Ukrainian Defense Intelligence officials say a fresh contingent of North Korean troops stationed in Russia now includes a unit of roughly 400 drone operators. The presence of these operators, alongside engineers, deminers and other personnel, could enable new drone‑based surveillance and strike missions against targets inside Ukraine.
Scale of the deployment
According to Major General Vadym Skibitskiy, Deputy Head of Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, about 8,500 North Korean soldiers are already deployed in Russia, primarily in the Kursk region. The latest wave adds a specialized drone unit and could be followed by a request for up to 50,000 additional North Korean personnel when President Vladimir Putin meets Kim Jong Un in September.
Missile support and casualties
Skibitskiy also noted that North Korea has supplied at least 150 KN‑23 or KN‑24 ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine, with another 120 promised. He said the United States’ Patriot interceptors are nearly exhausted, and that some of the missiles have already been used in attacks that killed civilian children.
North Korean response
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed claims of a massive upcoming troop surge as “groundless.” Nonetheless, Russian state media continue to showcase North Korean soldiers training on Russian soil, and Kim Jong Un recently opened a memorial to North Korean casualties in Ukraine.
Implications for Ukraine
Ukraine’s armed forces are facing a critical shortfall in air‑defense capabilities. The addition of drone operators and further missile deliveries could strain Kyiv’s already limited ability to protect its cities and civilians. Ukrainian officials say the North Korean troops are primarily reinforcing rear positions, freeing Russian units for front‑line assaults.
International context
The development comes amid broader concerns within NATO about the deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. It also follows former President Donald Trump’s announcement that U.S. drills with South Korea would be scaled back to avoid antagonizing North Korea.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
