North Korea prepares new wave of soldiers for Russia, says intel
Illustrative photo: North Korea will send soldiers to Russia for an offensive in July-August (Getty Images)
North Korea may send additional troops to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine in July or August. Pyongyang continues to supply weapons to Russia, reports Reuters.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea believes that Russia may be preparing for a large-scale offensive in Ukraine in July or August, member of parliament Lee Seong-kweun told reporters after a closed briefing.
“The timing of the additional deployment is that it could be as early as July or August,” Lee said, adding that the agency cited new military training by North Korea and a recent visit to Pyongyang by Sergei Shoigu, chairman of Russia's Security Council, as the basis for its assessment.
According to the NIS, in exchange for North Korea's supply of artillery ammunition and missiles to Russia, Pyongyang is likely to receive technical guidance on satellite launches and missile guidance systems.
DPRK's participation in the war
The DPRK has sent about 10,000 soldiers to help Russia. Approximately half of them were killed or wounded during the offensive in the Kursk region.
After months of silence, both North Korea and Russia disclosed information about the deployment of North Korean troops and the role they played in Moscow's offensive into Ukraine to retake part of the Kursk region.
Both countries said the cooperation was based on a treaty signed by their leaders last June, which includes a mutual defense pact.
