First units spotted in Kursk region: intelligence tells how and where Russia is training DPRK troops for war in Ukraine

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reports.

According to intelligence, the DPRK military is being trained at five military training grounds in Russia: ‘Baranovsky in Ussuriysk, Donguz in Ulan-Ude, Yekaterinoslavsky in Yekaterinoslavets, 248th in Knyazhe-Volkonskoye and 249th in Sergeevka.

According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the number of North Korean troops deployed to Russia is currently around 12,000, including 500 officers, including three generals.

‘The soldiers sent by Pyongyang are provided with ammunition, bedding, winter clothing and footwear, as well as hygiene. In particular, according to the established norms, Moscow will allocate 50 meters of toilet paper and 300 grams of soap to each North Korean soldier on a monthly basis,’ the DIU said.

The intelligence service added that several weeks are allocated for the coordination of the North Korean military, which Russia intends to use in the war against Ukraine. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov has been appointed responsible for the training and adaptation of DPRK troops.  

Military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK

On October 4, the Kyiv Post reported that 20 soldiers were killed in a missile strike on occupied Donetsk, including six North Korean military personnel advising the Russian army.

The South Korean Defense Minister warned on October 8 that North Korea may deploy troops to Ukraine in support of Russia.

At an October 17 press conference in Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Russia's plan to train 10,000 North Korean soldiers for combat in Ukraine.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, later reported that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are training in eastern Russia, preparing for deployment to Ukraine. He added that the first unit of 2,600 soldiers is en route to Kursk, where Ukraine has established a stronghold.

Ukraine has since shared intelligence with NATO about North Korea’s military involvement and requested data from alliance members.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the participation of the North Korean military in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia would mean a “significant escalation.” 

Later, it was reported that South Korea was considering providing Ukraine with military and intelligence assistance in response to North Korea's sending its military to fight on the side of Russia.