Russia may send several thousand soldiers from DPRK to Ukraine by year's end - WP
Russia may send thousands of soldiers from the DPRK to the front (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Several thousand soldiers from North Korea are currently undergoing training in Russia. By the end of the year, they may be deployed to the front in Ukraine, reports Washington Post.
A representative of Ukrainian military intelligence, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that North Korean officers are already on the territory of Ukraine occupied by Russia to observe Russian troops and study the battlefield. However, the Ukrainian military has not yet encountered North Korean units that would participate in combat.
The WP source notes that it is not yet known where exactly the DPRK military might deploy units at the front. One option is in the border regions of Russia to free up Russian troops to take part in the fighting in Ukraine. The Ukrainian intelligence official added that this could have a significant impact.
“It could have a significant impact. Especially if we’re talking about freeing up reserves within the territory of the Russian Federation itself,” the intelligence official said.
According to the newspaper, some South Korean experts believe such a scenario is possible.
Background
The North Korean Defense Ministry has not previously ruled out sending its soldiers to Ukraine to help the Russian army.
According to RBC-Ukraine's sources, on October 3, more than 20 militants, including officers from the DPRK, were killed near Donetsk.
According to The Guardian, North Korea's military may be helping Russia launch its KN-23 ballistic missiles into Ukraine. The newspaper also confirms that North Korean soldiers have been killed in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
