How Russia’s manpower dilemma is driving North Korean troop deployment



Columns How Russia’s manpower dilemma is driving North Korean troop deployment Moscow needs soldiers for war of attrition but fears backlash to draft, giving Pyongyang an opportunity to capitalize Andrei Lankov October 25, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean soldiers during a parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army \| Image: KCTV (Feb. 9, 2023) Evidence is mounting that North Korea is indeed dispatching troops to the Ukrainian frontlines, in what could be the largest overseas deployment of DPRK troops in history. It's easy to understand what Pyongyang hopes to gain from this move. It will earn some money while training some of its best soldiers in real battlefield conditions, and perhaps also gain access to sensitive military technologies that Russia would otherwise be unwilling to provide. Evidence is mounting that North Korea is indeed dispatching troops to the Ukrainian frontlines, in what could be the largest overseas deployment of DPRK troops in history. It's easy to understand what Pyongyang hopes to gain from this move. It will earn some money while training some of its best soldiers in real battlefield conditions, and perhaps also gain access to sensitive military technologies that Russia would otherwise be unwilling to provide. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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How Russia’s manpower dilemma is driving North Korean troop deployment

Moscow needs soldiers for war of attrition but fears backlash to draft, giving Pyongyang an opportunity to capitalize

Andrei Lankov October 25, 2024

How Russia’s manpower dilemma is driving North Korean troop deployment

North Korean soldiers during a parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army | Image: KCTV (Feb. 9, 2023)

Evidence is mounting that North Korea is indeed dispatching troops to the Ukrainian frontlines, in what could be the largest overseas deployment of DPRK troops in history.

It's easy to understand what Pyongyang hopes to gain from this move. It will earn some money while training some of its best soldiers in real battlefield conditions, and perhaps also gain access to sensitive military technologies that Russia would otherwise be unwilling to provide.

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How Russia’s manpower dilemma is driving North Korean troop deployment

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Andrei Lankov

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