Are North Korean troops joining Russia’s war in Ukraine?

Recent reports have emerged suggesting that North Korean troops may be preparing to join Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. According to a source from Ukrainian military intelligence, Russia is in the process of forming a unit consisting of approximately 3,000 North Korean soldiers. This development indicates a potential strengthening of military ties between North Korea and Russia. However, the BBC has not yet confirmed the existence of such a large unit in Russia's Far East. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has dismissed these claims, stating, 'This is not only British intelligence, it is also American intelligence. They report it all the time, they don't provide any evidence. ' The relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang has certainly deepened in recent months, as evidenced by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sending a birthday message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to him as his 'closest comrade. ' Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concerns about North Korea potentially joining the conflict, and South Korea's defense minister has indicated that the likelihood of North Korean troops being deployed in Ukraine is 'highly likely. ' A military source in Russia's Far East has confirmed that some North Korean soldiers have arrived and are stationed at a military base near Ussuriysk, located north of Vladivostok. However, this source did not provide a specific number, only stating that the number of North Koreans is 'absolutely nowhere near 3,000. ' Military experts have expressed skepticism about the Russian army's ability to effectively incorporate thousands of North Korean soldiers into their ranks. One analyst, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that it was already challenging to integrate hundreds of Russian prisoners into the army, and those individuals spoke Russian. Even if the number of North Korean troops were to reach 3,000, it would not be considered significant in a battlefield context. Nevertheless, the United States is closely monitoring this situation, viewing it as a potential sign of desperation on Russia's part amid its ongoing losses in the war. Back in June, Putin and Kim Jong Un celebrated a 'peaceful and defensive' agreement, and there is increasing evidence that North Korea is supplying Russia with ammunition. Reports have surfaced indicating that North Korean-made mines and shells have been discovered in Ukraine, with evidence dating back to December 2023. Russian soldiers stationed in Ukraine have frequently complained about the quality of their ammunition, leading to numerous injuries among their ranks. There are suspicions that a unit of North Korean soldiers is preparing in the Ulan-Ude region, which is close to the Mongolian border, for deployment to Russia's Kursk province, where Ukrainian forces previously launched an incursion. An expert suggested that North Korean troops could be tasked with guarding certain sections of the Russian-Ukrainian border, thereby allowing Russian units to focus their efforts on fighting in other areas. However, the question remains as to how well North Korean military forces would fit into the conflict in Ukraine. North Korea boasts a large military, with approximately 1. 28 million active soldiers, but they lack recent combat experience, unlike the Russian military. North Korea's military structure is based on an outdated Soviet model, and it is unclear how their primary motorized infantry units would operate in the context of the war in Ukraine. Additionally, language barriers and unfamiliarity with Russian military systems could complicate any potential combat roles for North Korean soldiers. While it is possible that North Korea's military could participate in Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, they are primarily recognized for their engineering and construction capabilities rather than their combat prowess. Both North Korea and Russia have shared interests that could drive their cooperation. North Korea is in need of financial resources and advanced technology, while Russia is seeking additional soldiers and ammunition to bolster its military efforts. Experts suggest that North Korea could receive substantial financial compensation and access to Russian military technology in exchange for their support. This partnership could also provide North Korean soldiers with valuable combat experience, but it carries the risk of exposing them to the more prosperous lifestyle found in the West. For Putin, there is an urgent need to compensate for the significant losses his military has suffered over the course of the war. Some analysts believe that deploying North Korean troops could help address the challenges Russia has faced with its previous mobilization efforts, which have not gone smoothly. President Zelensky is understandably concerned about how this hostile alliance could evolve. While Western forces have refrained from entering Ukraine to avoid escalating the conflict, the potential deployment of North Korean troops could change the dynamics of the situation significantly.