North Korean soldiers stationed 50 km from Ukrainian border - FT
Illustrative photo: North Korean soldiers are 50 km from the border with Ukraine (Getty Images)
Russia has deployed about 3,000 North Korean soldiers to the Kursk region, located approximately 50 kilometers out of the Ukrainian border, reports Financial Times.
The media references Ukrainian intelligence sources that say around 3,000 North Korean soldiers were secretly transported in civilian trucks from Russia's Far East to the Kursk region.
Ukrainian intelligence officers report that only a few hundred of the 3,000 soldiers are special forces; the rest are regular troops. On Monday, Oct. 28, they were stationed in barracks about 50 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, awaiting further orders from Russian command.
Ukrainian intelligence representatives have questioned the combat readiness of the North Korean soldiers, describing most as inexperienced low-ranking infantry.
North Korean soldiers have never previously left their country, have no real combat experience, and are unprepared for modern warfare, according to intelligence. For instance, North Korean troops in Russia saw kamikaze drones for the first time, a technology frequently used on the battlefield.
Ukrainian officials suggested that Russia might intend to use North Koreans as "cannon fodder."
North Korea deploys troops for war against Ukraine
After supplying Russia with ammunition and missiles, North Korea has now also sent troops. According to Ukrainian intelligence, North Korea might have deployed as many as 12,000 soldiers.
North Korean forces were reportedly trained at military sites in Russia's Far East, as footage of the drills appeared online. Some reports say North Korea might have sent members of the elite 11th Army Corps, known as the Storm Corps, to assist Russia.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the first North Korean troops would arrive in the conflict zone on Oct. 27-28.
