WSJ: Russia and North Korea's June agreement includes plans to send troops to Ukraine

This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing a former Russian intelligence officer familiar with the deal.

When the Russian leader visited North Korea to work on the agreement, Pyongyang was prepared to offer artillery shells in exchange for Russian fuel and food. 

The former intelligence officer revealed that the deal included a hidden clause allowing North Korea to send about a thousand soldiers to Ukraine to learn from Russian combat tactics.

The report also mentioned that most North Korean soldiers are currently far from the front lines, but they are being trained to use drones in combat.

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 were 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.” 
• 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.
• Later, it was also reported that North Korea sent not only infantrymen but also military aircraft pilots to Russia.