North Korea is ready to triple the number of its troops fighting for Russia along the front line with Ukraine, sending an additional 25,000-30,000 soldiers to help Moscow.
This was reported by CNN, from an intelligence assessment conducted by Ukrainian officials.
The troops could arrive in Russia in the coming months, adding to the 11,000 troops sent in November to repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia's Kursk region.
About 4,000 of these North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded during the deployment, according to Western sources. Yet Pyongyang's cooperation with Moscow has continued.
The Ukrainian assessment first seen by CNN says the Russian defense ministry will provide "the necessary equipment, weapons and ammunition for the purpose of further integration into Russian combat units." The document adds that "there is a high possibility" that North Korean troops will engage in combat in parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine "to strengthen the Russian contingent, including during large-scale offensive operations."
The assessment also says there are signs that Russian military aircraft are being re-equipped to transport personnel, reflecting the massive undertaking of moving tens of thousands of foreign troops across Russian Siberia, which borders North Korea to its southwest.
Possible preparations for the new deployment, including the arrival of a ship linked to last year's deployments at a Russian port and cargo planes at North Korea's Sunan airport, have been spotted in satellite images obtained by CNN. (A2 Televizion)
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