North Korea will help Russia, Ukrainian army will have to destroy large number of manpower - military

Ivan Varchenko, a national security expert and serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said this on the Espreso TV channel.

‘The DPRK does not have any deterrents, such as international sanctions, of which they already have many, or international condemnation. They can help Russia in any way they want, and they have already clearly declared themselves as a hostile country to Ukraine. There is already information that the North Koreans are coming close to the front line as instructors who are ready to study the experience of the Russian-Ukrainian war in order to use it against Ukraine and in Russia's interests. Therefore, we have to talk to our partners about the large number of manpower that needs to be destroyed,’ he said.

The North Koreans are unlikely to fully open their front with South Korea, as the DPRK's economy and state policy are oriented towards permanent war, Varchenko said.

‘For them, this will be somewhat optional, but important, as they belong to the club of dictatorial countries, Kim Jong-un and Putin in particular. Therefore, they will help Russia, and it is important for Ukrainians to have weapons that can destroy manpower,’ he added.

• On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that a missile strike on the occupied territory of Donetsk region killed 20 soldiers. Among them, in particular, were six soldiers from the DPRK who were consulting with the Russian army.
• On Tuesday, October 8, South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun warned that North Korea could send its troops to Ukraine to support Russia.
• On October 13, it was reported that Russia continues to build allied relations with North Korea. In fact, it is about the transfer of North Korean military to the ranks of the Russian occupiers.
• On October 15, Russian leader Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma a draft law on the ratification of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Russia and the DPRK.
• Later, Suspilne reported that Russia was forming a ‘special Buryat battalion’ with DPRK citizens.