North Korea Eyes 5-Fold Troop Increase for Russia, Aiding Donbas Push

North Korea is reportedly planning a significant military reinforcement of Russia, with a goal to deploy up to 50,000 troops by the end of November. This substantial increase, more than five times the current estimated 9,500 troops in Russia, is intended to bolster Russian forces in their efforts to capture Ukraine's eastern Donbas region within the year.

According to Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, North Korea is considering sending additional troops to Russia. The plan involves stationing these forces in three western Russian regions bordering Ukraine. If implemented, this would enable Russia to redeploy its current troops from these areas to the front lines in Ukraine.

Ukrainian intelligence officials believe that the leaders of both North Korea and Russia are expected to approve this plan. Beyond the ground troops, North Korea has also reportedly sent 90 personnel from its missile units to Voronezh Oblast in Russia. Furthermore, intelligence indicates that North Korea recently supplied Russia with 40 ballistic missiles, which may have been used in recent attacks on Ukraine. Since August of last year, North Korea is estimated to have provided Russia with around 150 ballistic missiles.