A video that reportedly shows North Korean recruits receiving military uniforms and gear from Russian soldiers has sparked significant concern among Ukrainian officials regarding the escalating involvement of foreign forces in the conflict. Verified by Ukraine’s Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security, the footage depicts individuals believed to be North Koreans lined up to collect military equipment.
Ihor Solovey, the head of the center, highlighted the importance of this video as it serves as the first concrete evidence of North Korea’s personnel participation alongside Russia in the war. He explained that the video, reportedly recorded by a Russian soldier, underscores the growing military cooperation between the two countries.
This development follows statements from Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, who indicated that approximately 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are currently undergoing training in eastern Russia, with expectations that they will be prepared for combat by November. He mentioned that at least 2,600 of these soldiers would be deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, a site of recent Ukrainian incursions.
The potential presence of North Korean troops adds a new dimension to the conflict, intensifying Ukraine’s concerns about its ability to repel further aggression. Solovey remarked on the need for additional weapons to counter this new threat and emphasized the video’s significance as a call for increased international support.
This scenario reflects the deepening ties between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, particularly following their strategic partnership treaty established last summer. Under this agreement, both nations have committed to providing military assistance to each other, which has already manifested in the form of North Korean weapons being used in the ongoing war.
The situation is evolving rapidly, and Ukrainian officials are emphasizing the urgent need for support from allies to confront this intensified threat posed by the collaboration between Russia and North Korea.