North Korea Confirms Troop Deployment to Support Russia in Ukraine War

North Korea has confirmed the deployment of troops to Russia, with intentions to support the military efforts against Ukraine. As many as 12,000 troops may have been sent last year, and concerns grow over mutual defense agreements and supplies of conventional weapons. This alliance poses significant implications for both nations amid ongoing tensions.

In a historic move, North Korea has confirmed that it has dispatched troops to Russia as support in the ongoing war against Ukraine. This is the first official acknowledgment from North Korean authorities, despite intelligence suggesting that the country sent as many as 12,000 troops last year. The revelation comes amidst rising concerns from the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine about North Korea’s involvement in the conflict, which had been previously unconfirmed by the North.

The North’s Central Military Commission, under the ruling Workers’ Party, stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made the decision to send combat troops under a mutual defense treaty. In this statement, Kim expressed an intent to “annihilate and wipe out the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers and liberate the Kursk area in cooperation with the Russian armed forces.”

In more recent analyses, South Korea’s intelligence agency indicated that North Korea may have deployed even more troops to Russia after earlier casualties on the battlefield. Reports suggest that by January, approximately 300 North Korean soldiers had been killed, with an additional 2,700 wounded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyyy estimated the casualties to be around 4,000, while U.S. estimates provided a lower figure of 1,200.

Earlier this year, Kim reaffirmed his support for Russia during a meeting with Sergei Shoigu, a high-ranking Russian security official, further solidifying their mutual defense agreement established last year. Additionally, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko mentioned that discussions regarding a potential visit by Kim to Moscow were already underway.

Beyond the troop deployments, North Korea has been supplying a substantial amount of conventional weapons to Russia, raising alarms among South Korean and U.S. officials. There are growing fears that Russia might reciprocate the favor by transferring advanced weapon technologies, which could seriously enhance North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. This relationship could also open avenues for economic assistance from Russia to North Korea.

While North Korean soldiers are known for their discipline and training, they have reportedly become vulnerable on the battlefield, especially to drone and artillery attacks, due to their limited combat experience and unfamiliarity with local geography. Nonetheless, Ukrainian military analysis suggests that these troops are gaining valuable battlefield experience, playing a critical role in Russia’s strategy to overwhelm Ukraine, particularly in the fight for Kursk.

In summary, North Korea’s admission of troop deployments to Russia marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The involvement of North Korean soldiers could indicate a deeper alliance between the two nations, potentially impacting the dynamics of the war. As North Korea continues to supply weapons to Russia, the situation raises fears of enhanced military capabilities for both countries, highlighting the complicated web of international relations at play.

Original Source: www.9news.com.au