Moscow: North Korea’s army is generally considered among the most powerful military forces in combat, renowned for its brutal tactics. According to a U.S. report, Kim Jong Un’s troops carry bombs with them and blow themselves up if they’re taken as prisoners, demonstrating how brutally they respond to attacks. Following this inspiration, Russian President Vladimir Putin is now set to train his soldiers in the same manner during the current war with Ukraine. Russia plans to recruit 160,000 troops from April to July, inducting about 2,000 soldiers a day, following a model similar to North Korea’s.
Why is Russia turning to North Korea for inspiration? Firstly, North Korea has been Russia’s only military partner in the war in Ukraine, providing 20,000 soldiers so far. The U.S. believes that the soldiers have escalated the conflict by overwhelming Ukrainian forces and enabling Russia to retake Kursk. The majority of North Korean troops are young individuals between the ages of 18 and 30, and Russia has launched a new recruitment campaign specifically targeting this age group. There is also speculation that such recruits could train in North Korea, with reports indicating wounded Russian troops are already being treated in North Korean hospitals.
The Kyiv Independent conservatively estimates that approximately 1 million Russian soldiers have suffered injuries or lost their lives in the war. Though Russia hasn’t published numbers, local media report at least 100,000 have died. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 initiated the fighting, which persists without any signs of resolution. In spite of efforts by the U.S. to negotiate an end to fighting, outstanding disputes keep the two countries at odds.
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