"Cheapest cannon fodder": National security expert on North Korean military presence in Ukraine

He shared these insights on Espreso TV.

"The question of Putin using North Korean troops is one with several steps. By global standards, North Korean soldiers are the cheapest cannon fodder — people treated with the most disdain by their own state. Right now, North Korean soldiers are actually training on Russian soil, preparing for deployment wherever they’re needed. I wouldn’t be surprised if they show up in Donetsk region or other areas soon. It’s also possible that the Russians, with North Korean assistance, will try to ease their personnel shortage by swapping out Russian border guards and regular troops with North Korean soldiers, pushing them toward the front," the national security expert noted.

Ivan Varchenko added that North Korean troops could also replace the Russian Guard, thus "protecting Russian democracy" much like they "protect democracy" in North Korea.

Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea

On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that 20 soldiers were killed in a missile strike on occupied Donetsk, including six North Korean military personnel advising the Russian army.

The South Korean Defense Minister warned on October 8 that North Korea may deploy troops to Ukraine in support of Russia.

At an October 17 press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Russia's plan to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers for combat in Ukraine.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, later reported that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are training in eastern Russia, preparing for deployment to Ukraine. He added that the first unit of 2,600 soldiers is en route to Kursk, where Ukraine has established a stronghold.

Ukraine has since shared intelligence with NATO about North Korea’s military involvement and requested data from alliance members.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the participation of the North Korean military in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia would mean a “significant escalation.” 

Later, it was reported that South Korea was considering providing Ukraine with military and intelligence assistance in response to North Korea's sending its military to fight on the side of Russia.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported that on October 23, the North Korean military was spotted in the Kursk region.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that according to intelligence, the first North Korean military would be used by Russia in combat zones on October 27-28.

On October 25, South Korea's intelligence agency announced that North Korea plans to send a second batch of its military personnel to Russia, totaling up to 10,000 people.