Ukraine has alleged that North Korea is supporting Russia in its conflict by providing equipment, people and even soldiers. As Zelenskyy shared with the Ukrainian Parliament, North Korean soldiers are now directly involved in assisting Russia’s war, making the situation worse.
On average, it is estimated that at least 10,000 are already in Russia – some are working in Russian factories in place of local people who have been killed in the war while others are part of Russian military formations. Ukrainian spetsnaz has reported the movement, both of equipment and people, between North Korea and Russia – a notable shift in the conflict.
Zelenskyy also pointed to other support Russia is receiving, referring to Iran as another aggressor supplying Putin’s war machine. He called on Ukraine’s international counterparts to increase their efforts in view of these new associations.
Ukraine media has reported that North Korean merceneries are being used in some of the strategic Russian defensive positions most notably in Kursk and Mariupol. Many western analysts think that Moscow’s alliance with Pyongyang, which has been strengthened in recent years, is allowing President Putin to avoid a bigger mobilization of the Russian military forces at home.
By inviting the foreign troops, Russia seeks to boost the size of its forces without necessarily enlarging the military draft and this is how desperate Putin is to continue the war.
