North Korean units have arrived in Russia’s Kursk Oblast to aid Moscow in counterattacking Ukrainian forces in the region, according to the press service of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR).
A day earlier, White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby said that at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers were transported by ship from North Korea’s Wonsan area of Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East between early and mid-October 2024. He noted that it remains unclear whether these soldiers would engage in combat with Russian forces against Ukraine after completing their training at three different locations.
Ukrainian intelligence officials have revealed that the training of North Korean soldiers is taking place at five military bases in the eastern part of Russia—Baranovsky, Donguz, Yekaterinoslavsky, the 248th, and 249th.
The integration of North Korean soldiers, whom Russia intends to deploy in the war against Ukraine, is expected to take several weeks.
According to Ukraine’s estimates, the number of transferred North Korean troops currently stands at around 12,000, including 500 officers and three generals from Pyongyang.
Moscow has appointed Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov to oversee the training and adaptation of the North Korean troops.
The soldiers sent by Pyongyang are being provided with equipment, bedding, winter clothing, footwear, and hygiene products.
Each North Korean soldier will receive 50 meters of toilet paper and 300 grams of soap per month, according to established standards.
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