North Korean troops are reportedly crucial to Russian advances in Kursk, with around 10,000 to 12,000 troops deployed. Despite significant casualties, the collaboration signals increasing ties between Russia and North Korea amidst ongoing conflicts. Ukrainian officials express concern regarding this development and its potential impact on negotiations.
Recent reports indicate that North Korean troops are significantly contributing to Russian military efforts in the Kursk region, where Ukraine had earlier sought strategic advantages in negotiations. Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 North Korean servicemen are believed to have been deployed to southern Russia, enhancing Moscow’s operational capacity despite the lack of official confirmation from either government.
In the past few days, joint forces of Russian and North Korean troops have reclaimed several villages in Kursk, countering an incursion launched by Ukraine. Andriy Kovalenko, a member of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, described the North Korean contingents as advancing aggressively across fields in organized formations, with Russian military backing.
Ukrainian media reported on fierce confrontations in which North Korean troops were involved. According to Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of the news outlet Censor.NET, two North Korean battalions tried to disrupt a Ukrainian stronghold near the border but sustained heavy casualties in the process. South Korea’s intelligence estimates suggest that around 300 North Korean soldiers have already been killed, with 2,700 more suffering injuries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly commented on the situation, indicating that North Korean troops have returned to the front lines in Kursk for fresh operations despite earlier withdrawal reports following fatalities. Moreover, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the president, noted that Ukraine’s recent actions in Kursk might enhance its negotiating position in ongoing discussions with Russia, which are currently taking place in Saudi Arabia.
The involvement of North Korean troops in the Russian campaign in Kursk underscores the deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang amidst Western sanctions. Their active participation signifies a strategic shift in the conflict, contributing to Russia’s enhanced military efforts against Ukraine while potentially impacting future diplomatic negotiations. As losses mount on both sides, the dynamics of the war continue to evolve.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
