Are North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia’s war in Ukraine?
- 19 October, 12:50
North Korea has been sending millions of ammunitions since September to help Russia in its war of invasion in Ukraine. However, recently, reports have emerged about Pyongyang supplying Kremlin with military personnel as well.
The allegations came after Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on October 18, citing intelligence sources, that 10,000 North Korean soldiers were being trained to join the war against Ukraine. Zelenskiky said North Korean soldiers had not been moved to Russia or Ukraine yet. His comments came a day after US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said that Washington couldn’t confirm Ukrainian claims that soldiers were sent to fight for Moscow. Moreover, Ukrainian intelligence chief Kirill Budanov claimed in early October that around 11,000 North Korean infantrymen were currently undergoing training in eastern Russia before heading to fight in Ukraine by November 1.
South Korea has also warned about North Korean troops being sent to Russia. The country’s spy agency NIS, said on Friday that North Korean troops are training to Russia. NIS, particularly named bases in Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Vlagoveshensk regions where North Koreans have been deployed. According to NIS, 1,500 special forces have been transferred to the port city of Vladivostok from where they will be deployed to battlefields. The statements issued in Kyiv and Seoul were further confirmed after a video emerged in social media showing what appears to be North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s far east region. North Korean soldiers are seen waiting in a line as military supplies are being distributed.
