Ukraine Intelligence Reports North Korea’s Troop Support for Russia

• Ukraine reports North Korea may send 30,000 troops to Russia.
• Troops could join military exercises with Russia and Belarus in September.
• North Korean military capabilities improved due to troop deployments.
• South Korea claims over 11,000 North Korean troops sent last year.
• North Korea may build up military-industrial complex with Russian aid.

North Korea Sending Troops to Russia Amid Rising Military Tensions

In a concerning development, Ukraine’s intelligence authorities recently announced that North Korea is planning to dispatch over 30,000 additional troops to Russia in the upcoming months. These soldiers may take part in military exercises alongside Russian and Belarusian forces, specifically during joint military drills scheduled for September. This revelation comes from a report by the General Intelligence Service (HUR) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, outlined in the British newspaper The Times. Ukraine has underlined the significant advancement in North Korea’s military capabilities, both nuclear and conventional, attributed to the troop deployments.

Troops Adapt Quickly While Deployed in Russia

The South Korean government estimates that North Korea has already sent more than 11,000 troops to Russia since October last year, with an additional 3,000 troops reported in January and February of this year. Notably, during a visit to Pyongyang last month, Sergei Shoigu, who is the secretary of Russia’s National Security Council, disclosed that North Korea would send a total of 6,000 engineers and military construction personnel to assist in Russian military efforts. Reports indicate that of the North Korean troops attributed to tactical operations in the Kursk region, around 4,000 soldiers are believed to have been killed or injured. However, it appears these troops have adapted quickly, learning to evade drone surveillance and operate their own drones efficiently, a development that might have implications for the region’s militarization.

Speculations About Military Exercises and Enhancements

Concerns have been raised regarding North Korea’s potential participation in the upcoming Russia-Belarus joint military exercise “Zapad 2025.” The previous Zapad exercises in 2022 were notably utilized as a cover for Russian military preparations which culminated in their invasion of Ukraine, particularly aimed at Kyiv. Therefore, speculation arises that efforts to reclaim Kyiv might resurface. Alongside troop mobilization, the report suggests that North Korea may be enhancing its military-industrial complex through financial support from Russia, with an additional estimate of 1.5 million artillery shells expected in Russia within a three-month window. Reports from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service previously indicated that North Korea had already sent 12 million artillery shells to support the Russian war efforts. Furthermore, U.S. intelligence officials have noted a marked improvement in North Korea’s short-range ballistic missile system, KN-23, which could now achieve targeting accuracy akin to the Russian Iskander missile, setting a troubling precedent for military engagement in the region.

In summary, the ongoing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia is raising alarm bells, particularly with the influx of North Korean troops and the potential for increased military exercises. The modernization of North Korea’s military capabilities, supported by Russian resources, poses an escalating threat not just to Ukraine, but also to regional stability in Asia, specifically impacting U.S. allies such as South Korea and Japan. Observers warn that North Korea’s military ambitions are likely to grow as regional responses remain tepid, reinforcing its alignment with Russian and Chinese strategic interests.