North Korea preparing to send more troops to Russia, continues supplying shells
Illustrative photo: Pyongyang supplies weapons to Russia (Getty Images)
North Korea continues preparations to send more troops to Russia, but there are no signs that a new deployment is imminent, according to Reuters.
What Seoul says
South Korea's Defense Ministry said North Korea continues to prepare to send additional troops to Russia. However, the ministry has found no signs that such a deployment is likely to take place soon.
According to South Korean estimates, North Korea has already supplied Russia with more than 15 million artillery rounds. The figure refers to shells equivalent in caliber to 152 mm.
In addition, Pyongyang continues to provide Moscow with weapons systems, including short-range ballistic missiles.
South Korea's Defense Intelligence Agency believes the accuracy of these missiles may have improved in combat. The reason is battlefield data, as well as technical advice and component support from Russia.
North Korea prepares to deploy Hwasong-12 ballistic missile
The ministry also said the development of certain North Korean ballistic missiles and multiple rocket launch systems, presumably intended for a potential conflict with South Korea, is nearing completion.
The Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile, which is capable of reaching the US territory of Guam, is being prepared for operational deployment.
North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles could theoretically reach the US mainland. However, key technologies, including warhead reentry, have yet to be tested. All previous launches were conducted on lofted trajectories.
On August 21, it was reported that a new wave of North Korean troops had arrived in Russia, including drone operators.
Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy chief of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate, told CNN that the total number of North Korean troops in Russia had reached 8,500, including 400 drone operators.
