**North Korea’s Troops in Ukraine: A Growing Concern**
The war between Russia and Ukraine has just gotten more complicated. North Korea, the isolated nation known for its strict military regime, has been secretly sending troops to support Russia’s efforts.
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, around 11,000 elite troops from North Korea have already been deployed in Ukraine. This is a significant number, making up over 20% of the country’s “personal reserve” force, which is reserved for the most critical and sensitive missions.
These elite soldiers were handpicked based on their physical, psychological, and other criteria, Umerov said. Unfortunately, they have already suffered significant losses in battle. In fact, intelligence suggests that more than 6,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in Ukraine, which is roughly half of the initial force deployed.
**Russia’s Dependence on Foreign Forces**
The decision by Russia to rely heavily on North Korea’s military support has raised eyebrows among Ukrainian officials and their allies. Russia has signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with North Korea in 2024, which provides for mutual assistance in case of attack. However, critics argue that Moscow is not holding up its end of the bargain.
“Russia’s use of elite North Korean troops demonstrates not only a growing reliance on totalitarian regimes but also serious problems with its mobilization reserve,” Umerov said during a press briefing.
**North Korea’s Growing Involvement**
It appears that North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine is not limited to just troop deployment. Intelligence suggests that Pyongyang may send up to 25,000 laborers to Russia over the summer to support drone production. This would be on top of already substantial support from North Korea, which includes the shipment of millions of artillery shells and ballistic missiles.
**International Reactions**
The news has sparked concern internationally, with many countries questioning Russia’s growing dependence on foreign forces. Ukrainian officials have also expressed their concerns about Moscow’s motives and whether they are truly committed to upholding their reciprocal obligations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement.
As tensions continue to rise in Ukraine, one thing is clear: North Korea’s involvement in the conflict has made it a more complex and unpredictable situation for all parties involved.
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