In a recent development, Russia has facilitated the withdrawal of North Korean embassy staff from Syria, signaling tight diplomatic cooperation between the two countries. Reports indicate that as North Korean troops are being deployed on the Ukrainian front, the conflict with Ukrainian forces is intensifying, leading to increased casualties.
According to Sputnik News on the 15th, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that staff of the Russian embassy in Damascus, alongside diplomats from Belarus, North Korea, and Abkhazia, have withdrawn. They were flown to Moscow’s Chkalovsky Airport via a Russian Aerospace Forces special aircraft stationed at the Khmeimim Russian Air Base. Despite the withdrawal of some personnel, the Russian embassy in Damascus remains operational.
Russia has historically utilized the Khmeimim airbase since its involvement in the Syrian civil war in 2015, supporting former President Bashar al-Assad. Belarus and Russia have maintained a close relationship, pursuing a Union State since the late 1990s. Abkhazia is a pro-Russian territory that declared independence from Georgia.
The unveiling of North Korean diplomatic withdrawal alongside personnel from allied nations showcases the close coordination between these states. Beyond diplomatic ties, military collaboration is reportedly intensifying, with conflicts between Russian and North Korean forces against Ukrainian troops being reported.
The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate stated on the 14th that joint Russian-North Korean forces suffered substantial losses due to Ukrainian attacks. They estimated around 200 casualties among these forces but did not specify the exact number of North Korean troops involved. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also mentioned the significant presence of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region without providing specific numbers.
While opinions on the engagement outcomes vary, reports from both Russia and military bloggers claim that North Korean forces achieved strategic victories in the Kursk area, overrunning extensive minefields and inflicting significant casualties on Ukrainian forces in a short period, despite sustaining some losses themselves.
In parallel with military developments, the resumption of passenger train services between North Korea and Russia, halted for five years, raises possibilities of increased labor exchange and troop movements. The “No. 645/646” train connecting North Korea’s Tumen River station with Russia’s Hassan station will resume operations, reflecting enhanced ties across multiple domains.
Additionally, a newly ratified treaty between North Korea and Russia, effective from the 4th of the month, elevates their relationship to a military alliance level, pledging immediate mutual military assistance during wartime.