Russia can reinforce frontline in Ukraine if North Korea deploys engineers - expert

He expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

"This story really exists, it has been considered for more than a year, since May 2022, the Russians have been fantasizing: "to discharge 100,000 North Korean brothers". Since then, something has not worked out. Now, it is estimated that the Russians can get about 10,000-12,000 North Korean engineer troops, which is very rough. In total, according to open sources, North Korea has about 40,000-45,000 of these engineer troops, which means that they cannot get 10,000-12,000. Interesting! In advance, the Russians will pay approximately $115 million a year for such a transfer, which seems to be a lot, but on the other hand, it is not much for Russia," the former SBU officer said.

Stupak explained that these DPRK engineer troops will not be on the front line, but will build fortifications and fortifications, and clear the territory of debris far from the battle line: "In this way, they will be able to free up some Russian resources. Now this work will be done by the "North Korean brothers," and those who have been fired will go to the front.”

When asked whether the DPRK could send its shooters to help Russia in the war with Ukraine, the military expert replied: "Let's look through the eyes of North Korea. If they release that many troops, they will be reducing their offensive potential in the face of South Korea, i.e., there will be 10,000 fewer troops, but who will they attack with? The vulnerable ones - there will be problems somewhere. On the other hand, imagine these 10,000 people leaving and beginning to see that there is another life, other countries, people live differently, much cooler even despite the war than in North Korea. Then, when they return, they may have 100,000-150,000 different questions for the authorities: 'How come? You said everything was bad there, and here it turns out that it's not so bad, that it's worse here.’”

• Before his visit to Pyongyang, the Russian dictator thanked the DPRK for supporting the war against Ukraine in an article titled "Russia and the DPRK: Traditions of Friendship and Cooperation Through the Years.”
• The White House says it is not concerned about the Kremlin leader's visit to North Korea, but is concerned about the deepening of relations between the two countries.
• On June 19, Vladimir Putin arrived in the DPRK at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that provides for mutual assistance in the event of an attack on one of the signatories. At the same time, the DPRK leader expressed "unconditional support" for Russia in the war with Ukraine.
• Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said that North Korean troops would become "cannon fodder" if sent to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.