SpeedyinTexas had a good observation about reports of a potential 100,000 North Koreans going to fight in the Ukraine.
Something along the lines of “Have they already gone through the 100,000 Syrians, and 100,000 Libyans?”
As you point out, other Countries like North Korea have their own problems. Nobody wants to send thousands of their people and billions of their dollars up in smoke for Russia’s problems.
The Ukraine has G7 and NATO support. Russia has China ready to buy some of their oil or assets at fire sale prices, and maybe offer a bit of lip service.
Russia has to buy any friends it might get, at premium prices. No freebies.
Don’t Worry—Russia will pay North Korea in Rockets, grain, and let the North Koreans pillage and take food from Ukraine. They can be shipped in via the Trans Siberian Rail Road. In the end, if Russia Wins, North Korea stands to gain a great deal, and so does China. Who will rebuild the New Russian territories? North Koreans! When its all done, maybe Trump will build a Hotel Resort on the Black Sea?
Syrians, Chechens, LNR/DNR forced conscripts fighting and dying for Russia are not counted by anyone.