North Korea's military advances within 50 km of Ukrainian border – FT
Photo: KCNA
The Russian Federation transferred about 3,000 troops from North Korea to the Kursk region, stationing them 50 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.
The Financial Times reports this.
Ukrainian intelligence reports that North Korean troops were covertly transported via civilian trucks from the Russian Far East.
Only a small number of soldiers are part of the special forces, while the others are regular infantry soldiers. On October 28, they were stationed in barracks about 50 km from the Ukrainian border, awaiting further orders from the Russian command.
Ukrainian intelligence officers have expressed doubts about the fighting ability of North Korean soldiers, describing them as inexperienced, low-ranking infantrymen.
Most have never departed from North Korea and lack actual combat experience. Their experience is vastly different from that of modern warfare. In particular, the North Korean soldiers in Russia were exposed to kamikaze drones for the first time, which are frequently utilized in battle.
Ukrainian officials suggest that Russia may consider using the North Korean military as "cannon fodder" in hostilities.
For reference:
It's worth mentioning that the CNS also stated that over 3,000 North Korean mercenaries were being trained in the Kursk region of Russia. This information was made known to the public through reports from the local population.
According to the Center of National Resistance, the North Korean military is trained at several training grounds, mostly at night. Representatives of the DPRK embassy, acting as translators and observers, also arrived at the training grounds.
It has not been announced when the mercenaries will be sent to the war zone, but their locations are known.
The US Department of Defense also confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk region near the border with Ukraine.
It should be added that this week (until November 3), a South Korean delegation will visit Ukraine to exchange information about the deployment of North Korean troops to the Russian Federation and to discuss further cooperation.
North Korean troops advance toward Russian-Ukrainian front, but not Kim Jong Un's elite forces – WSJ
South Korea weighs sending offensive weapons to Ukraine amid involvement of North Korean soldiers by Russia
