The Russian military is forming a battalion of 3,000 North Korean soldiers to reinforce its frontline units in Ukraine. The Special Buryat Battalion will be part of Moscow’s 11th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade and may be deployed near Sudzha and Kursk. The battalion is currently being supplied with small arms and ammunition for official deployment.
A Ukrainian military officer expressed doubts about the effectiveness of Russia’s North Korean reinforcements, citing their outdated and poorly equipped status which could result in higher casualty rates. Recent reports indicate that six North Korean military officials were killed in a Ukrainian missile attack near Donetsk.
Reports of North Korea sending troops to Russia have surfaced following a mutual defense agreement between the two nations. The agreement obligates Pyongyang and Moscow to assist each other militarily in case of attack or war. Prior to the agreement, North Korea was already supplying weapons and ammunition to Russia for its military operation in Ukraine.
