Growing Military Cooperation Between North Korea and Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

Kim Jong Un has displayed new military drones while sending an additional 3,000 troops to aid Russia against Ukraine. This development highlights the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia, amidst concerns over technology exchanges and battlefield experience gained by North Korean forces. Recent troop deployments and military equipment have raised alarms in South Korea regarding potential implications for regional security.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has recently showcased advanced military drones amid allegations of deploying an additional 3,000 troops to assist Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine. On March 27, North Korea released images of Kim conducting inspections of new reconnaissance and attack drones at a confidential location. This action raises global concerns regarding potential technology exchanges between Russia and North Korea, particularly regarding drones in exchange for military assistance.

Simultaneously, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), over 3,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia in January and February. This troop deployment follows an earlier dispatch of 11,000 soldiers that had been involved in military operations in the Kursk region of Russia. Ukrainian analyst Oleh Saakyan noted that Russia is increasingly reliant on North Korea for artillery, weaponry, and personnel, reflecting a deepening partnership between the two nations since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

The additional troop shipments emerged in late February, and discussions are underway for a potential visit by Kim to Moscow later this year, as stated by Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko. Kim has made previous trips to Moscow, using an armored train, in 2019 and 2023 to meet with President Vladimir Putin. The warming relations have included North Korea’s deployment of short-range missiles, self-propelled howitzers, and rocket systems to assist Russian efforts.

Saakyan emphasized the mounting challenges faced by the Russian economy and military mobilization, noting that they depend increasingly on assistance from North Korea. The JCS also indicated that the recent troop deployment included additional equipment and ammunition, coinciding with Russia’s requests to Western nations to withdraw military support from Ukraine in exchange for a partial ceasefire.

Kim has asserted that his military will persist in supporting Russia amid their strategic partnership. The involvement of North Korean troops in Russia commenced last autumn, although initial reports indicated substantial casualties and difficulties in combat against Ukrainian forces. Opined by a Ukrainian military intelligence official, North Korean troops faced significant losses and had to be rotated away from frontline positions. However, their operational effectiveness appears to have improved in recent engagements.

Concerns regarding the gains in battlefield experience by North Korean troops are prominent in South Korea, alongside apprehensions about the transfer of military technology from Russia to North Korea. Following the drone showcase on March 27, North Korean state media reported that Kim expressed satisfaction, emphasizing an increase in production with a focus on drones and artificial intelligence. Military experts in South Korea have assessed the showcased drone, suggesting it might contain components from Russia but remains vulnerable.

In summary, North Korea’s recent exhibition of military drones coincides with the dispatch of additional troops to assist Russia in its military endeavors in Ukraine. The international community is increasingly alert to the growing military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow, including potential technology exchanges and battlefield experiences acquired by North Korean forces. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the involvement of North Korean troops and advances in military technology could significantly impact the ongoing conflict.

Original Source: www.rferl.org