North Korea has sent 3,500 additional soldiers to Russia for training amid potential further deployments to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. South Korean lawmaker Yu Yong-weon revealed during a visit to Kyiv that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have been dispatched, with significant casualties reported among them, highlighting their engagement and combat capabilities. The current joint troop estimates in the Kursk region are around 63,000 soldiers, with concerns about North Korean soldiers resorting to drastic measures amidst combat challenges.
North Korea has dispatched an additional 3,500 soldiers to Russia’s Far East for military training at five designated sites, with indications of a potential third deployment to support Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. This information was provided by South Korean lawmaker Rep. Yu Yong-weon, who drew on intelligence briefed by Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine’s defense intelligence, during his recent visit to Kyiv from February 23 to 26.
Rep. Yu elaborated that approximately 1,500 North Korean troops previously sent to Russia are now actively engaged on the front lines, with the second contingent also numbering around 1,500 soldiers already stationed near the Kursk region in Russia, following their adaptation training. Notably, North Korea had sent a total of about 11,000 troops to Russia last October, with subsequent deployments made between January and February of this year.
The Ukrainian defense intelligence agency has reported significant casualties among North Korean soldiers, estimating that roughly 400 have been killed and around 3,600 injured, with 300 having returned to combat. Presently, it is estimated that approximately 63,000 joint Russian and North Korean troops are deployed in the Kursk area, some units comprising solely North Koreans.
Rep. Yu also noted observations of North Korean soldiers attempting to borrow mobile phones from their Russian counterparts, alongside a collection of propaganda materials found on their tablet devices. Furthermore, assessments indicated that North Korean soldiers possess combat skills that, in terms of endurance and resilience, are equivalent to those of multiple Russian soldiers.
In a separate analysis, Yu disclosed the estimates concerning North Korean military casualties, highlighting discrepancies between estimates from Ukraine and South Korea regarding fatalities and injuries. He conveyed that both sides indicated an unusual number of wounded North Korean soldiers who resorted to self-destruction, a stark reality underscored by Yu’s recounting of a captured soldier’s account during a combat engagement in January.
In summary, North Korea’s ongoing troop deployments to Russia signify substantial military support in the context of the Ukraine conflict. Recent statements reveal significant casualties among North Korean soldiers, alongside assessments of their combat effectiveness compared to Russian forces. These insights underscore the complexities and consequences of military alliances in the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: news.az
