North Korea, in addition to its soldiers, also sent a high-ranking official from the General Staff to Russia

The DPRK has sent about 11-12,000 troops to Russia, along with Deputy Chief of the General Staff Kim Yong Bok, who is probably needed to "exchange experience" with the Russian invaders.

Here's What We Know

According to the South Korean National Intelligence Service, the information was made public during a parliamentary session. Kim Yong-bok has close ties with Kim Jong-un, which significantly raises his status and may indicate the importance of this visit.

Kim Yong Bok, who is called by the Korean media the head of the DPRK's operation on the side of Russia in the war against Ukraine, has extensive experience in command.

The troops he now leads may be familiar to him, but in reality, his role may be much broader than just commanding a 12,000-strong group. Given his status as a colonel general and the level of the army hierarchy in the DPRK, it is unlikely that he will be given direct command of these forces.

Instead, Kim Yong Bok's real task is likely to be to gather operational experience from his Russian counterparts. This "learning process" is aimed at gaining practical knowledge of modern warfare, which will allow the DPRK to adjust its own plans against South Korea.

Pyongyang is particularly interested in Russian approaches that can meet their military realities: massive artillery fire, minimal mechanisation and waves of assault attacks.

Russian technology in the field of UAVs, in particular reconnaissance and attack drones, which the DPRK currently lacks, may be especially important for Pyongyang. Studying the tactics of their use could be a significant addition to the country's overall strategy and strengthen its capabilities in future conflicts.

Source: Defence Express