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What did North Korean troops mean for the war?
Summary
A look back at the reports on North Korean deployment to Russia that were circulating by 22 October 2024.
What was known about North Korea's role in the war against Ukraine as of 22 October 2024? Reports in the preceding days pointed to a direct foreign military presence on the Russian side.
On 16 October 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said North Korea had become directly involved in the war. A senior Ukrainian intelligence official said around 3,000 North Korean troops were in Russia and training for deployment to Russian-occupied territories.
On 18 October 2024, South Korea's National Intelligence Service said North Korea had started sending troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called for a security meeting and said the international community must respond with all available means.
Western support in the same week
On 16 October 2024, US President Joe Biden announced a new $425 million military aid package for Ukraine, which included long-range weaponry.
A Russian aircraft lost in Sudan
Separately, on 21 October 2024, an Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane crashed in North Darfur, Sudan. Its crew of two Russians and three Sudanese nationals was killed. The Rapid Support Forces said they had shot the aircraft down with a surface-to-air missile and had recovered its flight recorder. Russia said its diplomats in Sudan were investigating the crash.
