South Korean satellite confirms 1,500 DPRK special forces deployment to Russia
Photo: South Korea's satellite detected the movement of the DPRK military to Russia (Getty Images)
A South Korean satellite has detected the movement of North Korean troops toward Russia, including the presence of 1,500 special forces soldiers in Vladivostok, Yonhap News Agency reports.
One of three images, released by South Korean intelligence as evidence of North Korean military deployment in Russia, was captured by satellite.
Upon releasing the satellite images, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) revealed that North Korea has decided to send around 12,000 soldiers to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. The deployment has already begun with 1,500 special forces troops stationed in Vladivostok.
"The photograph, which has no attribution, was taken by a satellite under our control," a source told the media.
South Korean satellite captures North Korean military movement toward Russia (Photo)
According to journalists, it is likely that the image was taken by a satellite equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which can gather data regardless of weather conditions using remote sensing systems.
South Korea operates several satellites equipped with search-and-rescue systems, including military reconnaissance satellites. However, images taken by military satellites are typically excluded from government press releases as they are classified as military secrets.
South Korea is closely monitoring North Korean movements via government- and military-operated satellites amid growing and deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.
North Korean military involvement in Ukraine on Russia’s side
The situation first came to light on October 8, during a parliamentary hearing when South Korean Defense Minister Kim Jong Un reported that North Korea might send its regular troops to Ukraine to support Russian occupiers.
Recently, it was revealed that North Korea has already deployed its Special Operations Forces unit to Russia, one of the most secretive units in the world.
According to the head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, North Korean soldiers are expected to begin fighting against Ukraine in November. South Korean intelligence also confirmed that North Korea plans to send a total of 12,000 soldiers to Ukraine.
