Six officers from North Korea were among the 20 soldiers killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on Russian-occupied territory near Donetsk, intelligence sources say.
Kyiv Post sources fluent in Korean have confirmed that the language, with an accent atypical in the South, was spoken in two videos alleging Pyongyang troops’ presence in Russia.
By
Kyiv Post
Oct. 19
Ukraine and South Korea both claimed in mid-October that Pyongyang had deployed troops to aid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, likely as a result of a mutual defense pact signed in June.
In early October, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) claimed that Pyongyang had deployed troops to reinforce Moscow’s troops in Ukraine. In addition, media reports, citing HUR, claimed that six North Korean officers had been killed in a missile strike, with 18 more Pyongyang troops having allegedly deserted their positions near Ukraine.
HUR Chief Kyrylo Budanov said Oct. 18 that Pyongyang was preparing to send 11,000 troops to aid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Following the reports, Seoul’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) issued satellite images alleging North Korean troops in Russia’s Far East prior to their deployments in Ukraine. Videos circulating on social media around the time also depicted Korean-speaking soldiers in a Russian military base.
Seoul’s intelligence said Pyongyang sent artillery and rocket launchers currently not used by Russia, meaning North Korean troops are likely responsible for their instructions and maintenance.
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With estimates that the number of North Korean troops now supporting Russian efforts has grown to 12,000, the US and its allies have condemned the deployment.
While the exact contents of the containers from North Korea are unclear, analysts estimate 80-95% are ammunition – mainly 152mm and 122mm artillery shells – with 5-20% being other weapons.
In an intercepted call, a Russian soldier expressed doubts about North Korean troops’ integration: “One translator for 30 soldiers? Where will we find three senior personnel for them?”
Though North Korean troops may soon bolster Russian forces in Kursk, analysts doubt their impact as Moscow faces manpower shortages and high casualties.
The US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, said Tuesday that the US is “seeing evidence” that Pyongyang has deployed troops to Russia, but that their roles and purposes remain unclear.
Additionally, South Korea is set to review its longstanding ban on exporting lethal aid to a country at war which means it could supply defensive arms to Ukraine.
![[VIDEOS] North Korean Troops in Russia Confirmed](https://static.kyivpost.com/storage/2024/10/19/a6f6a4c5d74d066019e5812a20c6514f.png?w=420&q=75&f=webp)
