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North Korea to Deploy 30,000 More Soldiers to Support Russian Forces in Ukraine

Satellite imagery of transport planes at Sunan airport signals imminent deployment of 30,000 North Korean soldiers in exchange for Russian military hardware.

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Kim Jong-un honouring the flag-draped coffins of North Korean soldiers killed while helping Russia fight against Ukraine (Photo: KCTV/AFP)

Overview

  • Ukraine’s and South Korea’s intelligence services report Pyongyang will send 30,000 additional troops to bolster Russian operations on the Ukrainian front.
  • Satellite photos showing Russian Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft at Sunan airport corroborate preparations for the large-scale troop movement.
  • Previous deployments of nearly 14,000 North Korean soldiers, including 12,000 in the Kursk region, have resulted in about 600 deaths and thousands of injuries.
  • The planned troop dispatch is tied to a personnel-for-technology pact under which Russia will provide advanced missiles, air-defense systems and electronic warfare gear.
  • Russia’s Defense Ministry is supplying training, weapons and ammunition to integrate North Korean units into forthcoming large-scale offensive operations.