North Korea is preparing to send additional troops and military equipment, including kamikaze drones, to Russia to support its efforts in the war against Ukraine. This is reported by Yonhap, citing information from South Korean intelligence.
"A comprehensive assessment of numerous intelligence reports indicates that North Korea is preparing to rotate or increase troop deployments in Russia," the South Korean intelligence stated, reminding that the DPRK is currently supplying missile systems and self-propelled artillery to Russia.
Additionally, the intelligence reports that North Korea is beginning the production and supply of kamikaze drones, which were first showcased during Kim Jong Un's inspection in November. The intelligence explains that the reason for this is North Korea's desire to gain practical combat experience and modernize its weaponry.
Last month, North Korean state media reported that Kim observed tests of various types of strike suicide drones on-site and called for full-scale production of this weaponry.
DPRK in the War between Russia and Ukraine
Previously, intelligence indicated that at least part of the 11,000 North Korean soldiers stationed in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation had been sent to combat operations. As a result, at least 100 people have died, and the number of injured has reached 1,000.
The reason for such significant losses, according to South Korean intelligence, is the lack of combat experience among the DPRK soldiers in drone warfare and their unfamiliarity with open terrain. It was also noted that Russian military personnel have already referred to North Korean soldiers as a "burden."