News about North Korean troops fighting on the Russian side in Ukraine has been troubling, causing an uproar in the media as an unprecedented event. However, while North Korea sending troops to Russia is concerning, this is not the first time it happened. In 2022 Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan claimed that 2000 troops from North Korea were already fighting alongside Russian soldiers. This was later followed by the news of North Korean engineers being deployed in the occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions to support the Russian army.
It is important to point out that North Korean troops fighting on Russia’s side could mean a deal of some sort was struck, with Russia trading valuable resources in exchange for the soldiers, possibly having to strain its reserves in the future. Moreover, Russia’s need to rely on North Korean soldiers might signify how the prolonged war is affecting Russia as well.
How you can help Ukraine against Russian aggression:
Come back alive – https://bit.ly/3Ct6O2L (works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics etc);
UNITED 24 – https://bit.ly/3M2mXiT (launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs)
Army SOS – https://bit.ly/3UYK168 (manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. and delivers all goods directly);
Vostok SOS – https://bit.ly/3Ruut75 (raising funds for various needs of the army).