North Korea sends troops to Russia to support war in Ukraine

South Korean lawmakers revealed that North Korea has sent around 3,000 soldiers to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to information provided by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS). The total number of North Korean troops deployed in Russia is expected to reach 10,000 by December, according to lawmakers, who were briefed by the intelligence agency.

Lawmaker Lee Sung Kwon, a member of the intelligence committee of the South Korean National Assembly, highlighted that the NIS indicated that Russian military instructors have found that North Korean troops show great physical endurance and high morale. However, they lack knowledge of modern combat tactics, especially when it comes to the use of drones and other advanced technologies.

Satellite images shared by the NIS on October 18 show a military facility in Khabarovsk, in the far east of Russia, where some 240 North Korean soldiers have been deployed. These images, captured on October 16, confirm the presence of troops on Russian soil, according to the South Korean intelligence service.

Despite mounting evidence, both Russia and North Korea have officially denied sending North Korean troops. While Moscow rejects reports that it has received North Korean soldiers for the war in Ukraine, Pyongyang has not issued any statement on the matter.

The NIS also reported that South Korean intelligence has detected a major effort by the Russian military to recruit a significant number of interpreters to facilitate communication with North Korean troops. Additionally, these troops are receiving specialized training, including operating military equipment such as drones, a key technology on modern battlefields.

This sending of troops is part of a growing military rapprochement between North Korea and Russia. The NIS had previously reported that between October 8 and 13, North Korea deployed 1,500 special forces to Vladivostok, a strategic region in the Russian Far East. This move was seen as another step in strengthening ties between both countries amid the conflict in Ukraine.

In response to this growing military collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow, the South Korean government is evaluating the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine. A senior official in the South Korean presidential office announced Tuesday that the country is considering a series of “phased measures” to support kyiv in response to military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

The possible deployment of North Korean troops to the conflict raises serious concerns about the escalation of the conflict and the consequences for North Korean forces. Lee Sung Kwon warned that if North Korean soldiers are actually deployed on the battlefield, many could lose their lives due to their lack of experience in modern combat.

North Korea’s role in the war in Ukraine is a reflection of the growing interdependence between Pyongyang and Moscow. This approach has been interpreted by many analysts as an attempt by both nations to overcome international isolation and sanctions imposed by the West. At the same time, North Korea’s military support for Russia could have broader implications for the geopolitical dynamics of the region and for international relations in the context of the Ukrainian conflict.

Meanwhile, Western countries, particularly the United States and its European allies, will closely monitor these moves. Military collaboration between Russia and North Korea could result in new sanctions or diplomatic measures against both countries, further exacerbating global tensions and deepening the crisis in Ukraine.