This marks a significant escalation in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, as it would be the first time foreign troops have directly engaged in the war. The growing presence of North Korean forces has raised alarms in Ukraine and the United States, with officials warning that their involvement could change the course of the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the issue on Oct. 31, stating that North Korean military units could soon be deployed to the frontlines, specifically in the Russian region of Kursk, located near the Ukrainian border, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched an incursion and currently control several hundred square miles of territory.
Zelensky suggested that Ukrainian forces might confront North Korean troops "in days, not months," underscoring the urgency of the situation. Following Zelensky's remarks, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that up to 8,000 North Korean troops may have already been deployed to Kursk, with expectations they would soon be involved in combat.
As of late October, intelligence reports indicate that around 3,000 North Korean soldiers are stationed at a training camp in Kursk, where they are reportedly receiving instruction from experienced Russian military trainers. The training includes artillery use, drone operations, and basic infantry tactics like trench clearing. U.S. officials also noted that these troops have been outfitted in Russian military uniforms and equipped with Russian weaponry, suggesting that they will soon be deployed to the frontlines against Ukrainian forces. (Related: Biden urges Ukraine to hit North Korean troops that its military encounters on the battlefield.)
Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya, has identified the three North Korean generals allegedly overseeing the training and deployment of Korean People's Army troops: Col. Gen. Kim Young Bok, Col. Gen. Lee Chang Ho and Maj. Gen. Shin Geum Cheol.
Kyslytsya also revealed that Russian military instructors are teaching North Korean forces to use Russian weapons and strategies, further reinforcing the likelihood of their involvement in direct combat operations.
North Korean troops could significantly alter dynamics of the conflict in Ukraine
The presence of North Korean forces in Russia is a major development that could alter the dynamics of the war. U.S. officials have expressed concerns that the deployment of these troops is part of Russia's broader strategy to bolster its war effort, which has faced significant losses since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine in late February 2022.
With over 500,000 Russian soldiers reportedly killed or wounded, the addition of North Korean forces is expected to help alleviate pressure on Russia's remaining troops. However, it also raises questions about the effectiveness and readiness of these foreign troops.
The Guardian correspondent Justin McCurry notes that many of the North Korean soldiers being sent to Ukraine are young and inexperienced, with some still in their teens or early twenties. Trained primarily in mountainous terrain, these troops are unfamiliar with the large, flat battlefields of Ukraine. Experts argue that while they have been equipped with Russian weaponry, their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain could hinder their effectiveness.
Despite their lack of recent combat experience – North Korea has not fought a major war since the 1950s – North Korean forces are receiving significant training. This includes instruction in artillery, drone operations and basic infantry tactics, all of which are critical for modern warfare.
Watch NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte condemning the deployment of North Korean troops to the frontlines in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.
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