Tue Nov 19 19:38:03 UTC 2024: ## North Korean Troops Join Russia’s War in Ukraine: A Risky Gamble

**Moscow/Kyiv** – Up to 10,000 North Korean soldiers, accompanied by senior officers, have reportedly deployed to the Russian-held part of Kursk Oblast to participate in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, NATO has confirmed. This deployment marks a significant escalation, raising concerns about the potential for wider international involvement.

The North Korean troops, lacking experience in modern mechanized warfare, will be facing a steep learning curve. Their lack of familiarity with 21st-century weaponry, including drones and advanced surveillance systems, presents a significant vulnerability. Language barriers between Russian and North Korean forces also pose a challenge to command and control. While North Korea stands to gain valuable combat experience, access to Russian aid, and financial compensation (reportedly up to $2,000 per soldier), the risks are high, particularly in the face of modern warfare tactics.

Russia, facing unsustainable casualty rates (estimated at 1,200 soldiers killed or wounded daily), views the North Korean deployment as a much-needed injection of manpower. These inexperienced troops are expected to be deployed primarily in defensive positions, freeing up more experienced Russian units for offensive operations in areas like Donetsk.

This deployment is part of a deepening military partnership between Russia and North Korea, which includes North Korea supplying Russia with significant quantities of artillery ammunition, though the quality has been criticized. In return, Russia can offer technological assistance to improve North Korea’s military production and space program.

The involvement of North Korean troops, however, significantly raises the stakes. Ukraine and NATO fear this is only the beginning of a larger influx of foreign fighters into the conflict, raising the specter of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia if other nations respond in kind. The potential for miscalculation and uncontrolled escalation is now considered very real.

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