North Korean troop surge in Russia amid rising casualties
The South Korean military reports on North Korea's plans to send additional troops to Russia, a response attributed to numerous casualties.
North Korea is preparing to dispatch more military units to Russia. This information comes from the South Korean military, citing heavy casualties among North Korean soldiers.
In mid-January, Seoul reported at least 300 North Korean soldiers killed. Around 2,700 were injured during battles in the Kursk region in western Russia.
About four months after deploying troops to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, North Korea is likely accelerating preparations for further actions and troop deployments due to substantial casualties and instances of soldiers being captured, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in South Korea, as reported by the Polish Press Agency.
This information is corroborated by General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, who announced that by 2025 North Korea plans to send artillery and rocket units to Russia, including short-range ballistic missiles. Authorities in Seoul assert that Kim Jong Un has already sent over 10,000 soldiers to support Moscow in exchange for technological assistance with arms and satellite programmes.
Possible military actions
According to the latest JCS analysis, North Korea could continue preparations to launch advanced weapons such as a spy satellite or an intercontinental ballistic missile. Although no direct indications suggest these actions are imminent, Pyongyang already conducted missile tests in January, including a hypersonic missile.
Russia conceals the presence of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region by falsifying their documents. These soldiers, with Russian-sounding names, are part of Kremlin's strategy to disguise manpower shortages in the army.
The presence of North Korean troops in Russia signifies political cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. North Korea aims to gain access to technologies that could enhance its nuclear programme. As reminded by the Polish Press Agency, Pyongyang conducted two missile tests only in January of this year, including a hypersonic missile.
