Russia May Deploy North Korean Troops to Northern Sumy Region — ISW
Russia is likely planning to replace some of its units with North Korean troops in certain sectors of the front, particularly in the north of Sumy Oblast. According to the ISW’s assessment, this could allow Russia to redeploy its forces to the Lyman tactical area.
U.S. analysts cite a source connected to the Russian “North” military group. According to this source, Russian troops may be replaced by North Korean units in certain areas.
The insider also stated that some North Korean officers have already been operating near the international border, where they allegedly gained combat experience and conducted reconnaissance.
It is important to note that North Korean soldiers have been stationed in the Russian rear in the Kursk region for quite some time.
Given this, the source speculates that North Korean troops could replace Russian units currently operating in the Sumy or Kharkiv sectors. This could potentially lead to their entry into Ukrainian territory.
At the same time, the ISW has not yet detected any signs of North Korean military presence on Ukrainian territory. If such a deployment were to occur, it would signal a further expansion of North Korea’s involvement in the war against Ukraine.
Separately, there are reports of a possible redeployment of Russian troops to the Sumy area. According to the same source, the Russian command may redeploy two battalions of the 1st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces to the village of Ryasne, located southeast of Sumy.
ISW had previously documented units from this regiment in various sectors of the front in northern Ukraine.
Prior to this, Russia launched missile strikes on Zaporizhzhia, resulting in casualties.
Earlier, Russia struck Odesa and damaged a high-rise building.
On September 15, a Russian drone strike was recorded in the Svyatoshynskyi district of Kyiv. Black smoke is rising from the site.
In the Solomyanskyi district of the capital, a strike was recorded on the grounds of a garage cooperative.
