SEOUL: A video released by a Ukrainian government-affiliated organization has surfaced, depicting what appear to be North Korean soldiers at a Russian military training center, amid increasing concerns over North Korea’s plans to dispatch troops to support Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the footage, shared by the Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security of Ukraine on X, formerly known as Twitter, shows numerous Asian soldiers speaking with a North Korean accent receiving equipment at the Sergievsky Training Ground in Russia’s Far East. However, it remains unverified whether the individuals in the 28-second video are indeed North Korean soldiers sent to Russia.
The video release follows an announcement from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), which confirmed that North Korea has decided to send approximately 10,000 troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. The NIS reported that North Korea commenced the transportation of it
s special forces troops to Russia between October 8 and 13, deploying about 1,500 soldiers during the initial phase. This operation involved four amphibious landing ships and three escort vessels owned by Russia.
Additionally, the NIS disclosed that fake identifications were provided to the soldiers to disguise them as locals, allowing them to be perceived as part of the Russian forces. These troops are expected to be positioned on the front lines following their adaptation training. This development signifies an escalation in military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which has been a subject of international condemnation due to their suspected arms trade.