North Korean troops have begun training at Russian military bases in the Far East region, raising concerns among kyiv and its Western allies. These forces, disguised as representatives of Siberian ethnic minorities, are expected to play a role in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
This was reported by the Financial Times.
South Korean intelligence said the North Korean troops were part of a 12,000-strong contingent sent to help Russia retake control of the Kursk region, partly held by Ukrainian forces since August.
While this is the first time there has been direct foreign intervention in the conflict since the Russian invasion began in 2022, Russia has sought help from North Korea before. Pyongyang has already supplied weapons to Moscow, including artillery shells and ballistic missiles.
According to Western analysts, these forces are not enough to significantly influence the course of hostilities. Experts point out that for Russia to make significant progress it would be necessary to double its military presence in the region and initiate a new wave of mobilization.
However, some experts point out that North Korea could help Russia with its numerical strength, which would complicate the situation for Ukraine. Jack Watling of the Royal Institute of Defense Studies believes North Korean troops may have the morale and level of cohesion that Russian troops lack.
Western intelligence agencies have reported that Vladimir Putin is so far avoiding a new large-scale mobilization, relying instead on volunteers and large bonuses for joining the army. Despite this, in some regions of Russia payments to recruits have increased significantly, which may indicate difficulties with recruitment. The Belgorod region, for example, increased bonuses from 800,000 to 3 million rubles in a few months.
Analysts also emphasize that the forces sent to Russia belong to North Korea’s elite Eleventh Army, known as the Storm Corps. This unit is highly trained and mobile, which can influence the course of hostilities.
The situation in the Kursk region remains unstable: party positions can change hands several times a day. Russia uses its air power to bomb its own villages where Ukrainian troops are entrenched, creating chaos and forcing Ukrainian forces to retreat.
Growing ties between Moscow and Pyongyang are cemented by a mutual assistance treaty signed in June 2023, which strengthens military-technical cooperation.
Previously, Kursor reported that the DPRK authorities took hostage the families of soldiers sent to war with Ukraine.
The DPRK invented a “motivation” to send its soldiers to war with Ukraine.
