North Korea may send 30,000 more troops to help Russia in Ukraine - CNN
Illustrative photo: North Korea may send another 30,000 troops to the war (Getty Images)
North Korea intends to send up to 30,000 soldiers to the war against Ukraine. The troops may arrive in Russia in the coming months, reports CNN.
Citing Ukrainian intelligence, the report notes that North Korea plans to triple the number of its troops fighting on the side of Russia against Ukraine by sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers.
According to intelligence estimates, the troops may arrive in Russia in the coming months. In November, the DPRK sent 11,000 soldiers to Russia to fight in the Kursk region.
According to Western officials, about 4,000 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded in the fighting.
Ukrainian intelligence believes that the Russian Defense Ministry is capable of providing the necessary equipment, weapons, and ammunition to DPRK soldiers for further integration into Russian combat units.
According to intelligence estimates, there is a high probability that North Korean troops will be involved in hostilities in the occupied territories of Ukraine to strengthen the Russian contingent, in particular during large-scale offensive operations.
There are also indications that Russian military aircraft are being converted to transport personnel. It may indicate the movement of tens of thousands of foreign troops through Siberia, which borders the DPRK.
CNN publishes satellite imagery showing preparations for the deployment of new troops, including the arrival of the ship used last time at a Russian port and a cargo plane at North Korea's Sunan Airport.
Photo: Russia prepares to deploy DPRK troops (edition.cnn.com)
DPRK is fighting against Ukraine
Last fall, North Korea sent troops to Russia, which were formed in the Kursk region and engaged in hostilities against Ukraine. According to intelligence estimates, the DPRK sent at least 10,000 soldiers to the war.
According to South Korean intelligence, Pyongyang lost at least 4,700 soldiers in the conflict.
Russia officially recognized the participation of the North Korean military in the war, and later the DPRK itself recognized that.
North Korea also supplies Russia with a wide range of weapons, including ammunition, artillery systems, and ballistic missiles, which are used to shell Ukrainian cities.
South Korean intelligence has also previously reported that the DPRK is preparing a new batch of soldiers for Russia.
