North Korean generals in Russia: military expert Zgurets breaks down what it signals

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

“When we talk about the number of 12,000, we mean the total number announced earlier based on our intelligence and South Korean intelligence. This was the figure that appeared in the reports. It was mentioned that initially about three thousand DPRK troops would be deployed, as reported by South Korean news agencies citing their intelligence sources. Now it has become known that among them are officers and generals of the DPRK, which indicates that these actions are aimed at gaining new experience for the North Korean army. This is seen as a mutually beneficial cooperation between the Russian and North Korean armies,” Zgurets explained.

According to the director of the Defense Express information and consulting company, the North Korean military has no experience in combat operations in difficult conditions.

“Publications indicate that Russian translators are being used to ensure communication. The first areas will be training, including the use of drones. There have also been reports of North Korean pilots being relocated to master aircraft, but this is a separate long-term component,” Zgurets said.

The director of the Defense Express information and consulting company also added that Ukraine is currently accumulating data and do not yet have the first facts of direct participation of the North Korean military in hostilities.

“Of course, it is optimal for the Russians to use them in the Kursk region, but in a real combat situation, there may be significant problems in interaction. It is unlikely to ensure effective interaction, especially when Koreans are involved in assaults. Russia neither confirms nor denies this, putting some pressure on NATO and European countries. We are trying to convey to our partners that in the face of such a threat, it is necessary to support Ukraine with various means of destruction to compensate for any appearance of enemy manpower on the battlefield,” Zgurets emphasized.

Military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK. What is known 

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.

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.

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.

On October 22, the media reported that North Korea had sent not only infantrymen but also pilots of military aircraft to Russia. And the head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said that the first soldiers from North Korea were to arrive in the Kursk region on October 23.

On Wednesday, October 23, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said there is evidence that North Korean troops are in Russia. However, according to him, it is not yet known what they will do there. And South Korean parliamentarians reported that the DPRK had sent 3,000 of its military to Russia.

The head of the US Permanent Select Committee On Intelligence, Mike Turner, said that the United States should consider “direct military action” if DPRK troops enter Ukraine.

The first units of the DPRK military, which have been trained at Russian training grounds, have already arrived in the combat zone of the Russian-Ukrainian war. In particular, on October 23, their arrival was recorded in the Kursk region.