When rumours first emerged in October that North Korean troops were about to start supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, it wasn't immediately clear what role they would be fulfilling.Their lack of battlefield experience was give as a key reason why they might just be assigned to non-combat roles.

The news about North Korean troops that have joined Russian forces to participate in Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine has spread quickly and generated a vivid debate within the expert community. While the exact number and role of the troops remain unclear,