South Korean intelligence suggested that North Korean soldiers sent to the front lines to fight on the Russian side against Ukraine are receiving training on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) operations and tactics. It is estimated that North Korea sent approximately 3,500 soldiers to receive training at 5 military bases in Russia.

In the latest assessment by South Korean Intelligence, it was proposed that Moscow might have provided UAV technology to Pyongyang in exchange for sending soldiers to the front lines. The Seoul government statement included, “There are some indications that North Korean soldiers sent to Russia are being trained on UAV operations and tactics. We closely monitor the potential UAV cooperation between the two sides.”

NORTH KOREAN SOLDIERS ON THE FRONT LINE ONCE AGAIN
Yu Yong-weon, a People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker, made statements to the press based on intelligence relayed to him by Kirill Budanov, Head of the Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense during his recent visit to Kiev. Claiming that North Korea sent approximately 3,500 soldiers to 5 military bases in Russia for training, Yu also suggested that Pyongyang might soon “dispatch a third shipment of soldiers.”

FIRST SENT IN 2024
Reports in the South Korean media in January alleged that North Korea sent between 1,000 to 3,000 soldiers to Kursk to fight on the Russian side. It is claimed that North Korea stationed around 11,000 soldiers in the Kursk region on the western front of Russia in 2024. NIS shared an intelligence report stating that out of the North Korean soldiers sent to the front lines to fight on the Russian side against Ukraine, 300 were killed and approximately 2,700 were injured.