A group of North Korean soldiers deployed to support Russian forces near Ukraine has reportedly deserted within days of their arrival. Ukrainian media sources suggest that around 18 soldiers fled from their positions in the Kursk and Bryansk regions, close to the Ukrainian border.
Russian troops are now searching for the deserters, and military commanders are trying to keep the incident under wraps. The North Korean troops were part of a special unit that Russia had been planning to use in its ongoing war with Ukraine.
Strengthened Russia-North Korea Ties
In recent months, Russia and North Korea have developed stronger military ties. Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a strategic agreement, pledging mutual support in the event of an armed conflict. This alliance has seen North Korea send military aid to Russia, including soldiers and artillery supplies, despite both nations denying such actions.
Deserters Create Tension
The desertion of North Korean soldiers highlights tensions within this partnership. Despite the strategic cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, reports of North Korean casualties in Ukraine and now this desertion indicate challenges in maintaining this alliance on the battlefield.
Russia’s continued effort to recruit international support, including North Korean troops, reflects the ongoing strain of its military campaign in Ukraine, which began in February 2022 with the full-scale invasion of Kyiv.
