South Korea: DPRK may send at least 3,000 troops to Russia this year

According to Yonhap, this was stated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea (JCS), Ukrinform reports.

“Of the some 11,000 North Korean soldiers dispatched to Russia, 4,000 casualties have occurred, and it appears that some 3,000 or more have been additionally dispatched in January and February,” the JCS said.

South Korea's military also notes that the DPRK continues to supply missiles, ammunition and artillery weapons to Russia, including “a significant number of short-range ballistic missiles and about 220 units of 170-millimeter self-propelled howitzers and 240-millimeter rocket launchers.”

In addition, Pyongyang is likely conducting technological upgrades to launch another military spy satellite, although there is no sign of a launch yet.

The JCS said it is closely monitoring possible provocations by North Korea, including the launch of a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile, a hypersonic missile, and a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

At the same time, it is noted that Pyongyang conducts fewer military exercises in the winter compared to last year. The JCS attributes this to the mobilization of DPRK troops for construction work, preparing them for additional deployment in Russia, and a chronic electricity shortage.

As Ukrinform reported, in late February, it became known that hundreds of North Korean soldiers were probably transported by sea to Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine, as evidenced by satellite images from Planet Labs.

Photo: KCTV