North Korea plans to triple the number of troops it has fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine, CNN reported Wednesday. Ukrainian intelligence estimates cited by the network suggest Pyongyang will send between 25,000 and 30,000 soldiers to join the war in the coming months.
The Ukrainian report says there’s a “great possibility” that North Korean forces will take part in combat in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine “to strengthen the Russian contingent, including during the large-scale offensive operations.”
The intelligence also indicates that Russian forces have started modifying aircraft to transport personnel. Additionally, CNN said it has obtained satellite images that appear to show a North Korean ship at a Russian port and cargo aircraft at North Korea’s Sunan airport.
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(NCD Mode)
I hate to say it, but from Kim’s perspective, this makes sense. It battle tests equipment, gives troops real experience and gets kudos with someone other than China so they aren’t so reliant on them. It’s not directly aggressive to SK, either, and an unstable Russian neighbor is not what they want.
I can’t imagine what this is like from the troop’s perspective though. Live life in NK with the south as your enemy, then get shipped north to fight in the cold somewhere you know nothing about.
Too credible.