Why a fresh wave of North Korean soldiers may fight in Russia's war in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that North Korea may deploy up to 50,000 additional soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, following an earlier deployment that resulted in significant North Korean casualties. This potential new wave of troops could significantly impact the ongoing conflict.
Why it matters
This potential escalation signifies a deepening military alliance between Russia and North Korea, impacting the dynamics of the Ukraine war, international relations, and regional stability in East Asia. It also raises concerns about the human cost of the conflict and the involvement of non-state actors.
Why a fresh wave of North Korean soldiers may fight in Russia's war in Ukraine
By Quentin Sommerville International Correspondent, Seoul An enemy that swarmed the battlefield in large groups while under fire, seemingly oblivious to the dangers of drones and fire from automatic weapons. An elite corps of ghost soldiers who chose suicide over surrender. They fought and died in their thousands, then apparently vanished from the battlefield.
North Korea's soldiers were sent to fight by Pyongyang alongside Russian forces as they sought to repel a Ukrainian offensive on Moscow's territory at the end of 2024. They paid a heavy price, as many as 3,000 killed in action from the 13,000 deployed.
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