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North Korean Military Troops Have Allegedly Deserted Russia in the Battlefront, Ukrainian Sources Claim

North Korean aid that arrived to help Russia in Kursk allegedly left the battlefront, leading to a search by authorities.

BY SOMDATTA MAITY

PUBLISHED OCT 18, 2024

Cover Image Source: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternative crop of image #1139190796) Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) greets North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un during their meeting on April 25, 2019, in Vladivostok, Russia. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

Most countries are showing hesitance in choosing a side, amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. But, that is not the case with North Korea, which has established a clear alliance with Russia, Newsweek reported. Recently it was reported that North Korea had dispatched troops to help Russian soldiers in the frontline. As per the latest updates from Ukrainian media houses, some soldiers from these troops have allegedly deserted the Russian efforts. The Russian soldiers are currently on the lookout for these lost troops.

Relationship between North Korea and Russia

Image Source: PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA- JUNE 19 (RUSSIA OUT) Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un (L) attend a welcoming ceremony before Russian-North Korean talks, June 19, 2024 in Pyongyang, North Korea. Russian President Vladimir Putin was in North Korea for a two-day diplomatic visit. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for the first time in 24 years back in June, Newsweek reported. During the visit leaders of both countries signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership pact," which allegedly claimed that an attack on one party means an attack on both parties. According to the document published by North Korean media, the pact states that if any party faces military aggression, the other country "shall immediately provide military and other assistance with all the means at its disposal." Putin reportedly called this a “peaceful and defensive” pact and toasted it with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, BBC reported. This relationship has become a cause of concern for many countries.

Reaction of other countries

BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 11: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prior a private conversation with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace on October 11, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Zelensky is meeting with German leaders today following similar stops in recent days in other European capitals in a renewed effort to procure more military aid for Ukraine. (Photo by Andreas Gora - Pool/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized North Korea and China for their supposed relationship with Russia, BBC reported. He also went ahead and called the trio a "coalition of criminals." Zelensky warned the MPs of Ukraine that they have to fight against Russia on all fronts. "We are at war with Russia on the battlefield, in international relations, in the economy, in the information sphere, and in people's hearts," he said. South Korea’s defense minister, seeing the growing closeness between North Korea and Russia commented that it was "highly likely" that the rumors of their neighbor supplying Russia with troops were true, BBC reported. The US authorities are also taking note of this affinity. “It would mark a significant increase in their relationship,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. He further added that this alleged move of inviting troops from North Korea reflects “a new level of desperation by Russia” amidst battlefield losses.

Arrival of North Korean troops

Ukrainian military intelligence source has claimed to the media that a unit of some 3,000 North Koreans has arrived to help Russia, BBC reported. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed reports of such arrival. A military source in Russia's Far East has admitted that troops have arrived from North Korea but claimed that the manpower in this 'aid' is nowhere near 3000. Military experts are doubtful whether Russia would be able to incorporate these forces into its military functions. “It wasn’t even that easy to include hundreds of Russian prisoners at first – and all those guys spoke Russian,” one analyst - who is in Russia so didn't want to be named said. Ukrainian officials believe that the North Korean troops will help Russia in Kursk, a territory that has been annexed by Ukraine. “They could guard some sections of the Russian-Ukrainian border, which would free Russian units for fighting elsewhere,” said Valeriy Ryabykh, editor of the Ukrainian publication Defence Express. “I would rule out the possibility that these units will immediately appear on the front line.”

Desertion of North Korean troops

Eighteen North Korean soldiers have allegedly deserted the Russian military on the frontline, Newsweek reported. These troops were reportedly stationed in Russia's Kursk and Bryansk oblasts, about four miles from the border with Ukraine. Intelligence officers are claiming that the Russian military is currently in the process of searching for these lost troops. This development came after Ukrainian media reported casualties in the North Korean troops deployed for Russia. Russian Telegram channel Kremlin Snuffbox stated that three North Korean soldiers were injured during air strikes on the frontline, and had been sent to Moscow for treatment.