A recent video has surfaced showing North Korean recruits lining up to collect Russian military fatigues and gear in what Ukrainian officials believe is an attempt to intimidate Ukrainian forces. This development marks a significant escalation in the 2 1/2-year war, as it introduces another country into the battlefield.
The video, verified by Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security, depicts North Korean soldiers receiving bags, clothes, and other apparel from Russian servicemen. While the authenticity of the video could not be independently confirmed by the Associated Press, the Center stands by its verification.
According to Ihor Solovey, head of the center, the footage was obtained from undisclosed sources due to security concerns. He emphasized the significance of the video, stating that it provides the first visual evidence of North Korea's involvement in the conflict on the side of Russia, not only with weaponry but also with personnel.
The video, reportedly filmed by a Russian soldier in recent days at an undisclosed location, comes in the wake of reports by Ukrainian military intelligence suggesting that around 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are undergoing training in eastern Russia. It is anticipated that these troops will be combat-ready by November, with a portion likely deployed to the Kursk region where Ukraine initiated an incursion in August.
Solovey expressed concerns over the influx of new soldiers, highlighting the need for additional weaponry to counter the threat. He underscored the importance of sharing the video as a signal to the international community about the escalating aggression Ukraine is facing with two countries officially at war against it.
If confirmed, the presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine would underscore the deepening military cooperation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The two nations signed a strategic partnership treaty last summer, pledging mutual military assistance. Notably, North Korean weapons have already been utilized in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
