North Korea has sent an additional 3,500 soldiers to Russia for military training, possibly indicating a third deployment to support Russia’s operations in Ukraine. Rep. Yu Yong-weon disclosed this information based on intelligence received during his visit to Kyiv. Reports suggest substantial casualties among North Korean troops, with ongoing assessments regarding their combat effectiveness.
North Korea has dispatched approximately 3,500 additional soldiers to Russia’s Far East for training at five military sites. This information was disclosed by South Korean lawmaker Rep. Yu Yong-weon during his recent visit to Kyiv, based on insights provided by Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukrainian defense intelligence. He suggested there may be a potential for a third deployment of North Korean troops to assist Russia in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Earlier reports indicated that around 1,500 North Korean soldiers from a previous batch are currently on the front lines, supporting Russian efforts in Ukraine. According to Yu, after their adaptation training, these soldiers were deployed near Russia’s Kursk region. Previous deployments of North Korean troops included around 11,000 sent to Russia in October of the previous year, with further forces sent between January and February of this year.
Yu revealed alarming casualty figures, with Ukraine’s defense intelligence reporting approximately 400 North Korean fatalities and around 3,600 injuries, of which around 300 have since returned to active duty. Reports suggest that somewhere between 63,000 Russian and North Korean personnel are engaged in combat as a combined unit in the Kursk region, with some units comprising solely North Korean soldiers.
Observations indicate that North Korean troops have been seen attempting to utilize mobile phones from Russian soldiers, while analysis of their seized tablets revealed numerous propaganda and training materials. Yu noted a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces assessment stating that five North Korean soldiers demonstrate combat capabilities equivalent to ten Russian soldiers, attributing their high endurance and lack of fear as significant advantages in combat scenarios.
Yu further mentioned that the Ukrainian government informed him of ongoing troop reinforcements from North Korea and remarked on the discrepancies in reported casualties, with an estimated 4,000 casualties suggested as opposed to South Korea’s reported 3,600. The situation raises queries regarding the nature of the injuries sustained by North Korean troops, as many have reportedly resorted to self-destruction after being wounded.
In a rare instance of insight into the North Korean military, a captured soldier relayed the rigorous physical training regimen that North Korean troops undergo, which reportedly includes running with heavy backpacks for up to eight hours.
The recent deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia underscores the increasing military collaboration between the two nations amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reports indicate significant casualties among North Korean troops, raising concerns over their roles in combat. The revelations from legislators and defense officials highlight the complex dynamics at play in Eastern Europe and the implications for regional security.
Original Source: news.az
