The Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security recently released videos showing North Korean soldiers receiving military uniforms, Russian-made weapons, and fake identification from Russian military personnel. These soldiers are reportedly posing as Russian troops from Siberia and are set to be deployed to the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war after completing their training.
On October 18, the South Korean National Intelligence Service confirmed that around 1,500 North Korean special forces members have arrived in Vladivostok to undergo acclimatization training in preparation for their involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The emergence of training-related videos online appears to corroborate these claims.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, currently in Naples, Italy, addressed the situation on October 19. He stated that while he cannot confirm the reports at this time, if they are true, it raises significant concerns.
Rep. Mike Turner, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, warned that this represents a crossing of red lines for both the U.S. and NATO. He expressed alarm over the implications of North Korean troops either attacking Ukraine from Russia or entering Ukrainian territory, emphasizing that such actions necessitate an immediate response from the U.S. and NATO.
The intelligence report from South Korea suggests that North Korea is sending its elite 11th Army Corps, known as the Storm Corps, to assist Russia. Earlier reports indicated that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers from four brigades are currently undergoing training in Russia and are expected to join Russian forces starting November 1.
The special forces contingent of 1,500 traveled from North Korea’s northern regions via Russian landing craft and escort vessels between October 8 and 13. They have reportedly been issued Russian military gear, weapons, and fake IDs to masquerade as Russian troops. A second deployment wave is anticipated soon.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that it remains unconfirmed whether North Korea’s regular military forces will indeed intervene in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, pending further investigations.
Amid the unfolding situation, videos shared online depict North Korean soldiers lined up to receive supplies from Russian military personnel at a training center in Russia’s Far East. Additional footage sourced by CNN shows troops arriving at the Sergeevka Training Ground, near the Russia-China border.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously accused North Korea of providing troops and weaponry to Russia, although Russia has denied these allegations, labeling them as misinformation. The recent video released by Ukraine appears to aim at substantiating those claims.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has asserted that the North Korean soldiers are not mercenaries, but regular members of the North Korean People’s Army, criticizing Russia for drawing North Korea into the conflict in Ukraine.
As of now, neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has commented on these developments.
With a military force of approximately 1.2 million personnel, North Korea has one of the largest armies in the world, though most lack combat experience. Should it be confirmed that Pyongyang is aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine, it would mark a significant intervention in an international conflict for the regime.
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