About 10,000 North Korean troops deployed on Russia-Ukraine border – South Korean intelligence

Around 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed near the border between Russia and Ukraine.

Source: South Korean MP Lee Seong-kwon, citing data from the country's National Intelligence Service (NIS), as reported by Euractiv, an EU-focused news and analysis website

Details: Lee said that North Korea had sent around 5,000 military building workers to Russia since September who are being gradually transferred to conduct so-called "infrastructure reconstruction" work. Intelligence services have detected signs of preparations for further deployment of personnel.

The MP added that the intelligence service is recording "continued signs of training and personnel selection in preparation for additional troop deployments", which indicates the long-term nature of this cooperation.

However, the most alarming assessment from the NIS concerns the deployment of regular military units. The intelligence service believes that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been transferred to the Russia-Ukraine border.

North Korea receives financial assistance, food, energy resources and access to advanced military technologies from Russia in exchange for troops and building workers. This allows Kim Jong Un's regime not only to sustain its economy but also to develop its own nuclear and missile programmes, completely ignoring strict international sanctions.

Background:

• Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service stated that North Korea currently provides between 35% and 50% of Russia's ammunition needs.
• Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, reported on 7 September that North Korean troops remain on Russian territory and are carrying out specific tasks in Kursk Oblast.

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