia has urged Western nations to cease military support for Ukraine as a condition for negotiating a partial cease-fire. In a recent announcement, Kim asserted that North Korea would persist in its support for Russia as they maintain a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” Notably, the military assistance to Russia initiated last autumn had been marred by significant casualties among North Korean troops, leading to their temporary redeployment during January.
However, recent reports suggest that North Korean forces have become more effective on the battlefield and have contributed to pushing Ukrainian forces back in the Kursk region, raising concerns in South Korea about their evolving combat skills and the potential for technology transfers from Russia to North Korea. Additionally, North Korean state media indicated on March 27 that Kim expressed satisfaction with the newly developed drones, emphasizing a commitment to enhancing production and integrating artificial intelligence into military capabilities. South Korean military officials have assessed that the drones showcased may incorporate Russian components but believe the claims regarding their capabilities may be overstated.
In summary, North Korea’s military engagements, particularly through the showcasing of new drones and the deployment of additional troops to Russia, indicate a growing alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang. This cooperation, exacerbated by Russia’s increasing dependency on North Korean military supplies, raises concerns regarding the evolution of North Korean military capabilities. The implications of this situation may extend beyond immediate military support, impacting regional dynamics and international security.
Original Source: www.rferl.org
