Photo: KCNA.
Recently, it became known that North Korea provided military assistance to Russia in its war with Ukraine, sending more than 10,000 soldiers to the front. American officials confirmed that this was Kim Jong-un’s initiative, not the Kremlin’s. North Korean troops have actively engaged in combat operations, and although their effectiveness remains in question, the first losses have already been recorded, Time Ukraine Israel portal reports, citing The New York Times.
North Korea’s or Russia’s idea?
The deployment of North Korean troops on Russian territory began in autumn this year, which caused concern among Western officials. At first, it seemed that the Kremlin was desperately seeking reinforcements to fight Ukraine. However, U.S. intelligence indicates that the initiative came from North Korea, and Russia, although quick to accept, has accepted the assistance.
President Kim Jong-un, according to Western experts, hopes for Russia’s diplomatic support in the future. Russia is expected to provide North Korea with assistance in crisis situations and access to the latest technologies. However, at the moment, North Korean troops are in the hot spots of the war and have already suffered significant losses.
Military clashes and losses
Ukrainian and American officials estimate that about 200 North Korean soldiers were killed on the battlefield. These figures may be partly underestimated due to attempts by the Russian military to conceal the extent of the losses. Most of the North Korean military were deployed on the front line alongside Russian units, and many of them have no experience in combat.
US officials have confirmed that North Korean troops are facing serious difficulties. Despite the fact that North Korea has sent its elite special forces, many soldiers lack sufficient training and nutrition. In addition, they often perform tasks that do not correspond to the overall tactics of Russian forces.
Logistics and medical support
An interesting aspect is that North Korean soldiers receive better medical care than their Russian counterparts. Wounded soldiers are often transported to large hospitals in Kursk, which reduces treatment time compared to Russian soldiers, who are often sent to distant hospitals. This difference in medical care raises additional questions about the integration of North Koreans into the Russian military structure.
Political and military support
For Russia, it is strategically important to enlist the support of countries such as North Korea and Iran, which are already providing military assistance. This assistance allows the Kremlin to continue intensive artillery shelling at the frontline and to carry out strikes on Ukrainian cities, using drones to attack critical infrastructure.
In response to this cooperation, the United States imposed new sanctions against banks, transport companies and individuals associated with supporting Russian missile tests jointly with North Korea.
Ukrainian counterattacks and offensives
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues active operations, including in Russia’s Kursk region, where it recently launched a successful offensive. The move surprised even Ukraine’s allies, but according to the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrsky, the offensive helped stop the Russian advance in the Kharkiv region and strengthened Ukraine’s defences.
Prospects and conclusions
The war is approaching three years, and both sides are suffering heavy losses. Ukraine, although it has fewer resources, is actively recruiting, and its allies are calling on President Zelenskyy to mobilise more troops. Russia, for its part, is trying to compensate for its losses, but with fewer equipment and weapons, its troops are increasingly under pressure.
President Putin, while promising to expel Ukrainian troops from western Russia, is surely aware that the time for significant territorial gains against the backdrop of heavy losses may be limited. The situation remains tense, with not only territorial integrity but also the diplomatic future of the great powers at stake.
North Korea’s support of Russia on the battlefield is not only a military initiative, but also a strategic one, aimed at creating long-term diplomatic ties. However, its effectiveness is still in question, as North Korean troops, although on the front line, face serious challenges on the battlefield.
