The Ukrainian intelligence agency has claimed that the number of North Korean troops deployed to Russia has now reached 8,500, including drone units capable of conducting reconnaissance and attacks on targets inside Ukraine.

Vadym Skibitsky, Deputy Chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), stated via U.S. broadcaster CNN on the 21st (local time) that approximately 8,500 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia, primarily stationed in the Russian region of Kursk.

Deputy Chief Skibitsky claimed that the deployed North Korean forces include 1,000 engineering and demining personnel as well as 400 drone operators, noting that a significant portion of the drone operators gained operational experience either directly or indirectly during previous North Korean deployments.

He emphasized that the drones operated by North Korean forces are highly likely to be used for reconnoitring and attacking internal targets in Ukraine.

He also analyzed that rather than being directly deployed into Ukrainian territory, North Korean troops will likely play a role in reinforcing Russian rear positions to enable Russian forces to be deployed to the Ukrainian frontline.

Deputy Chief Skibitsky further claimed that if Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in September, he is likely to request additional troop support of up to 50,000 personnel.

North Korea began its initial troop deployment to the Kursk region of Russia in October 2024 to support Russia's war in Ukraine.

At the time, it was estimated that about 10,000 troops were deployed, and they reportedly suffered substantial casualties due to large-scale assault tactics.

Ukraine estimates that the cumulative number of North Korean troops deployed or rotationally stationed in Russia has reached 25,000 to date.

Ukraine has analyzed that North Korea's support has expanded beyond manpower into the missile sector.

Deputy Chief Skibitsky claimed that prior to August of last year, North Korea provided Russia with at least 150 KN-23 or KN-24 ballistic missiles and agreed to supply an additional 120.

He added that North Korea appears to be improving missile accuracy and warhead performance by securing actual launch data from attacks in Ukraine.

Deputy Chief Skibitsky also stated that in exchange for providing troops and ammunition, North Korea requested the S-400 air defense system from Russia and is understood to have already received the Pantsir surface-to-air missile system.

The Ukrainian intelligence agency's analysis—that military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is expanding beyond infantry support to drone operations and missile assistance—comes at a time when Ukraine has become much more vulnerable to Russian ballistic missile attacks due to the depletion of air defense weapons such as U.S.-made Patriot missiles.

(Photo: Capture from Korean Central Television, Yonhap News)