North Korea strengthens Russia's Ukraine War with 3,000 soldiers

North Korea strengthens Russia's Ukraine War with 3,000 soldiers

CNN reported that North Korea sent at least 3,000 additional soldiers to Russia at the beginning of this year. This is shown by Pyongyang's continued support for Moscow War against Ukraine, while international leaders are looking for opportunities to end the conflict that has been going on for three years. According to the military of South Korea, the troop reinforcement was sent in January and February and increases the total number of North Korean soldiers sent to Russia to around 11,000.

losses and armor items

of these soldiers are said to have fallen or injured around 4,000 in combat. In addition to the troops, North Korea also delivered a "significant amount" of short-range missiles as well as around 220 self-driving Haubitzen with 170 millimeter pipes and 240 millimeter rocket launcher to Russia. South Korea expects the North Korean support contributions to "increase depending on the situation".

international conversations

The news about North Korea's persistent support for Russia comes at a time when European leaders and allies meet in Paris on Thursday to discuss the support for Ukraine and the long -term stability of the region. This happens against the background of the shaky efforts of the White House to convey a ceasefire.

negotiations on an armistice

After talks in Saudi Arabia this week, the United States said that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to "stop violence in the Black Sea" and to capture a break previously announced during attacks on the energy infrastructure. However, Russia has introduced far-reaching conditions for the signing of the partial ceasefire, which remain far behind the originally proposed full 30-day ceasefire.

deepening of the security cooperation

The North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin deepened their security cooperation after signing a pioneering defense agreement last year. This agreement obliges both countries to use all available funds for immediate military support if one of them is attacked. Putin's top security advisor, Sergei Schoigu, met in Pyongyang with Kim and conveyed Putin's “warmest wishes and greetings” last week.

fears on technology transfer

The United States have warned that Russia could possibly be on North Korea shortly before the transmission of advanced space and satellite technologies, beyond the military equipment and training programs that have already been provided.

North Korean troops in Russia

North Korean troops have been stationed in the Russian region of Kursk since at least November to ward off the invasion of Ukraine. According to reports, they withdraw from the front line in January after there were reports of mass losses. A South Korean legislator reported that around 400 North Korean soldiers fell in Russia by February 26 and around 3,600 were injured.

reinforcement of military support

Since the beginning of the war, North Korea has sent thousands of containers to Russia with ammunition or ammunitioned materials, and Russian armed forces have used North Korean missiles against Ukraine. In addition, North Korean medical facilities have treated hundreds of Russian soldiers who were wounded in Ukraine. Russia, on the other hand, supplies North Korea with coal, food and medical care.

drone development in North Korea

This week Kim supervised a test of new AI-controlled attack drones, which according to the state news agency KCNA should be further developed. South Korean military reported that North Korea has introduced a new reconnaissance drone, which may come from Russia. A spokesman for the South Korean armed forces said that the aircraft model was derived from an original North Korean model, but "the internal devices and parts could be connected to Russia".

Current attacks and reactions

While the talks are going on about an armistice, Ukraine and Russia have continued to exchanged attacks. Russian armed forces recently started a massive drone attack on the northeastern city of Charkiw, in which at least nine people were injured and civil infrastructure was damaged. The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj commented after the attack with the words: "No country should have to go through this."

CNNS GAWON BAE also contributed to this report.