Summary

North Korean troops sent to Russia to support its war in Ukraine remain sidelined due to poor training and logistical issues, according to Western officials.

These soldiers are expected to relieve Russian troops in secondary positions to free up forces for frontline battles in regions like Kursk, though they are unlikely to see combat in eastern Ukraine.

The war continues to take a massive toll, with over 700,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded since February 2022, while both sides face challenges replacing losses.

Russia’s reliance on poorly trained recruits and prison conscripts highlights its growing manpower issues.

  • AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space
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    6 days ago

    Also, probably malnourished. They may have gotten decent rations since they were conscripted (North Korea has a “military first” policy), but up until then they would have grown up with a calorie deficit.

    • kamenLady.@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      Exactly, if you grow up with a calorie deficit , you don’t develop the way you should have. This is not something you can revert by suddenly eating decent food.

      • MutilationWave@lemmy.world
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        6 days ago

        Just because they’re 4’6" and have bones the density of plywood doesn’t mean they can’t shoot right?

        Meanwhile at the range- Holy shit his arm came right off!

        • MonkeMischief@lemmy.today
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          6 days ago

          My heart hurts for how tough it is for those people…

          …but this made me laugh out loud more than I care to admit lmao.

      • scarabic@lemmy.world
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        4 days ago

        Can you actually grow up with a calorie deficit? That term means burning more calories in the day than you take in. You can’t do that your whole life.

        • kamenLady.@lemmy.world
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          4 days ago

          I’m no expert, but i suppose there isn’t really much grow when growing up with a deficit.

          Calorie deprivation on the other hand…

          • scarabic@lemmy.world
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            3 days ago

            I guess I’m bringing my own associations to it. I’ve dieted for weight loss where deficit meant intake versus burn. But I guess there’s no reason deficit couldn’t also mean intake versus healthy required amount.

    • JeremyHuntQW12@lemmy.world
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      5 days ago

      They’re not NK soldiers.

      NK is still at war with the south, they’re not sending any troops there, just inmates of prison camps.