North Korea boosts military presence in Russia amidst heavy losses
The South Korean military reports on North Korea's plans to send additional troops to Russia, attributing this decision to numerous casualties.
North Korea is preparing to reinforce its military presence in Russia. This information was provided by the South Korean military, which cites a significant number of casualties among North Korean soldiers.
In mid-January, Seoul reported at least 300 North Korean soldiers killed, and around 2,700 injured during battles in the Kursk region of western Russia.
Approximately four months after deploying troops to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, North Korea is likely accelerating preparations for additional actions and troop deployments due to the heavy casualties and incidents of soldiers being captured, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), as reported by the Polish Press Agency.
This information is confirmed by General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, who announced that by 2025, North Korea plans to send artillery and rocket units to Russia, including short-range ballistic missiles. Authorities in Seoul assert that Kim Jong Un has already dispatched over 10,000 soldiers to support Moscow in exchange for technological assistance with arms and satellite programs.
Possible military actions
According to the latest JCS analysis, North Korea may continue preparations to launch advanced weapons, such as a spy satellite or an intercontinental ballistic missile. Although there are no direct indications that such actions are imminent, Pyongyang has already conducted missile tests in January, including a hypersonic missile.
Russia conceals the presence of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region by falsifying their documents. These soldiers, using Russian-sounding names, are part of Kremlin's strategy to mask manpower shortages in the army.
The presence of North Korean troops in Russia underscores the political cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. North Korea aims to gain access to technologies that could enhance its nuclear program. As noted by the Polish Press Agency, Pyongyang conducted two missile tests only in January of this year, including a hypersonic missile.
