South Korea Claims North Korea Sent Over 1,000 More Troops to Russia

South Korea’s military announced Thursday that North Korea has dispatched more than 1,000 additional troops to Russia this year, further reinforcing Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine. According to Seoul-based Yonhap News, South Korean military officials estimate that Pyongyang sent these reinforcements in January and February, adding to the 11,000 North Korean troops allegedly deployed to Russia since last year. Military sources claim that North Korea is preparing to send even more personnel, though the exact locations of the newly dispatched troops remain unknown.

South Korean officials report that the troops typically leave from North Korea’s northeastern port of Chongjin and the nearby area of Najin before heading to Russia. Pyongyang is believed to have stationed approximately 11,000 troops in Russia’s western Kursk region since October, suffering an estimated 4,000 casualties. However, it is unclear whether the latest deployments are also destined for Kursk or another battlefield.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry has refrained from confirming the latest troop movements but stated that it is closely monitoring North Korea’s military activities.