North Korea has sent about 3,000 additional troops and missiles to bolster Russia’s efforts in Ukraine. Despite the ongoing war, neither country has confirmed the soldiers’ engagement. Reports indicate that approximately 11,000 North Koreans have been sent to the frontlines, with casualties rising. Captured soldiers have expressed a lack of awareness regarding their deployment, highlighting issues of conscription and military involvement.
According to South Korea’s military, North Korea has dispatched approximately 3,000 additional troops and a significant quantity of missiles to support Russia in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This deployment follows earlier reinforcements sent in January and February, indicating a robust commitment to bolster Vladimir Putin’s military efforts.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff have reported that, alongside soldiers, North Korea has supplied more artillery, equipment, and ammunition, cautioning that further increases in arms shipments could occur based on the evolving situation of the war. This news emerges as both Russian and Ukrainian forces have engaged in a limited ceasefire, which each side has accused the other of violating.
Despite the revelations, neither Russia nor North Korea has officially acknowledged the participation of North Korean soldiers in the conflict. However, a noteworthy military agreement was signed last year, coinciding with a rare visit by Putin to North Korea. In January, Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean prisoners, marking the first undeniable evidence of Pyongyang’s involvement in the hostilities.
Reports indicate that North Korea has sent around 11,000 military personnel since the beginning of the conflict, signifying a noteworthy entry into a large-scale war, recalling the nation’s military engagement during the Korean War. South Korean assessments estimate about 4,000 of those troops have sustained casualties in the fighting.
The involvement of North Korean soldiers raises critical concerns, especially after capturing two troops who displayed high levels of discipline, yet lacked battlefield experience. During their capture, one soldier noted how conscription in North Korea begins at age 16 and lasts eight years, while another expressed his surprise regarding his deployment.
In a translation provided by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, one captured soldier stated, “First of all, as I’ve already said, I didn’t know before coming to Russia that I would be fighting here, in Russia and I didn’t even know who we were fighting against.” This highlights the lack of awareness among North Korean soldiers regarding their involvement in the ongoing conflict, reinforcing concerns about their forced conscription and deployment.
In summary, North Korea’s military support for Russia is escalating, with recent reports indicating an additional deployment of 3,000 troops amid a significant increase in weapon supplies. Although neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has confirmed these actions, evidence from captured soldiers suggests direct involvement. This situation marks North Korea’s first large-scale military engagement since the Korean War, raising critical implications for the conflict in Ukraine.
Original Source: www.the-express.com
