North Korea may send additional troops to Russia for war against Ukraine in the coming months, Reuters reports
According to international journalists, there are growing signs of intensified military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, which could lead to a significant deployment of North Korean troops on Russian territory in the second half of 2023. Media intermediaries and intelligence agencies report that North Korea could continue supplying weapons to Russia in the spring and early summer, and in July or August, it is possible to send military units to actively participate in the war against Ukraine. According to information received from South Korean sources, the DPRK leadership intends to strengthen its military positions in relation to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. South Korean parliamentary representative Lee Song-kwon reported that the country's intelligence believes that Russia is preparing for a large-scale offensive against Ukraine in late summer or early autumn. According to him, "the time for active deployment of additional troops is July or August." This indicates a possible escalation of hostilities in the region, which is causing concern in the international community. In addition, the possibility of exchanging military technology and ammunition between Pyongyang and Moscow is emerging. According to sources, North Korea is likely providing Russia with technical advice on launching satellites and missile guidance systems, which could significantly enhance the capabilities of the Russian military machine in the war against Ukraine. The background to this cooperation dates back to the summer of last year, when Moscow and Pyongyang officially confirmed military cooperation. In particular, it was reported that DPRK military personnel were involved in hostilities in the Kursk region of Russia, which at that time was partially controlled by Ukrainian troops. This indicates active actions on both sides, although both countries tried to assure the world that their cooperation was based on bilateral agreements and "protection of the interests" of each side. According to the agreement signed last June between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, “mutual defense” and deepening military ties are envisaged, which opens the way for increased military cooperation. However, the possibility of deploying additional Russian-North Korean military formations is attracting increasing attention in the world community, which could significantly affect the course of the war and stability in the region. The international community, in particular Western countries, express concern about the strengthening of the alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang, fearing that this coalition could cause a new wave of conflicts and complicate the search for ways to peace in Ukraine. At the same time, experts note that the intensification of military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia could lead to a new round of the arms race and destabilize the situation in the entire region. Intelligence and diplomatic sources emphasize that North Korea's decision to send troops to Russia will depend on developments on the battlefield, as well as political and economic factors affecting Pyongyang. However, there is currently no official confirmation that the troop movements have begun, and the world community remains in a state of tense anticipation for further news.