Russia has new plan for Sumy region, ISW says
Photo: North Korean soldiers may replace Russian troops (Getty Images)
North Korean troops may replace Russian units in certain areas of the front, likely in northern Ukraine's Sumy region. This would allow Russia to redeploy its forces to the Lyman tactical area, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The American analysts cite a source linked to Russia's "North" group of forces. According to the source, North Korean units may replace Russian troops in certain areas.
The insider also said that some North Korean officers have already operated near the international border, where they allegedly gained combat experience and conducted reconnaissance.
It is important to note that North Korean soldiers have been stationed in Russia's rear areas in Kursk region for a long time.
Given this, the source suggests that North Korean troops could replace Russian units currently operating in the Sumy or Kharkiv directions. This could potentially result in their entering Ukrainian territory.
At the same time, ISW has not currently observed any signs of North Korean troops being present on Ukrainian territory. If such a deployment takes place, it would mark a further expansion of North Korea's involvement in the war against Ukraine.
There are also reports of a possible movement of Russian troops toward Sumy. According to the same source, the Russian command may redeploy two battalions of the Russian Aerospace Forces' 1st Motor Rifle Regiment to the village of Ryasne, located southeast of Sumy.
ISW has previously identified units of this regiment operating in various areas of the front in northern Ukraine.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that Ukraine's Defense Forces had advanced in Donbas and pushed Russian forces back in Kharkiv region.
We also reported that the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, known as "Madyar," released a video showing the elimination of Russian General Grunis.
