Пол Адамс

Ukrainian military intelligence says North Korea may deploy 30,000–50,000 troops to Russia, although it has no evidence that they will fight inside Ukraine. About 8,500 North Korean personnel are reportedly already in Russia, mainly defending the border and supporting engineering and logistical operations. Kyiv believes their deployment could free Russian troops for the war in Ukraine, while giving Pyongyang combat experience and helping it improve drone and ballistic-missile capabilities. North Korean forces previously fought in Kursk Oblast, where roughly 11,000 troops helped Russia retake territory from Ukraine at the cost of an estimated 2,300 deaths. A Ukrainian soldier describes their evolving tactics, limited communication and poor equipment.

Ukrainian military intelligence says about 8,500 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, organized into four brigades and assigned mainly to cover the Russian border rather than fight in Ukraine. Kyiv believes North Korea may eventually deploy 30,000–50,000 soldiers, which could allow Russia to transfer its own forces to the front. North Korea has already supplied ballistic missiles and previously sent about 11,000 troops to support Russia in the fighting around Kursk Oblast, losing an estimated 2,300 personnel. A Ukrainian soldier who fought them describes initially poorly coordinated and badly equipped units that relied on mass attacks, though their tactics later became more cautious. The cooperation is giving North Korea battlefield experience and missile-technology benefits while providing Russia with additional manpower and logistical support.