According to the U.S. State Department, 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in Russia’s Kursk region to aid Russian forces against Ukraine.
Already Fighting in Russian Uniforms
While initially dismissed as “fake news” by the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin later confirmed a partnership with Pyongyang, leaving many to believe these North Korean troops are indeed on the frontlines.
Ukrainian officials claim that North Korean troops are already fighting in Russian uniforms, making them hard to identify, according to WP.
The soldiers are reportedly dressed to blend in with Russian units, many even posing as ethnic Buryats, a group from Siberia often deployed by Russia.
Years of Malnutrition
Despite North Korea’s large army on paper—boasting 950,000 troops, 5,500 tanks, and 15,000 artillery units—its technology and equipment are outdated.
North Korean infantry is mostly armed with Type 56 Kalashnikov rifles, produced without major changes since 1956, and their gear includes steel helmets and uniforms that haven’t evolved since the 1960s.
They lack ballistic protection and modern communication tools, relying instead on rudimentary, Soviet-era equipment.
North Korean armored units are also significantly outdated. The primary tanks are Chonma-ho models, based on Soviet T-62s from the Cold War era.
These tanks are no match for the more advanced equipment used on modern battlefields. North Korean mechanized units consist mainly of outdated Chinese and Soviet vehicles, such as the VTT-323 and BMP-1, which offer minimal protection.
Due to the antiquated equipment, Russian forces reportedly find it more practical to outfit North Korean soldiers with Russian gear. On arrival, North Korean troops are issued modern AK-12 rifles, sniper rifles, and even anti-tank missiles.
However, years of malnutrition have left North Korean soldiers visibly smaller than their Russian counterparts, with an average height of just 5’5” (165 cm) and a weight of about 106 lbs (48 kg), a stark contrast to South Koreans who are, on average, 5’9” (175 cm) and weigh 154 lbs (70 kg).
