North Korean troops are allegedly deploying alongside Russians in Ukraine. It’s been clear that the two countries are on friendly terms, but neither has acknowledged that North Korea was sending soldiers to fight on Russia’s behalf. However, senior Ukrainian and South Korean officials have stated there’s proof that North Koreans were among the dead after a Ukrainian missile strike in Russian-occupied territory last week.
North Korean troops found among the dead after recent Ukrainian missile strike
Russian President Vladimir Putin and the supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jung-Un, are known to have a close relationship. After its prolonged invasion of Ukraine, Russia allegedly turned to North Korea for ammunition and received artillery rounds and KN-23 missiles from the country. However, recently, evidence has been found that North Korean soldiers have been sent to Ukraine in addition to material support.
The Guardian reports that a Ukrainian source stated that there are dozens of North Koreans behind Russian lines manning KN-23 missile launchers. Additionally, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun noted in a meeting with MPs that the bodies of North Korean officers were found after a Ukrainian missile strike on Russian positions near Donetsk last week.
Experts say that North Korea is likely enthusiastic about deploying its troops to Russia so they can gain combat experience. Despite the impoverished country having a similar number of armed forces personnel as the United States, very few of them have seen combat. Both North Korea’s troops and weapon systems are untested, which would put them at a major disadvantage if the unthinkable happens and Kim Jong-Un decides to resume the war against South Korea.
The alliance between North Korea and Russia is seen by many as a sign of how desparate the latter is for allies. North Korea has been a pariah on the world stage for decades due to its totalitarian government and massive human rights violations. However, Russia’s need for arms is evidently enough that it no longer cares about the world’s opinion.
