I wouldn't say "hysterics", but more that it says about the war effort. North Korea didn't send troops two years ago when the war started. Russia believed it wa

I wouldn't say "hysterics", but more that it says about the war effort. North Korea didn't send troops two years ago when the war started. Russia believed it was an easy victory, and continue to believe that victory was close. They have lost a vast number of troops, and have been having trouble recruiting more. There are still plenty of people available, but they mostly wanted to recruit prisoners and others that nobody would really miss. Going to North Korea can be read as an admission that they are running out of options. As you say, it's not that many people. It won't change the situation on the ground. It just preserves the status quo, temporarily. Which is all that's needed. The US is having an election which could have enormous consequences. There is a serious possibility that the US could cease to give aid to Ukraine, dramatically altering the balance of power. If that doesn't happen, the outcome is murkier. It may be that they use the North Korean troops to give the best bargaining position for negotiation. Or they may fight until the new troops are gone, and then find more from somewhere. Either way, it's a significant development, even though it does not in itself change the situation on the ground right now.