North Korea is tripling the number of troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine, sending 25,000 to 30,000 more soldiers, CNN reported, citing an intelligence assessment from Ukrainian officials.
The country sent 11,000 troops to help repel Ukraine from the Kursk region of Russia last November. About 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed, CNN reported. Russian President Vladmir Putin did not confirm North Korea's involvement until late April.
Ukrainian intelligence says North Korean troops will be engaged in combat in Russian-occupied Ukraine and will be integrated with Russian troops.
Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's defense minister, said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is putting his government on the line by exposing so many of his troops to the front line.
"Russia's use of elite North Korean troops demonstrates not only a growing reliance on totalitarian regimes but also serious problems with its mobilization reserve," Umerov said. "Together with our partners, we are monitoring these threats and will respond accordingly."
Last month, a top adviser to Putin visited Pyongyang and announced 1,000 North Korean sappers and 5,000 military construction workers would be sent to Russia to clear mines and restore infrastructure destroyed by Ukraine, TASS reported.
Russia has used missiles developed by North Korea in its fight against Ukraine, with one responsible for the death of 11 civilians in Pokrovsk in January 2024. Training manuals for North Korean artillery have been translated into Russian, CNN reported, citing Ukrainian intelligence.
In 2024, North Korea sent 100 ballistic missiles and 9 million artillery shells to Russia, according to CNN.
Sam Barron ✉
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