Approximately 2,000 North Korean soldiers have completed military training in eastern Russia and are being deployed to western regions near the Ukrainian border, according to reports from Ukrainian military sources and Japan’s Kyodo News. These troops are expected to be stationed in the Kursk region, where Russian forces have been repelling Ukrainian incursions since August.

An advance team of about 10 North Korean officers arrived in the Kursk region earlier this month to establish a base for receiving the North Korean soldiers. These troops are reportedly traveling by train and other means to support Russia’s ongoing war effort in Ukraine.

This deployment is part of a larger contingent of North Korean personnel, as Moscow reportedly seeks additional manpower to bolster its forces.

Exclusive – Newly obtained footage from Russia's Sergievsky Training Ground showing North Korean troops being outfitted in Russian gear in preparation for deployment to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/01Z4jZIiOe

— SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre (@StratcomCentre) October 18, 2024

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, U.S. officials confirmed that at least 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been training at Russian military facilities in the east of the country since early to mid-October. This follows reports from South Korea’s intelligence agency, which observed troop transport ships traveling between North Korea’s Wonsan seaport and Vladivostok, Russia.

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According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea may send up to 12,000 personnel, including special operations forces, to Russia by December.

In June, the Russian parliament ratified a mutual defense pact with North Korea, which requires both nations to provide military assistance if either is attacked. Western officials suggest that rising casualties on the battlefield have prompted Russia to seek help from North Korea.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby expressed concerns over the movement of North Korean troops, noting that while it remains unclear if they will engage directly in combat, their deployment could have significant implications for the conflict’s trajectory.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stated his government is reviewing the possibility of sending offensive arms to Ukraine, depending on developments involving North Korean troops in Russia. South Korea has previously provided nonlethal aid to Ukraine.