According to reports from South Korean and Ukrainian officials, North Korean soldiers are reportedly being trained in Russia and are expected to soon join the conflict in Ukraine. The soldiers are said to be observing Russian forces in Ukrainian territories that are under Russian control and studying the battlefield before being deployed to the frontlines.
The source of this information is a Ukrainian military intelligence official who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the situation. It is alleged that thousands of North Korean infantry troops are currently undergoing training in Russia, with some already stationed in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. The report suggests that North Korean military personnel have been sent to oversee the use of North Korean ammunition and missiles in the conflict.
The mutual defense pact between North Korea and Russia, signed earlier in the year, has raised concerns globally about a potential strengthening of ties between these two heavily sanctioned nations against the Western-led global order. Despite denials from Kremlin officials, the South Korean Defense Minister has indicated that it is likely North Korea will provide additional troops to support Russia's efforts in Ukraine. The situation has the potential to strain relations between these nations and the Western world, further destabilizing the region.