North Korean fighter pilots allegedly sent to Russia
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (Photo: Getty Images)
North Korea might have dispatched fighter pilots to Russia, who are capable of flying Russian military aircraft and could participate in the war against Ukraine, according to Newsweek.
The agency said that North Korea has not only sent ground forces to Russia but may have deployed fighter pilots to Vladivostok last month.
These pilots were reportedly sent shortly before news broke of North Korea’s ground forces being deployed on October 8.
Newsweek suggests that the relocation of these pilots might be linked to training on Russian combat aircraft that are supplied to North Korea. However, it's also possible that Russia, currently facing a shortage of pilots, sought North Korea’s assistance.
If this is indeed the case, Russia would become the first foreign deployment location for North Korean fighter pilots since the Vietnam War. North Korean pilots also operated in Syria and Egypt during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
North Korean troops in the Ukraine war on Russia's side
In early October, reports emerged that North Korea might send regular troops to Ukraine in support of Russian occupiers.
Recently, it was revealed that North Korea had transferred its Special Forces unit to Russia, a unit known as one of the most secretive in the world.
According to Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, North Korean soldiers will begin fighting against Ukraine in November.
Meanwhile, South Korea has promised to take "gradual measures" against North Korea and Russia due to their deepening military cooperation, including arms supplies to Ukraine, both offensive and defensive.
