Russia is facing manpower shortages on the front lines, prompting North Korea to provide support with weapons, military equipment, and personnel. The North Korean soldiers are being trained to join the war in Ukraine, forming the “Special Buryat Battalion” within the Russian Armed Forces. This battalion, expected to include up to 3,000 troops, will receive small arms and ammunition and may be deployed near the Ukrainian border.
Despite skepticism about their effectiveness, the North Koreans are likely to undertake high-risk missions to alleviate pressure on Russian forces. Russian President Putin has submitted a strategic partnership agreement with North Korea to the State Duma, ensuring mutual military support in case of attack.
Ukrainian President Zelensky revealed that North Korea is not only supplying weapons but also deploying its citizens to fight alongside Russian troops. The Kyiv Post reported the deaths of more than 20 Russia-aligned soldiers, including officers from North Korea, in a missile strike near Donetsk.
Western sources suggest that North Korea is supplying artillery shells and providing military engineers to assist Russian forces in the conflict. The partnership between Russia and North Korea could have significant implications for the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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