Speculations regarding the involvement of North Korean soldiers in warfare on Russian soil continue to dominate the global agenda. As the military partnership deepens between Moscow and Pyongyang in recent months, the growing alliance is causing concern among officials in Kiev and Washington. Any intervention by North Korea could be a game-changer in the conflict. North Korean troops, considered Russia’s secret weapon, could provide the human resource support that the Russians currently lack, while allowing North Koreans to gain money, technology, and experience. So, are North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine? Intelligence suggesting that North Korea is preparing to take on a more direct role in Russia’s war in Ukraine is increasing day by day.

Both Ukraine and South Korea claim that North Korean soldiers are being sent to Russia for training with the aim of being deployed in Ukraine. While Russia and North Korea deny these reports, South Korea implied that any deployment could lead to a reassessment of the level of military support it provides to Ukraine.

As the anti-U.S. military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang deepens in recent months, the growing alliance is worrying officials in Kiev and Washington. Here’s what we know: South Korea, following a briefing from its national intelligence agency, once again claimed that North Korea had sent 3,000 soldiers to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned about North Korean soldiers joining Russia’s war, stating at the NATO summit last week that “10,000 troops and technical personnel” were being prepared. Zelensky recently claimed to have received intelligence that Russia was training “two North Korean units” and that “two brigades, each with 6,000 personnel,” were on Russian soil.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced that North Korea had sent 1,500 soldiers, including special forces fighters, to Russia for training. These reports were bolstered by sightings of North Korean soldiers in uniform and gear at a training field in Russia’s Far East.

Russia and North Korea, once excluded countries, have been gradually forging friendlier relations since Moscow’s annexation. The two countries signed a historic defense pact in June, pledging to provide immediate military assistance using all available means if one of them were attacked. Many governments have accused Pyongyang of providing weapons to Moscow for the challenging war in Ukraine; both countries have denied these allegations despite significant evidence of such transfers.

Weapon shipments containing thousands of tons of ammunition have helped replenish Russia’s diminishing stocks in a long-running war where Ukraine’s forces have long been lacking in both weapons and personnel. Meanwhile, cash-strapped North Korea is believed to receive food and other necessities in return.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed claims that North Korean personnel were sent to Russia to assist as “another deception.” North Korea labeled the allegations as “groundless, stereotypical rumors” at the UN General Assembly. However, Seoul is taking the claims seriously.

The Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador and called for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops. Any intervention by North Korea could be a turning point. The regime, despite having one of the world’s largest armies with 1.2 million soldiers, lacks combat experience in many of its troops. Analysts suggest that the North Korean regime would benefit greatly from deploying soldiers, gaining battlefield experience and technical training to enhance their power. The operations could also help North Korea gather real-world intelligence about the functioning of its weapons.

Former South Korean army Corps Commander Chun In-bum stated that Russia would receive the human resource support they lack, while North Koreans would gain money, technology, and experience. Analysts suggest that the deployment would involve special “elite” forces rather than conventional units.