Russian soldiers injured in the Ukraine conflict are treated in North Korea, according to Ambassador Alexander Matsegora. The partnership between the two nations has strengthened over recent years, leading to military collaboration and support. North Korea provides medical care at no charge, while Russia supplies goods and engages in deeper military cooperation.
In a recent interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta published on February 9, Alexander Matsegora, Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, revealed that wounded Russian soldiers from the conflict in Ukraine are receiving treatment and rehabilitation in North Korea. This cooperation has strengthened as Russia and North Korea align against Western nations, presenting considerable challenges to global stability.
Over the past three years, relations between North Korea and Russia have deepened, highlighted by a strategic partnership agreement ratified in the fall of 2024. This agreement focuses on enhancing trade, scientific, technical, and defense collaboration, though notably, it does not specifically address the medical treatment of injured Russian soldiers.
Ambassador Matsegora stated that wounded Russian military personnel receive medical care at no cost in some of the finest hospitals and sanatoriums in North Korea. He mentioned that “hundreds” of wounded soldiers have been sent for treatment, and the North Korean government expressed offense when Russia proposed compensating them for these expenses.
Additionally, Ambassador Matsegora noted that children of Russian service members who lost their lives in Ukraine vacation in North Korea, while both nations are working on establishing university student exchanges. Furthermore, Russia provides coal, food, and medicine to North Korea, indicating a cooperative relationship between the two countries.
Military cooperation has also increased, exemplified by the mutual defense pact between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, signed in June 2024. Subsequently, North Korea began supplying arms to assist Russia’s military efforts, including the deployment of up to 12,000 North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast to support Russian forces against Ukraine.
In conclusion, the treatment of Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine in North Korea highlights the deepening military and strategic cooperation between the two nations. Despite the absence of formal acknowledgment in agreements, the provision of free medical care signifies a commitment to mutual assistance. As military ties grow stronger, the geopolitical implications of this relationship continue to evolve, impacting international stability.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
