Ukraine Says 8,500 North Korean Troops Deployed to Russia, Including Drone Operators

Ukraine’s intelligence authorities have claimed that about 8,500 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia. They estimate that this force includes 400 drone operators capable of conducting reconnaissance and attack missions within Ukraine.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the command of the 2nd Corps of the Korean People's Army, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency. 2024.10.18. Yonhap News Agency

According to CNN on August 21 (local time), Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR), stated that approximately 8,500 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia, with most based in the Kursk region.

Ukrainian intelligence has identified that the deployed personnel include 1,000 engineers and demining specialists, as well as 400 drone operators. It is reported that a significant number of these drone operators have gained direct or indirect operational experience from previous deployments.

Authorities believe that the drones operated by these troops are likely to be used for reconnaissance or attacks on targets inside Ukraine. However, they analyze that rather than engaging in direct combat on Ukrainian territory, the North Korean troops are mainly reinforcing Russian rear positions to facilitate the deployment of Russian forces to the front lines.

Deputy Chief Skibitskyi also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin may request up to 50,000 more North Korean troops if he meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this September. Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also asserted on August 9 that North Korea had decided to send an additional 30,000 to 50,000 troops to Russia.

North Korea first dispatched troops to Russia’s Kursk region in October 2024, with about 10,000 personnel reportedly sent at that time. Ukraine now assesses that the cumulative number of North Korean troops deployed or rotated in Russia has reached up to 25,000.

Amid growing perceptions of strengthened ties between North Korea and Russia, Ukrainian sources claim that military cooperation between the two countries extends beyond troop deployment and also includes the missile sector. Deputy Chief Skibitskyi stated that North Korea had supplied at least 150 KN-23 or KN-24 ballistic missiles to Russia before August 2023, with an additional 120 missiles agreed to be delivered.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.