DPRK offers to send North Korean military to Russia - NYT
In the fall of 2024, DPRK troops began arriving in Russia. The West believed that this was evidence of the Kremlin's need for additional forces.
This is stated in the material of The New York Times, Censor.NET reports.
"But now U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that the deployment was North Korea's idea, not Russia's, although President Vladimir Putin quickly accepted it," the newspaper writes.
According to Ukraine and the West, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent at least 10,000 troops to Russia.
In the United States, officials suggest that Kim Jong-un did not immediately receive anything in return from Russia for this "favor." However, he seems to be hoping that Russia will repay him in the future.
U.S. officials note that it is unclear how effective North Korean soldiers are. The DPRK has sent its best-trained special forces, but many of them appear to be malnourished. North Korean soldiers also lack real combat experience.
According to the NYT, DPRK units do not seem to be fully integrated into the Russian military, sometimes acting independently, which increases the risk of casualties.
However, mercenaries from the DPRK receive better medical care. Wounded Koreans are often taken directly to large hospitals in Kursk, bypassing smaller ones.
As a reminder, North Korea is preparing to deploy additional troops and military equipment in Russia, including kamikaze drones. The DPRK continues to support Moscow in its war against Ukraine.
