North Korean command center discovered in Russia's Kursk region
The Ukrainian ambassador to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko, has revealed the presence of a North Korean "command center" in Russia's Kursk region.
4:16 PM EST, November 16, 2024
In a conversation with "Voice of America" (VOA), the Ukrainian ambassador to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko, disclosed the existence of a North Korean "command center" operating in the Kursk region of Russia. This center includes seven officers from Pyongyang.
North Korean presence in Russia
According to Ponomarenko, the command center comprises seven North Korean generals, including three staff members and four brigade commanders. The Yonhap agency notes that it is unclear who established this unit or its specific role.
The ambassador reported that the 93rd Special Forces Brigade of the North Korean Army in the Kursk region consists of 876 soldiers, including 72 officers. It was deployed about 1 mile from the village of Riechitsa.
Increase in soldier numbers
There are already 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the region, with this number expected to rise to 15,000. Ponomarenko noted that while the presence of 10,000-15,000 soldiers won't fundamentally change the situation on the front, it will burden Ukrainian forces.
The ambassador highlighted that if the contingent is rotated every two to three months, over a year, around 100,000 North Korean soldiers with modern warfare experience could be deployed. This could significantly affect the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
