When North Korean troops started arriving in Russia this fall, some Western officers believed it was an indication that the Kremlin had reached out in a determined want for extra troopers.
But U.S. intelligence businesses have now assessed that the deployment was North Korea’s thought and never Russia’s, although President Vladimir V. Putin shortly embraced it, American officers say.
North Korea’s chief, Kim Jong-un, has despatched at the very least 10,000 troops to Russia, in keeping with Ukrainian and Western estimates.
The North Koreans have largely embedded with Russian models mounting a counteroffensive in opposition to a contingent of Ukrainian troopers that has been holding territory within the Kursk area of Russia for the reason that summer time.
U.S. officers don’t imagine Mr. Kim has acquired something fast in return. Instead, they are saying, he seems to be hoping that Russia will repay the favor sooner or later by providing help in diplomatic fights, helping if a disaster breaks out and offering expertise.
According to American and Ukrainian officers, the North Korean troops have now entered the struggle in a serious manner, and a few have been killed.
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