North Korea boosts support for Russia to include drone operators, Ukraine says
Ukrainian intelligence says the new North Korean contingent includes 400 drone operators and 1,000 engineers and deminers to support Russia's war effort.
- Major General Vadym Skibitskiy, Deputy Head of Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, confirmed that 8,500 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia, including 400 drone operators capable of attacking targets inside Ukraine.
- North Korea signed a mutual defense pact with Russia two years ago and has supported Moscow's military operations since late 2024, with state media regularly showing troops training inside Russia.
- An estimated 10,000 North Korean soldiers deployed in April 2025 suffered significant casualties using suicidal tactics to rush Ukrainian positions; wounded troops returned home to train colleagues in drone warfare.
- President Vladimir Putin may request up to 50,000 additional North Korean troops in September, potentially straining Ukraine's already depleted air defense capabilities as supplies of U.S. Patriot interceptors near exhaustion.
- Kim Yo Jong denied reports of further mass deployments as "groundless," while NATO tensions rise after President Donald Trump announced scaled-down military drills with South Korea to avoid antagonizing North Korea.
21 Articles
21 Articles
The GUR said that North Korea has sent a new military contingent to Russia, which includes 400 drone operatorsThe new wave of DPRK troops in Russia includes 400 drone operators capable of reconnaissance and attacking targets in Ukraine. Pyongyang may ask to send up to 50,000 more troops.
Ukraine says North Korea sends thousands of troops and missiles to Russia
North Korea has sent a new contingent of 8,500 military personnel to Russia, including about 400 drone operators, according to Ukrainian intelligence. Their drones could be used for reconnaissance and striking targets inside Ukraine, said Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Intelligence Directorate, in comments to CNN. Skibitskyi said most North Korean troops are now located in Russia’s Kursk region. The contingent also i…
Kiev reports a new level of North Korean support for Russia. In addition to soldiers, drones and other missiles should also be part of the support.
Kiev warns of 8,500 North Korean soldiers in Russia and 400 drone operators who could attack Ukraine
Washington Top News
According to a senior Ukrainian intelligence official, a new wave of North Korean troops, already numbering eight, would have joined the war front.
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- 66% of the sources are Center
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