North Korea deploys 3,000 troops to Russia for war against Ukraine, says South Korea
Illustrative photo: North Korea has sent 3,000 troops to Russia (Getty Images)
North Korea has sent 3,000 troops to Russia. Pyongyang promised to provide around 10,000 soldiers, the deployment of which will be completed by December, reports Reuters.
South Korean lawmakers say that North Korea has sent 3,000 troops to Russia to support Kremlin forces in the war against Ukraine. Thousands more are expected to follow. This estimate is twice the previous figure.
After a briefing of South Korea's national intelligence agency, lawmakers said Pyongyang had promised to send a total of about 10,000 troops, with deployment expected to be completed by December.
"Signs of troops being trained inside North Korea were detected in September and October. It appears that the troops have now been dispersed to multiple training facilities in Russia and are adapting to the local environment," said Park Sun-won, a member of a parliamentary intelligence committee.
Russia asked North Korea for soldiers
North Korea has sent troops to Russia, to be subsequently deployed in the war against Ukraine. According to intelligence reports, North Korean soldiers underwent training at four Russian military sites, and relevant videos were posted online.
Russia may likely deploy the North Korean troops first in the Kursk region.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, North Korea could have sent 11,000 soldiers to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that North Korea might be preparing two brigades of troops, each consisting of 6,000 soldiers.
The head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, mentioned that Russia might provide North Korea with tactical nuclear weapons technology in exchange for missiles and troops.
