Thousands of North Korean soldiers are undergoing training in Russia and it is likely that these troops will be deployed to Ukraine, writes the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on Saturday.
About possible participation in war in Ukraine soldiers from North Korea were previously reported by the Washington Post, citing officials from South Korea and Ukraine. A representative of Ukrainian military intelligence noted that v Russia there are North Korean officers observing Russian forces and analyzing the battlefield in Russian-occupied territories. However, Ukraine has not yet detected any North Korean military units actively operating on Ukrainian territory.
North Korean soldiers in Russia
“The Russian military command could deploy North Korean soldiers currently training in Russia on the front line in Ukraine by the end of 2024 or in Russian border areas to release Russian reserves,” the ISW estimates.
“The size of the North Korean group that Russia could deploy on the front lines or that could release Russian forces along the border is unclear, but these scenarios could assist Moscow in its efforts to commit additional force to priority offensive operations in Ukraine and extend the offensive operation.” notes the Institute.
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong UnPAP/EPA/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL
On June 19 this year, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement providing mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of these countries.
Main photo source: Shutterstock