North Korea poised to send additional troops, military gear to Russia, Seoul says

The South Korean military announced this on Monday, according to the Yonhap news agency.

"A comprehensive assessment of multiple intelligence shows that North Korea is preparing to rotate or increase the deployment of troops (in Russia), while currently supplying 240 millimeter rocket launchers and 170 mm self-propelled artillery," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

The JCS added: there are some signs that North Korea is moving to the production and delivery of 'kamikaze' drones, first introduced during Kim Jong Un's inspection in November. This move is explained by North Korea's attempts to gain practical experience in warfare and modernize its conventional weapons system.

Last month, North Korea's state media reported that Kim Jong Un had observed on-site tests of various types of 'kamikaze' drones and called for full-scale production of this type of weapon, which is becoming increasingly important in modern warfare due to its cost-effectiveness.

The intelligence recalled that North Korea has already sent thousands of troops to fight on the side of Russia in its war against Ukraine. At the same time, according to South Korea's intelligence, the number of North Korean casualties in the wars is estimated at about 1,100.

• North Korea has allegedly transferred KN-15 ballistic missiles to Russia.