North Korea has sent a new contingent of 8,500 troops to Russia — Main Intelligence Directorate
North Korea has sent a new military contingent of approximately 8,500 troops to Russia. Among them are about 400 drone operators who could be deployed for reconnaissance and strikes on Ukrainian territory.
According to Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, most of the North Korean troops are stationed in the Kursk region. The contingent also includes about 1,000 engineers and sappers.
Skibitsky noted that about 400 of the soldiers have experience operating drones. According to Ukrainian intelligence assessments, they could be used both for reconnaissance missions and to strike targets in Ukraine.
At the same time, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) believes that the North Korean units will primarily be used to reinforce Russia’s rear positions. This could allow the Russian command to free up its own units and redeploy them to participate in combat operations against Ukraine.
Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence also reported on the possibility of a further large-scale deployment of North Korean troops. According to the GUR’s assessment, Russia may ask Pyongyang to send up to 50,000 more troops.
Source: CNN.
In addition, on Thursday, August 20, North Korea launched an unidentified object toward the waters near its eastern coast. This was reported by South Korean military officials, according to Deutsche Welle.
North Korea stated that reducing the scale and duration of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises does not change its stance on these maneuvers. Pyongyang continues to view the exercises as provocative and aggressive, which could complicate a possible resumption of diplomatic contacts between Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump.
