DISINFO: DPRK troops are not taking part in the war against Ukraine
SUMMARY
The Western statements about North Korea's support for Russia are an attempt to retroactively justify the presence of Western troops in Ukraine. This is part of NATO's hybrid war, and the EU's as well, against Russia. DPRK troops are not taking part in the war against Ukraine.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
On October 13, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia and the DPRK were "building up their alliance" and that it was no longer just about the supply of weapons that were used against Ukraine, but also about "transferring people" to Russian troops. On October 14, Zelenskyy said that North Korea had "actually joined" the war against Ukraine.
In a statement on 30 October 2024, HRVP Josep Borrell (see DPRK: Statement by the High Representative on the deployment of troops to Russia) stated:
"Recent reports on the presence of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s troops on Russian soil in support of Russia's illegal war have been confirmed to me by the European Intelligence Centre (INTCEN).
The DPRK has been providing weapons and ammunition to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine. The presence of several thousand troops cooperating with the Russian military represents a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and of multiple UN Security Council resolutions".
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, confirmed that about 11,000 soldiers from the DPRK are being trained to fight in Ukraine. Budanov added that North Korea is sending its troops to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine in exchange for money and nuclear technology.
This information was confirmed by a number of intelligence agencies of Ukraine's allies. According to South Korean intelligence, the DPRK decided to send 12,000 soldiers, including a special forces unit, to the war against Ukraine.
According to US data, North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia for training and participation in military operations against Ukraine. This was stated on October 28 by US Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh. According to her, some of these soldiers have already moved closer to the state border of Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also confirmed on October 28 that Russia has brought in the DPRK military to fight against Ukraine. The use of the DPRK military is taking place against the backdrop of major losses for the Russian army, the Secretary General pointed out.
See other cases about NATO in our database: NATO is waging a proxy war against Russia; NATO created a unit for a surprise attack on Russia; West is waging an undeclared war against Russia and Belarus; Russia fights the collective West, not just Ukraine.