Approximately 11,000 North Korean infantry troops are undergoing training in eastern russia with the aim of being sent to the war against Ukraine. They will start fighting as early as November. This was stated by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, as reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing The War Zone.
According to him, the North Korean soldiers will use russian equipment and ammunition. The first group of 2,600 troops will be sent to Kursk, where, as Budanov noted, Ukraine has created a foothold for conducting intensive combat operations. The fate of the remaining troops is still unknown.
"We don't have a complete picture at the moment", - Budanov added.
North Korea had previously supplied russia with ammunition and missiles for use in the war against Ukraine. However, it has now become known that North Korea intends to deploy its troops to participate in the conflict.
Western media report that North Korean soldiers are being trained in russia, and thousands of military personnel may be sent to the front by the end of the year. According to RBC-Ukraine, a "special Buryat battalion" consisting of North Korean military personnel is being formed in russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that North Korea is preparing a contingent for the war against Ukraine, not only including infantry units but also specialists from various branches of the military.