Inexperienced, poorly trained and underfed: the North Korean troops heading to Ukraine

Summary

Around 10,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia, poised to join the Ukraine conflict as part of a reported agreement between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin.

Though these young, inexperienced soldiers, trained in mountainous regions, lack battlefield exposure, Russia has equipped them with modern weaponry.

North Korea wants foreign currency and potentially advanced Russian military technology through this “blood alliance.”

Analysts see this as a risky move by Kim, as significant casualties could undermine his standing. Many view the North Korean soldiers as cannon fodder, unlikely to return home alive.