Russian general command has thanked North Korea for help with the Kursk counteroffensive…
History Legends has a an interesting video summarizing North Korean involvement in Kursk. Only question remains is are they taking part in fighting in Ukraine?
They Were There
Published
Insomniac Resurrected 
This is what I think: I think they may have partaken some low-level fighting, but Russians did most of heavy lifting. Honestly, Kim Jong-Un have more to gain than loss with his approach, as North Koreans need combat experience. But the problem remains that Zelensky is bullshitting about the level of North Korean involvement and casualties. The key is to make Russia look weak.
Speaking of which, Chinese should partake the fight more. I mean, just start some PMC and have some of them sign contract with Kremlin. This along with exporting rare earth minerals themselves instead of finished products, may make China more secure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
PMCs for military expeditions abroad are a public relations issue. It shows that a country is ready to send professional killers to defend its interests in far away places. China might not want to project such an image. These companies are usually pretty savage. Besides, China has Russia do the dirty work in Africa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, compared to current images, I like the PMC induced images better. You’ll have enemies, but you’ll also have new friends. In this world, it’s not about how peaceful, non-combative you are. That shit should be left at home, not abroad. You’re like that to your own kinda, not to others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Governments could be naturally weary about setting up a PMC. Look at Russia’s experience with Wagner. Wagner is good for chasing ragheads in the Sahara but when tasked with fighting Ukraine they came in conflict with the regular army, and eventually mutinied. For most of history armies used mercenaries because it was not easy to commit domestic elites to organize military units beyond cavalry. The Romans managed a citizen army but used mercenaries. It is sometimes cheaper to hire a PMC for some tasks than commit resources to developing those capabilities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not sure if you remember, but you also mentioned about how mercenary will see increasing usability in today’s battlefield. This means it’s time to cash in. You want 996 and an overall angry population that will make China more vulnerable to propaganda? Or how about turn that anger into something that brings in revenue and contributes to the economic? And not to mention, of the governments don’t want to spend resources in a prolonged war, sometimes it’s easier to hire a mercenary group. The way I see it, a Chinese mercenary group operating in Ukraine is a win-win situation. Actually, not just Ukraine, if Sahel region can see Chinese mercenary activities, then it will actually do a way better job at securing relationships with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso than the more economic approach. This way, the underachievers in China can have something at least too. Meanwhile, just waiting for the older population to die out, then let’s do the necessary societal reforms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe the battlefield is getting ever more sophisticated. And the age of military specialists as opposed to standing armies is emerging. It is much like various specialists in say firearms, the halberd, two handed swords appeared in late Middle Ages.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s cut the conceptual shit and get to the point. After three years, war in Ukraine still rages on, right? Then that’s where some additional help may be needed. Don’t know about anybody else, but I hate missed opportunity. If China does that, it means a lot on the PR front, and on top of that, in conjunction with selling rare earth materials themselves over finished products, China gets to have more loyal friends, right? This means if Xi still doesn’t get it, then it’s a missed opportunity. Like I said, I hate missed opportunity. Money ain’t shit if you don’t know how to make yourself a valuable asset.
LikeLiked by 1 person