According to Western intelligence services, North Korean troops are in occupied Ukraine.

Reports up to this point had suggested that the Kremlin would deploy North Korean troops to Russia’s Kursk Oblast solely to fend off Ukrainian forces there.

Some of the approximately 10,000 North Koreans operate in the region occupied Ukrainian lands threatens further escalation of the conflict.

North Koreans in the Service of Russia

In early October, South Korean and Western intelligence services declassified intelligence showing: Kremlin had hired several thousand people North Korean troops Fighting for himself in the conflict in Ukraine.

Moscow has a close relationship with Pyongyang, and this relationship has been further strengthened by the war in Ukraine. During the conflict, which lasted nearly 1,000 days, Russian President Vladimir Putin had to repeatedly ask for military assistance from his North Korean counterpart. Pyongyang sent artillery shells, armored personnel carriers, multiple launch rocket systems and other military equipment to Moscow.

But now Russia it needs more.

So how did Moscow get to this point? Why is it that only thousands of people are at risk of further escalation of the conflict? North Korean troops? The simple answer is due to extremely heavy wear. Russian forces suffer heavy losses. Right now, Russian army An average of 1,300 people die every day. And this rate of losses has continued for almost six months, resulting in more than 120,000 losses during that time.

Overall, Russian forces have killed or injured nearly 700,000 people since the large-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. This means that an average of 715 people, or an infantry battalion, are killed or wounded every day.

So North Korean troops will provide much-needed manpower support to the hard-pressed Russian army. And when the door opens, more troops may arrive.

North Koreans in Ukraine

According to Western intelligence officials to CNN North Korean troops inside, on condition of anonymity invaded Ukraine. Although Western intelligence officials did not specify the location and roles of North Korean troops, it was the first Western confirmation that North Korean troops were actively participating in the conflict.

Ukrainian and South Korean intelligence services provided more information about the location and role of North Korean troops. Two intelligence agencies reported that North Korean troops were present in the city of Donetsk, which was occupied by Russian forces, and that North Korean troops were providing logistical support to the region. Russian army. Although it is not yet clear whether North Korean troops are actively participating in the conflict in Ukraine, their presence on the battlefield alone is enough to further escalate the conflict.

South Korea now expected to send more military aid Ukrainian. Moreover, Kiev will now have more arguments to present in its favor regarding permission to use Western long-range munitions such as the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the Storm Shadow cruise missile against high-value military targets at home. Russia.

About the Author

Stavros Atlamazoğlu He is an experienced defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Greek Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army Headquarters). He holds a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His works were exhibited Business Content, sandboxxAnd SOFREP.

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