US on what determines effectiveness of DPRK troops in war against Ukraine
US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel (Getty Images)
North Korean troops have begun participating in combat operations in the Kursk region. Their effectiveness on the battlefield will depend on how well they are integrated into the Russian military, citing US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel during a briefing.
He said that North Korea has sent 10,000 soldiers to Russia. Most of them have already been deployed to the Kursk region, where they have started engaging in combat alongside Russian forces.
According to the State Department spokesperson, Russian troops have been training North Korean soldiers to operate artillery, and drones, and perform basic infantry tasks, including trench clearing, which are critical skills for frontline operations.
"However, Russia’s battlefield success using these DPRK troops will in large part be dictated by how well the Russians can integrate them into their military. Some of the challenges they would need to overcome are interoperability, the language barrier, command and control, and communications," Patel said.
He added that the United States is in close consultation with its allies and other countries in the region regarding the implications of this development.
North Korean troops in Russia's war against Ukraine
North Korea has sent troops to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine. North Korean soldiers underwent training at training grounds in the Russian Far East before being deployed to the Kursk region.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there are 11,000 North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. It has been confirmed that North Korean troops have already participated in combat operations there.
According to The New York Times, Russia has gathered a total of 50,000 troops in the Kursk region, including North Korean soldiers. They are expected to begin offensive actions shortly.
