North Korea is estimated by Ukrainian intelligence officials to triple its troop presence fighting for Russia along the front lines in Ukraine, potentially sending an additional 25,000 to 30,000 soldiers to aid Moscow.
Significant Reinforcement for Russian Forces
These troops could arrive in Russia in the coming months, according to an assessment first seen by CNN. This new deployment would add to the 11,000 North Korean soldiers already sent in November, who assisted in repelling Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. Approximately 4,000 of those initial North Korean soldiers were reportedly killed or wounded during their deployment, yet Pyongyang’s cooperation with Moscow has reportedly flourished since.
A Western intelligence official confirmed the assessment, noting they had seen separate information that corroborated the Ukrainian estimate, suggesting up to 30,000 new North Korean troops could be sent to Russia.
The Ukrainian assessment, seen by CNN, indicates that the Russian Ministry of Defense is capable of providing “the necessary equipment, weapons, and ammunition” for their “further integration into Russian combat units.” The document further suggests there is a “high probability” that these North Korean troops will be engaged in combat in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine “to strengthen the Russian contingent, including during large-scale offensive operations.”
Logistical Preparations and Satellite Evidence
The assessment from Ukraine’s defense intelligence agency also points to signs that Russian military aircraft are being refitted for personnel transport. This reflects the substantial undertaking of moving tens of thousands of foreign troops across Russian Siberia, which borders North Korea in its far southwest.
Possible preparations for this new deployment, including the arrival of a vessel linked to last year’s deployments at a Russian port and cargo planes at North Korea’s Sunan Airport, have been observed in satellite images obtained by CNN.
