North Korea is reportedly sending troops to fight alongside Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said it confirmed that North Korea began its participation in the war by transporting special forces to Russia via Russian Navy transport ships from Oct. 8 to 13,” The Korea Herald reported. It is believed that around 1,500 North Korean special forces traveling to Vladivostok during this time.
A second operation transporting North Korean soldiers is “expected to take place soon,” the intelligence agency said.
“They are expected to be sent to the battlefield once they complete their adaptation training,” the NIS added.
According to the intelligence agency, North Korean soldiers were given Russian military uniforms and Russian-made weapons. They were also provided with fake IDs, a move that “appears to be an attempt to disguise them as Russian soldiers and conceal their involvement in the war,” NIS said.
Some media reports claim up to 12,000 troops will be sent to work with Russian soldiers.
During Thursday’s press briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the United States is “looking into” reports of North Korean troops in Russia.
“We can’t confirm or corroborate those reports. If true, that would demonstrate an increase in the cooperation between Russia and North Korea,” he said.
