• [When asked: Why does Russia want North Korean troops involved in its war effort?] Russia is desperate for manpower but wants to avoid a second mobilization, which would involve involuntarily calling up Russian citizens. Russia’s manpower problems have been widely reported. Western assessments estimate that Russia has suffered about 610,000 casualties. U.S. officials estimate that Russia is recruiting 25,000–30,000 new soldiers a month, barely keeping pace with the reported daily casualty rate of 1,000—or 30,000 a month. ... Putin has tried to avoid a second mobilization.
• [When asked: What is in this for North Korea?] technology transfer might be involved. Money is likely a factor as well. Russia needs manpower and has money from its oil exports. North Korea has manpower but is desperate for foreign currency. ... This kind of arrangement between rich and poor combatants is not unusual. The United States paid many allied expenses during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• This deployment is historic for North Korea, which has previously sent advisory or specialist groups abroad but never a large ground force.
• The effectiveness of the North Korean military as a whole is questionable.
• Neither Russia nor North Korea has announced what the role of these troops will be. Some have speculated that the troops might engage in deep reconnaissance and direct action for which they were trained (if, indeed, they are from North Korean special forces). However, having these troops fight on the front lines would be a risky strategy. It would make North Korea a direct combatant in the war, something that would be very difficult diplomatically. ... the troops might perform support activities like transportation and maintenance.
• [When asked: How much of a military impact will this North Korean deployment have?] This is more than symbolism. These troops will help Russia’s war effort by providing needed military functions and easing manpower shortages. However, their presence at the U.S. reported levels will not be decisive. Russia has an estimated half million troops in Ukraine. Three thousand North Korean troops would constitute less than a 1 percent increase.

Read the full article on the Center for Strategic and International Studies website. 

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author. Photo by Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP