October 18th 2024.
In the near future, there is a concerning development taking place in the international scene. Recently, reports have surfaced that hundreds of North Korean soldiers have been spotted at a Russian training ground. This has caused alarm and speculation that these troops may potentially be sent to Ukraine as part of a military support agreement between the two dictatorships.
For some time now, South Korea has been warning about North Korea's involvement in the ongoing conflict in Russia. However, it seems that the extent of this collaboration goes beyond just supplying weapons and ammunition. According to the National Intelligence Service, North Korea has agreed to send up to 12,000 troops to assist in Russia's landgrabbing efforts. The first batch of 1,500 soldiers were already transported via Russian navy vessels to the port city of Vladivostok and more are expected to follow soon. Ukrainian military intelligence has also raised concerns, stating that around 11,000 North Korean troops are already in Russia and are set to be combat ready by next month.
It is believed that a quarter of these soldiers will be sent to Kursk, where a surprise Ukrainian counterattack managed to gain control of a significant amount of Russian territory in August. These troops will join a smaller group that was already sent to support the operation of North Korean-supplied equipment in Ukraine, as confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Despite these reports, the Russian government has denied any involvement of North Korean troops, calling it a "hoax". However, footage and satellite images showing North Korean soldiers in Russian territory suggest otherwise, raising concerns that they are undergoing training in preparation for deployment to the frontlines in Europe.
It is estimated that thousands of North Korean soldiers will be trained in Russia before being deployed to Ukraine. A video of soldiers marching in a training ground, believed to be in Sergeevka, Primorsky near the North Korean border, has been circulating on social media. These soldiers have been seen wearing Russian uniforms, using Russian weapons, and carrying IDs claiming they are from Turkic ethnic groups in eastern Russian regions that bear resemblance to Koreans. This has been confirmed by the National Intelligence Service, who stated that there is "direct military cooperation between Russia and North Korea".
Despite the official confirmation, the agency remains vigilant and will continue to closely monitor and verify any movements of military cooperation between the two countries. North Korea, who recently destroyed roads connecting them to South Korea in the midst of escalating tensions, has one of the largest militaries in the world with approximately 1.2 million troops. However, their lack of combat experience and unreliable weapons have led Ukrainian intelligence to believe that they will be used in mass offensives, similar to the tactics of the Wagner mercenaries, rather than precise attacks.
It is possible that North Korea has secured security guarantees from Russia, as they have been strengthening their alliance in recent years. As this situation continues to unfold, the world watches with concern as the involvement of North Korean troops in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict could potentially escalate the already tense situation.
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