Additional Coverage:
- Zelenskyy says Russia is treating the first North Korean soldiers well, but it won’t last (newsbreak.com)
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claims Russia is initially treating North Korean soldiers deployed to assist in the Ukraine conflict favorably. However, he believes this is a strategy to entice more troops to fight.
Zelenskyy predicts that Russia will eventually use the North Koreans as “cannon fodder” on the front lines. US, Ukrainian, and South Korean officials estimate that North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to Russia’s aid, with some claiming the number could reach 100,000 within a year.
The North Korean troops have been deployed in Kursk, where Ukraine launched a successful counteroffensive, resulting in fatalities among the North Korean forces.
Experts warn that Russia’s use of North Korean soldiers could pose a threat to Asia, as they will gain combat experience and knowledge of modern warfare tactics.